Pages

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The 12 Question Writing MeMe



On my glorious strolls through the Internet land, I come across some interesting things. One recently is a bunch of Writing MeMe's. This one I liked because it helps show what type of writing style you have.



What’s Your Writing Style?

1. Are you a “pantser” or a “plotter?”
I'm both. I will know the basic plot of a story, know everything about my characters and what is supposed to happen to them. I will sometimes even know my ending. But, so far I never continue with what I originally planned. My characters change, more are added. The plot thickens, or fizzles to nothing. Even a thought out ending can take a turn to an unrecognizable story. So even with all my planning, I never end up with what I started with.



2. Detailed character sketches or “their character will be revealed to me as a I
write”?
I have to have a full out bio on my characters. But not necessarily before I start writing. Sometimes I need to feel out my characters before I even give them full life. Despite the fact that I completely suck at naming my characters, there are times where I just don't even want to give them one yet. It's like they have to find their own names. It's kind of amazing how that happens. How they come to life for us.


3. Do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you
start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing?
That depends. Like I said in the previous question, there are times where I have them figured out before I even begin the first sentence. Then there are times where I don't know much about them except that they are male or female and usually a teenager. I think I feel that if I have some sort of order about my characters and plot that it will help me move along better. Even if I change them and or the plot 100 times later on.


4. Books on plotting – useful or harmful?
I think that is a "to each his own". Some people, like myself need guidence sometimes. Helpful books can just open a door to something you didn't realize you already knew, or make way for you to branch off from those ideas with your own.


5. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit
down and work?
This is a definite 50/50 for me. Once upon a time I had the itch to write so bad that it completely consumed me. Everything I did, everyone I talked to reflected on whatever I was going to write later on that day. Even my dreams were filled with whatever story I was working on. Everything was about those stories. Then for too long a period of time, I was the biggest procrastinator. I kept telling myself everyday, "oh yeah.. I'll write tomorrow." Well tomorrow never came and I went over a year without writing. A whole year! I had legit excuses, but they weren't anything but excuses after time. Now, I'm just trying to get back in the writing game and find myself again. I love the writing itch!


6. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write
for hours at a time?
Unfortunately as of right now, it's mainly short bursts of creative energy. I used to sit for hours and write. Now it's whatever's floating around in my mind gets pushed out onto the computer and when my brain is empty of any recent thoughts, the writing is done. I hate it. It sadens me terribly. But some is better than none.


7. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?
Neither. I'm a late at night writer. Which completely sucks because I need to be up early every morning. But that is my only peace and quiet time. I need to try to train myself to write early in the morning and while all the kids are in school. Also write at night before I go to bed, but not all night like I usually tend to do if I get in my writing mode enough.


8. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting,
or do you need complete silence to concentrate?
I need background noise. Mostly music. But I can handle having a movie on. Sometimes it inspires me. I could definitely write in a cafe or Barnes and Noble. In my case though, I'm 90% of the time trying to concentrate with 3 kids being kids around me.


 9. Computer or longhand? (or typewriter?)
I'm all computer. I have at typewriter that was my bff for the longest time. I chose that over the computer for many years. But I've been spoiled with technology it seems. Longhand wont work because I can't write as fast as I think. Typing I can at least keep up.


10. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One?
Sometimes. But like I said earlier, it almost always changes. I think I like having that foundation though. Something to work with and mold into something better.


11. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?
It does. But what's good is that a lot of what sells now [in YA] is pretty much on the same page of what I always wrote myself.


12. Editing – love it or hate it?
I must love it. I seem to do that more than actual writing. I spend more time fixing than I do anything else. Instead of just writing everything out that comes to mind, I'm looking back on what I just wrote 5 minutes before and fixing it until it sounds perfect. Takes up way too much time. I think this is a bittersweet subject for me.



Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Review - Torment by Lauren Kate

Torment by Lauren Kate
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Release Date: September 2010
Age Range: YA
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 452


Barnes and Noble synopsis...

Hell on earth.
 
That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.

It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous.

What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series . . . where love never dies.

My Review...

SPOLIER ALERT

Ok, since I like the concept of the story I gave it 4 stars. If not it would have been most likely 3. I have to say I never really give bad reviews because I find good in everything, even writing. To each his own. I don't feel my opinion should make or break. But, in this case I have to say I am closer to a bad review than a good.

I am incredibly disappointed. All the questions I had from Fallen I was hoping that would either be answered or at least give me some idea as to what is really going on, were completely neglected. I understand there is another book, but I feel very unsatisfied. The only reason I will be reading the next book is to fulfill my need for the answers. I feel like Luce diving into the Announcer begging for some truth. I love Daniel and Cam and Miles. The imaginary boyfriend side of me completely swoon over these boys, but it just isn't enough.

My relationship with Luce is bittersweet. I like her one minute and find her childish the next. I mean, you have been reincarnated how many times? and you still find trivial things to get annoyed about with your hot Angel of a boyfriend. I get you want to know more about you and him and why you are so important, but getting mad because he wants to keep you safe, I mean come on!

If Passion answers all my questions and gives some peace to everything that is stirring up in my head about this story, then it will be worth it. If not, then well, I will always like Lauren's writing style and concepts, but the disappointment will still be there.







Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Review - Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Release Date: December 2009
Age Range: YA
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 452

Barnes and Noble synopsis...

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
 
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce—and goes out of his way to make that very clear—she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
 
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.


My Review

I must say before I post the review, that this is from January. I wasn't sure if I was going to start posting reviews or not, but I finally made up my mind. I was thinking of starting from the most recent book I read, but I really wanted to do the all reviews for 2011. Thank God I only read 4 books so far =/. Onto the short and sweet review...

I really enjoyed this book. The concept is original, the characters believable [even with a few of them being Angels and all] and even though its a nicely sized book it's actually a quick read. I don't always like when stories jump right into things, so this taking its time to really get to the point was actually fine with me.

I like that even though Lauren Kate gave you a lot of detail as to what the story is about, she is leaving enough out to continue the story and keep your interest. I'm starting Torment right after this review because I'm still in the whole Luce/Daniel mode and I kind of don't want it to end.

I have to say, even though this has nothing to do with this stories review, I am extremely disappointed with Passion's cover. It's a beautiful cover on its own, but as part of this series, to me, it just doesn't look as beautiful as the priors. Now with that said, I'm off to read Torment.






Monday, March 7, 2011

motivation...

So as most [if not all] authors do, I have made play lists for my stories. The pattern I have noticed in them is Breaking Benjamin and 30 Seconds to Mars. There aren't any 30STM songs that have a special place with my stories other than the fact that I flippin love them. But Breaking Benjamin's lyrics [and Ben's voice... swoons] can get me to go deep in just about any of my stories. The video I placed below gave me an idea for a future project some time ago. I haven't even attempted to write anything to it because, well, lets face it shall we.. I have too many WIPs as it is. I think I may start sharing a video a week and placing which story I work on the most while listening to it.

Weight Loss

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

Locations of visitors to this page