I'm Insane

I've decided I am insane. No, the voices in my head didn't tell me. I figured it out all on my own.

I'm insane because tomorrow I am flying with my one-year old. That's right, I will be trapped on a plane with my daughter and whatever snacks I bring along (good luck getting an extra bag of peanuts from the airline). And I paid money to have the experience!

I'm also insane because I decided to write a novel over a year ago. And it has stayed with me. The novel haunts me during meetings, in the shower, and just before I fall asleep. The characters act out in my mind, creating their world and beliefs and values. They develop into people I hate and love. And I also love the process of creating them.

What about writing your novel has been haunting you lately?

I Learned It From Backyardigans

I watch a lot of Backyardigans. My daughter is 18 months old and it is the ONLY thing that will keep her still for more than five minutes, so we usually watch one episode a day. The more I watch, the more I've come to appreciate the writing.

Characters

They have a great group of five animated kids/animals who live their imaginations in their backyard. But even though they are pretending to be different people (pirates, spies, trash collectors, clowns) their individuality still shows through.

Pablo panicks easily, Austin is shy, Tasha plays the diva, Tyrone states the obvious, and Uniqua...well - I haven't quite figured her out yet.

Of course, they are much more complicated than that - but the consistency and strength of these traits shows through, regardless of what's happening in that
particular episode.

Plot

They have very basic plots for each episode (hey - my 18-month old daughter can kinda follow along). But it is still something that can be translated into plotting a novel...ifjust do it with more subtlety.

1. They start by telling you their goal.
2. They introduce the characters in their roles - antagonist, protagonist, plucky side-kick.
3. They sprinkle in some conflict or obstacles to be overcome - usually something for each character to help with.
4. Finally, they achieve their goal and have a happy ending - because really...who wants unresolved, unhappy endings?

Of course, they add in a nice musical number every couple minutes...I wonder how I can work that into my novel?

What have you learned from watching TV?

Good To Know You

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Fuchsiamania

I have a new novel idea percolating in my head. I've done an inital plot and some basic character sketches. I'm thinking about my theme and emotional arcs. I'm starting some basic research.

Essentially, I'm doing everything I didn't do when writing Illusions.

And I bought a new (as opposed to used???) bottle of nail lacquer. That's right, they don't call it fingernail polish anymore (because then they wouldn't be able to charge as much). It's called Fuchsiamania and it is the exact color my MC would wear. So, in the name of research, I am going to see if having my little piggies lacquered in candy pink will help me get in my MC's head.

What have you done in the name of research?

Good To Know You

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Good To Know You

Visit Give a Girl a Pen to see my Good To Know You post. Please join in the discussion.

You Have Hobbies?

I enjoy expressing my creativity through writing. I love putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, not quite knowing what will come out. The story I thought I'd write may suddenly twist on me, challenging me to rethink my characters.

But writing is not the only thing I enjoy doing. I have hobbies *shocked gasp*. And when I feel I have no more creativity within me, I'll turn to digital scrapbooking. After a couple days of scrapbooking, I find myself rejuvenated to continue with my WIP.

I think it's important to take time for your hobbies. You might end up incorporating them into your novel (so don't feel guilty). And you might end up trying new hobbies because of your characters.

But even if you don't ever use them in your book- it's still important to flex those creative skills in a different way, and let your WIP simmer.

What hobbies do you enjoy? How has it affected your writing?

Good To Know You

Visit Give a Girl a Pen to see my Good To Know You post. Please join in the discussion.

Good To Know You

Visit Give a Girl a Pen to see my Good To Know You post. Please join in the discussion.

Good To Know You

I've copied my Good To Know You post from Give a Girl a Pen. Please join in the discussion there. Thanks!

When I go out to dinner at a restaurant I immediately turn my fork sideways and squint to see if it has straight tines. I mortified my husband when we started dating because I asked the waiter for a new fork. Twice. Now my husband readily trades me forks whenever I ask.

Why am I so obsessed fastidious about my fork?

Growing up, I spent eight years with metal in my mouth. Braces, permanent retainers, jaw enlarging devices. So I refused to eat with a fork that would scrape against these contraptions. The aversion kept with me, even after achieving (nearly) perfect teeth.

What would your character do in a restaurant? And what does that hint about her backstory?

Good To Know You...Give a Girl a Pen Post

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When my husband comes home from work the first thing he does is empty his pockets onto the counter. I used to have a bowl for him to empty it into. It overflowed with junk. So we got a basket. Within a week, he’d filled it to the brim. I refuse to clean them out, so they are now floating around in a junk drawer. And I have resigned myself to my husband’s routine.

When I come home, the first thing I do is kick off my shoes. At one point, I had to pick up seven pairs of shoes out of my living room. And my version of picking up shoes is tossing them willy-nilly into my closet so that I’m searching for three minutes around the closet floor the next time I want to wear them. Yep, that’s my routine.

What routines do your characters have? Do they double check the locks on their doors before going to bed? Do they water their plants in a certain order? Do they always brush their teeth after applying lipstick and have to reapply?