Starting a project

Right now I'm in a debate about what to work on next. I could start a story that I've had outlined for a few years or I could work with something I already have.

The first story, I got the idea from a song and shortly after wrote up some story outlines and summaries. I had thought it would be a comic book or movie script, but now I'm thinking I could make it into a novel. It's a horror story, I think. It kind of walks a fine line but I really have no other idea what category I would put it in.

My other option is turning my comic script for Incognito, into a prose story. I'm not sure if I could make a whole book out of it. I wrote it as a comic book script many years ago but was never able to find any success with it being published comic book style. It's a satiric look at female superheroes and it's funny.

Either way, both stories are not literary, which is good, because I'm giving up on that. And no matter what I decide I better do it fast because I need to have something done before writing group next week! Eek!

Give it up?

With my computer down, I've been hard at work on other stuff. Thankfully, I had a full printed out version of Going It Alone.
However, the more I edit it the more I think it's an insane mess. It might be time to just let it go. There's just too many bits and pieces. Too many different formats. Too many different perspectives. Too many different stories, which means too many different characters. I just think it's too hard to follow.
There are a few scenes that are good, but I could always use those later in other works or perhaps I could add a little to make them into short stories. And then there are the short stories themselves. I still have the five short stories that can definitely stand alone without the whole novel. So it wouldn't all be a loss.
I'm just having a really difficult time with the connecting story. I feel it's too boring. And part of it was suppose to be journal entries and the other part third-person narration. I tried changing it all to third-person narration because it all seemed a bit much, but I'm still not sure.
I'm not sold on the idea of being done with it. Perhaps I'll pass it around to the writing group and get their thoughts.

A Long Day

Yesterday I spent over eleven hours at work. I spent most of that time finishing the Golden Notebook and working on my short story-turned novel.

The Golden Notebook was definitely not what I was expecting. There was a lot of communism and a lot of women sleeping with married men. And there were quite a few characters with similar names as characters in Going It Alone such as Anna, Richard, and Tommy. Odd, I know. Also, there were a few similar things that happened to certain characters.
The book did cover an author and the stories she was writing and how her everyday life inspired those, which is what I wrote about. I definitely think it would be a good reference for a query letter but I almost wonder if it's too good of a reference.

As for the short story-turned novel. I'm not sure it's going to be a full novel but we'll see. Part of me thinks I could shorten it and part of me doesn't want to. Also, this is the first time that I've written a story out of order. I know what most of the scenes will be and every now and then I get inspired for something that will happen much later in the story than where I am currently working so I jump ahead. Yesterday, I actually wrote what should be one of the last few scenes.
Of course, this could end up being a big pain if I decide to change something.

Another day of work tomorrow and then I'm off for two days. Although, it never feels like that.

A field trip to other blogs

I was out and about on the Internet yesterday, checking out what fellow writers have to say. I found a few interesting posts through Author's Blogs.

The first was a very interesting post, about a writer's best work and how to know when you've written your best work.
I've never really given much thought to what piece of work is my best work but I hope that I haven't written my all time best work yet. The post really gotten me thinking.

The second had some great links to information for writers. I was happy to follow the links for advice on the importance of others critiquing your work. It had me longing for my defunct writing group and wishing for a new one.

The third blog had a post about what kind of things not to begin a novel with. Both of my novels start with something on the list so I stressed out. Then I read the comments and people talked about how there aren't any rules and everyone's got to do their own thing, which I agree with. That made me feel better, and while I may consider an eventual change, I won't be freaking out and changing the beginnings before going to bed tonight.

Of course, I guess it doesn't matter what my first novel begins with because I doubt I'll ever try to publish it and I kind of knew that when I started writing it. It was my test run, a lesson in novel writing, before I get to my best work.

Another crappy post for now

It's getting worse and I still don't want to talk about it. Life, that is. I know I'm very fortunate and should not be complaining. It's just that I feel like I'm getting repeatedly smacked in the face and it's hard to be perky and upbeat about that.
I'm tired. I'm broke. There aren't enough hours in the day. And I feel really alone right now.
In the few seconds that I'm not at the hospital, looking for future employment or trudging through the little bit of a job I have left, I have been querying Going It Alone to agents but so far no takers. I'm also constantly making updates to it. And somehow I got inspired to write another novel. I know I am working on a few different novels but this one has really been on my mind and it just seems time to write it. It's not the same characters but it's almost like a sequel to Going It Alone. That may seem crazy since I can't even get anyone to take a look at Going It Alone but writing is my free therapy right now so I'm putting down what pops into my head.

Anyway, hopefully things will settle down soon and I'll have a coherent and interesting post to write. Until then I'll try to keep up with life and remember it could be worse.

It's all very shocking

I bet no one expected this. It's three days since the end of NaBloPoMo and I'm still posting daily. It's weird how something has just popped into my head everyday since then. I can't imagine what I'll have to say tomorrow. Maybe that will be the day that I go back to posting once a week. I always try post at least once a week but more if I can manage. My computer difficulties this year certainly hurt my blog posting.

Anyway, yesterday I was playing on my computer when something hit me. I should make a play list. This is the first time ever that I've had a computer with a working CD drive that can actually stand having music downloaded on it. I know I'm really far behind with technology but I'm to poor to be down with it.
So I went through and made a playlist for Going It Alone. Now I have something to set the mood of my thinking while I edit. Today I plan on making one for Human Decency.
This is cool for me. I really like engrossing myself into the character's world and I do that with music I think they would be listening to. And I didn't have to make a mix tape or attempt to program a multi-disc c.d. player.
I know I'm a loser, but now I wonder if an mp3 player can be far behind for me. Oh if only I had money. For now though, I am very content with my laptop having a soundtrack for my noveling writing.

Well I need to head to work. I know aside from me posting daily what might be more insane is that I'm up early enough to post before work. Lots to do today. I have to get Christmas cards ready and I need to finish the book I'm reading, which is now over do. And there's bills to pay and stuff to clean.
Also I'm a lot bummed when I realized that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix doesn't come out on dvd tomorrow. It comes out next week. I was really looking forward to it.

What's going on

Thanks to the heat and a bad case of the pop-ups my computer is running very slowly. So I haven’t been online much. Although, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Right now, I get online and check my e-mail, read a few blogs and that’s about it. Before I would waste hours away looking up stupid stuff while I was procrastinating on all my other work. Not that the whole computer situation isn’t annoying but I’m trying to find the positive.

So that means I’ve been getting lots of work done right? Well I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t spent too many hours trying to clean my computer. While I’m waiting ten minutes for it to do one small task I’ve been reading. I think this may affect my feelings on certain books since they are being read in frustration. Aside from all of that I have been getting some writing done.

The other day I decided to open up my NaNoWriMo novel from last November. I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do with it but after reading it I think it’s not too bad and that I might try getting it published. Of course, it’s a total mess. I’ve been debating back and forth about whether to tell it in first person or in third person. It’s in third person right now. It’s a story about a writer’s life and how everyday events affect what she writes. So now I’m thinking that maybe her telling the story might work a bit better. And that will mean a lot of work but I’m thinking first person is better.
Also I need to come up with a name for it. If I can get my computer to function for ten minutes I plan on putting up a blogger poll. I have a name with a few variations that I’m debating about but right now I’m worrying about edits.
Bits and pieces of the stories that the writer is working on are scattered through the novel. Each story has significance to the writer’s life. I’m just not sure if the first story is on the same level as the other stories or if it’s really necessary. Then there’s another short story that I had an idea for that I think would be a good addition but I’m also thinking it might work as something that actually happens to the writer.
The stories climb in importance to the writer. The first one is nothing like her life, the next one is nothing like her life but does have a few elements, then the next one is kind of like her life but not really, and so on. So the short story I’m debating about adding can be a story just like her life or it can be part of her life. That probably sounds entirely complicated but I assure you it makes sense in my head. But me saying that is probably not reassuring either.
And if I did chose to add or delete a story I have to change the story around the story so that will be more work. Even though it's a mess I think it's got potentail so I'm not giving up on it despite all the work.

The start of 'Human Decency?'

Today I finally got over being afraid of doing an awful job of writing my current novel and forced myself to write the first and second section/part. I've been putting this off for so long that I can't believe I actually did it.
I say sections/parts, rather than chapters because it's going to jump from character to character and I don't feel the parts are full chapters.
Anyway, I'm always scared to write the first part, especially on this novel. Even though, I've had the scene perfectly plotted in my head for sometime. It's weird though because once I actually started writing it, it just flowed and turned into something completely different. Something better. It's a lot more harsh than I had planned but if you want to hook a reader, I figure you gotta come out swinging. I think it will definitely capture people and they will connect with a character. My only worry is that it might be a bit much but I can't worry about it now. I have to push forward.
The second part I didn't really have planned out in as much detail as the first but I think it was strong maybe not as strong as the first but it definitely keeps up the intensity. I think the next part will be more mellow. Sorry for the crypticness (I know, not a real word). I don't want to give anything away but I feel like if I don't talk about it I'm going to explode. I will share something about it though.
While writing that part I actually found one line that made me think of an interesting title and to my knowledge there isn't a book or movie called this yet. I'm thinking of calling it, at least for now, Human Decency.

I'm ready to put my novel on paper. Plus I have a potential title, which if you've been reading this blog a while you know that I'm horrible with naming novels. Take my first and second Nano novels for example, because that's what I call them. And thank goodness Jenni came up with Behind the Naugahyde. I wanted to call it Retale. Get it? Probably better for a sequel anyway.

Another Friday Five

I'm so glad it's the weekend. So here's another Friday Five.
This week is the last line from five of my completed works.

1) They deserved each other.

2) It had gotten her through the mess that had been her life and she could never abandon it now.

3) How cool is that?

4) She had hope that she might find something better.

5) I realized I would never know as I fell asleep.

Once again my two NaNo novels but three different short stories this time. Hopefully, I'll get a longer, more exciting post up this weekend.

A little update for now

Uh-oh! I've started slacking on the blog post again. Sorry 'bout that. I'm trying to fit in as much writing as possible.
The last few days I tried working on submissions but without ink and stamps I'm limited to e-mail submissions which aren't accepted by everyone. It doesn't help that now we're in summer vacation time for colleges and a lot of the reviews are ran by college literary departments. So they aren't taking submissions right now.
I did start my work on the history of Naugahyde now that I've gotten the go ahead from Jenni. And Jenni's school year will be over soon so hopefully we'll finally get the time to finish Behind the Naugahyde. I can't wait!

So that's what I've been up to. Nothing exciting. Although, I did go to a cold and rainy baseball game Saturday where a clown schooled me in Harry Potter trivia. And I'm trying not to get annoyed by the mass surge of pop-ups I've been having lately despite all the pop-up blockers that are on.

Creative Differences

It turns out that my writing partner in crime, Jenni, and I have some creative differences. And I'm not using creative differences as a nice way of saying we can't stand each other. I mean we have different processes for creating stuff.
Obviously, we have such an awesome friendship because we do have many things in common. However, it seems that when it comes to writing we can't agree on anything. Although, writing Behind the Naugahyde actually goes rather smoothly.

And yes I did post this same quiz yesterday but today it's new and improved. However, since I did post my own answers yesterday I put them in a smaller font today. That means that the smaller font on the red words is not because red is an inferior color to green, which is another subject Jenni and I do not agree on.

1. Do you outline?

Jenni: No, not really. I, sometimes, have the gyst of how I kind of want things to go in my head, but I don't write it down. I sometimes outline lessons plans for school but they are such bare bones that I will even forget what I meant by them.

Ash: Yes, most of the time. Occasionally I do just go on a whim and sometimes I write an outline but don't stick to it at all. I mostly do it because my mind works faster than I type and I think if I write down general notes, like an outline, I won't forget anything.

2. Do you write straight through a book, or do you sometimes tackle the scenes out of order?

Jenni: I kind of like to do things out of order and figure it out later.

Ash: I've always written straight through.

3. Do you prefer writing with a pen or using a computer?

Jenni: Computer, all the way. If I have to write by hand, then with a pen but not a smeary one. Pencils are ok if I'm in the right mood (and they can't be smeary either!).

Ash: I prefer writing with a pen but I hate having to type it in again later. Although, it is a good way to reread and edit what I've already written.

4. Do you prefer writing in first person or third?

Jenni: I do mostly third because so much of my writing has been focused on Behind the Naugahyde or my one-act plays, but often the first person stuff (even if the character is not me at all) can be better (see Six Months to the Day).

Ash: Most of the stuff I've written is in third person. I did do something in second person once and it's my only short story to get published in an actual literary magazine.

5. Do you listen to music while you write? If so, do you create a play list, listen randomly, or pick a single song that fits the book?

Jenni: No! I can't concentrate and write in English if it's anything but silent. I can do German, grading, and puzzles with music. If I had to pick a song to fit Behind the Naugahyde though, I would say "Footloose." LOL

Ash: YES! I always listen to music when I'm writing. Sometimes I pick just one song that fits the book. Other times I pick a few CD's that work. I don't really make a play list though. I don't have the technology to do so unless I want to get up every four minutes and put a new song on, which significantly cuts down on writing time.

6. How do you come up with the perfect names for your characters?

Jenni: For my one-act plays, I take the name of the person in real life who inspired me and mix up the letters to form a new name. Mostly this is why all of the characters in my one act plays have dumb names like Reic or Evest (based on students' names).

Ash: Sometimes I think of names that are similar to the people the characters are inspired by. Not necessarily names that sound or are spelled similar but names that have the same characteristics like short, rare, common, simple. If I'm writing at work sometimes I use the names of shoes or shoe companies.

7. When you’re writing, do you ever imagine your book as a television show or movie?

Jenni: I know exactly how the one-act plays will look on stage, and I have already figured out how Behind the Naugahyde can be made into a movie.

Ash: Not necessarily that it would get made into one of them but I picture them in my head as if they were one and then I write what I see.

8. Have you ever had a character insist on doing something you really didn’t want him/her to do?

Jenni: LOL! Ditto Ash's answer.

Ash: If you count being boring, yes. Otherwise I can't really say that has happened to me.


9. Do you know how a book is going to end when you start it?

Jenni: Usually not, I'm finding out. I like the Frederich Duerrenmatt concept of taking things out to the farthest permutation of what could possibly happen and I try to infuse some of that into my own work but sometimes I get too silly to make it happen.

Ash: Sometimes. Both of my Nano novels, I knew how they would end. Jenni and I kind of had a general idea when it came to Behind the Naugahyde but we've come up with more and more as we go. The novel I'm working on now I have no clue which makes it even more scary.


10. Where do you write?

Jenni: Usually my office/closet/living room area. Although some of my best work off the computer has come from journaling in my college dorm room or at the beach and especially up north.

Ash: Usually in my office. Sometimes I write at work. Other times I write at the library or a coffee shop if it's too hot and I need some free air conditioning.

11. What do you do when you get writer’s block?

Jenni: I don't write. Jacqueline Woodson says there's no such thing as writer's block, only fear. I don't know if I believe that or not, but I don't feel like I get writer's block like not knowing what to write. I more-so get writer's blah, as in, I don't feel like writing (so I don't). It's only a problem if I'm on a deadline. Incidentally, I feel the same way about grading papers (hence posting).

Ash: I go for a walk, watch T.V or a movie, read, listen to music. I do anything but write and hope that something pops in my head.

12. What size increments do you write in (either in terms of word count, or as a percentage of the book as a whole)?

Jenni: It has a sound effect like BLEURGH! It pretty much just comes pouring out when I feel like writing. Poor Ash leaves one chapter up to me and gets sent 27 pages back!

Ash: As much as I can at once. I don't usually get the luxury of writing for as long as I want.

13. How many different drafts did you write for your last project?

Jenni: I wrote two drafts under durress and hated the second. (I was urged to forgo some swearing in my first one-act play - ultimately, I liked the swearing better and tossed the 'clean' version.) I'm typically a one-draft type of gal.

Ash: My last project would be my last Nano novel and so far I've only written one.

14. Have you ever changed a character’s name midway through a draft?

Jenni: Not on purpose. I get so attached to the character via their name that it's difficult for me. It's like changing the whole character.

Ash: In Behind the Naugahyde, Jenni and I decided on a name for a character. Then I realized half way through that I had been using the wrong name. And there were a few times I changed names on purpose either because I had already used them or they just didn't seem to fit anymore.

15. Do you let anyone read your book while you’re working on it, or do you wait until you’ve completed a draft before letting someone else see it?

Jenni: Even when I get stuff done, I don't normally show it to anyone unless I'm trying to get it published. We tried to do a focus group on BTN and it was a huge flop. However, Jacqueline Woodson mentioned at Bright Ideas that it was never a "bright idea" to show someone your work while you were still working on it because if they criticize it you might feel too vulnerable or influenced to finish it. Other than putting myself out on the line for someone to critique it, I find it annoying when people are all "ooh ooh, here's how you should end it" and their ending is LAME!

Ash: I usually wait until it's finished but there was one exception. It didn't really go like I thought it would so I doubt I'd do it again.


16. What do you do to celebrate when you finish a draft?

Jenni: Send it to Ashley since it's usually my way-late part for BTN?

Ash: Announce it on my blog!

17. One project at a time, or multiple projects at once?

Jenni: Multiple, for sure.

Ash: I try to focus on one project at a time but occasionally, when I'm having writer's block or procrastinating, I'll work on something else for bit. Usually just editing.

18. Do your books grow or shrink in revision?

Jenni: Unfortunately, grow. It's like a one step forward two steps back thing. If I shrink it at all, that's usually overshadowed by the dramatic growth that I put someplace else in the draft.

Ash: I have yet to fully revise a book so it's hard to say.

19. Do you have any writing or critique partners?

Jenni: Ashley is my writing partner! If I actually wrote some more junk, she would be called upon to critique it. (Just wait until summer!)

Ash: Jenni is my writing partner and has often critiqued my work as well.

20. Do you prefer drafting or revising?

Jenni: Drafting. I'm kind of a revision-hater, even though I know it's totally necessary and can sometimes (especially with Ashley) be a ton of fun!

Ash: I've always done revisions.

**These answers were reposted without the consent of Jenni. She's probably going to sue me now. Oh well, it was worth it.**

Writer's quiz

Dancing with the Stars is now over. I thought Laila, Joey and Apollo were all awesome from the beginning so I didn't care who won as long as they were the final three.

Since I spent tonight, my final night since the season finales are over, glued to the television here's a little writer survey that I found and saved in case there was ever a day or two when I didn't have a lot of time to write a post.

1. Do you outline?

Yes, most of the time. Occasionally I do just go on a whim and sometimes I write an outline but don't stick to it at all. I mostly do it because my mind works faster than I type and I think if I write down general notes, like an outline, I won't forget anything.

2. Do you write straight through a book, or do you sometimes tackle the scenes out of order?

I've always written straight through.

3. Do you prefer writing with a pen or using a computer?

I prefer writing with a pen but I hate having to type it in again later. Although, it is a good way to reread and edit what I've already written.

4. Do you prefer writing in first person or third?

Most of the stuff I've written is in third person. I did do something in second person once and it's my only short story to get published in an actual literary magazine.

5. Do you listen to music while you write? If so, do you create a play list, listen randomly, or pick a single song that fits the book?

YES! I always listen to music when I'm writing. Sometimes I pick just one song that fits the book. Other times I pick a few CD's that work. I don't really make a play list though. I don't have the technology to do so unless I want to get up every four minutes and put a new song on, which significantly cuts down on writing time.

6. How do you come up with the perfect names for your characters?

Sometimes I think of names that are similar to the people the characters are inspired by. Not necessarily names that sound or are spelled similar but names that have the same characteristics like short, rare, common, simple.

If I'm writing at work sometimes I use the names of shoes or shoe companies.

7. When you’re writing, do you ever imagine your book as a television show or movie?

Not necessarily that it would get made into one of them but I picture them in my head as if they were one and then I write what I see.

8. Have you ever had a character insist on doing something you really didn’t want him/her to do?

If you count being boring, yes. Otherwise I can't really say that has happened to me.

9. Do you know how a book is going to end when you start it?

Sometimes. Both of my Nano novels, I knew how they would end. Jenni and I kind of had a general idea when it came to Behind the Naugahyde but we've come up with more and more as we go. The novel I'm working on now I have no clue which makes it even more scary.

10. Where do you write?

Usually in my office. Sometimes I write at work. Other times I write at the library or a coffee shop if it's too hot and I need some free air conditioning.

11. What do you do when you get writer’s block?

I go for a walk, watch T.V or a movie, read, listen to music. I do anything but write and hope that something pops in my head.

12. What size increments do you write in (either in terms of word count, or as a percentage of the book as a whole)?

As much as I can at once. I don't usually get the luxury of writing for as long as I want.

13. How many different drafts did you write for your last project?

My last project would be my last Nano novel and so far I've only written one.

14. Have you ever changed a character’s name midway through a draft?

In Behind the Naugahyde, Jenni and I decided on a name for a character. Then I realized half way through that I had been using the wrong name. And there were a few times I changed names on purpose either because I had already used them or they just didn't seem to fit anymore.

15. Do you let anyone read your book while you’re working on it, or do you wait until you’ve completed a draft before letting someone else see it?

I usually wait until it's finished but there was one exception. It didn't really go like I thought it would so I doubt I'd do it again.

16. What do you do to celebrate when you finish a draft?

Announce it on my blog!

17. One project at a time, or multiple projects at once?

I try to focus on one project at a time but occasionally, when I'm having writer's block or procrastinating, I'll work on something else for bit. Usually just editing.

18. Do your books grow or shrink in revision?

I have yet to fully revise a book so it's hard to say.

19. Do you have any writing or critique partners?

Jenni is my writing partner and has often critiqued my work as well.

20. Do you prefer drafting or revising?

I've always done revisions.

So there's a little more insight to my writing technique. I hope no one got hurt when they jumped out of their chair from the excitement.

Tough decisions

Okay, I lied. I got another rejection today and it only had a $.39 stamp on it. That made me wonder why it is that the old stamps can't be "forever stamps" if the new ones are going to be. Maybe it's something to do with processing them.

Anyway, I'm super bummed because I had to work today so that meant no Motor City Comicon for me.

On a whole other boring topic, lately, I've been thinking a lot about how in some books and movies it's so easy to make the right choice. Everything is obvious. This person is completely good or completely bad. Good beats evil, happiness wins over money. It just always seems so easy. Everyone knows what's going to happen because there is only one choice that makes sense. I know not all book and movies are like that and I really know life isn't like that.
I think most often I write characters that are completely good or bad. It's easy for me to decide their fate. I need to learn how to break away from that and make the characters more complex. But if I never know what to do about those tough situations in my own life how will I know how to deal with them in my writing?

Submissions, work and itchiness.

Well I got three rejection letters in the mail this week and I'm pretty sure they are the last ones I will get in the mail for awhile thanks to the postage rate change that started on Monday.
I'm still out of ink and now I'm out of stamps so I've put in some e-mail submissions this week.
And I'm having a submission dilemma. On the publications that ask for a bio I'm not sure if I put it on my cover letter or after my story or on it's own page. Also, I worry about what my bio should say. I really don't have anything noteworthy to mention. Before I used to just fudge through these things but now I start to stress that maybe these little things could make all the difference.

Work has been insane this week so I'm definitely getting material for Behind the Naugahyde. Although, Jenni has been super busy and I haven't heard from her in a while so we haven't gotten much work done on it.

I did finally start my new novel while I was at work. I only got the first five paragraphs done because customers kept coming in and interrupting me.
My novel has a bunch of characters that don't know each other and I want to start the book by showing their different life styles before they all end up meeting. I'm struggling with how to do this with out confusing the reader. I thought it might be good to read a book that does this but I can't think of one.

I'm having a horrible allergic reaction to something and it has made my ears and neck turn red and itchy and my eyes won't stop watering. I hardly got any sleep because of it. So I'm tired and work put me in a really bad mood. Now I just want to go to sleep so this post is short and boring. But I didn't post yesterday and I'm trying to stay in the habit of posting often so I decided to write it anyway. I promise I'll try to post something more interesting tomorrow.

Why I didn't get anything done today.

I went to Mackinac Island today. I had a lot of fun because I love the island and often thought it would be fun to stay on it during the winter months and force myself to write a book. Of course whenever I see the Grand Hotel on the island, I always think of the hotel in the Shining by Stephen King.
The island is near where the upper and lower Michigan peninsulas meet, well they're connected by a bridge. Anyway, the island is like taking a trip back in time because they don't allow cars on the island. Everyone gets around by horses and bikes. And the hotels and businesses try to maintain the old-fashioned look of the early 1900's. It's quite enchanting and expensive.
The island has some history with writers. Mark Twain once spoke at the Grand Hotel. The movie Somewhere In Time, which is about a playwright that goes back in time to meet an actress, was filmed there.
Well, that's not exactly a huge history. I think there were other things I've heard about writers on Mackinac Island but I can't remember them right now. Or maybe I just think that because it seems like the kind of place a writer would go to write a book or a place that would inspire them to write a book. Or it could just be me.
So that's what I did with my day and I didn't get any writing done. Now I'm off to watch Heroes.

***And congratulations to D.B.Echo on his 3 year blogiversary!!!!!!***

*oops this post was suppose to go at the top. No clue on why it didn't!

Married with children? Not yet.

I had one of those awful moments today where I ran into someone from high school. He works at a company that makes containers as the production scheduler to pay for law school. Impressive, not quite as impressive as 'I manage a shoe store'.
It is good motivation to get my butt in gear. Not that I write to impress people but it would be nice to not have people making Al Bundy jokes behind my back.

Now I'm bummed but motivated. Off to work on my novel.

First lines

It's crazy I can't believe that I'm posting yet again. Maybe I'm getting into a good habit. Another good habit I need to get into is starting my novel and working on it everyday. I'm not sure how well that's going to work out.
I've been seriously struggling about coming up with a first line. I think it is one of, if not the most, crucial lines in the whole story. It has to grab the reader's attention, set the mood for the whole story and it has to be perfect in every way. I'm stressing out.
I know I could just settle on something and then work on it later but I think that sets a bad path for me. If I settle on this line then I'll settle on every line and then where do I draw the line. It just needs to be the best sentence I've ever written and no less.

In hopes to work it out I decided to go through some of the books I own and study some of the first lines.

"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow."
- 'To Kill A Mocking Bird' by Harper Lee

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
- 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen

"She hurries from the house, wearing a coat too heavy for the weather."
- 'The Hours' by Michael Cunningham

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."
-'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."
-'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens

"If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth."
-'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger

Of course, now that I've typed all those out, I just found the American Book Reviews top 100 first lines . I think the only one on my list not on theirs is from the Hours which is actually my favorite. It says a lot about what's going on. (She's left a house. She's in a hurry and it must be somewhat warm out.) It makes me wonder why she's leaving in such a hurry, where she's going and why she's wearing such a heavy coat. The reason I love it the most is because it's simple. So I guess that's what I should be trying to bring to my book.

"Three more months and this hell would be over."

"How you comin' on that novel?"

I was reminded once again, when I got my second questionnaire the other day, that I have no choice but to write this book. Both surveys that I received have come with that wonderful note that has sealed the fate of this book. "I can't wait to read it." It must be written or I will disappoint people. I know maybe they don't care enough to be disappointed in me but I don't want to be that person that everyone comes up to for the next five years and ask, " So how's that novel coming?" That means the pressure is on.
It's bad enough that I have a co-worker, who has the ability to quote just about every movie and T.V. show she's ever seen, is amazing at doing the voices of just about every character, and who also happens to be a huge Family Guy fan. Anyway, she knows Jenni and I are working on Behind the Naugahyde so she comes up to me all the time and says:

"How you uh, how you comin' on that novel you're working on? Huh? Gotta a big, uh, big stack of papers there? Gotta, gotta nice little story you're working on there? Your big novel you've been working on for 3 years? Huh? Gotta, gotta compelling protagonist? Yeah? Gotta obstacle for him to overcome? Huh? Gotta story brewing there? Working on, working on that for quite some time? Huh? Yea, talking about that 3 years ago. Been working on that the whole time? Nice little narrative? Beginning, middle, and end? Some friends become enemies, some enemies become friends? At the end your main character is richer from the experience? Yeah? Yeah? No, no, you deserve some time off."

or

" Oh I know it hurts now, but look at the bright side: you have some new material for that novel you've been writing. You know...the novel you've been workin' on? You know the the one, uh, you've been workin on for three years? You know the novel. Got somethin' new to write about now. You know? Maybe a, maybe a main character gets into a relationship and suffers a little heartbreak? Somethin' like what... what you've just been through? Draw from real life experience? Little, little heartbreak? You know? Work it into the story? Make the characters a little more three dimensional? Little, uh, richer experience for the reader? Make those second hundred pages really keep the reader guessing what's going to happen? Some twists and turns? A little epilogue? Everybody learns that the hero's journey isn't always a happy one? Oh, I look forward to reading it. "

- Stewie to Brian from "Family Guy"

I definitely don't want to keep hearing that. Although, I'm not sure which is worse "How's that novel coming?" or "Your book sucked!"

Answers to questions

Yesterday, I went to the LAAN (Lansing Area AIDS Network) volunteer appreciation party and was so excited to get my first responses to my written interview/surveys that I handed out. The volunteer coordinator said he had been working on it all day and his answers were great. They were just the kind of information I was looking for.
Of course now the pressure's on because I had to tell people why I wanted them to answer these questions so they know I'm writing a novel. That means I actually have to write it now. I can't back out of it and I have to do a good job too. I'm excited about the questionnaires, though. My hope is to realistically write about HIV, those who have it and the way it has affected our society, and hopefully do that well. That's why I've been asking for help from people who have dealt with it so much.
Although, I was a little bit worried about it because I asked some really crazy questions about "what if" scenarios. I thought they might think that I thought those "what if" situations were good ideas. Unfortunately, when writing fiction, you have to think like the good person and the bad person. Otherwise it gets kind of boring.

Getting into writing

Stranger Than Fiction was a $3.50 movie today and so I decided to splurge. I love Emma Thompson and Will Ferrell and it's about writing so I was very excited.
It was funny but also sad and insightful. I won't give anything away but I never really thought about writing the way that Emma Thompson's character is forced to. What if your character was a real person and you decided their fate? Would you just write happy stuff all the time or would you sacrifice real people's happiness, health and lives for the sake of great literature.
Also the writer in the movie really gets into visualizing and feeling the things she's writing. Her ways of doing so were intriguing and almost had me wanting to try it by locking myself in my trunk.
I didn't lock myself in my trunk because there was no one to let me out but the writer in my NaNo novel was able to finish her short story that being locked in a trunk would have helped. And who knows maybe I will jump in the trunk before editing that part. I know the writer in my Nano novel will.

Just saw: Stranger Than Fiction

NaNoFiMo: 3099+29438=32537