Hidden Musical Gems for Writing
Did you ever hear a song that made you want to write a whole book around that one tune. Well, I did. I haven’t written the book yet, but I did write an outline and the story continues to haunt me. It’s rather annoying because I need to complete the NaNo vampire story before I start another story. I’m sure you are dying to know what the song is…amazingly enough it’s an older song I found while listening to Pandora. What a great internet radio station. I’ve found a lot of songs on that service I would not have heard because they were never released as singles. Since the song inspired an actual outline I figured it deserves a shout out, because as stated before I DON’T normally(who said anything about normal?) work with an outline. But since I’m in the middle of another story I had to do something so I wouldn’t forget the premise. The song is by Three Doors Down called Here By Me from the album Seventeen Days. The song is a bonus track. Jeez, I love bonus tracks. There’s another song that gets my panties in a knot by Buckcherry called Open My Eyes. It’s on their Time Bomb album. They call the song a Ghost Track. Sigh, definitely a heavy sigh for those two songs. I sound like an advertisement. There’s a few more songs that evoke some of the characters I’ve written about. Every time I hear My Immortal by Evanescence I think of a character named Jaden in my time jumpers story. I’m not exactly sure why but when I want to tune in to him I listen to that song.
It’s amazing how much music inspires my writing. I always have music playing when I’m writing. I have tried writing in silence but it doesn’t seem to work as well. I need the music to move me. I’m listening to music right now. Song that’s currently playing is Time for Miracles by Adam Lambert. Music can turn a shitty day better or a craptastic sentence into one that shines. Does that make sense? It does for me…
Them’s fightin’ Words, Vampire!
I have been hard pressed to come by words for the NaNo story these past few days. I even decided to write down an outline because I know where I want the story to go it’s just not going there right now. Does that even make sense? Stupid Vampires fighting me every step of the way. What’s up with that? What’s even more annoying is a couple of the characters who I’m trying to hold out of the story for a bit keep popping up trying to bust into the story early. I have to keep rewriting the scenes to keep them out. I think that’s my biggest roadblock is knowing that I have to rewrite a rather large section of the story to make it fit only there are still a couple pieces missing. Ya know, like when you’re doing a puzzle and you cannot find the last edge piece. I think the cat ran off with the piece. Grumble. I wonder what other writer’s do when their story is fighting them?
So my solution for the lost pieces was to take yesterday off barely touching the story. Today I’m taking the morning off to go Xmas shopping. Yuck, but guess it has to be done. This afternoon I am going to force myself to make the story move forward. I’m going to get it right. In between all this story struggling, I’m going to register for the Dallas-Fort Worth writer’s conference. THUD. A friend of mine already signed up making it a much easier decision. I won’t be totally ALONE…It’s still nerve racking though.
This is another rambling post. From story problems to writer’s conferences. I’m also trying to book a flight to get to a wedding in Florida in February. Sun and warmth here I come. I need a bathing suit. *shudders* But I need a new suit because the one I own is too big. That’s a good thing, but I still don’t like wearing them. Now I’m way off the writing thing. Where the hell was I going with this blog. I hope my day doesn’t go like this. All disjointed, not making much sense. Maybe I should curl up with a good book and not do anything today. Very tempting, but not at all likely to happen. I plan to spend the morning with crabby shoppers and the afternoon hidden in my vampire world.
Writer’s Conferences & Speed Dating
I’ve been looking at different writer’s conferences on the internet the last few days and they all seem to fall on a weekend that is already full. I really was interested in going to the San Francisco writer’s conference but it falls on a weekend I’m scheduled to be at a wedding in Florida.Sort of on the other side of the continent. I did find a smaller one called the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) writer’s conference which runs April 10-11. I have until mid January to decide if I’m going to attend it. I keep thinking back to my first writer’s conference and I must admit, I’m a little gun shy after that blasted meeting with that stupid editor. I know I’m supposed to have filed that meeting away under “the guy was a complete dickhead” Right?? Crap, don’t you hate it when self doubt creeps into your head. And all this other crap like pitching an agent. You have 10 minutes to pitch an agent your story. I am so NOT good at doing shit like that. It’s uncomfortable and a little creepy sitting in a room surrounded with other people desperately trying to find the right words to tease an agent into asking for your manuscript or at least some pages. Makes my stomach whirl just thinking about it. Okay, so I’ve never actually done that but I read the description of pitching at the DFW conference and they said you were in a room with other agents and authors. It sounds like speed dating.
I want to know if these conferences are worth it? All I got out of the last conference was a ginormous headache and the urge to slap a dude across the face. Although I did meet some really nice people and I do have a writer’s group now. Guess it wasn’t all that bad…
Do You Really Need All These Commas?
I haven’t posted for the last few days because I haven’t been able to sit down and write. Too many things going on in real life and it’s making me totally crabby! I need to write. Writing even the silliest things helps stablize me. Without it I’m punchy and sharp toward people, not a good thing especially around the holidays. Which I would like to be over, but that’s another issue entirely.
Next week I meet with my writer’s group again. Looking forward to an afternoon of talking writing. Maybe not so much the critcism and opinions but I’m learning to respect other people’s opinions even if I don’t agree with them. I’m a good cheek biter. It’s sort of silly but maybe every once in awhile it would be good to hear hey, I really like your stuff. Instead of why did you write this, it should look like this. You sentence structure is off. You don’t use enough comma’s. Comma’s are overated and over-used. I write more like a journalist. Besides a comma is not going to make or break a story for cryin’ out loud. Tell me if you like my story. I can always go back and add the stinking commas. It’s the storyline that’s important. Does it flow? Do you feel the characters? My high school English teacher would probably cringe if she read this post. She was a stickler for rigid writing style.
I must close this post because real life is demanding I turn off my computer.
Word Nightmare (Microsoft that is)
I’m trying to decide if this fits under are you really that f*cking stupid or How the hell was I supposed to know that?! A few days ago I purchased the Microsoft Word Student Edition because it was on sale and my friend who helps edit my stories needed a Word program. I decided to load this one on my computer. Well, after it was installed I couldn’t find any of my stories. After several tense minutes, a a very interesting spree of word trash and many threatening gestures I found the stories. Whew, because my laptop was in jeopardy of becoming small pieces of plastic. Over the next few days I have been trying to get familiar with this program because it just different enough to be annoying. This is where it gets even better…so I’ve been editing like mad lately on the NaNo story. Today I’m rereading a chapter when I notice sentences I know I changed. What the hell is going on? I read some more and think okay I changed this last night and now it’s back to the original wording. Someone must be screwing with my head or this program just sucks. Or maybe I’m the idiot! Yes, I’m the idiot. This program did not import the stories…it saves them in two different spots so essentially I’ve opened two different saves and edited different parts of the story on each save. OMG I’m going to have to print one copy out and compare it to the story now currently saved in the new version of Word. Way beyond frustrated!!!
I MISS MY MAC
NaNo Story Blocking
My NaNo story is driving me crazy. I’ve been working on the edit since November 26 and I’m gettng nowhere, but I can’t seem to let it rest. It’s like I need to find out what happens in the story but it’s not letting me because something is still not correct. Damn! I mentioned I don’t believe in writer’s block but the past few days I’ve been using that backspace/delete button A LOT!
It’s a lot like how I’m starting out this morning. One minute I’m sleeping the next I’m flying out of bed because the clock says you overslept. I hate mornings, especially cold winter mornings. I’m in that ‘I hate my life’ and ‘I bet if I had a published book everything would be better’ mood. (Insert evil laughter add some intense eye rolling) Writing it makes it sound even more stupid. Maybe just a little upheaval in the life category would do me some good, but now I have to wait until January to start with querys again and this current story is driving me crazy. I have an idea…I’m going to New Moon this afternoon. I’m sure that will fix all that ails me or maybe just make it worse.
This blog seems absolutely pointless today. I’m just ranting and whining about something I want but haven’t achieved yet. Don’t think that’s very healthy. Did you ever want something so bad that it consumes you, almost to the point of insanity? Kinda where I am right now. Plus in the back of my mind there’s someone clawing at a blackboard laughing at me, saying these are just dreams and that’s where they are going to stay. Awful feeling…shudder…so what’s the remedy for this malady? The only thing I can think of is to keep writing and submitting. I am currently dusting off the suit of armour mentioned in yesterday’s post.
Hey, where did 2009 go?
Can someone please tell me where 2009 went? I swear it just started. I guess if I think real hard and take a look back at the past year I can see things have changed for me just not as drastically as I would like. The writing started in March which is a good thing, great thing, f*cking awesome thing. It’s become part of my everyday existence. I have three completed books, two are part of a series, another manuscript in the works all thanks to NaNoWriMo, several small outlines for new stories and the beginning of the third book in the affore mentioned series. That’s a hell of a lot of writing and editing. Oh and don’t forget the query letters, the synopsis, the emailing and waiting only to recieve the NO but a lot of the No’s were personal saying you show promise which has to mean keep going…Right??
I have also set aside time to read. And by reading I mean books not just blogs about Robert Pattinson although I still do that. (smiles slyly) Music has always been important in my life, but it’s back to front and center because it helps me write by shutting out real life. Blah. I have my Ipod plugged in right now. David Gray is serenading me with Babylon.
So with 2010 upon us I’ve been wondering if I should set some new goals. I don’t really believe in New Year’s Resolutions. You have to want to change your life. Just because the calendar says it’s a new year doesn’t mean you are ready to take the steps necessary to change your life. For me it was February when a friend handed me Twilight. I don’t know why. It just is. The writing came next. Maybe this year the agent and book deal will come. One can only hope and continue to dream. And write always write. There are a thousand more freaking stories in my head dying to come out.
Maybe if I get them out of my head I can remember where I put my shoes.
Save the Query for January?
Ah December. NaNo is complete so now what? Besides the editing and finishing the story I mean.
I’ve been posing the question of whether or not to query in the month of December. Should I wait until January to start that whole process again or jump right in? I have a friend who has been waiting for a few weeks and has heard absolutely nothing from any of the agents she qeueried. Does that mean the holiday season should be a time to tweak our queries for a big push in Janaury? It would give me an entire month to get into my suit of armour for the avalanche of no’s to hit. Okay, so I’m hoping there will be a yes buried in the pile somewhere. Does anyone in cyber space have any thoughts on this matter or am I left here to make the decision all by my lonesome. Helllloooooo?
I seriously have been wondering what is the best time to query. One friend did some research and I think she told me the best day is Tuesday or Wednesday to send an e-query. Is there a f*cking magic formula for sending and writing a query because if there is I’d like to know. I need some good mojo if I’m going to start this process again.
Are you INsane?
I can feel it. That awful sensation where you wonder what the f*ck you are doing . That totally shitty feeling that rolls over you knocking you down to the floor. Why am I writing this blog. You are not a REAL writer. I suck. It’s stupid. Do something real. You’re wasting your time. It will never happen. Quit dreaming. Are you Insane…Well, maybe…The list goes on and on dragging you down into the abyss of I give up…And then someone looks at you and says “I heard you are writing a book. I can’t imagine doing that. It’s great.” I guess so but I can’t even get an agent to read it. “But you wrote an entire novel.” I know but no one is reading it. “I thought some of your friends read it.” Yep, but they are my friends. They’re not going to tell me they hate it. “But did they read the whole book?” I think so. They seem to want to read the second story. “You wrote TWO books?” I’ve been on a roll and there’s a third story not related to the other two. “Wow, you must really enjoy writing.” I guess I do, but it still comes back to the I can’t get an agent. “You have to keep trying. Agents are people who have opinions. You just haven’t hooked up with the right one yet.” I guess so. “Let me ask you something.” Okay. “If someone told you that you would never get published would you quit writing?” Heavy sigh…I don’t think I can quit writing…I crave it… ”It seems that you already know what you are.” Huh? “You are a writer. No matter if you are published or not. You can claim the title, so repeat after me….I am a writer!” iamawriter… “You can do better than that.” i am a writer. “Oh come on Claim It, Own It, Believe It!”
All right! For crying out loud.. I AM A F*cking WRITER…
Story Frustration
I’ve written so much this past month I believe I may have used all my words up. The last few days have been filled with rewriting some parts of my NaNo story. What’s really frustrating is that I know where I want the story to go I just haven’t figured out how to get there yet. Maybe I should start at the end and write backwards, but I don’t really know how the story is going to end yet. Major frustration has set in. I may have to step away from the story today. I wonder if I’ll be able to do that? I can usually make it a few hours and then the story calls and I end up in front of my laptop again.
And don’t tell me I have writer’s block because I don’t believe in it. You can always write something it just may not be any good. So, today I’ll pace around my computer try to think about other things and I know I’ll eventually end up back here trying to find the words to get the characters to go where I want them to go. Did that even make any sense? Today must be bad writing day, but at least I’m still writing.
What do you do when the words won’t come in the order you want them to come? Nice sentence *rolls eyes*
