Have a great weekend!
Friday, February 26, 2010
100 Followers Contest Ends at Midnight
No real post today. Just a reminder to enter my 100 followers contest if you haven't already. Ends tonight. Winner will be announced Monday, March 1st.
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Question Time—From Whence Do Your Ideas Flow?
A couple of weeks ago, I was feeling rather brain dead and asked for your help. And of course, you guys are awesome and totally came through for me with some great suggestions. I'm feeling much less brain dead now. Though I don't think it will ever completely go away. ;) A few of you asked questions. I won't address them all in one post, but I'll get started on them today, at least.
Tere Kirkland asked:
Where do your ideas come from?
I'm pretty random when it comes to this. There are things in my stories that come from my own personal experience. Like, for some reason, every story I've started thus far has involved a parent dying. I know this stems from the death of my own mother and how much it changed who I am and my perception of the world, but usually, it's not intentional. That's just where the story always goes on its own. I'm working on that. There needs to be a little more variety in my storylines.
The idea for Embrol, which so far, is the only one I've followed through to the end, has been a combined effort between my husband and me. Especially the first draft. He's awesome for brainstorming when I'm stuck on something and very good at pointing out when I'm veering off in the wrong direction.
I grew up the oldest of four girls, which meant our house was girly central 24/7 and the land of hormones. Lots of drama in my house. It drove me crazy. I've never considered myself a tomboy, but I've always abhorred lace and ruffles and for the longest time I wanted nothing to do with anything pink. Now that I'm older, I'm finding that I like those things more in small amounts, especially having girls of my own. But when I was young, I preferred listening to rock music with my dad and reading JRR Tolkein or the Sunday comics—LOVED the Sunday comics. I never had any interest in Sweet Valley High or The Babysitters Club, though my sisters loved those books.
When I met my husband—the oldest of three boys—I was introduced to a whole new world of superheroes and action movies. I still enjoy a good tearjerker once in a while, but I love the evolution of a superhero, and the idea of discovering new powers and capabilities beyond what is considered normal. Of course, there has to be a romantic element, too. :)
So, I guess, in a roundabout way, that's how I came up with the idea for Embrol. It's all about Olivia's struggle to find herself after she loses her mother, while trying to accept her new role as protector of Earth and understand her connection to Jack, the boy responsible for her mother's death, and how that relationship affects almost every aspect of her life. It's definitely more complicated now than how it started out.
I have a few other ideas for stories jotted down in the little notebook I keep in my purse. Nothing developed, just little sparks from things I've seen or heard. My most recent idea came the other night when I was watching TV. No, not LOST, though that's one of the few things I watch these days. And I think I have the whole switching back and forth thing figured out, but I'll keep that to myself. :) The story idea actually came from a twenty second portion of a series premier we were watching. I can't even remember the name of the show. But it was incredible how that one little trigger inspired a whole storyline. It all just unfolded in my head as I sat there not really watching the rest of the show. So awesome when that happens.
Well, that got a little long-winded. :) Guess I'll save the rest for next Thursday.
What about all of you? Where do your ideas come from?
Tere Kirkland asked:
Where do your ideas come from?
I'm pretty random when it comes to this. There are things in my stories that come from my own personal experience. Like, for some reason, every story I've started thus far has involved a parent dying. I know this stems from the death of my own mother and how much it changed who I am and my perception of the world, but usually, it's not intentional. That's just where the story always goes on its own. I'm working on that. There needs to be a little more variety in my storylines.
The idea for Embrol, which so far, is the only one I've followed through to the end, has been a combined effort between my husband and me. Especially the first draft. He's awesome for brainstorming when I'm stuck on something and very good at pointing out when I'm veering off in the wrong direction.
I grew up the oldest of four girls, which meant our house was girly central 24/7 and the land of hormones. Lots of drama in my house. It drove me crazy. I've never considered myself a tomboy, but I've always abhorred lace and ruffles and for the longest time I wanted nothing to do with anything pink. Now that I'm older, I'm finding that I like those things more in small amounts, especially having girls of my own. But when I was young, I preferred listening to rock music with my dad and reading JRR Tolkein or the Sunday comics—LOVED the Sunday comics. I never had any interest in Sweet Valley High or The Babysitters Club, though my sisters loved those books.
When I met my husband—the oldest of three boys—I was introduced to a whole new world of superheroes and action movies. I still enjoy a good tearjerker once in a while, but I love the evolution of a superhero, and the idea of discovering new powers and capabilities beyond what is considered normal. Of course, there has to be a romantic element, too. :)
So, I guess, in a roundabout way, that's how I came up with the idea for Embrol. It's all about Olivia's struggle to find herself after she loses her mother, while trying to accept her new role as protector of Earth and understand her connection to Jack, the boy responsible for her mother's death, and how that relationship affects almost every aspect of her life. It's definitely more complicated now than how it started out.
I have a few other ideas for stories jotted down in the little notebook I keep in my purse. Nothing developed, just little sparks from things I've seen or heard. My most recent idea came the other night when I was watching TV. No, not LOST, though that's one of the few things I watch these days. And I think I have the whole switching back and forth thing figured out, but I'll keep that to myself. :) The story idea actually came from a twenty second portion of a series premier we were watching. I can't even remember the name of the show. But it was incredible how that one little trigger inspired a whole storyline. It all just unfolded in my head as I sat there not really watching the rest of the show. So awesome when that happens.
Well, that got a little long-winded. :) Guess I'll save the rest for next Thursday.
What about all of you? Where do your ideas come from?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Contests, Contests, and More Contests!
There are tons of contests going on right now!
First off, don't forget about mine. Click here or on the button at the top of the blog. It ends Friday, Feb 26th at Midnight PST.
Michelle McLean is having a contest with some really cool prizes. Enter to win a query critique from her agent, Krista Goering; a copy of Elana Johnson's e-book, FROM THE QUERY TO THE CALL; and a $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble. If she gets a good response, she may throw in something else fabulous. Contest ends Monday, March 1st.At Shooting Stars, they're spreading the love, and you can win a critique of your first five pages just by being a follower and getting one more person to follow their fabulous blog. If you decide to follow, please let them know I sent you, so I get credit for it. :) Ends Sunday, February 28th.
Anissa at Anissa Off the Record is having a blog party all month and an awesome contest to win an Amazon gift card with a value of at least $50. That value goes up depending on how many followers she gets. Hurry over. The contest ends soon.
And Lindsey at Dangerous with a Pen is holding a Show Me Your Dangerous contest to celebrate being close to 100 followers. Enter to win a copy of LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES by Laini Taylor (with gorgeous black and red illustrations throughout by her husband Jim DiBartolo), a preorder of MOCKINGJAY, the third in the HUNGER GAMES trilogy, and her favorite frustrated writer movie, THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN. Contest ends March 15th.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday Teaser
This is the beginning of the newest scene in my rewrite of EMBROL. I left it out of the original version for several reasons, but mainly because I was too chicken to write it. Now I can't see how that version ever worked without it. Crazy how that happens, huh?
Thanks for reading!
-------
I sat in the loveseat farthest from the viewing area. The casket was shiny black will silver handles. Patty said it was elegant, like it mattered. It would be buried underground, never to be seen again after today, and that wasn’t my mother in there.
Patty settled down on the arm of the loveseat and laid her hand over mine. “It’s almost time. You sure you don’t want to see her? This is the last chance you’ll get.”
“I don’t want to remember her like that. She knows how I feel.” I bit my lip and stared at my hands. I will not cry here in front of everyone.
Patty had chosen one of the larger viewing rooms, knowing there would be a large turnout, but she couldn’t have expected this many people. The chapel would be overflowing with all the people my mother touched in her life. A great tribute to her, but I would’ve rather spent the day alone.
The loveseat shifted under the weight of someone sitting down beside me. Familiar fingers wrapped around mine.
“No worries, Patty,” Trevor said. “I got her.”
Patty ran her hand over my hair. “Think about it, dear. You still have a few minutes.”
I watched her feet walk away and laid my head on Trevor’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Aw, c’mon. Don’t cry, Strawberry. I’m here now.”
I couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t called me that in years. That was the nickname he’d given me on the day we met—Strawberry Shortcake. That night I’d insisted my mom buy me strawberry-scented shampoo.
“See there,” he said. “I knew you needed me. Where’s Amber?”
“Her mom dragged her off to help set something up.”
“She should be in here with you.”
“It’s okay. She was getting all smothery like Patty. They just don’t get that I don’t want to talk about it. I’m glad you’re here. Are you alone? Where’s Brooke?”
“I broke up with her.”
“Broke up? Why? You guys were so cute together. You’ve got to stop sabotaging all your relationships.”
“You’re lecturing me about my relationships? Here?”
“And to think I was actually distracted for a second. Thanks for reminding me where I am.” I dabbed at the corners of my eyes. “You’d think the tears would run out, eventually.”
“I’m sorry, Liv. I never know when to keep my mouth shut. You don’t need to worry about me and my love life. I’ve got you. That’s all I need right now. Best girlfriend, remember?”
I snuggled closer. As aggravating as he could be, at least I could always count on him to stay the same. Even when everything else around me was falling apart.
“You want a distraction? I’ll see what I can do… Okay, you see that blonde over in the corner? The tall one? She was totally checking me out before I came over here.”
Leave it to Trevor to try to distract me by talking about girls. I stopped listening. My gaze was drawn back to the casket. A tall man stood next to it with his back to me. He had short, dark hair, and he wore a white dress shirt and black slacks like several of the men here. There was nothing distinct about him that I could see, but his stance was familiar. He glanced over his shoulder toward the door.
Add a streak of white hair over his ear and he could be… I shot to my feet and started toward him.
Trevor’s grip tightened on my hand, holding me back. “Livy? Where are you going? I thought you didn’t want to go over there.”
I mumbled something incoherent and wrenched my fingers from his grasp. He said something behind me, but my focus was on the dark man before me. I knew it was impossible. Daddy would’ve been at least twenty years older if he were still alive.
Before I’d taken three steps toward him, he kissed his fingertips and pressed them to my mother’s lips, then turned and hurried toward the door.
Thanks for reading!
-------
I sat in the loveseat farthest from the viewing area. The casket was shiny black will silver handles. Patty said it was elegant, like it mattered. It would be buried underground, never to be seen again after today, and that wasn’t my mother in there.
Patty settled down on the arm of the loveseat and laid her hand over mine. “It’s almost time. You sure you don’t want to see her? This is the last chance you’ll get.”
“I don’t want to remember her like that. She knows how I feel.” I bit my lip and stared at my hands. I will not cry here in front of everyone.
Patty had chosen one of the larger viewing rooms, knowing there would be a large turnout, but she couldn’t have expected this many people. The chapel would be overflowing with all the people my mother touched in her life. A great tribute to her, but I would’ve rather spent the day alone.
The loveseat shifted under the weight of someone sitting down beside me. Familiar fingers wrapped around mine.
“No worries, Patty,” Trevor said. “I got her.”
Patty ran her hand over my hair. “Think about it, dear. You still have a few minutes.”
I watched her feet walk away and laid my head on Trevor’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Aw, c’mon. Don’t cry, Strawberry. I’m here now.”
I couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t called me that in years. That was the nickname he’d given me on the day we met—Strawberry Shortcake. That night I’d insisted my mom buy me strawberry-scented shampoo.
“See there,” he said. “I knew you needed me. Where’s Amber?”
“Her mom dragged her off to help set something up.”
“She should be in here with you.”
“It’s okay. She was getting all smothery like Patty. They just don’t get that I don’t want to talk about it. I’m glad you’re here. Are you alone? Where’s Brooke?”
“I broke up with her.”
“Broke up? Why? You guys were so cute together. You’ve got to stop sabotaging all your relationships.”
“You’re lecturing me about my relationships? Here?”
“And to think I was actually distracted for a second. Thanks for reminding me where I am.” I dabbed at the corners of my eyes. “You’d think the tears would run out, eventually.”
“I’m sorry, Liv. I never know when to keep my mouth shut. You don’t need to worry about me and my love life. I’ve got you. That’s all I need right now. Best girlfriend, remember?”
I snuggled closer. As aggravating as he could be, at least I could always count on him to stay the same. Even when everything else around me was falling apart.
“You want a distraction? I’ll see what I can do… Okay, you see that blonde over in the corner? The tall one? She was totally checking me out before I came over here.”
Leave it to Trevor to try to distract me by talking about girls. I stopped listening. My gaze was drawn back to the casket. A tall man stood next to it with his back to me. He had short, dark hair, and he wore a white dress shirt and black slacks like several of the men here. There was nothing distinct about him that I could see, but his stance was familiar. He glanced over his shoulder toward the door.
Add a streak of white hair over his ear and he could be… I shot to my feet and started toward him.
Trevor’s grip tightened on my hand, holding me back. “Livy? Where are you going? I thought you didn’t want to go over there.”
I mumbled something incoherent and wrenched my fingers from his grasp. He said something behind me, but my focus was on the dark man before me. I knew it was impossible. Daddy would’ve been at least twenty years older if he were still alive.
Before I’d taken three steps toward him, he kissed his fingertips and pressed them to my mother’s lips, then turned and hurried toward the door.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Motivational Monday—Doing My Part to Save Monday
On Friday I realized that all of my reposts last week had a positive theme to them (at least on some level). Apparently, my subconscious was trying to tell me something. It’s true that lately I’ve been feeling like everything I write is crap. That perfectionist bug has really been wearing on me, and I’m dying to get rid of it. So I’ve decided to start a new thing here on the blog and do a Motivational Monday post every week. Technically, it’s more of a Positivity Monday, but then we don’t get that cool alliteration thing. :)
Besides all that, Monday’s been feeling rather picked on with all the “I Hate Monday” hype out there. Monday didn’t get to choose its place in line. And we wouldn’t want Monday to get too down, because then it might decide to do something drastic, and Tuesday would be ill prepared to deal with all the pressure Monday’s been wearing away under for all these years. I’m sure Tuesday wouldn’t last near as long as Monday, and then Wednesday—well, I’m sure you get the idea. It’s a vicious cycle. Not that it would be bad to have all weekends all the time, but I’m pretty sure Saturday would be relegated to a work day at that point. People have to make money at some point. And without the work week, would we all really appreciate the weekend?
Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Nyquil + Abby’s brain do not = coherent thought. And I took it well over twelve hours ago. Seriously, my brain is fried today.
Anyway. What I’m trying to say is I think we could all use a boost to get the week started. Something to make Mondays something to look forward to. Sort of. :) Now, due to my Nyquilled brain, I don’t have anything particularly thought provoking to say today, but starting next week, Motivational Monday will be a regular posting. Anyone who wants to join me is welcome.
Besides all that, Monday’s been feeling rather picked on with all the “I Hate Monday” hype out there. Monday didn’t get to choose its place in line. And we wouldn’t want Monday to get too down, because then it might decide to do something drastic, and Tuesday would be ill prepared to deal with all the pressure Monday’s been wearing away under for all these years. I’m sure Tuesday wouldn’t last near as long as Monday, and then Wednesday—well, I’m sure you get the idea. It’s a vicious cycle. Not that it would be bad to have all weekends all the time, but I’m pretty sure Saturday would be relegated to a work day at that point. People have to make money at some point. And without the work week, would we all really appreciate the weekend?
Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Nyquil + Abby’s brain do not = coherent thought. And I took it well over twelve hours ago. Seriously, my brain is fried today.
Anyway. What I’m trying to say is I think we could all use a boost to get the week started. Something to make Mondays something to look forward to. Sort of. :) Now, due to my Nyquilled brain, I don’t have anything particularly thought provoking to say today, but starting next week, Motivational Monday will be a regular posting. Anyone who wants to join me is welcome.
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