My Journal

I figured I might as well give it a try. I saw Marie's post, read through her list (hell yeah!) and decided to make my own. So, here it is...
 

101 Things About me
Or the more appropriately named: The List of Things You Didn't Want to Know

1)      Apparently I’m too “blunt”.

2)      Fun fact: I don’t care :’)

3)      Baseball is awesome.

4)      Hockey is awesome.

5)      Those two sports need to make love and have a hybrid baby.

 

( Read more... )

As the title says, THAT may will be where I end up and you can all thank my novel BLOODSTONE for that.

All my life, I've been great at making decisions, I pick something, and I stick to it. Unforunately, all those years of discipline seem to have little meaning when it comes to my novel.

I thought that the two weeks off would benefit my planning stage: (mostly plot, the world building I've 99.9% completed). But all it served was to further add forks into my already split plot-line. So many different way to start the story, so many different ways in which they meet Lamont. I think I'm feeling overwhelmed by the world I've created, scared at the prospect of having to explain the world to the reader (how much information do I reveal, when and where?).

And then of course I have to keep in mind that SOMEWHERE within this novel, Mathias and his group have to make their grand appearace. Personally, I think it's all too much for a single novel to take in, considering all the other sub-plots.

Because I've strayed from the oringal plot, most of the action/story doesn't even take place in nearby (or INSIDE) the human cities. When I realized this, I thought: "what a shame, it's the perfect environment to SHOW the state of the world (or part of it) without having characters narrating the information to one another".

=_____=;; Aaahhhhhh! Someone, hand me a straight-jacket!

So THEN I realized that Lemont's story has become lost within this tangled web of...er...plotyness (that's not a word!), which is a big NO-NO, considering his journey/decisions/determination to save Elaine impacts Blissey and Vyra. It looks like I may have to hold back the appearance of Mathias and his group (Carmilla, Liolet, Trap Jaw).

When I finally settle for HOW the story takes shape, I will go out, buy a six pack and celebrate.

And if I fail I'll most likely end up in a padded cell.

:'(

To more precise, plot-bunny hunting.

Here's the load-down. Picture me: on the computer, 5:30pm, going through my folders, preparing to send off two chapters of my novel for work-shopping next week. That's when it happens, a silhouette emerging behind me, getting closer and closer until finally...

SHA-BAM!

In one swing, the plot-bunny bashes a new idea into my head - ABOUT THE VERY SCENE I AM GOING TO BE SENDING OFF!

After a good minute or so of cursing, and shaking my fists up at the heavens (well, ceiling, in my case), I decided...Tracy forgive me...to REWRITE THE DAMN THING! I know, I know, I should have probably just sent the two chapters off and THEN began the tedious task of reworking the scenes. But, then the thought occurred to me: it would defeat the entire purpose of what work-shopping should be about.

I LOVED this new idea, thought it brought more...action/tension to the chapters, made it more interesting than just having a fight scene. If I had already put all my heart into it, then I wouldn't actually care about the previous draft. And that wouldn't be fair to my class-mates. Their comments wouldn't matter, because hey, the scene is different!

So, I have been speed-typing at an astronomical rate, trying to finish the reworked draft in time to send it off. I just know I'll get hanged on Tuesday.

CURSE YOU PLOT BUNNY!

And Marie...don't...just don't...say...a...word.

What's the last thing you wrote?

The last thing I wrote (that I can remember, lol), is a short 400 word length piece we did for homework. The writing task was: Write about your main character through the eyes of someone else in your story. It was loads of fun, I got to know my characters, and I realized the "We Hate Blissey" fanclub was much bigger than I had recently thought. Poor Blissey, all she wants to do is kill stuff. D=

Was it any good?

In my opinion? Yes. I believe I've captured Lamont's voice quite well. He's well educated, comes from a higher society and is a scientist. So...yes, I think it good. =) But good is different from GREAT! Lol, had to throw that in.

What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?

Somewhere, in the depths of my forgotten paperwork, I have a story I had written in grade 7 (never really finished it). I remember it was about a girl named Joker. Here I'm thinking: "Damn, I use to SUCK at naming my characters".

Write poetry?

All the time, SURPRISINGLY! =D
When I'm stuck, or having nothing to do and feel like writing, I just sit down and freestyle. It helps, because I don't have to write any actually 500 word piece. Poetry comes easy. I've also written poems for my BLOODSTONE, world, figured it'd flesh out the world more.

Favourite genre of writing?

That would have to be dark fantasy/sci-fi, or urban fantasy. Blood is always good. Explosions are awesome. Stupid situations are what I live for. =) And I always have to throw some comedy in there.

Most fun character you've ever created?

Teddy, hands down. She's a walking, talking, three foot Teddy Bear bestowed with the powers of the universe. The only problem is...it's completely random and she has no control over it. It's activated when she sneezes. So yeah, she sneezed on one of my characters and turned her into an octopus. She's also like a gaint plot-hole walking around. She can change situations, change time, bring inanimate objects to life. She is just awesome. I'm still trying to find a way to bring her into one of my stories. There will probably have to be backstory.

Most annoying character you've ever created?

Klara, and it was intentional. But now that I think about, The Character Formerly Known As Elaine, was annoying too. She just irked me and I couldn't never stand why, she wasn't SUPPOSED to annoy me. xDD So, after character redrafts, I believe I've come up wth a less annoying person. THANK GOD! Maybe now a blouder won't have to crush her. Hehe.

Best plot you've ever created?

My BLOODSTONE series. The biggest and best I've written to date. I have the twists and turns, and of course, the characters. The characters put themshelves in such horrible circumstances, while at other times, it just seems like God's laughing at them, and messing with their lives. xD That God is me. So if I ever end up in my novel, I will on a number of hit-lists.

Coolest plot twist you've ever created?

Again, this is going out to BLOODSTONE. Lets just say that Mathias and Blissey have more in common than they know. Mwahahaha!

How often do you get writer's block?

A lot less now, actually. I think it's because I've plotted out my story, so I KNOW what's going to happening and when. I just work better with an overall picture in my head.

Write fan fiction?

Does fan fiction of my own work count? If not, than no. I just can't be bothered.

Do you type or write by hand?

It's a combination of both - though I'll say that I type a lot more than I actually write.

Do you save everything you write?

Are you insane? OF COURSE I DO! MY MUSES WOULD KILL ME IF I DIDN'T!

Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?

There were ideas in my first draft of BLOODSTONE that I abandoned. But, surprise, surprise, I'm back to where I started! I'm glad though, this story has more beef to it. Mmmmm, beef.

What's your favorite thing you've written?

A series of random scenes involving Teddy and the people stuck with her.

Do you ever show people your work?

Of course, that's half the fun, watching other people look t your work. BLOODSTONE goes to Marie and Jess, for workshopping thought. No one else has really seen anything (probably cause there's not much to see, I'm still in the planning stages). Hey! Slow and steady wins the race! I KNOW YOU'RE READING THIS MARIE! QUIT LAUGHING! DDDD<

Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?

Angsty Teen Drama - GOD NO! Thank heavens for that.

Romance - I usually have a romantic thread in my story...aside from the explosions and massive body count. GO VIOLENCE!

What's your favorite setting for your characters?

My favorite would have to be the military base Blissey and her team...attack...there are a lot of neat things that happen there, lots of cool gadgets and machines of death!

How many writing projects are you working on right now?

Bloodstone is the main big one. I have two others, but I'm not spending as much time on them. Bit by bit I've been plotting and detailing.

Do you want to write for a living?

HELL YES! Does that answer your question?

Have you ever won an award for your writing?

I don't write many short stories. I'm concentrating on my novel.

Ever written anything in script or play format?

Sometimes when I am fleshing out a scene for my novel, I write it in script form. It helps because you are not bogged down on description and you can concenrate on what's actually happening in the scene and what you're characters are saying.

What are your five favorite words?

Caffeine, caffeine, caffeine, caffeine, and, here it comes...caffeine! You didn't see that coming, did you?

Do you ever write based on yourself?

Nope.

What character have you created that is most like you?

I'd have to say Vyra, Blissey's sister. We have the same type of humor.

Where do you get ideas for your characters?

Pfft, God knows. They seem to srping from some demented abyss. Mostly though, I'd have to say from toys, or objects, or pieces of clothing. Other times they just appear...just knocking on my brain: "Hey! It's mmmeeee! Write about me!" DDD<

Do you ever write based on your dreams?

Not that I know of.

Do you favour happy endings, sad endings or cliff-hangers?

Happy endings (the Disney in me) and cliff-hangers (IF they are good).

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen?

Some times. Pictures help create a mood. So yeah, if I see something creepy, I save it.

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

YES! I edit AS I write. I can't leave any mistakes untouched or I will have a nervous breakdown.

Ever write anything in chatspeak (how r u?)

Are we talking about my fiction writing? Nope. In real life though I sometimes do it when sending an SMS

Entirely in L337?

I wish, that would be awesome! Haha. But no, I can't L337, not very good at it. DDD=

Was that question appalling and unwriterly?

Um...not if you're writing about an android? xDD I don't know. It wasn't for me. I found it to be an interesting and freshing question. Wasn't expecting it.

Does music help you write?

Yes. It helps. But if I'm on a roll, I tend to stay away from music.

Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.

"I will kill you FIVE times before you hit the floor!"
Vyra to enemy, Bloodstone scene.

I've always been on the lookout for character templates. Before starting any story, I make sure I know my characters. When I have a basic idea I fill out the template. Later, I add on to it. Normally my second phase of character development involves me drilling into my character's head - her family history, their fears (before and after), their friends, their complete life story...you can imagine how many pages I fill up. :)

So, here's a template I've come across. I can't remember which site I got it off from, it was a while back. D:

Basic Statistics
Name:
Age:
Hometown:
Current Residence:
Occupation:
Income:
Talent/Skills:
Birth order:
Siblings (describe relationship):
Significant other(s) (describe relationship):
Relationship skills:

Looks like JJ has finally made a livejournal account. I just couldn't let Marie have all the fun. :)
Now I have to go and find new batteries before my freakin' keyboard dies. >_<;

Ciao!