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:

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. 

On Second Chances

I don’t know if you guys know this but I have a published book. Yes, as in out in the world, go on amazon and grab a copy, kind of published. This happened about two years ago, back when I didn’t know anything about the publishing world. Back when I asked questions and got answers from people who thought they knew what they were talking about. Needless to say, my baby didn’t get the treatment that I wish it would’ve gotten.

But you know what’s great about this whole deal? Is that you live and you learn. I met so many wonderful people on my journey and they have taught me so much. A while back Jessie Harrell and I were talking and she came up with this idea. She asked me why can’t I start all over with Simplicity? I never thought about it. I didn’t think it was possible, but you know what? It is! 

I got my second chance! I have a bunch of wonderful bloggers part of the cover reveal that will be happening sometime next week and I just finished my edits and will be sending that over. It’s amazing how much I’ve grown as a writer, and a big part of that is my writing family. You’re my writing family! Every person I meet on the internet, every author I talk to, my critique partner, my best friend, even my parents are all the people who make me who I am as a writer. They help me grow, and they help me develop and I couldn’t be happier. People like Jennifer Archer (author of Through Her Eyes) who read my book and enjoyed it. There’s nothing like getting that kind of an encouragement! 

I encourage you to take chances, and more than that, take second chances. If you get the opportunity to do something again, do it better. I hope you always take a chance on your writing, and if you don’t do it right the first time, do it again, and do it better! Just make sure you take the chance! Set goals! Make dreams happen! 

Much love, 

Valia 

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!

It Takes Commitment!

People often ask me what it takes to write a book. More often than not I have to stop and think about it. Which is kind of ridiculous since writing is what I do. So I’ll say things like: you have to actually write, you need an idea, you need to stay away from internet. (that one I have trouble with, Im easily distract...oh shiny!) 

In reality, would you like to know what it takes to write a book? Are you ready for this? I’m laying it all on the line here for you. In order to write a book you need...commitment. I know, you really didn’t see that coming. 

Commitment is hard. I think often this is why people who want to write a book never write a book. It takes hard work, and a lot of it. Commitment is a scary thing in so many ways. Here’s an example from my personal life: tomorrow I’m making a huge commitment. I’m becoming a citizen of US. Talk about random announcement right? I’m excited, terrified, anxious, exhilarated, and so many other crazy emotions. For me, becoming a citizen is a huge step in the direction of my future. 

Writing is like that. You make a commitment, you sit down, and you write. And you write, and write, and write, and write, and then write some more.

 But before you write, you must take the step of commitment and decide to do it. Sound’s simple doesn’t it? Yet, its anything but. 

Anyone else out there with commitment issues? 

Well, there you have it. My little two cents on writing. That’s all I got for today because all I can think of is that in a few hours I’ll be an official citizen!!! Yay me!!! *HAPPY FREAK OUT DANCE* BOOOOYYYYYYAAA!!!!

Much love, 

Valia 

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.

Unconventionality

Social media has revolutionized the way writers interact - with each other, with readers, with the publishing industry. Not every writer is on every platform, or even necessarily on any of them! (But, er, clearly you are, gentle reader, or how else would you come to be here?)

I have to say: I love it.

I've also grown weary of sweeping proclamations. It seems that every day some person somewhere on the internet says, "X is changing the face of publishing!" But social media is one of the values of X that I believe to be true, and one of the ways it's doing so are through contests.

Seriously! I knew they happened, the fabulous Authoress runs some well-attended ones regularly, but I don't think I realized just how popular they've gotten - and how many agents are not only willing, but eager to participate.

Writing contests, as they exist in the blogosphere, are fabulous because while they shake up the traditional path to publication by ending with critiques or even offer of representation for some authors - in a method that mostly didn't exist until very recently and is dramatically different than the norm - they are also fun. For everyone involved!

I've entered a few recently, including the First Line Grabber competition on Authoress's blog last month. (Or was it earlier this month? I can't keep track of time in my old age, it seems...) The spirit of friendly competition among fellow writers is rivaled only by the support they give one another. For something that is so often a solitary activity, it's a wonderfully refreshing change of pace.

And as these contests multiply in number, and are elevated in profile, there is frequently the promise of Lurking Agent Eyes (tm). Which is just so cool, and these LAEs frequently drop by to leave comments, offer feedback, or even surprise-attack folks with page requests!

Publishing has its challenges right now, to be certain. But I honestly can't think of a more exciting time to be around and part of a vibrant, giving community - that still knows how to have fun.

And I think this kind of unconventionality and the willingness to explore new, fun ideas is a predilection that will keep publishing alive and prospering for a long time yet.

Have you entered any blog contests recently? How'd it go? Inquiring minds want to know!

(Inquiring minds also ask that you pay no notice to the fact that by EDT standards it is technically no longer Monday. Time is but an illusion, and Monday finds this Tuesday dress to be quite slimming.)

It's Friday Randomness!

Hello everyone, 
I'm so late on everything today, I totally spaced on writing a post! I know I know, it's terrible. So today I'm going to post some pictures. Because really, I can.

Yes, I really went there. Because, oh my word cuteness!!! 

Oh and before I forget, I will have news soon and the news will be awesome!!!

What are you reading this weekend?

Much love, 

Valia

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

On Waiting

        In author interviews I often ask this question “What is one thing you wish you knew before becoming an author?” And more often than not the answer to that question is “the waiting.” 

Jennifer Archer puts it this way:

“I wish I'd known how much time writers spend waiting! We wait to hear from agents and editors about book proposals we've sent. Then after the book sells we wait to do revisions. Once we've finished our part, we continue to wait while the publisher does everything they have to do to turn a manuscript into a book -- editing, layout, designing the cover, and more. We wait to see the cover art -- which is always SO exciting!Then the book is released and we wait for reviews, readers' reactions, and royalty checks!”

Right now, I’m waiting. I’m waiting to hear back from publisher, I’m waiting to hear back from agents, I’m waiting to hear back from writing buddy. You’d think by now the waiting would be like second nature, but its not. Its more like this. 

Because I’m keep thinking about all these scenarios  that could be and its freaking nerve-wracking! And while I’m still working on my super shiny new project, my mind keeps drifting back to the two that are out in the world. 

Now, here’s where I take a deep breath and get back on track. Because does it really matter what crazy scenarios I create in my mind? Does it help my stories if I worry myself into a sickness? No and no. This is the point of time where I let Dean tell me that: 

And Fez let me know that: 

And let me just hug y’all because you’re awesome and I love you! :-) 

No worries right? Let’s make a pact! What ya think? 

Much love, 

Valia 

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?

Monday is only here for a quick laugh

It is late on Monday, and I am straddling some strange mix of exhaustion and productivity. I don't have anything particularly wise or salient to add this week, so I shall instead share a video with you.

If you haven't seen already, Rachel Hawkins shared this song a few days ago and single-handedly helped propel it to viral status, at least within the YA community. It's fun and cheesy and a little dumb, but I enjoy it. Perhaps a bit too much, since I listened to this song approximately four hundred million zillion times last week.

So. Now I inflict it all on you.



You're welcome.

Writing Tips for Writers from Writers

       So this week I found this whole blog post on writing tips which I thought I’d share. I love this part of the writing community because I can always find something to make me better from those who have “made it.” 

Stephen King:

“If you want to be a writer,” says Stephen King, “you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”

John Grisham:

“Before you can be a writer you have to experience some things, see some of the world, go through things–love, heartbreak, and so on–, because you need to have something to say.”

Ernest Hemingway:

Interviewer: How much rewriting do you do? 

Hemingway: It depends, I re-wrote the ending to “Farewell to Arms”, the last page of it, thirty-nine times before I was satisfied. 

Interviewer: Was there some technical problem there? What was it that had stumped you?

Hemingway: Getting the words right. 

Kurt Vonnegut:

“Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.”

“Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.”

James Patterson:

“I’m always pretending that I’m sitting across from somebody. I’m telling them a story, and I don’t want them to get up until it’s finished.”

Margaret Atwood:

“If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.”

One aspect of writing that I noticed is that if I don’t want to read my own writing then no one else will as well. It’s such simple advice, to write what you know, to write what you love, but its so often overlooked. Sometimes I feel that when people ask how to be a writer they look past all of these simple pieces of advice and look for something grand. As writers we need to remember, its about writing and perseverance. You have those two, and you can be a writer. 

Ya, I couldn't help it

Go forth and Write!!

Much love, 

Valia 

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.

The Importance of Doing Your Homework

This post is not about like, actual homework homework. Although it could be, since I'm several weeks behind in the reading for a class I'm taking and man, is it a pain. Also, you may not shoo me away because I read like a zillion pages today in my efforts to get back on track, so neener neener.

The 'homework' I'm talking about right now is your writing homework. Otherwise known as research.

I hear complaints from various friends about inaccuracies, largely in TV shows, of the CSI and Law & Order types. The fabulous Elizabeth May has schooled me on the myriad forensic inaccuracies in Bones, and every once in a while I'll squint at something I watch or read and silently wonder about its veracity.

Truth is, though, it's not usually something I, as a reader or watcher, pick up on all that much. But tonight? Oh, tonight I did.

While catching up on last week's episode of The Vampire Diaries (which - no new episodes for a month? really, CW?) one of the characters who is like, mad old, narrates what the field around them used to look like a thousand years ago. "Wild horses used to graze in that field," he says at one point.

Cue record-scratching.

Hold up. Did you say horses?

I went back and checked again. Yes, yes he did. See, Vampire Diaries is set in Virginia. Horses in North America went extinct somewhere between 10,000 and 7,500 years ago. They didn't reemerge until they were introduced to the Americas by the Europeans in, oh, the sixteenth century.

Now granted, this is possibly not what I would call common knowledge? And also, I am an enormous nerd. But this is why it's so important to get your facts straight, or at least know how to embellish or misdirect when you're stretching the truth.

Because if you get it wrong, you're going to throw somebody out of your story. Suspension of disbelief is the cornerstone of fiction, and if you pull the carpet out from your own work, you do no favors for anyone.

Have you ever gone back to your writing and realized you got the facts really, really wrong? Or, barring that, what's the most egregious example of Didn't Do The Research that you've seen? (Warning: Link goes to TV Tropes. Click it and lose hours of your life at your own discretion.)

On Writing a Book & a Question

Hello lovelies,


So, today I'm sharing a video with you that I find particularly helpful. Jackson Pearce is probably one of my favorite authors when it comes to writing advice. So for all of you who have the desire to write a book, this one is for you.





Now for the question:


What kind of a cover always catches your eye? 


Much love, 
Valia 

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

Words to Live (and Write) By

There have been a number of posts lately that I've stumbled on - related to writing and the publishing industry, natch - that have just made me sit up, take notice, and say Yes. That. That so hard.

Some of these posts are not particularly recent, but that's the great thing about the internet: The advice sticks around. It's not going anywhere. And sometimes, it's just what I need to hear.

So in case any of you may find these posts as informative or encouraging or just downright timely as I have, I'd like to link to a few of them here:

Firstly, an article last month from Salon about The Death of the Celebrity Memoir.

An oldie that's made the rounds by now, but is always worth linking, is Rachel Stark's incredibly detailed and thoughtful analysis on Cover Trends in YA Fiction.

Adrienne Kress has a fantastic post about querying and seeking publication: It's Not About The Odds.

Just this month, rockstar agent Jenny Bent (of The Bent Agency) weighed in on some of the changes she's seen in her 20 years in the publishing industry: My How Things Have Changed.

And I just recently stumbled across an old post of Natalie Whipple's that I've had bookmarked for ages, called What I Really Want to Say to New Writers. Every word of it is gold.

So, friends! Have you ready anything lately that's particularly stuck with you? If there's anything around the blogosphere that you've enjoyed and think I've missed, please share in the comments!

On Coloring Outside the Lines

  If you know me for any period time you’ll discover that I love quotes. When I was in high school and college my planners were filled with random stuff like: 

“Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, where the heck is the ceiling.” 

  and 

“The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.” 

While I still love the funny randomness, my quote collection has expended to things such as:

“The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” - Mark Twain 

“When he killed a calf he would do it in a high style, and make a speech. (About Shakespeare)” - John Aubrey 

“The best time to plan a book is while you're doing the dishes.” (or while you’re in the shower, really anytime you can’t actually write anything down) - Agatha Christie 

Being a writer means you’re always growing. I have realized that once again when I started my new project. You see, this story is written in present tense, and that’s new for me. And I mean terrifying, crazy, my-head-is-going-to-explode kind of new. It's like coloring outside the lines. Sure, I’ve written stories in present tense before but never a full blown novel. Yet, since I’ve taken this step in the new direction I realized that I have grown as a writer. I know, shocker right? But I think sometimes we forget to see our own journey because we focus so much more on the end result. Also, I have a tendency to feel like this:

Yep, totally me as I started this project!

But you know what? I have to be honest, I’m loving writing in present tense. I know its going to be a tough journey because I keep reverting back to the way I’m “used to” writing, but I will keep pushing myself. This is my goal. In the end, its going to be beautiful and amazing, because that's what writing is all about. Its about coloring outside the lines. 

What are some of your writing goals? Do you have a preference in tense types? 

And don’t worry, the rest of the Warehouse crew is alive and well, they’re just hiding from the internet at the moment (not of their own making). I’m holding down the fort, but seriously hoping they return soon. Because, come on people, we all know they’re the entertaining ones. :-)

Much love, 

Valia