Life is Crazy

Hey everyone!  I just wanted to inform you guys that I wont be posting this weeks posts due to my job taking me to a place that doesnt offer net.  My job kinda up and takes me to strange places at the flip of a dime.  I hope to be back with you all soon and don't miss me too much!  Have a great week!

Inspiration

THINKING THURSDAY! 

Sorry!  No fancy header yet! 

Loads of writers are asked what inspires them on a daily basis.  All of them say about the same thing..."Everything!"  I'm the same way.  May it be a sunset, a day out on the town, music, or a turkey burger (no lie, I got a major turning point for my novel while making a turkey burger) ideas come out of no where.  I thought on Thursdays I would post some of the things I run across in everyday life that inspires me to write.  Today, I am just going to leave you with 2.  

First off I have a novel playlist.  I inquired songs for each of my characters as well as songs for certain moods.  I love film scores and listen to them alot when I am having a hard time focusing it, but this song I am linking I knew would set the tone for my whole book.  I spend most of my time listening to Pandora.com.  If you want to find some good Indie music, you should check them out.  Once you find a good artist, it leads you to search their other work.  That is how I found this one.  

Darkening Sky by Peter Bradley Adams 

Lastly, I get tons of inspiration from Art.  Being an artist myself, I love looking at others work.  Here is one piece I came across that I fell in love with!  

Sisters of Autumn by H-ybrid

What Inspires you? 

Killing Trees With Note Cards

There are tons of ways to outline.  You can go about a spreadsheet (which I have no idea how to actually do), outline in word, do chapter summaries, write out notecards, or loads of other ways.  I considered myself as a pantser.  When I started working on this novel, I only had one piece of the puzzle.  I saw one scene that captivated me and I wanted to know more about the girl who touched my heart.  Not knowing what I was doing, I wrote out what I saw.  Let me fess up first.  At that point in my life I hadn't wrote anything more than a few short stories hidden away in notebooks from unwanted eyes and the pages of poems that flown through my head.  How was I going to ever write a novel?  

I kept that file saved on my computer and forgot about it while I focused on my Career.  I was kidding myself if I thought I could ever finish something so large as a novel. It had been one of those far off dreams I always had growing up.  Stories ran through my head on a daily basis but usually they were only for me.  When I began to have less faith in my chosen career, I decided to look back at that file.  I never truly forgotten about it, but more ignored it.  

While living in California for the second time of my life, I ran across a location that was exactly what I saw in my head.  It was almost like a calling.  My novel was begging me to come back to it and I took it as a sign.  After spending a few weeks in this certain location, I went back to my apartment in the city and wrote a new scene.  I still hadn't figured out what these characters were doing, but I just knew I had to write.  Not only that but my male lead kept hounding me to meet the girl and that everything was depending on her.  

After I wrote a few more scenes, I decided to go back to the place that inspired me.  I had made some friends there and they offered to show me around the teen hang outs.  They even took me hiking to a spot that awed me so much, it is one of my favorite scenes.  

After taking loads of pictures to satisfy my mental creativity, I journeyed back home to write more, but when I got there, nothing came.  I got down on myself, feeling defeated, I let the story sit for a few months more.  By that time I had moved back home to my country life where I grew up.  It was here that I decided not to give up on it.  National Writing Month--NaNoWriMo--was a couple weeks away.  I had wanted to enter the year before, but I found out about it in the middle of the month.  This year, I told myself I would not only enter, but win.  

I made out a few notecards from the notes I kept in my notebook.  This notebook comes with me everywhere.  I have finally filled that one and recently cracked open a new one, but I poured over the pages I filled in search for the story.  Slowly the ideas came.  

When I started NaNo, it was very difficult.  I had never wrote that much in my life, but by the end of it, I did win.  I barely crossed over the finish line but I was proud.  I decided to read over what I wrote that month, which in doing so, changed everything.  I hated it.  It was filled with useless and meaningless words.  There was no feeling inside those pages.  Not the feeling I got when I saw the story in my head.  I admitted defeat again.  

I stopped writing for a couple months, thinking that if I took a rest it would work out.  Maybe when I came back I could see the words clearer and I did.  The story finally came alive.  I re-wrote everything from NaNo and I feel more confident than ever.  I must mention that I didn't finish the book during NaNo.  I only made the goal words which is 50,000.  I was far from finishing the book.  When I went back and edited, I lost many many words.  I cut the first 5 chapters even.  The pacing was terrible.  

I still am writing the same novel but along my way I learned something.  Notecards are what saved--still saving--me.  Back in High School AP English, I had to do notecards for a research essay.  I HATED it with a passion.  I never thought I would go back to it.  Maybe it was more the research essay than the actual notecards that I disliked.  I bought one of those notecard boxes to fit them all in and I sorted them out.  When I was done I only had the first part of the book plotted out.  I didn't know what came in the middle and only knew a very small part of the end.  I decided to write anyway.  As I wrote, I found more scenes to add that just popped in my head.  These scenes changed so much and added subplots I didn't expect.  I filled that box already and I didn't even have half the novel wrote out.  

Recently I got to the spot where there were no more cards to come next.  The middle was just one giant hole.  I didn't know how to tie in my ending--one I finally figured out--with the rest of my story.  I finally sat down and brain stormed.  It had been awhile since I had done anything like that.  I took out my notecards and kept filling them with things I knew had to happen.  When I was done there will still holes but I had a start.  I continued thinking about it.  I didn't want to jump ahead and write the end because I knew a huge part of my characters emotions played on those middle scenes.  I would be losing much emotion if I jumped the gun.  

A few days ago I went back to the cards and added more.  I finally felt like I had what I wanted.  I tried putting them in order but it just wasn't filling out for me.  Then tonight, I laid all the cards out.  I grouped scenes together that I knew I wanted paired.  I made line after line until it started to make sense.  Finally I was getting somewhere.  As I put the cards in order, new scenes popped up but I didn't mind.  A few moments ago is when the story finally came together.  For the first time in a very long time, I felt a sense of accomplishment.  I stuck with it and it worked out.  Even if I had to kill tons of trees to do so, it was worth it.

Those aren't just single cards...those would be stacks.  And this isn't counting the other box.  These are just the new ones :P

Now that the puzzle figured out, it's time to glue it all together. 

Siren Song

This is a painting by John Williams Waterhouse who is one of my favorite artists. 

Sirens have intrigued me since reading the Odyssey back in High School.  There is so much information out there about these mystical creatures but I'm only going to touch on a few.  

In Greek mythology, sirens were said to be birds with the face of women who sang seductive songs luring sailors to their rocky shipwrecked deaths.  The sirens were said to live on an island of purple flowers, surrounded with cliffs and sharp rocks.  The number of these women seems to change with each story.  In Homer's Odyssey, he speaks of two but other sources count up to five.  He never mentions their names but the most popular in other stories are Peisioe, Aglaope, and Thelxiepeia.  (Can you imagine spelling those names as a kid?) 

Another beautiful Waterhouse Painting. 

In The Odyssey, Homer wanted to know what their entrapping song sounded like, so following Circe's advice, he had his fellow sailors tie him to the mast while he ordered them to plug their ears with beeswax.  He ordered them no matter how much he begged and begged, they were not to untie him but instead tie him tighter.  When they passed out of earshot, the sailors knew by his frowns they were able to release him.  

My favorite Greek version though is the aquatic mermaid stories.  Somethings about them is much more magical and beautiful.  I mean, seriously...anything is more seductive than a bird with a women's face.  That just sorta creeps me out.  *shudders* What is interesting is the fact the word for mermaid in a few other languages are Sirena, Syrena, and Sereia.  I have noticed a few YA books in the last few years starring Sirens. 

I hope this post was magical enough for you and inspiring enough to check out some other tales--no pun intended--about Sirens.  Before I go I wanted to leave a couple pictures of Sirens from Deviant Art.  I'll provide a link to the artist under each pic.  ENJOY! 

Siren by 'shyble      

    Night Siren by thienbao

Last but not least!!! I found this on youtube and am in LOVE with it.  Thought I would share :P

Scare Your Pants Off

I know it seems--ok more than seems--that I am a terrible blogger, but from reading some of Kristen Lamb's Blog about writer blogs, I have been learning quite a bit and have made the first step in improving my own.  I have to admit that when I started this thing, I didn't know much about blogging.  Since then, I have been looking into other writer blogs and found that I was going about it all wrong.  There was no way I would stay interested, or my readers for that matter, if I just posted about my writing.  From discovering this, I am proud to present a new blog schedule.




Magical Mondays
Writing Wednesdays
Thinking Thursdays
Freaky Fridays
(vlogs may become a regular as well but I haven't quite decided on a day)




With adding in some new elements, I believe to keep myself, and others, coming back on a regular basis.  I have so much more to teach people than giving insight to my writing habits. I hope you all will enjoy the new set up as I plan on.




Magical Mondays will be any and all magical topics that I run across.  Magical books, magical ideas, and heck, maybe magical love.  It can be quite broad in the topics.




Writing Wednesdays will be anything about writing, may it be mine or others.  Tips and tricks, found or used by myself, on blogs will be posted here as well.




Thinking Thursdays is going to be inspirational days.  Writers are asked all the time what sort of things inspire us, so I figured I would post where Ideas spring from.

Freaky Fridays I think will be one of my favorites.  I love all things freaky--no that wasn't a dirty joke. Fridays would be about anything scary that freaks me out.  This topic could get interesting!




So without further ado.....!!!


THE FIRST FREAKY FRIDAY!!!


So if any of you know me personally, you know I am a horror movie geek.  I love a good scare--even if that means not sleeping in my bedroom and choosing the couch with all the lights on (thanks Charlie).  I recently had a friend call, at 2am no less, and tell me about this freaky movie he just watched and he thought I should check it out.  I heard about this movie when it hit theaters but I hadn't thought about it since.  If you are a freaky movie fan then you should check out Insidious!!!

Doesn't this poster look awesome? Little kid scary stuff freaks the crap outta me the most :S

What I loved most about this movie was the old school soundtrack.  The creepiness of it reminded me of all the 70s horror films I loved so much growing up.  My dad introduced me to the classics around Junior High and that is also when I fell in love with them.  So many scary movies have numbed me over the years but this movie made me jump like crazy.  It brought me back to the days of curling my feet up on the couch so the monsters wouldn't grab me.




Not only was the soundtrack awesome, but the story line was an emotional one.  I could only imagine what I would do in the place of the boy's parents.  Renai Lambert did a brilliant acting job in my opinion.  I love alot of her movies, so I was pleased to see her portraying the mother in this one.  She was my favorite character out of the leads.  From the minor characters, Tucker (aka Angus Sampson) added a bit of a comedy relief as a ghost hunter.  His bit with the flashlight cracked me up.  Also, Lorraine Lambert (aka Lin Shaye) reminded me of renowned demonologist Lorraine Warren, which I thought was interesting.  I also am guessing that is why they gave her the same first name.




I won't go into detail but the spirits were pretty freaky.  I wish I could of saw a bit more of the main demon up close though.  I am into fx and knowing that Aaron Sims was a big part of this film got me excited, but I didn't get that up close shot I was looking for.  I must admit that I liked the beginning of the film better than the end.  The two parts didn't seem to match up well in my eyes.  The story went in a strange direction, not that I am completely complaining, but the jumpiness dulled down as it got to the ending.  I was expecting some kind of big startle at the end but there just wasn't in my eyes.




All in all, it was a great watch and brought me back to being a scared little kid biting her nails, so I couldn't have asked for more.  It also inspired me for a future story!  If you haven't watched it, give it a try!

HAPPY SLEEPING!            

Book Reviews

This past week I was accepted into galleygrab.  I haven't really done any book reviews on this blog but since getting accepted, I think I would like to start. I believe I would like to put a twist on the reviews though.  I would love to not only review the book, but the writing since this blog is mainly about how I write and what I learn about writing.  I learn so much while reading like a writer.  I never thought about trying that before until the last few years.  I hope from all the awesome egalleys that are sent to me, I can fill people in on my thoughts.  Currently, I have the following egalleys:


Gone, Gone, Gone by Hannah Moskowits
Wildefire by Karsten Knight
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse by  Lucas Klauss


 I started with Wildefire and I am LOVING it so look forward to a review on it soon!

Subplots

Recently I began to watch Pretty Little Liars--I know I am a little behind, but what else is new.  I have never read the books but from what I hear, they are quite amazing.  (adds to my very large to-be-read-pile)  First off, the cast is perfect.  You have the rich brainy girl all the way to the popular girl.  I will try to leave out spoilers in this post in case someone is just as behind on this show like I was.


A group of girls find out their friend is missing.  It's been a year since the disappearance and what was a close knit group, is now more like strangers.  When they find their friends dead and kept more secrets from them than imaginable, a mysterious A shows up to haunt them, using their own secrets against them.


I didn't really know if I would like the show.  Usually I don't like seeing POVs from so many characters at once.  I just feel there is too much going on to really care deeply for them all.  Then out of no where, I found myself LOVING this cast.  Not only are these characters brought back together because of their past but they find a new friendship in each other while being tortured by A.  There are tons of subplots in this show that you would believe one would get lost, but alas, I was wrong.  Every show keeps me wanting more.  I can't wait to find out what A does to them next or what new piece is unraveled.


Watching the show got me thinking about Classified Novel.  I have a detailed main plot, but I think I am lacking in the subplot category.  I have all their back stories and junk, but I feel like there is some tension or something missing.  Pretty Little Liars keeps things fast paced through every episode.  I want that for my novel.  It's paranormal with a thriller side to it so there needs to be more action!  #headdesk  If anyone has any tips I would love to hear them!  Till next time!       

Love connections

Ok...so I don't exactly mean LOVE connection but over at Maggie Stiefvater's  blog, she is holding a Crit Partner Love Connection.  Now, I recently found a really awesome writing group who have become amazing help with my novel, but I thought what the heck, I'll give it a try.  I've never really had a crit partner, then again I haven't taken my writing this serious before.  My post for a Love Connection hasn't been up long and I have gotten one email already.  In return I have emailed a few but haven't received replies back...yet.  *fingers crossed* on finding one.  Not that I don't have enough already, but I would like other perspectives on my work.


Personally, I think Maggie had a great idea doing this.  Sometimes it's really difficult to find that certain someone who just clicks so well and "gets" your writing.  Maggie has set up a great way since she has soooo much traffic already to her blog.  I would just like to thank Maggie before hand for this brilliant idea and give lots of luck to all the writers out there trying to find "THE ONE."      

Tired...

Today was crazy.  I planned on spending the day writing, though that plan was changed fast.  I got called to do 2 photoshoots in the same day.  We had enough time to finish but it was pretty fast pace.  All the photos turned out well and I am sitting, editing them.  I know I am cutting this post short since I am half asleep writing this, but I was curious...What kind of things take you away from writing???

Stepping Stones and Family

I hear that it's blog for 30 days of April.  I know that I can't make that.  Please, who am I kidding!  But seriously, this gives me a chance to try and stick with blogging.  Blogging all those days might not happen, but I will remember to blog more often and use this as a stepping stone.


Today I want to focus on Family.  I know what your thinking "Isn't this a little off topic?"  Trust me on this one, it will work out in the end.


My family is full of the creative type people:  my Sister is a Pastery Chef, my Mom quilts, Dad builds movie/haunt props, my Bro makes Steampunk items, and the Lil' Sis took up scrapbooking/acting.  As you can see, even my parents are creative.  They have always been supportive no matter what we did in our lives, even when half my town told me I was crazy for going to Makeup School for Film.  From filming, I have met some of the most amazing and wonderful people.  Some of which are now good friends of mine.


My friends and family have always been there for me.  When I brought up to them that I was writing a book, the either A) wanted to read it right then--even though it wasn't complete or B) they said "finally!"  They were confident that I could do it, more so than I am most days.  I couldn't be happier with the life I have chosen.  Yes, of course, some days are better than others, everyone goes through that, but I always know that no matter what, my family is right there backing me up.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Where it all started...

Alright, you caught me.  As it seems, I’m not the best blogger.  I’ve been trying to get into the swing of it, but since I live in a freakishly small town at the moment and my parents only carry dial up, its been difficult to keep up on it.  I tried to write the posts with my phone, but that takes more talent than I posses.  The good news, though, is that I will be moving to a much larger area that is in the 21st century.  I know currently no one really reads this blog but I hope to get a following some point down the road.


I really would like to post my journey through writing my first book on this blog.  I’ve been taking it serious this year since I thought to myself “your not getting any younger” so you might as well try.


Reading has always been a huge part of my life.  For many years I have wrote down my little day dreams in notebooks and the Classified Novel was usually the center of those day dreams.  As time went by, I realized how much information I actually gathered up.  Not only that, but the Characters drove me absolutely insane.  Boy #1 (aka B1) constantly begged and pleaded for me to start writing the novel so he could meet Girl #1(aka G1)--sounds like we are playing BINGO.  Now that they have finally met he still speaks of course but not in a pushy kind of way.


I thought I had a good setting for my novel but it still didn’t fit what I saw in my head.  I wanted to base it off a place that actually existed as to ground the world better.  What I originally had was local to me and just wasn’t good enough.  When I moved to CA and did a movie in the Big Bear Mountains, the setting just fell right into my lap.  I had stepped right into my novel.  I have to say, it was the most overwhelming sensation.  Everyone talks about that “Ah Ha” moment.  That’s exactly what I had.  I’ve felt that a couple times while working on this novel but that was the first though.


Once I had my location, I talked to a few local High Schoolers who interned on the film.  They offered to take me around town after we wrapped and show me some of the popular places.  I took my handy dandy camera and took pics as I half hung out the window--not suitable for children.  While on the trip I found some of the most amazing, beautiful places that are now big parts of the novel.


When I returned home I made a book bible for the series and got to work on figuring out my characters.  When NaNo came around, I thought I would give it a shot.  I tried the previous year but started half way through the month and didn’t win.  This past year I did win, writing the most words I ever have in one document.  I felt stressed but the moment I made the finish line I felt so amazing I accomplished the goal I set.  After NaNo I took a break and put the work on the back burner.  I may have won the word count but I was quite stuck in my story.  Months went by while I tried to figure out where it was going.  I made a wrong move with putting it off.  I should have kept writing through it, but its too late for that now.  Still LESSON LEARNED!


A few weeks ago I got back in the swing of the story.  I sat down with my Sister to get her input on the plot.  Before long, ideas were flowing so fast I had to use my voice recorder to catch it all.


So, that’s where I am now.  Now that I have were the story, also series, is going, I am able to continue writing in my Classified Novel.  I did write within those months but only on my class projects.  Some writings pertained to the novel and some didn’t.


Moral of the story, at least for me, is that I need to know where the story will end before starting.  It doesn’t have to be concrete, but enough for me to plan my scenes to head that way.  Now that I am focused, I believe I can finish what I’ve started.      


*If you would like to learn more about NaNo click the link below.
National Writing Month's website

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8