My Favorite Tools Part 1

Happy Wednesday everyone! This week I want to talk about my favorite tools. No not screwdrivers and such! Who am I kidding? I break things more than fix them. I'm meaning writing tools. I always love reading posts about what they must have within reach while writing. I like to compare what they are doing to my own process as well as learn some new things to try out. Lets get started!

Profile Pens

I am really picky with pens. They have to be fast with the ink flow and feel good in my hand. I used alot of gel pens at first but after awhile they would get spotty with the ink when I wrote and I hated that! Not all of them do it but I got tired of testing them. Then I bought these little babies and I was hooked. They flow very fast and I never ever have a problem with them getting clogged. It is a wider writing size which doesn't bother me. I write very big anyway. I usually stick with the black and buy them in two packs. I do like the other colors as well but I don't use them on a regular basis but I more than likely will when I get into the editing phase of my writing. The teal and purple are sooo pretty on paper :D 

Composition Notebooks

I am also a bit picky with my notebooks. I usually buy a bunch of different ones and never use them. HA I do the same thing with journals. I buy fancy leather ones or ones with pretty stationary but the same thing always happens with those--I feel I have to write perfect words in them and so they never get filled. These composition notebooks are super cheap, especially right now since it is back to school season. I usually stock up on them around this time because of it. I buy the ones that have about 100 pages in them and wide ruled because I write big. Composition makes a bunch of different designs and colors but I get the black and white styles. When I start a new one, I take sharpies to it and color in the white areas. It always makes me feel creative knowing I filled one and now I'm making a new one to fill. I also love how they are made of heavy cardboard because I tend to put them through alot. I've been using these notebooks since about 7th grade so I don't see these going getting discontinued anytime soon. 

Note Cards

If you have read my personal blog you know that I am a HUGE note card user. I use them to outline and make small notes that my brain spills out. I usually move those note cards over into Scrivner when I'm done. I like the option to move them around until I have all my scenes in the preferred order. I buy them around school season and stock up and get the Mead brand with lines but they also make them in plain. 

Full Adhesive Post Its

I didn't even know that these existed until I watched Jackson Pearce on a Liveshow. I sometimes put notes on my wall with post its and I was using just the regular ones. When I saw her post these suckers up, my mouth dropped open. I found them in stacks of 25 at Target for less than a dollar and all the main office stores sell them in larger stacks. The best thing about them that you can peel them and stick them without losing the same stickiness. 

Cork Board

As I write this, I have two of these in my office. One of them is hung up and the other sits right in front of me on my desk in the size of 24x36 The one on my desk has alot of character pictures and motivational quotes plus my favorite fortune cookie quotes. I'd show it to you but it has alot of secret stuff :P 

White Board

I also have two of these hanging in my office. I use them for my full adhesive post its because my office walls are textured so they don't stick well to them. Both boards are 24x36 like the cork boards. Currently they are filling up with notes on the #classified series and ideas for a different stand alone novel. 

Catch Notes

I can't express how much I am in love with this flippin' app. I started using this about 8 months ago and instantly fell in love with it. I have a droid smart phone and of course it is always with me unlike my composition notebook. I use catch notes on the fly and even when I wake up in the middle of the night with a new idea. Instead of turning on the light to write it down, I just open up the app. One of the best features on it is the fact that you can organize your notes by hashtags! It saves your hashtags so you can pick from the list or add a new hashtag. Then you can view your notes by each hashtag if you choose. You can make txt, pic, and sound notes which I love. I don't use this just for writing but anything and everything in general. Plus the app saves it online in case something happens to your phone. You only have to re-download and sign in to view all of your notes unharmed. *love* 

Computer

I use PC and have never owned a Mac. I would like to give one a shot one day but it really isn't in my budget right now. I have two laptops: one for my writing which has a 15 in screen and the other with a 17 in screen that I use for my art. I also have a second monitor that I use when I am at home. If I am just surfing online or writing/researching, I have it hooked up to my laptop. I tend to multi-task so instead of tabbing alot, I use both screens. Sometimes I even have a movie or youtube going while I use the other monitor to surf. 

Check back next week for Part 2! 

Working Doc

If any of you are up to date with the YA world you know who Laini Taylor is by now. If not, SHAME ON YOU! I recently became a fan since reading The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. The girl knows how to write but not only that, she give some great writing based advice. Usually after reading a book, I check out the authors blog/twitter if I'm not already hooked on them. I like to get a feel for their process.

It is no surprise that I have been having some problems on the writing front. No matter the kicking I give myself to put my butt in the chair, I just stare at the stupid blinking line that mocks me with the fact I can't seem to write a freakin' word. Now, I'm a perfectionist and sometimes to a fault. This is where Laini comes in. I rummaged around her blog and found a post where she mentioned what she calls a "Working Doc." She then linked me over to a different blog of hers where she talks about it. I recommend that you read all the posts on Not For Robots. I can't express enough how informative it was.

In short, the Working Doc is a document separate from your MS. I think of it a journal for my MS. I can sit there and say whatever I want inside it without criticism from anyone including myself. I can yell at characters who are hiding something from me (which is what I'm currently doing with my lead), keep blabbing about life until I can see the scene fully, spit out the things I see in the scene, etc. Doing all of this helps me focus better and makes me feel that it is ok to suck in this doc because it isn't really what's going in my MS. I can sift through all the crap and pick out lines that I like or a certain idea and expand on it, then move it over to the real MS.

I'm not really sure how or why it works but out of all of the things I've tried, this seems to work the best. This is one of those things I say "Don't knock it till you've tried it." Happy writing! Let me know if it works or you and give a shout out to Laini as well. I'm sure she would be delighted to hear she has helped out more writers with her process.

PS! I'm starting up on my own blog again after quite the break. I have some cool stuff coming up so stick around y'all! Yes I can say y'all ppl! I was born in the sticks. 

Books on Writing

In the last week or so I have been diving into some books on writing. I have quite a few that sit upon my own shelves that I have read pieces here and there. To be honest some of them I find not my type of books. Yes I understand they are meant to be for educational purposes but I don't find them engaging at the same time. That was until I ran across Writing Down the Bones by Victoria Goldberg. I completely devoured it in a single day. Everything she talks about in that book, I have been feeling. It was so strong that I felt like it was wrote to me, for that very moment. Since reading it, I have put "Thunder and Lightening" on hold at the library. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

I was also recommended Plot & Structure, written by James Scott Bell, by Kristen Lamb. I just started it and I'm only a 100 pages or so in but so far it is crazy informative. Things that you find are common sense your mind doesn't really think of. I know that sounds strange but if you have been through it, then you know what I am trying to say. Even though I am not that far into it I HIGHLY recommend it to every writer. Heck, any of his writing books are a must buy. I have a few and loved them all.

I was at my town library, yes I go to two different libraries on a regular basis and yes that makes me a super nerd, I ran across The Zen of Writing by Ray Bradbury. If you guys don't know I am a big Ray fan. I have been for many many years and I knew that he wrote a book like this but I never read it. The book is essays on the art of writing and creativity with a splash of his life thrown in. I already knew alot about his general life from interviews and articles I've read before but these essays dive deeper. I have one more essay left in the bunch but everyone should check this out. I'm considering doing his noun list that he talks about early on in the book to help find story ideas.

Next is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. I have this sitting beside me on the desk as I write. I haven't started it quite yet but every writer I have spoke with about books on the craft, this one always comes up. Normally I read quite a few books at one time but I am trying to finish the other two before I start this one. I have a feeling that once I do, I will devour it the same as I did Writing Down the Bones.

Then there is the ever popular On Writing by Stephen King. I have read this book so many times that it is crazy. It seems every time that I read it, I find something new and I wonder how I had missed it before. The book is parted in two with one containing his life and then another section on his writing/advice. If you are ever going to read a writing book this is one that I suggest starting with.

To end with The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I have tried to do this 12 week program book 2 years ago when I was living in California but it really wasn't the right time to start it since I was driving back to Illinois. Now I have started it again and I'm on week 3. So far so good. I do my morning pages everyday and all the while I'm thinking, why haven't I been doing this forever. I know part of the reason why but still, I was silly not to keep with it. I have learned alot about myself and well as writing some interesting things in there. Of course, part of the idea of the morning pages is that you don't show anyone so sorry folks, nothing to see here :P

If there are any books that you have read on the craft and want to add to the list please do and please let me know. I am always looking for new stuff to try!

Imagination

Last night I was terrified. In the house we live right now, there are these weird bugs with crazy long and a crazy amount of legs called house Centipedes. I was told that they eat other bugs and not to worry about them. 

Freaky right? 

In the later evening there was a giant one on the ceiling of my bedroom. I am not one to kill bugs, other than nasty spiders, so I left him alone and went back in the living room. When I was ready for bed, I checked around and he was gone. I wasn't all that worried about him until I turned the lights out. The second it went pitch black I kept picturing him crawling from the wall and onto my pillow. I swear I could feel him by my ears and then my legs. Each tiny little leg tap, tapping on my freaked out skin. I batted and swatted; even turned on the light to see if he was there. When the light flicked on bright, blinding my sleepy eyes, the only thing in bed with me was my imagination. It is weird how our minds can play tricks on us and make us think or even feel like something is there. 

When you are younger they tell you to "get out of your head" or "Earth to Nova" but honestly I love being in my head where there are always places to visit, people to see, and adventures to have. I think you really need that time. Everyone does. I guess it is very Peter Pan of me but I feel like the day we loose that in ourselves, is the day we give up on life. If a child gives you a talking doll, you better talk back. You never know if that child can one day use that imagination to create the next Harry Potter. Let them teach you not to be so jaded in your adult life. 

I'm ALIVE! and Scriver Moment of Panic

Forgive me for being gone my sweets! There has been alot of things going on recently that have taken me away from personal family stuff to WRITING!

Yes you have heard it correctly everyone. I have been writing--quite up a storm actually. I still am going through a rough patch with it but the more I punch through it, the easier it seems to get. I am past the dreaded middle, except for a few scenes, and onto the big reveal. There is alot of information going on in this part so I have to make it a tad more upbeat in the revision but so far so good.

Currently I have a few incentives going on to keep me going. My sister is begging to read it ever since she read the "first chapter" so she came up with a deal for me to write 2k words a day for 5 days a week and she would make me dinner and if I didn't, I had to make her dinner...wearing a terrible wig...for the blog...Yeah, not pleasant.

The next incentive was given to me yesterday that I had to write 14k words by Saturday and if I did, my friend would send me a surprise present. If I didn't, then I had to send him one...Yes it is a very long shot but if I do succeed then I could be a gal with some new awesome toy or coal...he did mention coal. If it is coal I'll trace him back by his return address and kick his lil butt.

So since I did the good of things, I might as well speak about the bad. Last night at 12:30ish pm I had the scare of my entire life. I returned home from seeing some friends to do a lil' writing before bed. I open my computer to see that it crashed. A small bit of worry but nothing to crazy when it loaded fine. I did some system checks while I clicked on my novel project in Scrivner. A pop up "THIS FILE IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THIS VERSION OF SCRIVNER" and I almost fainted. The blood left my face and I may have went for the Home Alone scream face.





Panic punched me in the gut and I ran as fast as I could to the Tech forums to look for a fix. I realized there was some bug with the new update but it wasn't pertaining to my problem since I hadn't updated anything yet that I knew of. I looked around more and didn't find much. I did a broad Google search of the problem and to my luck I found a post a guy made about the exact same problem.

Come to find out with that version of Scrivner there is a bug that if your computer crashes it causes this monsterous disaster of doom--or at least that is how I saw it when I was half crying on the floor.

1. Open up your project folder. The one that has the .scriv REMEMBER TO SAVE IT TO A FLASH      DRIVE FIRST!!!
2. Open Files
3. Open Version which is a txt doc. If there is anything inside there, delete it and replace it with 16 which is the magic number for this Version. 
4. Then Save and Exit. 
5. Open your project and it should open with ease. 

Now I am not sure if this works with everyone but it sure did bring me jumping with joy when it did open. I do save my files often but I should look into alternatives for when this does happen and I can't fix it. I'll be looking more into the compile feature too. I'm new to Scrivner since I've only had it a few months so I don't know all the Ins and Outs. So lovelies I am happy to say that Thank God it worked. Here is the original link that I read in case my explanation wasn't clear enough: Michael Coorlim Scrivner Bug Fix. Hope that helped someone like it did me!

I promise to be back in the loop with things now that some issues were taken care of. I'm making this whole writing thing the first on my list right now. I need to focus on it and the writing world included. If you know of some great writing blogs or blogs in general please pass them onto me. I need things to do during my timed writing breaks :P Until next time!

NOVA OUT!

Fears and Genius

A friend of mine recently sent me this speech and I have watched it far more than I would like to admit.  This was one of the most inspiring speeches I've heard thus far about writing.  It has really helped me push on.  Without further ado, check it out before you read the rest of the blog.

First off, we will start with fear.  Elizabeth talks about the fears after her big hit Eat, Pray, Love.  Now I'm assuming you all watched the video, if you didn't, shame on you!  Didn't they teach you to listen in school?  Anyway, assuming that you watched it, she also brings up the fears she had before Eat, Pray, Love existed.  There will always be fears.  It doesn't matter if you conquer one, there will always be another to come and take his place in line.  Now this may seem as if you are never going anywhere but really you are.  Think of a time where you had trouble with something and were scared it would never happen. Now do you remember what it felt like when you over came that fear?  It felt wonderful didn't it?  I know for me, it feels like you are soaring high above and looking down on everything else for one small moment and in that moment, everything is perfect.  

I have fears just as much as any other beginning author.  Currently I am settling in at "are these crappy words ever going to come together into what I see in my head?" Or the well known one that Elizabeth brings up "You should just stop because you are writing the worst book ever written."  A part of me though says, yes that very well may be to someone else but to you, it won't be.  It will be this magical, wonderful little thing that you worked your butt off to make.  You will always have people who don't agree with you but you shouldn't let that stop you.  If everyone thought that way, nothing would ever get done and it wouldn't be the world that we have today with all the amazing stories, gadgets, etc. Can you imagine if the guy who created the internet was told he was crazy and never went for it because he was scared of failing?  I wouldn't be writing this post to any of you today if so.  *thank god he did because I'm far too addicted to the interwebs*

Like her, I also write with a barrier put up.  I don't do it because I'm trying to quiet the wants and needs of readers because who am I kidding?  No one knows who I am.  I do put one up to quiet out myself and the outside world. When I am at home, I put on these huge gaming headphones that drown out everything around me (and also make me look like an idiot).  The moment those go on, I feel focused.  It is almost as if it shuts everything, including me, out.  What is left is just the story hanging in the air and moving my fingers across the keyboard.   

I truly believe what Elizabeth says about the story being outside yourself and your "genius" or "daemon" or even "muse" is the one feeding you the information.  I would like to think it is all me but honestly, I never really feel like it is me that comes up with the ideas that I do.  I do believe that the story is out there and already exists and all you have to do is find it.  My ideas are always random.  It is similar to the story we were told of when Newton was hit over the head with an apple and he created the Law of Gravity.  Now I'm not saying an apple falls on my head every time an idea shows up, but it does happen at the strangest times.  Once, a major part of my story line for #ClassifiedNovel came to me as I cooked a Turkey Burger. #nolie  

  

The days that they don't show up are the hardest.  That I have felt in the last few months but unlike Elizabeth, I didn't keep writing.  Since my "Genius" didn't show up, I didn't either.  After watching this and also from reading a few other blogs with a similar theme, I have learned: 

1) It isn't always going to be easy.  There will be moments that the words just don't come. 

2) When the words don't show up, write anyway. They may not be the best words you have ever written,    but at least you will have something to show for yourself.  

3) Tell your "Genius" whose boss.  If they want to get any sort of credit or recognition, they better step up to the plate and do their part.  

I hope you all liked the video and at least got something informational from my ramblings.  If not, well there is always next time.  Don't forget to feed your "Genius" until then! *pssst* I hear they like music and good art. *wink*

Staying Motivated

Writing has always been what I love most.  In my lifetime of flux, writing is the one thing I can honestly say has never wavered.  This doesn't mean I have always lived the life of a writer who is determined to make it big in the publishing world.  And, even though I love it, grown up life gets in the way and I lose motivation to sit all alone and peck keys on a keyboard. After a hard day I want to be social or active.  Often, I want to read about everyone else and their day on Facebook or Twitter.

Whenever someone (a non-writer) finds out I am writing a book, the first thing they say is, "I could never do that.  I wouldn't have the patience to sit and write all of that."  To be honest, I used to think the same thing.  I loved writing stories, but stuck to poetry because I didn't think I was a "distance writer."  I have since learned the secret.  

Authors work together!  That's how they get it done.  The support structure that Twitter and Facebook, Skype and others, offer to authors is incredible.  With these tools, writers can teach each other their strategies, offer emotional support and encouragement, celebrate together and even virtually work together.

Tonight, in fact, Nova Lovette and I wrote in 30 minute sprints together.  Her from her house and me from mine.  She would set the timer and tell me when to start via Facebook or Twitter.  Then she would tell me when to stop.  We shared our word counts with one another and even brainstormed our way through some sticky plot points in between our sprints.  Several times I wanted to quit, but knowing I was reporting to her and that she wasn't quitting, kept me honest and motivated.  By the end, she exceeded her goal of 2000 words and I had over 2500 words to show for it.  Plus, we built a closer friendship.  No loss there.

I'm so glad I stuck it out.  I worked through a scene that I have been stuck on for a month.  I've clarified some of my plot and character actions.  Without one another, Nova and I may not have been as successful as we were tonight.  Follow us on Twitter or Facebook if you want to join us on some writing sprints sometime.  As of right now, they aren't at scheduled times (hard to do in the summer months), but if you catch us in a sprint, you can always join in.

Don't think writing a novel has to be done in some wooded cabin, isolated from all distractions.  All you need is a writing partner who is as determined as you are, but honest about their motivation--and maybe some caffeine, cheese balls and a kick-butt playlist.  Good Luck and Happy Writing.

#StayGroovy  

Second Chances

Sometimes in life there comes a moment where you are at a crossroads.  It's there that you stand looking down both options like a Robert Frost poem, trying to decide what you want the most.  You could continue on the easy, yet sometimes confusing path that you are currently on or you can follow the unknown path of your hopes and dreams.

It's never an easy choice really.  At least not for some.  Comfortability is something that we want to hold on to.  It's like when a baby checks its steps before fully letting go and walking on their own or when a child is terrified to ride their bike without the training wheels, but that relieved and soaring feeling that rushes through your body when you accomplish something you set out to do, is one of the best feelings in life.  If you always hang on to the comfort, how do you ever expect to grow?

A wise person said yesterday that second chances aren't just given to you, you have to take them.  Well here is me taking mine and letting go of everything to find something exciting that makes my stomach jump like one does after a steep hill.  You have to find that in life because without it, it is no life at all.

And so, here I am taking my first steps onto a path I was too afraid to take until now.  That scared, terrified feeling of something new is only beginning and I can't wait to feel what comes next.  Who knows where this path might take me, but that's half the fun.

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*

Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

So within the last month or so I have been asked by a few people to do some book reviews.  Normally I save that for Book Club each month.  I never really considered it before then because I honestly didn't feel I had much to say other than liking or disliking a book.  That was until Book Club.  While attending the last few months I have found that people value my input in each discussion and I also seem to bring up deeper thoughts on the book ideas.  I don't know if it is because I have started reading like a writer, which if you haven't tried it you really should, or something just all together.  Instead of stressing too much on the topic, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot.  I mean...what could it hurt right?  (I sure am trying new things this week.  You'd think I was having a midlife crisis if it wasn't for me being 25.) 

Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

I received this book through JKS Communications for review.  There were a handful of book I chose from them and Hunted was my first read pick of the bunch.  The book description pulled me pretty easily.  I kinda have a thing for supernatural elements in books so of course this one peaked my interest.  

The story follows Caitlyn who is running from Para Troopers, Military soldiers in charge of seeking out Paranormals like her herself, and Para Slaves, Paranormals like herself that the Government enslaves to help their cause. This girl has one tragic past that still eats at her and her Mother.  Not only was her brother kidnapped but she watched her father die, all in the same moment.  

Caitlyn is a very gifted Para and she learns more about herself and her powers as the story progresses further.  I really enjoyed being inside her head.  She is strong willed and shows no fear, even when it pains her. She fights for the good of her people and tries to make the Normals see reason without outing herself.  She writes an anonymous blog under Teen Para and informs the public to try to see reason of her kind.  Even when the Teen Para name becomes tainted from rumors, she stays strong.  

This book has all the good makings for a YA book: Magic, love, teen angst, etc.  I may have not agreed with some of the dialogue or certain parts of the writing style, but I did love the story.  The world building was very realistic given it was a magic element.  It isn't too far off from what could happen if Paras were introduced into our society.  It greatly resembles race issues in our past history, only Paras are a new category and can be of any gender or race.  

The beginning was a pretty easy read, the middle far more difficult, but the ending won me over.  Surprisingly enough Caitlyn wasn't my favorite character in the book.  It was actually her father.  You only get small glimpses of him but he is the tie that binds them all together.  She gets her strength from him and well as much more in the end.  I think without him, this would be a totally different story.  Also I was strangely drawn to the Motel Owner.  Her plot arch changed greatly from the beginning of the book to the end and became a defining factor for major events in the climax.  I really enjoy seeing characters who grow greatly through a story.  

Onto the love connection.  The very modern love connection between Caitlyn, Alex, and Rachel does take a back burner.  I like how it wasn't the center of attention.  What off put me at first was that when you meet Alex it is said how he doesn't date anyone...ever.  Then Caitlyn shows up and things change.  I felt this very cliche at first until you find out about Alex's past and why he distances himself from relationships.  Having that addition made me come around to it and love Alex even more than before.  

All in all it was a good read.  The slowness was made up for the fast read of the end.  the last 60 or so pages I read in one sitting.  Thank you JKS Communications for sending me a copy of Hunted!  For the rest of you, if you are interested in this book make your way over to Amazon and give it a shot!  Also check up the moving story about Cheryl and her past.  From hearing a little about her at the end of the book, it made me want to give her other book Scars a shot.  

You can find Cheryl on her Website, Twitter, and Goodreads. 

Hello World!

Please give me some feed back on what you would like to see on the vlog or heck even the blog.  And I look forward to hearing some of the punishments errr Scared I should say.  :S 

Nova on Hibernating

Now if any of you are like me out there, then you always end up in hibernation mode during Winter.  I'm talking full fledged, hate to come out of the covers, wear a gloves and hat to bed kinda thing.  Ok I didn't wear gloves to bed but I have worn a hat to bed this Winter.  Every year when Winter rolls around I get in the weirdest funk.  It is almost like my brain is frozen and the creativity is as dull as light outside.  It is hard for me to get even normal, everyday things done.

If you have been paying attention to the weather in the Mid-west, or any part of the country, you have noticed the crazy change we have been undergoing lately.  It's March and currently we are in the mid 80 degrees.  It is natural that we can get a few warm days around this time but this has been a constant 2 weeks.  Now, I'm not complaining at all for having amazing weather this early and the great affect it is having on my mental thoughts, but I am dreading the rest of the Summer.  The news is saying this will be the worst year for bugs since the cold didn't kill them off.  I'm not a bug person so naturally I am not too thrilled about this one bit.  Mosquitoes are drawn to me like crazy because of my sweet self *wink* But really, if it's 80s now, what the heck is it going to be in August?  I don't even want to imagine my melting self.  I think I will be spending much of my time in the basement of our new rental house.  I guess I will hibernate twice this year.

Btw!  News, news, NEWS!! We did get our house and this someone gets an office!! That is right!  My first office ever!  I can't even contain the happy dancing.  I have already started planning what it should look like.  When we are all settled in, I'll do a post with new house pictures!

Nova on House Renting/Writing Space

I believe it was last week I spoke about writing space.  I can usually write in most places but home seems to still give me trouble.  My sister came up with a reason for that.  See, I'm a talker, so if someone is home, I want to chat it up with them.  Currently I live in a small apartment with her and her steady bf who shares a different house about 40 mins from us.  Our apartment is closer to his work so he stays with us most nights.  My desk is in the living room, yes the busiest of all places so when I want to do something I write in my room on my bed.  I don't mind but it makes me sleepy most times and since the bed is right there.  All it takes is a yawn and I'm out before you can say Godzilla!  AKA the dilemma! The sleep..not Godzilla...Well Godzilla too but not at this moment. 

Our lease is up the end of next month so we have decided to give renting a house a chance.  We have never rented one before.  Since HS it has been apartments or townhouses.  My sister's bf will be moving in with us so we are looking for some place with a decent size and with that comes a higher price but when it's split between us, it really is close to what we are paying for our current apartment, which is about 3 times smaller than the houses we have been looking at.  I'd say paying 300 extra for that amount of space isn't too bad at all.  We are paying 625 for our two bedroom apt so if the house is 3 times larger...well you can do the math.  That is a heck of a deal.  Plus!!!! This is a big plus! We have decided to get a house with 3 bedrooms so I can have an office!!!

I have never had an office before.  I swear to you that when my sister suggested it, I jumped up and down.  I can just imagine it now: A room of my own to work in, a new desk, a reading chair, notes tapped all over the walls, bookshelves on one side, etc.  I just can't wait!  We viewed a beautiful place yesterday that both of us love.  Today we are taking her bf to look at it and if he agrees, we will be putting down the deposit so we can move in the end of April!  *does a happy dance*

I finally might have somewhere constant I can go to work everyday.  Until then, I force myself to write here at home while I dream of my new office.

Nova on Writing Space

There are many writers out there who talk in great detail on their writing space.  For some it doesn't matter where you write and those same people mention that you should learn to write anywhere, for the fact that there is a possibility down the road you won't have the luxury to choose. On the other side of the spectrum, you have the group of writers who have designated spots that they feel most comfortable writing in be it public, their bed, or the kitchen floor.

Last night I met the amazing Lauren Oliver.  She spoke briefly about writing her first book, "Before I Fall", on her blackberry while in transit and mailing it to herself. That is dedication.  I can write about anywhere for the most part but I also fall into the category where certain places yield better writing for me.  I have realized that I tend to accomplish more when I write out in public than I do when I am at home--unless I am in my bedroom.  My bedroom is the only place I feel that I have the peace that I need, which sounds odd when I like writing in public. I think this is because when I am at home, I see all the distractions before me.  I'm not talking about cleaning because that I am usually pretty good about, but I realize I am on twitter, fb, hulu, etc far more when I am at my desk than when I am at Barnes and Noble or Starbucks.

I was sad the day Borders closed its doors, not only because of the books but I was loosing the location that fueled so many of my words.  Now I have since moved on to Barnes and Noble.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the store but the writing doesn't come as easy there, plus the lack of plug-ins drives me up the wall.  I mentioned this on twitter if any of you caught it.  If not, I compared it to The Hunger Games breaking out over outlets.  The second a person next to an outlet moves, 5 people jump up to take his place.  Come on B&N, be a little more caring for the writers who put books on your shelves and supply us with outlets! Pst...In turn, we will spend more time there, thus spending more money on your coffee.  Hello marketing!

Ok, so I got a little off topic.  But what I am trying to say is that to each their own as long as you get the work done.  There is no right or wrong way to do it really.  That is as long as you aren't hunkered down waiting for your muse to meet you in the same space everyday because let me tell ya, it doesn't happen like that.  It's a job like anything else and with that you have to set limits.  Today I have wrote in B&N, a Starbucks after my book club, and now I am sitting on my balcony for the first time in months, soaking up this beautiful weather (I know storm season is upon us in the Mid-West so I gotta take what I can get.)

Is there anywhere that you can write or can't write?  Currently this balcony is rising up the latter but I can't seem to get myself to write at St. Louis Bread Company.  It is always overly packed and it just doesn't work for me.

I'd like to hear your thoughts so send em' my way!

I'll leave you with what keeps playing in my head over and over...maybe I'll get you stuck with me :P

Nova *head desk*

Yes that is right, I am considering following through with the head desk if it stops the pounding in my head--not the voices, I like the voices.  Today I went to the eye doctor, which I haven't visited in @*&%@$ yrs, and I realize now why I hated going so much. Every freakin' time I get out of there, I have the worst headache any human can get.  See Migraines run in my family--thanks mom--and they didn't skip over me either.  My lovely torturer, err I mean Eye Doctor, shoved all these pretty vibrant lights into my eyes, stuck a tiny blue light so close to my eye that when I blinked my eye lids closed over it, he proved just how insanely blind I am, and dunked my eyeballs into yellow goop and blinded me with more lights.  But like the usual visits they smooth everything over with picking out your new glasses. I have a certain style that I love and the new glasses are within the same realm of the ones I currently have.  I also bought sunglasses which I haven't had the pleasure of owning since I got my first pair of glasses in the 5th grade.  I can't WAIT to give them a test run!  

To end on a slightly non-dramatic way I think I'm going to paste in some of my favorite website/blogs!

http://www.writing.com/
http://hollylisle.com/
http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2009/06/writing-advice-database.html
http://www.yahighway.com/
http://www.rainymood.com/  (I use this soooooo much and play it low under my music)
http://moodturn.com/bonfire/
http://distraction99.com/   (I love her blog and I must say she has one great name don't ya think?)
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/   (I can't express how much I have learned from her blog)
http://writeordie.com/  (cool program to check out)
http://yourpants.org/  (The Awesome)
http://writeoncon.com/   (I will be signing up for this)
http://koti.mbnet.fi/pasenka/quotes/q-writ.htm#About ideas 
http://www.youtube.com/user/YARebels?ob=0&feature=results_main

Some are more on the fun side than crazy informational.  What are some of your favorite sites to visit?

Nova on Being One

I've recently been reading alot of blogs and watching vlogs on writing, which of course has been taking me away from my own writing, but in the long run I have learned some interesting things.  I was trying to find the exact link to this particular post to share with you all, but I can't seem to locate it.  That'll teach me to start bookmarking valuable websites.  Anyway, this post talked about Method Writers.  How some writers have to put themselves into a certain mind set of their characters in order to experience everything the character does. Now, of course not all writers do this or Stephen King would be one crazy person to watch out for, but there are writers out there who follow the same path as Method Actors.

There are actors out there who have to get into their characters shoes by living parts of that characters life.  This includes maybe visiting/living in a place their character is from, doing certain skills or activities of that character, putting themselves in certain situations to see how their characters would react, etc.  Some writers have to do this as well and some need it in order to "Be One" with certain characters.  Lately I've been having trouble getting into my lead characters head.  There is just something about her that I seem to be missing and it is making the writing more difficult and feeling pushed.  I'm not so sure why I am not connecting and that is a huge deal because if I'm not connecting, then my readers won't connect.  This thought alone is making me slightly worried.

In the book No Plot? No Problem!  for NaNo, it talks about using certain items to trigger your mind that it is writing time, including wearing a certain hat your character, putting on a piece of jewelry, or maybe just sitting something on your desk that ties your character to you.  I believe that this is something similar to method writing.  Currently there are items on my desk that remind me of my characters but since I don't seem to write much at my desk, they have just become decorations.  Which leads me to putting myself into my characters shoes aka becoming one with HER.  I have been to the setting of my book which does help vastly but I need to find HER voice.  I have heard of writers looking into the mirror before they begin a writing session and tell themselves to become the character.  Looking into the mirror and saying such things kinda weirds me out, but I can see where they are going with it.  Maybe to find HER I need to BECOME HER.  I'm going to give it a try at least, I mean it couldn't hurt right?

Do any of you try this Tactic? I'm just curious if it has worked for any of you before.

Nova on Brain Storming

I'm not sure exactly how many of you are writers that follow this blog but for the writers out there, you know that brainstorming is very important and each person handles it differently.  Within the last few days I found a massive--like I'm talking Grand Canyon sized--plot hole that riveted my entire book series plot arch unusable.  Yes, imagine my frustration!

I may have look just like this...

When one thing goes wrong, it seems like everything else falls apart along with it.  I believe these are the moments when you really find out if your novel will do or die.  You can either pick up the pieces and salvage it or the idea falls by the wayside and you shelf your most cherished scenes for future use.  In my case, I was bound to fix it.  

I didn't realize I had such a problem until these last few days while writing.  I knew I was missing something for later books and it nagged at me but I kind of put it off, thinking that it would work itself out the more time went by--boy was I wrong and well sorta right.  My original idea didn't pan out and shattered everything.  If that main thing didn't happen then it would change so many other things that happened.  It's like when you have a broken seam on your sweater and you pull it, thinking it is loose somewhere in there but you only find out you unravel half the shirt in the process.  So tonight, I stressed over it with some amazing writer friends.  I had my core idea and explained to them as much as I could, hoping that just talking about it would spark something inside of the hunk of junk I call my brain.  This is how I usually brainstorm.  I grab the closest person, usually a friend and not a stranger in line with me buying coffee, and toss out ideas.  I think of stories like puzzles.  Once you have your main idea, only certain mini ideas will fit and sometimes it isn't the easiest of puzzle pieces to connect to--you know what ones I'm talking about.  

Ya like these crazy freakin interlocking puzzles! UGH! 

My friends let me rant and weed out ideas that didn't work, which alot of them didn't.  In one instance, one of my good friends brought up something very interesting but not the whole idea would work in my case, so I took part of it and added my own flavor to it.  It actually ended up working and will be sticking for now.  Then it came for the big disaster I had to fix.  Now having a new idea presented, I had to find a piece that locked into it, completing the whole thing.  After many hours of spinning over it in my head and blabbing about it on skype--which I'm sure they could do without hearing me ramble for the next few months--an outcome appeared.  It was like uncovering a fossil.  Once I dusted off part of the idea, more seemed to follow, ending in an even better story than I could have had with the first one. It is funny how things work like that sometimes.  

Are there certain ways you like to brainstorm?  Do you use note cards?  Take walks? Use voice recorders? I would love to hear!!! 

PS sorry for last week.  My parents are in the stone age and only have dial up but I love home more than anywhere else--even though I am happy to get back to civilization haha

Nova is looking for Recommendations

My novel aka #classifiednovel is on the fantasy/paranormal side of things but I am aiming for some strong characters.  I feel like currently, I am on the right track but they can be taken to the next level still.  Some of my favorite books are very character based even while being inside fantasy worlds.  The Giver, Fahrenheit 451, Katniss in The Hunger Games being a few of them. So this is where you come in!  I need some strong character books as sort of research for my book.  I don't read much contemporary but I am trying to branch out into them.  I want to know what are some of your beloved characters and some of the best emotional books in YA are.  They can be current YA or anything back in time so bring on the recommendations!

PS...Book Club went amazing tonight while we discussed Wither by Lauren Destefano.  I loved this book even though it gave me creepy shivers being in this world.  I will be reading Fever when it hits the shelves to see where the story goes next.  And yet again, I learned sooooo much just talking with a group of people about what they liked and didn't like with the book.  This let alone, has helped me become a better writer.  I can't wait to see what more it has to offer.

Nova on Getting Back Up Again

It has been said that if you take off one day from writing, your muse will take off the next three.  Only, I have taken off more than a day, we shall not name how long, and I am defiantly feeling the loss of my muse.  When my current career takes off, it is hard for me to make writing my center focus.  The kind of job that I have doesn't even leave me much time to sleep, let alone get in a daily word count.  Don't get me wrong, I love my job but writing does something different for me all together.  I beg for the moments when I can make the world disappear, to jump into someone else's.  But right now that my life has slowed down, I have found it hard to get back into the swing of things.  It isn't that I have changed my mind about what I am writing right now, but when I sit down at that computer screen, it's as if I have a brain fart or like that movie where they erase the guys memory and he is only given a few items to figure it all out.  I just can't seem to find what I want to say.  

I have my outline and every step is planned out, so why can't I put the words down onto the paper?  How do I push myself to throw up the words that I know are buried in there?  Should I stand on my head? Or should I just Dance around to loud music to shake them out?  SOMEONE GIVE ME THE ANSWERS!  I'M DYING OVER HERE!

On an unrelated note.  I just watched 127 hours tonight.  I know, I am way behind with the times, but can I just say, "What an amazing story!"  That guy was super smart to do the things he did.  My dad loves the survivalist stuff so I kinda grew up on that.  I knew alot of the things he did but there were a few that surprise me, like making a way for him to sit.  I brought that up in my head but I never put two and two together.  It's movies like that that really make you think about life and what you would do in that same situation.  Have you seen any good movies lately that made you really think or that inspired you?  Lemme know!  I would love to check them out!  Till next week!

Nova is....Sick :(

So I had this blog all planned out or shall I say vlog.  I was going to surprise you all and post something all great for the first Wednesday blog of the year but alas, I am in bed with a terrible cold.  Currently I am struggling to breathe and don't even get me started about the stuffy nose.  I don't understand how a nose can be runny and stopped up all at the same time.  So since I have been in bed I have been getting some reading done.  I have almost finished this current book in a few hrs.

The reason I am not going to name it is because I want to bring something up about it without being detailed.  You know how films say the title of the movie in the dialogue?  Well this book has said not only the title of the book multiple times, but also the chapter titles.  Is it just me or does that bother anyone else?

Stick around for next week for a vlog because I am dying to do one for you all! Send meds to me like they do in The Hunger Games and I shall forever be your best friend! Toodles!