so i had the weekend off and man was it hard. i kept thinking of scenes i wanted to write. they seemed really long in my head, but when i sat down they only took up a page or two and they werent good and fresh anymore. that's what i get for not letting myself write.
however, this book is going to be totally different, or so far it is. i'm only on page 20 so hard to tell, of course. but i wanted each one to be a different kind of book. i'm not sure how that will work out, but i like it so far. it's like i'm not writing a series but sort of like i am. hard to explain.
i'm just starting to dig, and i'm super excited! i can't wait to see what's buried under there. last time i started digging it got pretty intense, so we'll see what happens this time. whatever happens, i'm ready for it (i think).
let the excavation begin.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
to wrap or not to wrap.
so i finished the story, and then i thought, do i need to have a conclusion? so i wrote one (maybe 10pgs, not long) and now i'm not sure if i want it at the end of book 2 to wind things down from the big ending scenes, or if i should put it at the beginning of book 3 to start things out and link it to book 2, or if i should just toss it and let the ending be unsatisfying. hmmm. decisions, decisions.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
procrastination
yep, that's what i'm doing right now. not writing.
2hrs later:
REACHED PAGE 300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WWWHOOOOT WHOOT!!!
(you can't see but i'm doing a celebratory dance. it really adds a lot to the whoot whoot).
2hrs later:
REACHED PAGE 300!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WWWHOOOOT WHOOT!!!
(you can't see but i'm doing a celebratory dance. it really adds a lot to the whoot whoot).
Monday, August 23, 2010
i just noticed i use a lot of parentheses in my blogs.
i dont want to brag, but OMG, is it possible to be in love with a book?
i sat down and wrote thirty pages today (trust me, that's a very good day) and i was in the zone. i dont know if they'll ever see that light of day, ie, the eye of a publisher, but can i just say i love my book without being a total egomaniac?
but who am i kidding? Writers are all egomaniacs. the very act is one of ego. i mean, i'm saying that reading my book is the very best way for you to spend $10-20 and five hours of your life you'll never get back. i better think it's good.
so, let's just say, today is a very good day in my writing life. everything is coming together well, although in sometimes unexpected ways, and (almost) everything will wrap up in a few more chapters. or that's the plan right now. planning a book turned out to be a lot like planning life, though--you can plan all you want, but characters (like people) dont always do what you want, so the book ends up going places you didnt necessarily plan. much like life (mine anyway).
on a different, please dont think you have to hate the bad guys in all books. i always love mine. i hope if you ever read my books, you'll find them as twistily delightful as i do.
i sat down and wrote thirty pages today (trust me, that's a very good day) and i was in the zone. i dont know if they'll ever see that light of day, ie, the eye of a publisher, but can i just say i love my book without being a total egomaniac?
but who am i kidding? Writers are all egomaniacs. the very act is one of ego. i mean, i'm saying that reading my book is the very best way for you to spend $10-20 and five hours of your life you'll never get back. i better think it's good.
so, let's just say, today is a very good day in my writing life. everything is coming together well, although in sometimes unexpected ways, and (almost) everything will wrap up in a few more chapters. or that's the plan right now. planning a book turned out to be a lot like planning life, though--you can plan all you want, but characters (like people) dont always do what you want, so the book ends up going places you didnt necessarily plan. much like life (mine anyway).
on a different, please dont think you have to hate the bad guys in all books. i always love mine. i hope if you ever read my books, you'll find them as twistily delightful as i do.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Mad about Madmen
was at a good spot churning it out towards the end of part two (or maybe book 2) but i got distracted...darn MADMEN! why are you so addictive? maybe it's my fascination with all the beautiful, strong, gutsy women. i would totally be Peggy Olsen (or so i like to think). also, sal romero...so hilarious in his 'bye bye birdie' ad description. well, i guess that's why the show is so good. one of the best shows i know, and not that much even happens. it's so good i can watch nothing happening and still love it.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
chatting with brad
how goes the wangster?
getting your writing on? i saw the other day you were starting a blog
7:32pmMe
u mean gabe ;) ?
yep yep. writing about writing. fascinating stuff, let me tell ya
7:33pmBrad
i saw a book today at the library....and now the title is gone out of my head...but the catchline was something about "the president's guardian vampire" and i thought of you and can't wait till i see your book at the library :)
7:33pmMe
haha thanks. you may be waiting a while.
7:34pmBrad
no problem...i think its cool though that you are trying to do it
7:34pmMe
yeah, well, it's probably a pipe dream or whatevs. i guess when i stop writing i'll start looking for agents & editors. know any?
7:34pmBrad
i get little thoughts in my head sometimes about little stories i could write, but then "poof" they are gone and i don't think about it again for a while
ummmmm, i bet there are tons of agents here in nashville....and i do know one editor, she mostly does science editing, but i'm sure she could edit a book
7:35pmMe
u should write short stories. apparently that's the foot in the door u need. but i never have ideas for short stories. i have ideas for four and five novel series.
7:37pmBrad
yeah, but i have no idea how to get started...i guess i could google it :) anyway, i can edit for you too! i have been reviwing manuscripts for some journals for science stuff....
plus then i get a first draft look at it
and know the story beore anyone else
and can blackmail you not to sell secrets
7:39pmMe
well you just start writing. that's all i can say. most writers throw away the first few paragrapsh or even pages or chapters in a book. you always sound stiff at first but once you get going in your natural voice, that's when it gets good.
7:40pmBrad
yeah....i was reading this book called "girls, drums, and dangerous pie" and in the back they had an interview with the author, and he gave alot of tips on how to start writing books and stuff, it was pretty interesting
7:40pmMe
i encourage all attempts, even if they dont pan out. i mean, what do you have to lose? a few hours that would have been spent watching tv, that's about all. and you're being creative instead. come on brad, be my writing buddy!
7:40pmBrad
where he gets his insperation for charachter traits, and lines, etc.....
7:40pmMe
OOOOH, totally have read that book and the interview! i really liked what he said about taking a walk b/c i totally do some of my best thinking while i walk.
7:41pmBrad
ok, but i can't write about vampires, cuz they suck..you know...vampires suck :D ..... and that was a good book, but SO SAD!
7:42pmBrad
and now i am reading the most violent, gruesome book ever!
7:43pmMe
oooh, fun. what book?
7:44pmBrad
its called "battle royal"....richard lent it to me to read....
7:44pmMe
and vampires do suck...i just watched that movie the other day!
Richard is my other writing buddy. he's also gonna write about vampires.
7:44pmBrad
its a japanese book about a jr. high class that get put on an island by the goverment and they have to kill each other tll one is left
i bet richard has quite the imagination
7:45pmMe
oh, so kinda like "Lord of the Flies" meets "Survivor"?
7:45pmBrad
meets "texas chainsaw massacare"
7:45pmMe
LOL. nice.
did you finish the Nancy Farmer book?
House of the Scorpion (?)
7:47pmBrad
yeah...its just VERY descriptive in the death.........oh, no i didn't get that one yet, i'm trying to get it on CD, but so far the CDs are all checked out, and they have it on playway, but i can't listen to that in my car....its all very frustrating :D
but i got Raven's Gate today on CD, via Anna's suggestion
7:48pmMe
DEFINITELY listen to it. the guy who reads it is really good--so good i looked him up to see if he read anything else. never heard of raven's gate...what's that?
7:48pmBrad
dunno, Anna said i would like it
i didn't start it yet
7:50pmMe
i'm still trying to get her to read The Great Gatsby.
7:50pmBrad
i never read that....good? i know its like a classic or whatever
7:51pmMe
So good. esp. on audio. that guy reads just perfect for the book.
7:53pmBrad
i might have to try that one....it takes me a while to get through an audio book though b/c my work is only 3 miles from home :)
7:53pmMe
it's only 5 disks, i think. and so worth every second. plus, i quote it in one of my books :)
7:54pmBrad
nice!
7:54pmMe
i'm posting this convo in my blog. do i have your expressed written consent?
7:54pmBrad
and you quote me, of course
haha....sure, but don't make me out to be a bad guy or anything ;) i know how you writers like to use quotes :P
7:55pmMe
i haven't quoted you in my book yet. it would be hard, seeing as how it's 200yrs in the future. but i was thinking about working Angry Muffins into one of my other books. :)
7:56pmBrad
haha! do it!
oh, you know though, i could make a camio (sp?) in one of your books...i could be the "rock star" vampire....with spikey hair and eye makeup
7:59pmMe
lol, more likely one of my other books.
7:59pmBrad
one of your trashy romance novels? :P i could be the bad guy
8:01pmMe
hey, my romance novels arent trashy, lol...tho i think actually the one i quoted Fitzgerald in is the one that will never see the light of day because it is trashy. too bad :(
8:02pmBrad
you could be a multi-gene author...just use a ghost pen name for the trashy stuff
genre
nto gene
hmmm, i'm having issues with typing
8:03pmMe
well, i think i'll be going. nice talking to u. read my blog if you ever feel totally bored or really need to fall asleep, lol! or maybe if u need some writing advice. (in future blogs)
8:03pmBrad
sounds good...stay golden ponyboy
getting your writing on? i saw the other day you were starting a blog
7:32pmMe
u mean gabe ;) ?
yep yep. writing about writing. fascinating stuff, let me tell ya
7:33pmBrad
i saw a book today at the library....and now the title is gone out of my head...but the catchline was something about "the president's guardian vampire" and i thought of you and can't wait till i see your book at the library :)
7:33pmMe
haha thanks. you may be waiting a while.
7:34pmBrad
no problem...i think its cool though that you are trying to do it
7:34pmMe
yeah, well, it's probably a pipe dream or whatevs. i guess when i stop writing i'll start looking for agents & editors. know any?
7:34pmBrad
i get little thoughts in my head sometimes about little stories i could write, but then "poof" they are gone and i don't think about it again for a while
ummmmm, i bet there are tons of agents here in nashville....and i do know one editor, she mostly does science editing, but i'm sure she could edit a book
7:35pmMe
u should write short stories. apparently that's the foot in the door u need. but i never have ideas for short stories. i have ideas for four and five novel series.
7:37pmBrad
yeah, but i have no idea how to get started...i guess i could google it :) anyway, i can edit for you too! i have been reviwing manuscripts for some journals for science stuff....
plus then i get a first draft look at it
and know the story beore anyone else
and can blackmail you not to sell secrets
7:39pmMe
well you just start writing. that's all i can say. most writers throw away the first few paragrapsh or even pages or chapters in a book. you always sound stiff at first but once you get going in your natural voice, that's when it gets good.
7:40pmBrad
yeah....i was reading this book called "girls, drums, and dangerous pie" and in the back they had an interview with the author, and he gave alot of tips on how to start writing books and stuff, it was pretty interesting
7:40pmMe
i encourage all attempts, even if they dont pan out. i mean, what do you have to lose? a few hours that would have been spent watching tv, that's about all. and you're being creative instead. come on brad, be my writing buddy!
7:40pmBrad
where he gets his insperation for charachter traits, and lines, etc.....
7:40pmMe
OOOOH, totally have read that book and the interview! i really liked what he said about taking a walk b/c i totally do some of my best thinking while i walk.
7:41pmBrad
ok, but i can't write about vampires, cuz they suck..you know...vampires suck :D ..... and that was a good book, but SO SAD!
7:42pmBrad
and now i am reading the most violent, gruesome book ever!
7:43pmMe
oooh, fun. what book?
7:44pmBrad
its called "battle royal"....richard lent it to me to read....
7:44pmMe
and vampires do suck...i just watched that movie the other day!
Richard is my other writing buddy. he's also gonna write about vampires.
7:44pmBrad
its a japanese book about a jr. high class that get put on an island by the goverment and they have to kill each other tll one is left
i bet richard has quite the imagination
7:45pmMe
oh, so kinda like "Lord of the Flies" meets "Survivor"?
7:45pmBrad
meets "texas chainsaw massacare"
7:45pmMe
LOL. nice.
did you finish the Nancy Farmer book?
House of the Scorpion (?)
7:47pmBrad
yeah...its just VERY descriptive in the death.........oh, no i didn't get that one yet, i'm trying to get it on CD, but so far the CDs are all checked out, and they have it on playway, but i can't listen to that in my car....its all very frustrating :D
but i got Raven's Gate today on CD, via Anna's suggestion
7:48pmMe
DEFINITELY listen to it. the guy who reads it is really good--so good i looked him up to see if he read anything else. never heard of raven's gate...what's that?
7:48pmBrad
dunno, Anna said i would like it
i didn't start it yet
7:50pmMe
i'm still trying to get her to read The Great Gatsby.
7:50pmBrad
i never read that....good? i know its like a classic or whatever
7:51pmMe
So good. esp. on audio. that guy reads just perfect for the book.
7:53pmBrad
i might have to try that one....it takes me a while to get through an audio book though b/c my work is only 3 miles from home :)
7:53pmMe
it's only 5 disks, i think. and so worth every second. plus, i quote it in one of my books :)
7:54pmBrad
nice!
7:54pmMe
i'm posting this convo in my blog. do i have your expressed written consent?
7:54pmBrad
and you quote me, of course
haha....sure, but don't make me out to be a bad guy or anything ;) i know how you writers like to use quotes :P
7:55pmMe
i haven't quoted you in my book yet. it would be hard, seeing as how it's 200yrs in the future. but i was thinking about working Angry Muffins into one of my other books. :)
7:56pmBrad
haha! do it!
oh, you know though, i could make a camio (sp?) in one of your books...i could be the "rock star" vampire....with spikey hair and eye makeup
7:59pmMe
lol, more likely one of my other books.
7:59pmBrad
one of your trashy romance novels? :P i could be the bad guy
8:01pmMe
hey, my romance novels arent trashy, lol...tho i think actually the one i quoted Fitzgerald in is the one that will never see the light of day because it is trashy. too bad :(
8:02pmBrad
you could be a multi-gene author...just use a ghost pen name for the trashy stuff
genre
nto gene
hmmm, i'm having issues with typing
8:03pmMe
well, i think i'll be going. nice talking to u. read my blog if you ever feel totally bored or really need to fall asleep, lol! or maybe if u need some writing advice. (in future blogs)
8:03pmBrad
sounds good...stay golden ponyboy
writing wars
why is it so hard to make myself sit down and write? i'm inspired and my story is moving along well, and yet i'd do just about anything to avoid sitting down at the computer. And then when i do, i literally cannot stop writing. i say, 'i'm going to write ten pages,' and then twenty five pages later...things that make you go hmmm.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Taking Off
I was about ready to give up on my novel. I just couldn’t get it right, and nothing seemed to click like I thought it should. It was much harder than I expected. I had to think everything through and it all seemed plotted and uninspired. I still may toss my first one and just take some of the backstory and put it in the second.
I was about fifty pages into the second one, which is three hundred pages into the story, when POW! My vampire came to life. Not sure who to credit with that. Maybe my redneck woman. Anyway, I’m pretty happy about it, and the inspiration at this point. New things are popping up and the shape of things is becoming clearer. Yes, I know the ending (of this book at least, though not the ending to the whole thing yet) but I’m not sure what other twists and turns will show up on the road before I get there. I’m just holding on for the ride, seeing where the story goes. It’s pretty fun.
I was about fifty pages into the second one, which is three hundred pages into the story, when POW! My vampire came to life. Not sure who to credit with that. Maybe my redneck woman. Anyway, I’m pretty happy about it, and the inspiration at this point. New things are popping up and the shape of things is becoming clearer. Yes, I know the ending (of this book at least, though not the ending to the whole thing yet) but I’m not sure what other twists and turns will show up on the road before I get there. I’m just holding on for the ride, seeing where the story goes. It’s pretty fun.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hello!
So I'm just getting set up on here and trying to figure everything out. SOMEBODY told me it was easy... should know not to listen to website designers about these things!
Anyway, here goes nothing.
Or, rather, something, about me.
Disclaimer: if you ever read any of my work (the real stuff) I am highly opposed to exclamation points. However, I can't seem to stop using them online. Actually, I haven't really tried to stop using them, because i like them on my blogs. Also, I don't pay much attention to little things like capitalization when i'm blogging. sorry. consider this a brainstorming, freewriting, unselfconscious first draft.
and dont criticize my grammar choices. there's no law against adverbs on a blog. Or adjectives for that matter. i like those things. i'm an English major. if they aren't used, then what were they invented for?
Anyway, here goes nothing.
Or, rather, something, about me.
Disclaimer: if you ever read any of my work (the real stuff) I am highly opposed to exclamation points. However, I can't seem to stop using them online. Actually, I haven't really tried to stop using them, because i like them on my blogs. Also, I don't pay much attention to little things like capitalization when i'm blogging. sorry. consider this a brainstorming, freewriting, unselfconscious first draft.
and dont criticize my grammar choices. there's no law against adverbs on a blog. Or adjectives for that matter. i like those things. i'm an English major. if they aren't used, then what were they invented for?
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