The Revision Merry-Go-Round

As I readily edit Beauty Secrets for the umptenth time (minor edits, people. Characterization stuff. But if an agent has some suggestions, I'm all ears.) I realize that I'm not alone on this crazy quest for literary perfection. The editing process is cool when you can read the end results. As I've said before, the first draft is only the bones. It's the editing process that gives your work it's soul.

So, what about you?

How many times have you edited your current WIP?

Do you think this madness will ever end? :)

Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From Writing

Imagination never grows up.

Determination will get you further than talent.

Patience makes success that much sweeter.

Dedication is the foundation for achieving your goals.

Emotions are what give us life.

Bravery gives you courage to face the unknown.

Dreams aren't just for sleeping anymore.

Confidence is the voice that encourages you to believe in yourself even when others don't.

Creativity flows through everyone--just not along the same river.

Optimism is human nature.

Happiness can be found everywhere if you only look.

That's my list. What have you learned from writing?

What Are You Great At?

I'm good at lots of things--writing, crocheting, quilting, cooking, painting (rooms that is)--but there's only one thing I can think of that I'm great at, and that's being loyal.

According to the zodiac, I'm a Taurus which means I'm strong-willed (read: stubborn), hardworking and loyal. Couple this with my Chinese zodiac, the dog, and well, you've got a friend for life.

I pride myself in being loyal to my family and friends. If I say I'm going to do something, then by darn it, I'm doing it--no matter what! (That's the stubborn part.) Of course this means that I have little respect for those who say one thing an do another. And if you're a backstabber, well then that's a whole other case you don't even wanna know about :)

So that's me my friend, loyal for life. What about you? What are you GREAT at?

I'm Quirky

Being a writer comes with certain personality traits. I think quirkiness is one of them.

Like I said before, I have to write to silence. But not dead silence. I guess a better word would be white noise -- preferably the washing machine or dryer. I also like to be warm. A Snuggie would be perfect, but alas, I don't own one.

Which is why I guess it should come as no surprise that I usually write while sitting on top of my dryer. Yeppers, the dryer. It provides the noise that I need and the warmth that I desire. Ahhhh... isn't that nice. Granted, it's not the most comfortable, but I seem to focus well up there. I have some more quirks, but I guess I'll stick with that for now...

So, what about you? What are your writing quirks?

Tweet, Tweet

I did it my friends. Yep, I've officially signed up for a Twitter account. What does that mean?

I have no idea.

So far I have one follower (Thanks Debra!) and I'm trying to figure out how the whole thing works. I've started following a few agents and fellow writers and I'm already amazed at the articles and thoughts they've passed on my way. How cool is that? I seem to have found another way to receive and share my random thoughts with the world. Yay technology!

Now, what about you? Do you tweet? If so, how do you use, or get the most out of, your Twitter account? Do share. I love hearing the inside scoop.

Happy tweeting everyone.

Poll Time!

I'm working on a new novel. Yes, another new novel and no, this one is not a sequel. Every time I start a new work I get all giddy with excitement and I figured I wasn't the only one. So, you tell me - what do you love most about writing a new novel?

Musing Music

This isn't the first time I've blogged about my Muse or inspiration, and as many of you know I write to Golden Silence, but that doesn't mean I don't love music or find it inspiring.

Jordin Sparks, One Step At A Time, is one such song. The lyrics apply so much to writing as any other form of art. The opening line for example, "Hurry up and wait
So close, but so far away" makes me think Ms. Sparks is waiting on a submission too.

So, for your viewing pleasure and inspiration-induced happiness, I've embedded the music video here for you to watch.

Now what about you? Do you have a song that you just love or find inspiring? Do share!

Jordin Sparks - One Step at a Time
Uploaded by nicobou67. - See the latest featured music videos.

I'm Obsessed!

Just like Keira Diaz, my protagonist in BEAUTY SECRETS, I obsess over things all the time. I use the word things, because there really isn't any rhyme or reason to my obsessions.

Take this week for example. My Mom and I have spent every spare moment finishing a quilt for moi. Why do I need a quilt? Well, because they're cool. And I like 'em. So, we finally finished the quilt last night at 9 p.m. and where was I this afternoon? At Joann's buying more material to make another one. Why? Because the first one was so much fun silly.

So now instead of blogging, reading or writing, I am spending my time quilting - and watching Mad Men because apparently I'm obsessed with that show too (and you can't forget NCIS).

Of course, it's not like I have any free time. I really need to be grading right now and editing. I was on a roll writing daily the last 8 months (seriously, it's been eight months, wow!) and right now I feel like being creative in some other way. I'm still writing though too. Just last night I was making mental notes for more things to add to BEAUTY SECRETS. It's just I'd rather be quilting.

So, what about you? What are YOUR other creative endeavors?

Have No Fear - I Haven't Disappeared!

Phew! What a busy couple of weeks it has been. With the semester officially well underway, I feel that I can FINALLY get back to my writing, which I plan on diving back into on Wednesday.

So what about you? Do you ever HAVE to take a break from your writing--family life's calling, you're busy with school, remodeling your house, or like me, all of the above? Or do you ever just WANT to take a break--walk away for awhile and take a vacation?

I guess I have a tendency to do both. And honestly, sometimes it can be hard to jump back in. Must. Find. Motivation.

So again, what about you? Do you have to take a break? Want to take a break? Need a little motivation? Or maybe you're so motivated you need a chill pill?

I'd love to hear about it. Please share!

Inspiration

USA Network is home to some of my favorite shows including: Monk, Psych and NCIS (past seasons). I'm often times awed by the writers on these shows, especially NCIS. To me, those guys and gals are my inspiration. Every episode is a mini mystery novel similar to the type I write (you know, not too violent, thematic with a humorous undertone).

I think it would be way cool to have a writing job like that, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I could be that creative EVERY single day.

Anyway, with that being said, these shows are often a source of inspiration for me. They make me reexamine characters and understand plot arcs and sequences in greater detail. Granted, a 40-minute television show isn't anywhere as complex as a 70k manuscript, but the general ideas remain the same - hook, story building, evidence, twist, ending. To me watching these shows sets the mood and puts my head in the game. Sure, there's other things that inspire me - reading a great book, dreams, the news, family - but nothing is as much fun and entertaining as USA Network.

So what about you? Who or what is the source of your inspiration?

P.S.
YAY it's FRIDAY. Do the happy dance!!!!

Good Morning! Good Mooorning!

Happy Monday everyone!

If your schedule is at all like mine, then you have too much to do and not enough time, which is why GOALS are so important. So this week, aside from my academic readings and writings, my goal is to finish revising BEAUTY SECRETS - thank you to the lovely Ms. Jessica Faust for her suggested revisions - and to send the MS out to MWA's writing contest. Yes, yes, you're right. The whole MWA writing submission thingy has been my goal for the last two weeks (or was it three?) BUT this week I will send it out!

Okay, so what about you? What are your writing goals this week?

What's Your Literary Diet?

Eric over at Pimp My Novel shared this link to Get Reeled In's "Literary Diet: How Do You Measure Up?"

I LOVE this article!


Here's how it works:

• Bread and Grains = classic literature, poetry, drama, contemporary prose
• Veggies = nonfiction, non-celebrity bios and memoirs
• Fruits = Sci-Fi, Fantasy, graphic novels, et al
• Meat = historical fiction, detective fiction, women’s fiction
• Dairy = chick-lit, YA, romance
• Sweets = celebrity bios/tell-alls, trashy novels
  

So, how does your diet stack up? Is it balanced?

For me, I've never been a fan of carbs, so sorry to say I don't "eat" a lot of bread and grains. Now fruits? Those are delicious. And Meat? Gotta love meat, especially steak (aka detective fiction). Diary? Yep, I like that too. But sweets? Not so much.

So, I guess you could say my reading diet is pretty balanced-- a little bit of fantasy, a dash of mystery, some YA sprinkled on top, and romance blended until smooth. That sounds about right.

But that's just me. What about you?

Alright Versus All Right

Okay folks, what's your take on this: Alright versus All right.

Me? I'm more of an "alright" kinda gal, but is "alright" even a word? Well, that depends on who you ask. According to Encarta, Alright means "satisfactory: in a generally good, satisfactory, or pleasing way" when used as an adverb, and "pleasant: generally good, satisfactory, or pleasant" when used as an adjective.

Okay, that sounds alright to me. So, what's the problem? Well, Encarta also says:

Alright has never gained wide acceptance even though it is to be seen in the prose of many well-known writers such as Langston Hughes, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce. It is generally regarded as nonstandard, and so should be avoided in formal writing unless it is purposely included in fictional dialogue or another special context in which a particular effect is sought by the writer. Use instead all right, which has all the meanings, including "satisfactory," associated with alright.

Grammar Girl basically says the same thing (I'm paraphrasing here) - "All right" is the correct spelling of the phrase, but "alright" is gaining popularity.

Oh the love of the English language and its constant flux. Honestly, I could really go either way with this one - I'm a fan of "alright" but Encarta's reasoning does make sense. What about you? Care for one spelling over the other?

Who Do You Love?

Plots aren't the only thing that keeps us readers reading. Nope my friend, every now and then a character comes along and Wham! You're in love. So I must ask, who are your all-time favorite fictional loves - boyfriends, girlfriend, lovers, platonic pals, etc.?

Top on my list would be Mr. Darcy. Because I of course make the perfect Elizabeth Bennet (Elizabeth is my middle name after all), and because Mr. Darcy is so elegant and proper. He would be a fun chap to corrupt. =)

And Edward. Oh my dear sweet Edward Cullen--you are a tool. Awesome literary boyfriend, pain in the butt real life boyfriend. Can you imagine dating a guy who was better than you at everything? Besides the fact that he also worships you. So much so that he can't stand to live in a world without you. Sounds poetic, right? Or stalkerish. Nevertheless, I love him still.

Which brings we to Teo Sandoval (Love Walked In & Belong to Me). Not only does he have gorgeous looks (C'mon, the man's half-Filipino, half-Sweedish and his skin glows golden warmth like sunlight) BUT it's not just looks; he's also human. He makes mistakes, acknowledges them, and works hard for those he loves. Good man.

Now, platonic pals would have to be Garnet Lacy (Tall, Dark & Dead). She harbors a goddess in her belly, has an awesome vampire boyfriend, and is a loyal with a capital L friend. Definitely someone worth having on your side.

That's my top 4 - I could write more, and I might have to. But for now that's where I'm leaving my list. What about you?

You Tell Me: What's Your Writing Dream

Okay, so a few of you have asked me about my winning blog post over at Nathan Bransford's blog a few weeks back.

So here it is in its entirety - enjoy:

By: Steph Damore (aka Allegory19)

You Tell Me: What's Your Writing Dream

You all have one right? The Best Sellers lists, literary acclaim, book tours, six-figure advances… or maybe your dream is smaller, like walking into the bookstore and seeing your novel on the shelf.

Me?

I have this dream. It’s summer time. I wake up at 6 a.m. and lie in bed for a few minutes. It doesn’t take long for my mind to wake up and the writing to start. Afraid the ideas will slip away, I get up and escape down the hall to the computer room. The house is quiet, and I can just write and write and write.

This is actually the dream that I get to live every day. I’m not published. I’ve never sold any of my work. But I’m blessed.

So what about you? What’s your writing dream?

Sshh! I'm Writing

Silence. That's all I want when I write. No talking, TVs, lawn mowers, barking dogs, or music - especially music. I'm pretty sure my Muse is shy (that's her on the right). She flutters above my head dropping snippets of conversation ready to bolt at the first intrusion.

But that's just me. Some writers love writing to music - it sets the mood, develops the characters, teases the thoughts out of their minds. I've seen published authors such as Candace Havens and Stephenie Meyer acknowledge the likes of U2, Blue October, Sheryl Crow and Joss Stone in their novels.

Other writers create playlists and sites like Amazon have articles on "Building a Writing Soundtrack". That all sounds very cool. And it makes sense - music is creative, writing is creative - why shouldn't they work together?

Well, because my brain doesn't work that way. Nope, I need silence. It's the only way I can convince my Muse and her gold goddess dust to stick around; keep her from darting off every 5 seconds. Like I said, that's just me. What about you?

What's Your Favorite Fantasy World?

Okay, I'll go first.

Hands down - HARRY POTTER. Those of you who know me might have thought I'd go the whole TWILIGHT route, but nope, notta chance. Breathtaking beauty and rock-hard bodies are always good times, but I don't really want to live in a world with vampires and the Volturi.

Harry Potter on the other hand? Well his world's just magical.

Butterbeer, Quidditch, Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, Haggrid, Hogwarts Express - there's just so much that's awesome! And Hermione? She could be my best friend.

What's not to love? Okay, maybe Snape and the whole house of Sytherin - but I'd take them in a heartbeat if it meant I could be a Gryffindor. How sweet would that be? I'd so ace my owls and become an auror. The Ministry of Magic could use a wizard like me.

Life would just be too much fun if we all had magic wands.

Well, that's what I think anyways. How about you?