Future Blogs

I will not be posting any more till after the new year and my goal is to blog every day next year!  See you in 2011!!!!

Short stories via Music

Song writers are like novel writers. Only their stories are put into songs.  A song is basically a short story being portrayed with music.  So really song writers are just as amazing as any other writer!  They fit so much detail into so few words!  And that's real talent!!!

A short story must have the same thing as a novel. A beginning, a middle and an end.  A hook, a cliff and a resolve. The difference is a short story must be told in less words which makes it all that much harder!  (I've tried to write short stories, I can never get so few words in that it's still classified as a 'short' story) 

While I work on my books I am constantly listening to music.  It's what keeps me in the right mood to write the scenes perfectly.  If I'm not in the mood I'm trying to write, it doesn't sound like it.  Music, being as amazing as it is, helps stay in focus.  Along with helping me stay in the right mood for each scene it helps me tell the story.  

Example A:  My nine book series:  One of the big things in my nine book series is that one of the main characters has a song for everything!  So lot's of music is involved (so much that it could almost be called a musical)  So with every thing that happens with that character, theres a song behind it.  I have multiple play lists for each of my characters.  The nine book series is based in the modern day and therefore, for the characters to seem real,  they need a life.  What music they like, favorite foods, hobbies, that favorite place they love to go and be alone. . . etc 

Music helps define a characters personality.  One of my characters listens to classical music.  She is very shy and very soft spoken.  She is a very loving character and through the book you learn so much about her.  She's a violinist and pianist.  She's going to college for a degree in music.  So the type of music she listens to and even plays says so much about her!  

Then there's the character that listens to alternative music and pop.  He's a computer geek that LOVES his technology!!  He's fun to be around, not shy by any means and over all a nice guy!  

So on and so forth.   (the list of characters and their music is pretty long so I will stop here) 

Music and writing are my two favorite things!  And put together they make my dreams come true!!!! 

Writing your own Story

For many, many years it has been pounded into my head that I need to keep a journal.  And in the years past I thought 'wow how boring.'  and never kept one.  But about a year ago I discovered something amazing about keeping a journal!  It's like writing a book, just about yourself!  And amazingly it can be super fun!  I've made a tradition of writing each Journal in a different form.  My current Journal, I am writing in third person.  And with each Journal I change it to something new!


It's also really fun to look for Journals or make them! Personally I go by the really expensive ones that are Handmade in Italy made of leather.  Lot's of people wonder why I bother buying the expensive journals and I tell them 'Because My stories are worth keeping in the best books! And it's true!  And now Journal keeping has become a regular daily habit (though there are a few nights here and there that I forget or am to busy)  But I always keep it up to date and make it as fun to read as possible and I know that one day someone will appreciate the fact that I wrote the stories down and kept them in beautiful books!

Write me a Picture

So many countless times I have been asked to draw a picture. sometimes it can be anything and sometimes it's specific, like a portrait.  For the longest time I told everyone 'I can't draw to save my life' 

At those times I never realized that I could. Just not in the way they wanted.  It took a while for me to see that though I could not do it with the swirls of a pencil, I could do it.  Not with lines of free movement but with words. . . 

I could not only draw them a picture but give them an emotion. Make them feel something with every detail.  I could make a picture worth more than a thousand words!  Now when people ask me if I can draw. . .I tell them 'You bet I can. . . just not in the way you meant.'  (I typically get weird looks and raised eyebrows but people laugh all the same when I tell them what I mean)

Too long

Okay! So sorry that it's been two months since I've posted anything!  This time of year comes and every thing else goes!  Anyways,  I will try to keep up and start posting every day again!  And tomorrow I'm gonna start off with something fun!

Happy Holidays!

No Thought 2 Small

This saying is not just a few words put together to form a clever sentence to me.  'No Thought 2 small' is so much more. . . So because It means so much to me,  I would like to tell you why. . .  it all started in 2007. . . 

. . . The wonderful year that I was welcomed into the writing world. . . 

On a Wednesday evening  I was talking to my two friends, Katie and Laurel.  Somehow we got on the subject of writing books of our own rather than just reading wonderful work by others.  That idea had never occurred to me,  especially seems how I had always hated writing stories for homework.  But talking about it with them sparked a sudden interest.  

It wasn't but a week later that Laurel invited both of us to a new writing club for girls our age put together by nine wonderful women, including Laurel's wonderful mother Michelle.  

I told Laurel that as much as I would love to go, working for my parents had disadvantages such as working until 6 and not getting home till 7 every night.  

From then on I guess Laurel just knew that I was meant to be there because from there she took the matter into her own hands and rather than wait for me to tell her that I wouldn't be able to do it,  she had one of the nine women call my Mom and set things up- and This wonderful women that cared enough to go that extra mile was none other than Karen Hoover- My mom was excited for me to get to do something and made sure that I could stay home on those Tuesdays so that I would be able to make it to the meetings.  

From that point on it was pretty simple.  I stayed home on Tuesday's,  Walked to the library so that I could make it to the 4 o'clock club meeting and learn.  I met lot's of girls my age that had a common interest but I wasn't the chatter box I am now, then.  So I sat with Katie and Laurel and we had a blast!  The third wonderful woman in the group I met was Shanna!  An amazing person with lot's of knowledge to share!  

It was then that I first heard the phrase 'No thought to small'.  Shanna said that while teaching on one of the many Tuesdays that we had a meet.  Though I never wrote it down or realized at the time what it really meant,  it stuck with me.  And now I understand and I believe it with all of my heart.  No matter what Genre you write. . . No matter what the thought or idea. . .it is never to small to write.  Because only you can write the ideas that you come up with,  only you can share your thoughts,  there are NO thoughts to small to write or share or make a book out of.  

About a year ago Katie asked me to go to a High School Football game with her. . I'm not really a football fan but I said yes anyways cause it gave us a chance to hang out.  That night at that game I ran into one of the girls that was at that same book club.  And now Lizzy and I are forever friends and laugh at the fact that it took two years after the club to become friends!  

That's how I got started and with those same women behind my every step, guiding me, teaching me,  and helping me I hope to become a published author.  But not only them but Elizabeth as well, who whenever I have a question she will gladly answer without thought of why she should help me or what she will get out of it. .  . 

So to all those that have helped me so far and will help me further, Thank you!  Thank you to all of my friends and family!  I couldn't do it without you!  

(here are the links to some of the above mentioned )

Laurel Jefferies 

http://laureljefferies.blogspot.com/

Michelle Jefferies 

http://cmichellejefferies.blogspot.com/

Shanna Blythe

http://www.writing4me2.blogspot.com/

Karen Hoover

http://karen-hoover.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth  Mueller 

http://elizabethmueller.blogspot.com/

Thank you all!  Enjoy writing and remember that no matter what others think of your ideas,  there is no thought to small! 

Too Long

Okay sorry!  I know it's been a week since I last posted something!  But  to make up for it, tonight I am posting The story behind 'No thought 2 small'!!

The Dark Divine

If you have not read 'The Dark Divine' by Bree Despain than you are missing out big time!!! Her book is amazing!!!!!  And better yet,  there's a huge giveaway!!  Follow the link!!  And Follow her blog!! She's an amazing writer!!

http://breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/2010/09/countdown-to-lost-saint-contest-tdd.html

It's the Climb

When I hear the song 'It's the climb' by *Miley Cyrus, I think of writing.  . . because when it comes to writing a book,  It's not about how fast you get there, it's not about what's waiting on the other side,  it's the climb.   

And that thought is what's keeping me going right now as I edit.  I began my editing on Monday and well, let's say that I am not very pleased.  I was bored and I wrote the darn book!  BUT,  it is okay because I can fix it and when I am done editing it,  it will be ten times better and that can be said for every time I edit it. .. 

I have the original version,  hand written and horrible.  I mean if I think this version is bad all I have to do is read the original and I will look at the newest version and in comparison it's a master piece!!  

So, when you look at your work and want to cry because you cannot believe that it is so horrible for whatever reason,  just know that you can only learn from your mistakes now, so that on your next piece of work, you won't have to work so hard because you will already be that much farther ahead with your knowledge.  And also remember that while it would be nice to write something as big is Harry Potter or Twilight,  it's not about how fast you get there, or what's  waiting on the other side. . .it's the climb. . . 

*I am not a fan of Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus but I found the song touching in the sense that it was something every writer should know about writing.  So now,  Enjoy the things you write because one day you'll realize that even if it was horrible once you finished , once upon a time while you were writing the piece it made you smile! 

And with that,  I am back to Climbing!   

100 Things that are over used in books

I'm making a list of 100 things that are over used in books, here are the first few, as I read and realize more over used things I will add it to the list!   If you have some you would like added to the list so everyone can see.  Let me know!!  

1. The Dream. . .-Even in Harry Potter J.K Rowling had chapters start with a dream.  Any writer should know that there are much better ways to start chapters! 

2.That Book Shelf moves!!- okay so why out of all your furniture, can that book shelf open up and lead you down a secret passageway?  It's used a little a little to much.  Have something else move so you can get down to that secret room.  

3. Prince Charming- Okay so just because there's a prince in your book doesn't mean he's charming. And even if he is, he deserves more thought to his name.  (babynames.com has lots of great names and lots of great ways to narrow names down) 

4. Edward- There are other great old-fashioned names!  Again, babynames.comThey have tons of names and many ways to search for names so you can narrow down what you are looking for! Plus they have articles from authors to authors on tips for finding the perfect name!!! 

5.Need to Know. . .and You don't need.- That line is a line that has been used waaaaaaaaay to much!!!!  There are other ways to tell people that you're not gonna tell them whatever it is you're talking about!  

6.The Love Triangle- Why triangle?  Why not make it a Love square?  At least it wouldn't have already been used to death.  Oooh Maybe a love Circle!!! ooooh octagon!!

7. Bad Dragon!-  Okay,  why are dragons always mean, and Evil?  what's wrong with Nice dragons?  I actually do have a couple of bad dragons throughout some of my books but I love to have good guy dragons. And in Chinese literature dragons are the protectors of Man kind!  

8. Death of a child-  If a writer wants to get to people's emotions in the book they shouldn't need to kill a child just to get people hyped up!  Find something new to use!  

9.  I'm the bad guy so I'm gonna kill everyone!-  Just because your bad guy is truly evil, does not mean that he just plans on Killing everyone.  There are worse things  than having the characters die!  Find another way for the bad guy to get to people.  

10. I'm the main bad guy so I die in the end!-  This does not need to be so. . . I have quite a few bad guys that actually don't die in the end.  Find some other punishment, as I said above,  there are worse things than dying!

11.This is so Amazing!!!. . . wait! It must be a dream!-  Okay so when something amazing happens to you do you pinch yourself to see if you're dreaming?. . . Didn't think so.  And that probably means that your characters wouldn't do that either.

12. This necklace will make you fly!-  If your character needs a magical piece of something,  don't put it in jewelry!  There are tons of things that can have magical power and lot's of things that can be carried around in your pocket. . .jewelry doesn't need to be the only source and It's been done to death!

13. I'm Dreaming but not really!-  NO MORE DREAMS!  That is not the only or best way to reveal information!  So when your characters needs a revelation,  please reveal while she/he is awake!

14. I'm a villain. . .or am I?-  What if the who you think is the Villain really isn't? What if through his eyes he really is doing the right thing? Then who's the villain?

15. I have a wart on my noes and he has warts on his toes and that makes us bad!- Along the lines of why bad dragons,  why are the trolls and witches -along with so many creatures-  always portrayed as mean beings?  There are nice humans and mean humans,  why can't there be mean trolls and witches and nice trolls and witches?

16. The car crash that killed my parents. . . ok not really but that's what my evil aunt and uncle and grandma and step mom and step dad told me just so I wouldn't ask any questions because really I have magical powers and I'm rich and people are out to kill me.. .- come on really!?!?!?!! Seriously! Why do the parents ALWAYS die in a car crash. . .or so that's what the character was told. Why? Tell the kid that their parents were abducted by aliens. . at this point it would be more original!

17. My parents were killed in a car crash. . .for real this time! Okay seriously, This is one of the most over used excuses for not having parents in your book!! Stop killing off the parents!! Curses, magic, Kidnapping (or parent-napping). . .etc There are millions of other ways to have the parents in or not in the story. Stop killing the parents!! 


18.I am a your hero and your are my heroine. We are in love because we are the main characters. Not because we are perfect for each other. We are in love because we are the entire reason the story was written! Why can't the main hero/heroine fall in love with other characters? 


19. I am the perfect little main character and therefore I know everything, I never mess up and if I do it's someone else's fault. Do you ever make mistakes? Is there ever something you have to look up in a dictionary because you just don't know? There's a good chance that your characters don't know everything. In fact they probably know less than you so if you are googling information, your character might need have to as well!

***More coming soon. ***