An Inspirational Writing Speed Bump

Ever since my book became public a lot of people ask me how my writing is going, specifically how my 2nd book of my continuing series is coming. I think it is only fair to tell you -It's not... well not yet.

I did something stupid and ruined my story. Let me explain. I am stuck in the middle of a story. I once took some advice suggesting to have a side project when you are writing so you can redirect your thoughts and have better clarity of your vision when you return. Well, this side project started becoming my main project. I am talking about THE SULFA REACTION - my hypochondriac vampire story, a satirical look at vampire fiction.

In the creation of story I always have a rough idea of where I'm going, but I never know how to get there. But I really felt the pressure of finishing this project mostly to move on to what I felt more motivated to write. I thought of just quitting Sulfa and coming back to it later, but I am only a few chapters away from finishing - how could I stop? I wrote up a timeline - a good idea for any writing project - I was heading toward the finish line at a nice Sunday drive pace when I hit some inspiration speed bump within a chapter and in a few sentences ruined my timeline.

This is what I call - a Happy Accident - one of those inspirational moments when your characters take over and you just need to be there as the hands that tell what they need to say. This happened all the time in Vivatera: Zander for example was not in my original story and now I can't imagine it without him. So when I made this decision in Sulfa, I knew that this was going to ruin everything that I had an idea for, but only to make it better. So I had to reformulate my ending and am nearing the wrap-up, but it has taken the wind out of me and taken some time to regroup.

So in short, during these writing months, before girls camp season starts (as I call it), I expect to be done with Sulfa by the end of October, devote November (National Write a Novel Month) to my second Everstar novel and see where it leads from there.

You know, I just thought about something. A lot of people aspire to write A book, as in one book like the great J.D. Salinger. But once you write a book, you write multiple books, never just one. Writing multiple books seems like a lot of words and completely overwhelming, but completely realistic, and once you write A book who could never think about not writing another.

But one thing you should consider - living in a world that you created sometimes is a better and happier experience than the one you are actually in. I tell myself that every day when I look in my laundry room. That is my inspiration to finish.

Bagpipes are Beautiful!

I got a treat while visiting my In-Law's in beautiful North Logan Utah. Kevin's sister had the previlige of spending 2 years of her life in Scotland and while there she met a family - The Cruickshank's - now come on, can you think of a better Scottish name?

They were so delightful. When I first met them I really had to turn up my hearing. It was English they were speaking, but it was so low and grumbly it took me a minute to catch on. And we got a private bagpipe concert. Can you believe that they take them everywhere. I was super impressed.

Here are some things I learns about Scots -

• My Mother-in-law's house is HUGE! They couldn't get over how big and wonderful it is.
• When in Utah, Scots put ice in their Bagpipes. You heard it right. Ruaridh (Pronounced Rory) brought them with him and the dry air here will actually make the pipes shrink.
• When listening to the bagpipes - cover your ears. Ruaridh played for us and they are LOUD!!! But the droning can be muffled out when you cover your ears. Not that it's awful or anything.
• When about to play the bagpipes don't tell your neighbors what is about to happen. It's best to have all the heads out the windows and doors wondering what in the world the Thomases are doing now?
  
• Every Scot has a connection to Rob Roy or Harry Potter. Dave Cruickshank was in the movie Rob Roy and you can see him for about 5 seconds. JK Rowling lived not far from there home in Scotland when writing her books and they claim she took their last name for Hermione's cat - Crookshanks.
• Scots like Muse. So do I.
• Scots - well, the Cruickshank's were not so familiar with horses. It was rather funny watching Gary ride that horse.
  
• The Cruickshank's couldn't get enough of the blue sky.

It was a pleasant experience and I can't wait to become better acquainted.


Here is a picture of the lovely family -

Ruaridh, Bridgett - Dave's mother, Cheryl, Dave, and Lisa...

And here's Gary on the horse. Gittee Up!!

Smiles and Phuggles

Here are some conversations I have had with my Mia lately...

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I was downstairs helping Mia clean her room and I started hucking stuffed animals on her bed and Mia starts yelling at me...

Mia: Whoa whoa whoa Mom. What are you doing?

Me: Your animals all need to go on your bed so we can sort them.

Mia: but don't throw them Mom.

Mom: Why not?

Mia: We don't throw things with smiles.

Me: With smiles?

Mia: Yes, don't throw anything with a smile.

Me: Why not?

Mia: Just don't. Because it might make them sad and it would make me sad if they lose their smiles and get frowny.

Me: Okay, sorry, I won't throw anything with smiles.

................................................................

Mia bought a new penguin - I know... another one! She was trying to come up with a name for it and she likes to name penguins with a "P" so I tried to help.

Me: Penelope, Putrences, Petunia...

Mia: Mom, those are dumb. How about Parker?

Me: Now that's a dumb name. Does it have to start with a P?

Mia: I like the P names Mom. How about Peeper?

Me: Fine. (I looked at the penguin again, with his big, enormous eyes and fat head) How about naming him Fugly.

Mia: Mom, that doesn't start with a P.

Me: It does if you spell it with a PH.

Mia: Mom, you're a genius. But let's name him Phuggles, cause Fugly is dumb.

Me: Phuggles it is.

Writing Rodeo Round-up

I attend the League of Utah Writer Annual Conference Round-up yesterday and I have to tell you - I was nervous, but I had a great time. If you can imagine the scene... Me, alone, in a room with tons of tables, a lot of talking with friends, and I have to go sit somewhere there amongst the talking/writing elite. Yeah, my stomach was already a wreck from nerves and lack of sleep. But to give a good idea of things that went on I'll share what I learned.

I learned a few things:

• I am just as nerdy as all these other geeks that live in their head too much.

• I met some wonderful writers whom I am actually very excited to read more from, even though I have NEVER read any women's fiction. It feels good to have writers read your stuff, because they have love for you at all and form no biased opinions. :)
  

• A few posts ago I talked about attending a letter query writing class and some guy chatting with me like he was the coolest guy there like he knew his stuff? Well, I ate lunch with him and attended his class, and actually found out that he did know his stuff, and did know what he was talking about. Who knew?
  

• There are also some very strange people and some very normal people who write. I felt like one of the young ones and I attracted attention; maybe because of my long blonde hair or maybe for being one of the saner ones.

• I didn't feel so stupid for being an Indie Writer. People thought I was so cool for having my book on Amazon.

And I schmoozed with some people:

• There was an editor from Covenant you seemed really interested in my work - too bad Covenant doesn't publish Fantasy or Vampire Satire.

• A met some cool published authors, that I've never read, but might now that I have met them.

• James Dashner, though still nerdy, is actually a lot funnier and cooler than my original impression at the Writer's Workshop last year.

And most exciting news:

• I met with an agent who thought my stuff sounded fun and interesting and asked me to send it to her in New York. She might have thought I was some spastic cow talking my nervous head off about nothing, but she seemed amused. She seems really fun and everyone cross your fingers about this. I made myself so sick all day over this...

and... DRUMROLL.......

• I got an Honorable Mention for my Everstar Manuscript in the age 14-17 category - which is out of the entire state and nearly 100 entries. Basically you are looking at the FIFTH PLACE WINNER!!! with no money prize... YIPPEE!!!!

It was a great experience. I'm more excited than even to start writing again.

BIG 100!!!!!

I made it!! My 100th Blog!! In celebration I wanted to smack you all in the Face with this ENORMOUS PIE this lady - let's name her Luetta - is holding. I love this picture.
I hope I'm related to her somewhere...

I haven't blogged in a while, not because I lack interesting things to say, but I lack time.
I have many time wasters.

Here are some stupid things I've done lately:

• I got Braces. My good friend Dave McDonough (Shameless plug) is an Orthodontist and talked me into a fabulous smile. He screwed a screw in the top of my mouth to hide all the good stuff going on inside. It's a pretty tricky trick, and creeps people out, but no one knows my secret...
• I wrote a book - but that's old news. The publishing of it has kind of taken my out of the water for the moment. And I swear... everyday I feel like I want to change it again... but the whole reason I did it was so I didn't have to think about it again, but everyone that has read it wants to know when book 2 is coming. Well, I'm on chapter 7 there, so.... take a guess.
• I also have my Book Release Party coming up. You have to read my book to come, because there might be spoilers... and Q&A about all things Naomi. Should be fun. And CRAZY!!
  
• I had a mountain - NO JOKE - of laundry to do, and that had to be done. Now I have over two hundred pairs of socks in a basket in my living room. I'm very proud.
  
• I'm trying to finish my other book before September 18th. The reason- I'm meeting with an agent, who looks pretty cool. My Vivatera, being complete could be nice, or stupid, and I don't know which yet, but my vampire novel is a clincher!! If I have that done, just even my rough draft, I think I could talk her into that.
• Girls camp... Phew... over... and still running out of breath..
• ... the biggest time consumer of all - MOCKINGJAY!! MOCKINGJAY!! MOCKINGJAY!! I had to read the Hunger Games Series again, and Mockingjay, I felt was a very well rounded, besides totally tripping me out read. I was sucked in immediately, like the others, and it tricked me, like the others, and killed so many people that I never got attached to them. This is all with revealing anything. But I FINALLY understand WHY it's called PANEM... that Suzanne Collins is so stinkin' clever.
  

With everything in my life taking off, it's hard to stay focused, but all is well here and I will hear from you all soon, I'm sure.