Writerly Things

So yesterday, on my blog, I posted that I need to start talking about my own writing/writing in general a bit more. I’ve been so focused on doing reviews, guest posts, and In My Mailbox meme that I’ve neglected my own writerly things. So this post, even thought its not on my personal blog, is about my writing. 

Right now, I am working on my fourth book. I’ve written short stories and poems in between but this is book number four in my world of writing. It’s kind of crazy to think that I’ve written that many books. I know for some of you awesome people four books is how many you’ll write in a year. I am not that kind of a writer. It takes me a bit longer then some to finish a story (it took me two years to write Simplicity). My job, especially now, is really demanding and sometimes when I get home after a full day of saving lives and dealing with people, I can’t bring myself to even write a word. 

However, book number four is just a few chapters short of completion. As in I can see the finish line, I will be crossing it in the matter of days, I am so excited I can’t stand it! 

I looked back on this project and realized that I started it in January. I wrote a few bits and ideas for it at the end of last year, but didn’t fully start working on it till the beginning of this year. You realize what this means right? It’s been four months since the beginning chapter of my Secret Project and I’m almost done! 

I can’t even tell you how excited I am about this. I have to give partial credit for my success to my wonderful critique partner Farrah Penn (follow her, she’s fabulous). You can’t imagine how many times I’ve texted her with random things like “So I think I feel like killing somebody,” and “I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS I don’t know what to do!” Having someone to talk out a scene with is the BEST! Farrah, I’m hugging you through the computer. 

Anyway, I say all of this to tell you not to give up. To keep going. To reach for the stars. It’s the advice I’ve given over and over again, and will continue to do so because we all, myself included, need to hear it. We learn, we develop, we take chances on our own crazy imagination to create something that we love. Some days I truly do love it, and some days I wonder if I should even be writing. Yet, in the end, writing is like breathing. I need it, I want it, I like to keep my lungs from exploding in pain. 

So keep writing! 

Much love, 

Valia 

Packing...and more Packing

Sorry everyone that I have been gone!  We are moving into a house this Friday and I have been in a packing storm.  I feel like I most so much! Well, I do but still. So for now, I want to turn you over to Danny Marks recent vlog about Ruts.

I have been stuck in a writing Rut for quite awhile as well but I believe it is due to my horrible scheduling habits.  This is something I really need to work on and I plan on focusing on it as soon as all this other crap is done. UGH! *falls down and passes out*

Write Like A Princess

Hello lovelies,


While I was contemplating what to write about, I was watching Jackson Pearce's youtube channel and I stumbled on this video. So, I thought I'd share it with you because it totally fits with my ramblings today!







I went to see Mirror, Mirror yesterday and I started thinking about Disney movies in general. So when I saw this video I was very happy. 
At this stage of my WIP its very important that I cover all the bases. I'm about 20K from being completely done with the book so I need to make sure that my characters all got what they were looking for. So yesterday, during my writing time, instead of writing I went back and organized my whole book. I use Scrivener for my work (and LOVE it) but I often forget about all the extra features the program offers. While I make notes all over the place, I never fully used the notecards features before. So now, my screen looks a little like this. (Actually, it looks pretty identical to that). 

No, that's not my book because you don't get to see that yet. I found the picture online so thank you whoever provided it! 

Anyway, now I know what my characters want and need. I found my own "I wish" song in all that madness and now I know exactly what to do! It's the best feeling!!

How do you guys organize your thoughts? 

Much love,

Valia 

Guest Post: Perseverance by Robin Mellom

There were several times I wanted to give up in my path to publication, but it was the advice from other writers, agents and editors that kept me going.

I remember being a conference once and an author said, “If you’re getting good feedback on your writing, do the work and then wait in line for your turn.”

I really think that’s true. While we’re waiting for our turn, we have to do the work. Write the book. And then write another one. And then…yes…write another one. 

My first book that sold, DITCHED, was actually the sixth book I’d written. And I don’t regret writing those other books for one moment. They helped me develop my skills, find my voice and develop the confidence to take a concept like the one I came up with for DITCHED and do it in the way it deserved. I wasn’t ready to write that novel ten years ago. 

However, the gravy for this story? The very first book I wrote  (yep, ten years ago!)  is now being re-imagined and will be published as THE CLASSROOM in June. So you never know if something sitting in that drawer might season up nicely for the future. 

Robin Mellom wrote this post for my own blog but I felt like I should share it here again. Perseverance is something that we often overlook as writers. When people ask us what we do as writers they forget that it takes hard work. But the greatest thing ever is that we're not alone. There are others out there, working side by side with us, making a world a better place. That's right, writers do! Remember that!

Much love, 

Valia 

I did NOT forget you, my lovelies!

But I must leave you with only an awesome video... not new, but hilarious and fun. There are reasons for my prolonged and boring silence, and I apologize.

I hope this will make up for it: