After all the excitement from the bookstore arrests I'm just really tired and going to call it a night. It looks like my book is going to be complete just one day late, on day Zero of the countdown. Day Zero sounds cool to me, as long as we don't get into negatives, I'd say that's an accomplishment:-)
SO here are the details!
Working on Chapter: 19
Page Count:445
Word Count: 126, 740
I am officially beyond the recommended word count for a first novel. Almost done!
And just for fun-here were the final counts from the super old original draft of my books
Page Count: 254
Word Count: 54, 098
Can you believe that?
All right I'll be back with an update tomorrow as well the Jay Asher 13 Reasons Why Reading/Signing.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Life of a Writer is Dangerous!!!I
I have to relay these two stories to you immediately just so you can understand that I am quite possibly risking my life writing this book.
Ok, maybe not really, but the last two days of writing have not gone off without incident and I forgot about yesterdays incident until the second incident tonight.
So last night I was writing at Barnes and Noble in the cafe, when the staff got all serious because there was an elderly couple sitting in the children's section cursing out a couple of little kids who were playing in the children's section. The elderly couple were escorted out and I saw red and blue lights flashing at the window. So I'm guessing the police were on hand, but things didn't escalate beyond that.
Well incident two tonight happened at another Barnes and Noble (yeah I get around). I was just starting to wrap up and put my laptop away, chatting on my cell phone when I saw not one, but two police officers walk up to the edge of the cafe. They kind of paused and did a once over on everyone. I didn't know what they were looking for and tried to look inconspicous.
A few minutes went by and they were just staring straight ahead, so I assumed (like you do) that they were reading the menu and having a really hard time trying to decide if they wanted to order a grande mocha frappacino or a fat free americano, or an iced carmel machiato (naturally I assumed they were deciding between all of the drinks I myself can't order but don't really want).
It turns out that the police didn't want to order any fancy coffee drinks. They were here on bussiness, to make an arrest of some woman sitting one table away from me! I seriously turned around and saw one of the officers escorting completely handcuffed out of the cafe. The other police officer carried her purse. They left her unfinished cup of coffee on the table. I wonder what she was drinking before her arrest?
So I went to pay for my books and tried to get the bookseller to give me the scoop, but apparently I was her informer. So she called the cafe but they were busy, and a manager and even called over another bookseller, but I was the main eye witness to the arrest. I walked out and there was not one, not two, not threeeeee, but FOUR cop cars parked outside.
Now either this was woman one table away from me with the unfinished coffee sitting there quietly was the most dangerous person ever to walk through that Barnes and Noble, or it was a really slow night in that particular township. Either way...I can only wonder what will happen the next time I decide to write at a Barnes and Noble.
Eureeka!
I write to you dear bloggers from the super exciting location of my sister's new apartment, while she makes me a vegan dinner-aaah this is the life!
Anyway, I spent my lunch break at work today going on and on about how stressed out I was about my ending to a friend at work-poor guy barely had any idea what I was talking about because I'm sure I start to sound crazy whenever I talk about my writing and I was trying to explain the dilemna of my ending without actually explaining my ending because he is going to be one of my readers and didn't want to know what happens.
Soooo after that I spent some time writing (like by hand...which is an interesting way of unlocking ideas when you are like me and do almost everything by computer). I was trying to outline the rest of the chapters I had to write and this is when I came up with the answer to my porblems. I solved the ending. I came up with a perfect solution to close my story completely, but in a way where I don't feel I'm adding too much more to the story and it just feels right and I'm feeling excited and inspired by it.
As soon as I came up with the idea it was kind of like-Oh duh, Frankie! Why didn't you see this before? And I got really really excited! Now I have an actual ending to my story-YAY! And by ending, I mean...I can safely write "The End" and not "To be continued..."
So I'm working on chapter 19 right now, and my outline basically calls for 22 chapters, so I have 4 chapters to write!!! 4 chapters and 2 days to do it if I'm going to meet my deadline-plus go to work and also drive to NJ to meet Jay Asher (yeah I'm going to see the author of 13 Reasons Why tomorrow night with Donna-awesome!).
Ok so it's a lofty goal but I'm going to shoot for it. If anything I think I can safely say I will be done by Saturday! And then.....REVISION!!!! I had been kind of dreading this revision for a long time, but now I'm actually looking forward to it because I keep getting ideas on how to tweak and make things better and also lay down some groundwork and hints for books 2, 3, and 4...
I really need to remember the whole writing by hand thing for next time I'm stuck. I realize now that I've unstuck myself through this method many times before and everytime I forget. Any writers reading...do you have any kind of little trick that gets you unstuck or solves some of your writing problems for you?
Anyway, I spent my lunch break at work today going on and on about how stressed out I was about my ending to a friend at work-poor guy barely had any idea what I was talking about because I'm sure I start to sound crazy whenever I talk about my writing and I was trying to explain the dilemna of my ending without actually explaining my ending because he is going to be one of my readers and didn't want to know what happens.
Soooo after that I spent some time writing (like by hand...which is an interesting way of unlocking ideas when you are like me and do almost everything by computer). I was trying to outline the rest of the chapters I had to write and this is when I came up with the answer to my porblems. I solved the ending. I came up with a perfect solution to close my story completely, but in a way where I don't feel I'm adding too much more to the story and it just feels right and I'm feeling excited and inspired by it.
As soon as I came up with the idea it was kind of like-Oh duh, Frankie! Why didn't you see this before? And I got really really excited! Now I have an actual ending to my story-YAY! And by ending, I mean...I can safely write "The End" and not "To be continued..."
So I'm working on chapter 19 right now, and my outline basically calls for 22 chapters, so I have 4 chapters to write!!! 4 chapters and 2 days to do it if I'm going to meet my deadline-plus go to work and also drive to NJ to meet Jay Asher (yeah I'm going to see the author of 13 Reasons Why tomorrow night with Donna-awesome!).
Ok so it's a lofty goal but I'm going to shoot for it. If anything I think I can safely say I will be done by Saturday! And then.....REVISION!!!! I had been kind of dreading this revision for a long time, but now I'm actually looking forward to it because I keep getting ideas on how to tweak and make things better and also lay down some groundwork and hints for books 2, 3, and 4...
I really need to remember the whole writing by hand thing for next time I'm stuck. I realize now that I've unstuck myself through this method many times before and everytime I forget. Any writers reading...do you have any kind of little trick that gets you unstuck or solves some of your writing problems for you?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Chapter 19-YAY!
Ok...finally I snapped out of my writing lull and I wrote today-a very respectable amount! Whew!!!
I'm currently writing chapter 19-I can't believe it. And even with my massive break and wierd little breakdown and self doubt, etc etc etc, I still have a shot of making my deadline in two days Friday.
I'm still completely undecided about my ending. But I'm just writing it as is. Once it's written I'll be able to relax fully and think more clearly and decide what to do with my ending. Also I'll be able to discuss it with more people because it will actually be there for my initial readers to read.
So here are the stats.
Working on chapter: 19
Page Count: 434
Word Count: 123,825
Ok, back to work!
I'm currently writing chapter 19-I can't believe it. And even with my massive break and wierd little breakdown and self doubt, etc etc etc, I still have a shot of making my deadline in two days Friday.
I'm still completely undecided about my ending. But I'm just writing it as is. Once it's written I'll be able to relax fully and think more clearly and decide what to do with my ending. Also I'll be able to discuss it with more people because it will actually be there for my initial readers to read.
So here are the stats.
Working on chapter: 19
Page Count: 434
Word Count: 123,825
Ok, back to work!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Outlining is Good too!
I spent a good part of today writing a very detailed outline of book 2-at least the first half of it. And it was flowing nicely and I'm getting excited for it, which is good because the only way to get there is to finish writing book 1.
But of course now that I have things a little more settled...I read on someone's blog that you really have to wrap things up in book 1 of a series so it can stand alone. And my book....it kind of doesn't completely wrap. It does have a firm ending though, all of the major questions posed in the story are answered and resolved (as completely as they can be in one book, there's always more to the story), BUT...one thing is clearly keeping the door VERY WIDE open for book 2. This was the thing I was considering changing the other day when I called Donna for a plot conference (hehe ok I just like to say that, plot conference).
Anyway since Im still clearly struggling with the ending-I wonder...maybe it's because this thing does need changing. But then that would completely shift around my book 2 outline. Hmmmm. I don't know what to do...Because I feel like this is the story, but I'm also a first time novelist, so I need to follow some rules here.
I think the best way to describe the problem Im having with my ending is with The Half Blood Prince (and I'm not comparing my book to that, just the concept of endings).
So what is the deal with this HBP book? PS. There are spoilers below for people like you Tami, and anyone else who hasn't read this book.
Ok, readers when we read HBP we have questions and JK gives us answers at the end!
1) What is Draco's mission?
A) Kill Dumbledore!
2) Who is the Half Blood Prince?
A) Snape
3) Will Harry ever freaking kiss Ginny already?
A) Oh YES!
4)Is Snape going to keep his word on the unbreakable vow?
A) You betcha!
5) Ron...Hermione, OH PLEASE GOD get together
A) Eh....sort of....
6) Is Dumbledore finally going to go the way of Gandalf and Obi Wan Kenobi?
A) Sadly yes, but hey, we knew this day would come!
7) Is Harry ready for the final showdown between him and Voldemort?
A) YES he can!
You see what I mean, at the end of the book all major plot points questions, necessary character growth are complete.
But....
Harry also started looking for Horcruxes-7 actually and at the end of the book there are 2 down and 5 to go...
Wait 5 to go...
So we know the series ain't over yet (besides for 1,000 other reasons) but the quest to find more horcruxes is left clearly open. Was that the premise of Thje Half Blood Prince? Nope. So you see what I mean. I leave a pretty big unfinished trail, but the story is complete, answers are given...and maybe...I need to close that trail off and say hey no visitors (until book 2).
I don't know Im in quite the quandary.
I keep thinking about how impressed I was with the writing of Hush, Hush and I know that that book was 5 years in the making and when you read it, you will see that it was worth it, so...if I need a little bit more time to set things right, I'll take it. I know I'm so close though!!
I'm going to do a little more world building as well, there are few things I'm just figuring out need some clearing up and explaining.
Well I hope everyone else out there is having a better time with writing than I currently am:-)
But of course now that I have things a little more settled...I read on someone's blog that you really have to wrap things up in book 1 of a series so it can stand alone. And my book....it kind of doesn't completely wrap. It does have a firm ending though, all of the major questions posed in the story are answered and resolved (as completely as they can be in one book, there's always more to the story), BUT...one thing is clearly keeping the door VERY WIDE open for book 2. This was the thing I was considering changing the other day when I called Donna for a plot conference (hehe ok I just like to say that, plot conference).
Anyway since Im still clearly struggling with the ending-I wonder...maybe it's because this thing does need changing. But then that would completely shift around my book 2 outline. Hmmmm. I don't know what to do...Because I feel like this is the story, but I'm also a first time novelist, so I need to follow some rules here.
I think the best way to describe the problem Im having with my ending is with The Half Blood Prince (and I'm not comparing my book to that, just the concept of endings).
So what is the deal with this HBP book? PS. There are spoilers below for people like you Tami, and anyone else who hasn't read this book.
Ok, readers when we read HBP we have questions and JK gives us answers at the end!
1) What is Draco's mission?
A) Kill Dumbledore!
2) Who is the Half Blood Prince?
A) Snape
3) Will Harry ever freaking kiss Ginny already?
A) Oh YES!
4)Is Snape going to keep his word on the unbreakable vow?
A) You betcha!
5) Ron...Hermione, OH PLEASE GOD get together
A) Eh....sort of....
6) Is Dumbledore finally going to go the way of Gandalf and Obi Wan Kenobi?
A) Sadly yes, but hey, we knew this day would come!
7) Is Harry ready for the final showdown between him and Voldemort?
A) YES he can!
You see what I mean, at the end of the book all major plot points questions, necessary character growth are complete.
But....
Harry also started looking for Horcruxes-7 actually and at the end of the book there are 2 down and 5 to go...
Wait 5 to go...
So we know the series ain't over yet (besides for 1,000 other reasons) but the quest to find more horcruxes is left clearly open. Was that the premise of Thje Half Blood Prince? Nope. So you see what I mean. I leave a pretty big unfinished trail, but the story is complete, answers are given...and maybe...I need to close that trail off and say hey no visitors (until book 2).
I don't know Im in quite the quandary.
I keep thinking about how impressed I was with the writing of Hush, Hush and I know that that book was 5 years in the making and when you read it, you will see that it was worth it, so...if I need a little bit more time to set things right, I'll take it. I know I'm so close though!!
I'm going to do a little more world building as well, there are few things I'm just figuring out need some clearing up and explaining.
Well I hope everyone else out there is having a better time with writing than I currently am:-)
Sometimes It Needs To Sit
I've been letting my story kind of run itself through my brain all day and I'm starting to have mini epiphanies about things and about where exactly this story is going and how I need to write it to get there. Only thing is this imaginary direction I'm going in isn't completely clear to me yet. And one thing I know about writing is that sometimes you need to not write to get more writing done...I know how backwards that sounds.
But hear me out.
Every now and then your story has to evolve or it stagnates and dies. And the only way for it to evolve is for you to evolve it and sometimes that means taking a step back and reentering that creative mind space you go to when you are in the pre-writing phase and ideas are coming at you fast and your brain neurons are firing off little sparks of epiphany and genius.
I feel like I'm on the verge of this and I'm trying to relax and let it happen because I know when it does, I'll have everything I need to make my story completely perfect (and I really want that). So I'm planning to do a little more world building today and letting things come together. Then no matter what I have to write the rest of chapter 18, because I promised I would, and hopefully more will come.
One thing I have noticed is I tend to write things the right way....but often too transparently.
For example one character who is evil was written like a completely evil person and so when they reveal that they have in fact done something evil, it's like "ummm ok...you know we kind of saw that coming..." so now their intentions are much better disguised.
Another one I think I'm realizing is the punishment for a particular crime in my world seems a bit too harsh. But I know this punishment needs to be carried out and so I'm starting to wonder if this isn't the norm in my world but a signal of something corrupt and other things to come.
Sorry to be so cryptic. But my point is I think I need to figure out what needs to be scaled back and revealed a little more slowly for maximum impact and meaning.
And now I have absolutely no idea if anything I just wrote makes sense...hmmmm. Oh well. Be back later with an update.
But hear me out.
Every now and then your story has to evolve or it stagnates and dies. And the only way for it to evolve is for you to evolve it and sometimes that means taking a step back and reentering that creative mind space you go to when you are in the pre-writing phase and ideas are coming at you fast and your brain neurons are firing off little sparks of epiphany and genius.
I feel like I'm on the verge of this and I'm trying to relax and let it happen because I know when it does, I'll have everything I need to make my story completely perfect (and I really want that). So I'm planning to do a little more world building today and letting things come together. Then no matter what I have to write the rest of chapter 18, because I promised I would, and hopefully more will come.
One thing I have noticed is I tend to write things the right way....but often too transparently.
For example one character who is evil was written like a completely evil person and so when they reveal that they have in fact done something evil, it's like "ummm ok...you know we kind of saw that coming..." so now their intentions are much better disguised.
Another one I think I'm realizing is the punishment for a particular crime in my world seems a bit too harsh. But I know this punishment needs to be carried out and so I'm starting to wonder if this isn't the norm in my world but a signal of something corrupt and other things to come.
Sorry to be so cryptic. But my point is I think I need to figure out what needs to be scaled back and revealed a little more slowly for maximum impact and meaning.
And now I have absolutely no idea if anything I just wrote makes sense...hmmmm. Oh well. Be back later with an update.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Today's Update!
Well clearly I didn't accomplish much writing since I spent my entire evening literally devouring Hush, Hush like a soy ice cream sundae with cherries on top. I'm going to post a review soon but I need to reread it a little more slowly and actually process the story so I have something to say other than "Wow" "Amazing" and "Loved it!" Also, check out the playlist for the book on Becca's website, www.beccafitzpatrick.com. I seriously could not stop listening to Erasure's Always after I finished, it just fits the characters of Nora and Patch so perfectly, I think I fell in love with them even more from listening to it. I finally pulled myself away and am reentering my own writing world by listening to my playlist-wooo this is why I created it! To pull me in and never let me go.
Also, I signed up for the SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Eastern PA Fall Philly Conference, plus manuscript critique.
And...thank you Geoff for the encouragement and nicely yelling at me to finish writing. I'm a little scared about what this all means for my countdown. I technically have 4 days to finish-eeeek! I hate to go against my word, so I'm going to be pushing it the rest of this week, even if it sucks, because at least I know I finished, I can revise, and this is good practice for when I have real deadlines looming over me.
And Geoff, I'm sorry I left you hanging on such an evil cliffhanger, I will make it up to you tomorrow:-)
Details: Still the status quo from last time.
Also, I signed up for the SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Eastern PA Fall Philly Conference, plus manuscript critique.
And...thank you Geoff for the encouragement and nicely yelling at me to finish writing. I'm a little scared about what this all means for my countdown. I technically have 4 days to finish-eeeek! I hate to go against my word, so I'm going to be pushing it the rest of this week, even if it sucks, because at least I know I finished, I can revise, and this is good practice for when I have real deadlines looming over me.
And Geoff, I'm sorry I left you hanging on such an evil cliffhanger, I will make it up to you tomorrow:-)
Details: Still the status quo from last time.
My first official arc, Hush, Hush!
I've been jumping off the wall for like 10 minutes because I just recieved my first official arc in the mail!!!! I've gotten arcs before from Joanne, who passes them onto me when she is done, but this is the first time an arc was sent directly to me and of course it's the one I most wanted to read, Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush. I can't believe I got this the day after the interview with her at FNC!!! SQQUUEEEEEE!!!
Well this does put me in quite the dilemna! Do I read it tonight or keep writing? I think we all know the answer here (especially since I've been kind of down with this cold). I'm totally reading Hush, Hush tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UPDATE: And I'm done!!! WOW...I'm going to post a review soon, but this book was like a thrill ride and I don't even think I'm going to be capable of coherent thoughts until I read it again-which will be in a few days because Donna is coming to steal it from me post-haste!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Another Beautiful Cover
Since my brain seems to be taking a mini-vacay (it better come back soon!) while I'm sick with this cold, I decided I'd post another book cover that I think is just gorgeous and also reminds me a little of my own story.
Pretty eh? The model actually looks as close to the vision I have of my main character Lilliana Brandywine as I've seen on any other YA book covers. Also the leaves behind her and the mysterious man in the shadows....perfect!!! I'm definitely looking forward to this book.
It's Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda. Here is the description:
As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn't normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order's ancient battle against the Unholy. Billi's cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He's ready to reclaim his place in Billi's life, but she's met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.
But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order's ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years -- a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London's firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.
Here's Sarwat's website for more info. Devil's Kiss is set for release in the US September 1st (same day as Catching Fire squee!).
Becca Fitzpatrick Interview at the FNC!
Well here is the good news and the bad news today.
Bad first...I still have a cold and I literally cannot write a thing (well ok I just totally lied because obviously I'm writing right now, but I meant like good writing of my book). So not so productive on that end.
Good news!!! The FNC just posted our interview with Becca Fitzpatrick, the debut author of Hush, Hush. See below:
The FNC Presents an interview with...Becca Fitzpatrick, debut author of the upcoming novel, Hush, Hush! Read on to discover more about Becca, her hot upcoming release, awkward moments in biology, sex on the first page?!, the writing process, chipmunk love and more:-)
Read Becca's interview HERE!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Eh...the details...
Really hardly accomplished anything today-boo! Apparently I'm completely useless when I can't breathe out of my nose and have to sneeze every five minutes-blah!
Details!
Working on Chapter: 18
Word Count: 119,393
Page Count (with original margins now): 417
Spent almost two hours chatting with Donna who caught up in her reading-SUPER helpful!
But most importantly, Cleolinda has posted Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince in 15 Minutes right HERE! These are like the funniest things ever! I laugh so hard I'm pretty sure anyone listening wants to have me committed. Also, we totally thought the same thing at the Dumbledore fire power in the cave of doom moment" YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
Details!
Working on Chapter: 18
Word Count: 119,393
Page Count (with original margins now): 417
Spent almost two hours chatting with Donna who caught up in her reading-SUPER helpful!
But most importantly, Cleolinda has posted Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince in 15 Minutes right HERE! These are like the funniest things ever! I laugh so hard I'm pretty sure anyone listening wants to have me committed. Also, we totally thought the same thing at the Dumbledore fire power in the cave of doom moment" YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
Distracted
I'm feeling totally distracted today. I don't know why. I'm maybe a little bit burned out. Also I somehow have a cold and it's nearly August-this is definitely what I'd call not fair! Anyway I just can't seem to focus today. I did go back over chapter 17 to make a few edits and added a few key lines to random earlier chapters.
I've only written like 6 and half pages so far of chapter 18. Also I returned the manuscript to normal page margins to get it ready for printing so my readers can make comments in the margins(I know this is my most exciting blog yet-page margins ooooh aaaah!). But basically what that means is my manuscript is now a whopping 417 pages! Pretty cool...and really scary!
My plan is to write two whole chapters today and then again tomorrow which roughly equates to 80 pages, and I know that is alot, but hey when you're a working girl, you've got you use your days off accordingly and I'm now on day seven of the countdown! I have no doubt in my mind that I'll make my self imposed deadline, but I'm kind of hoping to finish early and be an overachiever on this so I can do some early line edits before I print it out and let it loose on my friends and family next weekend.
I think part of the reason I slowed down today (beside the fact that I'm sneezy) is because ever since I read over my horrifyingly bad early writings of this book, I've been pondering the plot and how I end my story. And I've been kind of playing around in my mind with changing one crucial aspect which may or may not be a good idea.
I called Donna for a plot conference and she didn't seem too thrilled with the change I had in mind, but also kind of sounded like "Whatever you want Frankie-I know you're just going to write it 150 different ways no matter what I say until your happy." Typical.
But after a few hours, I think what I originally intended is my strongest idea, so I'm going to stick with it for now.
Ok Im going to attempt to get back to work. Wish me luck!
I've only written like 6 and half pages so far of chapter 18. Also I returned the manuscript to normal page margins to get it ready for printing so my readers can make comments in the margins(I know this is my most exciting blog yet-page margins ooooh aaaah!). But basically what that means is my manuscript is now a whopping 417 pages! Pretty cool...and really scary!
My plan is to write two whole chapters today and then again tomorrow which roughly equates to 80 pages, and I know that is alot, but hey when you're a working girl, you've got you use your days off accordingly and I'm now on day seven of the countdown! I have no doubt in my mind that I'll make my self imposed deadline, but I'm kind of hoping to finish early and be an overachiever on this so I can do some early line edits before I print it out and let it loose on my friends and family next weekend.
I think part of the reason I slowed down today (beside the fact that I'm sneezy) is because ever since I read over my horrifyingly bad early writings of this book, I've been pondering the plot and how I end my story. And I've been kind of playing around in my mind with changing one crucial aspect which may or may not be a good idea.
I called Donna for a plot conference and she didn't seem too thrilled with the change I had in mind, but also kind of sounded like "Whatever you want Frankie-I know you're just going to write it 150 different ways no matter what I say until your happy." Typical.
But after a few hours, I think what I originally intended is my strongest idea, so I'm going to stick with it for now.
Ok Im going to attempt to get back to work. Wish me luck!
Blood Promise Excerpt is Live!
Read the first chapter of Richelle Mead's Blood Promise Here! Now we just have 30 more days until Blood Promise is released!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then two weeks after that I'm going to meet Richelle in Maryland on her tour! YAY!
Oh yeah-if you are new to the series, don't read the excerpt, start with book 1 because it will spoil book 3 for you.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Playlist Updated!
I updated the playlist with the final soundtrack (for the moment) for my book-probably I will play a little with the order. Some songs go very specifically with scenes, some are more for moods and emotions. One day I'll post an explanation of the songs. But enjoy them for now as they are!
Little bit of random Frankie trivia-I was obsessed with soundtracks growing up. I used to love them, and buy them all the time. I thought what better way to get a bunch of really awesome songs on one cd that created this cool mood because they were all selected to go together for a reason and tell a story. So I guess it's natural I'd make a soundtrack for my own book:-)
Little bit of random Frankie trivia-I was obsessed with soundtracks growing up. I used to love them, and buy them all the time. I thought what better way to get a bunch of really awesome songs on one cd that created this cool mood because they were all selected to go together for a reason and tell a story. So I guess it's natural I'd make a soundtrack for my own book:-)
Cringe! Cringe! Cringe!
That's what I'm doing as I sit here reviewing the last few chapters of the original draft of my book to refresh my memory while I finish my latest draft. What I'm looking at now was written a little over a year ago, it feels like a lifetime ago, and WOW-I can not believe how much I sucked. Seriously! How on earth were people able to encourage me? It's really that bad, I'm not lying, or exagerating and I know I do that sometimes, but this time I'm not-really, I swear.
All I have to say is THANK GOD for my critique group, and for books about writing, and for writing classes and great teachers like Gretchen Haertsch and Richard Wertime, and especially thank you for the fact that practice really does make perfect.
Things I've learned from looking at my old crap!
1) Writers really do get better with age
2) Writing the story the EXACT way you want it cannot fail. Trying to fit your writing into something it's not does FAIL
3) I should NEVER EVER EVER try to write middle grade again (this is what I started with-but I'm really much more of a YA person)
4) I should NEVER EVER EVER try to write in 3rd person. Ew it makes me want to vomit now looking at it.
5)Well um...I'll get back to you on that, but a list of 4 things felt incomplete.
Anyway I haven't written anything yet today. Now that I've gone back to look at the old old stuff, which in it's skeletal form I was planning to still use, I'm feeling a little stuck and a little like...well, is this really what I want? I wrote this crap 2 years ago-can I come up with something better? Or this going to be a situation where it's all about the execution (as in how I do it, not like killing something).
Ugh! Im so close to finish line...I just hope I cross the end with a worthy performance. I'm going to ponder for a little bit and let things simmer in my brain.
All I have to say is THANK GOD for my critique group, and for books about writing, and for writing classes and great teachers like Gretchen Haertsch and Richard Wertime, and especially thank you for the fact that practice really does make perfect.
Things I've learned from looking at my old crap!
1) Writers really do get better with age
2) Writing the story the EXACT way you want it cannot fail. Trying to fit your writing into something it's not does FAIL
3) I should NEVER EVER EVER try to write middle grade again (this is what I started with-but I'm really much more of a YA person)
4) I should NEVER EVER EVER try to write in 3rd person. Ew it makes me want to vomit now looking at it.
5)Well um...I'll get back to you on that, but a list of 4 things felt incomplete.
Anyway I haven't written anything yet today. Now that I've gone back to look at the old old stuff, which in it's skeletal form I was planning to still use, I'm feeling a little stuck and a little like...well, is this really what I want? I wrote this crap 2 years ago-can I come up with something better? Or this going to be a situation where it's all about the execution (as in how I do it, not like killing something).
Ugh! Im so close to finish line...I just hope I cross the end with a worthy performance. I'm going to ponder for a little bit and let things simmer in my brain.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Day 9!
9th day down now there are 8 to go! I'll try to keep this brief because it's 1:30am. But I finished chapter 17-yay! And I have the words chapter 18 officially written. And it actually looks like I only have 5 more chapters to write and the 5th one should be pretty short.
I had a minor freak out earlier. I'm so close to the end that now I'm like "OMG what if everything is wrong?" but then I moved on and continued writing. And well...there's always revisions, right?
So.... here are the details.
Chapter: 18
Word Count:117, 473
Page Count: 387
Wow it's going to be exciting to get to page 400. Even if I have to edit things down A LOT, I've never written 400 pages before of something. I'm pretty excited about that!
All right. Day 8, here I come!
I had a minor freak out earlier. I'm so close to the end that now I'm like "OMG what if everything is wrong?" but then I moved on and continued writing. And well...there's always revisions, right?
So.... here are the details.
Chapter: 18
Word Count:117, 473
Page Count: 387
Wow it's going to be exciting to get to page 400. Even if I have to edit things down A LOT, I've never written 400 pages before of something. I'm pretty excited about that!
All right. Day 8, here I come!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Ten Days To Go!!!!
First of all, head over to the FNC for a really fun interview with Cara Lockwood!
Well, I am a few pages into chapter 17, I spent a good portion of my writing time reviewing chapter 16 (which is probably my least favorite chapter at the moment until the end). I showed Geoff what I had, completely expecting him to run for the hills and ask me where my talent went, but amazingly, he still loves it (and me)! And he was happy that at I recently picked up the pace, which from now until I finish these last few chapters in the next 10 days are going to be rollercoaster fast (or as fast as Lilliana's older sister Brenna can run). We're coming out of a bit of a slow part of the novel, and I hope that by slow I mean, things are calmer and not as exciting, but hopefully no less interesting.
Pacing is a very interesting topic in writing that I think gets skipped over a lot. And I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I'm pretty good at pacing. Or at least I think I have a natural instinct with it. I kind of came into pacing by viewing it in the same way I used to approach dance choreography.
I have choreographed more dances than I can possibly remember and while each one is different, I think there is a certain Frankie signature associated with it. I believe in either opening veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery slooooooooooooooooooowly, or with an opening bang. This can be equivalent to a prologue with a big action sequence, or meeting the main character while they sit under a tree and read and we have a long time to get aquainted (and yes I've tried to start my novel both ways).
Then you slow things down, slowly building up momentum until you reach the chorus (end act 1 of a book!). After the chorus, you slooooow things down again, then start to speed things up until you get to chorus two which usually includes a variation on the verses. You need to explode in the middle of the song and you need to explode with excitement in the middle of your book, particularly at the end of the middle because this is when things can become sort of dull and unfocused. Trust me, I was just there. The middle is not your friend. I feel like a survivor for getting to the other side.
Back to my dance analogy. Now that you've gotten things exciting, you have the ability to pull back again-it builds tension. And then...leading to the end, you keep going and going and going, building the intensity until bam-the song is over and you bow and get your applause.
The important thing to remember about pacing is to keep changing it up, and to keep elevating it. Readers will become bored if pacing stays the same the entire time. This is bad for a slow book, but this can be bad for a fast paced book too. I won't name names (I don't do that) but there is one book (and I'm still a fan) that is very fast paced and exciting the entire time, BUT, this fast pace never once let up and became predictable and well, boring.
So to further illustrate my analogy Im sharing an actual dance of mine below. You'll notice that if this dance was a book, I chose a very slow begining allowing for lots of setting and character development. I constantly alternate the tempo, bringing up the pacing and pulling back. The further you get into the dance, the faster it becomes. Also at about 4:27-I pick up and never go back. 4:27 is like where I am in my writing at the moment.
So there you have it, my philosophy on pacing.
Now for the details:
Chapter: 17
Word Count: 112,729
Page Count: 371
Also, Im halfway through My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent and really enjoying it!
Well, I am a few pages into chapter 17, I spent a good portion of my writing time reviewing chapter 16 (which is probably my least favorite chapter at the moment until the end). I showed Geoff what I had, completely expecting him to run for the hills and ask me where my talent went, but amazingly, he still loves it (and me)! And he was happy that at I recently picked up the pace, which from now until I finish these last few chapters in the next 10 days are going to be rollercoaster fast (or as fast as Lilliana's older sister Brenna can run). We're coming out of a bit of a slow part of the novel, and I hope that by slow I mean, things are calmer and not as exciting, but hopefully no less interesting.
Pacing is a very interesting topic in writing that I think gets skipped over a lot. And I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I'm pretty good at pacing. Or at least I think I have a natural instinct with it. I kind of came into pacing by viewing it in the same way I used to approach dance choreography.
I have choreographed more dances than I can possibly remember and while each one is different, I think there is a certain Frankie signature associated with it. I believe in either opening veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery slooooooooooooooooooowly, or with an opening bang. This can be equivalent to a prologue with a big action sequence, or meeting the main character while they sit under a tree and read and we have a long time to get aquainted (and yes I've tried to start my novel both ways).
Then you slow things down, slowly building up momentum until you reach the chorus (end act 1 of a book!). After the chorus, you slooooow things down again, then start to speed things up until you get to chorus two which usually includes a variation on the verses. You need to explode in the middle of the song and you need to explode with excitement in the middle of your book, particularly at the end of the middle because this is when things can become sort of dull and unfocused. Trust me, I was just there. The middle is not your friend. I feel like a survivor for getting to the other side.
Back to my dance analogy. Now that you've gotten things exciting, you have the ability to pull back again-it builds tension. And then...leading to the end, you keep going and going and going, building the intensity until bam-the song is over and you bow and get your applause.
The important thing to remember about pacing is to keep changing it up, and to keep elevating it. Readers will become bored if pacing stays the same the entire time. This is bad for a slow book, but this can be bad for a fast paced book too. I won't name names (I don't do that) but there is one book (and I'm still a fan) that is very fast paced and exciting the entire time, BUT, this fast pace never once let up and became predictable and well, boring.
So to further illustrate my analogy Im sharing an actual dance of mine below. You'll notice that if this dance was a book, I chose a very slow begining allowing for lots of setting and character development. I constantly alternate the tempo, bringing up the pacing and pulling back. The further you get into the dance, the faster it becomes. Also at about 4:27-I pick up and never go back. 4:27 is like where I am in my writing at the moment.
So there you have it, my philosophy on pacing.
Now for the details:
Chapter: 17
Word Count: 112,729
Page Count: 371
Also, Im halfway through My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent and really enjoying it!
Cover Salivating...
I am absolutely obsessed with the covers to these two upcoming YA reads. They are just so unbelievably gorgeous and I know you can't judge a book by it's cover and as a writer I shouldn't be thinking about these things, but I really want my book to have a pretty cover too! And these are just top notch! Especially Fallen. I love the haunting lit up trees in the background...actually kind of reminds me of a reocurring image from my book, so that's probably why I'm attracted to it. Anyway, WOW, soooo pretty!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Update Update Update Day 11!
Well its after 1am, so I guess technically we are on day 10 of the countdown till I finish my book, but since I haven't gone to sleep yet, I'll call it 11.
The muse has struck and I finished all of chapter 16 (something that felt a little bit daunting because it was setting up a big explosion and ended with quite a kicker). But I did it. Maybe not well, but it's done.
I can't believe it. So officially 10 days and 7 chapters to go! I can do this!
Details
Chapter: Writing 17
Word Count: 110, 715
Page Count: 364
Ok now I know my manuscript needs to go on a diet. But I have to finish first.
The muse has struck and I finished all of chapter 16 (something that felt a little bit daunting because it was setting up a big explosion and ended with quite a kicker). But I did it. Maybe not well, but it's done.
I can't believe it. So officially 10 days and 7 chapters to go! I can do this!
Details
Chapter: Writing 17
Word Count: 110, 715
Page Count: 364
Ok now I know my manuscript needs to go on a diet. But I have to finish first.
Oh yeah...I also went Shopping...
Oh yeah, I also managed to go shopping in between writing (I know, I know, Im so bad) and I scoured the YA section and these were my findings.!
Super secret spy school, sounds good to me.
Coffee +Angels...yeah sign me up for that!
Squee! This wasn't supposed to be released until August 1st, but I found it now and it's mine, all mine!
Super secret spy school, sounds good to me.
This debut is getting a ton of buzz and Suzanne Collins wrote the cover blurb. Must have!
Coffee +Angels...yeah sign me up for that!
Squee! This wasn't supposed to be released until August 1st, but I found it now and it's mine, all mine!
11 Days...
Ok its day 11, (day 1 of the final countdown) and here is what I came up with today. I'm still several pages away from finishing chapter 16. I spent a good amount of time doing some housekeeping, re-evaluating my plot outline for the ending, assessing how many chapters it would take (cutting out a scene that I really really really really wanted to write but at this point just serves no purpose-le sad!), and just basically trying to make sure my plan included tying up all of the loose ends. Whew! So all in all, I came up with the fact that in the next 1o days, I still have to write 7 chapters. And if we take into consideration my chapter length average of 20 pages....I'll be clocking in at 500 pages total (though knowing me, it'll probably be more).
Not bad considering I started this exact draft on June 15th!
So here is what I have for you in terms of updates (not including all of the writing and thinkin and searching of notes I did for my plot outline and chapter summaries).
Chapter: 2/3 of the way through 16
Word Count: 108,211
Page Count: 354
Ay carumba!
Not bad considering I started this exact draft on June 15th!
So here is what I have for you in terms of updates (not including all of the writing and thinkin and searching of notes I did for my plot outline and chapter summaries).
Chapter: 2/3 of the way through 16
Word Count: 108,211
Page Count: 354
Ay carumba!
In Which I Perform Foot Surgery...
Well ok not actually, I didn't go all Gray's Anatomy, but I did attempt to pull a piece of glass out of a co-worker's foot once it had lodged itself (quite painfully) in there. Why on earth would a bellydancing/writing/reading/vegan who has absolutely no medical background at all (except for CPR and basic first aid!) think she could pull off this complicated procedure?
Well simply because I've done it before. Yep, back in the days when I had a pretty large dance troupe known as the Golden Heart Dancers or the GHD for short (and because it sounded cooler) one of my dancers accidentally got glass in her foot while rehearsing. So as the director I decided it was my job to also be the foot surgeon and remove the glass from her foot. And you know what...twenty minutes later...we both emerged from the bathroom glass free!
But today...not so much luck. I successfully cleaned the glass infected area (which was pretty dirty I might add because of a lot of bare foot running around) and I even had tweezers to pull the glass out with. But this baby was lodged in and unfortunately, as much as I like to believe I can do anything (including wondrous feats of first aid like the characters in my book), I had to send the poor boy home to soak his foot and hope the glass pops out. Don't worry, the piece was pretty small. I think he'll be all right.
As usual though this got me wondering about the similarities between me and my characters and am I influencing them or are they influencing me? The knights in my story (modern day awesome knights) all are required to take first aid. And several times in my story, first aid must be administered either to my main character or by my main character. Also, she rocks at it and gets an A in her class! So I was thinking, aside from my side career as a foot surgeon, what kinds of amazing first aid feats have I accomplished? And ummmm unless you want to talk about ways to help a person throwing up or suffering from a hangover...I can't think of any! So I guess maybe my desire to be great at first aid (since I knew from like the moment I could crawl I would never be a doctor) was transferred to Lilliana. And apparently now I believe I can do it. So I guess this is going both ways.
But anyway...I through with my medical stint and I'm going back to writing (which by the way, I knew I wanted to be a writer the minute I could crawl-true story....ok I'm exagerating just a little).
SO it's day 11 of the final countdown to The End (of my book).
Back later with an update. Also check out the FNC for exciting news about upcoming interviews.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Writing Update!
Yes, my picture today is the movie poster for Ocean's 11, you'll see why when you read on.
Well my two initial readers Joanne and Geoff have both caught up on their reading and finished chapter 15 on the same day. And so far so good, though Joanne thinks I am starting to get a bit wordy. Hmmm. However, I can always trim down as I need to when this draft is complete and I'm pretty sure my manuscript will lose even more weight on a crash diet when my future editor is through with her, though I don't want her to lose too much, I like her just the way she is...
Anyway....
I finally got back into the swing of writing after nearly 3 days hiatus-OMG! But the good news is, I went back into fix up some pieces of chapters 14 and 15 (also added in a few more red herrings). Geoff is starting to get some ideas about my big bad, though he hasn't figured things out yet;) I need to put in a few more red herrings just to be safe.
But here is the best news. I can see the end. I'm finally crawling out of that murky horrible swampy pit known to all writers at the pit of despair...I mean the middle. Yuck! I am not looking forward to traveling there again on book 2. But I made it through, so that's all that counts.
Anyway, I'm setting up one major climactic moment that is about to explode, which then leads right into the major epic climactic ending of book 1. I'm so close! So since there are 11 more days of July, I've decided I need to finish this book in 11 days. And as long as I keep writing, there is no reason why I shouldn't achieve it. Then I have August to revise, and distribute my book to all willing beta readers. And then it's off. So yeah, this is the part of my post that explains the poster.
So here are the details.
Chapter: Halfway through 16
Word Count: 105,893
Page Count: 348
Almost there!!! 11 days to go!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Mamma Mia and Vegan Weekend in MD
Well I just got back home from visiting my BFF Allison in Columbia Maryland, a trip prompted partly by the fact that I hadn't been to MD in a year, but also importantly because Mamma Mia was playing in a park.
Mamma Mia for anyone who just might not know is like my FAVORITE movie...my favorite fun movie. My all time favorite movie is actually In America, but I digress, this is a Mamma Mia post.
So after a fun night of dinner and mead (yes, mead) with the Scotland crew, I headed out to MD. One of Allison's favorite things it to try and convince me I should move there, and she acts like MD's personal saleswoman, or realtor, and so I was treated to all that Columbia and it's surrounding areas has to offer in terms of veganess. And surprisingly, it was a lot!
First of all, we had dinner at the House of Hunan, a really cute Chinese place that had an entire page devoted to vegetarian/vegan dining which included all sorts of fake dishes. So I had my first ever plate of General Tso's "Chicken." It was really really yummy and filling, but OMG it was sweet!!! Al thinks they toned down the spice factor, but I seriously felt like my stomach was quilted in sweetness afterward and I wanted to just lay down and sleep. Seriously, people, how do you eat that dish all the time. Would I have it again? Yeah...but I needed to counteract with saltiness!
Anyway, after dinner we found the park where they were showing the movie in Anapolis MD, and we laid out on a blanket and got popcorn to enjoy the festivities. We sat next to this group of middle aged Spanish women who came decked out in hot pink boas and glow in the dark bracelets. They also had all of the lyrics printed out to sing along and they were almost as entertaining as the movie, though much quieter than we expected them to be. But seriously, nothing beats seeing Mamma Mia and seeing it outside on a warm summer night with my bff =awesome!
So this morning we went to David's Natural Foods Market, which really impressed me because they had vegan marshmallows! Squeee!!! Also a whole case of vegan desserts. So I picked up a vegan mocha creme cake and a vegan cookies and creme cake. (I devoured the mocha on my drive home)! We also picked up egg replacers, soy milk and vegan chocolate chips so we could have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast which we combined with carmelized bananas for a little bit of amazingness.
Al and I then took a little tour of Ellicot City which was so cute with its cobblestones, hills and large stone structures that it reminded me a little bit of Scotland. Then we visited another health food store, Roots where they had an entire case of vegan food (OMG) and I found for the first time ever, vegan feta!! I seriously wanted it, but I didn't have a cooler and doubted the "cheese" would survive the car ride back to Philly. Next was Great Sage, a vegan/vegetarian restaurant with all vegan desserts, a bar and weekly music nights.
I have to say...MD was really starting to look good to me by the end of the trip, though I think I really would like to adventure out and live on the West coast, at least for a little bit.
I get to come back and visit again in September so I can go to Richelle Mead's Blood Promise book tour and signing which will go through Ellicott City. I'm so excited, and now I know all of the vegan options:-) I definitely give MD an A for vegan friendliness! Thanks Al!
And now I return to writing chapter 16!
Mamma Mia for anyone who just might not know is like my FAVORITE movie...my favorite fun movie. My all time favorite movie is actually In America, but I digress, this is a Mamma Mia post.
So after a fun night of dinner and mead (yes, mead) with the Scotland crew, I headed out to MD. One of Allison's favorite things it to try and convince me I should move there, and she acts like MD's personal saleswoman, or realtor, and so I was treated to all that Columbia and it's surrounding areas has to offer in terms of veganess. And surprisingly, it was a lot!
First of all, we had dinner at the House of Hunan, a really cute Chinese place that had an entire page devoted to vegetarian/vegan dining which included all sorts of fake dishes. So I had my first ever plate of General Tso's "Chicken." It was really really yummy and filling, but OMG it was sweet!!! Al thinks they toned down the spice factor, but I seriously felt like my stomach was quilted in sweetness afterward and I wanted to just lay down and sleep. Seriously, people, how do you eat that dish all the time. Would I have it again? Yeah...but I needed to counteract with saltiness!
Anyway, after dinner we found the park where they were showing the movie in Anapolis MD, and we laid out on a blanket and got popcorn to enjoy the festivities. We sat next to this group of middle aged Spanish women who came decked out in hot pink boas and glow in the dark bracelets. They also had all of the lyrics printed out to sing along and they were almost as entertaining as the movie, though much quieter than we expected them to be. But seriously, nothing beats seeing Mamma Mia and seeing it outside on a warm summer night with my bff =awesome!
So this morning we went to David's Natural Foods Market, which really impressed me because they had vegan marshmallows! Squeee!!! Also a whole case of vegan desserts. So I picked up a vegan mocha creme cake and a vegan cookies and creme cake. (I devoured the mocha on my drive home)! We also picked up egg replacers, soy milk and vegan chocolate chips so we could have chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast which we combined with carmelized bananas for a little bit of amazingness.
Al and I then took a little tour of Ellicot City which was so cute with its cobblestones, hills and large stone structures that it reminded me a little bit of Scotland. Then we visited another health food store, Roots where they had an entire case of vegan food (OMG) and I found for the first time ever, vegan feta!! I seriously wanted it, but I didn't have a cooler and doubted the "cheese" would survive the car ride back to Philly. Next was Great Sage, a vegan/vegetarian restaurant with all vegan desserts, a bar and weekly music nights.
I have to say...MD was really starting to look good to me by the end of the trip, though I think I really would like to adventure out and live on the West coast, at least for a little bit.
I get to come back and visit again in September so I can go to Richelle Mead's Blood Promise book tour and signing which will go through Ellicott City. I'm so excited, and now I know all of the vegan options:-) I definitely give MD an A for vegan friendliness! Thanks Al!
And now I return to writing chapter 16!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Coming Soon...Interview with Cara Lockwood at the FNC
Thursday, July 16, 2009
OMG Say Hello To Chapter 16: Epic Page Counts
Ok! I did it! I finished Chapter 15-whew! And I'm really concerned. I'm kind of having one of those moments when I'm both thrilled with what I came up with and have accomplished and freaking out about what it means.
Look at the details:
Chapter: 16
Word Count: 103,339
Page Count: 340
Why am I freaking out? Because I haven't gotten to the climax yet...and because I know how that goes down, I know it's going to take at least 100 pages...and I'm already nearly 340 pages in. This book is becoming very, very EPIC. And I'm worried that this is too long and I'm worried I won't be able to replicate this much intrigue and detail and plot, etc in the sequel and the third book and fourth and fifth (that I currently have planned!). (Yah I know I am way ahead of myself...)
But yikes, this is becoming long! I thought for sure I wouldn't have gone over 400 pages but now I think I'll be lucky to stay under 500.
So here are some epic YA fantasy book page counts to compare with.
1. Twilight: 498 Pages (this is comforting)
2. City of Bones: 485 Pages (also comforting
3. Graceling: 471 Pages (comforting)
4. Swoon: 421 Pages (much much less comforting)
5. Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone: 309 Pages (SO not comforting, abort! abort!)
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: 759 Pages (Whew! Right back in the comfort zone)
Alright I'm going to keep going. In the end I'm just going to tell the story the way I have to page numbers be damned, because really it's the story that matters, not the page count.
Look at the details:
Chapter: 16
Word Count: 103,339
Page Count: 340
Why am I freaking out? Because I haven't gotten to the climax yet...and because I know how that goes down, I know it's going to take at least 100 pages...and I'm already nearly 340 pages in. This book is becoming very, very EPIC. And I'm worried that this is too long and I'm worried I won't be able to replicate this much intrigue and detail and plot, etc in the sequel and the third book and fourth and fifth (that I currently have planned!). (Yah I know I am way ahead of myself...)
But yikes, this is becoming long! I thought for sure I wouldn't have gone over 400 pages but now I think I'll be lucky to stay under 500.
So here are some epic YA fantasy book page counts to compare with.
1. Twilight: 498 Pages (this is comforting)
2. City of Bones: 485 Pages (also comforting
3. Graceling: 471 Pages (comforting)
4. Swoon: 421 Pages (much much less comforting)
5. Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone: 309 Pages (SO not comforting, abort! abort!)
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: 759 Pages (Whew! Right back in the comfort zone)
Alright I'm going to keep going. In the end I'm just going to tell the story the way I have to page numbers be damned, because really it's the story that matters, not the page count.
Half Blood Prince!
I saw HBP last night...want some thoughts on it? Ok, here you go.
The cinematography in this was through the roof, every single scene was breathtaking and beautiful and um....well the boys have grown up quite a bit...
Anyway, this was definitely the funniest Harry Potter movie by far, I think I was laughing hysterically almost the entire time. And they managed to put a lot of the book in there and hey! Quidditch was back! (I still miss Oliver Wood).
But...I don't know...it kind of didn't feel like a movie to me, more like a montage of Harry Potter scenes. It seemed like they were trying so hard to get as much in as possible that they forgot about actual exposition and making sure it all made sense. Like for instance...we saw a hundred scenes of Draco trying to fix those cabinets so Bellatrix and Fenrir and friends could infiltrate the school. Then he finally fixes the cabinets, the super baddies show up, say "hey how's it going" and then they peace out. Ummm...where was the epic battle? Why did they need to be there if they weren't going to do anything? They might as well have left them out completely and just had Draco finally decide to go do the deed of Dumbledore killing after a bunch of shoddy attempts all year.
I don't know film people....where was the logic in that?
And also...did we really need SO many Lavender/Won Won scenes? I'd have appreciated more Harry and Ginny, and an actual H/G relationship like we've been waiting for OMG for 6 movies. Also they didn't break up, which would probably be hard to do since the director never gave them a chance to date. I have a feeling that story line is cut and in lieu of a break up, Harry will just leave to go on his quest in Deathly Hallows part 1.
Things I missed-where was the Order of the Phoenix?? Shouldn't they have been getting Harry and friends onto the train and where was Tonks when he got a bloody nose after being petrified and made invisible by Malfoy..and OH! How about Harry not being petrificus totalused while Dumbledore was killed. Harry was just standing there doing nothing and Harry would NEVER just stand there and do nothing.
The cinematography in this was through the roof, every single scene was breathtaking and beautiful and um....well the boys have grown up quite a bit...
Anyway, this was definitely the funniest Harry Potter movie by far, I think I was laughing hysterically almost the entire time. And they managed to put a lot of the book in there and hey! Quidditch was back! (I still miss Oliver Wood).
But...I don't know...it kind of didn't feel like a movie to me, more like a montage of Harry Potter scenes. It seemed like they were trying so hard to get as much in as possible that they forgot about actual exposition and making sure it all made sense. Like for instance...we saw a hundred scenes of Draco trying to fix those cabinets so Bellatrix and Fenrir and friends could infiltrate the school. Then he finally fixes the cabinets, the super baddies show up, say "hey how's it going" and then they peace out. Ummm...where was the epic battle? Why did they need to be there if they weren't going to do anything? They might as well have left them out completely and just had Draco finally decide to go do the deed of Dumbledore killing after a bunch of shoddy attempts all year.
I don't know film people....where was the logic in that?
And also...did we really need SO many Lavender/Won Won scenes? I'd have appreciated more Harry and Ginny, and an actual H/G relationship like we've been waiting for OMG for 6 movies. Also they didn't break up, which would probably be hard to do since the director never gave them a chance to date. I have a feeling that story line is cut and in lieu of a break up, Harry will just leave to go on his quest in Deathly Hallows part 1.
Things I missed-where was the Order of the Phoenix?? Shouldn't they have been getting Harry and friends onto the train and where was Tonks when he got a bloody nose after being petrified and made invisible by Malfoy..and OH! How about Harry not being petrificus totalused while Dumbledore was killed. Harry was just standing there doing nothing and Harry would NEVER just stand there and do nothing.
Ummm what about the other horcruxes?????? Rufus Scrimgeour? Why no tiara in the room of requirement! Why no run across the room (bam) Harry/Ginny kiss?
Why did we have to watch Fawkes flying for 2 minutes not burst into flame for forever because Dumbledore was dead?
On the plus...the cave scene=awesome, especially Dumbledore and his pyrotechnics, although I just wanted to shout at the scene "Wielder of the secret fire! You shall not pass!" and I did end up saying, "Frodo!!!" when Harry fell into the water. I was just waiting for Sam or Gollum to get him out, but oh well.
On the plus...the cave scene=awesome, especially Dumbledore and his pyrotechnics, although I just wanted to shout at the scene "Wielder of the secret fire! You shall not pass!" and I did end up saying, "Frodo!!!" when Harry fell into the water. I was just waiting for Sam or Gollum to get him out, but oh well.
And best scene Ever! Harry on felix felicis-too funny for words. I think I'd see the movie again just for that scene.
Anyway...I enjoyed myself and had fun, I didn't love it, but I'm not dissapointed either. I didn't really have any expectations for the movie and after it was pushed back from November to July...well the wait got to me. These books just do not translate well into film, they are too intricate and too awesome. Luckily DH is in two, and well, they had better get that right!
Anyway...I enjoyed myself and had fun, I didn't love it, but I'm not dissapointed either. I didn't really have any expectations for the movie and after it was pushed back from November to July...well the wait got to me. These books just do not translate well into film, they are too intricate and too awesome. Luckily DH is in two, and well, they had better get that right!
Totally random movie moment-someone actually ran into our theatre and shouted from the doorway "Snape kills DUmbledore!" Everyone was like, "oooh really?" Like who doesn't know that? I'd seen people try and ruin the endings of the books on release nights, but this was just funny because I doubt a single person in the theatre didn't know that.
Ok...so there is my HBP rant. Now I really am going to finish chapter 15! One major positive of seeing the movie last night, I had a burst of inspiration about a certain character's motivations that becomes a big red herring in the plot and I had to pull out my notebook and write it out in total darkness, but SO worth it!
Also...I'm totally craving a soy vanilla latte....
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Chapter 15 Update
Chapter: 15 (approximately 6 pages to go)
Word Count: 101, 812
Page Count: 334
Feeling much better about what I wrote today...I think I'm closer to the end of the story then I realized, and I'm finally starting to swim my way out of the murky middle. Ugh...can't wait to reach the finale and start revisions!
Word Count: 101, 812
Page Count: 334
Feeling much better about what I wrote today...I think I'm closer to the end of the story then I realized, and I'm finally starting to swim my way out of the murky middle. Ugh...can't wait to reach the finale and start revisions!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Status Update...Partly through Chapter 15
Chapter: 15
Word Count: 99,292
Page Count: 327
Accomplished: Deleted the end of chapter 14 and rewrote, not feeling satisfied with anything I wrote today....also it's 2am...
Word Count: 99,292
Page Count: 327
Accomplished: Deleted the end of chapter 14 and rewrote, not feeling satisfied with anything I wrote today....also it's 2am...
Characters Who Dance Onto The Page
Ok seriously, sometimes I don't have any clue where my mind comes up with these things, but at the moment, the aspect of my story I am most in love with, or rather, having the most fun with are my side characters. The latest to grace my pages is a vampire who hunts down his prey spouting out nursery rhymes...with a twist.
Maybe I am the only one who finds this funny....but just before my vampire goes in for the kill, he rewrites the ending to Jack and Jill.
"Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill got a bite in the neck."
Is that funny? Or is there something wrong with me? Because I'm giggling like a crazy person and there's way more where that came from.
Alright, working on chapter 15, hoping for an awesome update later.
Maybe I am the only one who finds this funny....but just before my vampire goes in for the kill, he rewrites the ending to Jack and Jill.
"Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill got a bite in the neck."
Is that funny? Or is there something wrong with me? Because I'm giggling like a crazy person and there's way more where that came from.
Alright, working on chapter 15, hoping for an awesome update later.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Writing UpDate Chapter 15
Yeah, I'm finally on chapter 15!!!!
I had a really great meeting with the FNC today sans Sara who is still recovering from her honeymoon. And so far, aside from a few minor things, everything sounds good, which is a relief! I also got back some more positive feedback from Joanne on chapters 1-12. But the real question is-how do chapters 13 and 14 stand up to the rest of them? Because man did I struggle through those two!
Those were hard chapters to write because they take place over winter break and Lilliana is left without her friends, her boyfriend, her classes etc and they are two very introspective chapters where she is searching for something...and a lot of snow was involved. But things picked up again and got exciting at the end of chapter 14 and now 15 should prove to be a fun chapter to write now that school is back in session:-)
The page count was begining to get out of control so I pushed back my margins a bit...so my page count will look like it's lower for that reason, but it's not...the word count gives it away.
Chapter: 15
Word Count: 96,855
Page Count: 319
I had a really great meeting with the FNC today sans Sara who is still recovering from her honeymoon. And so far, aside from a few minor things, everything sounds good, which is a relief! I also got back some more positive feedback from Joanne on chapters 1-12. But the real question is-how do chapters 13 and 14 stand up to the rest of them? Because man did I struggle through those two!
Those were hard chapters to write because they take place over winter break and Lilliana is left without her friends, her boyfriend, her classes etc and they are two very introspective chapters where she is searching for something...and a lot of snow was involved. But things picked up again and got exciting at the end of chapter 14 and now 15 should prove to be a fun chapter to write now that school is back in session:-)
The page count was begining to get out of control so I pushed back my margins a bit...so my page count will look like it's lower for that reason, but it's not...the word count gives it away.
Chapter: 15
Word Count: 96,855
Page Count: 319
Friday, July 10, 2009
Prey, Rachel Vincent
I just finished books 3 and 4 in Rachel Vincent's Werecat Series and OMG!!! It's all worth it for the fourth book, Prey! Prey was so freaking fantabulous, I just read the whole thing in one sitting-I literally could not (COULD NOT) put it down, no matter how much I wanted to. I seriously cannot wait now for the 5th book Shift! The suspense, the emotions, the twists, the romance...all so good. Seriously I totally recommend you start this series.
I think Prey also showed the most growth from Rachel Vincent as a writer. There was never a moment when I wasn't on the edge of my seat, and the actions and choices made by the characters were all so believable and felt truly organic in this novel. Also, how awesome is that cover!!
Well now I can finally move on with my life now that I'm finished...until Shift comes out. I'm returning to full force writing my novel and leaving Faythe Sander's world for Lilliana Brandywines:-)
Writing update will shortly folllow!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Rogue, My Soul To Lose, and more writing...
Well I'm on a Rachel Vincent binge fest. I finished Rogue...and aaah now I have to get through book 3 of the Werecats, Pride! Also I read the prequel to her upcoming YA series My Soul To Take, which is called My Soul To Lose and you can read it for FREE right here.
I think I definitely preferred Stray (book 1) to Rogue, but I'm still helplessly addicted to this series (which means unfortunately that I'm writing a little bit less this week). But that's ok, because reading is also part of the writing and craft process and it's really fascinating to look at the ways our heroine Faythe's character develops and the choices she makes. It's really helping me to look at my own heroine and look at the way Lilliana is changing through the course of my story-and she changes a lot! When I look back at the begining of my story-she is really a different person in chapter 12 then she is in chapter 1 (but hopefully she isn't done changing because what fun would that be if she grew and stopped in the middle of the book!).
So I'd say I'm still getting my work done. I'm currently working on chapter 14 and pretty pleased with it so far. I'm finally out of my "OHMYGOD" chapter 13 is so hard to write phase. And this one is flowing naturally and also allowing me to tie up some loose strings/pay off a few "I owe yous"-as my awesome writing professor Dr. Wertime would say- that I set up in the first few chapters. So I'm happy about that.
Here's my current page count and word count which is starting to worry me since I recently saw a discussion about word counts that agents will accept and if I write the rest of what I have planned...I'm going to be well over that limit, though then again-when looking at other books of my genre, I'm not really outside the realm of possibility and rules were meant to be broken, right...
Well it's not like I can't edit it down later if I have to (although I've noticed in my rewrites that I tend to write even more-not less). I just have to put that thought aside, because all that matters is getting to write -The End.
So Word Count:90, 186
Page Count: 313
Eeekk!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
And Chapter 13 Is DONE!
WHEW! I am SO relieved I finished this one. It shouldn't have been such a hard chapter to write, but it was! Anyway, I ended the chapter a little earlier than I had planned to-which is fine because chapter 12 is my largest most epic chapter so far, and we could use a quickie right after-but also because I was inspired to write this sentence that gave me the wierd unexplainable feeling of intense satisfaction and release that I have whenever I get to the end of a chapter. Wohoo! Ok back to writing and I'll be back with a more formal update.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Status Update
Update!
I'm like 2/3 of the way through chapter 13 which is becoming a lot more involved than I had originally thought and may end up being one of those chapters that turns into two chapters...it's looking that way. A few things about the chapter surprised me, but are working out well. I'm so exhausted today, but I will definitely have this baby done tomorrow, I'm sure of it. And I should get through chapter 14, especially since it looks like it's going to be the second part of chapter 13...
Numbers!
Word Count: 87,650
Page Count: 304 (finally made it past 300 pages)
Also, I totally finished Stray-so addictive and added Rachel Vincent to my favorite authors sidebar. Just downloaded Rogue, and ordered hard (er...paperback copies) of the books, because I definitely want to own these babies!
Ok, sleep!
I'm like 2/3 of the way through chapter 13 which is becoming a lot more involved than I had originally thought and may end up being one of those chapters that turns into two chapters...it's looking that way. A few things about the chapter surprised me, but are working out well. I'm so exhausted today, but I will definitely have this baby done tomorrow, I'm sure of it. And I should get through chapter 14, especially since it looks like it's going to be the second part of chapter 13...
Numbers!
Word Count: 87,650
Page Count: 304 (finally made it past 300 pages)
Also, I totally finished Stray-so addictive and added Rachel Vincent to my favorite authors sidebar. Just downloaded Rogue, and ordered hard (er...paperback copies) of the books, because I definitely want to own these babies!
Ok, sleep!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Stray, Rachel Vincent
I have a new love! It's the Stray series by Rachel Vincent. I've been very excited for her upcoming YA series (My Soul To Take) and I finally started reading her adult series and hehe-I'm obsessed already. I'm so glad that there are four books already released so that I don't have to wait for the next 3 books (I'm already dying waiting for book 4 of Vampire Academy and 5 of Succubus Blues-Oh Richelle Mead!!!).
Anyway, the good news is that I finally figured out my lumpy mass in the middle of my story and I've started working on Chapter 13. The truth about Chapter 12 is that it's a mini-climax on it's own, the end of part 1 (also the end of the fall semester) so chapter 13 is kind of like starting over, a chapter 1 if you will, which is also probably what gave me such hesitation.
I also decided that after such a struggling week, I ought to have a real weekend, full of doing normal weekend things and spending a lot of time in a bathing suit. Even though I feel really wierd when I'm not writing, balance can be a good thing sometimes...
Tomorrow I plan to get back on track because I have decided I'm sending this baby out to agents in August no matter what!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friday Update
Ok, I'm still not writing chapter 13! It's agonizing. But I am making progress. I really did have a bit of a lumpy mass in the middle of my story that required a wee bit more shaping-it was mostly there (I mean my God, I did plot this thing out for 2 years!) but there were a few hazy bits that were enough to make me pause. So I've been working since last night on shaping that and reexamining the big picture and story arcs of everything, my sub plots, my main story, my romantic story line and making sure there is a sensible progression, good rising and falling action for everything with the action mostly rising until we get to the big bam shazam explosion at the end. I know I just need to plow through a few more chapters and then the last like four or five are going to practically write themselves because if I know anything, I know my ending.
So far everything is going well on that front and I'm seeing now a lot of big picture things and making several notes to myself to tuck away for when I write The End and need to start revising. Fingers crossed that I finish in another two or three weeks at the most.
Next: It's my sister's 25th birthday today! Yay! HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVA!!! Can't wait to celebrate with you tonight.
And last but not least, my friend Joanne read the first eight chapters and I got more positive feedback. That makes me happy.
Ok, back to work!
So far everything is going well on that front and I'm seeing now a lot of big picture things and making several notes to myself to tuck away for when I write The End and need to start revising. Fingers crossed that I finish in another two or three weeks at the most.
Next: It's my sister's 25th birthday today! Yay! HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVA!!! Can't wait to celebrate with you tonight.
And last but not least, my friend Joanne read the first eight chapters and I got more positive feedback. That makes me happy.
Ok, back to work!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Free Prequel E-Book
Hey, so for anyone really exicted about Rachel Vincent's upcoming YA series My Soul To Take, you can now down a free ebook of the series prequel My Soul To Lose right here. Also the Fantastic Book Review blog has an interview posted with Rachel Vincent, check it out.
So today I am hoping to get back on track with my writing and reach my levels of awesome progress that I had been making until I fell into a slump this week. My friend Geoff (Hi Geoff) finished reading chapters 1-12 last night and the feedback was all positive and everything I'd been freaking out about, he hadn't noticed. So that was pretty nice. But I plan on coming back with some kick butt status updates tonight! There just may be an iced venti soy latte involved...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Middle Is Not Your Friend!
Blah! That's how I feel-not even an iced venti soy vanilla latte made me feel better. I'm in the middle....the middle Middle of my story as in I just completed Act I (of 2) and UGH!
I had another small progress day, though I finally finished chapter 12. The ending was making me nuts, I kept writing scenarios to end it and then deleting it. Then when I came up with the ending I knew it was right because I had that sort of "this is right feeling" in my gut and also a "duh" moment because it was so obvious, I couldn't believe I hadn't seen this ending before. But then I had so much trouble coming up with my very final sentence.
And you'd think that my awesome outline would have prevented me from this trauma, but my outline actually said, "and then something happens to make it stop." Oy!
I don't know...I'm probably just tired. Hopefully I can make up for it with my three day weekend coming up. I need the entire day to focus, and sometimes working just leads to ehhhh.
Boo!
Ok here are the details even though they depress me.
Word Count: 83,318
Page Count: 291
I had another small progress day, though I finally finished chapter 12. The ending was making me nuts, I kept writing scenarios to end it and then deleting it. Then when I came up with the ending I knew it was right because I had that sort of "this is right feeling" in my gut and also a "duh" moment because it was so obvious, I couldn't believe I hadn't seen this ending before. But then I had so much trouble coming up with my very final sentence.
And you'd think that my awesome outline would have prevented me from this trauma, but my outline actually said, "and then something happens to make it stop." Oy!
I don't know...I'm probably just tired. Hopefully I can make up for it with my three day weekend coming up. I need the entire day to focus, and sometimes working just leads to ehhhh.
Boo!
Ok here are the details even though they depress me.
Word Count: 83,318
Page Count: 291
Exciting News at the FNC...Becca Fitzpatrick, Hush, Hush
I'm so excited...in August, me and the girls will be posting an interview with Becca Fitzpatrick, the debut author of the upcoming novel Hush, Hush. Check it out here.
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