My Latest Muse

Not listening to iTunes...because my computer is dead. In the emergency room. 5-7 days. Writing on hold. Very depressed. On to the post (from my mother's computer):

In case most of you don't know....I am a photographer by trade. How is this relavent to writing, you might ask? Go ahead...ask it. I'll wait.

*waits patiently*

Good question! Let me tell you. I've been thinking recently about creative ways in which I might promote my book, once it gets published. I have heard that it is a good idea to have a clear idea of how the book should be promoted in case an agent shows interest in your work. (Don't worry...I also know not to start the promotion conversation until the appropriate time). I have thought of the usual....bookmarks, posters, postcards, buttons, etc. Then it came to me. What do all of these mediums need? PICTURES!! It just so happens, i'm pretty decent at making those!!

So, I have begun looking for models who might resemble my main characters....and by accident, when I wasn't looking.....I FOUND HER THIS WEEKEND!! MY IZZY!! (She is posted above, in case you are wondering.) The image posted isn't the image I would use...she doesn't exactly look like she is running for her life here, does she? But I think she may just be perfect.

I really don't know how I am going to go about all of this. I don't want to force an image of my characters onto the reader...but at the same time, I think it could be kind of a fun gimmic. Almost like collectible art for a book promo. I dunno. Just an idea. I definitely have time to think about it, that's for sure.

Since the Question has been asked.....

Playing on the TV: Spongebob Squarepants

On my last post, Georgie B asked me what my book was about. I started to answer his kind question in the comments section, but it quickly turned into another post in and of itself....so here is that post! :) I just copied and pasted from the email....

"Hahaha... sure Georgie! I've been a YA avid, avid, avid reader for a long time, and my family finally talked me into putting one of my ideas into a book. It's proving quite a challenge, but I'm working diligently on it every single day. (I'm really proud of that fact.) Actually, I am enjoying the hell out of it. My goal is to write a Bourne type series for young adults. My main character finds out, in the first chapter, that her parents are hiding secrets (yes, yes...kind of cliche spy type secrets.) But wait!! they are not the secrets you think!! They get taken by the "enemy" and only Izzy (my teenage protagonist) can save them. Along the way, after meeting up with an incredibly attractive guy, she finds out that EVERYTHING she has ever thought about her life and her parent's life was wrong (including the cliche spy thing). She has to infiltrate two very secretive and dangerous organizations (no...not secret societies), save her parents, deal with romance, and deal with the moral dilemmas that her parents have now forced her to face.

Whew!!! That was a mouthful. I tried not to give anything majorly away....but that is the general gist of the storyline. There are steamy (but no adult sexual stuff) scenes, along with some car chase scenes, foot chase scenes, stuff exploding, and some Ah-ha! moments. I am thinking I will be finished by the end of this week, if not the beginning of next. Then, it is time for editing. I can already tell that is going to be even more time consuming. I am kinda anxious to get to it, though to see how polished it will be.

Right, now that I have written you a book just in this email.....

Thanks for the question!! Makes me feel proud to answer...."

So, that is basically what my book is about. It is the only time of the day that I allow myself any bit of seriousness. :) Otherwise, nothing but mayhem, anarchy....AND TAKING OVER THE WORLD!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

The Art of the Blog

Playing on iTunes: "Mai" by Loudermilk

So, I have been flipping through other writer's and agent's blogs (Courtney Summers, Ally Carter, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes) and I've noticed a trend. There seems to be a certain writing style that is adopted soul-ly for the blog. I've read through my past posts and determined that I DO NOT have this je ne se qua. My blog comes out completely different than my writing....more like my actual thoughts which will, very shortly, start to get kind of scary if I don't start sleeping.

I dunno, maybe I need to look at blogging like writing a novel. Edit, edit, edit? My God!!!! Is there any online real estate without a spell checker?? *sigh* I am thinking perhaps I should go back and scrap the first blog....

(That is a joke, people.)

I guess it makes sense, though. You can still come off crazy, but it's best if you come off as a professional crazy. I am going to have to start a mental check list.

1. Crazy as a duck in a shooting gallery √
2. Professional √
3. Professional Crazy Ducky - On the "To Do" list.

Ah well. I'll figure it out eventually. On to more interesting things!!

I HAVE MADE IT TO SECOND BASE WITH IZZY!!!!! - or in more literal terms...the halfway point of the book. What makes it so interesting is that I haven't had any issues with writers block until now. I swear to God this is so frustrating!! I know exactly what needs to happen next, but am not sure how to get her there. *sigh...again*

I hope to have the tenth chapter done by tonight. The Eleventh Chapter is "Romance, Romance, Romance" - a working title. ;)

On a side note....for all of those readers (those I don't have yet) who are just gripping the edge of their seats to read my work, I am going to be looking for some Beta Readers. The editing should be finished around Christmas/January and I need some unbiased views on the work. Let me know if you might be interested!!

Until tomorrow...when I may be blogging a bit tipsy (wine tasting week).

Terra

Chapter Length

Playing on iTunes right now: "Knights of Cydonia" by Muse

As I write this book, I am trying to figure out what the ideal chapter length is. I understand that not all young adults are bibliofiles, so most get a little ancy in their pantsy wondering when the next chapter will start. Right now, my chapter's are running about 10-12 pages long. I have them broken up into scenes which are about 4 to 5 pages long. That wouldn't seem so bad, except when you make each scene an individual chapter, I am already on Chapter 14. I still have a lot to say!! And that count means that the book will be about 40-50 chapters long. Even I know that is a bit much. I was hoping for around 25. *sigh* I hate math. I will eventually figure it out. I think I am aiming for a page count of about 300. I am on page 67 right now. If I keep on with my chapters the way I am, I am going to have a 21 chapter book.

Wait....that's not bad. Oh good! My math was, apparently, slightly off. I guess I just needed to have it in writing. See the wonders of "the word"? It makes sense of everything, even arithmetic. :)

Right, I am on to Chapter 7: Scene 1 tomorrow night. I think I need to start setting an entire day aside for editing. I only have one chapter fully edited (not counting the final thousand edits before it is sent to the agency), so it seems I have a lot to do. On that note, I better get to work...or sleep, I haven't decided yet. Wish me luck on both!!