progress for the sake of progress

When there is time left still, how does one go about finding what to do with it? My answer is clear. Whenever I'm not specifically writing something within the plotline of my story, I like to take the time to write random thoughts and ideas in hopes they'll inspire me later. For instance, I bought a copy of Writers Digest called "Writing Basics". It gives a lot of tips and advice from published authors who've been through it all and seen every type of manuscript you could possibly think of. It's come in handy as of late for me because towards the end it gives a list of 52 writing prompts for every week of a year. It's basically a way to keep your creative mind sharp and ready for action when you're ready to sit down and write something serious. I've been skimming through a lot of them and I've decided I'm going to start attempting to write something random once a week, following the prompts I've discovered of course. I will go ahead and admit now that this might be a bit of a challenge for me to stick with, but even if I don't write one every week I'm hoping that the ones I do write will be useful for projects to come.

This isn't the only thing I've been thinking about when I get writer's block. I wasn't able to write anything yesterday because of my own decision to start "working out" again. Yes, I actually did. I ran on the treadmill and did quite a few other timely exercises that has left my muscles very sore. Afterwards, I chose to take a well deserved and LONG nap. I also had the opportunity to have dinner with my two best friends who both happened to be home from college at the same time. By the time I got home it was late and I knew I had to get up for work this morning. So instead of starting something fresh (or picking up on something complicated) in my book, I decided to search for the ultimate quote that will be placed at the front of my book once it's finished. It had to be one of those classic poems, or a really deep song lyric, or something so epic that it made your toes curl when you read it. But it couldn't be random. No, it obviously has to symbolize the story in some way and basically sum up the real moral of it.

Then I found it...

When I was in chorus in high school, we sang a beautifully composed song called "I Am Not Yours". I eventually figured out that it was based off of the poem by Sara Teasdale. I fell in love with the song immediately so naturally when I read the poem it spoke to me beautifully. It wasn't until recently when I was on the hunt for this special note that would open for my story that I stumbled upon it again and realized how much it applies with the main character of my book and how she feels about her love. She once was completely entrapped by the amount of love she had for him, but after realizing that none of it was real she comes to terms with the fact that she wishes she was lost in him like she once was. Whether it was real or not, she prays to find that feeling again because it was the best she'd ever had.

It's a really sad thing to think about but what else could you ask for from a great book? That's what I strive for =]



I Am Not Yours by Sara Teasdale

I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.

You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as light is lost in light.

Oh plunge me deep in love - put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in a rushing wind.

Inspirational Playlists

Throughout my writing process, I've had the company and push of many artists to help me with inspiration and plot-lines for most of my characters and their stories. I thought it would be nice to share these songs and stories with you so that anyone who has followed along on my journey can experience the beauty of these artists and their inspiration as well. Believe me when I tell you that music is a huge part of my life. Everything I've ever experienced - good or bad, has had a song to latch on to. Because of this, I allowed my characters to live vicariously through me and have the same opportunity. I hope you all enjoy listening and maybe discover something new because of them!


Book One Playlist:

Mouthful of Diamonds -Phantogram
The Mixed Tape - Jack's Mannequin
Coffee Girl - The Tragically Hip
Islands in the Stream - Feist with Constantines
Wasted - Angus & Julia Stone
Fly One Time - Ben Harper and Relentless7
Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine
Slow Lights - Sin Fang
Erase My Scars - Evans Blue
Surely - Black Dub
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Primitive Man - Fruit Bats
Thieving - Lovedrug
Titanium - David Guetta and Sia
Quiet in the Shade - Gregory Douglass
Arms - Christina Perri
Can't Go Back Now - The Weepies
A Book Like This - Angus & Julia Stone
This Sweet Love - James Yuill


Book Two Playlist:

Babylon - David Gray
Take a Chance - The Magic Numbers
I'm Not Who I Was - Brandon Heath
Black Tables - Other Lives
Happy Apple Poison - Lovedrug
Love - Justin Nozuka
Don't Get Hung Up In Your Soul - Richard Hawley
I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers
Enough For Now - The Fray
Only Ashes - Something Corporate
Above and Below - The Bravery
World's on Fire - Hanson
Apologies - Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
Ain't Gonna Lose You - Brett Dennen
I'm in Here (piano) - Sia
Near to You - A Fine Frenzy
What the Water Gave Me - Florence + The Machine
My Body - Young the Giant


P.S. Thanks to Zack for helping me discover some of these songs!!!

In Memoriam

10 years ago today, I was in the fourth grade. I was the one that did the afternoon announcements and called the students to their buses when they arrived. I had made my way to the office like it was any other day and when I got there all the office workers and secretaries were watching little portible TVs. My childish mind remembered that our principal had done an interview a fews days prior, so I asked one of the ladies if he was on TV. One of them was crying and said, "No sweetheart."

I don't remember if I did the annoucements as usual. I would assume that I did seeing as in my head there was nothing out of the norm going on. I do remember my parents picking me up and my dad telling me about what had happened. Once we were home my mom was watching it on the television. They were replaying everything that had happended that morning. It was crazy to think about.

Both the towers had already fallen and I had no idea. I and all the other children just sat in their classes and completed our assignments like all was well in the world. Now that I think about it, I might remember some of the teachers periodically going out into the halls and talking with the other adults. It never crossed my mind that anything was wrong though.

I do remember being scared. When I was at home, watching the instant replays of the towers falling over and over again, I thought to myself "Maybe they'll come here. What about my house?"

Funny the things you think about when you're a child. Later I found out that a few of my friends from school had relatives from New York. The next day at school we all talked about it and the teachers addressed the situation in a calm manner.

Here I am now, almost 20 years old. It's been a long time, but it never fails that every year on this day I get a cold chill up my spine remembering all the people that lost their lives and all the loved ones they left behind. My heart goes out to all of them. They will never be forgotten.


9-11-11

so close i can taste it

It has been two years and two months since my book became what it is today. I will admit, it's been longer since I started writing but it wasn't until July of 2009 that it became the story I vowed to put my heart and soul into finishing it for. I've always planned for it to be a series but for some reason I keep finding it difficult to spread out the events over a three book saga. At one point there were going to be four, then three, and now somehow it's dwindled itself down to two. Those events however are only the things i've come up with so far.... I have no doubt that in the future there will be room for expansion.

Only three chapters remain in the gap I have to fill before I can declare my first book complete. It's funny how easy it is to write the beginning and the end of an epic tale, but the middle doesn't really present itself that clear to you. There are declarations to be made and secrets to uncover, as well as a pretty sick battle... but apparently those things are the hardest to write.

I've always heard about writers speaking of their characters like children, but I haven't been able to fully grasp that concept until now. I wrote the last chapter of book one a few weeks ago (out of order of course) and believe it or not I actually felt the urge to cry! These characters have grown very close to me over the past two years. Every day I wake up and think to myself, 'What will happen next?'. Every situation I get myself into I tend to imagine how Denni would respond and what her feelings might be. It's crazy how engulfed you become in creating your own world.

I told myself from the beginning that the moment book one was complete I would start the hunt for an editor, this way at least I'll have one book behind me incase I suddenly get placed on a time crunch to finish the rest...

Anyone who has any advice or knowledge of someone I could contact please leave feedback - it would be much appreciated!

I WILL prove to everyone that no matter what your dream is, it IS possibly if you simply get up off your bum and do something about it! Take a chance! Anything is possible if you truly believe in it!