tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76242850833434414972012-02-16T22:02:01.688-05:00Most of the oddball musings you will find on these pages are either the result of a random writing prompt, a childish dare - likely from a child, or an idea sparked by a random happening or muse. The rest are likely just the ramblings of a somewhat senseless mind or the recording of some tidbit deemed useful or inspiring. Enjoy your visit!Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.comBlogger721100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-83440144280052250512008-05-22T10:07:00.001-04:002008-05-22T10:07:58.453-04:00

Ms. Snark Says:Any time you see "was" "had" "were" with another verb you can probably remove it and spiff up your writing 100%.

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-78623972981850260102008-05-07T21:38:00.002-04:002008-12-10T20:58:12.447-05:00

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-40938900570377130692008-05-07T21:29:00.004-04:002008-05-08T09:20:42.866-04:00

I have finished the first edit of Chapters 1 & 2 of DS. I started by taking a critical look at the prologue, admiring my genius in backstory, then whacking it off. I continued my mad quest by hacking away at the first chapter, leaving only about 10% of it, and cleaning up the second chapter, which is where the story really started. I may have to work in a few of the details later, but 5,000 words

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-76741696678172612312008-05-01T17:28:00.002-04:002008-05-08T09:24:59.861-04:00

The holidays and taxes took more out of me than I thought they would, but I'm not sorry for the break. My current WIP has morphed into two: A couple of hours a day doing the first edit on the first novel (DS) and starting the rough draft on a completely new novel (CV).Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." ~

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-71132464374729460332007-10-29T20:25:00.001-04:002008-05-08T08:45:43.341-04:00

Burn-out has reared it's ugly head. I've decided to take off through the holidays, let my rough draft stew, and enjoy the family for a while. I'll try to get back to it by January, but I won't kick myself too much if I don't get to it until I recover from tax season.“You’re through. Finished. Burned out. Used up. You’ve been replaced. . . forgotten. That’s a lie!” ~ Chuck Swindoll

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-82947340398460680582007-10-19T21:51:00.001-04:002008-05-07T21:36:11.943-04:00

During my editing session today, I was highly amused to discover that my heroine was a master of magic clothes changing! She started out in a mint green jogging suit, morphed into jeans and a t-shirt, and ended up in her professional clothes. All in the span of a few minutes. Nice talent.It is perfectly okay to write garbage--as long as you edit brilliantly. ~ C. J. Cherryh

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-1221988123745987732007-10-13T16:26:00.000-04:002007-10-13T17:52:49.702-04:00

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-55490255809378073132007-10-10T11:46:00.000-04:002007-10-10T11:46:51.211-04:00

Progress Bar Maker

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-66612826831269749532007-10-09T12:14:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.458-04:00

Four hundred four pages of printed text - spiral bound and ready to be edited. I opted to have a printer run it off for me because the cost of the ink and paper for my printer was actually about the same - and this way it gets a cool glossy cover and a nifty spiral binding. Spiral binding is a good idea for me. That way I don't lose the pages or get them out of order and spend hours putting them

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-83333406419631119822007-10-08T18:39:00.000-04:002007-10-08T18:41:54.969-04:00

johnaugust.comAs you’re figuring out the story you want to tell, ask yourself a few questions: What’s the next thing this character would realistically do?What’s the most interesting thing this character could do?Where do I want the story to go next?Where do I want the story to end up eventually?Does this scene stand up on its own merit, or is it just setting stuff up for later?What are the

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-49631454314864926152007-10-04T11:01:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.459-04:00

Ah no! I've spent all of today fixing my dying computer. I've got it up and running again, but it's getting up there in age and I really need to get a new one. I hope this one can last just a little while longer!Even so, I roughed out a few more chapters in the second book's outline. I was frustrated when the outline I made for my last book veered off course, but in the end I think it helped

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-943653146267005132007-10-03T08:16:00.001-04:002007-10-03T08:23:47.944-04:00

They call us by many names. Elena. Hazel. Camille.The fury in our arms is the beacon of death for those that steal the very marrow from our sea. Kill our children. Murder our parents. Pump the life from our beds.When unleashed, our fury reigns complete. We walk on the water and onto your shores with the rage of the sky and sea around us. We take back what is ours, but we dare not stay long.The

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-71590788552583946622007-10-01T12:22:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.460-04:00

Now that the first draft of the first book is done, the soft edits (spelling, etc) done, and the print ordered, I'm spending the week tweaking the rough outline and setting up a basic plot for #2. I already know the characters. They both starred as minors in the first book, and bringing them into the limelight for the second seems natural.When I receive the rough draft from the printer (it was

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-20852360199583340192007-09-30T16:49:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:12.803-05:00

I did it! The first draft is done at just over 90k. With ten minutes to go on my self-imposed deadline, the draft comes in at 90,183 words. I'm going out to dinner!Tomorrow I start on the first round of editing.You just never know what you can do until you try!Some Stats:I spent 90.25 hours writing 90,183 words.I averaged 2,732 words per day and 999 words per hour.I spent an average of 2.73 hours

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-21100179099565450032007-09-30T09:46:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:58:12.922-05:00

For some reason, the words just flew onto the screen yesterday. It's almost as if the rest yesterday acted like a bottle stop, and when I let them loose there was no containing it.Tomorrow is my deadline to finish the first draft. I need to write 4,617 words to reach the 90,000 goal.I have no problem seeing this done already.There are times when quantity is at least as important as quality in

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-9423341026227929192007-09-28T21:44:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.462-04:00

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young. ~ W. Somerset Maugham

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-71711025856690298702007-09-27T18:01:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:13.178-05:00

With my word count for the day done, I began to dream of the next book in the series, then wondered if I should work on book#2 instead of Cracked Return.Knowing the people who dared me to write Cracked Return were waiting anxiously for the finished book by Christmas, I just couldn't disappoint. So here I am, musing on this weird and fantastical book that is on the far reaches of what I have

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-47314506578678634172007-09-27T17:57:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:13.333-05:00

Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way. ~ E.L. Doctorow

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-10221147813675227592007-09-26T17:42:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:13.702-05:00

Don't ever tell me the odds. ~ Han Solo in Star Wars (George Lucas)

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-55373991251174382322007-09-25T17:00:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:13.939-05:00

You will be published if you possess three qualities—talent, passion, and discipline. You will probably be published if you possess two of the three qualities in either combination—either talent and discipline, or passion and discipline. You will likely be published if you possess neither talent nor passion but still have discipline. Just go to the bookstore and pick up a few “notable” titles and

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-89375862951037295912007-09-24T17:00:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:14.152-05:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. ~ Marianne Williamson.

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-12595883510499984822007-09-23T08:33:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.466-04:00

I've locked the door. I'm going to try laying the little ones down for a nap and letting the older ones watch them until I'm "off" work. They've been told not to knock on my door or come into the office unless the house is burning down or they are bleeding. They are old enough to feed themselves a snack without my help, I think.Go for the moon. If you don't get it, you'll still be heading for a

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-18847020065108298512007-09-22T08:26:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.467-04:00

This weekend will be sparse as far as actual word count because (1) I have three birthdays to celebrate this week and (2) I am reworking some earlier chapters for the storyline.I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. ~ William Allen White

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-34026863871067317992007-09-21T20:05:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.468-04:00

I've written over 1k words just in resetting scenes that didn't quite fit in with the plot. The original outline is out the window. The current plot is much better. Everything is coming together nicely now. I think I'll keep it.Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-61833292624550286302007-09-20T09:08:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.468-04:00

The actual words written was higher - around 1700 or so, but I had to delete an entire scene and rework it because it no longer fit with the storyline.Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. ~ Pablo Picasso

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-51250975380637037402007-09-19T19:54:00.000-04:002007-09-19T19:54:36.920-04:00

Leigh Fairbanks | Steps to Love: "The steps to love are: 1. Conflict 2. Respect 3. Trust 4. Love"

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-90189074175660334852007-09-19T15:47:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:58:14.286-05:00

My average word count for today was over 1600 words per hour. That's over twice what I started out with. I'm either getting faster at storyweaving, or I've worked out some internal storylines that were bothering me and today the words just flowed easier...Advice is like manure. You need to use it sparingly and consider the source. ~ Dolores Feldon

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-31725189310764094032007-09-19T13:08:00.000-04:002007-09-19T13:09:26.757-04:00

FAQ: Andrew Jameson How to Write a Query Letter - Absolute Write Water Cooler: "I'm not an expert on writing query letters, or on what agents want, but I am an expert on researching information. So I put together a bunch of information from different sources on how to write query letters. Most of the information below is sourced from one or more agents or authors; the original source is a click

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-85857932757364300212007-09-19T09:49:00.000-04:002007-09-20T08:23:39.099-04:00

Absolute Write Water Cooler: This forum is a community of writers and editors of all levels.National Novel Writing Month - Forums: "National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30."

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-71514944363841123282007-09-18T10:37:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.470-04:00

Like yesterday, these words were all written long hand. I came closer to the mark this time!The definition of a writing career is: Write a book. Write another book. Write another book. Nowhere in that description is included: Take one story and make it a monument to every idea you ever had or ever will. ~ Holly Lisle

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-40641273988023762122007-09-17T10:55:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.471-04:00

I did not use the computer at all yesterday. Each word was written by hand, and then transferred into the computer. It looked like a lot more on paper!It is not the critic who counts;Not the man who points out where the doer of deeds could have done better;The credit belongs to the man actually in the arena;Who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-65213222554360511012007-09-16T13:11:00.000-04:002007-09-16T13:18:20.982-04:00

Overcoming the Fear of Writing a Synopsis | Writer's Resource Center: "By Vicki M. Taylor If you noticed, I didn’t entitle this article ‘Overcoming YOUR Fear of Writing a Synopsis.’ I don’t think you own the fear anymore than I do or any other writer. We all share a common emotion, one that can be summed up in one word: Formidable."5 Steps to Writing A Synopsis: "By Vivian Beck"

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-58379723339995782172007-09-16T11:38:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:14.493-05:00

Woohoo! 3719 words done before noon even!I wrote an exhausting emotional scene.. then skipped ahead to reward myself and wrote the final scene. The framework is in place, now I just have to fill in the holes.I have about 30k words left in the middle and 36 in the ending. The beginning has about 15k words too many, and will need edited to clean up the wordiness eventually.I want two things, and

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-9908677309984171722007-09-15T12:21:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:14.672-05:00

My spreadsheet word count tracker tells me that the first draft will be finished by September 30 at this pace. Pooh. I was hoping to be done by September 27. I guess I'll have to pick up the pace a little.Instead, I took an online quiz for the fun of it.and another....

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-84795815390773274292007-09-14T15:39:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:14.819-05:00

Just in time too! I finished just in time to shut everything down and get ready for a business meeting that I can't miss. Talk about deadlines and pressure.Writing is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress. Then it becomes a master, then a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-53455971181353483212007-09-14T08:09:00.000-04:002007-09-14T08:35:16.603-04:00

I recently picked up a copy of 45 Master Characters: Mythic Models for Creating Original Charactersand went through it, one character archetype at a type. I was looking for inspiration for my novel, as my heroine seemed insipid and stupid and my hero had a multiple personality disorder that confused even me.After reading about the mythic models, and the subsequent chapters on the male and female

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-58428385087103360682007-09-13T19:43:00.001-04:002008-05-07T21:35:22.473-04:00

There are too many plot holes. Characters hate me. (sniff - not)Must spend some time working them out and pulling together the characters.Writing is easy. All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead. ~ Gene Fowler

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-891830417718254542007-09-11T18:34:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:58:15.531-05:00

I only had two minor crises to deal with today, so my word count went along smoothly enough. I actually wrote about 4K - but I had to drop a scene because it didn't fit, so I wrote a little extra to make up for it. My actual word count is up 3087 as of now.First thoughts are not always the best. ~ Vittorio Alfieri

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-25710010051499683402007-09-11T12:02:00.000-04:002007-09-11T15:33:19.685-04:00

Writing Action Scenes: "Writing action scenes can be troublesome --especially for romance writers, who are accustomed to thinking in terms of emotions and relationships-- because as a rule action scenes don't include much if any introspection or exposition. When your characters are in the middle of the action, they don't have time to think about what's happening. And if the author interrupts the

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-13225940151991439772007-09-10T15:45:00.001-04:002008-12-10T20:58:17.925-05:00

Footsteps in the snow suggest where you have been, point where you were going: but where they suddenly vanish, never dismiss the possibility of flight... ~ Diane Duane, A Wizard Alone

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-65404823713861509252007-09-09T20:32:00.000-04:002007-09-20T08:18:38.678-04:00

I was right - some type of lung flu. I took some herbs that should help clear the fluid from my lungs (I've had this many times before and will again) and hopefully I will be better tomorrow. My DH bought me a nice smooth writing pen, I propped myself up in bed (or on the couch) and worked on my male main character - who is a complete ass. He doesn't want to be what I wanted him to be at all.

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-56006329341866479592007-09-08T14:50:00.000-04:002007-09-21T10:52:03.650-04:00

I meant to get back to writing after a quick nap, but I think the start of another bout of bronchitis is coming on...The enemy is not the badly written page; it is the empty page. ~ Timothy Hallinan

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-26250736245160473542007-09-08T07:32:00.000-04:002007-09-08T13:34:53.776-04:00

Note: This is a writing exercise and isn't completely coherent. It is unedited and raw, and I have little desire to clean it up. Read at your own risk.Cyran looked around at the dry landscape and longed for his lush island. The days here were long and hot, the nights frigid, the air stale. He would be home if it weren’t for Moresa. Yet another escapade called him to this land.Trouble clung to

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-28311683664182190342007-09-07T14:20:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:19.039-05:00

I have discovered, through keeping a small log this past week, one of the reasons I am having so much difficulty concentrating on the actual writing. I can take snippets of time and make a map, or a book cover, or outline the next scene, or figure out what color the heroine's mother's ex-boyfriend's eyes are. But to make the characters, setting, plot come alive, I have to visualize it - much like

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-22138589604033624992007-09-07T08:06:00.000-04:002007-09-07T08:22:46.419-04:00

After working on the next day's scene outline on my current novel, I allowed myself to wander into the realm of Cracked Return for a bit. It was either that, or watch a football game, and while I don't mind being physically present while the guys relieve their machismo, the sport fascinates me for all of two minutes at a time.So, Cracked Return got a soft glance and a bit of thought. Here are the

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-32437155696102406232007-09-06T19:38:00.000-04:002007-09-21T10:52:48.991-04:00

Yes, I wasted too much time playing with the nanowrimo theme, but in all fairness I couldn't get enough quiet time to work on my book seriously. Too many people vying for too little time...I did, however, work a little more on one of my maps, named a few cities, built an aqueduct I didn't previously know existed, and figured out how to get goods from one end of the continent to the other without

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-35571478925454370052007-09-06T18:15:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:19.622-05:00

I tentatively chose the following for the nanowrimo project:Title: Cracked ReturnPlot: This story starts on our world in a magical age in a galaxy of magic. In it, a tomb-robber who has annoyed the gods falls in love with an antisocial rascal. What role will a legal dispute play in their relationship?Hero: Austin LangHeroine: Selena Leanne Pratt

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-11847276278783373702007-09-06T15:25:00.000-04:002007-09-06T17:18:49.735-04:00

Miranda James: NaNoWriMo: "Someone dared me to write a book based on online generators and, for giggles, publish it to lulu for the group to order and/or read." I thought this would be a good project for nanowrimo.So, here are the random generators we used and the results we came up with. Fortunately for me, the 'rules' are flexible.TITLERandom Title Generator by Maygra: "Random Title Generator

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-13712695146042654702007-09-06T15:09:00.000-04:002007-09-08T11:11:06.802-04:00

Someone dared me to write a nanowrimo book based on online generators and, for giggles, publish it to lulu for the group to order and/or read.National Novel Writing Month - Content: "What is NaNoWriMo? National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight,

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-77852588127494587172007-09-06T14:31:00.000-04:002007-09-06T14:28:48.680-04:00

Vince let his friend’s head fall to the side and scanned the area. It was a quiet neighborhood with tree encrusted houses on one side and Waterfall’s cemetery on the other. The sky was just beginning to lighten the sky to the east. Crickets chirped behind him in the distance, oblivious to the shroud that had fallen. The cemetery was as silent as the concrete angels that watched over it. Vince

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-70935078286491645472007-09-05T19:53:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:19.790-05:00

I also worked on the maps to two of the moons that circle the planet in my book. I spent some time on characterization of my heroine, because she just seems so uninspiring and weak. She talks too much, too. Of course, she's supposed to, because it irritates everyone including the hero, but it irritates me too.

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-60708863485812672762007-09-05T10:40:00.000-04:002007-09-05T10:37:48.420-04:00

The ground rumbled beneath his feet and Mic looked up, assessing the potential damage of this latest quake. It built to ferocious intensity quickly, terrifying the already traumatized souls who lingered nearby and causing the frightened mass to run in panic from the rift that snaked across the ground. Mic ran along with the others, avoiding the falling tents and bodies, helping those whom he

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-79287290106880482082007-09-05T07:48:00.000-04:002007-09-05T10:38:40.347-04:00

Why do I post unedited pieces of my work, pieces I should probably be embarrassed to share because I know they are mostly drivel - unpolished and unloved scraps of muse that might otherwise fall to the wayside because they were only practice meant to keep my mind in the conscience process of writing?Five EASY Ways To Become A Confident Writer: "Develop a writing practice. You can only become

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-63502802090965632482007-09-04T08:29:00.000-04:002007-09-19T19:19:07.217-04:00

I tried the snowflake method, and my OCD personality really wanted it to work, but it just seemed to sap all of the creativity out the story. I felt like I was pushing along through sludge. I apparently like the discovery of the story as much as the writing, but I need a way to keep the storyline focused and not wandering all over the place.In any case, I chucked the outline I'd created, reworked

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-56894214492366840152007-09-04T07:51:00.000-04:002007-09-04T07:48:40.393-04:00

The mournful call of the loon resounded through her soul. Sad, plaintive, it called to its lost mate, a furtive echo of love lost. The air was still and thick, not the smallest breeze to offer any release from the oppressive atmosphere. The moisture in the heavy air clung to her skin, hot and sticky as it suffocated. She found it difficult to even turn her head, so heavy did the air around her

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-9916750395182445032007-09-03T19:21:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:20.025-05:00

I spent a good hour last night, in bed and waiting for sleep to claim me, plotting out the next few scenes. It helped a little, but probably only because it was the direction the characters wanted to go anyway. I wonder if other writers have as much trouble controlling their characters as I do?Don't write action scenes. Write suspense scenes that require action to resolve. ~ John Rogers

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-17885656564634891562007-09-03T13:41:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:20.236-05:00

I wasn't going for any awards when I threw together this little gem, I was mainly procrastinating. But - at least this diversion had some purpose. Yes, I know my hero's world is different from Earth. Not terribly so, but enough that I'll have to explain it at some point. Yes, I know what each moon looks like, feels like, for the most part.What I couldn't picture was what it would look like on

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-63220978676628312252007-09-03T09:29:00.000-04:002007-09-05T11:24:13.405-04:00

Holly has a fun and engaging way of presenting her material, and I gleaned quite a few nuggets from my perusal of her site.Dialogue Workshop: "Avoid goofy tags. 'Really?' he ejaculated, or, 'My God!' she blustered don't do much for your credibility. If you have to have anything, use he said or she said. Frankly, most of the time you don't even need that. Your dialogue, if you've been true to it,

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-3349695124804989712007-09-03T08:31:00.000-04:002007-09-03T08:29:02.416-04:00

The house loomed large and imposing. It was odd, for a home, and it seemed to set her nerves on edge just looking at it. The windows were unimpressive, simple and set in the long straight rectangular face at regular intervals, more like an office building than a home. She mused that someone must have taken an old school building and renovated it. She glanced around behind her at the courtyard

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-49611473572230554132007-09-02T18:07:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:20.483-05:00

I've come to the conclusion that I am not too excited to finish this book because certain parts of it - well - just plain suck.Take the main character, for instance. For an aggressive interstellar prince of a war-like race he is rather, shall we say, diplomatic? And his name? Way to Earthy. Not in the "ooh, I'd love to get my hands on that beef" type of earthy, more like the "um, I have a friend

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-47829841387540845412007-09-02T11:23:00.000-04:002007-09-02T11:34:50.356-04:00

Lulu Titlescorer: "Put your title to the test Want to know if you've got a killer title for your novel? Now, for the first time in literary history, you can put your title to the scientific test and find out whether it has what it takes for bestseller success. Are you brave enough to put your title to the test?"Since I feel some of my titles truly suck rotten lemons, I found this page amusing

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-17658829916256532862007-09-02T10:12:00.000-04:002007-09-02T18:08:00.773-04:00

The bodies of many men, more than a quick scan could count, hung precariously on a wire with a turbulent backdrop. The sky behind was uneasy, as if a demonic thunderstorm had reset the otherwise peaceful clouds. The pink and red swirls in the crystal blue canopy danced and celebrated as if they were responsible for the reign of terror that had been unleashed on the people below. Some men just

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-2611721849621909882007-09-02T10:10:00.000-04:002007-09-02T10:12:50.714-04:00

Random Title Generator by Maygra (based on a design by Jellyn): "Random Title Generator If this generates a title of a book or short story already in existence, I assure you, it was completely random."

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-36095920164357189212007-09-01T21:48:00.000-04:002007-09-21T13:47:42.922-04:00

This blog is fun! Enough said. Oops.It does not require many words to speak the truth. ~ Chief Joseph

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-62567458540306799402007-09-01T21:27:00.000-04:002007-09-02T10:29:02.479-04:00

Timothy Hallinan - Writer's Resources: "Finishing Your Novel“A writer is someone who finishes.” -- Thomas FarberThis section is for you if: You’ve started a novel but are having trouble finishing it, or You want to start a novel but aren’t sure you’ll be able to finish it."I find Mr Hallinan's blog incredibly comforting. I should, I suppose, since I have not yet finished a single

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-47259905678297313612007-09-01T20:28:00.000-04:002007-09-02T09:57:51.610-04:00

Which Graeco-Roman Goddess Are You?Athena/Minerva: You are Athena/Minerva! The goddess of wisdom, war, and many arts, you are probably very mature, creative, and intuitive. You are probably the most introverted of the goddesses, like Persephone/Proserpina. You may also be very quiet and a bit of loner.You're a bit of a realist but that doesn't keep your imagination from running off. You probably

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-69376636438421106472007-09-01T19:04:00.000-04:002007-09-02T11:09:59.247-04:00

He looked up at the dusky lavender expanse that boasted not a single pinprick of light. No, the carefree stars hid their happy faces from the city dwellers, as they were wont to do. Even the brave few that sometimes took a peek at the slumbering metropolis stayed hidden this night. A small car drove by, breaking the relative silence as if its loud thunking and complaining helped it limp down the

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-68332352708949900962007-08-31T23:01:00.000-04:002007-09-02T11:05:09.312-04:00

Okay, so I tried today. That's something at least. Unfortunately, three minor crises, six interrupting children (not all mine!), and a somewhat neglected husband vied for all of my attention. I didn't do too bad, and I refuse to beat myself up over it. Tomorrow will be better, I'm sure. I've come to the conclusion that professional writers must have a lot of quiet time.

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-33519019671030186672007-08-30T15:08:00.000-04:002007-09-02T11:10:15.616-04:00

Rhona punched the numbers in absently, the keystrokes so far beyond memorized that they had become instinct. She tapped one well-manicured nail on the leather steering wheel, absently waiting for Sophie to pick up. A large, dark truck barreled toward her Cherry Lexus and she honked, aware that she was likely over the line again, but simply not caring. After all, he had plenty of room on his side

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-82819828007427225142007-08-30T10:51:00.000-04:002008-12-10T20:58:20.829-05:00

This was much more difficult than I expected. Even so, if I want to have this book done by Christmas, so that it can at least be run off a vanity press for a gift, then I will need to finish this rough draft by the end of September. That means I need to write approximately 3K words each day. I imagine the number is quite unrealistic, considering my flighty nature, but there it is.Whatever you

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-82957285715878222092007-08-29T15:11:00.000-04:002007-09-02T09:58:22.487-04:00

Yes, started. Not finished.Okay, it's an old idea, one that's been popping around in my brain so long it's becoming a bit rancid, so the 40,000 or so words that had once been tucked into the digital file have been ruthlessly trimmed to 18,722 as of this morning.I refuse to believe all the previous effort is wasted, however, and I will simply consider it a jump start on a new novel. I've set my

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7624285083343441497.post-58235370140460030922007-08-29T14:46:00.000-04:002007-09-01T15:16:38.238-04:00

Will likely be deleted. Hmph.

Mirandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949824403011385403noreply@blogger.com0