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Friday, July 30, 2010

THE RETURN TO MOON DOG INN

So. I'm editing. The Moon Dog.

Again!

I've been away from it for awhile. And now I'm back into it again! I'm excited and thrilled with some new ideas. Lots of changes. But I think they're good.

I'm excited. And I'm loving it!

Also, The Moon Dog Inn has a SONG:

Monday, July 19, 2010

Catching Up

Busy time at work all of a sudden.

And I'm swept away by my WIP. 52,000 words for this draft. I'm adding a new element in this next round. I love, love, love this story. I love it so much I may not ever send it out to agents. Ever. It would majorly suck to have this rejected. Although I've got a pretty tough skin.

But it's still in crap-land anyway. It's not in any way complete. But I love writing it. I learned stuff from it (Thanks Google!). It's sort of an odd story, I think. Or maybe not. Maybe this idea has been done before over and over again. And no one wants to see it anymore. And...sorry. I'm in a weird mood.

I need to catch up on beta reading this week, which I shall do.

I'm too swept away in everything. I need to take a day and chill and read.

Happy MONDAY!

Monday, July 12, 2010

HOW I CAME TO WRITE YA

Genres. Categories.

I've been reading a lot of YA contemporary lately. And I realized that the way bookstores are set up, I could have easily missed out on these.

I didn't set out to write YA. Basically, I had an idea for a book. It was sort of autobiographical. And after doing some research, I realized it probably fit into the YA category. And I researched more. And more. And found such incredible books in this category that I might've never read had I not been writing. And I just kind of stayed there.

But when I went into any bookstore, I didn't go to the YA section. Nevermind that now-a-days that section is basically Twilightland, a sea of black T-shirts and water bottles. But even before that, I felt like it wasn't for me, for some reason. Even when I was in high school, I stuck to adult books. But I was so, so wrong. My favorite books could be considered YA. Catcher in the Rye. The Bell Jar.

I might have never read John Green. Or The Hunger Games! Honestly, I think that section turns some people off. I didn't feel like I was too good to read any of that stuff, I guess I just felt like it wasn't for me. Like I wasn't SUPPOSED to venture that way because I no longer held TEEN in my age. This makes me sad to think about.

The other day I was in Borders and PEACE, LOVE, AND BABY DUCKS was out of the YA section and on a Great Summer Reads Display. With adult books. This made me so happy! Because maybe someone older might pick that up and enjoy it! Or someone younger. Anyone, really! Why discriminate? BTW - Great book. Especially if you have a sister, pick it up.

I understand why we have genres. Marketing. Target audience. Believe me, I get that. But it makes me wonder how many great books are scooted under the rug because of where they sit.

Now I find most books on Amazon. Usually through word of mouth and I know what I'm looking for, but also through the suggestions on Amazon. I'm always looking for something new. Something I've missed. It makes you wonder how people decide what to read.

I recently discovered THE SPECTACULAR NOW. Which has been added to my pile. How did I miss this one? Looks like something I would love, love, love.

Just a thought. Just thinking back to how this crazy project of mine began.

Happy Monday!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

First Person vs. Third Person

I've been reading a ton of YA Contemporary lately. Some really great ones like 13 Reasons Why, Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks, Story of a Girl, The Disreputable History of Frankie Laudea-Banks, and Cracked Up to Be.

So great.

Only one of these is in third person.

The others waiting in the pile are first person. That's a lot of first person.

My current WIP (44,000 words now!) is in third person. But now I keep slipping into first. Because of what I'm reading? Or because that's how the story should be told? Ugh. I don't know. I can never figure this part out. I'm keeping it as third person, for now, at least until I get plot details nailed down. I'm not afraid to change it. Or too lazy. It just would've been nice to get that piece of info in my brain earlier. Aw well. I wanted to try a new point of view. And I did. It seems to be working, but it might change. Talk about an overhaul. We'll see. I'm not touching anything yet.

Happy Wednesday!

Friday, July 2, 2010

July 8

So mark your calenders!

Staccato Fiction is publishing a short piece I wrote on their website! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! It's micro fiction, and I have so much fun writing these little spurts of energy. Micro fiction is fireworks! Little explosions and then they dwindle away, but the effects can stay with you. (did you like that holiday tie-in? appropriate, eh?) I love their website. I have attention issues, so reading these short pieces is right up my alley.

Check it out if you've got the time:

www.staccatofiction.com

New WIP: 39,000 words. It's almost, like, long enough to be considered a BOOK. So what if it's completely lopsided? The first act is way too long and the second and third are just kind of hanging there, by a thread, but we'll (we? yes, me and the voices in my head, I guess...) smooth it out. I still love it, despite its flaws. I take this as a good sign. Also, I have a new philosophy when it comes to editing/stitching.

New Philosophy: If I feel like tearing my hair out when writing a scene, SKIP IT. Go to the parts I LOVE FIRST. There are plenty of them, actually. This seems obvious, but I used to force myself through crap I didn't like, telling myself it was a necessary evil. Maybe it is. But it doesn't have to be in the early stages. And if I'm not loving a scene, I highlight it, and move on to something I enjoy (for example, a scene on a train. I love trains.) There is something wrong with the scene if I don't like it. That's just my opinion. And it's going to take serious work to fix it. Now's not the time. This time around, with this story, I'm writing totally with my gut, and shutting off my brain (until the line edit/consistency/copy editing round of edits). Why not, right? Yeah. Why not.

Have a happy and safe 4th for you USAers. For international readers, also have a happy and safe 4th. We all have a July 4th you know. It comes after the 3rd! Duh!

Oh, and Happy Friday!