Hallelujah

I've been struggling recently College For Witches. The story was supposed to be about the struggles of a young girl starting college and dealing with all the normal problems a girl her age has to, along with some not so normal ones that came from her unconventional upbringing as a Wicca.

What it turned into was a teen romance story. The magic element was barely even in the story and it was supposed to be a main plot point. In short, the original story had gotten lost underneath the intense amount of heat that El and Aiden felt for each other. Excluding a couple particular steamy scenes, I wasn't a fan of where the story was headed.

But tonight, after writing a little more romantic drivel, I had one of the moments I love. An "Aha!" moment. All of the sudden, something clicked into place and I knew how to get the story back on track. A character who is going to be very important in the coming chapters finally came back out of hiding and everyone started to behave according to plan.

Apparently, Elvira and Aiden just really needed to have sex. Before they were uncooperative and stubborn. Now they're content, helpful, and playing by my rules again. And I'm back to liking what I'm writing.

Hallelujah.

YA newbie

So College for Witches is my first attempt at writing something for Young Adults. And I'm pretty sure it's going to be my last.

There's a couple reasons for this. One of them is that I'm afraid that my main character doesn't act her age. All of the characters I've written before have always been in there 20s at least. She's 18, which is actually the same age as me. I would think that I wouldn't have trouble writing someone the same age but it's proving difficult. I don't want to dumb down the character or the story because I know that the readers would be able to tell and resent it. It also wouldn't be true to the character.

It's really hard to put my fears into words without sounding conceited. I don't think I'm better or smarter than anyone my age or anything. I'm just scared my words don't fit with a young adult person.

Another worry I have is with the sex scene I blogged about before. Now I'm fully aware that teens (since I'm still a teen myself) have sex. But again, I'm afraid that the scene I wrote doesn't fit with what is expected in YA. That's it's too put together and more experienced then most teen aged sex. Make sense?

I'm probably being stupid and not giving YA enough credit. It's just nice to be able to put my worries into words. Makes them seem a lot more manageable.

Thanks for listening to my insane ramblings all!

Here to make it up to you:

Mr. James McAvoy.


"Why yes. I do know I'm the sexiest man alive."

Pure Accomplishment.

This one is just going to be a quickie.


But I'm super proud of myself and wanted to share news. Now some of you might not see the big deal, but it's important to me.

Ready?

My WIP crossed the 40k line! I have never come close to writing something this long. I know it needs a lot of work, but for now I'm just focusing on the pure accomplishment I'm feeling at the moment.

How am I going to celebrate?


I'm going to go watch this guy beat the shit out of people and be sexy for a couple hours. With ice cream. Perfect no?

Writing Process Survey

I got this from Lori who got it from who got it from Bettie, who got it from Isaac Espriu's Place. It's orginally from the site Got Muse? A Writer-To-Write Meme.

1) Where do you write?

I write in a few different places. When I'm laptop is working (which isn't very often) I'll write in my bedroom on my bed or on the couch. I usually write in a really uncomfortable chair in the dinning room on a table surrounded by other people's crap. It's the penalty of not having my own place anymore.

2) When do you write?

That also has a tendency to vary. Usually though it's from about midnight to 2 a.m. or however long it takes me to reach my word goal. I wait until after my dad has gone to sleep so I have full use of our desktop computer. Or if I have some free time during the day (which I don't anymore since I'm taking a few internet courses) I'll write a little here and there. If I do work during the day, it's usually working on outlining.

3) Planner or Pantser?

I used to be a pantser but after C.F.W is done I'm going to try my hand at outlining. I have a feeling it will be what I do for now on. College for Witches is suffering some because I didn't plan it out enough.

4) Coffee or tea?

I'm a coffee or soda gal. I hate tea.

5) Pen and paper, or computer?

For outlining, I use pencil and paper. For the story itself, I use the computer. If my creativity is jammed I'll try switching to paper to see if it helps, which is usually does. I just wish my handwriting didn't suck so bad.

6) What gets you in the writing mood?

Listening to music and reading posts on AW about other people doing well. It makes me want to succeed. I write every day though even if I'm not in the mood. Because even if I'm not in the mood and have to force out every word, a little progress is better than none. And I know the effort is worth it because it means reaching The End is a little bit closer.

7) What pulls you out of the writing mood?

Fear mostly. The fear I'm going to fail and my writing will never amount to anything. But like I said, I write anyway. It's like pulling teeth sometimes but it will be worth it eventually. I just repeat that to myself over and over, and eventually the fear fades.

8 What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever read/heard/received?

Shut up and write. Don't bother bitching about not having time or your muse isn't around. Just put your butt in chair and write.

9) Got muse?

I do. But I don't use him as an excuse not to write. If he's on vacation, I sit down at my computer and write anyways. He usually figures out about half way through the session that I'm not giving up so he might as well help out.

10) Who is the biggest supporter of your writing?

Well sadly, I don't really get much support. My dad thinks it's a waste of time and I should give it up and focus on a real career/school. My sister and my mom are better but they never really know what to say. But they do the best they can and I love them for it. I really wish I had another writer friend who understood and kicked my ass when I'm sulking. Listening to Lori and Scarlett push each other via their blogs has really made me realize that.

11) Sound or Silence?

I need music. I don't do well in silence in any situation. Usually just putting my Ipod on shuffle is enough but sometimes I need theme music to match the scene I'm working on. I hate when other people are around when I'm trying to write. If it's unavoidable I'll put on head phones and just play music REALLY LOUD to drown out there voices. I can sometimes work with the TV on but usually only if I'm outlining and not really writing the story yet.


So there you have it.

Surrending to the characters.

*Sighs*

I'm giving in to Elvira and Aiden. They will not be denied. I've been reading a couple AW Blogger blogs who have been writing longer than me (and more successfully than me) to pick up helpful tips. And they both have talked about letting your characters take over sometimes because it will ultimately make the story better. So I'm putting my faith in Aiden and El, praying that they know what they are doing.

So I'm off to write a *gasp* sex scene. To get in the mood, so to speak, I'm listening to the
Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Listening to this guy sing:







could get anyone in the mood. Seriously.

Writely woes.

I'm having a problem with College for Witches. Actually I'm having a lot of problems, but this is a new one that's really frustrating me.

I want my two main characters, Elvira and Aiden, to have sex. And the two of them are more than willing. Every time I try to write a scene where they kiss, it escalates to them almost ripping each others clothes off no matter where they are which they don't have permission to do yet.

So you're probably wondering, what's the problem? You want them to and they want to. Well, the problem is this: I can't figure out how to fit it into the story.

Aiden breaks it off with El in the middle of the story, but I do want them to get back together after El goes through something traumatic. But I feel like if they have sex before he breaks it off it will make people hate him and not want him back in her life. Cause sex is a big deal to El. And I'm afraid that if they do it after the traumatic event it will be like she's only doing it because she's scared and grateful. Which isn't what I want it to be about.

I guess for now everyone is going to have to stay fully dressed whether they like it or not. Cause I'm the author and I say so!

Trying Harder

Well hello. Been awhile no?

I won't make any promises, but I hoping that's not going to happen again. I'm going to start trying harder at everything. I'm hoping to make this blog more writing related since I've been working it more lately.

So enough chitchat! Writerly report starts now!

I'm still trying to finish up my NANO novel that hasn't even reach 50,000 yet but it's coming along easier now. I'm hoping to have it finished up this month but you never know with me (I'm kind of flaky but I'm working on it)

(That's sort of my new motto: I'm working on it)

Something that might hinder College for Witches is that a new-old story is calling out to me again. It's new because I'm going to starting over from the beginning and it's old because I'm written like four drafts of this at least but it never comes together. Since I've been having this problem, I'm trying something new for me. Something I used to be very against. Ready?

Outlining.

Yeah. I'm working on an outline. I got the idea to give an outline the old college try from a couple people from AW and because I'm reading The Complete Idiots Guide to Creative Writing. It's full of all these helpful tips and it really makes me think I can thrive with a new system. So here's hoping.

Hell, this time I might even be able to come up with a title!