Vlog #1: Who is Emily Layne?

What's the Point?

Last weekend I did something I'm not proud of.

Okay, PAUSE. Pull your mind out of that dark place it no doubt went to. What I did wasn't illegal or immoral. All right, all right...a little immoral. Or "not nice" is the term I'd prefer to use.

Last weekend I was at a Barnes & Noble with my three younger sisters, and I happened to see a book. But not just any book. This novel was a young adult twist on "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." And the writing was really, really good.

                                       

I will admit that I wallowed.

I collapsed in front of the shelf and stared at the book in  my hands: traditionally published, pretty (if slightly creepy) cover, and four stars--FOUR STARS (do you have any idea how hard that is?!)--on Goodreads.

                                          

In this moment I questioned my WIP, "Underland," and the very framework of why I wanted to be a writer.

My youngest sister snatched the book out of my hands (title which shall remain anonymous) and put it back on the shelf. She then covered it with other novels. Out of sight out of mind, right?

Except I felt really guilty about it. I  mean, what if that small act had cost the writer sales? She didn't deserve that! So, days later, due to my guilty conscience, I checked her book out at the library. Currently it's sitting on my nightstand, waiting to be read.

And I will be reading it. Why?

Because, after my brief plummet into despair, I realized something monumental.

                        

So maybe her book is already published. And tons of people like it. Okay, so it has a similar premise to mine,  being based off the same classic.

                                           

But you know what? I love my book, my characters, the world I built for them. Weirdly, I find myself missing (yes, actually missing) them when I'm not writing. I owe it to Jenny, Hatter, March, the Duchess, Dory, Theodora... I owe it to them to keep writing.

And I owe it to myself.

Ouch, That Hurt

Finishing your book is awesome.  The feeling of euphoria when writing that last line? Ah! Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

And editing. Editing's pretty cool. Tweaking here, adjusting there. Pounding that lump of clay until it actually looks like a young adult twist on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Or whatever your book happens to be about.

Then the beta readers swoop down with their red pens and opinions.

                                  

That dialog you thought was so clever?

Ah-ah. Sorry, it doesn't make sense or jive with the character's personality. 

The grammatical errors you thought you suffocated with spell check?

Sorry, again. "Passed" and "past" are not the same thing.

Okay, so your beta readers probably aren't so blunt and annoying. But their job is still the same: critique/tear into your manuscript. And it hurts. A LOT.

I've entered this stage of the writing process. Let me tell you: ouch! Last night I passed out my Draft 1 Version of Underland to my sisters. Minutes later they found a missing word. Then an hour later a grammatical error.

Yes, they're being incredibly helpful by telling me.

YES, IT MAKES ME WANT TO RIP MY HAIR OUT EVERY TIME THEY DO!!!! Internally, of course, because I like my hair. Instead I kind of just sit and glare.

                                  

Then  I snap out of it and realize what they're saying is much needed criticism. My problem is that I take it so personally. Even something as simple as a typo.

Which is why every time I receive a comment I don't like I do the following:

1. Take a deep breath
2. Take another deep breath
3. Let it all out
4. Smile and say "Thanks so much, please just write that down for me"

Honestly, it's easier said then done, but I'm working on it.

A writer has to be humble and willing to accept criticism if he wants to improve. So that's what I'm doing.

A. Little. At. A. Time.

                 

Rome wasn't built in a day, you know.

Woops... I Forgot

While I was getting ready for work this morning, my sister, clad in PJs and sporting adorable bed head, whipped out her phone and declared, "You were talking in your sleep last night, and I wrote it down."

 
Apparently (though I will always deny it), I am a notorious sleep-talker. After sharing a room with me for seven months, my sister has finally caught on to this. And now, whenever I make the slightest mumble, she jots it down as a note in her iPhone.

Last night I said the following, "Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness! They really wrote on the basement walls, didn't they!?"

Cinderella sure got her song wrong. I don't want anyone writing on any walls. Especially not basement ones with who-knows-what. Yes, my mind immediately went to blood. I'm a pessimist with a dark imagination, so what?

                              

Dreams are crazy things. Scientists still aren't quite sure why or how we dream. But we do. And dreams hold excellent ideas for writing a book.

In fact, my current WIP? You know, the twist on "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"?

It all started from a dream. Not that the dream necessarily had anything to do with Wonderland. But it did have to do with crossing worlds and a debonair young man. Vampires and soul-stealers were also involved. Thankfully the idea went through quite a metamorphosis during plotting!

This isn't the only dream I've had that I thought would make a good book. Only, with most dreams, I forgot what they were about. Or, while daydreaming, I've thought up a great dialog line. But then started doing actual thinking and lost it. Even after I swore I was going to remember it. Five minutes later? Nothing.

Ever happen to you?

There is one cure: a journal. Whether it be a physical journal or an app on a smart phone... INVEST! Keep it close to you at nighttime to write dreams down. Carry it in your purse (or guys... a pocket, maybe?) to pull out when inspiration strikes.

So invest the $1.99 (or if you're feeling fancy, a bit more). It's immeasurably worth it.

To NaNo or Not NaNo

July was Camp NaNoWriMo. Writers set a goal and fight to accomplish it before the end of the month.

I spent July pushing toward a goal of 40,000 words in my current WIP. And did I meet it? You bet! Though I went through some serious ups and downs, illustrated by my handy chart below.

During the 31 days of literary abandon, I went through a plethora of emotions:

Determination. July 1st. 40,000 words. Psh, I could totally do this.

                                     

Pride. I'm ahead by 2,000 words. Say whaaat?

                             

Laziness. Yeah, I'm so not writing today. Or... for, you know, four days in a row...

                             

Panic. Needing to catch up ASAP!

                                        

Awesomeness. Keeping a steady pace. You know that's right.

                                           

And, at the end. Pure and utter accomplishment. I couldn't believe I actually wrote 40,000 words!

                               

So, would I recommend Camp NaNoWriMo (or just NaNoWriMo) to writers? Absolutely! Before July, I'd been struggling for months to get myself to write. Camp NaNo gave me the push I needed. I also got to connect with some really supportive writers.

And, okay, getting this certificate at the end was pretty awesome.

Also celebrating with a round of mini golf was great too.

The next time NaNo comes around, I'd heartily suggest that you hop on the writing wagon. It's an awesome experience. The only thing you'll regret is looking back and not participating.

Congratulations to everyone who entered and persevered!

Not Anti-Social

Writers have to understand people. Their hopes, desires, frustrations, how they fall in love and out of it, greatest fears, etc. In essence, what makes them... real. So, in turn, we can apply those traits and depth to our characters.

We watch, observe, and remember. 

Then somehow in the world of stigmas and creative internet memes, writers got stuck with the "Anti-Social" stereotype. 

                                                       

Couldn't be farther from the truth. Okay, maybe we don't love parties, meeting new people, or being shoved into a new environment. But it doesn't mean we don't like it. After we're forced to go and then get to come home after thirty minutes.

                                       

In fact, I can't stress the importance of writers going places and doing things. Especially--take a deep breath!--new things.

For example, right now I'm sitting in a building on a community college campus writing this blog. I dropped my sister off at her microbiology class and am stuck waiting while she takes her final (good luck, Maddie!). Last time I dropped another sister (I've got three, haha) off to take a test, I hid in my car for two hours. 

                                        

I had a book, so it wasn't that bad...

Okay, okay, I get it. It was weird.

But I've realized how important people-to-people interactions are. So here I sit in a common area, typing away. Across from me are two guys discussing math, mixing swear words into a conversation of calculus. One is tilting back on his chair, tempting gravity and the other is attempting to multi-task, messing with his phone and talking. 

And of course, because a girl is int heir midst, they occasionally look over at me. Probably has a great deal to do with my really bad hair day, the fact I'm wearing jeans when it's hot outside and keep smiling at my computer screen (these gifs, guys...).

                                        

Maybe the college boys aren't the most obvious source of inspiration for my characters, but understanding human nature, the natural flow of communication and movement, will all weave together to form a novel full of depth and realism (as realistic as a story based off Alice in Wonderland can get!).

                                       

So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself to a coffee shop, a library. Or, if you need to start small, sit on your front porch. Watch and write.

But most importantly, write.