December brings many holidays to celebrate to everyone in our world. So this month, the Merry Go Round Blog Tour is discussing holidays. I will focus on what I know, Christmas. It is a blessing and a curse every year in so many ways. But no one wants to hear about the bad...
This year, my family descended upon my home yesterday afternoon. We have a very long yet narrow living room full of 15 people. The youngest was 3 months old all the way up to my grandma who is in her 70's. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Which is always a blessing because that means there are no arguments. My mom loves a peaceful holiday. Missing, of course, was my brother so it wasn't a perfect day.
My 3 year old grandniece was so precious. Every gift was special. Each outfit received a snuggle before it went on mommy's lap. Every toy opened was followed with the large eye, open mouthed "yay" even the books I gave her. It is so refreshing to see the enjoyment of the young ones.
I would be remissed if I didn't hit on the reason we celebrate Christmas. It is a time of year for giving and caring. As a Christian, we remember the birth of Jesus and the sacrifice he was born to make. We draw together as a family and give thanks as well as enjoy each other's company.
I hope each of you has had a blessed holiday no matter what religion or holiday you celebrate!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Inner Workings of a Writer
November is self-interview month on the Blog Tour. So I will attempt to ask creative questions and give honest answers. I hope this will offer insight into my mind for myself as well. Here we go:
What genre do you read?
I mainly read Young Adult novels because that is what I tend to write. I do read Chick Lit as well as Classics. However, I feel it keeps me current in topic and dialogue if I read what is being published now.
Do you have a favorite author?
Yes and no. Since writing in first person is hard for me, I greatly admire Barry Lyga. He does so with such style. A true inspiration. In general, though, I tend to like several authors. Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, Maureen Johnson, Alice Walker and many more.
Where do you get your subject matter from?
Simply from the state of affairs in our society today. As well as watching things in my own life unfold. My husband always says your life is the best writing fodder. I agree. A very awesome story came out of a birthday dinner last year. Look all around. There are stories everywhere.
What topics are the most important to you?
I tend to deal with mental issues in teens. From cutting to homosexuality to eating disorders. I have seen at least one deal with each of these types of issues. I know how the real situation occurs and I attempt to offer a learning experience that does not mirror that one but is also not a "happy" ending. I do not believe sugar coating the consequences teaches teens anything.
Who is your biggest supporter?
My husband, Dan, of course. He is my writing drill sargent. He keeps me going and makes it possible that I can write. I have friends also who are supportive which helps.
I hope this look into my brain and the logic I follow has enlightened you. Right now I am writing about Bulimia which is a subject near and dear to my heart. I wish you all a great weekend and healthy eating.
What genre do you read?
I mainly read Young Adult novels because that is what I tend to write. I do read Chick Lit as well as Classics. However, I feel it keeps me current in topic and dialogue if I read what is being published now.
Do you have a favorite author?
Yes and no. Since writing in first person is hard for me, I greatly admire Barry Lyga. He does so with such style. A true inspiration. In general, though, I tend to like several authors. Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, Maureen Johnson, Alice Walker and many more.
Where do you get your subject matter from?
Simply from the state of affairs in our society today. As well as watching things in my own life unfold. My husband always says your life is the best writing fodder. I agree. A very awesome story came out of a birthday dinner last year. Look all around. There are stories everywhere.
What topics are the most important to you?
I tend to deal with mental issues in teens. From cutting to homosexuality to eating disorders. I have seen at least one deal with each of these types of issues. I know how the real situation occurs and I attempt to offer a learning experience that does not mirror that one but is also not a "happy" ending. I do not believe sugar coating the consequences teaches teens anything.
Who is your biggest supporter?
My husband, Dan, of course. He is my writing drill sargent. He keeps me going and makes it possible that I can write. I have friends also who are supportive which helps.
I hope this look into my brain and the logic I follow has enlightened you. Right now I am writing about Bulimia which is a subject near and dear to my heart. I wish you all a great weekend and healthy eating.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Writer's Worst Fear
I just realized a writer's worst fear: the computer won't boot. I put it into sleep mode with a webpage open. Then I opened it and woke it up. Out of no where is shuts off. Now I have tried booting with and without storage expansion media several times and I get to the same place then off. I say this all to make a point. Save often and in multiple places!
I have a dropbox, thumb drive and main computer as well as the netbook I write on. However, none of my backups include the last 2000 words written. Devastation since my husband is sleeping and he is the computer technician who works 8 to 5 tomorrow. Another day lost in National Novel Writing Month. I am determined if I have to start over though.
A warning to all writers: make multiple copies everytime you save!
I have a dropbox, thumb drive and main computer as well as the netbook I write on. However, none of my backups include the last 2000 words written. Devastation since my husband is sleeping and he is the computer technician who works 8 to 5 tomorrow. Another day lost in National Novel Writing Month. I am determined if I have to start over though.
A warning to all writers: make multiple copies everytime you save!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Revision, revision, revision
October is a good month to discuss revision. It is such an important step in the writing process. And as many people know, November is National Novel Writing Month. It is a challenge to get you writing 50,000 words in 30 days. When I am writing, I never look back. To keep momentum, I look forward and follow my outline and notes. Preparing for November this year, I am looking at past novels and short stories I have written. The revision process was so important.
Revision is where the best writing comes from. You can fix plot holes and rewrite bad scenes. Picking up on mistakes I have made makes a stronger, tighter story. The more revision you do, the more sellable your novel will be in the long run. So I look forward to writing another novel this year but even more so, I look forward to revising another novel after the best two words: The End.
Revision is where the best writing comes from. You can fix plot holes and rewrite bad scenes. Picking up on mistakes I have made makes a stronger, tighter story. The more revision you do, the more sellable your novel will be in the long run. So I look forward to writing another novel this year but even more so, I look forward to revising another novel after the best two words: The End.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Crossing Lines
The topic of September is crossing genres on our Merry Go Round Blog Tour from Forward Motion. Such a good topic for me as I plan my next novel. A lot of the stories I write follow along the lines of the Young Adult, Realistic Fiction line. With this in mind, I started to think about books I read and have loved and one thing keeps repeating in my mind. Every author crosses the borders of genres.
An epiphony if I have ever had one. It is not a new concept for authors to write young adult mysteries or fantasy/Sci-Fi novels. My personal opinion is that this keeps your readers interested on the journey you ar leading them on. The next plot twist is unexpected.
As I am research Bulimia for this novel, I have a quandry ahead of me. Should it be young adult or a 20-something woman dealing? Are we looking at the diet side or the mental health side? Is there another genre that fits this type of story better. Whatever I decide, I am sure it will cross over many lines and I will enjoy every minute of it!
An epiphony if I have ever had one. It is not a new concept for authors to write young adult mysteries or fantasy/Sci-Fi novels. My personal opinion is that this keeps your readers interested on the journey you ar leading them on. The next plot twist is unexpected.
As I am research Bulimia for this novel, I have a quandry ahead of me. Should it be young adult or a 20-something woman dealing? Are we looking at the diet side or the mental health side? Is there another genre that fits this type of story better. Whatever I decide, I am sure it will cross over many lines and I will enjoy every minute of it!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Vacation offers more than relaxation
My husband and I spent 6 days in Indianapolis this last month. It was a glorious time! Good food, good fun, and good ideas. We spent those days at Gen Con, the convention for gamers of all types. People watching was abound! So, when asked where my newest ideas came from, my only answer is Gen Con.
Meeting several new people and learning about their lives gave me story lines to follow. Plot bunnies started hopping through my mind. It wasn't until I saw a bulimic young lady that the story all fell into place! I am excited to get started on this project.
I have characters in my mind that I am going to be creating profiles for. An outline is not far behind. Then the real fun begins. I am diving into the dark places that drive the human mind to do the things that they do. I am excited to move forward!
Check back on the 26th of September for the next installment of the Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour.
Meeting several new people and learning about their lives gave me story lines to follow. Plot bunnies started hopping through my mind. It wasn't until I saw a bulimic young lady that the story all fell into place! I am excited to get started on this project.
I have characters in my mind that I am going to be creating profiles for. An outline is not far behind. Then the real fun begins. I am diving into the dark places that drive the human mind to do the things that they do. I am excited to move forward!
Check back on the 26th of September for the next installment of the Merry-Go-Round Blog Tour.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
What books are on my nightstand?
A question proposed by the Forward Motion Writing community Merry-Go-Round Blog tour for the month of July: what books are on your nightstand. Like many others, I do not have a nightstand. My bedroom is just too small. However, I have a 4" tall bookshelf in my living room that I call "To be read". As I sit here and write tonight, I see this shelf packed full of all the books I want to read. Each one seems like it should be next. The decisions are tough at the end of each book.
My tastes in books vary widely. I have classics, women's fiction, young adult fiction and lots of craft books. On the list right now is the Artemis Fowl series, the last two Jodi Picoult books, the Demon-hunting Soccer mom books, several books by Ally Carter, Sue William Silverman's memoirs plus craft book and other craft books. There is no rhyme or reason to this collection.
I just finished reading Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga which was quite interesting. Lyga can write a teenage girl like no other man I have ever read. I learn a lot everytime I read one of his books. He nails the mind-set of a girl messed up by the circumstances of her life. If you want to write in the first person or like young adult, give Barry Lyga a try.
I am currently reading Things we didn't say by Kristina Riggle. She is a local author from Grand Rapids, MI. She will be doing an author sign this Thursday in a local bookstore a little north of my hometown. She is a wonderful speaker and educated about things aspiring authors would like to know. She will be answering questions about the process and this book in particular.
Not on my shelf: World War Z by Max Brooks. I believe this is the next book to read. It is for a friend but I want to read it first. So, what is everyone else reading these days?
Follow me and other writers who blog at http://merrygoroundtour.blogspot.com/
My tastes in books vary widely. I have classics, women's fiction, young adult fiction and lots of craft books. On the list right now is the Artemis Fowl series, the last two Jodi Picoult books, the Demon-hunting Soccer mom books, several books by Ally Carter, Sue William Silverman's memoirs plus craft book and other craft books. There is no rhyme or reason to this collection.
I just finished reading Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga which was quite interesting. Lyga can write a teenage girl like no other man I have ever read. I learn a lot everytime I read one of his books. He nails the mind-set of a girl messed up by the circumstances of her life. If you want to write in the first person or like young adult, give Barry Lyga a try.
I am currently reading Things we didn't say by Kristina Riggle. She is a local author from Grand Rapids, MI. She will be doing an author sign this Thursday in a local bookstore a little north of my hometown. She is a wonderful speaker and educated about things aspiring authors would like to know. She will be answering questions about the process and this book in particular.
Not on my shelf: World War Z by Max Brooks. I believe this is the next book to read. It is for a friend but I want to read it first. So, what is everyone else reading these days?
Follow me and other writers who blog at http://merrygoroundtour.blogspot.com/
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