The Little Things

This past weekend I went with my mom to buy flowers for her front yard planters. 
While we were exploring the Amish greenhouse, we noticed a pot that had been knocked over, a seedling abandoned on the ground. I was going to walk by it, but my mom stopped. She proceeded to right the pot, scoop soil back inside, and ease the seedling back in place. 
I was in awe (though, I'm usually in awe of my mom so this was no freak occurrence). That simple act of stopping to rescue something as menial as a plant speaks volumes about her caring nature. A nature I long to replicate.
The same principle can be tied into writing. Is there a character that's horrendous, but you need the audience to sympathize with her? Have her do a small act of kindness. It doesn't matter what it is. Readers will be won over. I can say that from experience!
And just a quick shout out, because she reads all these posts and works so hard...
Thanks, Mom, for all you do. I love you!

A Study in Contradiction

This weekend I accompanied my friends to a particularly crowded mall in a particularly crowded city where I was startled by an unexpected surprise. If you know me at all, this is not my element (vast dislike for surprises). But this did open up an interesting vein of thought for myself, as a writer and human in general.
On the writer side of things, I tend to make a study of people: strangers, friends, family members. Saturday's adventure offered plenty in the "stranger" category. Malls, anyone?
I like to watch people; see their mannerisms, the way the walk, talk, and smile when they think no one else is looking. People are interesting.
Which has brought me to a conclusion. While I believed myself to be studying people, I've really been studying something else: contradictions.

People are contradictions of themselves. This is a wonderful revelation for a writer! With this knowledge characters can be rounded out, villains can be loved as well as hated, and plot decisions will be hailed as that makes sense instead of why did you do that, stupid?!
Confused? Let me explain, using myself as an example.
I adore romantic anything and everything. But the idea of having someone to romance makes a million fears explode in my mind.
Surprises (as stated above) are not my cup of tea because they can't be planned. But at the same time, I relish the excitement of expecting one thing and something even better happens.
I love to have my alone time. But after awhile, I get lonely and crave the attention of someone else.
The very word adventure sends a thrill through me. But I have a very hard time jerking myself out of my comfort zone to experience said adventure.
Get my point? 
We are species of contradictions, so our characters should be too. Have a hopeless romantic afraid of falling. A guy who loves marine biology, but is terrified of swimming. Conjure a villain bent on destruction, but desires above all to keep her family safe.
Not only do these quirks make characters realistic, but they also add conflict. Because, really, where would the magic be if we didn't have something to overcome in life?

S.O.S.!

I had my idea.

I had my characters.

I had my plot outline.

Until my so-called characters gagged and kidnapped me. Pretty sure I'm now their writer. Ransom in the form of Sour Cream & Onion Chips and Now & Laters can be mailed to a later disclosed address.

Okay, on a serious note. I used to read about writers losing control of their stories via their characters. I would roll my eyes and muse that they were just making that up. Well, let me tell you, lovely readers. It. Is. True.

I've spent the last week at the whims of Benji and Eryn. We argued, we procrastinated (a lot), and we gave each other insomnia (pesky, half-asleep plot ideas). Finally, finally, I gave in.

Let me just say, my characters totally knew what they were talking about. Not only do I feel revitalized and ready to write (just need to conquer that procrastination...), but the story feels so much stronger.

If you, like me, ever get kidnapped by your characters, don't fight them. They know what they're doing.

Value of A Tweet

I will admit it, I rarely use my Twitter account. I'm not famous (yet!), and I don't have anything interesting to share with the Twitter-verse. Odds are, I'm not alone.

Hold your horses though! Don't sprint to your laptops and deactivate your Twitter accounts (because you totally would if I told you, right? Ha!). Twitter does serve a purpose for the boring, Z-Listers of the population. Especially in the next few days.

                            

#PitMAD and #PitchMAS are starting!

                                         

You must be squinting at the computer screen and going "Um, what?" or maybe you know what I'm talking about and are giving excited nods. If you're in the second group, make sure you're alone. People tend to look strangely at people who encourage their electronic devices.

                                         

In lieu of giving a lengthy description, check out these two links for details. #PitMAD and #PitchMAS. They'll explain everything and answer any questions.

                                   

As far as the basics, here they are. #PitMAD and #PitchMAS take place on Twitter, thus the trendy hashtag (the number sign, in case you don't speak the lingo). If you don't have a Twitter account and are seeking an agent...make one now! 

On Thursday, December 4th #PitMAD starts on twitter. You have 140 characters to sum up your book in a catchy way. Well, less than 140 characters since the #PitMAD hashtag plus the genre of your book is required. The same goes for #PitchMAS on Thursday, December 11th. There are some other details along with #PitchMAS so you'll definitely want to click the link above.

                                  

Just to give you some inspiration, here are the pitch I'll be using:

150yrs after Alice's legacy, a spirited 17yo races to escape a steampunk Wonderland before she loses her head. And her heart. #pitmad ‪#‎ya‬

Fun, huh? Good luck! See you on the Twitter feeds!

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.

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.