My Literary Jam & Toast

Guest Post: Other Writers Have Said: Writing Isn't Always Easy.

2012-02-06T12:00:00.000Z

"A word is not the same with one writer as with another. One tears it from his guts. The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket."

Charles Peguy

It's something that I've been thinking about a lot lately. No two writers are the same. Not only are there a thousand and one working methods to get a story written, but all of us have different views and experiences that influence what we put onto the page.

And then there are our limits. Those places in our writing where we don't like to go. Some people boldly jump into sex scenes with extreme joy. Others stop at the bedroom door. Some people have to push themselves to write about violence. Others hardly notice that they're writing it.

See all of us have this dark well of emotions that we don't want to look at, let alone draw from it. Everyone's well is a little different, but it's there. And that's what makes it feel as if we cut things from our guts when we write about them. Because it's something that we have to force ourselves to do.

My well would be addressing the causes of my phobias or the dark side of my psyche. I never like digging about in the parts of my soul not fit to be shown to people I know. Still, I do it.

Why? Because it makes for excellent writing. Dredging up thoughts and feelings from that dark well gives a depth that one can't get simply from writing down bland words out of the happy side of our souls.

Besides, dredging is like cauterizing a festering wound. Burns like hell, but in the end it's good for us.

What do you find insanely difficult to write about? Do you write about it any way?

***

Misha is a passionate writer currently revisionating her beast of a fantasy epic "Doorways". When not le tweeting (@MishaMFB) on her various editing shenanigans, Misha lives at her wonderful blog http://sylmion.blogspot.com.

Guest Post:The 6 Stages Of Writing A First Draft.

2012-02-02T12:00:00.000Z

By: Anne Riley

***

Anne Riley is anauthor of young adult fiction. Although previously represented by an agent, sherecently found herself back in the middle of the Query Rodeo (which is a fancyway of saying she's searching for le new representation). If you go to herwebsite (www.annerileybooks.com),you can find all kinds of fun things, including information about her availablenovel, The Clearing. She also has a blog (www.annerileybooks.com/blog)where she discusses the important things in life, including but not limited to:Nutella, magic, and cats. You can find her on Twitter (@AnneRiley), butif you follow her there, be prepared for the fact that she will rarely makesense.

Reason #256 why books have a future.

2012-01-25T18:24:00.001Z

"Freedom lies in being bold." Robert Frost

VS.

Seriously. Bath readers will never abandon the book. We are finnnee, at least for the moment. I mean, when they invent a waterproof eReader things will get interesting but until then! Stay safe!

Any other issues you've noticed with either type of reading platform? I find when reading in bed? If I drop a book on my face after accidentally dozing off it totally wakes me up whereas an eReader hits me and I just snooze away. Also, books are probably the only reason I have (a tiny amount of) upper boy strength. Heheheee.

Proposal

2012-01-17T16:15:00.001Z

"The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive." John Green (Looking for Alaska)

So! Hah! It feels like forever since we have simply talked, mmmmm? How are you? I have been busy, um, studying but also finishing a draft! Wooo! It is woefully draft-like right now but soon I will have polished it a-plenty. Soon!

Anyyywaddles, we're not here to talk about my draft really. We're here because I have a question for you. YES YOU WITH THE FACE. I will ask it thusly; will you guest blog for me in the month of February? Don't answer yet, not yet, watch my presentation first.

So! There you are! I make a convincing argument, right? Guest post for me! It can be about anything, I'm sure if you're been here more than once you are familiar with the whimsy that is this blog. Go mad. I love graphical representations of things but if you're not into it neither am I.

If you want to just ask a question to the world; well hello there this is your chance! (not that you don't have other chances, I'm sure you are perfectly capable of finding chances). Two lines or two hundred, I don't mind.

I am so busy in February (and, kind of now, haha) that I would love for this blog not to sit unattended. So! You with the face! If you want to blog post just email a little YES to miahayson@gmail.com and we'll get everybody set up. Probably also mention your name in le email so I can pencil people in and know what is what and sort out dates. What say you?

Unkiss Blogfest

2012-01-02T18:19:00.002Z

"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity." Edgar Allan Poe

Good tidings! Today it's time for the THIRD ANNUAL NO-KISS BLOGFEST brought to you by the fabtacular Frankie Diane Mallis. She's just a bundle of splendid loveliness. Check her and the other entries ouuuuuutt.

Anyhoodles, I am taking part in this little fest! Hurrah! It's been so long since I took part in a blogfest. Sheeeesh.

I am really rather tired/sleepy/okay maybe I just need a nap/drowsy so I will not go into too much detail about this. Hopefully it speaks for itself, as it probably should, and reads well enough.

He hasn’t changed out of the hospital slacks, even thoughthe entire ward has heard about his miraculous release by now. And thepromotion. He hasn’t changed, and the green fabric still hugs his torsoas it shifts. No scratches on his arms, I note. No rips in the material. No bruises. The ward is taking the news way too freaking well.

He approaches me as if he thinks his clothing will serve asarmour against the sharp edge in my voice. Too bad I carry knives in my mind aswell as my back pocket.

“I’m not here.”

I fold my arms, raising an eyebrow and daring him tocontradict me.

A few days ago he would have dragged me into an argument aboutour existence, maybe insisted I prove my theory. And I would have called him outabout his compulsive lying as we spiral into general disagreement.

But now, here, neither of us tumbles into the comfort ofroutine.

We are two different people who just happen to be standingin a corridor two other people once occupied.

“Okay,” he says, stopping to lean against the peeling paintbeside me. I have to remind myself that his foot, resting against the wall too,is not the foot of the boy I know.

And his leg, the heat that meanders across to my thigh, Ihave to remind my heart to quit trying to be some kind of a gymnast. I remind myself really hard as he glances at me, and then away.

And I look away too, unable to face what we have become.

“So, I’m not leaving until you speak to me.” His voice islow, and raw. I do not dare take my gaze from the dead camera, hanging from theceiling where we tugged it down, to his face.

For I know this voice. And no matter how I try not to, Iknow this boy. I know when he is being honest, and painfully so. I’ve alwaysknown. It’s what gives me a certain power in the ward.

Troy lies, with his body, his mind, and sometimes even hisheart. But his voice, Troy has an honest voice. I suppose it was only a matterof time before somebody else worked that out too.

“Elizabeth, please.”

I flick my eyes to his, finally, and am lost there.

I hate that name. He knows this. I wonderwhen, in the past week, he decided he wanted to join the ranks of my absentparents and the snotty medical overseers by calling me that. I hate my name andI plan to make sure he never forgets. Probably with the blade I roll around in my pocket.

That is, until I spot the flecks. The grey flecks of his gaze that hold me fixed as he widenshis eyes.

I let go of my knife.

It’s not that I don’t see, not that I am unaware, when heraises a hand and skims it along my jaw. It’s not that I don’t notice the way Iturn myself towards him instead of away.

It is just that I am powerless.

Again.

Like in the flickering light of vaults, I am powerless. Like when the ice of the water takes awayfeeling in my feet and I know I will die again, I am powerless.

Except, instead of nightmares, I am surrounded by a differentsomething that feels just as deadly.

My breath, maybe his breath, hitches as we gravitate towardsone another.

My lips tingle as he feathers a thumb across them. Myfingertips are on fire as I pull myself against the fabric of his chest.

When he tilts his head, I close the gap between us. Or I would, I truly would, if he didn’tpress our foreheads together. If he didn’t align our noses and leave it atthat, holding me steady between his hands.

“You are here,” Troy says, his honest voice reverberatingagainst my forehead.

The honest voice.

The voice that smashes straight into myheart, grinding glass into the cracks as he steps away.

“Never forgetthat."

So! That is that! I apologise about the length but, you know, things happened and stuff. Feel free to check out the other awesome entries! My lovely buddy Amalia has an excellent one if you are searching for recommendations. But, to be honest, they are all so varied and imaginative that it's probably best to go to the blogfest page and dive right in! Wooo!

Staring at festive lights & comparing yourself to others.

2011-12-24T15:29:00.000Z

"Love me, because love doesn’t exist, and I have tried everything that does."

Everything is Illuminated, Jonathan Safran Foer.

It is a universally acknowledged truth that over the Holiday period a phenomena I like to call the FESTIVE SLUG EFFECT occurs all over yonder world. I am manipulated, into what I can only describe as a slumber, by cheery songs, warm fires, and happy smiles. Hasn't hit me yet but HAVE NO FEAR soon I will be a blubbering mess of Christmas puddings and wrapping paper. It also seems slow down my writing ala so over December.

I can only hope I am not alone in this little dilemma because, honestly, I can feel my energy slipping away as I sit here staring down a snowman hanging from the top tree. If I'm not asleep by the end of this post we shall be lucky!

Anyhoodles. I think there's another reason my writing has a little dip during this time of year and, actually, it has little to do with festivity. For my biggest thought when it comes to word sluggishness(aside from SERIOUSLY WHY DID I EAT THAT MUCH?)is that for a long time I was blinded by the lights.

Whatever you do during the holiday, don't stare at those lights.

Just as it is probably not energy inducing to stand andstare at decorative lights that may or may not be flashing as your cat may ormay not be chewing the wires on the tree, I have found staring at literary lights to be a bad thing too. Everything in moderation and all that.

It’s brilliant to take stock of things nearing the end of the year, and fabulous to work outwhere you’re off too. But staring is something I have learn to reserve for when I amactually just writing in my head, silently, with wide eyes and a goofy smile.

For when I, or you, or we, or they, begin to compare the parts of us, or me, or you, or they, that make the writing special to the brightest writers around, the ones seem to shine so hard you think it must beexhausting and they are probably nuclear powered or something, things start to go wrong. Cracks in an otherwise smooth story turn into great canyons a mile wide. And all those little nervous ticks come out to play.

Because we were, and are, never supposed to compare ourselves to one another. Because this is life, and nobody is winning and nobody is losing. Because if you hold up a stick a mile high you're always going to fall short. Because there is a difference between perceived awesomeness and actual awesomeness, and there always will be.

This year, try not to stare at those lights. You are you. Concentrate on that. Your story has never been in more capable hands.

And with that thought! I hope whatever this week brings everyone manages to stay kind of awake and have a good time. Also - writing. Let's all get on that. And by all I, obviously, mean me. I should get on that. I am all itchy. I should quit talking and resume writing. What are your plans for this weekend? Honestly, I totally believe that your story is meant to be written. Call me a mushypants but I kind of feel like sometimes stories find you because you are the only one who can listen, you know? Idk idk, I have been making trifle all afternoon this could be the jelly fumes talking.

Don't be afraid.

2011-12-14T17:26:00.000Z

"Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.” William Pollard

Reasons to go outside query (sometimes).

2011-12-08T15:25:00.001Z

"Even after all this time. The sun never says to the earth, "You owe Me."

Look what happens with a love like that, It lights the Whole Sky."

Hafiz

1. It is exciting.

~~Going outside~~ Querying gives you the opportunity to take chances and develop independence. It lets you ~~climbtrees and~~ sing about your ~~skill~~novel. You get to learn all kinds of neat things like how to make fire a synopsis from nothing but a few sticks, roast ~~marshmallows~~ words alive, and depend upon yourself. It's risky, yes, but ninety percent of accidents happen in the ~~home~~ your novel! Soooo, really, if you think about it, this is a very safe thing to be doing.

2. ~~The world~~ Querying can be beautiful.

It can be inspiring, there's somuch to be experienced and ~~going outside~~ querying can give you a glimpse into ~~abeautiful world~~ the publishing world. Listen to ~~birds~~ writers,smell the ~~trees~~ agents, feel the ~~wind~~ words andthe heat of the sun. Enough said.

3. Your future approach'th.

Nobody got anywhere without making a few mistakes along theway; walking up a few dodgy looking paths, wandering into bear infested woods,eating the wrong cake, prodding the wrong ~~tree~~ agent. These are allpart of the process! And if you don't try it out, how will you ever know thingsare wrong? Mmmm? Even if it is simply to try ~~going outside~~ queryingand find it is not for you.

4. You meet people.

Awesome people. They will offer you their ~~snack bars~~ words,a tent to share, a hand to hold, experience. They will become your greatestfriends. They will save you from the ~~wolves~~ yourself.

5. It's a nice break.

A distraction. When all is said and done we all needdistractions so that when we return home we can enjoy writing ~~beingindoors~~ that little bit more.

Sooooooo. Those are the reasonable reasons! Do you have any?Disagree? Hate going outdoors or querying? Hate both? Mmmmm? I think premature querying is a problem but when appropriate it is awesome! Sometimes I enjoywriting a little query because it helps me see things from a new perspectiveyou know? And occasionally I excite myself all over again! Which is suuuuuper!

Passion.

2011-11-30T13:41:00.001Z

"A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader and from the reader the writer learns.”

P. L. Travers

I’ve been super busy this week experimenting in the name ofscience in my new office that is four foot squared, has no windows, and I onlyown in the morning. Ok, so it is a cupboard. Yes. But it’s my cupboard.

Anyway in between that and Nano Istarted applying for some things. Called jobs. Writing, publishing, wordy, journalism jobs. Also I forgot to join these awesome people here yesterday but, you know, I am kind of now. In terms of Nanowrimo I am doing wonderfully despite recovering from illness. Anddd I am very proud of everyone on there, seems like it's been a great year.

Angela H.
Anna M.
Brooke Busse
Charity Bradford
Elizabeth Davis
Elizabeth Poole
Fida Islaih
Huntress
Jen McConnel
Lena Hoppe
Miranda Hardy
Nyxie Moon
Tessa C
Zoe

Writing, I have found, is very much like applying for jobs. Very much so. There are dozens of things you might consider not including ala so:

1. How your favourite words include pontificate, hitherto, goose, hippopotamus, and furthermore (and those are just the top five).

2. How much time you spend reading lolcatz. And how much time you spend telling people you read lolcatz.

3. Additionally, how much time you pretend to spend reading lolcatz but actually spend thinking about Breaking Dawn.

4. The whole placenta thing in Breaking Dawn.

5. How you are very good at the following:
-        writing clichés
-        advanced verbitude
-        extended metaphors until they break
-        waffling
-        having strong opinions and then changing them at the flip of ahat
-        flipping a hat
-        “quoting”
-        bullet points
-        pontificating
-        conjugating things (mainly words)[1]
-        storing spare pens
-        making balloon animals
-        knowing how to correctly make use of paper

But, despite that ever growing list there is one thing, one thing above all else, I think it's important in job applying and in writing. Always in writing. Without this, I'm not sure I'd ever do anything.

PASSION.

Passion, I think, is so important I do not even know where to begin. Without passion I know I'd throw the towel in when things got hard, and weepy, and frustrating, and just confusing. I know I'd never be able to rewrite. And rewrite. And rewrite. And completely scrap to rewrite again. And get so sick of my words I loathe to read them. And I know it's the same with applications. It is passion that gets you working, passion that gets a person reading, and passion that drives me. Hehe. Maybe passion gives me hope too.

So! what drives you? Had a good writing month? A bad one? An average one? What are your plans for December? I predict I will be rewriting some more. Again. And again. Hehe, it's ok really. I moan a lot but I love the way a story takes on an entirely different quality with rewrites. Awesome.

[1] NB: not tobe confused with conjuring things. (Also how you are trained in advanced footnotes and where to find them).

Updates

2011-11-22T15:28:00.001Z

“Whether or not you write well, write bravely.” Bill Stout

Oh nos! I am slightly ill and my back hurts. Soooo. Today I am supposed to update on word counts but honestly I don't know. I am stuck somewhere in between base jumping, self defence classes, extreme mush, sword eating parades and this:

The people down below are honestly about ten times more interesting than me I am sure. Yesterday I spent the majority of my afternoon in a bath. Yeps.

Angela H.
Anna M.
Brooke Busse
Charity Bradford
Elizabeth Davis
Elizabeth Poole
Fida Islaih
Huntress
Jen McConnel
Lena Hoppe
Miranda Hardy
Nyxie Moon
Tessa C
Zoe

Anyone feel like they are grinding to a halt? I always become ill right before my brithday, don't know what it is. Maybe the universe will break if I don't. Hehehehehe.

On Nanowrimo progress.

2011-11-15T13:21:00.001Z

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." Albert Einstein

I love November.

I love the smell of leaves falling.

And the frenzy of writing.

And the freedom.

I love the long days with endless cups of coffee

And the longer ones spent writing into the night.

I hope maybe other people find ways to love it too.

In other news I read this wonderful post by Veronica Rothabout writing out of order. It sums my thoughts up so perfectly. And I think it’svery fitting for all people trying their hand at writing this month inparticular. When you’re starting out it’s easy to think there’s only one way towrite a novel. But the truth is there are as many as grains of sand on a reallylarge beach.

Anyway. I hit 50k last week and broke my brain for a while.But now I’m recovered there is so much to do still. Mainly writing but alsoreorganising chapters. If this new bores you as much as it does me, clicky to the side to see other people in the blog chain thing I am doing. Hehehehe.

But, that said slowly, very gradually, I am falling in love with thisstory. And that is wonderful. Sooo, mmmm, I don’t know. Here’s a line from it. I quite like it. What lines are you particularlyenjoying in your writing? Or reading, I guess?

Maybe it’s best that he didn’tkiss me last night. I’m not sure my body won’t explode or something if he did.The sparks might turn into lightning, and the heart somersaults into faceplants.

It's all relative.

2011-11-09T00:42:00.000Z

"Insanity is relative. It depends on who has who locked in what cage." Ray Bradbury

Seriously. Today flew by so fast I almost fell over several times. OMG. I'm sure it had nothing to do with the weather conditions. So, anyway, as I am taking part in this blog chain called the Birth of a Novel ala so, you get to hear about my day of writing. YOU ARE WELCOME MY PRETTIES. AND ALSO ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE. Here are some other people keeping you in the loop with regards to le writing in November. I love November so many leaves so little time...

Anna M.

Fida Islaih

Huntress

Tessa C

Anyhoodles. My writing update is going to come in the form of some very handy tips that are totally awesome let's make five of them shall we? So! Things I discovered recently:

1. Do not, on any account, forget to uncheck the box in a find and replace scenario, on your lovely cyber device, that says "LOL DON'T MATCH CASES" or something similar. This may result in words such as incrediBryn, visiBryn, and remarkaBryn when all you wanted to do was change a name from Bly to Bryn and you will spend the next few days kicking yourself.

2. Alright, so, general worldly advice here. Never attempt to stand up into the side of a door on accident because man that hurts and it very almost breaks your nose and you will be forced to use the only iced thing you have at the moment, which may or may not be frozen spinach, to stop the swelling.

3. A generally accepted way to format a novel with chapters is in consecutive order. Supplementing a missing chapter seven with an additional chapter thirteen is kind of confusing. I am just saying.

4. Always use the handbrake. I just, I mean, it's a long story. And easy to forgets. But in terms of writing, I guess this could mean saving and backing up writing. Having your novel in one place is all very well until it happens to you and you think you might die of heartbreak. So be prepared! Stick on that imaginary and kind of not really handbrake!

5. It's all relative. In the end, it's down to what you are happy with in life. And when that comes down to writing I guess I don't think you should ever sacrifice love for speed. I mean, yea, sometimes we all need a push. But if it's depressing you beyond all reason maybe it's not quite the right thing to be penning right now. We all have novels in us, it's just a case of finding the right words at the right time. It's a case of timing. It's a case of capturing our hearts on the page. Anddd nobody said it was going to be easy, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it.

So! I honestly don't know my word count. 25k or something. WHO KNOWS. I am actually too lazy at this point to check. However! I have discovered a new passion for this story after chapters of despair. Woo! Now! What do you think? What's your one wise pearl of advice? Enjoying your writing this month? Read any good books lately? Want to share some thoughts about handbrakes?

On a much lighter note, my boiler heater thing tried to kill me last night. I awoke in the early morning to find it attempting to heat the house to a nice cosy 47.5 degrees Celsius. Sooo, thanks flat. Thanks for that. Hehehe. It is fixed now. I have promised to go with the boiler to relationship counselling sessions and he has vowed to try not killing me for a while. Good times.

Young Adult Intelligence.

2011-11-04T20:07:00.000Z

"Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space." Orson Scott Card

I think sometimes people have a tendency to react inappropriately tothings. It’s easy to do, and I guess sometimes it saves awkwardmoments. Painful moments. Truthful moments. But other times. Other times, Idon’t know. Inappropriate responses can be difficult. Especially in writing.

I meannnn, they can be good too! In fact sometimes they’reawesome. Sometimes an inappropriate response in a book is just what you need tohumanise it. To make you think, hey, these people totally mess up sometimes too and laugh when they shouldn'tand I don’t need to feel like they are morally always on the high groundwoooooo! Sometimes it’s fantastic.

Although here is an example of everyday inappropriate responses when it is not so cool, youare welcome.

Now, I write YA fiction. Sure, I dabble in other genres.You know, just to keep things interesting. To keep Young Adult on its toes. I can see other genres if I want to. But the point is, don’t tell anyone, Inever really want to. Young Adult is my home and that’s just fine. I would die if you told it, but I’m kind ofhead over heels for it. Hehehehe.

Anyhoodles. Young Adult. The thing about Young Adult fictionis, sometimes, just occasionally, you come across inappropriate responses thataren’t just teenagers being teenaged.I’m talking about in the writing. I'm talking about forgetting how it is to be a in that transient state of adolescence.

I guess it gets harder with time. The very nature of memory is that is fleeting. You know that, right? Sometimes I think my memory is most fleeting of all, the things I forget. And I guess sometimes people forget adolescence too. They forget the intelligence, the understanding, and the sheer brilliant depth of young people. They forget that sometimes that conflict doesn't need to be massive. It's fun? I love a big finish? But sometimes conflicts come in other forms. Burnt lungs, worn out shoes, a dark night alone and inside...so much going on inside.

I guess what I'm saying is I think that in Young Adult, not underestimating your readers and not inappropriately dumbing things down is very important. It is something I don't consciously look for and yet if I find it I get immediately turned off. I think there's a reason intelligent books, books with deep and difficult themes, books that could easily sit in general fiction being awesome, are so popular in Young Adult.

And that reason is that people who choose to read books are not dumb.

What is your pet peeve of the genre you write? Or the genre you do not write? I'm so hungry right now I don't know if any of this is making sense. Hehehehheeeee. I totally only bring this up because a book on my library lending list thing did this and it upset me a little. It had so much potential if it would just stop talking downnn to me.

Linking explosions and November since about five minutes ago.

2011-11-02T11:19:00.000Z

"Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own." Carol Burnett

I have this habit of exploding things when I’m writing

Not, like, my laptop or the paper I am leaning on. Just thestory. I explode things and everyone runs around wondering what the doodle isgoing on. And whilst I wouldn’t recommend leaving this in a final edit, ithelps things along.

It’s kind of like Novel writing month, Nano, which gets alot of stick from some people about maybe being kind of unprofessional. But, to me atleast, I don’t think it’s supposed to be taken seriously. It never claims to beyour one way ticket to being published. It never says it’s going to make youmoney.

It will rarely be a ticket anywhere, and that’s ok. Instead,it does what my explosions sometimes do. It does what the lame jokes I telloccasionally help with. It encourages forward motion. Kind of like giving youliterary heelys and a shove, and maybe a downhill slope.

And just like explosions, at least for me, I wouldn’trecommend leaving my November writing in a final edit. Let’s be honest, I willscrap most of it. I’ll throw away the part where everyone wanders off on someplot irrelevant trip into the woods. I’ll edit the part where I lose myself indialogue.

I might even get rid of a few characters.

But that doesn’t mean my November will be a waste of time. Ithink Nano helps in ways that should be marvelled at. When you’re writing, you’re rarely just writing. You’re plottingeven when you’re pantsing; it’s just done at a million miles an hour . You’reconsidering the market. You’re wondering whether it could ever be published,even if the answer you find is not really. And sometimes all this other stuffslows you down. Sometimes it drags you to a complete halt.

Nano is your chance to jump around all that. It gives youpermission to just write for writings sake if you need to. It allows you toedit as much or as little as you feel like. It gives you a goal and tells youto stick to it. And maybe for just one month a year it lets you talk about itwith a lot of people.

And, yes, maybe it makes so everyone a few monkeys short ofa barrel for four weeks of the year. And maybe it encourages quantity overquality. But, hey, it’s a nice day. You’re alive (probably)(almost definitely).Why not just give it a go? You don’t even have to register for the whole crazydoolally. Let’s all just sit down and enjoy writing for a while. No pressure.Just you, me, our minds, and so many words omg we are awesome.

So far, today, I have about 3000 words which is not breakingany records but is fine. I am very happy with those words and there have onlybeen two explosions so, I mean, there is so much potential. Plus I haven’t evenmade that many bad puns yet. Hehe. How is your writing today? Doing Nano? Notdoing Nano? Want to meet some people doing Nano? Alright! Well, below are agroup of people including monself who are not only doing Nano but posting aboutit every Tuesday for your pleasure! Woo! So if you need a friend or just want to watch us write, you are more than welcome to click the links and YEA I do know this is wednesday. Haha. Ooops.

Brooke Busse
Charity Bradford
Elizabeth Davis
Elizabeth Poole
Fida Islaih
Huntress
Lena Hoppe
Miranda Hardy
Nyxie Moon
Tessa C

Having a Moment.

2011-10-28T19:53:00.002+01:00

"The process of writing has something infinite about it. Even though it is interrupted each night, it is one single notation." Elias Canetti

Whilst driving the other day I had a moment. I mean, I havelots of moments whilst driving? Like the moment I forget what gear I’m in. Andthe moment I strongly suspect my instructor to be asleep. And the moment Iconfuse left with right. Andd the moment the both occupants in the car watch a person with the awesomest socks cycle by. But this was a bigger moment. This was a transferablemoment. And those tend to be the best kind. Right?

And it got me to thinking. Letting me think for long uninterrupted periods of time is sometimes a tres bad idea, but maybe this thought is useful. More useful than spending several hours discussing the possible functionality of a train system powered entirely by magnets. But, I mean, think of it. Trains, right, with magnetic rails and undercarriages so they would float. They would float. I am so onto a winner. Anyhoodles.

You have to be decisive in life.

When I’m driving I find that difficult, but I haveto learn to trust my judgement. I’m working on it. I just totally needa nudge sometimes. Because it’s scary. Whenever you do something new, something unfamiliar,trusting your gut gets harder than before. And it gets scary. Somehow the possible fall seems higher, and the consequences greater. But maybe the fact it's scarymakes trusting yourself even more important. Maybe being in an unfamiliarsituation, and ultimately alone when you think about it, makes trusting yourgut the most important.

And in publishing trusting is a long term commitment.

It’s not trusting for a second as you drive through thecrossroads. It’s not trusting for a day as you wait for your grade on a paper.It’s trusting for a lifetime that all this work will come to something. Thatyou’re not wasting time. That this can be part of you. And that you can be partof it. Even if that part is just for you.

Writing is an act of hope, but it's an act of trust too. And that's why we leap. That's why you send out bits a pieces here and there. That's why the words circle the corners of your mind. Because if you aren't willing to make a bet on yourself, who will?

Do you trust yourself in writing, mmmm? Did it take a long time? To be honest it took me a while to realise I was the one in charge when it came to the words. Haha. Also, happy Halloween soon! Woo! I am going to a costume party tomorrow but on the day I totally plan to sit and read a Stephen King book. Oh yeahhh.

Writing - the users guide

2011-10-20T20:07:00.002+01:00

"We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master." Ernest Hemingway

Welcome! We here at [insert operating system here] are trulyvery happy/sad/confused/not interested [delete as appropriate] that you havechosen to use this! On such a fine/cloudy/dull/snowy/rainy/hotttt/explosive day!To write your very own novel/poem/complaint letter!

To help you on your way we've put together a list of handyhints. We know you writerly folk enjoy being wound up/spell checkers that don'twork/errant bugs/margaritas! Following our instructions is literally/liketotally/alot/OMG guaranteed to drive even the most relaxed/secure/intelligent/talentedwriter on to the path of success/unhappiness!

Enjoy!

1. Sit down and recap on your notes.
2. Oh what, somebody's moved them? Well go find them. GEEZ WEHERE AT [INSERT OPERATING SYSTEM HERE] CANNOT DO EVERYTHING.
3. Open notes and flummox.
4. Flummox some more.
5. Choose alternative word.
6. Puzzle.
7. Check email.
8. Consider getting handwriting analysis.
9. Decide you've been sleep writing again.
10. Begin novel.
11. So start... Ummm. Hello? Open the word processor thing?
12. Write something.
13. What? We don't know, anything. Start with a rhetoricalquestion. People love those.
14. Mmmm. Well maybe not something so final as that, how areyou going to explain away the machete?
15. Ok. Fine. It's your novel. Now continue for a bit. Remember!Adverbs! Do that!
16. Split a few infinitives.
17. Man this writing thing was harder than we thought eh?Take a break. Read a few publishing blogs. Choose an agent.
18. Yeah, well, we hear all the crazy kids are doing it. Justchoose one. We're sure they'll love it if you come around to their house withyour first chapter.
19 Finish your first chapter. Ideally end how you began i.e.with a rhetorical question.
20 Check more of le old email.
21 Buy cupcakes for potential agent. It's not a bribe ifthey're PRETTY.
22. Compare your first chapter with a published novel.
23. Decide you don't need readers
24. Paint nails.
25. Watch paint dry.
26. Send an email to accompany the cupcakes you sent to yoursoon to be agent.
27. Think better of it and reroute the cupcakes to apublisher. Cut out the middle man. Oh yeahhh.
28. We here at [insert operating system here] are totallygetting into this lark. Woo! You'll be done in no time! Take another break.
29. So since this is going so well why not write in thesecond person narrative?
30. Alright! Have you also considered future tense?
31. We are just saying.
32. Yeah, well, we know but think how much you will stickout.
33. Ah, we see what you're saying, but really we think thefact your novel is very in keeping withliterary trends will normalise it a bit.
34. Uh huh, uh huh. We were thinking dragons rather thanjust a single antagonist.
35. Yes, well, you could but think about all the hype thiswould get if your protagonist thought he was a kid from Ohio but he wasactually just a small toaster from china.
36. KABOOOOOOOM. We've blown your mind right?
37. Don't worry about it, we know we're awesome.
38. Oh no, don't worry. Nope. Queries? Who did you hear thatfrom? Hahahaha. We think somebody's been pulling your chain there.
39. Pffffft. A synopsis? You're one fork short of a cutlerydrawer there we think.
40.Honestly. Change friends. Completing a novel beforehand?What are you like?
41.Anyway we've thought of a better idea now. Steady yourself. Ok?
42. You're going to print off the pages, don't bother withany editing nonsense, and leave them in a bus station.
43. No, really, trust us. This will work. Think of it. Oh,also, don't title it or put your name. No, it's fine this just gives it alittle mystery you know? Maintain the mystery.
44. Well not every city in the world has a subway.
45. Yeah. But, you know, buses can be classy sometimes.
46. Taxi ranks. Well. Mmm. We see where you're coming from.No no. It's just all that seating and not a computer in sight you know? Atleast bus stations have ticket computers. No, totally, this is all about you.Sure.
47. Airports. Ok. HECK YEAH. AIRPORTS. Leave the pages inone. Also, just whilst you're there, it's not urgent but it'd be great if youcould check on our competitor.
48. What? Pfft. You crazy. This is all about you. Justwondered if you could check on a friend you know?
49. Wait a few days.
50. Be contacted by publishers as they are looking formystery author.
51. Step forward.
52. Accept massive advance.
53. Pay us a small fee.
54. What? Oh, did we say fee? We meant, uhhh, tea. LAY US ASMALL TEA....PARTY. That's what we meant.
55. Become instant bestseller
56. Also become famous
57. Make movie film from book
58. Pay us a small feee.....? TEA PARTY. Yes. Uh huh.Another tea party! Well, you know, we just like them. TEA PARTIES FOR ALL.
59. How is this doomed? Complex? Look just settle down andlet's all buy more software. What? Oh no we said lie more doftware. DOFTWARE.Yes. It's a type of carpet. Oh, well, um, we like carpets too. Tea and carpets.Yep. We love them.
60.No wait. Come back. WAIT. WRITE YOUR OWN NOVEL THE HARDWAY AND STRUGGLE ALONG YOUR OWN PATH WITHOUT US? WHAT DO YOU MEAN? WELL JUSTYOU TRY THAT THEN. NO CARPETS FOR YOU.

Tricks and winners.

2011-10-12T13:46:00.001+01:00

If you know what’s good for you, and you have any shred ofhope left for yourself, you won’t read this post. Be warned! Just moments ago aguy in Lafayette read this post and immediately vanished off the face of theearth which is a hard thing to do when you're chained to a desk. I myself only write this because a gnomeis holding a zombie hostage at this very moment.

Hahahahahaaa. Mmm. So you read on hmmm? It’s ok, even I readon. Who could resist? Well, ok, somepeople can but I am not one of them. Most often I fall victim to this trickwhen confronted with le Lemony Snicket warnings. Ialways, without fail, take them as my cue to carry on reading doubly fast and with twice as much enthusiasm.

Anyhoodles, why the trickyness? Well I guess I wanted toshow that sometimes tricks are fun in writing. Sometimes they pique interest.And second only to the reverseness of pre-warnings, in my opinion, is the action-perceptiontrick. It’s not really a trick, as such, more of a method ofallowing a character to perceive things mainly through movement. It’s great for two, okthree, ok more than three, reasons:

1. Pacing

It keeps things going even when the characters are simplyjust talking. And sometimes that's the hardest thing of all in a scene. So! Woo! Go you!

2. Realitying

In terms of vision, it is kind of realistic. I mean whendo you ever perceive things without movement? Even if it’s just directing yourglance a different way, the visual world works appears to be connected toaction. There’s totes a tonne of research gone into this field. And I willadmit it’s still highly debated but what I am saying is that action and visualperception are connected and you can't get away from that.

3. Placing

It forces you to think about the characters’ place intheir universe at all times. It also helps better worldbuilding without forcing informationdown the readers’ poor throats. Next to keeping the pace, I think this is a very hard thing indeed. By partnering your descriptions with action it makes you think about the appropriateness of them and creates a more natural turn of events.*

4.Wanting

Ummm it is fun and you know you want to. I hear all the hip kinds are like totally down with this not that you should want to do things because hip kids do them but if there was ever a time to try being rad it is now and with this.

5.Eliminating

The passive voice. I think. I mean, I'm pretty sure it helps. Other things that might help include not being so passive and not writing passive sentences. Heehee.

So! Umm! I guess that is one of my tricks of the trade? Except it's not even a secret but, run with it. Inever, ok rarely, use the reverse whatchimahoogey in writing but I do like someaction perception. I mean, sure, there are people in the world who noticethings without having to move much at all buuuuuuuuut I kind of feel like mostof them are writers? Mmm?

What do you think? Do you have any nifty tricks or tips inwriting? Care to share? Ummm, also I totally just found the guy I Lafayette.Turns out he just needed to spend a penny. Haha. What do you know? Ahem. And the hostage thing? Ok, so it's more like the gnome is babysitting for me. Whatevs. Additionally! I realise you are all waiting for the winners of my giveaway to be announced so let me do that. The entries were counted and then put into that random.org machine and it came out with 7 and 4 which I realise means nothing to you but I feel like those numbers wanted to be shared you know? Anyways those numbers translate are … Jon and Heather! Woooo. What Ishall do is email you anddd then we shall sort out the prizes from there. And thank you to the other enterer people!

*Some links for people slightly interested in the mash I made of action and pecerption. Ahem hem. Ummm maybe start here? Really, honestly, if you simply google it and include perhaps "pdf" in the search field there are a lot of interesting and free papers out there. *SMILES*

The romancial nature of writing.

2011-10-06T14:40:00.000+01:00

"Writing free verse is like playing tennis with the net down." Robert Frost

I like to think of novels like really long letters

And I love letters.

I mean

You get the sad ones, the shiny ones, and then ones that leave you numb all over.

But there are also ones that send shivers down your spine,

The ones that leave you watching the shadows dance.

There are also the ones haunt you.

Books unhappy with their covers is totes a common problem but DO NOT WORRY! Publishers have special design makeover artists who deal with that stuff.

And novels are like letters to me

Except instead of saying greetings from Rome or OMG IT RAINS OUTSIDE WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

The really great ones say

Yes, life is heavy.

Yes, your road is long

But I am here and I am listening.

Now follow me.

And nextly! Thanks to everyone who entered le giveaway! Entering is now closed and due to the volume of enthusiasm you'll have to give me a few days to count up points and randomly pick the winners! Woo! Stay tuned though!

Whilst you are brewing in all this suspense tell me what you think of books, or letters. Am I right or right? Hahaa. Maybe not, this is simply my personal preference. What is a really good book to you? Also, today's quote totally amuses me. I thought you should know.

Giveaway.

2011-09-28T13:13:00.000+01:00

"What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers." Logan Pearsall Smith

AHOY HOY! Wooo! So I know I said I was returning last week but the internet man can't set me up until late october now which is awful but I suppose this might give me a chance to catch up on things like writing and, I don't know, the outside. So now I am sat in the zebra library building at university which sounds exciting but I'm sure those who know me are sick to the teeth of the way I talk about it. Haha.

Anyhoodles. In terms of writing I've been thinking a lot about motives recently. Even the kindest actions are about the self when it comes down to it, I guess, and it's important to remember that. How do you work it all out? I tried storing motives of characters in my head but it turns out I have too small a brain. Haha. So now I write them in the margins. I suppose they need to be somewhere so that is as good as any place. Speaking of good things! Aha! See my tenuous link there? Nope? Mmmm. Anyway, good things. As a super hello I am back thing today I am giving away not one but two things! Woo!

Two prizes, two winners and two happy happy people! All you have to do is fill out the thing below by Wednesday 5th October (2011 just so we're clear) andd then I will announce le winners! Each winner will receive one of the two books.

So! What are the prizes? Well! Because I like them they shall be Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin and Imaginary Girls by Nova Rem Suma. Awesome! Go ahead! Fill it in! Wooo! Have I forgotten anything? If I have now would be the time to say!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED I AM SO SORRY OMG.

Handing in my notice.

2011-09-17T23:12:00.000+01:00

I think it's important to relocate every once in a while. It's important to change things up. Maybe I'm just a restless person. Maybe not. It strikes me that often we only truly see a place when it's new, when it's unfamiliar and not shadowed by the memories that happened behind that door or through those gates. Maybe emotion brings with it a kind of blindness in a very real sense.

And that is why I am leaving blogger.

Ahahahahahaaa. Not really! Although I do really think sometimes a fresh view of things is what a person needs. It can be real locations or simply a novel that's become mundane because you've spent so long looking at it's flaws. I love moving in some ways, and I love new stories. I think it's because of the beauty a first glimpse can give you.

Not to be a total downer? But sometimes it's all downhill after that first sight. Sometimes you don't know it but you're looking upon something that will eventually destroy you. And sometimes it was all an illusion anyway. I cannot count the times I've opened my eyes and been caught by the flickering light of something amazing only to find my morning sight is not what it should be. Heheee. It's partly my vision to blame, and partly the fact I am a total dork and consider anything I cannot quite explain to be proof that magic is real. But mainly the vision thing.

I don't know, it's just a thought. Just my thought. I find myself having to recreate that first glimpse. I find myself craving it. Maybe I just like the unknown, maybe I enjoy the feeling of seeing something new and mysterious.

Back to the kind of point though! Had you fooled about the leaving right? Had everyone fooled. I have not been around as much as I should. In fact I'm going to go ahead and break a personal rule and say I have been a bad blogger indeed! Boooooooo! If there was a wagon, I think I've definitely begun falling off it mi amigos. At this exact moment I'm probably hanging on to somebody's coat tail and screaming bloody murder. I think. Or maybe I am falling onto the wagon? You know, it really depends whether we think I was originally on this cart or off of it and chances are that I have always been somewhat running behind the cart in a desperate attempt to catch up and act normal. Ahem.

Anyhoodles. Here I am admitting my failures because I am moving into my new abode this week but unfortunately I have no internet. The insanity doesn't stop there! Oh no! Looks as if I may have to build my own telephone line too! Woo! I love challenges! Woo! Ahaha. Anddd the obvious conclusion I am leading up to is that until my internet is functioning there can be no posts. So, here I am preparing you for a life sans me accept from if you go on the twitter or email me. So empty! So lonely! I do not know how we will cope! However, whence normal things resume in a week there will be so much cool stuff you will need some cool filters to stop your mind exploding. Like, for example, a giveaway! Woo! Yes indoodles!

So mon people, stay safe and warm and most importantly smiling until I return. Also, tell me what you do to keep things fresh. And do you at all? Maybe I believe too much in first impression? Or I just like the tricks my eyes play on me in the mornings? Or I am dorky? Haha.

Sorting books to make words - variation #7

2011-09-06T23:13:00.000+01:00

"A man will turn over half a library to make one book." Samuel Johnson

Sometimes alphabetising the greatliest works of some fabsiesauthors just doesn’t cut it for Saturday night entertainment. Sometimes you’reat a friends house and think they need a lifestyle change. Or maybe you’reworking in a second hand bookshop and somebody has mistakenly left you incharge of organising the paperbacks. Perhaps you just want to give your living room painting something interesting to look at as it hangs there. I do not know! But whatever the weather, organising books to make words out of the first letters of a title (or author) is the bees knees. I know these things.

So I think sorting by variation #7 is definitely something toconsider! Not only does it spice things up a little, it totally may lead toyour friend/painting/employer offering to give you money in appreciation. Hahaaaaaaaaa.

So! Variation #7 mmmm? Is it for you? The simple way to discoveris to try it! I totally love to order my books this way when I’m feeling tooconstricted by the alphabet. Pffft the alphabet has nothing on me. Pffftreality. Pffft gravity. Pffft doors. Anywaddles, I love to use it just to see if anyone notices thehidden messages you know? It’s fun or, if you are as easily as amused as me,hilarious.

How do you sort your books? By genre? Date? Sometimes I getfrustrated with book shop genre organisation simply because some books could bein several sections but they’re only in one. I mean, I seriously think thereshould be a cross referencing system here. What’s that? Ask somebody where abook is? Are you mad? Haha. Anyways, an important system to consider if you area book lover! Hidden words! It’s the future.

Why having readers is so important.

2011-08-30T23:00:00.002+01:00

"I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter." James Michener

So the thing about wearing ladies trousers (like, you know,tres smart whatevs I am serious at work trousers) is they usually have no pockets. I realised that the other day as I was standing my blanket fort.

But anyway, the main point is ladies trousers – what’s upwith those? In the shop they look super cute and practical and efficient andthen wham bam you’re standing in the staff tea area with nowhere to store youspoon whilst you bat away a wandering zombie hand. I mean, come on people. Evenaside from all the special things I carry that are probs of no use to a saneperson (USB stick just in case an EMF takes out all electronics in my house,pain killers, plasters, tissues, jam, glitter, feathers, crayons etc) ladiesstill need pockets. I think. Well I need them.

I fear we are leaping away from the point! Haha! Whichactually had very little to do with my feelings on pockets and a lot to do withbooks. You see, I never noticed the pocket issue until I tried on the trousers,it never occurred to me that I would in fact miss having a place to storeuseful things. And it’s the same with books sometimes.

You can write a brilliant novel, something that makes yougoofy just thinking about, but you still might miss something. And that’s ok!That’s why we have readers andddd sit up until late reading our own stuff untilwe feel sick of ourselves. We read because sometimes stories need to be triedon. Sometimes you need to take a hem up or, I don't know, say add pockets inorder to make it fit better.

Tailors make adjustments all the time – don’t be afraid todo some adjusting of your own! And with any luck your meticulous reading andchecking will win you something very special, a chance to connect and share apiece of raw emotion with people who quite like pockets.

What are your thoughts? On pockets? On reading? Irealise SOME trousers have pockets buuuut IDK it just seems the fashion toremove all areas of storage from a girl’s clothing. They’ll be sorry when Istart storing things in my shoes. Orrr maybe that was their plan all along? Mmmm? Maybe the shoe companies have PAID the trouser people to stop with the pockets so that I will stretch all ma shoes?

Distractions.

2011-08-22T18:56:00.000+01:00

"The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas." Linus Pauling

I'm about to finish a lovely scrumptious draft of something if I can ever get my mind to focus in between relatives clicking car keys on their heads for better reception and new shoes. Woo! A draft! Whilst I am super excited I am also super concerned because in my post novel phase I get a little distracted? I mean, sure, I make a plan of things I should do.... but somehow they never get done. Teeeheee. I wonder, am I the only one with a tick list like this? Mmmm?

What's your biggest distraction after a draft? Do you let the draft wait for a while? Am I doing this all wrong? Haha. I think the answer might be yes. Yes indoodles. I also spent this week being distracted by relatives though, they are very attention seeking. Especially with the key thing, that actually happened. My aunt has this super brain that amplifies radiowavey stuff apparently. I CANNOT COMPETE.

A Thought.

2011-08-09T16:46:00.001+01:00

"A writer lives, at best, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies a deeper one of wonder at it all."
William Sansom

The thing about perspective is that it works both ways. Itworks down the barrel of a gun, as well from the trigger. It works from the flint of a lighter, as well as from the end of the fire hose. It works from pages of a book, as well as from the gushing vein of a writer.

And maybe it's much easier to look from that trigger end than it is to stare down the barrel. Or maybe it's harder. Maybe they're just the same. Maybe I'll never know. But maybe that's not what matters.

Perhaps it's not about the gun, or the burning embers, or the plumbing of a pipe, or how hard it is to get the right words out sometimes. Like, unbelievably hard. If there's one claim a writer can make, it's that they know just how hard writing really is. Anywaddles. Maybe, instead, the thing to remember is without the darkest nights we would never have the chance to shine.

Also, that nobody said this was going to be easy. I don't know about you, but the instruction manual I was given when I popped into existence said nothing about fairness. Sure, it promised things like a few lazy sunday afternoons on the grass and sunsets and sunrises and music and the sky. But it said nothing about fair.

I don't know. I just feel like that's important to rememberright now. In writing and in life. No judgement. Just, just finding a little perspective... because living is not supposed to always be a sunday walk in the park. You know?

Ok, I have to say it. This post feels a little incomplete... sooo WOO! GO TEAM! Anddd that's basically my thought for the day right there. I'm sure #6 will be just as nonsensical when it decides to join me. Haha. What are your thoughts? Is it all about perspective for you?

On sensitivity.

2011-08-02T19:43:00.000+01:00

"For me, writing is exploration; and most of the time, I'm surprised where the journey takes me." Jack Dann

Ahoy ahoy! My! What a wonderful week! Sadly I totally exhaustedmyself this week (OMG. Are you kidding? It is only Tuesday?) with moving and bedbuilding and floating mirrors that don't actually float which is false advertising. And curtains I totally thought matched at the time but now I see they are not actually a pair and I like it. Haha. But I digress! I amhere! Hello! *kicks off shoes* Did I mention I built a bed? I've never donethat before. I feel like the beesknees. Is there an award for this sort of thing?Teehee.

Anywaddles, this is about sensitivity actually and not bedbuilding although maybe I will do a tutorial next week. Haha. Kidding. I barelymanaged one bed. Barely. And I had help. At one point I actually got stuck underneath and quite how thathappened I do not know.

Now! I talk of sensitivity because people say you need ahard shell to get on in life buuuuut, mmmm, I am just saying that sometimesbeing creative means you get a bit, you know, a bit touchy about things. And there are actually a few ways to harden yourself up without losing creativity! A wonderful idea! There will always bepeople who for some reason dislike everything you even think, or even do, andthere will always be a little second guessing. So! My list! Wooo!

1. Defend.

Don't expect everyone in life to fall at your feet and loveyou. Don't expect love. Some people just have bones to pick and you gotsta letthem pick it lest they feel incomplete and upset and then they get depressed.If you know in your heart that something is right by all means double check butdon't let one single voice collapse your entire world. Defend your heart alittle because it's worth defending.

2. Work.

Use whatever it is that is said to your advantage. Let it anchor you and remind you that there is always work to be done, and always a scene that can be improved. Striveto be better. Orrr, I don't know, maybe just strive to get your particularlyharsh critic to say certain things. Likkkkke, potato. Haha. Such a funny word. Butstrive anyway. That is the main thingy. Strive. It's good to keep busy.

3. Laugh.

Brush it off, make light of it and turn it into a joke. I'mnot saying laugh so loudly at yourself that you give your goldfish a fright and he needs medical attention but learning to find thingsamusing is totes a good way to go. Let the poop slide off you because thatstuff shouldn't stick anyway. Besides, sometimes people say completely funnythings without meaning too and you're allowed to laugh if it helps becausehonestly it's kind of hilarious. I am just saying.

4. Play

Mess around with your stuff, try something new. It's very very rare buut sometimes people say insensitive things and they are actually trying to help. So if you're up to it try a few things. Don't lose yourself in the process of whatever we are doing. Don't mess with a chapter so much you forget its point. But enjoy shaking things up, taking this a sign to experiment. I love experiments.

5. Understand

Sometimes it's not about you. Whether it is in life! Orwriting! Or work! Sometimes it's not bones people have to pick at but just the first thing they see. Sometimes it's more about them than you. Maybe they had a reallynasty incident with a book a few years back that has turned their world upsidedown. Maybe they're home life sucks right now. Maybe they're taking out somesuppressed stuff on you. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's a bad day for the universe. Maybe actually sensitivity means not lashing out when somebody forgets to be their very bestest.

So! As long as you're suitably humble and have people you can trust to not dump poop on you unless it is completely necessary I think you'll be finnnne. The world is full of ups and downs, after all. And I guess in terms of things like whether a character is too Mary-Sue or if a scene doesn't work, in the end you have to trust yourself. It's your writing and your decision and that is that.

How do you become le hard cookie? Are you already one? Does it get harder the further you go along your road? Mmmm? On a lighter note a read a pretty awesome post on Mary-Sues today and I am such a doll I will share said post right on this word. It's pretty cool and brings up some interesting thingies to think about.

Rule #97: Fun-having.

2011-07-26T19:38:00.000+01:00

"You can't wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club." Jack London

It's ok to have fun. I mean, yea, you have to work hard and those words aren't going to write themselves, and that letter sure as anything is not going to appear without effort, but never let that stop you having fun. Never let that get in the way of the reason you're writing. It's more important than you think.

People don't say it because it's supposed to be implied. A very deep and hidden kind of implied that is whispered in dark rooms and slips out after one too many fruit juices, but still implicit nonetheless. You'll find the great knowledge always is. I know. The mind boggles. But anyway we are approaching the something!

It will never be enough.

Maybe right now all you want to do is finish school, or get that tres awesome job. Perchance it's an agent; maybe you've set the benchmark there and are super excited! Or, I guess, it's possible you want to walk on Mars. Hey, dream big. I like big dreams, they're pretty cool. Plus somebody has to continue our space development. Please somebody work on developing spaceships, I have my heart set on something vaguely similar to starfleet academy. I beg. I will give you all my shoes.

Anyhoodles, regardless, the fact is it will never make you as happy, as satisfied, and as complete as you think. Not to get all nerdy on you buuuuut, what the doodle I will, there's actually been a tonne of Psychwhatnot research into this. Woo! Go team! I had nothing to do with the research but still! And, so far, it seems to suggest we're pretty bad at predicting things about our big goals. Especially on an emotional level. Which explains how sometimes your dreams don't quite match with reality. I'm not saying that selling a shed load of books is going to ruin your life, haha, no. But I am saying that it's ok to feel like, at some point, that you never felt as complete as you thought you would. There will always be another hurdle, you see.

Take the Mars dream. Walking on that place will be HOLY BATMAN AWESOME for, like, at least a good hour I can guarantee (I mean, it's Mars and you're walking on it! super! take some pictures!) but after that it might get a little old, you know? And it won't be enough. Something inside you will compel you forwards. It might happen slowly or almost instantly but it will happen all the same.

Maybe as you're standing, measuring a particularly fascinating pebble and kicking up dust (or whatever you do on a planet, I don't know)(setting up a buffet table?), it will hit you. You'll look up and catch a glimpse of another planet, or maybe even a star this time, and want to set foot there even if it is impossible. You'll need to set foot there. Before you know it you'll be convinced only that can make you truly happy. That only then can you stop. It will become your next absolute certainty.

But the truth is you can't stop, you can never stop. Life doesn't work like that and neither do you. It will only be enough when you die, perhaps. And, depending on your viewpoint, that's either really depressing or really awesome. My vote? Really awesome. Like, mind blowingly awesome. Beyond comprehension. Because never stopping, and never being enough, can be the best thing in the universe. It's what built the pyramids and fuelled the great explorers. It's what gets your words down on the page. It means even after you win all those writing awards I know you will, obvs, that your friends will still love you to bits because of your humbleness. It means that you will live, and continue to really live, until you don't anymore.

Which is why you should never forget to have fun. Sure, there will be sacrifice. And hard times. And other times that make you sick to think of. Totes. But that doesn't mean you can't have fun. Enjoy yourself, go ahead. Because life is too short and we have so much to do. Because you don't get to stop when you're alive. Because it's hard, sometimes dark, and often painful. Because walking in space is the beesknees. Because you just lost the game again. Because you can't win unless you're dead. Because that's the way things are.

So! Um! I guess my question is for you, do you agree or no? Also what are some of your more ambitious dreams? Anyone up for walking on Mars? Anyone? I mean, I would go but I have so much on my calendar right now I'm not sure I can fit it in really. Plus I hear wifi on Mars is still pretty basic and I need me the internets.

Defining Professionalism.

2011-07-21T19:27:00.002+01:00

"Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow." Lawrence Clark Powell

A lot of people about le internets talk about professionalism and how important it is in oodles of stuff. Oodles of stuff is, of course, what I say when I mean tonnes of things. Very technical descriptions there. Hehee. Anyhoodles. What, perhaps, is less spoken about is what it really means. You know? Mmmm. As such I think it's something that needs to be looked into! Go go gadget!

So. Professionalism is hard to define, yea. It's tricksy because it means different things to different people and does not just apply in the writing world. So! When people say professionalism in the interneting world what are they talking about? Is it bad? Is it good? Let's get to the bottom of this! It's difficult to really pin down what the word means but here are a few things it might signify to a writer; one sending query letters all over the place.

1. Respect
Whether that be respecting space, privacy, or difference of opinions. Perhaps professionalism is finding a tolerance and mutual understanding between all people. Putting your best sunday hat on and being as respectful as you can be without completely censoring yourself. Mmmm?

2. Comfort
For some people it is all about this. A comfortableness of self and not going too out of your way to be something you're not! Perhaps the first thing bloggers and interneters should strive to be is comfortable in their own shoes, so that they make others so and do not come across as too intense. I do not know! I do not know!

3. Mumness
Hahaaaaa. Actually I just mean some find a good rule of thumb is to consider if you act like this with your mum/pet/houseplant/favourite book because sometimes it's easy to forgets that certain things are not for sharing. What would Mr Hunger Games Book do? Mmmm? Ahahah. Bad example. He would probs be quite violent, very meaningful, and sacrifice himself for his sister. However! You know what I mean. It's ok to keep some areas of your life private, and that's what this kind of professionalism is all about. It's about having areas of your life that are yours and need not be discussed! An interesting kind of professionalism.

4. Understanding
This one is about being open, and with that openess being tolerant. Sometimes people have bad days, understand those around you and they might take a shot at understanding when you are not feeling super de duper! That is a legit phrase if ever I heard one! Also practicing a little of this when others are not being so professional is a good idea. Everyone has their reasons for being not so awesome occasionally, plus they totally might learn from your stunning example. Wooo! Go team! That's the spirit of this professionalism.

5. Enjoying
Having fun. Having nice, light hearted, fun and in doing so lifting people's spirits. It means not complaining too much when things are not so fabsies. It means smiling through the tears. I've heard some people prefer this one simply because sometimes a good attitude can breed good times.

What you can see from all those points is that there are many ways to be professional. Probs tonnes more than I mentioned. And each of them are good ideas in their own right. I suppose, really, professionalism is finding your own way to behave on la internets in such a way that you do not come across as too crazy, you know?

If you're in a field requiring confidentiality, naturally, your professional attitude will be a little different. But! I can confirm! If you're a writer it means trying to spell a high percentage of things correctly most of the time. You, know, to keep up appearances. It also may involve writing and critiquing sometimes, I couldn't say. Perhaps it means behaving with respect but without censoring what is really you? Hmm.

So! What do you think professionalism truly means? What kind do you like to adopt? Does it mean giving back to the internet? Helping those around? Or is it simply about dotting those i's? Because if it is, I have to say, typewriters and computers made that, like, ten times easier than it use to be. Haha.

Five things you should never leave home without.

2011-07-11T20:16:00.000+01:00

"A writer must teach himself that the basest of all things is to be afraid." William Faulkner

1. Tools.

For writing, be it a chisel and stone or something slightly quicker like a little cute laptop thingy that's so adorable you just want to call it george and love it and feed it grapes. Anyhoodles, writers need them. It's no good calling yourself a writer and then never having anything to write with/on/in/around. Do not be ashamed of inspiration. Grab it when it arrives and lock it in your heart with the aid of a Biro.

2. Respect.

For other writers but also for yourself. Yes you did do something today, you finished that chapter and by DOODLE you should be proud. Equally, it's good to respect the struggles of others around you. Always respect, it's such a simple thing but powerful too.

3.Tissues.

You are going to cry. And even if you don't cry, odds are you are going to need something to hide the look of pukiness that might pass those pretty features. THESE THINGS HAPPEN. Whether you are simply reading a very very moving line or sending the best thingy you ever typed and are soooooo tres nervous.

4. Smiles.

The world isn't always going to smile for you! Sometimes you have to encourage it. Pack plenty of smiles and courage and little ignorance to the fact things are hard. Keep them close by when hard times come knocking.

5. A whole world within your head.

Yupsidoodles. It doesn't even matter if you're not actually writing. Take it with you give it some air. I mean, you can hardly leave it at home right? What fun will it have there. Let it see the sights, tweak a few things whilst you buy a coffee. Sometimes fresh air does a world of good. Plus? It totally makes laundry smell so good. YUMMY.

What things can you never leave home without? I think, perhaps, the fact I take a whole world in my head is the reason I so often walk into things, yea? Of course, there can be no other explanation. No ways. Nuh uh. I'm not, like, clumsy or anything. Pffft, as if.

An argument for curiousity and showing.

2011-07-07T21:19:00.001+01:00

"I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo..." Richard Wright

Hello there! All the way across there! Yes, you. Step forward. Lovely. You're looking mighty fine, I must say. Now, pull up a stool. Oh, don't mind that paper just chuck it down with the other paper on the floor. Yea. Haha. Ahem. We've recently relocated to a different place for a few weeks as I'm hollibobby. No no, in reality, this is reality and I am sat in a room 400 miles from my home. Anyhoodles, I've dillydallied quite enough. Let me tell you something that's been plaguing my mind recently.

Showing. That's something pretty big in writing. The ability to show and not tell is circled round like it's a hot potato and everybody wants a piece because it's yummy and good doodle I'm hungry let's stop with the food reference.

Anywaddles, I agree. For the most part, some of the time, in the right places, showing is tres important. I mean, when it comes down to it I almost always sacrifice showing for a voice. But that is because I enjoy quite a grounded voice, you know? Buuuutttt in certain things, like dialogue, I think showing is incredibly important. So important you would not believe. And I think I've figured one of the reasons it's important in my own little way.

You see, curiousity killed the cat. We all know this, and it's kind of sad, and tralalalalalaaaa. It has been drilled into us from an early age and yet! And yet most of us are still curious. Why is that? I guess because there is still something in us that wants to experience the discovery for ourselves? I think perhaps this is the key to why we need the showing.

We want to feel the discovery for ourselves, to see it through our own eyes even if it's in our mind. We want to explore this world the writer has created, but we want to do it in our own way and tint it with our own view of reality. We want to, and usually we do. That's why no two people read a book the same, that's why sometimes they see things the author never dreamed of; we are infnitely curious even to our own destruction.

Have you a better argument for showing? Or perhaps one for telling? I do think there are certain moments that call for straight out telling buuuuut, like I said that could just be my need for that voice I like. Haha.

Distractions and how to be cared for by a random child.

2011-07-04T19:49:00.001+01:00

"A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader and from the reader the writer learns." P. L. Travers

So last week I upped sticks and left on the train for a hollibobs! Or vacation, as some say! You may be thinking, buuuut Mia you totally left us behind omg that is not fair. Quite right! Which is why I didn't! I packed up the entire Casa Del Mia HQ and took it all with me. Let me tell you, it was not easy. All these blank pixels took up a whole load of room in my bag. And, ahem, I'm not saying anything but my zombie helpers kind of got back ache. Soooo, let's all have a smoothie instead of cake today yea? *PASSES* *SLURPS*

Anyway! Onto the topic. So I packed up and we travelled by rail which is, in my opinion, totally the bestest transport aside from travelling around the universe in a blue police box. Ahem. And whilst in transit I discovered the power of a little something. Of this, to be exact:

That is an earthly being under the age of ten. A child, I believe they are called. I know! It is quite out of character for us to discuss them here! Don't worry, I didn't just suddenly acquire one. This particular one kind of popped by every now and then to check on me and my manuscript whilst I was on the train. She was super sweet to keep on coming back, but she was also a super sweet distraction. And distractions is the actual topic of today! And how to avoid them! It was actually that expectant stare that got to me. I had no idea what she wanted. Anyhoodles.

1. Ignoring it.

Kind of harsh when it's human and so cute, yea. Mmmm. But all other distractions can be ignored! Twitter, facingbook, tumblr, blogger, if they distract you then turn them off and ignore them like the plague.

2. Eating it.

No! Don't actually eat the kid! I just mean that sometimes you only see distractions because you need food. Remember to keep hydrated and well fed, then you may find concentrating easier.

3. Breaking it.

PUT THE CHILD DOWN. I obviously meant taking breaks when you find your alertness is dulling down. Allowing yourself to rest for a moment before you continue could do a world of good! Your brain is being exercised too here, allow it time to take a breather.

4. Consequening it

Pull out the big guns. Threaten yourself with awful consequences should you get distracted from the task. Threaten to kill off your bestest characters if your fingers lag for even a moment. Alternatively find one of those writing programs that are all the rage and force you to write or die.

5. Using it.

The simplest way to get rid of a distraction is, possibly, to use it in your favour. Write about it. Turn it into a key plot point, create a character based around the person distracting you, or an entire world around the tapping of that one guy's foot. Go crazy. You are the writer, go create something.

How do you avoid distractions? Probs more importantly, how do you define them? Have you ever used one to your advantage? I must admit, I kind of enjoyed the little girl wandering by every now and then. I felt like she thought she was guarding me from some invisible thing that might snatch me away if she left.

On characters and choosing the right sofa.

2011-07-01T18:44:00.002+01:00

"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." Charles R. Swindol

The best thing about people is they're a little bit like sofas. And chairs. And kitchens. And blinds. And beds. Not only are they squishy and kind of ok to run into on accident, a superb feature, they're also pretty unique when you add up all their characteristics and try to make a person; like adding up furniture and making a home. So!

When looking at both characteristics and furnishings often you think it all should match. Logically everything will be the same and have a theme or whatnot and yet still a home, but mainly a person, can surprise you. There's always something that doesn't fit in with the surroundings.

It's kind of magical when you find something like that. It shines in the corner or hangs proudly in the hall. And sometimes it works by blending into the furnishings, but other times it doesn't. Other times it becomes the biggest feature in a person. It takes over their entire world, and bowls you over completely.

And I think the most important thing about the mismatched furnishings of a person is just that. It's the accumulation of odd bits and pieces over the years, and the uniqueness of their collection. It's the honest nature that it all fits together to make a individual.

This is especially important when meeting a character for the first time. Sometimes they forget to mention the furniture when introducing themselves. We are all multidimensional, and yet to ourselves we are often boring. In our own eyes there is nothing at all to be interested in. So sometimes you, the writer, have to find the interesting lamps by yourself.

I guess what I'm saying, in a very roundabout way, is when it comes down to character I think it's ok to root around in your their kitchens and search for their quirks. It's alright, even if you're a pantser, to suddenly discover a new depth to them after you accidentally on purpose snooped through their music collection.

The key to real characters, as far as I can figure, is really knowing them and knowing them really. It's understanding that an extrovert can also be shy, and that the shy kid can also find confidence in the most unexpected places. It is comprehending that we are all, kind of, possibly, walking contradictions. And it is the embracing of that fact.

Haha. At least I think it is that is right. Haha. What do you think makes a character real? I only compare this to furnishings etc because right now my life has basically become a walking home shopping channel advert thingy. I am moving into an unfurnished flat in a few weeks - you would not believe the amount of sitting required in sofa shopping. Like, seriously, the only fun to be found was the wearing of curtains whilst purchasing them a few days ago. And I am still stuck in INDECISION with sofas. Advice would be most welcome!

Writing lessons from a board game.

2011-06-29T16:42:00.000+01:00

"If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you." Oscar Wilde

1. You have to wait your turn.

A fairly obvious point when playing a game! But not so obvious in terms of publishing. But still true even if not apparent. You have to wait your turn, you have to believe that it will come and practice a little patience. Ok, seriously? Probably a lot of patience. Probably so much patience you could open a shop called Patience-r-us and still never run out. Buuuut don't tell anyone I said that. It'll scare people off. I only tell you this because I know you are aware that good things take time and great things take forever.

2. Sometimes people never listen.

You'll tell them the rules, you'll explain the gameplay and the plan of attack, but they just won't get it. And that's ok. It's ok if some of your friends, family, pets, houseplants, furniture think you're a little strange. What does it matter? You're laying your own path Even better than jam, I kid you not. and that, my friend, is awesome.

3. It's kind of important to make your own fun.

If you're not having any everybody will notice. It will be clear in the way you adjust your hat, or move your piece, or edit your writing like it's a criminal. It will shine through in the words. And if you can't make your own fun things are going to get super difficult when you hit the low points.

4. Calling it a day is ok.

I'm more of a never surrender and take no prisoners unless they're offering cake person? But it's honestly alright to decide to stop a novel and start a different one. It's your writing. Only you can know when it's working, it's in your head.

5. Singing will distract other people, but mainly it will distract you.

Completely irrelevant, right? Ahahahahahaa! No! Imagine for a moment instead of singing whilst playing a board game, you are dancing around in procrastination valley or planning what to spend your, as yet, non-existent advance on. This will distract everyone, but most of all you. It's great to be a dreamer, fantastic and fabsies to the max, but sometimes you also have to knuckle down and do a little leg work before you dream big. You know?

6. You have to be brave.

Right now, at the start of your turn, you might hold all the counters and an awful lot of good things but if you're not brave enough to do something with that it means almost nothing. You have to be strong enough to risk it all, whether that be in writing the truest thing you can or just sending that query away. You have to be brave. You know you can.

7. People cheat, especially brothers named after historically famous emperors.

Ok, honestly? I am not bitter but it's really difficult to play board games with a chronic cheater. That is all I am saying.

So! What lessons have you gained from board games? Any? A lot? Honestly I am not a massive board game player most of the time. My favourite game is, however, monopoly because I lovvvvve me some property development. Hehee. Also the little houses. So cute!! My brothers love war games though, which lose my interest because I like peace and building hotels.

On the perception of writers.

2011-06-25T13:48:00.000+01:00

"A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage." Sidney Smith

Hello once again blogience! Sooooo today we start out on an epic adventure into the world of thinking! Ok, so, it's not that epic. But it will be fun! Sayyyy at least 65 percent fun!

So some of you wonderful people may have heard about the newest piece of angry anger RAWR travelling around the YA internet place about an article that said some strange things. If you haven't! Have no fear! I will tell you all about it! Although I won't link which I realise is infuriating buuuut that would only provide more traffic to the people we don't like. Plus I feel like there are enough articles out there that you could just google it and find a dozen.

Basically! As happens alarmingly often! A few people got together and wrote an article about writing, in this case young adult, and said some untrue and hurtful things and called it journalism. Oh dear! I think the main issues with articles like these are:

a) They give us all a bad image.

b) They anger writers so much that everyone begins to wonder if they are a bunch of homicidal maniacs looking for an excuse to shout at people but, honestly, this happens so often I think anyone would get irked. When people don't listen to you the natural reaction is to talk a little louder and run around pretending to be a dinosaur. Natch.

c) They make writers question whether this is actually a false reality because nobody could be that deluded right? Plus this feels very deja vu. Perhaps this is a glitch in the matrix. OMG.

d) Mainly the bad image thing, writers like looking smexy.

But! In order to combat that I've made a handy table of perception vs reality when it comes to writers. So you can refer to this if ever a person dares ask you about the casual and relaxed life of a writer! Or! Perhaps you can add and alter it to your needs. Teheeeee. To be fair I think some of these things only I do most of the time, you see. Ahem.

Why do you think articles like these upset writers so much? Maybe we're just really pretty moody? I do not know! Are there any myths you have helped dispel in terms of being a writer? Feeling awkward is a big part of being a writer, right? Right? Ahah, perhaps it's just a large part of my life? Oh questions galore!

Four things to help you deal with those hard times.

2011-06-21T21:42:00.000+01:00

"One wants a room with no view, so imagination can meet memory in the dark." Annie Dillard

Ahoy hoy! A few of you may have noticed my absence not only from here buuut from the entire internet since saturday! Well done! I was indeed away! OMG! That almost never happens! I live on the internet! Like, for serious, I have a tent pitched up in the music districts andd a flashy room in the tumblr hotel.

Let us just say this weekend was a week of super highs and super lows and as such this list is kind of theme around the lower points. Hehe. On the plus side I now have a new place of living that I can move into later this summer! Hurrah! And I get to build beds! To sleep on, you understand. Perhaps more importantly I get a billion percent more book space.

So! What to do when the world is crushing down on you and that manuscript just isn't enough. Here are a few things I try.

1. Drink.
Noooo no no no, not alcoholic beverages. Drink a cup of tea, maybe herbal. Relax. Allow yourself to react however you see fit. If you want to cry over that chapter you just can't fix? Cry. Why not? It's your manuscript. Let it all out. I'm a great fan of not hating on your manuscript to avoid it hating you, buuut that said it's also important to have an honest relationship right?

2. Escape.
Go outside, dance about, fly a kite, go on a googlemap vacation, read a book, you don't have to actually run away to get away. Sometimes just finding a quiet corner to sit and watch the clouds pass is all it takes. Give yourself time to process whatever this, be it a rejection or a hard corner in your life. Never underestimate the need for thinking.

3. Embrace
Smother it with love and welcoming thoughts. Say hello to whatever change is on the horizon. Offer it soup and a place to sit. You can fight it, but change is practically married to time, like they have moved in and everything. So it's kind of impossible to stop them. And if you go with it things might start looking better. Just think - no book is really ever interesting without change, it's what drives your plot forward. So that awful critique? Squeeze it tight and be ridiculously clinging, let this be the beginning of something - whether that be a better manuscript or a better helper friend type person.

4. Remember
Sometimes you lose something in order to gain something else. It might be a job, the ideal house, your dream of owning a vineyard, or that book your wrote that can't sell. But sometimes you lose it for the greater good, you lose it because something amazing is just around the corner and it needs space to snuggle down and let you have something you never thought possible.

So! Do you have any tips for super difficult times? I'm kind of a believer in that great things are always coupled with hard things too? But this may be just my way of dealing with the nasty blergh stuff that happens every once in a while. I actually think walking and exercise might help too buut that is included in escape. Also, we can't endorse exercise too much here. Gracious! No no. Exercise sounds too much like hard and painful work. Hehe.

Ending your manuscript

2011-06-18T12:45:00.001+01:00

"There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen and writes." William Makepeace Thackeray

It's a tricksy one! Ending a manuscript in the right placealways poses a conundrum. How to do it? Where to stop? Well here are fifteensuggestions to help you on your way. I was going to do fifty? Buuuuut my brain cannot hold fifty endingsin my mind and still work, apparently. Heheeee.

1. Tie up the all the loose parts.

2. Execute massive showdown.

3. Offer an epilogue.

4. Slam downmystery.

5. Bring it full circle to highlight what has changed!

6. Explosively end with explosions.

7. Chuck in some murder/death/underworld exploration/postmortem examinations/etc etc.

8. Let new hope shine.

9. JUMP INTO SOME TIME TRAVEL.

10. Be inspired by Hamlet.

11. Host a little silent puppet theatre.

12. Show that it was all just a dream inside a dream inside a - BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM.

13. Let there be change... and light ... and change.

14. Give everyone severe memory loss.

15. Reveal that the protag and antag are actually the same person. OMG. I know.

But seriously, even if my brain cannot hold onto them, there must be abillion ways to end a tale and each one of them is awesome. If you end yourmanuscript and it feels very different? That could be good different. Don't gosearching for a neat and tidy ending because you want to fit in, be exciting. Be yourself. Shinelike the sun.

Do you have any excellent go to endings? I think one of the brilliant things about endings is that you can do so many. If you want explosions and time travel and a mystery it can be done! Awesomeee. I think it's ok to write past the ending and then retrace your steps back to it later, what are your thoughts?

A message for ma fellow shipmates.

2011-06-13T21:29:00.077+01:00

"Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's addressed to someone else." Ivern Ball

Goodness me! I've had an influx of followers and that is lovely because I have been off the ball of late but you guys have stuck around anyway omg I loves you! Thankees for sticking around! I thought today I would try something different and simply introduce myself and invite everyone to do the same? I'm totally in one of those moods. Whoopsidoodles. Hehe. Normal lists and things and hopefully graphical representations will resume shortly. I am sure! So! Ahoy hoy! Here are a few things you might like to know. Like I said, no graphics today, we will do that later. Ok, fine. You win. Here is a quick graphic. Geez. Heheeee. I actually love graphical things, do not worry.

So I am a writer, and a student, and a sister, and a reader, and a daughter.
I'm addicted to caffeine, and the sound of the keys on my laptop, and horror films, and apples.
Especially apples.
I love the smell of rain, and the feel of it in running through my hair; I love it most of all when I am alone.
Sometimes I drench myself in the rain on purpose, to feel alive; also maybe I like the idea of a free shower. Heheeee.

I am broken, and strong, and stubborn, and patient and compulsive.
I'm afraid of drowning, and failing at whatever it is I'm trying, and the unknown, and caterpillars.
Definitely the caterpillars.
I love finding truth in everything, especially fiction, but I also know the value of secrets.
Sometimes I deliberately hide things from myself, both in my room and in my heart. Mmmmm.

I am an over-thinker, and an under-drinker, and a jam-abuser, and a constant dreamer.
I'm trying to expand my horizons, and learn music, and art, and zombie defence skills.
I love travelling for the journey, but can't stand to stay goodbye.
Sometimes I am tempted give everything up, and take a decent notebook, and join the circus whilst I write; and by sometimes I mean always.

I believe orange to be the most underrated thing in the universe, besides good friends and internet blogging stuff.

So! Hello thar me fellow shipmates! Ahoy! I've said that already right? Ahemm. Well. Ummm. Awkwardddddd. Ok. Want to tell me a little about you? New or old or new-old or old-new or cubist, tell me something! I love learning things about you all. For example favourite colours? Or books? Orrr colours? Does the orange thing bother you? I mean, like, the fact I use it all the time? Haha. Sorry. I implode if I don't see orange every few minutes, it's a curse. But tell me! What is the most underrated thing you know of? Let's pool knowledge and stuff.

How to revise

2011-06-09T20:53:00.088+01:00

"When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak."

Audre Lorde

1. Planning.
Make a plan. When you look around the novel ~~the rooms~~, ask yourself what needs correcting. At this point in the process collaborative thought can be used! Sometimes a new pair of eyes will see something you cannot. For example! I had no idea I was such a comma addict until somebody pointed it out, but I am.

2. Budgeting.
Set up a budget of how much ~~money~~ time you want to spend on each part of revising the manuscript. When are you aiming to be done by? A wise person once said your book will never be done, even published it will not be done. Keeping that in mind there must be a point at which you had decided it will be done its first revision. Set the target and aim for it. Provide cakes, glitter, hats and refreshments at the end point.

3. Researching.
Related to the two points above! Do your research. Know what needs work and what does not. Have a list of things you are aware you particularly need to pay attention to whilst working through the WIP.

4. Rewarding.

Don't forget to stop and praise yourself just a little. Revising a manuscript can be just as hard as writing it sometimes! Stop and smell the roses! Buy a new dictionary! Have fun! This is the part where you get to make things wildly amazing with your magical editing skills! High five!

5.Old timing.
Remember the good old times. If ever you feel in the dark, lost without a torch or hope in the world, don't be afraid to go back and read some of the really raw stuff. Try to remember why you started this, and what made your eyes light up with excitement to think about. Bottle up that enthusiasm and sip on it occasionally.

6. Junk sifting.
Although this sounds risky, it might be worth a try. Sometimes you cut things out early on because you're kind of not liking it. Occasionally you snip it because you thing it's not relevant. If you're anything like me you might keep all this trimmings in a separate document, just in case. Well my friend! The case has arrived! And it's marked with a massive shiny sticker! Sometimes old things become relevant, occasionally speculative nonsense you typed for funsies can be very important.

7.Creativ-ing.
Nothing is set in stone, don't let yourself feel boxed in. Go mad. Scrap entire chapters, create whole new characters. Sip on fruity juice with an umbrella in it and do a little dance. It's your book, who the doodle says you have to stop having fun at this point? Nobody. So don't.

So how do you revise a manuscript? Is it your favouritist or worst part of the process? I try to do mind bit by bit butttt sometimes I lose the will to live. Hehe. Other times I fall about laughing at myself. I do make the most awful blunders and people are so nice about them. I wouldn't put up with them if I was recruited to read things.

Getting the words down.

2011-06-03T20:21:00.000+01:00

"Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little."
Tom Stoppard

Ahoy hoy! All week long I have been faced with somewhat of a tricksy problem with my writing. Ummmmmm. I'm sure many people have been there, unable to write when I allow myself and unable to stop when I'm busy. Well I was super busy this week and the ideas I came up with drove me half up the wall. Only half, I'm not that tall.

Anywaddles, so, this list is about overcoming that problem with five helpful suggestions! Just tricks of the trade I've picked up here and there that allow me to write when I want to, most of the time. Hopefully they might even help somebody overcome blank page syndrome. For realsies.

1. Notebook-ing it.

Be prepared, get yourself a fancy notebook and carry it everywhere. At first? You might feel a little self-conscious. Totally normal. Totally totally. We've been taught to think people kind of look a little pretentious being artsy in public, but that is not the case! The best artists are those who seize inspiration when they can and they don't let what other people think get to them. Plus. What's wrong with carrying a notebook? All your friends will be super bummed when they need paper and you are not around.

2. Avoiding it.

Don't think about your writing in great detail until you are at that desk. I do this sometimes. I'm an extreme pantser most often, so considering important plot points when away from my notebook can be disastrous. The words flow but they've nowhere to go, and I end up losing them. I kind of feel like the words and voices in my head are very transient, they're not going to repeat themselves.

3. Outside-ing it.

Why not? Why the doodle not? Go forth and multiply those words into a story. Sometimes the blank page won't unblank itself because you're feeling a little creatively exhausted. Find a place that wakes you up and write like the keyboard is on fire. Remember to wear the appropriate clothing though, and apply sunscreen liberally when needed.

4. Accepting it.

Some things just get lost, even Eminem loses songs. I read that somewhere, totally. Completely. It was, like, an educational thing I was reading. *COUGHS* Sure. Anyway, I'm sure other people do it to. Sometimes you just have to trust that the truly bright ideas will stay with you.

5. Enjoying it.

Because blank pages can be exciting. Recognise that this is the beginning of something, it could be the start of something that changes everything. Mwahahahahahahaaaaaaaa. Then again, it could just be the start of a manuscript. Either way, super stuff.

What tricks get you through the blank pages? Mmmmm, maybe we need to invest in a voice recorder? Then we could talk all the day long about the things we are thinking. OMG. Also, then when I say to people "ummm, did you not get the memo?" I could replay me making a memo to myself at them. Super!

Book Habits.

2011-05-30T17:20:00.000+01:00

"The town was paper, but the memories were not." John Green (Paper Towns)

This is just another example of my obsessive nature when it comes to books. It only really properly started after I became a writer. OMG. That cannot be a coincidence. Right? Right? Maybe by realising the amount of work that goes into one I have a billion times more of the respectingness?

But I think my OMG-DO-NOT-BREAK-THE-SPINE nature also began when I found some super awesome books. Recently, there have been a whole tonne of books I've read and felt like I need to frame it or something. They make me want to preserve them, because it's not just the pages you're looking after but the entire world within them.

And, when they're truly amazing, I think books become more than just physical objects, more than just paper and ink and the smell of bookshops. Sometimes they become your whole world, for a day or a week or maybe a lifetime. And you become protective because it feels like a piece of the massive puzzle that makes up you.

Maybe. I don't know. I am SIMPLY trying to excuse myself for getting all itchy when people fold down pages. Teeeheeeee.

What are your pet peeves when it comes to the caring of books? My fourth Harry Potter book is actually in an awful state but I seem not to mind because it's had so much use, you know? So are damaged books simply well loved? Or does it make you squirm?