Think before you Jump!

If you're going to stop one project to jump into another...think about if first.  Obviously, right?  But make sure it's the right thing to do at that time.


About six months ago, I was in the middle of one WIP when an idea for another book smacked me in the side of the head.  It was an awesome idea and it Wouldn't. Leave. Me. Alone.  I had to write it down.  Sadly, that meant putting a hold on WIP #1.


Biggest mistake--I didn't write all the important points down before I switched.  Ugh!


So, if you are going to put a writing freeze on a project that you know you want to go back to, here's my must-do list before you make the change.


#1.  Write down everything you need to know about the main plot line.


#2.  Write down everything you need to know about the subplots.


#3.  Write down the tie-in connection to any foreshadowing.


#4.  Give a full description about each character, especially how they act and why they act the way they do.


#5.  Record anything that you need to about the setting.


#6.  If you have any magical tendencies or other paranormal strangenesses (yes, I just used that word), be sure to write them ALL down.


Because if you don't, you'll be just like I was when I finally went back to mine.  Lost.  Totally and completely.  Even after I reread the first half of the book, there were still important pieces missing.  But, knowing that I wanted to finish it, even if that meant adapting to my mistake, it was still important enough to me that I am doing it.


Have any of you done this?  Is there anything else you would add to the must-do list?

Well...I don't quite know what to say.

Warning:  I'm horrible at reviews.  Here are a couple of quick opinions, though.

Some books are predictable...this one isn't.

Even though it kept my attention, it was a little long.  But if you like love, you'll be all about the deliria.  That's all I have to say about it.    

I also just finished this one,

It's a cute love story.  

Like I said, I'm not good at reviews.  Don't judge *please* :)

On a totally different note, if you aren't following literary agent, Natalie Fischer, go here now and do it!  Once she gets 500 followers she's going to host a contest...and we all love a little rewarding competition, right?  But seriously, she gives great advice for writer's.  Just sayin'.

Mixed Up Monday

I've come up with a new fun game for my Monday posts.  It goes like this.  I'm going to post 6 numbers.  The first one will be a number for the word on the page and the other five are the pages to take that word from...using the book you are reading right now.  


Take those five words and create a sentence to go along with the book.  It could be your feelings about the book or something totally random about the book, but try to connect the two :)


Using Random.org here are the numbers.


Word-
93


Pages-
226
35
419
101
386


If your book isn't that long, just use the ones you have :)


Here's mine from Delirium.





If you lose yourself to deliria, it only makes the  journey long and hard. 


So, what are you reading right now?

Aspiring Author, Devin Bond!

Who's Devin Bond?  Well, I'll let her tell you a little about herself (taken from her awesome blog).

I'm a 20-year-old YA writer with a passion for mythology. I currently have my sights on the far north, but that's as much as you're going to get from me! I'm also pretty bad about liking a lot of genres. We'll see how that works out in the publishing industry. As for my picture. I'm the one on the left. The right is my writing partner, Jessica.

Devin's in my Crusade group and it's been a lot of fun getting to know more about her.  Oh wait, you want to know more about her too?  Perfect!  Keep on reading.  

Devin, how long have you been writing?

Um, forever. I started writing when I was about 8--though I can say that I royally sucked back then. I didn't write seriously until I was about 13 (royally sucked then, too. I sometimes read stories from back then and go "I thought this was good?!") and then I actually got it in my mind that I could write something original--and something I'd be willing to share with the universe--last year.  So... take any age you'd like :P

(Cool!  That's awesome that you can go back and read things you've written throughout your life!)

And what made you want to write?

I've always been really shy and quiet. I used to get bullied when I was younger, so writing was kind of a way to just... let my mind be free. I started out just being a really avid reader, but then I just thought "hey, I can do this too!" (Thanks to my 2nd grade teacher who made the entire class write books for our parents. I think mine was the best... kidding~) Writing's always been the way to get my voice/thoughts out without ever actually having to speak it.

(It's good to have an outlet, and what better way to understand your feelings and emotions than writing them out?  Yay for teachers!)

Do you have any pet peeves while writing?  

Yes. I'm really persnickety about writing. I think if someone were in my head, they'd be annoyed with me. Anyway, my parents always want to talk to me when I start writing and I always feel like writing when they've got the TV on. (I get distracted way too easily.) Also, I'm a very odd sort of perfectionist. I can't just write if I feel like what I have already is bad. Similar to that, I get stuck on finding the right words. I've began to use fillers just so I don't stop for an hour trying to figure out a stupid word. Another peeve is discovering the word I want doesn't exist. Like "unamused." Why doesn't it exist?!

(Make it exist!  You know writer's make up their own words all the time.  If it makes sense, I say use it.  On that note, I'm not sure I've ever heard the word persnickety but I LOVE it!)

So, what are your favorite genres to write?

Fantasy is my absolute favorite. Science fiction is a very close second. Paranormal fantasy/urban fantasy are counted in to those two (in my mind). I generally have romance with whatever I'm writing too, though not all the time. ...Probably 97% of the time...  I like the thrill and challenge of getting two characters to fall in love--realistically.

Quick, you only have five minutes to check one or two writing blogs, which ones would you go to?

Hmm, generally I just go for the top of the list, but if I have to choose, it'd be Jessica Lei, Aun-Juli, and then it's really a tie between Misha, Christina Lee and Lindsay N. Currie. I don't really like to single people out though. I read whatever posts look interesting and comment if I've got something worth saying. (Sometimes I comment without though :P)

(Awesome!  Thanks for the links.)

If you could pick the setting of one book to live in, which would it be?

No brainer, I'd want to live in the magical world of Harry Potter.  I used to hope that I'd get a Hogwarts letter and McGonagall could come to my house to convince my parents that magic was real. Of course, I knew deep down it wouldn't happen and that I was stuck in the muggle world for all eternity, but who in the heck wants to imagine real life? Also wouldn't mind living in Ender's world in Ender's Game (or any of the various sequels/side novels).

(Oh, the magical world of Harry Potter.  That would definitely be something!)

What's your favorite:

Book- There are many but the Harry Potter series trumps them all!

Author-  Ugh, talk about stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm just gonna be predictable and say J. K. Rowling. Some might think her writing isn't the best, but just look at how many dang plots and characters she weaved together to create this story! (Agreed.)

Character- Going with someone outside Potterverse for a moment. Bean - Enders Game/Enders Shadow Series.

Thing about writing- Everything! But I like coming up with characters the most.

Time of the day- Dusk! Or nighttime. Though, there are good parts about every part of the day :)

And last, but not least, do you prefer fruity candy or chocolate?

Fruity candy all the way! Especially if it's sour fruity candy. That's the best.

(Agreed again!  Sour only makes it better.)

  Here, have some :)

Thanks Devin for telling us a little more about the writing side of you!  

Go check out her blog, and have a great weekend!

Thought I'd tell ya...

First of all, I just had to say that even though I like to read books related to my current WIP, that doesn't always happen.  I mean, how can I hold back when I suddenly find this in my lap?



Exactly.  So, even though it might side track my mind a little bit...I'm totally giving in!


And I want to thank Regina and Shari for the Stylish Blogger Awards they've passed onto me.
Since you've all heard enough facts about me, I'm just going to skip that part and award it to these people.


#1. Rosie Connolly
#2. Leigh T. Moore
#3. Madeline Bartos
#4. Heather Deetz


I kind of bent the rules...so what you're supposed to do is list 7 things about yourself and award it to some of your other blogger friends.  How many other's?  Well, that's debatable.  I say pick who you want.  :)


Also, someone really important to me *cough* (the hubs) pointed out that certain important household responsibilities *a big cough* (pretty much everything) has been neglected for long enough.  He said it in the most loving way possible and he definitely had EVERY reason to say it.  After making a HUGE list of things that need to be done, I realized that I might have to cut out some blogging time this week to catch up.  


Which really means that I'll most likely be lurking, but it will be kind of rushed.  


Just sayin'.


Oh, one last thing...writeoncon dates have been set!!!  Countdown to August 16-18 is now in motion.  If you want the official announcement (which you should), check out Shannon's blog.


UPDATE:  There are some epic awesome giveaways going on at writeoncon.  Get over there now so you don't miss them!

Come learn more about Christine Danek and her Journey

 At Christine's blog, Christine's Journey, she'll tell you that, 

"I am a wife,stay at home mom, interior designer and aspiring author. Most of my time is spent chasing monsters around my house that for some reason call me 'mom'. The rest of my time is spent writing. I'm currently working on two novels, one is in revisions, the other is in the outlining stage. I write young adult science fiction/paranormal romances and I'm loving every minute of it."

Awesome right?  I think so.  We all know Mom's make great writers :)

So, Christine, how long have you been writing?

Well, let’s see. I used to make up characters when I was a kid. I started writing in journals 10 years ago. A friend of mine told me to get over my insecurity and write all  my crazy ideas. I made up stories and added characters to TV shows (for fun) for about 3 years. I took a hiatus to have my kiddos. In 2009, characters flooded my brain again, but this time I decided to take it to the next level. Life’s too short to say I should have.

And, what made you want to write?

Too many voices in my head (I thought I was crazy.) Writing releases my tension (believe it or not.) I love creating other worlds and living in them.

(You are NOT crazy.  If you are than I am too.  I hear voices all the time :)  I totally agree about writing releasing tension.  A break from everyday life is a must-have.  And what better way than to spend that time creating a place for the voices in our heads? :))
  

Do you have any pet peeves while writing?  

Interruptions, self doubt, and blanking out. I love my kids, but there are times when I need to write, to get it out, those are the times my kids need me the most. I try to quickly get the idea down and come back to it later, which is so hard to do. This can lead to blanking out. When I finally get the time to write, my fingers sometimes stop and my brain decides to take a vacation. Nothing comes out. So frustrating. Then self doubt creeps in. Why am I doing this? You know how it is. It’s all part of the cycle.

(You described the cycle perfectly.  I get that way all the time, but I've never pinpointed the different steps.  I hate it when I can't remember a thought and then my self doubt starts to whisper that maybe I was never meant to do this at all.  That's one voice I wish I could push out forever!)

What are your favorite genre's to write? 

Young adult. I usually have romance with a sprinkle of paranormal or science fiction, because normal life can be boring.

(And who doesn't need a little more romance, right?  It has to be there.  Even just a fluttery stomach or a small kiss stolen by the hot side-kick.)

If you could sit down and reread any book, which would it be?

Seriously, I have a stack of rereads and need to reads. So hard. That’s like choosing one adorable kitten out of a litter. It depends on my mood. Today, I’m feeling like The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. Desires of the Dead is out so I like to reread the original before the sequel.

(I need to read the first and then get to the second.  It's been on my list for quite some time!)  

Let's say you only had enough time to visit just one or two writing blogs a day, which would they be? 

Wow. Tough questions. Hmmm. Frankie Writes (Frankie Diane Mallis), Constant Revision (Simon Larter), Kelly’s Compositions (Kelly Lyman), and Some things I think (KM Walton.) Because they are awesome. Yeah, I know more than two. I want to name more, but I’d really be breaking the rules.

If you could meet any author, dead or alive, who would you choose? 

Ohh that’s a toughy. Way too many. Edgar Allen Poe. I know I’m strange with this answer, but I love his work. It would probably be a strange meeting. I would also love to meet Bram Stoker. Dracula changed my life. Oh and Suzanne Collins because she’s brilliant. I know that’s more than one. Can you tell I have a tough time making decisions?

(And just for fun, I'll call that author, Edbramanne Pokerlin :))

And last, but not least, do you prefer fruity candy or chocolate? 

Chocolate all the way. I can’t live without it.

(You can have my chocolate and I'll take your fruity candy!  Yummy!)

Here are a few fun facts about Christine:

-Music is my biggest inspiration for any story. Certain songs trigger certain characters to be born. I have a soundtrack to every story I’ve written.

-I lived in Munich, Germany for a month last summer with my family. I loved it, and parts of this beautiful city are in another novel I’m writing.

-My favorite place to be is a warm, sunny beach.

(Music, beautiful city, and warm beaches?  Awesome.  I love that you have a song for every story.  I'm inspired by music and also by writing, but I can't mix the two together.)

Thanks so much Christine!  If you haven't visited her blog before (or even if you have), you should head over there now and follow her on her journey! 

Have a great weekend! 

Research

I told you in my last post that while I'm stuck in my waiting room, I love to do a little research!  


My favorite research for fiction writer's is reading.  Seriously.  When I want to write a paranormal book, I need to read those types of books.  If I want to switch to fantasy, I need to read what has been written to see what actually works.  Same thing goes with what age group you're targeting.  


I've recently discovered that if I'm trying to write one and read the other, I can get so side tracked.  New story ideas pop into my head and distract me from the one I'm writing.


My current WIP is a fantasy adventure with magical elements.  I've never, ever revealed any of my titles on here, but since this one is lame and doesn't explain my book at all, I'll tell ya.  For lack of trying to come up with a better title, I've called it TALENTS.  Boring and so vague.  I know.  Oh well.


So, what have I been reading to get me in the correct mindset?  Within the last couple of weeks, I've read and definitely recommend:  Brightly Woven, Beauty, Sabriel, and Princess of Glass.  

   

And to perfect my craft and hone in on my much needed writing skills, I've added Save the Cat to my short list of must-reads for writer's.





Elana Johnson suggested this one on her blog and I'm so glad I picked it up.  Yes, it is for screenwriter's, but most of it can apply to writing novels.  I mean, we all want the reader to be able to see the story in their minds, right?


In case you don't know what else is on my must-reads list, here's a refresher.  Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.


  

I have no doubt that list will grow in the future.  In case you're wondering if I've read any other 'how to write novel' books, I have.  And some I've just tried to read.  Tried meaning, these ones say it better.  Read them.  Learn from them.  Love them :)


So, what kind of research do you like to do?