I'm smack dab in the middle of my novel. It's been going great for awhile. I was writing at least 2k words a day. But now, for the last week, it has hurt to write 200 words. I always hit that place in a novel where I just don't want to write it.
It's not because it's a bad idea, or the writing sucks. I'm just tired of it. And that's when my other ideas all begin to creep up on me. And my blog becomes more and more interesting.
I haven't written in a week. I'm tired, I feel that I've been overworked even though I haven't been doing anything but watching tv. But, you know what? I'm going to keep writing. Because I believe in my novel and I know that this will pass. It's like a man in a mid-life crisis. I just need a red sports car-like plot thread and then everything will be fine. I'm going to keep going because I believe in my writing. And you should too.
I have obtained a obsession for British tv shows. I don't know what it is about them, they are just more interesting to me than american ones. Well that and all the guys have cute accents :) Anyways, here are my top 3:
#3 Skins:
Skins is an award winning british tv show that is about teens going through the two years in sixth form. It covers just about everything, from eating disorders to metal illness and more. It's pretty racy(which is what ended up killing the american version of the tv show) but I personally like it. It's real, ya know? It's like a way better version of Degrassi in a way.
#2 Being Human:
Being human is a tv show about a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost living together. Crazy, right? Truthfully I like the American version and the UK version (UK version is on the left, US is on the right). They are both funny and make me want to keep watching. But anyone else you ask will probably say the UK version is better. Oh well :/
#1 Misfits
I love this tv show. Oh my goodness I love this tv show. Misfits is about five delinquent teens who get struck by lightning and then get special powers. I heard about it from people on inkpop and so I decided to watch it. I'm addicted. I'm on the second season episode 4 right now and I'm probably going to finish season two tomorrow. E4 has confirmed that there will be a 3rd season witch makes me super happy (as long as I get to watch it on Hulu :D ). The characters are great (Nathan is so funny and I'm in love with Simon!) and it's a show that you just want to keep watching. Part of me doesn't want to finish the second season because I know I'll be dying to watch the third season. So great. I recommend this tv show to everyone. So so so great.
Determination is one of my favorite things. We are all determined to so something at one time or another. Whether it be to become famous( like Marilyn Monroe always wanted) or to scrape up enough money to buy a car and go to college(like me). Determination is what keeps you on your toes.
Right now all I'm determined to do is finish Doppled in Gray. I'm taking steps with that. Right now is finish the first draft. Then edit. Then rewrite. Edit again. Query. From there it gets hazy. If I get an agent, I'll go for traditional publishing. If I get burnt out(which I will after 200+ queries) I'll self publish. I really just want my baby to be read. It doesn't matter how. After Doppled in Gray will come another book that I wrote, and then another. But I'm always going to be determined to keep going.
Who knows, maybe you You have the same goal as me. Maybe you want get published. You want to see your name on a beautiful cover in the bookstore and be able to smile and say, “That was totally worth it.”
Maybe your goal is smaller, maybe you just want to get through the month, the week, the day. It doesn't matter. Life isn't about the outcome it's about how you got there and what pieces you left behind. Maybe it will be huge like JK Rowling's or Oprah's. Maybe it will be tiny. But stay with whatever it is.
Set a goal, make a bucket list. As long as you are determined just trust yourself. You'll get there.
2011 has gotten me to think a lot about love. Yes, I know that it's only halfway through the year but stay with me here. This is important.
Love is something that's important to us all. Love leads to peace, to happiness, to all sorts of things that could potentially help. Love makes the world go round. But love is a folly thing. There are times when people get hurt, when they feel like they are at wits end, when they can no longer stand it any more. But love is what will always make us human. I personally think love is what causes all the other emotions, love makes us smart. It's what makes us real.
Your probably wondering why I'm blogging about something every person already relates to. You have someone you love, whether it be a relative, a partner, a child, friend or just an object. Love makes us all do silly things. And the same happens with your characters.
Characters are like people, they have emotions and one of the biggest ones is love. Love can drive a whole plot, love is what makes characters interesting. But not just love in general. No, I mean how they react to love.
For example, in my novel Doppled in Gray the main character Daze doesn't have any parents. Barely anyone did in the virtual world that she lived in all her life. But they do have people that they call their siblings. They are grouped together at a young age and forced to take care of each other. In the virtual world there isn't hunger or any physical pain necessarily but there is still a lot of emotional turmoil there. Everyone needs someone that they can depend on. With Daze it was Pher. He was the one who took care of her, comforted her when she was scared, made her smile when all she wanted to do was fight. And she did the same for him.
In my opinion novels are all about the characters. How the characters can make something come into being. Make sure that a character has someone or something they love. Whether it be a spaceship, a dog, a person, it doesn't matter. The plot widens because of it. How is the main character going to be able to protect [insert loved thing here] when there is a crazed monster attacking? How is the main character supposed to fall in love when all she/he/it ever knew was how to love a stuffed animal?
Love can make or beak a person. Keep it close. And remember. Whatever happens, love will always be an option.
This weeks inspiration was really all over the place...
Inception theme: Mind heist
I loved writing to this for fight scenes! So thrilling.
Angel and Demon Pic
I really loves how this picture plays out. Not only did it inspire me for a scene but it kinda reminds me of myself thinking about the book. Be super evil or go easy on them. Your right, evil works. >:)
Romance by Apocalyptica
This song inspired an entire scene. Not only do I love the song but I love all the feeling that the cellos bring to the music. But then, maybe I'm biased. I am a cello player, after all.
This really doesn't have anything to do with the story but I loved the look of it. And the cat is just like WTF?! I suppose the reason that I like it is because it portrays the feeling of being lost. Whether it be withing your personal life or literally being lost in totally new situations we will all feel the confusing feelings one time or another. That's why I think humans are social creatures. We need someone to keep our feet on the ground.
The Last Goodbye by David Cook
I heard this song on the radio while I was driving. The sun was shining, shaded by only the trees and the song really ended up speaking to me. I normally don't like David Cook but this song is awesome.
This picture inspired me for my NaNo novel, SEEN. I'm currently just outlining and thinking up idea for it and when I saw this picture it felt like the hoover dam of my ideas for the novel just let loose. So great.
I love the embrace here. You can feel how much they need each other.
Hallelujah by Kate Vogele
I love this song, I have since I heard it on Shrek. And I really became attached to this version. Kate Vogele(how she looks) really helped inspired the look for Dia in my novel Dark and Far but I hated just about all of her actual music. It's funny how for the next book that I'm writing I find out her voice is better than I thought.
Yeah, just had to put this in. I'm doing Camp NaNo and I encourage all my other writer peeps to do it to. It helps so much with just getting done with your first daft. NaNo has really helped my typing skills too.
I just love this gun. I know that only one or two of my female characters can actually handle a gun but I want to learn. I have no idea why I want to learn to shoot. I mean, I know that it's super dangerous and hunting isn't really fair to animals but on the other hand, knowing that you could take someone or something down if you were in danger, you would think that it would make you feel more confident. Especially if your a super lanky girl that can't punch, like me.
Those of you who read this probably know I am an active member on Wattpad.com, have been for a couple of years. I am on a couple of other writing sites also(Inkpop, AbsoluteWrite forums) but Wattpad has always stuck with me, through thick and thin. Though, it seems there has always been one complaint about the site.All the The most popular stories are cliche and poorly written. Well, that is just not true. There may be stories that are poorly written on the site but there are also some that are pretty amazing. So I've decided that once a week I am doing a Watt's Hot on Wattpad post. There will be my top picks for best written stories. They don't necessarily have to be popular, they just have to be well-written and unique. I'm not going to promote stories that are already published or about to be published. It's all about the undiscovered gems here. So lets get started!
In the near-future, mankind succeeds at curing A.I.D.S. However, something much worse fills the void, changing the world forever... This story is actually becoming quite popular, which is a surprise for a SciFi story on Wattpad. It is about a man who cures A.I.D.S but a stronger mutated form of it ends up killing all the women on the planet. So scientist have to come up with a substitute. And that substitutes name is Sylvia. I am usually not attracted to books with male main characters but this is an exception. the author just pulls the reader in without even trying. The story is an excellent read, still in the first few chapters but I'm always excited to read more.
GODS, a scientific branch of the US Department of Defense, has done it. They have genetically engineered the perfect agents. Better, faster, smarter, and stronger than regular humans, these "Gods" are the best any official could ask for. But when someone takes it too far, can Artemis, the sole member with her sanity intact, survive against members of her own kind? This story caught me from the moment I read it. The characters are all so life like, each personality is so distinct you cant help but feel sucked into their world. You feel very sympathetic for Artemis throughout the story. It is still in progress but she updates frequently. Awesome story.
When Krystal loses her best friend, Hanna, in a mysterious accident, she doesn't know what to do with herself. Her life takes a drastic turn after she receives a letter from Hanna, implying that there's more to Krystal than she thinks. Krystal meets a new boy, Maddox, who is tied to her in ways she doesn't yet understand. As she starts to look inside herself she discovers a power that has been hiding deep within her and there are others who'd like to use them for their evil bidding.
This story is one of those stories that catch you from the very beginning. From the first chapter I was hooked. Krystal is one of those characters that you just want to be friends with. In this story everything is just so put together. You just have to love it :)
If you have a story you think should be on next weeks Watt's Hot post you can either comment with the title, user-name and why you think it should be hot or email it to me at SarahWesten@ymail.com
It is that time again. yes the time when I tell you what things have inspired me this week. I"m tring my best to finish chapter nine of Doppled in Gray. I only have one scene left and then I'm done but this is what has inspired me this week!
#1: Avan Jogia
Avan is the closest actor to who I think of when I see Haran. Though I wouldn't mind Taylor Lautner playing him either ;)
#2 A tree monster.
It's best just not to ask how this monster pic has inspired me.
#3 Another monster
This one actually pertains to the actual novel(unlike giant tree monster above)
#4 Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
Ive been listening to this song on repeat ever since I heard it in the Winnie the Pooh trailer(in theaters July 15th lol). I have no idea why it affects me so much but it just does. But it inspired me for a new scene in Doppled in Gray that involves Amber and something that happens in chapter nine(that's all I can say). I'm actually listening to this as a write, funnily enough.
#5 Logan Lerman
I had to do a lot of contemplation about this and I was about change it but yes I believe that Logan Lerman is a good choice for Pher. He would ust have to fix his hair.
#6 The Scientist by Coldplay covered by Natasha Bedingfield.
This, again, is a song that I loved listening to this week. I really want to do it for a dance solo. I LOVE HER VOICE. Just had to say that. It also pertains to a huge part of Doppled in Gray that also has to do with Amber. If your itching to know how look at this line, "Questions of science, Science and Progress, Do not speak As loud as my heart."
I know that six is a weird place to stop but that is all that inspired me this week guys. Stay Inspired! :)
I have always wished that I could be in a band. I mean, the raving crowds, the being able to make music with your friends, all the free stuff. It always seemed just too cool for me. Sadly enough, I haven't tried to learn guitar or bass, only cello. On top of that, I may be able to hold a tune but I can't actually sing.
Music speaks to people in ways that words sometimes cannot. Musicians can get their opinions out almost viral-ly; I'm sometimes jealous beyond words. Here are my top three favorite(and most respected) musicians:
#3 My Chemical Romance
The band was started in 2001 by Gerard Way(frontman) and Matt Pelissier(ex-drummer) about one week after the 9/11 attacks. Seeing those planes crash into the World Trade Center affected Way's life so much that he felt he needed to start a band. The song Skylines and Turnstiles was written about 9/11 and a short time later Ray Toro was invited into the band because Gerard couldn't play guitar and sing at the same time. Mikey Way(Gerard's Brother) coined the band's name after seeing a book by Irvine Welsh called Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance.
Three studio albums later band members Frank Iero, Ray Toro, Gerard Way and Mikey Way are still Going strong with their new album: Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys.
Okay, they may not be the most life altering band in the universe but I had to put them. I have listened to everyone of their songs and almost stalk them everyday on Facebook. I am a Killjoy.
#2 The Beatles
If I didn't put this I wouldn't be allowed to be called a music listener.
The Beatles, an English rock band that formed in 1960 were truly the most groundbreaking musicians of their time. When someone thinks of who changed music the most in the last century in America the answer is easy, The Beatles. The Beatles supported women's rights, gay rights and environmentalism. I respect them in every way but yes there is a reason that the Beatles isn't number one. The Beatles were groundbreaking and supported all these things in their time. But this is our time.
#1 Lady Gaga
I know there might be an uproar when you see this but yes, I truly think that this is the top musician of today. Lady Gaga supports LGBT rights, helped with things like Haiti and Japan, fights against HIV/AIDS and speaks out against Arizona's immigration laws. The Beatles may have been the best of their time but Lady Gaga is now. She is helping our generation(for the better, in my opinion). Put your paws up monsters!
Okay, I've decided to do a weekly inspiration post were I put pictures music or other things that inspired me that week. So here is Inspiration, week 1!
#1: Waiting for the End by Linkin Park.
#2: From DeviantArt
#3
This reminds me so much of Zi, it isn't even funny!
#4: From the movie Tron Legacy.
I'm aware that Loe is a very small character but this picture just fits lol.
#5: Kings and Queens by 30 Second to Mars.
#6
I love how she's levitating! :)
#7: Batmobile from the Dark Knight.
My inspiration for Haran's Beam-R is the batmobile!(except Haran's doesn't have wheels)
#8: Supperclub in San Francisco, California.
I wonder if you can guess what was inspired by this. I mean, beds in a public place? ;)
#9: Cerberus from Kingdom Hearts video game.
This is coming up in chapter 9. That's all I will say for now.
#10: Alex Pettyfer
The person I would love to play Amber if there was a movie!!!
Doppled in Gray has been so fun to write and inspiration is coming from everywhere!
Most people don't realize how much I love Star Wars. It is my favorite series of movies of all time. Period. I want to name the first boy I have Anakin. I'm a hardcore fan. It's my SciFi muse! But as I was writing(Doppled in Gray) today I realized how star wars and all other sci-fi movies/ tv shows/ books/ etc. effected the world we live in today. Here are some examples:
*Cell Phones
Yep, it's true. The gadget that we(well at least I) use the most today all started with a scifi idea. To be more specific, Star Trek's idea. Martin Cooper, inventor of the cell phone admits that the cellphone that he created was influenced by the communicator on Star Trek. And forty years later we have something even better. Iphones!
*Second Life
Second life, a virtual world developed by Linden labs, has also been fueled from the SciFi nation. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson was about a virtual-reality on the internet might be. He also is one of the people that made the word "avatar" popular. Philip Rosendale, creator of Second Life said that his creation of Second Life was before the book but it did help fuel his ideas and make them become a reality.
*Touchscreen
One of my favorite inventions inspired by SciFi is probably the touchscreen. It first appeared in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" in the form of the guide. It appeared again in Star Trek: The Next Generation. And now it is in the forms of Iphones, Ipads, Ipods, computers and more!
SciFi doesn't always predict the future. I mean, I haven't gotten my complimentary hoverboard from the government yet and I found out that a holodeck would be our apocalyptic end(that's the biggest bummer ever). But keep dreaming SciFi creators and maybe, just maybe, one of your mind babies will become a reality.
May the force be with you while you live long and prosper!
I've been thinking about writing in a male's perspective. I may be the only one but it just fascinates me when a girl writer really captures a male main character. Especially if it's in first person.
So here are some things I learned today when trying to figure out how to capture the males perspective in a novel.
-Suggestions I saw a lot were interview a guy. Try to figure out his like, dislikes, how he acts around his friends(all the different groups of them), what makes him nervous and more.
-A males brain is more linear. The emotions don't clash as much so usually(there is an exception to every rule though) they are more logical when it comes to relationship problems.
-Make sure to include their background in the story and how you think it would effect them. For example a guy that went to military school would be more stoic than one that went to a public school.
-When telling the difference between male and female speech mannerisms are most important. Guys talk very differently from girls. Listen into conversations, see how guys talk to guys, how they talk to girls, how they talk to their parents, their spouse.
-Don't forget! When writing in a males perspective don't try to make the character super manly all the time. Every guy is different, just like how every girl is different. Male authors don't perceive women as people who always want to talk about their feelings and what outfit they want to buy at (insert cute clothes store here). So remember, they're humans before men.
I've recently had a very large urge to edit but I haven't had the time, patience or energy to do it. Its been so frustrating(especially because of my need to get back into the world of Subverse). So I've decided to make a list of the best tips for editing your novel.
#1 Wait for at least a month to start editing.
When I first ended my novel I was so engulfed in the story still that I wanted to get involved in editing right away. But as soon as I started at the first chapter I knew I wasn't going as deep as I should into reading so I could edit well. I still remembered half the lines I had written! So learn from my example and set it aside for awhile, take a break, read a book ;)
#2 NEVER line edit first. You might as well break the first rule if you do.
I personally suggest printing out you story fully and reading it through once. If you absolutely have to(because you think you will die if you don't) you can do a little bit of grammar editing and such but what you want to focus on is plot holes, things you forgot, scenes you want to add/take away, character inconsitencies etc.
#3 Become a temporary grammar Nazi.
Get all the books on proper grammar you can, practice your hardest editing skills. Leave no gramatical error untouched. Be the most ruthless critic of them all.
#4 There's no such thing as a good writer when it comes to novels, just a good re-writer.
I can guarantee that not all of your novel will be absolutely perfect the first time around. Sometimes(like in my case) very far from it. Whenever you have a scene that you aren't totally feeling re-write it and see if you like the re-written version better. A lot of the times you'll end up combining the best parts :)
#5 Get a Beta
When you feel like you have done everything possible for your novel get another pair of eyes to look at it. New eyes always catch inconsistencies that sometimes the writer doesn't.
I'm supposed to be studing but I cant stop thinking of my newest WIP, SEEN. I'll post the first two sentences at the bottom of the post, tell me if you think they're gripping enough. Anywaysss... I'm thinking of getting more involved in inkpop again. I have an account but i haven't used it in foreverr and all I have up is poetry. :/
I love wattpad and I have a mibba and an quizzilla but quizzila is fusterating and mibba is confusing. Wattpad is the most welcoming in my opinion. Anyways, I'll probably get back into inkpop and try Mibba again for awhile. What's your favorite writing site?
Here's the first 2 sentences of my WIP:
My history teacher once said that Alvarado street used to be one of the most dangerous streets in Monterey County. Little did he know, when you're invisible, it still is.
Finals is next week so instead of writing I'm going to be studying all weekend. >:(
I'm happy about Doppled in Gray. It's coming along very well and I'm excited to write the next part. Truthfully I've been waiting for it since I started the book. The introducing of Haran. My favorite character in the book :D He's handsome, smart, compassionate and yet to find out all this about him you actually have to get to know him. He's modeled off a friend of mine. :)
Besides that I'm working on Trials and Tribulations('nother story) and the Subverse story AND a totally new one. I really need to set up a schedule and/ or organize my thoughts.
I have a new story that really caught my attention. Will post some of it asap. :)
Until later
:*
I've finished Dark and Far a while ago but it needs to be badly edited. I'm to lazy to do it myself but I know that since its the first draft no one is going to want to beta. So its on the backburner(right next to Trials and Tribulations, that desperately needs an outline).
So right now I have started a new story on Wattpad called Doppled in Gray.It's scifi and so easy to get lost in the crazy world of doppelgangers and their sad dysatopian lives. I'm worried that it wont be long enough to be an actual novel(haven't really plotted that far into the future lol) but i think it has the makings of it, maybe.
Love the rush that writing has been giving me :D but should i start back up with editing?
