Friday, September 28, 2012

Giveaway Winner!

Happy Friday!

This has been the longest week ever, because everyone knows time slows down while you're waiting for something. And I'm waiting for DISNEY WORLD! Next Thursday I'm off to the happiest place on Earth, and I am so excited! I'm going during Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, so it's going to be EXTRA magical! (I obviously find food magical. Duh.)

And since I'm obsessed with lists, I made a color coded Disney Itinerary!

I mean, TELL me that's not awesome?!
I know you're all jealous you don't go on vacation with me.
Because who doesn't want their trip obsessively broken down and color coded to perfection?

I wanted to get my first round of revisions done before then, but revisions take longer than I thought. At least for me. So my new goal date for finishing is October 13th. Then I'll send Death & Co. along to first round CP's! Wooooo! (Don't let the excitement fool you. I'm freaking scared to have people read this thing!)

Anyway, on to the more important stuff. Like the title of this blog post. The giveaway winner!!

I was a dork and wrote everyone's names down on little pieces of paper (multiple entries for those who tweeted, of course) and put them all in a bowl. Fun, if I do say so myself.

So. The winner of the signed copy of Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys is...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...




*throws confetti!*

Congrats, Peggy!! Send me an email at AOlivieri16 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address!

And thanks to everyone who entered! Hope you all have a great weekend!

<3

Friday, September 21, 2012

Signed Copy Of The Raven Boys Giveaway!

Hello, lovelies!

So, yesterday was a GREAT day. First, because I went to one of Maggie Stiefvater's book signings!!

Second, because I got to meet Cristina Dos Santos!! It was super, super awesome. And while we were waiting on line for our books to be signed, just chatting, the girl in front of us started talking with us because she's also a writer. And then we found out it was Ari Susu-Mago, another YA writer I know from Twitter! Small world, you guys. Small world.

So.

Because Maggie is my absolute favorite author, and because I adore The Raven Boys, I'm giving away a signed copy! TRUST ME, you want to read this.



To enter, just leave a comment below. You don't have to follow my blog, but it'd be cool if you did. :)
+1 entry for Tweeting about it
+1 entry for blogging about it

I'll draw a random winner next Friday, September 28th. (Sorry--U.S. only!)

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Be Inspired Bloghop Meme



I've been tagged in the Be Inspired Bloghop Meme! Thanks to Jeff O for tagging me!

So, this requires answering questions about my WIP and tagging five people. It's come at a good time, too, because I just finished my first draft! Woooooo! Here goes.




1. What is the name of your book?

Death & Co.

2. Where did the idea for your book come from?

It came from an actual place that I went to in Manhattan called Death & Co. The name just SPOKE to me and I knew I had to write a story about it.

3. In what genre would you classify your book?

I'm bad at this, because I'm not completely sure. I'm thinking it's YA Magical Realism, but it might be YA Paranormal Romance.

4. If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie rendition, who would you choose?

Hmm, I'm really not sure. I've been searching through pictures online, trying to find someone that resembles my guy MC, but I haven't found one yet. For now, they live entirely in my head. So...pass :)

 5. Give us a one-sentence synopsis if your book.

Oh, crud. This is probably something I should have done BEFORE writing the book, right? Here's a rough one: It's about seventeen-year-old Roslyn Winter who's trapped inside her father's cursed Manhattan lounge, and the boy who gets a job there. I should probably work on a better one, though. :)

6. Is your book already published?

Nope!

7. How long did it take you to write your book?

Technically, 7 months.

8. What other books within your genre would you compare it to? Or, readers of which books would enjoy yours?

It's told in dual POV between the girl and guy MCs, so it would appeal to fans of dual POV. Specific books, though? Maybe Hourglass by Myra McEntire, because there is time-travel (though MUCH more limited), and maybe Shiver by Maggie Steifvater, because my girl MC is part of something magical/paranormal that stops her from having the life she wants, like Sam from Shiver.


9. Which authors inspired you to write this book?

Erin Morgenstern, because I loved how magical the circus itself was in The Night Circus, but it was part of our normal world.

Audrey Niffenegger, because of only one person in the relationship being able to time-travel in The Time Traveler's Wife.

Maggie Stiefvater, because of her dual POV books, and much more than I can only aspire to.

10. Tell us anything that might pique our interest in your book.

There's magic, (very limited) time-travel, cute boys who play music, heartbreak, angst, and kissing.

11. Tag five people!

Steph Sessa 

Jenny Morris 

Darci Cole 

Silent Pages 

Jessica Ruud 

Feel free to participate or not participate if you're tagged, though I'd love to read more about your books! :)


And that's it! What is everyone else working on?

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Good News And Bad News

SO. GOOD NEWS.

I made my 80k word goal!!! WOOOOOO!! I posted that I wanted to reach 80k before I go on vacation on the 25th, and I did! I honestly didn't think I'd make it. I'm pretty pleased with myself.

AND NOW THE BAD NEWS.

I'm...still not done with the draft.

STILL.

NOT.

DONE.

[Um, I had awesome gifs here to demonstrate my frustration. They were awesome. AWESOME, I SAY! But I removed them because I read this post by Roni Loren, and then Leigh Ann's thoughts on it here. And I was too lazy to look for new ones that would be okay to use. Sigh.]


So APPARENTLY I'll be taking Roslyn and Leonel with me to St. Martin tomorrow. These guys just won't leave me alone. But I still love them</3

I'm going to try to pump myself up for my vacation and stop thinking about the fact that I'm STILL DRAFTING.

*twitch*

See you guys next week!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Hookers and Hangers Bloghop! Hangers, Today!


It's Day Two of the Hookers and Hangers Bloghop, hosted by Falling For Fiction! Today is HANGERS.
Here are the details again:

We all know how important the first and last lines are in every chapter. This blogfest will hopefully get your HOOKERS and HANGERS polished making it impossible for readers to put down your book and leaving them begging for more!

On July 16th, post the first sentence from each chapter.

On July 18th, post the last sentence from each chapter.

Post as many as you like!


Here are a few hangers from my YA Paranormal Romance(?), Death & Co.

Roslyn
My nights are like this: death. Always death.
Leonel
So I don’t forget the name later, I write in clear letters: Death & Co.
Roslyn
Please, please don’t tell. 
Leonel
I hope he sees what he needs to see.
Roslyn
And I collapse. 
Roslyn
The smile leaves my face, replaced with something cool and hard and strong. Something safe.
Leonel
There’s nothing to do but wait.
Roslyn
I’m not quite sure what I’m getting myself into, but Paul was right…I want change, too.
Roslyn
I concentrate on the sound of my boots thudding on the sidewalk, splashing in puddles, and it’s almost as if the wind is calling my name, singing Roslyn, Roslyn, Roslyn.
Leonel
And then she climbs the rest of the way up, leaving me speechless in the freezing rain.
Leonel
But if there’s one thing I know how to do it’s take care of someone, and right now with Roslyn in my arms and her tears staining my jacket, I promise myself that I’ll do anything to take care of her. Anything.
Roslyn
This is my curse: I want more than I can have, and I want more than I can give.
So, so much more.
Roslyn
I’m already gone.
Leonel
It’s an empty tomb, with not even her scent left behind to remind me that she’s real.



I'm looking forward to reading everyone else's hangers!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Hookers and Hangers Bloghop! Hookers, Today!



Yay, it's finally here!

The lovely ladies at Falling For Fiction are hosting this awesome bloghop. How cool is the name and image?!







So, for those who don't know, here's the description of the bloghop:
We all know how important the first and last lines are in every chapter. This blogfest will hopefully get your HOOKERS and HANGERS polished making it impossible for readers to put down your book and leaving them begging for more!

On July 16th, post the first sentence from each chapter.

On July 18th, post the last sentence from each chapter.

Post as many as you like!


Awesome, right!?


So, today is HOOKERS. As in first lines, aka "hooks". I won't be posting every first line from my WIP chapters, but here's a few!

Roslyn
My nights are like this: darkened sidewalk, long lines of anxious customers, bronze and onyx and candlelight, music, music, music, and death.
Always death.
Leonel
I slap Nick in the head.
Roslyn
Life is a powerful thing—blood, breath, heartbeat—but death is stronger.
Roslyn
Someone is knocking on Death & Co.'s door. 
Leonel
I'm halfway down the street when I see something in the middle of the road.
Roslyn
These are the changes we experience: time, weather, and people in the Present.
Leonel
"No warning? They didn't even call to let you know?" Scott's rummaging through my kitchen for a snack, a futile effort.
Roslyn
This is what happens: one day I'm wearing a heavy winter jacket, shivering in the icy air, snow all around me, and the next I'm sitting on the sidewalk in a light dress, enjoying the sun on my face and the breeze on my bare arms.
Leonel
I run up the stairs to our apartment, passing the graffitied walls and rusty railings, and the musty smell that's stuck in every fiber of this place.
Roslyn
We stand there for a long time, until my tears subside and all I can hear is Leonel's heartbeat in one ear and the wind in the other.
Leonel
There was this one song I wrote about two years ago, just after Nick and I moved out on our own.
Roslyn
The thing I never realized about wanting something so badly, needing something so much, is that when you don't have it with you it's the most painful thing you can imagine.
Roslyn
My room is a dark cave, carved out of magic and sadness and reluctant goodbyes.



I don't know how many everyone else is posting, but that's probably enough :) I'm excited to visit everyone else's blogs!


Can't wait for HANGERS on Wednesday!


Friday, July 13, 2012

Dropkicking Doubt In The Face

Every writer I know has faced self-doubt at some point. I don't think you can be a writer and not EVER feel any sort of doubt (and if you can, I am infinitely jealous).

Doubt in your story.

Doubt in your writing.

Doubt in your capability to grow.

Doubt that anyone will ever "get" your story.

Doubt that anyone will ever love your story like you do.

Doubt that you'll ever be pulled out of the slush pile.

Doubt that you'll ever get The Call.

Doubt that you'll ever see your book on a shelf.

Doubt that you're cut out for this.

This writing thing? It's hard. It's not an easy dream to follow. It's not a reliable career choice. It's cut-throat and emotional and fierce and unpredictable. You have to be good. You have to be REALLY good. I'm still at the waaaay beginning of this journey, but I know it'll only get crazier from here. (And more awesome, obviously.)

But you know what? Letting self-doubt paralyze you doesn't help. No, it doesn't. Maybe your fears are legitimate, maybe not. Maybe you're better than you think or maybe not. Either way, doubt only halts the process of moving forward. If you start to feel it creeping in, DON'T LISTEN TO IT.

You're stronger than that.

It's one thing to recognize your weaknesses and work hard to improve, but it's another to wallow over them. I'm totally guilty of wallowing from time to time, but I'm trying not to. I'm trying to focus on moving forward, taking it one day at a time, one challenge at a time.

And this is what I'm learning: if you start to notice doubt rearing its ugly head, then freaking dropkick it in the face and keep on keepin' on. Because that's how you succeed. 


Drafting and doubt comes along? DROPKICK IT IN THE FACE and finish the damn draft.
Revising and doubt strolls by? DROPKICK IT IN THE FACE and work your butt off to make your story shine.
Reading a brutally honest critique and doubt pops its head in? DROPKICK IT IN THE FACE and take the advice like a champ, using it to make your story better.
Receiving form rejections and doubt does a jig in your peripheral vision? DROPKICK IT IN THE FACE and send out more queries, dammit.


Basically, violence is the answer when it comes to self-doubt. Works every time. :D


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Thursday Things: Music And Caffeine

Happy Thursday! Hope y'all had a lovely Forth of July!

It's been a while since I've done Thursday Things. You know, a random compilation of...randomness. In list form, natch. So here we are.

1. First, I present to you CARLY RAE JEPSEN'S NEW SONG WITH OWL CITY!! Whoa, sorry for the caps. I got excited. You know Carly Rae Jepsen? The girl who sings Call Me Maybe? This new song does not disappoint. Prepare to have a dance party! Good Time by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen:


2. Okay, I have to give you another song because I really like this one. Don't worry...it's not another crazy one. It's just awesome. Ho Hey by The Lumineers:

3. Lately I am obsessed--OBSESSED!!--with iced caramel macchaitos from Starbucks. It's an iced vanilla latte with CARAMEL DRIZZLED IN IT OMG. Behold, and then get one for yourself. You can thank me later.


Music and caffeine have pretty much been sustaining me this week. Oh, who am I kidding? Music and caffeine pretty much sustain me every day of every week. Let me know if you have any good song recommendations! I'm always looking for new music. And if you try the iced caramel macchiato and adore it, tell me so I can be pleased with myself :)

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Sprinting

You guys. The whole process of writing this novel has felt like a marathon, but now, NOW, it feels like a sprint.



And my brain hurts.

As I've mentioned, I'm trying to get to 80k (hopefully the end of the draft!) before my vacation on the 25th. I'm currently at 59k. I know this is more than possible for most people, but I'm a slow writer. Sometimes I can write 2,000 words, and sometimes I'm spent after 250. So sustaining a daily word count of 1,000-1,500  words is hard for me, especially because my main writing time is after 11pm and by then I just want to veg out.

NOT AN EXCUSE.

But...it's kind of an excuse for why I just can't sit and think of a good blog post right now. Besides, you know, whining :)

I was going to leave you with a snippet of the WIP to say, "See? I'm writing things!" but I feel like I've been posting a lot of writing lately. So instead I shall leave you with quotes that have to do with RUNNING as related to WRITING! (kind of. sort of. just go with it.)

“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.”


"A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they’re capable of understanding."


Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
--- Will Rogers



"Running is a mental sport...and we're all insane!"


"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."

Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.
-
Lowell Thomas



Run like hell and get the agony over with.
--Clarence DeMar



My feeling is that any day I am too busy to run is a day that I am too busy.
--John Bryant


Run the race, dear friends! And now that I've had a chance to catch my breath...back to the WIP.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Character Arcs

So, I was writing yesterday, and I realized that my MC had changed. In a good way. She's still Roslyn, but now she knows what she wants and she's going for it no matter what. Some of her views have changed, some of her values, her outlook on her own life. And immediately I thought: She's arching!!

Yes, my darling little MC Roslyn is cresting her character arc. It's like character puberty...or something. I'm so proud!


Which led me to realize that I didn't plan her character arc. I thought I did, but what I actually planned was how her situation changed (plot), not how she as a character changed. Big, big difference. Luckily, Roslyn decided to change as a character all on her own. And I love her for it<3

My favorite characters are those who change in some way. It doesn't have to be monumental. In fact, gradual, subtle changes move me the most. I'm currently reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and I LOVE the MC Lena's character arc. She's quite a different person from the beginning to the end of the book, but reading her journey along the way is so, so satisfying. (It also helps that Lauren's prose is DISTURBINGLY pretty.)

When I go through editing, I know I'll want to solidify my character arcs. So I started thinking of what kinds of questions I need to ask.

1. Who is this character at the beginning of the story? What are his/her values? Views? Personality traits?
2. How does this character's past effect who they are? Did any specific events happen to instill certain character traits? WHY are they the way they are?
3. What is his/her goal?
4. What is his/her motivation?
5. Who is this character at the end of the story? How did he/she change?
6. What/who caused the change? Is it believable?
7. Were other characters affected by his/her change? Which characters? How?
8. How does his/her change effect the plot/climax?

This is just a short list, but definitely some things to think about.

What about you guys? Did you plan your character arcs, or let them happen naturally while writing? Are there any questions you ask about your characters before writing, or plan to ask later? Have you read any books lately with great character arcs?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

WIP Update

Hi friends!

Is it just me, or is the blogging community kind of quiet lately? I mean, I know I'VE been quiet lately, so maybe it is just me. Or maybe everyone else is going on vacation/busy with summer things too, I don't know.

Anyway.

I have made myself a new deadline for finishing my WIP: Tuesday, July 24th. Why such a random day, you ask? Because I'm going on vacation on the 25th, and I'd really, really like to get the draft done before then. Really. That's assuming the final word count of the first draft will be around 80k. So who knows, but that's the goal. And I'm SO EXCITED to get this thing done with. It's like the neverending draft. And it's tried to murder me more than a few times (it's still making attempts when I'm not looking), so it'd be cool to wrangle it into submission sometime soon. And then I can add a "What I'm Working On" tab to the blog and be all official and stuff, because for some reason I won't allow myself to do that until the draft is complete. Because I'm weird like that.

I've also decided that I'm going to have a totally different approach to my next project. I'm going to...

wait for it...

wait for it...

OUTLINE.

Yes, outline. Serious, hardcore outlining. Because I haven't tried it yet, and I want to see if I work better that way or worse, or if it doesn't make a difference at all. I'm pumped!

But first I need to finish this WIP and stuff.

Do you guys have any goals for your WIPs? What are they? How are they coming along?

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Mid-Week Motivation

So, late at night when I'm reading or writing, I keep the Disney Channel on in the background. Don't ask me why, because I really don't know. It's a comfort thing, I guess? Or I just really love Disney that much? Anyway, these commercials are always on at night, and it just adds to the reason that I love Disney!:





I know I'm totally corny, but these always make me think of writing. They're so motivational! And even though they're intended for kids, the messages can apply to anyone with a goal or a dream. It's never too late for that. Hope I didn't freak you out too much with my intense love of Disney! :D

Friday, June 8, 2012

Novel Inspiration Pictures

On Saturday, I went into the city (Manhattan) with my sisters in law to the place that inspired my WIP. It was super fun to go back and see all the details that made me want to write the story. The coolest part, though, was realizing that the place in my novel is way cooler than the actual place :D haha.

Here are some pictures from the real place that inspired my novel :)

The door. How cool is that handle?

Chandelier above our table inside. Creeptastic and I love it!


This is actually from another place that we went to, but it has the same vibe. It's a crappy picture but that mirror was so eerie!


I wish I could have gotten more pictures, but it was really dark inside and hard to see. And, also, I don't think I was supposed to be taking pictures anyway. Heh.

Are any of your novels inspired by real places you've been to? Or even places you haven't been to? Have you had a chance to visit? It definitely helped to get me even more excited about the story, seeing the place that started it all!



Have an awesome weekend!

P.S. I'm going to St. Martin next week on vacation with The Husband! So I may not be around for a few days, but I'll try try try to get online if I can!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Short Story: Man Lost At Sea

Hey ya'll! So, I've mentioned that I was in a writing dry spell, and last week the lovely Cristina suggested that I write a short story to get my writer brain working again. So I did. And it totally helped! I wanted to write one short story per month this year, but this is only my second one because I'm a slacker. Sigh. Here's the story.





Man Lost At Sea

I stand by the sea and wait.
The water is dark and tumultuous, crashing at my bare feet. The bottoms of my jeans are cold and wet, sticking to my ankles and up my calves. Rocks and sand give way under my feet as the water pulls back, claiming the land, taking it away because it can. Just like it wants to take me.
I run a rough hand through my briny hair. I don’t want it to take me, but I’ll go willingly. I’ll go on my own terms when I’m ready. I’ll leave Brit behind. She won’t care anyway. She never did. I reach down and pick up a rock, smooth and cool from the ocean, turning it over in my hand. I want to throw it but it won’t skip in this choppy water. It warms as it steals my body heat, rolling over and over in my palm.
       The sun is lost behind thick, grey clouds, turning the horizon into an angry infinity. I know they’re watching me from the water. They’re waiting for their chance, or for me to make a choice.
My cell phone jingles in my pocket for the seventeenth time and I know it’s Brit again. The electronic tune grates on my nerves, like it’s Brit’s voice nagging and pulling at me, and I yank the phone out of my pocket and throw it long and hard out to sea. The exertion feels good, really good, and I thrill as I watch the device soar through the air and plunk down under the water’s surface.
I can almost feel them laughing at me, knowing that I’m close. I’m so close.
“Ha! Cade!”
I’d know that voice anywhere, even obscured and disembodied in the howling ocean wind. I stuff my hand in my jeans pocket, holding tight to the rock, mildly amused that I keep the rock but chuck the phone. I keep my back to the shore and glance toward the sound.
“Cade Johnson, man lost at sea!” Hank Donnelly gallops down the shoreline like a damn fool, hair flapping in the breeze. I know it’s because he’s in love with Shannon Moore, and I bet he’s just been to see her and that’s why he has that dunce grin on his face. He’s oblivious to the world but somehow manages to make spot-on observations.
I grip the rock in my pocket. Not lost at sea yet.
He stops a few feet behind me to avoid the breakers. “Where’ve you been?” he asks, panting, and I can hear the grin still plastered on his face.
“Here.” It’s suddenly stuffy on this vast beach now that I’m not alone. I take a deep breath of ocean air, and when I lick my lips it tastes like salt.
“Brit’s been looking for you. Said she called you and you never picked up. I knew you’d be here.”
“And here I am.” My tone is mocking, but Hank knows I don’t mean it at him. I don’t even know who I mean it at. Brit, probably. I can see her catlike green eyes squinting at me, judging me, always wanting me to change.
The sea is inviting in its wild thrashing—dark slate water churning, urging me to come forward. I keep my ground, feet planted in the sand and in the sea. I’m on a precipice, in between, and I’m not sure what will sway me one way or the other. Jolly Hank Donnelly isn’t helping.
“Everyone’s coming for the bonfire. You’ll stay for it, right?” Hank says.
“Did you come all this way just for that?”
“Yeah?” He says it like a question, like I should know that he’d come down to the beach just to find me.
I do know, because he’s trying to stop me but won’t say it, and I won’t acknowledge it.
“It’s supposed to storm,” I say. The darkening sky confirms my words, and the wind blows icy shards of seawater into our faces for good measure. I don’t wipe it away—it might be my home soon.
“Cade…where are your shoes?” Hank takes a step toward me, still out of the way of the greedy water.
I step deeper into the surf, my jeans soaked through to my knees as the waves hit. My shoes are in the water with my phone, but I won’t tell him that. It’s a dead giveaway that I’m practically signing my life over to the sea.
Practically, but not yet. Not yet, I shout in my mind at the eyes that are watching.
“Come on, man. Let’s get the bonfire started.” There’s a shred of desperation in Hank’s voice. He knows. He definitely knows. Damn, I don’t want to do this with him here.
I take a minuscule step back. I know they’re watching me. “I’ll be right there,” I say, turning the rock over in my pocket.
Hank just stands there like he doesn’t know what to do, staring between the ocean and me. “Brit’s coming soon. I told her I was looking for you here.”
I rake a hand through my hair, then two hands when I let go of the rock, breathing loudly through my nostrils. I want to be furious at Hank but it’s not his fault he’s an idiot. It’s Brit. It’s Brit I’m furious at. I don’t want to see her, don’t want her anywhere near me. And I sure as hell don’t want her to see me go under the water. Just the mention of her name drives me forward into the waves.
“Cade!”
“Shut up, Hank!” I yell as the water hits my waist, chilling me to the bone. Dammit! I didn’t want it to be like this. I’m halfway there and I haven’t even made up my mind yet. At least I can be sure that Hank won’t follow me. He’s too scared.
The rush of wind and roar of the ocean is loud enough to cover my breathing and my pounding heart and any attempts Hank might make to stop me. I’m deaf with it, with the sea, and as a wave builds before me and water sprays into my eyes I’m blind with it, too. My sensation is lost, and all I know anymore is cold, freaking cold and wet and numb.
Numb.
Numb is what I’m after. Numb erases her name and her eyes and the sound of her voice when she lies to me.
I can hear them now. They’re laughing, jeering. They’re coming to take me if I don’t move quickly.
I make up my mind. I go willingly into the sea, plunging deep into the water and away.
It’s like ice to my bones and a heavy veil over my body as I swim to them. I can’t open my eyes yet but I know they’re close, and I know they see me, and I know they’re angry that they didn’t take me themselves.
This was my choice. Nothing from before matters anymore, null and void in the face of what’s to come. Cade Johnson the quarterback is dead. The only son, the failing student, the drummer, the boyfriend. He’s gone.
I brace myself and I open my eyes.
I am Cade Johnson, man lost at sea.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Beautiful Blogger Award


The lovely Jenny Morris gave me this awesome award! Yay! Thank you, Jenny!



Here are the rules.
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Share 7 random things about yourself.
3. Nominate 7 fellow bloggers for the Beautiful Blogger award.
4. Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
5. Include the award images in your blog post.



Alrighty...here goes. 7 random things about myself:
1. I really, really love freshly vacuumed carpets, and laying on said carpets.
2. I got married when I was 21, and everyone thought that I was super young and made it a point to tell me. Obviously, I went ahead with it anyway. It was an excellent choice :)
3. I leave my laundry sitting around in the baskets for days because I hate folding laundry. I also hate putting it away. (My laundry, at this moment, has been sitting around for one day. Let's see how long until I cave.)
4. I used to love cooking until I started writing. Now it's just a freaking nuisance that stops me from writing! Incidentally, I now love baking. Treats are wonderful writing motivators.
5. I crack my knuckles. It's a bad habit that I hate, but I just. can't. stop!
6. I am going to join Lucille Roberts this week. Wish me luck.
7. I hardly ever wear heels because I can't walk in them. At all. I'm one of those idiots you see teetering around on high heels and you think "Why did she even wear them if she can't walk in them?" So yeah, I try not to. :)


And SO. Apparently I'm supposed to nominate 7 fellow bloggers, but seriously, I HATE choosing people for these things! I think everyone is a beautiful blogger! So, anyone who reads this, consider yourself nominated. I know I'm totally cheating, but seriously...consider yourself nominated. I would be delighted if you posted about this and said that I nominated you :)

Monday, June 4, 2012

Dry Spells and Perfectionism

Hello, lovelies!

Oh man, I've been MIA on the blog for a while, haven't I? I've still been around, commenting and on Twitter and such, but I've just felt kind of dry in the blog department. I think that has to do with the fact that I've been kind of dry in the writing department, too. I was chugging along through the rewrite, and then I got to the part where I got stuck last time...and I got stuck again. And I said to myself: Damn you, Amanda! Why, WHY didn't you outline?! And instead of pushing through and just writing, I stopped.

I didn't realize it at the time, but it was/is a serious case of perfectionism that stopped me. I didn't want to write something that I'd have to delete later or that isn't the best way to tell the story. Since I didn't know what came next, I just didn't write anything in fear that it wouldn't be the right thing. My brain was coming up with a million possibilities and I couldn't decide which one was perfectly right. It felt kind of like this:



Well...that's stupid. I'm not going to lie, I'm still really scared that I'll write a load of crap and have to rewrite everything, but the thing is, I won't KNOW it's a load of crap until I write it and the story is finished.

Part of me thinks that this is what I get for partially pantsing this thing (I pants the middle--worst part for me!), but part of me thinks that even if I had an outline, I'd struggle with this anyway. Perfectionism doesn't discriminate between Pantsers or Planners.

So tell me, dear friends, have you ever had a writing dry spell due to perfectionism? Or any other reason? If you're pantsing a particular part of the story, do you just try to let go of the perfectionism and keep writing no matter what, or do you  have to stop and think things through for a while until you feel more confident moving forward?

Thanks for bearing with me during my dry spell. I really love all of you guys!

Oh, oh. Also. The awesome Steph Sessa introduced me to an AMAZING website. It's a bunch of writers who make 15 minute pod-casts on all different writing topics, and it totally helped to get my writing juices flowing again. It's called Writing Excuses and you can go through the archives and even search by topic in the Tags section. The link is here if you're interested. Thanks, Steph!


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Teaser Tuesday! Snippet From My WiP

Um...yeah...I guess this isn't really a "teaser" since I'm an unknown aspiring author with zero people anticipating this novel, but...I needed something that went with Tuesday, okay? Okay. :)

So, I know you're all just DYING for a glimpse of my WiP, right?

*crickets*

Anyway. I've been TERRIBLE with my short stories this year. The plan was to write one short story a month, and I had planned on sharing them with you. Well, I shared my January short story with you, but I ...uh...haven't written once since. Heh. And since my brain won't work right now to come up with an actual post, and I'm in a particularly share-y mood, I'll share a small snippet from New Novel. You'll have absolutely no idea what's going on, of course, and I'm going to be cruel and leave it that way. Muahahaha :D

* * *


Nighttime. Magic. It’s as though a switch is flipped, an ordinary lounge turned magical lair. The daytime is almost too normal, as though the night is only a dream. As though I’ve made this whole life up in my mind. But then the night comes and allures us all, and we’re happy to be in the dream again. I let the customers in. I shiver. I listen to the music. I drink one of James’s concoctions. I watch the customers in their trance, loving loving loving this place as they slowly fade away. This is what normal looks like.
So why is there this gnawing in my chest, aching to break free?
I stand with my arms crossed, my ankles crossed, leaning against the column outside of the lounge. It’s nearly two in the morning—nearly closing time. We aren’t letting any more customers in, but it’s supposed to snow tonight and I want to wait for it. I want to be outside when it does. I remember being little, jumping in huge piles of snow, laughing with Julie as we froze in the icy white stuff but not caring a bit, because it was the most fun we could imagine. I would do that again, now. I would do it if I wouldn’t look like a fool.
I would do it if it didn’t remind me so much of Julie, and the person that I used to be.
The sky is dark, but there’s an almost red tint to it. The air is frigid and smells of snow. I watch the yellow-orange glow of the streetlamps, waiting to see a sign of snowflakes against the light. There’s nothing yet, but it should be soon, and I’m not tired.
Someone walks up to me and stands at my side.
I keep my eyes on the light as I say, “We’re closing.”
“I’m not allowed in, anyway.”
I don’t need to look at him to know it’s Leonel, but I do. His black jacket is fraying at the collar, his neck exposed. I wonder how he isn’t freezing. His guitar is a permanent fixture on his back, like it’s grown right out of him, like it’s part of him. His hands are shoved into the pockets of his jeans, and he stares steadily at the streetlamp as though I’m not even there.
“What are you doing here? Did Papa call you?”
“No. I just finished a gig around the corner and wanted to walk by.”
I stare at him. He stares at the streetlamp. How is it that he stole my perfect moment and now I can’t even look at the streetlamp on my own?
“Why would you do that if we don’t need you tonight?” I say. It comes out a little harsher than necessary, but I don’t apologize.
He parts his lips and exhales, his breath forming a white cloud in the air. He finally looks at me. “No reason. I just felt like going for a walk, I guess.” His eyelashes are so thick they cast a shadow on his face, just under his eyes. I bet when it snows, the flakes catch on them like crazy.
I don’t know what to say, so I look back to the streetlamp. It’s not the same with him here, but we stand there together and wait. I’m waiting for the snow. I’m not sure what he’s waiting for.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Growing As A Writer

I think that sometimes, as writers, we tend to get down on ourselves and our writing. We can always improve, we can always fix something and write faster and try harder. Our prose can be better. Our plots tighter. Our characters more likable. Our premises more interesting.

I'm wracked with doubt every time I sit down to write. Doubt and hope. Doubt and hope. It's an endless cycle.

The other day I pulled out my first novel and read some of it. It's still a first draft, and I still love the premise, and I still think about going back to it one day, but...man, it's messy. And kind of scary. And pretty...bad.

But the funny thing is that I used to think it was awesome. (Ha ha ha!) And even though it sounds like I'm bashing myself, I'm not. This realization made me insanely happy, because I realized that I've grown SO MUCH as a writer since that first novel. All that angsting over the keyboard with the new novel has not been in vain. My writing is stronger than it used to be. (And will get stronger still!)

Not only that, but my first novel took me almost two years to write. Just the first draft. I'd write a page or two and think that was impressive for one day. (And hey, at the time, it totally was for me. We do what we can, and I finished the draft that way.) But now? I usually set a goal of at least 1,000 words a day. I never thought I'd be able to do that.

Somehow, during all that writing, even while I was doubting and getting down on myself, I was growing. And I didn't even realize it.

So today, I'd like to encourage all of you who might be doubting your work or getting down on yourselves. Everything you write--EVERYTHING--is helping you grow as a writer. Even that crap scene that you just cut. Even that piece of dialogue that made you cringe. Even that cliche that your CP nailed you for. It's all worth it and helping in some way.

So tell me, lovely friends: in what ways have you grown since you first started writing? What are you most proud of? For me, it's my word count, and the flow of my writing. It's not as choppy as it used to be. It's not perfect by ANY MEANS, but it's better. Definitely better.



Tuesday, May 1, 2012

There Are Teenagers In My Library!

So...um...this might be slightly obvious to you bookish and writerly peeps...but seriously, libraries are so cool! I mean, I knew this already. Libraries are full of books, and books are awesome, and therefore libraries are awesome. This is merely fact.

However.

Last week I got my very own, very first library card since I was a kid. It was like entering some kind of magical wonderland! Books, books, everywhere! People who love books! People who read books! People who love people who love and read books! I immediately gravitated toward the YA section and stood in wonder as I scanned the shelves. All my favorite authors were stocked. Books I've been wanting to read but haven't had a chance to buy yet were readily available. But now, I could read them for FREE. FOR FREE! Seriously? How is this amazingness even possible? (Yeah, tax dollars, I know. Shhhh.)

So, my new obsession is the library. I decided to indulge in this obsession last night, and so I packed up my laptop and my notebook, and headed to the most magical place on earth. (Sorry, Disney World--I still love you!) I sat at a table and opened my laptop, only to find the battery was dead because I forgot to charge it. Awesome. I was kind of in a bad mood until I heard something...

voices...

TEENAGE VOICES!

You guys, my library is full of teenagers!!! (Um, WOW that sounded creepy. *backs away slowly*)

But seriously. I was SO intrigued. I was in the perfect position to eavesdrop on real life teen conversation. This was RESEARCH, people. Research.

This is what I learned:

1. Some teenage boys are all about RULE BREAKING. There was one boy who INSISTED on using his cellphone even though the rules clearly stated that no cellphones shall be used in the library! But he was a rebel. He whispered into his cell phone, talking to "Chris" and telling "Chris" that he was with "Michelle" at the library. I think he might have said that he was with "Michelle" seven times. Which leads me to believe that

2. Some teenage boys are all about BRAGGING ABOUT GIRLS THEY ARE WITH. This boy clearly had a thing for Michelle. Or maybe Chris had a thing for Michelle and he wanted Chris to be jealous, perhaps elevating his social status? Who knows. All I know is that it was IMPORTANT that Chris know he was with Michelle.

3. Some teenagers LIKE TO PROCRASTINATE. They were supposed to be studying. Maybe they were even TRYING to study, but let me tell you...no studying happened. There was much joking, loud talking, illegal phone calls, and making of plans for after studying. At one point, Michelle even told the first boy (the one who called Chris), "I'm never studying with you again." Wise choice, Michelle, if you ever want to get any actual studying done.

4. Some teenagers are RISK-TAKERS. This is on a small scale, of course. I mean, how much risk is there in a library? But anyway, one boy was talking LOUDLY, and even using some choice expletives WITHIN EARSHOT of the librarian. Some teens shushed him, saying, "We're in a library!", but he continued until he finished his story. It was worth the risk.

5. Some teenagers are QUIET and STUDIOUS. Okay, this totally contradicts everything I just said, but there were other teenagers there that were not part of the group. They were alone. And they were quiet. They followed the rules. And they studied! Which leads me to believe that

6. Teenagers get more work done and follow more rules when they are ALONE, but seem to have more fun and take more risks when they are IN A GROUP. Astounding, no?

My conclusion is that teenagers are UNIQUE and INTERESTING and JUST LIKE US! But younger! Some are introverts, and some are extroverts! Some are loud and some are quiet! Some like to procrastinate and some like to study! And  yeah, some are more keen to breaking rules and taking risks. But that's why I like to write about them! That's WHY THEY ARE AWESOME! Aren't all good stories about taking risks?

Anyway, I'm sure there's much more to learn. I hope to make my library trips a weekly thing, and I really, REALLY hope there will be more teenagers that I can listen to. It's been eye-opening.

Also? Teenagers rock. I kind of want to make friends with them. Maybe that's the next step...slowly move my chair closer...laugh at someone's joke...gradually enter the conversation...suggest some BOOKS...

Or not. Would that be weird?


Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thursday Things

Happy Thursday! Seriously...one day closer to the weekend. I don't know about you, but this week is DRAGGING for me. Working in an office is hard, you guys! How do you do it?!

Anyway, some things for this fine Thursday.

1. The rewrite. Oh, the rewrite. About two weeks ago I made the decision to scrap my WiP and start over. I'm hoping to have 15k done by the end of the month, but I can already tell that it was the right decision. It's the same but slightly different, and better. The beginning will have to be rewritten again during revisions, but I won't even think about that right now. I'm excited to start writing the really new parts that made me want to rewrite in the first place :)

2. I've finally, FINALLY started working out again. Wooooo! Okay, don't be too impressed, it's only a 20 minute kickboxing video 5 days a week. BUT STILL. I'm getting all kinds of crazy now, what with working in the office again AND doing some sort of physical activity! It's a seriously good workout and I can already see a smidge of a difference! Crunches also help. Abs, I WILL have you again!

3. I'm rereading The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. I just couldn't help myself. I started reading another book, got through two chapters, and had to stop so I could visit Thisby again. Her writing style is just my favorite. If you haven't read The Scorpio Races yet, I highly recommend it!

4. I don't know if I've mentioned this, but our new apartment doesn't have a dishwasher. As in, I must HAND WASH all of our dishes. I will never, ever, ever take a dishwasher for granted again. But on the bright side, all that time with my hands pruning in hot water and suds is good novel brainstorming time! Right? Right??

5. I am obsessed with candles lately. Especially Yankee Candles. Though they are a ripoff, I will gladly shell out my money for the scent of Kitchen Spice wafting around the house!

6. This is my favorite song of the week, possibly the month. Makes me want to write a book about boys :)

Monday, April 23, 2012

It's Always, Always About The Writing

The writing itself is work. Hard, long work. Stop and go. Stop and go. There is no glamour in sweatpants and headaches and half-filled cups of coffee. No triumph in e-mail and twitter and blog checking. There is no power in procrastination. When the words are not coming, when the inspiration isn't there, when you'd rather be doing anything else.

Desk. Computer. Time slipping by while you bury your head in your hands, thinking this will never work.

Couch. Laptop. Time slipping by while you type, type, type. Read, delete. Type again.

Pen. Paper. Time slipping by while you scribble incoherently, hoping, hoping, hoping that you're getting it right.

The writing itself is work. But the moment your vision is realized on paper, the perfect word to convey the perfect meaning, plot points coming together like magic, the thrill of a character coming to life, getting lost in the world...you remember why it's all worth it. Why the doubt and stress give way to hope. Why the long, hard hours are also the most fulfilling. Writing lives in our souls, pumps through our hearts and flows from our fingers. It gives us something to yearn for and hope for and dream for and strive for.

Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in The Other Side. I fall victim to this all the time, and honestly, it's silly. I haven't even queried yet--I'm not even close to it!--and I want to throw up when I think of my Dream Agent. I get jealous when I see people getting book deals. Yes, that's The Dream, that's what I'm working toward, that's what we're all working toward, but it all comes back to writing. Unagented, Agented, Published...it's all about the writing. That's what the focus should be on, always. It's where it starts and where it ends and will be there through the whole journey. If there were ever a time to linger, to learn, to explore and discover our style/voice/process, it's now. I'm talking to myself here, but maybe some of you can relate. Sometimes I just want to get the writing over with so I can do the NEXT THING...but even on The Other Side, the writing itself will still be the next thing.

So, I'm challenging myself to stop focusing so much on what happens after I finish New Novel and save that energy for writing it. To revel in the process, sweatpants, headaches, procrastination and all.

Guys, I'm excited. Writing is awesome.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Non-Writerly Friends, A Conversation

Here is a paraphrase of an actual conversation I had with an actual Non-Writerly Friend.

Me: Yum, dinner was delish. So glad we were able to get together!

Non-Writerly Friend (NWF): Me, too! Wanna go get some coffee somewhere?

Me: *checks watch, sees that it's 9:30pm* Um, actually, I need to get home.

NWF: Why??

Me: Um. You know that book I told you about? The one I'm writing...?

NWF: Oh, yeah....

Me: Well, I need to write it.

NWF: *stares* What?

Me: Yeah, this is my only writing time.

NWF: Oh. *pause* Just skip it tonight.

Me: *laughs* I would, but I can't. I get kind of upset if I don't reach my daily goals.

NWF: (???)

Me: Um, like a To-Do list, sort of.

NWF: (???) Coffee?

Me: Sorry, next week?

NWF: I don't want to go home yet!

Me: Oh. Um...

NWF: (???)

Me: (!!!)

NWF: (???)

Me: (!!!)

NWF: *stares* *blinks* Fine, I guess I won't FORCE you...

Me: *laughs* Sorry, it's late anyway.

NWF: Not really. You used to stay out with me!

Me: Yeahhhh. I just...*struggles for words*

NWF: (???)

Me: ...like...to write...now. *checks watch* *feels anti-social*

NWF: Fine. *sighs* *stares*

Me: *stares* *smiles* Okay, well, goodnight!

NWF: *pouts* Goodnight.

*hug* *awkward wave*

/end convo

I adore my non-writerly friends to pieces, but sometimes...they just don't get it. :)

I love you, writerly friends!<333

Friday, April 13, 2012

A Tough Decision

Current Mood: Angst

Current Music: The War Inside by Switchfoot

You know how sometimes you know something's not right, but you try to ignore it in hopes that it will go away? But it doesn't go away? And it kind of just gnaws at you slowly, until one day you're just a pile of ravaged flesh?

No?

That's...kind of how I feel. Maybe not that intense, I don't know.

Let me say this: I love my WiP intensely. Ridiculously. I have 48k and even though it's the hardest thing I've ever written and I don't know what I'm doing, I'm completely in love with it and I BELIEVE in it. So, so much.

Except. What I have on paper isn't my WiP. It's ragged shadow of my WiP. It's an ugly, writhing ghost of my WiP. It's an impostor. And I know, I KNOW that drafts are supposed to be like that. My first novel was like that. But this is not only ugly, it's totally, completely, utterly wrong. After angsting over it for weeks and weeks, trying to fill the plot holes, having major character revelations, realizing that wow this entire thing needs to be changed, I'm...starting over.

Yes, I know I could have tried to finish and then go back to rewrite, but honestly, I don't want to do that. I know that I'll finish this, so it's not a matter of pushing through just so I can finish the draft. The draft WILL get done, but it's a matter of what kind of draft I want to have. Do I WANT a draft that's so far from my story that I'll have to rewrite the entire thing at least once, probably more? Not really. And aren't I kind of already doing that, since I've already written 48k? I need a draft that resembles the story in my head, especially with all the recent changes. I can't continue the way I am if I want that.

Yes, I think I'll be able to salvage some of that 48k, but for the most part, my timeline is out the window. I'll need to make a new one and accept the fact that no, this probably won't be done by the beginning of Summer anymore.

But it will be better. I'll be happier. And one day the book in my head will all be written down and I'll get to love love love it as actual words, not just a vision. That's what I'm looking forward to, and that's what's keeping me going.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Belated March Books

My monthly goal is to read at least two books. I've been averaging more than that, except last month I only got the two in because it was hectic. Anyway, I absolutely ADORED both books.

The first was Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver.

I have to admit, I didn't think I'd like this book. It's an interesting mix of contemporary and...I don't know...paranormal, I guess? But it definitely reads like a contemporary, which isn't usually my cup of tea. (I did, however, love this book.) The protag, Sam, is easy to dislike (at first) but extremely believable, and knowing what was coming at the end was kind of heartbreaking, because by the time the end came you were like, "Nooooo!". Mostly because of Kent. Oh, Kent<3 Yeah, sorry for being vague, but I don't want to give anything away if you haven't read it :)

This is a book I wish I could have read in high school. The bullying is so authentic, and Lauren gets the point across without being preachy. I like to think it would have changed the way I thought about people in high school.

Random fact: The protag and her friends always get the same coffee from Dunkin' Donuts every morning--hazelnut with extra cream--and after reading that I decided to try it. OMG, so good. I get it every day now! Do books ever make you try something new like that?


The second book I read was Divergent by Veronica Roth.

I will describe this book in three words: Holy world building!

I love books that can transport me to another place that feels so real, I almost believe it exists after I put the book down. This was that kind of book.

It took me a few chapters to really get into it, but once I was in, I was IN. I loved that Tris renamed herself. I loved seeing her transform. I loved the whole Dauntless atmosphere, even though it was scary. And I loooved Four<3! But that's a give-in, isn't it?

I'm super excited for Insurgent!





Have any of you read these books? What did you think?

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Crazyness

Hello dear readers! Sorry for my lack of posting lately. It's been a bit crazy around here.

The Husband and I moved, and this week I started working in the office again after 3 years of working from home. Needless to say, it's been an adjustment--and still IS an adjustment. I'm trying to get into a routine and fit everything into my day that I usually do. It's been hard. Mainly because I'm actually out in society now and not sitting on my butt in sweatpants all day.

Heh.

I know I'll get the hang of it soon, but it's definitely frustrating not being as productive as usual. I'm trying not to get too down on myself though, because really, it's a HUGE change for me and I know it'll take some getting used to. Hopefully I'll be back to Getting Stuff Done by the end of the week. Or I might go crazy.

(On a TOTALLY unrelated note, I've been on hold for 43 minutes and it's 11:36pm. Why is LivingSocial so busy at this hour?! And wow, I just realized that if you don't know what LivingSocial is, you probably think I'm calling one of those weird hotlines to talk to random people. NO THAT IS NOT WHAT I'M CALLING!)

(On another unrelated note, I've started watching Downton Abbey after seeing everyone talk about it. I'm only on episode 5, but I think it's fantastic so far! Have any of you watched it?)

Anyway, I adore all of you and will still try to comment on your blogs this week! Send me some energy and routine-making vibes so I can get back to normal! :)




Monday, March 26, 2012

To Wait Or Not To Wait?

This past week I hardly got any writing done. I've had huge plot holes in New Novel for a while now, and I spent the week brainstorming and percolating on things.

I still don't have concrete answers to my plot holes. But I did discover something equally important.

Voice.

My WiP is in two POVs. One POV I pretty much have down, as far as voice goes, but the girl protagonist has been harder to nail. I'm about 40k into the story now, and she still seems kind of flat. It's been frustrating, but I figured I'd come to understand her eventually. And apparently, eventually is now.

All of my brainstorming helped me to understand my girl protag in a way that I hadn't before, and now I'm super excited to start writing in her voice. Except...I realize that everything I've written so far will need to be re-written. I know this is all part of the process, and I'm all for anything that will make the story better.

But now the question is: Do I rewrite the beginning now, or wait until I finish?

Now, hear me out, guys! I know almost all of you will say that I should finish the draft first, and then go back and fix whatever needs to be fixed. I completely agree with that, and would probably do that under normal circumstances. Except, like I've said, I have huge plot holes, so I'm kind of stuck at the moment. I'm wondering if writing the from the beginning in my girl protag's newly found voice might help me to get unstuck. It'll definitely push back my goal date of finishing, though.

Hmm, decisions, decisions.

So, let me ask you--do you usually edit as you go, or wait until the end? If it's something big--like a whole beginning that needs to be fixed--would you fix it immediately or still wait?


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Any Day Can Be A Perfect Day


I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty obsessive about my To Do list. Like, yeah, I enjoy making lists and crossing stuff off and whatnot, but if I don't FINISH my list...I get cranky. I get mad. The more productive I am, the more fulfilled and happy I am. The less productive I am, the more angry and down on myself I am.

I know that I can't do everything, all the time. I know that sometimes things come up, or something takes longer than I'd anticipated, or I'm just feeling blah and don't want to get to certain things on my list that day. I know it's not always in my control. But still. Not completing The List can turn a relatively good day into a bad day.

Especially when it comes to writing.

If I don't make my writing goals, I'm instantly in a bad mood.

But the thing is...that kind of ruins everything else for the day. Obviously, I try as hard as I can to reach my goals and complete my List, but if I know something isn't going to get done, being in a bad mood the rest of the day won't fix it. It only steals the good moments and turns them rotten.

It's hard for me to let some stuff go, to not complete EVERYTHING that I set for myself to do. But it happens. And I'm learning that it doesn't have to ruin everything else. In fact, whether everything gets done on my To Do list or not, it can still be a wonderful day. A lot of it is about mindset and stealing those perfect moments--finding them and holding onto them, and not letting guilt or anything else get in the way.

So today, this ordinary Tuesday, is going to be a good day. Maybe you have work, or chores, or word count goals, or other responsibilities. Let's try our best to get it all done, but if something slips through the cracks, it will still be a good day. Today I'll savor my coffee, enjoy the warm weather, spend time with my husband,  and re-read The Hunger Games (Oh yes, I'm preparing for this weekend!). And I won't feel guilty about letting myself enjoy these things if I don't get everything done. Like the quote says, today is a perfect day for a perfect day.

I'm determined to enjoy it. :)

Do you ever get down on yourself for not completing everything you want to get done?  What are you going to let yourself enjoy today, no matter what?

Friday, March 16, 2012

Lucky 7 Meme


So, I got tagged for this meme by David P. King, yay! (I think?)

Here are the rules:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS.
2. Go to line 7.
3. Copy down the next 7 lines/sentences, and post them as they're written. No cheating.
4. Tag 7 other writers.


This will be...interesting...because my WiP isn't completely in order right now. Like I've said, it's a blob. So this is from page 77, but it might not be the *actual* page 77 once I put everything together.

Anyway, here goes. This is from Leonel's POV in New Novel:


What bothers me the most is that Roslyn told me to come back today, as though she thought they would still be there. Like she didn’t even know. I don’t think she did know, which is just weird. Wouldn’t they have to prepare for something like this? Wouldn’t Byron have told her?
I’m figuring out a bridge to my new song when someone starts banging on the door. I stop playing and jump up.
“I know you’re in there! I can hear your music!”
“Hell, it’s the landlord,” I say. Scott nods solemnly, his eyes shifting around the apartment. “You’re fine. Just stay here.”


...aaaaaand, that's it!

Here are the next Lucky 7 :)

Cristina Dos Santos
Steph Sessa
Jessie Humphries
Jeff O
Hannah Hounshell
Shelley Sly
Emily R. King