Friday Five

1.  Writing wise, I am definitely more of a plotter than a punster. Sometimes I get to know my characters a bit and then i do the plot, and sometimes I have the entire plot written down before I even get to know my characters. I had a very loose idea for my next book. But as I wrote my query letter (something I think you should do before you finish the book), I realized I don't have enough conflict in my story yet. I don't have my characters go to an even bigger low than they are at the beginning. So I need to plot it out. But I have to tell you--these are some great characters. You're going to love Steve and Aimee.

2.  This book is tentatively titled Knight in Shining Armor. Of corse that could totally change. It most likely will. But it plays to something in the first chapter. And I like it. So instead of calling the book by the character name, I will most likely refer to it as Knight for short.

3. I swore that I would never write from  male's perspective. After all I am not a boy, and I just don't think like boy, talk like a boy, act like a boy. I was never even considered a tom boy. But I am writing this from both perspectives. And I'm excited about it. A little scared too. I went into this very cautiously. A lot of male characters by women that I've read seem to make the only difference in the characters by adding swear words to their thoughts and actions. The guys I hung around with in high school and college didn't cuss around me, and I don't think they did in general. So the cussing thing will not be used by me.

4. Can you tell I'm excited about this project? Because I am. I really truly am. It's so fun to be excited about something again. I look forward to the time I get to write again, where I used to dread it. I still wanted and needed to do it, but I dreaded it, and came up with nappy excuses not to do it.

5. The Olympics. How can I not mention the Olympics. I could do an entire Friday Five on just the Olympics. I look at the athletes and marvel at the hard work and dedication they have put in. The hours and hours it has taken for them to perform at this level, and I am in awe.

On a different note, I look at the stories surrounding the Sochi Olympics, especially thinking about the Vice episode I watched, and I am disturbed by the poverty of people around the world, and the corruptness that is rampant.  The entire thing has left me teary today. I'm just so grateful to live in a place that has a government (while not perfect) that still protects the people. I'm grateful for all the things that I have just by being born here.  My basic freedoms and the ability to provide for family. And although we don't have much by the US standards, we have so much more than so many different parts of the world.

Have a great weekend!

Taking a Whole Life Approach to Writing

So the last year has been a tough one writing wise. I think part of that was I spent a good part of the year revising. Revising is so different from writing. It's important but it's where all of the work is and it isn't as fun. It got to the point where I was dreading the time I set aside to write each day, and I wouldn't do do it or I'd force something out. I justified saying life was just too busy or my schedule had changed and how was I supposed to find the time to write.

I still struggle with finding the time to write, but this year along with my writing goals, I made some goals involving my earth and exercising. And the days that I exercise (even though I should have less time) I find that I'm writing more. The ideas are flowing and overall it's just better. It made me realize that my creativity stems from being well. If I want to write, then I need to be taking care of myself emotionally, physically and spiritually.

For me that means getting exercise regularly, getting enough sleep and eating well. Emotionally, I need time to decompress (mostly by reading). Spiritually for me involves prayer and church. I know it will be different for everyone though. It's helping me in every aspect of my life.

Now I'm not consistently exercising every day yet. But I'm getting there. My outlook is better and I'm excited about my current story. Plus, I'm poking at Lexy again, getting into revisions again. My outlook is good and my energy level is up.

How are you taking care of yourself as a writer?

Books I Love: This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

This Lullaby is my favorite book by Sarah Dessen. I enjoyed all of her books, but I do have definite favorites and books that stand out. This Lullaby is the story of Remy and what happens right after she graduates from high school. It involves an incredibly cute boy, Dexter, a band and goals that she is working toward. This is a great story and I like how much Remy has to change throughout the story. The cast of characters is really good too.

If you like this one, you should definitely check out some her other books. Just Listen, The Truth About Forever, and Along for the Ride are great books that you should definitely read. All of the books are good, but those are my favorites.  Have you read any Sarah Dessen? Which one is your favorite?

Friday Five

1. Today is the fourth snow day for my kids this week. I feel like we've had our Spring Break in January and frankly it isn't as fun as I wanted it to be. Plus I'm going a bit crazy with the kids home for so long without having anything really scheduled. Tuesday was crazy with nothing for them to do. The last two days were fine because they were able to play in the snow and go sledding, but today it's going to all melt and just be a muddy mess. Everyone's getting a bit stir crazy.

2. I'm itching to write. It's what I've been focusing on and thinking about nonstop for the last few days. It's great to have this feeling again. Last year was so focused on revisions. And I didn't have the same creative juices flowing. This year I really just want to create, create, create.

3. Lately, I've been very focused on being grateful for the things that I have. I feel blessed in so many different ways. We don't have as much as some people, but I feel like our needs are taken care of, and that we are able to take care of our kids. I am grateful for what we do have.

4.  My kids are really into Minecraft right now. All three of them, but especially Caleb. He gets on with friends, and is Skyping and Twitching the entire time he plays. He is loud and exuberant when he plays, and I am not always thrilled about it. The last four days and he has played a lot more than normal.

5. I've found a great tool that is helping me cook more at home--one of my goals for the new year. I like it because I choose the recipes I want to cook and it puts together a grocery list. You should check out Plan to Eat if you want a tool that makes this easier for you overall.

That's it! Everyone have a great weekend!

Dreams and Writing

Last night I dreamed that I was writing down some really great scenes in my book. I could picture the dialogue, the back and forth and I was falling a bit more in love with Steven, my male main character. Yeah. It was great. I had detailed scenes that helped move the plot forward. And it's been niggling along in the back of my mind all day.

Of course I can't remember what the ideas were or what actually happened in the scenes. That never happens. I used to keep a notebook next to my bed where I'd attempt to scribble in the dark to get down the ideas. Last night I never even got to the point of waking to get them down.

However, dreams do help me with my writing. The premise for Lexy came from a dream that I can still remember vividly. Selena came from a dream (an idea that I still want to revisit--I really want to understand this female terrorist that is playing in my head).

I haven't dreamed like this in awhile, and so it is exciting to be doing that again. And all I've wanted to do today is still away for a few hours to write. But my kids are home with a snow day, and I took them to the park to go sledding instead. I'm happy to do it. This is the first time they've ever really been sledding in actual snow and not down ice. But now that I'm home, all I want to do is sneak away to type out my story.

Do dreams help you in your writing?

Books I Love: Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally

This is a great story about a girl who loves horses and wants a chance at a better life. Her father has just taken a new job at a different racing farm, and she is meeting a lot of different people, which is causing her to question what she wants, and how big she can dream. 

It's a really interesting story. I love the characters that are in this book, especially Savannah. If you have read any of the other books by Miranda Kenneally, then you will be familiar with the area. In the other books the main characters are all about the same age, meaning they went to high school together. This book takes place a few years later, but there are some brief appearances (just glimpses) of those characters. I really like it when authors do that.

Overall I really like the writing style in Miranda Kenneally's books. The characters are always trying to figure out when and how they fit in. I've been a big fan since I read Catching Jordan, when it first came out. She is a great contemporary author and definitely worth checking out.

Have you read her books? What do you think?

Sunday Six

1. It's cold here. I am sure that is much colder in other parts of the country, but walking on the floor downstairs almost makes me want to put on socks. My toes are freezing, and we can't seem to keep the downstairs very warm, which is why I am currently spending my time upstairs. It is much too warm up here since all the heat rises. (Don't worry our thermostat is set at a modest 68 degrees.) It's just that there is about a ten degree difference between the two floors right now.

2. This post is two days later than I planned. Still I want to post, so I'm going for it, even with a book post for tomorrow. I've sat down to write this post several times and I have been distracted. I guess I have writer's block on this post.

3. The last week was busy since both of my boys turned a year older. It is a little crazy to have two birthdays just six days a part, but we have combined celebrations in the past. Since the boys are about two years apart, they usually get the same types of gifts. It meant that we got two new bikes this year. They are happy, but it's been way too cold to ride right now.

4. One of the themes I have been thinking about with my story with Aimee is the ability to forgive yourself for mistakes. Aimee's boyfriend commits suicide, but he wasn't only her boyfriend, he was her best friend from the time she was little. She's all wrapped up in what she did and didn't do, and isn't able to let go and forgive him and herself. The book isn't religious in theme, but I think being able to let go and move forward is an important part of life.

5. I read online about a family that in situated a study hall for their kids. At first I scoffed at this idea. I don't like a lot of structure, and I want homework to become as independent as possible. But we have issues with kids starting too late. I don't do math very well after 9:00 at night. So we are doing it. No television, games or devices between 6:30 and 8:30, with the parents available to help if needed. I'll let you know how it went next week.

6. I need to do yoga. My back and hips have been bothering me lately. This is the only thing I know that can deal with it, but I'm still not totally motivated to get it done. Hope you have a great week!