The Best Laid Plans

March 31, 2008 | Writing

Okay, so when I started Thicker Than Water two weeks ago, I had decided to try doing a little plotting. Gasp! I know shocking. But I suppose after all the rewriting I’ve been doing lately I really wanted a solid first draft so I wouldn’t have as many write-arounds when I went to work on the second.

Now, as I have done plotting before and found that it effectively killed my story, instead of plotting the book from beginning to end. I noted what I felt the turning points would be, jotted down any ideas for various scenes as the popped up in my head (which I would do anyway because since having a child, my memory sucks) and plotted the scenes of the first few chapters. Then, at last, I sat down to write.

At first, I was excited. These scenes played out beautifully on my cue cards. Sadly, as I wrote I just couldn’t feel my characters. AT the end of last week, and about 12,000 words in, I stopped, chucked the the cue cards , opened a new document and started again. And by the time I saved I’d written 1,000 words and, more importantly, I had a sense of my characters.

I have no choice but to accept, no matter how appealing the idea of plotting is to my Virgo brain, it’s not for me. I’m a pantser, an into the mist writer or whatever else they call the type of writer who sits down and writes. In order for me to be able to write the best story I can, I need to let my characters tell it.

Today I hit 3,200, meeting 1,000 word per day goal since I restarted the story. Yay! I’m also back to rewriting Blood & Bone. Added a new scene to chapter 15, tomorrow I’ll complete the second and hopefully by Wednesday I’ll have something to post with my crit group.

Mood: Good
Music: Hey Jude, The Beetles

Living Lies

March 19, 2008 | Writing

Don’t have a whole lot of time tonight, but it’s my cover. How cool is that?

Also you can read the blurb here.

Page One and Stuff

March 17, 2008 | Books, Writing

Started my new WIP today. Hit my thousand word goal for the day too. Yay me!

I love starting a new story. Granted, facing the blank page can be a touch intimidating, but it doesn’t take long for the words to flow. And the excitement of discovering a story’s twists and turns, a new set of characters far out weighs any nagging doubts. At this early stage, everything is possible and I’m staggered by my own brilliance. By the end of the month things will change. Just you watch.

Also, finally finished up re-rewrites for Witch. Then backed it up six thousand different ways. Okay only three, but you get my meaning. This was a hard lesson to learn, but one I will not forget.

Tonight’s a lousy night for TV and I was hoping to slip out to the bookstore, but it’s getting too late.

I just finished Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning which I really, really liked and so now I must read the next book in the series. Yes, I have hooked myself on yet another series. Bad, Dawn, bad. The good news, the second book is already out. The bad news, the third book won’t be out until September and there’s fourth and fifth book without release dates. Sigh.

The Internal Clock

March 10, 2008 | Writing, family, life

I don’t know if it’s the five foot high snow banks surrounding my house like a medieval wall that’s throwing me off, but my internal clock is having a tough time recognising the time change. I suppose when we spring forward my mind assumes there should be at least some hint of spring outside. Sigh. Well it can’t stay winter forever, can it?

DS has started March Break and DH has most of the week off. I don’t expect to get all that much done this week. (Last week I was very productive so I’m not feeling too guilty about it.) I’m hoping to finish up my research for my WIP. I want to start writing once DS is back in school. I also hope to keep up on my rewrites, one chapter posted to my crit group and another to final draft. And I want to keep up on crits for the ladies in my critique group.

Hmm. Maybe this week will be more productive than I’d planned for.

Mood: Good
Music: The Seeker, The Who

More Snow

March 7, 2008 | Writing, life

Now, I have admitted that I’m one of those crazy people who actually likes winter. I enjoy the snow. But it’s March now, and winter’s charm is starting to wane. Especially with the weather network calling for yet another storm, bringing with it the potential for another 30 to 50 (yes, that’s right, 50!!!!) Centimeters. Blech!! DH is away and I still haven’t shovelled from the last storm we had. (Two days ago.)

On a happier note, I got my first peek at my cover for Living Lies. It’s gorgeous!!! As soon as I can show it off, I will.

Tagged…again.

March 1, 2008 | life

Gina Ardito tagged me for the latest blog virus. First, the rules:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six random things about you
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blog.

So six random things about me, hmmm. I did eight random things back in May, it’s going to be tough to come up with six more. Oh well, here we go:

1. I love the British soap Coronation Street. I started watching it while my mother stayed with me, now I’m hopelessly addicted.

2. Whenever I’m at the computer I must have either a cup of coffee or tea. I suspect this is a weird throw back from when I used to smoke as I tend to place my mug where the ash tray used to sit.

3. I hate mashed potatoes with a passion. Something about the texture…blech!

4. I have the same birthday as Stephen King.

5. There are two stores that I can’t leave without buying something; bookstores and office supply stores.

6. I will not read a book series out of sequence. Even if it really doesn’t have any effect on the story, I still can’t read them out of order.

That’s it. I was really reaching there at the end, could you tell?

Hez, Kath, Bella, Jerri, Karen and Zaynah, I’m tagging you.