Chocolate Milk & A Sharp Left to Nowhere...

I'm sitting here on my couch with my glass of yummy chocolate milk contemplating where my novel is going. I have it laid out in my mind, but dragging it out of my head has become a problem today. I'm 7500 words into it and somehow about 1500 ago it lost its way and took a sharp left at the car rental place to rent a car to go somewhere. Where I don't know. I think my MC needs to learn to use the GPS that is installed in the rental car she and her best friend rented.

After researching for hours and hours about the Cajun Loup-Garou, I'm not really finding any specific locations or types of things I'm looking for, so I'm taking a new route. I'm changing locations of the story. Back to my original idea of a small town, even though its been over done like a million times. Every werewolf type story I've ever read happens in a small town. Actually a lot of the monster type stories evolve in small towns. I may even change my "monster" into something a little bit different than your typical werewolf. I'm not sure yet. I'm still compiling notes and research. I know I'll figure it out though, so I'm not stressing about it. It's just pretty aggravating when it starts out easy and then I have to get the pry bar out of the garage to pry it out of my head. I'm sure if you're a writer, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

A Peek Inside... my new WIP

I thought I’d share a bit about what my newest novel is about. When this idea first popped in my head (about 5 days ago)  came out as a were wolf story with The Three Little Pigs twist. Well once I started writing it, I couldn’t really place the twist in there. I mean sure I could eventually, but as I wrote and thought about my story while painting my dining room, I thought about another well-known fairy tale -  Little Red Riding Hood.  What better story to rewrite for an older crowd of readers. I know, right?

Therefore, I figure this I can put it into the story with no problems, but with a twist. There will be no grandmother, but a best friend instead. The MC is a photojournalist who originally began looking for a story on legends in New Orleans, but instead discovered a different story to follow and is now in search of a story about the Loup-Garou who is the Wolf.

This story just would not leave me alone, so for a day or so I only thought about it. How everything would begin and end. Even as I tanned, images of the MC and the wolf ran through my head like a film clip. Her running down the street with her best friend who followed her to New Orleans, the two eating dinner in little cafes, and shopping in the small voodoo shops. The entire book is playing over and over in my head like a movie – I guess that’s why its been so easy to write thus far. I’m just so ecstatic about this book. And believe it or not I even have my boyfriends support this time around. My last project or three, he wasn’t supportive, but this time he was. He listened to what my story was about and said it was a great idea. He even ask me when he gets home if I wrote more of my story that day.  He hasn’t asked to read it yet, but I expect that. He’s not a reader unless it involves Camaro’s, engines, Hot Rods, well you get the idea. 

Saturday Writings

I love Saturdays! I'm not sure why. I guess because on Saturday you're not expected to do anything on that day. Many people think that Sunday is the day that you're not expected to do anything, but that's not completely true. Sunday's you're expected to go to Church, at least in most cultures you are. Saturday is my day. I was born on a Saturday in fact, so I feel I have the right to claim it as my own. I know I'm rambling, but its better than sitting here staring at a blank screen.

I'm a bit stuck in my novel, 5,402 words in and I can't figure out how to take it to the next scene. I can see it in my head, but when I go to type it or jot it down in my notebook, it just doesn't come out like it should. So, I figured I'd stop in and write a post. Maybe it'll get the scene jumped started.

Don't you hate it when you have all these ideas and just can't get them out of your head in the way they're supposed to come out.  I know I hate it.  I figure my book will be around 75,000 words (possibly more). I've been thinking of somehow leaving it open to be a sequel, since the ending I see in my head leaves that as a choice. I figure if I write 1,000 words every day (since I have written 5,000 in 3 days) I can finish my first draft of my novel in 75 days on average. Seventy-five days is... about 2 1/2 months. I'll say 3 just to be safe cause you know how things come up that can't be avoided. :)

Oh and only 79 more followers needed for the end of the 150 Followers Contest.

Maybe I'll write the ending or the part before the ending. Maybe that'll help me to move to the next scene. :)

UPDATE @ 7:39PM EST. I have just hit 6,036 words. I'm so happy. I've only been working on this novel for 3 days and WOW I can't believe it. I'm so proud of my self.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Wow this week just flew by. I hope everyone is enjoying the awesome weather on this great Friday afternoon. I have chosen to work on my book today, at least for the most part. In between writing I've been checking out some of the blogs I follow. Something I've been lacking on lately due to being involved in a ton of other things. I want to thank all of you who follow my blog and leave comments here and there. I'm trying to keep up with and return the favor.

There's still so much to get done before our guests come to stay for a few weeks. Eleven days to be exact. The guest room has been completed and there are only 2 rooms left to do finished. Once they're done, the tile can be placed and the carpet can be installed.

Well, back to my writing. I'm on chapter 3 and its all flowing out pretty well.  I'm writing about 1,500 words a day now. I plan to write more today though. So far, so good - knock on wood.

Update: Today I've written 3,000 + words on my novel.

It's All Coming Together...

I'm so excited today. My book idea is finally coming together. I think I've finally found "The Book" to write. I've been researching since I got home yesterday and have found lots of info on my topic. My only issue about my book is that it may only appeal to a certain "type" of reader. It is based on a folktale in the Bayous of Louisiana, but the folk tale known around the world and in every culture, so it would appeal to readers around the world, but only in one aspect of those who love the supernatural and mystery. It will also incorporate another story into it that is a childhood favorite - "The Three Little Pigs". I know it seems a bit three pigs and a wolf, but I have a bit of new spin to throw in there. I'm not going to let that stop me though. I'm still going to write the book and try to get it published.

The Loup-Garou is known around the world. He/She has many names and varies depending on the culture. This is my legend, my book, my goal to write a story that will blow readers away. I have it all pictured in my head and a lot of it written down on paper and in MS Word. I love it when I have a great idea that I can see going all the way and not hitting a 100 foot wall like my YA novel. I don't think I've ever had and idea like this one, so that shows me that this one is "The One!".

Since I began thinking about this story the other night when I was researching more about Script Writing, it hasn't left my mind. Even yesterday as I was relaxing in the tanning bed, all I could think about was the story. How the characters would act, the setting, the old buildings of New Orleans, the Carnival, the wolves, and so on. I could picture how the story will play out from beginning to end - even though there were a few empty areas, but I'm sure they will fill themselves in once the writing gets going. Oh! I'm so excited!

I have so much to do around the house, but it's no big deal. It just helps me to keep thinking about the story. I don't have a title, but that will come soon enough.

My WIP Progression....

My current WIP "The White Pine" (working title) is slowly coming along. I am stuck a bit on what is better. I have two possible beginnings. My question for you is - Would you rather read a funny beginning or a semi-average beginning that introduces the 2 main characters?

In both the main characters are present, but in the funny one they're not solely introduced yet. I'm not sure which way to go. Hopefully it'll work its way out. I mean I know it will, I'm just anxious to figure out which way to take it. Well, it's time to get busy on it while work is slow. 

Novel Progress

So far I've made a bit of progress on my WIP. 

• My characters have been found and detailed (although they have plenty of room to grow).
• I have the ending. You know the one, the last page.
• I think I may have the title although as my plot keeps progressing the title tends to change.
• My setting is finished for the most part. It needs a bit more work, but for now it works.
• My plot is building itself up through out.
• I have began writing my first chapter.
• And last but not least, my excitement grows with every word I write in chapter one. It took about two weeks to get this far, so I figure I'm off to a damn good start. 

Well, that was just a quick post about my progress. I've read so many great stories of other writers novel progresses, although mine isn't as detailed (I'm superstitious about telling anyone about what my novel entails in fear that it will not be completed). I have a lot of superstitions. I can't stop reading a chapter in a novel I'm reading if it is on Chapter 13. I have to make it chapter 14 before I can put it down.

Do you have any superstitions being a writer?

The Writer's Survey!!!

Writer Survey

I discovered this interesting little survey on Hannah's Blog. I figured I'd give it a try.

1. What’s the last thing you wrote? What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?


 The last thing I wrote was a part of the setting on my new WIP. The first thing I ever wrote and still have is a short story that I hope to one day turn into a novel. (wishful thinking)

2. Poetry? 


A long, long, long time ago when I was a little kid.

3. Angsty poetry?

Not in forever.

4. Favorite genre of writing?

Mystery and my new found friend - YA

5. Most annoying character you’ve ever created?

The character in one of my half written novels. She annoys me so bad cause she's such a pushover. One of these days I'll rewrite her.

6. Best plot you’ve ever created?

I think the best plot I've ever created is the one I'm working on now. Slowly but surly it's building its way through the book.

7. Coolest plot twist you’ve ever created?

Well, I think I might have a good twist on my WIP, but the twist in my short story was pretty good. The magazine editor that was to publish it before it went under said it was an "edge of the seat page turner".

8. How often do you get writer’s block? 

All the time. Not a day goes by that I don't suffer from writer's block, but I have managed to push through it. At least with my novel. My freelancing... now that's another ball game all together.

9. Write fan fiction?

No.

10. Do you type or write by hand?

I used to type out everything. Now I find that is a pain in the ass. Computer files are messy. There's really truly no order to them, so now I create everything on paper in a special journal. I have journal that is solely dedicated to my novel where I create my characters, the plot, setting, and anything else that could and would go into my story.

11. Do you save everything you write? 

I save everything. I lost much of my writing a few years ago when I moved.

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you abandon it? it

Yes, I save everything.

13. What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever written?

Probably the story I'm working on now.

14. What’s everyone else’s favorite story you’ve ever written? 

The short story I wrote.

15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?

Working on one.

16. What’s your favorite setting for your characters?

A small town.

17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?

My novel and my freelancing projects.

18. Have you ever won an award for your writing? 

Not yet.

19. What are your five favorite words?

Not Sure I Have Favorites.

20. What character have you created that is most like yourself? 

Alexandra is most like me. I kind of based her personality on mine.

21. Where do you get your ideas for your characters?

I think of my novels as a movie and  figure out what type of character needs to play that part.

22. Do you ever write based on your dreams? 

Yes sometimes. I'll dream something and figure that could maybe work in my story.

23. Do you favor happy endings?

Happy endings are usually a given. I try to have a happy ending in all my stories although sometimes no matter how hard I try, some just aren't meant to have a happy ending.

24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

Yes, always when I'm typing. If I'm writing in freehand then spelling and grammar doesn't matter.

25. Does music help you write?

Music and Television both. I usually work on my novel in front of the television. Commercials and shows give me inspiration with some of my characters sometimes. I listen to music usually when I'm freelancing.

26. Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops in your head. 

"Jealousy is the best compliment you'll ever receive." 

Now it's your turn... I can't wait to see what your answers are.

Editing as You Go??? Good or Bad?

This morning I was looking through the blogs I follow and found Sarah's Confessions of the Unpublished with a post about Wannabe Writers and of course this perked my interests. Along with this interest and in continuance of my comment, I decided to post some pictures here of my new way of getting my story from my head and onto paper without the horror and time wasting of editing what I just pushed out of my brain and onto the screen. 

When I start to write, I usually don't know where it's going. It's just something that is trapped in my brain that needs to hit the screen. So, thats what I do. I type out everything as I see it in my head. The characters are built by my fingers upon the keyboard along with every other aspect of their world. Then, when I reach 10 or 11 pages, I scroll back up and do the most awful thing I could ever do to bring my thoughts and novel to a complete HALT. My fingers give life to my novel as they also taketh away. I edit. I delete, move things around, change the characters... you name it, I do it. And then after I finish all the editing and drowning all of my creativity, my novel doesn't move forward any more. So, the day before yesterday I was chatting to a good friend of mine and she showed me some notebooks that she had purchased to work on her screen writing and novel. 

Then LIGHTBULB, I decided to borrow her idea, (Thanks Lisa), and started writing every idea (characters, traits, dialogue, scenes, plots, settings, etc.) into the notebook. I moved everything (post-its, both laptops, hightlighters, my notebook, pens, camera, box of index cards, magazines, etc.) into my idea room (my couch in the living room) and started writing. With in about 3 hours I had 3 pages written. Sure, there are a lot of scribbles, hightlighting, and lines, but I actually have a plot, setting, and quite a great crew of characters all written in black ink in my cute little pink journal. This is the most progress I've made in weeks. I'm so happy. 

I find that by using a notebook, I don't get sidetracked trying to research ways to write a novel on the internet. I have found some great books on Amazon about writing, creating characters, etc. and bought a few. I haven't received them yet. A few of them are:

Writing For Young Adults

Writing and Selling The Young Adult Novel

From First Draft to Finished Novel: A Writer's Guide to Cohesive Story Building

Those are just a few. 

The Crossroads

(A Quick Post) – I haven’t been keeping up well with my blog. Mostly due to working on my novel. I want to have at least half of it completed by December 24, 2010 if not all of it in first draft.

I’m at a crossroads with my current WIP. I am so stuck. I have started working on my other novel, which is flowing pretty well, (knock on wood). I wonder if I should scrap it (not toss it in the recycling bin) but put it away. It seems to have no more potential as a novel, more like a short story. The one I’ve been working on all day, outlining, writing, and all of the above it has lots of potential. Tons of possibilities. I’m excited about it, but not real ecstatic if that makes sense. I get my ecstatic moments especially when a scene peeks its head out and say "Aha! That's how its going to be!" And it works. I reread what I wrote today and wow! (in a good way). Although it needs a bit of editing, but so far so good.

My new WIP (actually a story I started a few years ago) has the two main characters worked out to the fullest (almost); unlike my other novel where the main character is struggling to find herself and place in the story. I feel that TRUTH is a lost cause – at least for now. Anyhow, my new WIP is well on its way. It’s organized and so many possibilities. The main plot is plotted, the main characters are characterized, and it’s a beautiful supernatural mystery. I can’t wait to get to the good part of it.

What do you do when your WIP comes to a stand still?

Q & A with my MC in a Dream

Last night I had a dream. I'm posting as much as I can remember from the chat with my Main Character. It was morning and I was sitting down with Christine Winslett, the MC of my current WIP to discuss her character in my novel.

Christine sat on the beige loveseat across from me in the living room of my home, her burgundy hair shined in the sunlight that shone though the big bay window behind her almost blinding me. This was more of an interview than just a casual chat. She sipped coffee from one of my favorite coffee mugs, leaving burgundy lipstick marks around the rim. Her electric blue eyes lined with a jet black liner seem to be hiding something. Something she seemed to want to share with the world, but all at the same time, she was terrified to open up.

Point of View (POV)

(Quick Post)

I'm torn between what POV to use in my novel. Before I get too far into it, I really want to figure out whether I should use First Person POV or Third Person POV. I find it's so much easier to write this particular story in first person, but is that really what the market is wanting? I have this ongoing fear that I will complete my novel, get it perfect, all written in first person and not be able to find anyone to publish it. All that time spent and all that time wasted in making my masterpiece.