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.

Damn Good Tunes

If you haven't noticed, at the top of every post I do there is "Playing in iTunes". I usually have it on random, so what comes up is....well....eclectic. (I usually skip Elvis and Neil Diamond for your pleasure....I happen to be a fan.) Since it is the last day of the month, I thought I would recap the listening library! Some of the stuff in here really is worth listening to. Great, great, great indie rock.




To Begin!!

Incubus "Make Yourself"
Muse "Knights of Cydonia"
Built to Spill "Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss"
U2 "All I Want is You"
Loudermilk "Mai"
The Pixies "Where is My Mind?"
Kerli "The Creationist"
Lenka "The Show" (only the cutest song ever!!!)
Nada Surf "Your Legs Grow"
The Everly Brothers "Dream" (This song makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.)
Timbaland feat. The Hives "Throw It on Me"
Old 97's "Question" (THIS IS THE SWEETEST MOST ROMANTIC SONG EVER!!!!)
Say Hi to Your Mom "Laundry" (This one is just fun!!)
Jim Sturgess "I've Just Seen a Face" (From the Across the Universe Soundtrack)
Fiona Apple "Criminal"
Ben Kweller "Problems"
Evan Rachel Wood "Blackbird" (From the Across the Universe Soundtrack)

And today's "Playing on iTunes" is........Hootie and the Blowfish "Only Wanna Be With You"
Now THAT's a classic.

Wow....these really are some great songs. I get so excited when they pop up on random!!!

Be sure to tell me what your favs are!! I love donating money to iTunes!!!! ;)

The Perfect Music

Playing on iTunes (but only because I am not writing my book!!) "All I Want Is You" by U2

When I first began this silly adventure called "writing a book", I usually wrote in silence. This....was not a wise decision. My first couple of chapters came out well written, but with no emotion. So, I started listing to some of my favorite, more emotional music. You know...Muse, Incubus, the Mars Volta, Coheed and Cambria...that sort of thing. These guys make me want to cry, throw things, and make love at the same time. Herein lies the problem. I pay more attention to the words than I do to my writing.

So, I have begun downloading music from movies that are similar to my book. I am no best friends with the Bourne soundtracks. They're beautiful and really help me feel the strong emotions I need to write with. Methinks those first few chapters are going to need a re-write. (Not that the whole book doesn't need that anyways.

Anyways...it was definitely a wise move on my part. I will listen to Muse in the car while I think, and the brilliant John Powell while I write. :)

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!!