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!

Week Three

I'm about to head off to work so I'll make this short.

Down four pounds this week. For those of you playing the home game, that's eleven pounds total.

Herbalife shake program is going well, even though it's hard to plan ahead all the time. Especially if you're as forgetful as me.

School is sucking.

Writing makes me feel amazing.

The end.

Random Check In

There goes week two of diet and exercise. I did crappy this week. I skipped out on working out for three days. And I went to McDonalds. Twice. Color me ashamed. Buutttt. I'm still down one more pound. Since I was expecting to have gain, can't say I'm not please. That's seven pounds in two weeks. Woo and hoo.

In other news, I've started writing again. I've been so terrified of writing something bad that I stopped writing all together. So that wrapped in with not exercising, let's just say this week was a crabby week for me. Excluding Sunday and Wednesday.

Now I'm not even going to go into everything that happened on Sunday (you probably wouldn't believe me even if I told you), but on Wednesday, Jamie, Kacie, and I went dancing at Stargate. Tons of fun. I forgot how much I missed hanging out with girls. And dancing. I love going dancing.

One last random update before I go pass out, school. Blahhhhh. I'm trying but not doing an amazing job.

(Suprise, suprise)

Pride. I has it.

So one week ago today, I joined a gym and started to eat healthier. I've gone every day except for one. Already, I feel better. I have more energy, I'm thinking clearer, and I want to keep going every time I'm there. I have to stop myself so I don't end up hurting in the morning. And in this week, I've lost...... six pounds!

After the first week, it's not healthy to lose more than two pounds, so this is likely to be my biggest lose. But it's a hell of a start. I'm only weighing myself once a week so I don't get discourage when the numbers are just melting away.

One of the reasons I'm proud of myself is because I'm not good at sticking to things. One week and I'm going strong. I owe that to the lovely people over at AW who have been holding me accountable. They're helping more than they realize.

Since I've been working out, it's been easier to get other things done that I've been lacking. Mostly school. I'm still behind, but I'm slowly and surely catching up.

Every week, I'm going to post my progress, even if I don't lose weight. I've promised myself that I won't let that discourage me. I'll tell myself, "Muscle weighs more than fat, look in the mirror instead of the scale, are my clothes looser?"

Wish me luck!