The Best Laid Plans

March 31, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Grr…American Idol

February 27, 2008

Okay, I promised myself (after giving up on the show mid-season last year) that I would no longer watch American Idol. But what with the lack of anything else on TV on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, I find myself tuning in. And worse, I find there’s a couple of contestants I like enough to continue watching at least until they get voted off. Still, it’s only the second week and I’m already so annoyed with the show that I’m blogging about it. Yeah, somehow I don’t see myself lasting to the end.

My top complaints:

First, watching people have their dreams dangled before them while they’re berated on national television under the guise of ‘constructive criticism’ grows wearisome quickly. I don’t see the humor in it. Second, I found listening to the judges fall all over themselves to praise the kid who sang Imagine at the end irritating. Yes this kid has a great voice, but it’s still a boy’s voice. I think a few more years to let the voice mature some might not be a bad thing. And third, there are certain songs in this world that should not be tampered with (as Madonna taught us when she butchered American Pie) and John Lennon’s Imagine is at the very top of that list. It does not need to be made ‘current’ or ‘relevant‘ or any of the other catch phrases the judges are are so fond of throwing around this season. The song is perfect the way it is.

And finally, I can’t believe I’ve actually taken ten minutes out of my day to write about this. ;-P

Random Stuff

February 26, 2008

DS is home with the flu. He’s been sick since he woke up Saturday morning. Today the fever is gone, but he’s still looking a little pale and hollow eyed. Still, he’s also feeling well enough that he’s bored with video games and TV. A good sign.

Obviously I’m not getting as much done on my rewrites as I would like. Sigh. I am, however, still making notes on a new WIP. I’ve come across two potential snags in my story, one I think I’ve solved and the other I’m still trying to work through. I’m also attempting to do a little more research at the beginning of my novel this time (rather than when I’m finished) in an effort to cut back on the number of write-arounds I need to between the first and second draft. This is the lesson I take from Blood and Bone.

I just finished reading Knaves Honor by Margaret Moore. I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I finished it in less than week. I don’t often read historicals, but I like hers. Now, I’m reading Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I’ve never read anything by her, but a friend recommended her. I’m only on chapter three, but so far I’m intrigued.

That’s it for now.

Where Do Your Ideas Come From?

February 20, 2008

I know this is a question that annoys most writers, but not me. Perhaps if I ever achieve Stephen King’s or Nora Roberts’ fame, I’ll change my mind. The truth is, I find the evolution of idea to full blown book fascinating. The whole process inspires a certain awe, especially when I’m standing with a completed manuscript in hand. I think back to the first kernel of an idea that might have occurred months or even years before sitting down to write, and I’m somewhat amazed at how this tiny idea morphed into a 400 page book.

On the other end of the spectrum is when I take that first stab at turning an idea into a story. After all, the idea is only the first step. I still have to find the right setting, create the right characters, back story, conflict, and then tie it all together. While exhilarating and exciting, it can be overwhelming and frustrating too.

That’s where I am today, that step right after brainstorming where the first hint of self doubt creeps in like a cool draft from previously unseen cracks. Is this idea big enough to build an entire book? Are my characters interesting? Are their back stories cliché, or so over the top a reader couldn’t relate to them? Are the scenes I’m visualizing too much? Or worse, are they predictable? Will I ever be able to tie it all together so it makes sense?

This is a very delicate point in giving birth to a new novel. It would be only too easy to say I couldn’t do it. But deep down I know I can. I’ve done it before. I’ll keep pushing and digging, and there will be a moment when it all clicks. The idea will no longer be just an idea I have for a story, but a story that I’m writing.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2008

Your Candy Heart Says “Get Real”

You’re a bit of a cynic when it comes to love. You don’t lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart. Your ideal Valentine’s Day date: is all about the person you’re seeing (with no mentions of v-day!) Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic What turns you off: romantic expectations and “greeting card” holidays Why you’re hot: you don’t just play hard to get - you are hard to get