Disappearing Act & Excerpts

I'm sorry for dropping off the face of the blog earth...again. Life got a bit hectic with the holidays, sicknesses, new home, and work. Spare time to blog has been a rare commodity. I've still tried to pop into your blogs periodically and hopefully that will continue.

I've started two new writing projects and am devoting my time to learning the craft (No, not witchcraft). So...I'll be away for a while still. I'll miss you all, and can't wait to catch up once things settle down a bit.

In the meantime...here are excerpts from my current WIPs.

Phoenix - Paranormal Romance:

Sera checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. She knew her makeup was flawless, she’d taken an extra twenty-minutes to make sure of it. She had opted for a black pencil skirt and turquoise peep-toe pumps that showed off her tanned legs nicely. She undid another button on her white blouse, letting the hint of white lacey bra show. Then she rebuttoned it.

She was going for sexy, not slutty, she reminded herself. She felt foolish, dressing up for a man just because the last time he’d seen her she’d been in a t-shirt, torn jeans, and mud. She didn’t need to prove that she was attractive. She knew she had that appeal to certain men.

But it was just one man she wanted to make drool today.

She stepped out of the van and opened the back doors. She grabbed the cake board and grunted as she lifted the heavy cake, careful to keep the black and red icing away from her shirt.

“Do you need a hand?”

The voice startled her. The cake slid and a black line of icing pressed against her breasts.

Great. Could she just once not jump out of her skin when she heard his voice?

Aidan walked over and grabbed the cake from her. She looked down and saw her perfectly pressed shirt ruined. She saw Aidan was looking at her breasts too. She arched her right eyebrow when his gaze raised to hers.

“Hey. It’s not my fault. I’m a man with a pulse, we can’t help but notice black smears.”

She smiled and tried not to laugh at herself. Why had she even bothered trying to impress this guy? Apparently anything with boobs would do.


Artless - Young Adult Romance

Alice figured she'd survived twelve first days of high school. And she was only a sophomore.

The worst part of first days, even worse than the stares and the muttering, was giving her introduction.

So here she stood in front of her Math class, deciding where she should be from this time.

Georgia?

No. Then she'd have to use an accent and that hadn't been fun three- no, four schools ago.

Hawaii?

Yeah right. Like anyone would believe her pale skin ever saw the sands of a beach.

"I'm from North Dakota," she heard herself say. Well, too late to take it back now. She'd just have to do some research on North Dakota, and fast.

Royalty Statements

Lynn Viehl is a truly remarkable person and writer.

If you don't believe me, check out this post she just put up on Genreality. What a brave woman, and what a wonderful snapshot for us aspiring authors to see how the business side of writing works.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Lynn!

Writing the Where

I visited Alcatraz last Thursday. It was a foggy morning, giving the island an eerie feeling as it appeared (not that Alcatraz needs any help to make it feel eerie).

I took pictures as we walked the path to the cell-block and other buildings of the island. I kept thinking how it was awful that I didn't have a book planned for this setting. I would've been able to use those pictures to create a detailed setting. I'd have been able to accurately describe the rusted and broken top of the water tower, the green moss climbing ten feet up a rock face, and the red roof of the guard tower.

The details in our settings ground us in the story, making us feel that the place (and so the characters) could exist.

Of course, it is much easier to create a vivid setting when you have been to that location. I struggle with real life locations and so prefer to create my own whenever possible. But I still have to make sure the details are right for what hints I want the reader to get about my characters and what emotions I want to evoke.

Do you prefer to write real or made up settings?

Nanowrimo

I've started thinking about Nanowrimo.

I didn't participate last year and I'm seriously thinking about doing it this year. I've started thinking about the characters I want to write about. Deciding on names and vocations, strengths and flaws. I'm getting more and more excited as it gets closer. And more and more scared at the daunting challenge of it.

Are you going to participate in Nanowrimo? What are you doing to prepare?

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?

Hello World!

I took a break from blogging. I know - you may have noticed since it was well over a month since I posted anything substantial.

There were several reasons for the hiatus.

1. I tiled my kitchen, dining room, and guest bathroom. (Okay - I did not tile it all myself, but I most definitely grouted)
2. My team at work doubled in size.
3. Season premieres of my favorite shows - Castle anyone? And wow, Flash Forward is my new fave!
4. I started thinking about blog posts when I should have been thinking about my book.

That's right - I met that dreadful stage when blogging started taking over much of my writing time. Since I have so very little of it, I wanted to focus more on writing. I also started feeling stressed about blogging. Something I quickly realized was ridiculous since the only person putting the pressure on to blog was me.

So, I went cold turkey for a while. I didn't quite get my novel to where I want it (grrr...endings!) but I did feel the stress level go down.

Are you at (or over) the point where blogging takes up most of your writing time? What do you do to combat it?

What If?

“What If” is one of the most important questions we, as writers, can ask ourselves.

What if all of the Earth's volcanoes exploded tomorrow?
What if my grandfather started speaking to me while in a coma?
What if conjoined twins' souls got separated during surgery?

Well, you get the idea. Asking "What If" helps strengthen our writing. We can create more complex plots, sharpen our timing, and deepen our characters. But too often we get fixated on the wrong What Ifs and negatively impact our writing.

What if that agent doesn't like my query?
What if I don't get published?
What if everyone laughs at my Illusions’ Mini Excerpts?

Wait- you don't ask yourself that last one? Hmmm...must just be my “friend”.

How has asking "What If?" improved your writing?

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?

Happy Birthday, Illusions!

Happy birthday, Illusions!

Well, it isn't technically Illusions birthday. But it is the last save date on the first, first, first version of the prologue (which no longer exists in any form).

I look back and am amazed at what a transformation Illusions has gone through. I am so very grateful I didn't have a clue about the whole publishing process when I first sat down at the keyboard.

To celebrate, I'm giving away a present!

Just comment on this post telling me what made you start to write. You'll be entered you into a drawing for a $10 Target gift card.

Winner will be announced on 8/10/09.

Polished

Warning - I thought of this post while brushing my teeth.

Editing is like whitening your teeth.

You may just need a quick brush to polish it.

I equate that to the whitening toothpaste...you won't get too much bang for your buck. But it's better than nothing. If you are an experienced writer, with years of manuscripts behind your belt, then this might be the choice for you. (I was naive after finishing my first draft of my first novel and thought this was all it needed...boy was I wrong.)

Then there is the do-it-yourself whitening kits.

You know, the Rembrandt Whitening System or the Crest Whitestrips. This is the editing that most of us do...some help from the critique group, some flushing out of characters, cleaning up plots and emotional arcs. Time consuming, but effective. And cost efficient.

Finally, there is the go to the dentist and have them put the radioactive goop on your teeth under the light and walk out with TV worthy teeth.

I think of this as the legit, professional editing services. You walk in not realizing there was a stain on that incisor (or inconsistency in your character dialogue) and walk out with something shiny (though you do have to put in the hard work of actually making the changes). Granted, you also walk out with a flatter wallet. And I wonder how much you learn and improve by doing it this way.

Disclaimer: I have never had my teeth professionally whitened, or even unprofessionally whitened. Nor have I gotten my manuscript professionally edited...so I'm just guessing about how helpful it would be.

So now your teeth are white and shiny. But they are still the same teeth. And your manuscript is still the same story you fell in love with. And now it is one you can proudly show the world.

Cliches for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We've been told to avoid cliches like...well, the plague.

Sometimes that can be difficult. After all, they are cliches for a reason - they give the image you want to portray. But not the tired feeling that may come with it.

I really wanted to use "like a hot knife through butter".

It became "like an Olympic diver piercing through water".

I'm still not completely satisfied and it will likely change before the edits are finished...but you can't say it is a cliche. Or at least not one I've heard of.

What cliches have you caught yourself trying to use. And what have you changed it to instead?

What the Excerpt?!?!?!

I started thinking about why I put excerpts of Illusions on my blog.

It is intimidating to put your writing out for everyone to mock read. I've worked hard on my baby of a novel and sending it out of the nest, into the world, is difficult.

But it has been beneficial.

First, it has made me (usually) read those few sentences very carefully to see if I want to add or remove anything. I know that my work is going to be judged by just that, and nothing more. So each sentence needs to add punch. Sometimes I get the knock-out. Sometimes I hit, well, like a seven-year-old girl.

Secondly, it helps build up my tolerance for negative response (though my commentors have been very positive). I know that if when Illusions is published I will have to deal with the good, the bad, and the outright rude feedback. I guess it is better to start building up the thick skin now.

So that is why I do it even though it is scary nervewracking blood-boilingly terrifying. After all - no risk, no gain. Urgh...or so I've been told.

Why do you put your WIP out there? What benefits have you found from sharing it?

To Save or Not To Save

My mother-in-law just had a big computer meltdown this past week. Dell Support couldn't help her breathe life back into the old PC, the family computer expert couldn't jerry-rig it to work.

So she bought a new PC, and external hard drive. Then, with those new boxes tucked in the office, the old PC felt threatened enough to raise itself from the dead.

The whole thing got me worried about my WIP. I'm good about saving while I write, but I mostly save it on my PC. When I remember, I'll bust out the flash drive and pop a copy on there. But I don't save in both places every day. I emailed a version to myself a couple months ago - but that is hours and hours of writing ago. I can't quite find a method that works perfectly for me.

I'd love some tips.

How do you save your novel?

The Sound of Inspiration

I know plenty of writers who must have music on while they write. They create playlists that go mesh with their WIP.

I am not one of them.

Most of you already know that I cannot think and listen at the same time. And my mind does not tune out the music the way so many others can. But that does not mean that I am not inspired by music.

Music can create a mood, a picture, an emotion that tugs at a very basic and raw part of our souls. Something all of us are striving.

I mean - what is Jaws without those two two notes played over and over again, building up the suspense? What is E.T. without that sweltering series of notes while they fly in front of the moon?

By the way, William Joseph is old friends with my husband. His style of music is the type that inspires me to write.

How has music inspired you? Do you use music to help you write?

The Art of Inspiration

picture found here

I look through flickr often to find pictures that coordinate with whatever I'm blogging about. I'm continually amazed by the talent and creativity of so many photographers and artists.

Art inspires my writing more than anything else. Graffiti, billboards, photographs, landscapes, sculptures, whatever - I automatically create a story in my mind surrounding a piece of art. I have several WIP-in-waiting because of a piece of art I've seen. Hopefully someday I will actually get around to writing them all.

What pieces of art have inspired you lately?

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?

I'm a Citizen of Procrasti-Nation

Monday was the perfect day for me to write. My hubby is at work all day. My daughter took a five hour nap. That’s right – five hours (I had to peek in at her several times since she NEVER sleeps that long). So I could’ve written a couple chapters…right?

Nope.

Instead, I procrastinated…I surfed blogs, ate chocolate covered almonds, and perused news articles. I read and took a nice nap. But I did not write one word.

I’m asking myself why.

Did I just need a break from writing? Probably not.

Was I out of practice, since my writing hours have been severely cut since going back to work? Probably.

Was I forcing my characters to do something they wouldn’t do, so they decided to give me the silent treatment? Hmmm…gotta think more about that.

Whatever the reason, it was a lost day. I’ve just gotta shake off that writing funk and move on.

Why do you procrastinate writing?

Cover Art and Voice

I talked a bit about branding on Tuesday, but wanted to discuss it further.

To me, branding is about voice.

Yes, the art department will create a cover for your book when it is published. And hopefully all the sequels will be consistent so when your fans see a new book, they immediately identify that it's the next (insert your name here) novel.

I think of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series as examples of great branding. You see their covers and automatically know who wrote it, without ever needing to see the name of the author.

But even more important than their cover art is the consistency of their voice. If Ally's next book was serious and depressing, I would never pick up another one of her books. Why? Because her brand is fun, exciting, interesting. Not serious, dark, disturbing. I'd feel tricked into buying something I didn't want. And whether they pick up your book at the local library or the local bookstore, the reader is buying into your story by reading that first page. They want the product they expected.

What type of brand do you want your voice to express?

Pigeon Holed

When I think of M. Night Shyamalan, I think of movies with a twist at the end.

When I think of Quentin Tarantino, I think of smart movies that are just a bit too violent and/or twisted for my own personal taste.

But you know what you're getting when you go to their movies. Because it's their brand, their style of film-making. You wouldn't go to a Quentin Tarantino movie if you wanted a heart-warming love flick.

What does that have to do with me?

Are you a romance writer? Are you a young adult writer? Are you a horror writer?

If you've written six horror novels, you may not have a great reception in the children's picture book community. Why? Because they will get used to viewing your material as horror, and not suitable for children.

If you've written young adult romance novels, you may have some resistance when writing an adult thriller.

That is one reason why many well-known authors have used pen names (think Nora Roberts vs J.D. Robb) They don't want to offend their existing fans by branching into other genres. Even if *wink wink* we all know who's really writing the novel, we know what to expect when we pick up the book using the pen name.

My point in this post (If I have one) is to think about your long-term writing career. Don't just write whatever is coming to you right now, write the kind of books you want to be writing five, ten, even fifteen years from now. If you want to write both YA and Adult novels, don't write five novels that are solely young adult. Mix it up so your audience won't pigeon-hole you into one genre.

What genres do you like to write?

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?