Last weekend, my husband and I got the fabulous (in other words, insane) idea to do a turn around trip to Nashville to pick up some furniture.

We hit the road in the coolest vehcile going 65 in the slow lane at about six in the evening:

The two and half hour trip was spent discussing my book and where I wanted it to go. I’d obviously thought it out many times in my head, but never really vocalized it in detail to anyone. No real reason why, I just didn’t.

The end result was a total outline of the three books I see the story unfolding in (though, don’t worry – it’s a standalone novel with series potential – nudge, nudge, wink, wink).  The time flew by and I was hit with a renewed sense of determination to finish because I really (and I’ve said this before, but this time I mean really) knew where I wanted to go.

I’ve heard of some writers who have to outline every detail, and others that free write. My place is a happy medium.

What I’ve done is made a ‘goal’ outline. I list the important events in the order I want them to happen in, then free write the in between.

I’m happy with this! I’ve gotten more written using this approach than ever before, so hurrah!

What works best for you? Outlining, free writing, or something different?

 Oh, if you’ve noticed the change in my logo. I’ve decide to quit looking at myself as a wannabe, and taking control of my destiny. I think I can, I think I can, I think I AM!

*cheesefest, I know.

What is a judy chop you may ask?

This video should answer any questions of the judy chop‘s origin:

Redneck Ninja

Now that’s out of the way…

I judy chopped that bad boy! Woot!

Sadly, it was an expensive fix, but so worth it.

Crashing waves, gorgeous condo with a wall of windows, and as an added bonus – a killer storm that brought with it a lightening storm of beauty.

I’ve been struggling as of late (which is probably obvious with my lack of posting), but it really comes down to something pretty simple.

Time.

The only way I could find to get the juices flowing again was to get away and it worked!

*cue the choirs and bells*

It feels good to get words on paper again.  This story has seriously been poking my brain daily, but I couldn’t dedicate enough time to get into any sort of flow.

Last night, I went into my room and opened the windows so I could hear and smell the ocean.  In the time I barricaded myself, I was able to get out 2K words!

That’s crazytalk! For me anyway.

So there you have it, people. The beach is the cure.

Sign it, date it, trademark it.

I’ve written a lot in my book.  Quite a lot, actually, mainly because I keep telling myself to chug along, chug along.  But I’ve come to the point where I’m going to “chug along” right off a cliff.

I’m all for writing without worrying about editing and stuff, but boy was my plot and pacing all sorts of wrong.  It hit me that I was basically writing thousands of words that  had no chance of working in the end. 

So why give myself more work to do?

I’ve decided to stop, rewind, and fix my issues now.  I just can’t keep going because my own story is getting on my nerves because of how so not right it is.

But, it’s liberating in a sense!  It’s hard because I feel like I’m starting over, but I know that my story will benefit in the longrun.  *sigh*

At least that’s what I keep telling myself. :D

I’ve noticed that I’ve changed a smidge since beginning this wee-little journey of becoming an author.  Some of the changes, I’ve decided to list.  You may question my sanity, but I have a feeling you will relate to more of them not.  So what does that say about us as a group? :D

1. You try to sleep, but the little voices inside your head won’t stop talking to you (try to keep this one to yourself if you don’t want to wind up in a straight-jacket).

2.  Instead of seeing the weird old man that wanders the streets as having a one-way ticket on the crazy train, you start wondering about his life story and how it would make an interesting novel.

3.  Before, you’d have thought buying a $20 book of blank writing paper to be a total waste of money, but now you see it as a sturdy investment.

4. You used to be able to ignore grammatical errors made by others, but now they drive you absolutely bonkers (even if you continue to make them yourself).

5.  You have a new appreciation for quality pens.

6.  You bore your family and friends with talk of the imaginary world running around in your mind.  Sometimes you get the blank, glassy stare, but other times, they get just as excited as you are.  That latter is a good sign. ;-)

7.  On the flipside of #6, you don’t talk to anyone about it because you grow tired of the dreaded: “When will you be published?” or just because it’s too personal to talk about.

I know there are a lot more, so do you have anything to add to the list?

I’m at the point in my WIP where I have to begin building a futuristic world and society.  I’m finding it difficult, even though I’m not making crazy changes (there are no snarlufugus furried beasts that I’ve created or anything).

I guess what I’m finding difficult is not so much describing what I’m seeing in my head, but I keep asking myself, “does this sound stupid?”

I’m sure it is because of my insecurities more than anything else, but I’m anxious about eventually giving it to betas and finding out that I totally blew it.

I think it’s making me even more nervous because I totally see this society building in my brain and I want to do it justice.

As if the blogging gods heard my prayers, I stumbled about Janice Hardy’s blog series specifically dealing with world building in your writing.

So far, she’s talked about (using construction metaphors):

The Foundation

Putting Up the Walls

Building Out the Rooms

Painting

Showing It Off

If you are having to world build, what are you finding particularly difficult?

So, I’ve hit the half-way mark of my WIP and have moved beyond that hump, so I’m starting to think about the end.  Not of my life, but the end of this draft.  I’m look forward to the editing sometimes and then sometimes, I’m not at all.

Reasons why I am looking forward to it:

A) I am going to buy a nifty corkboard and colored note cards.  I don’t know what I’m going to DO with said items, but I thought it would make me look cool.

B) I already know things that need to be changed, but I’m just waiting until I get to the end before I start messing with stuff.  But those things are nagging me, so I’m ready for that.  I just don’t want to spend a bunch of time messing with a scene just to have it cut later or something.

Now, why I’m NOT looking forward to editing.

A) I have eyeitis.  It’s all about the eyes.  When I do Find & Replace, it’s going to tell me there are a million ‘eyes’ in my story.  I just know it. 

B) I also have weak-verbitis.  Every time I type a ‘walked’ or a ‘looked’, I cringe because I know I’m going to have to go back and change it when I’m editing, but I’m trying not to focus on that stuff with the first run.

So what are your ailments that make you nervous about the editing process?  Or are you totally stoked and already have your colored note cards lined up on your nightstand ready and waiting?

And don’t forget about  the CONTEST!  I’m not a huge blog, so your chances of winning are pretty high!

I went through a spell the last few weeks where I had no motivation to write.   None.  Nada. 

My friend, Regan, hounded me relentlessly, but I just couldn’t seem to make myself do anything.  Granted, my twitching eyelid (that still hasn’t stopped, thank you very much) made staring at a computer screen…well…uncomfortable, to say the least. 

It’s weird what your mind can do.  I started doubting everything, wondering if it made sense to spend so much time writing when you hear such dismal discussions across the internet about the industry. 

I guess it comes down to just getting back to why I started – because I like it.

When I started to write, I didn’t tell anyone and did it simply for creative expression.  I needed to do it.  I needed to get the words out. 

Then I started learning about the industry, everything that goes into it, etc.  It got me really excited at first, but then I started seeing posts and tweets about how much junk is really sent to agents.  I questioned myself.  I admit it.  It’s hard not to when you are taking time away from family to pursue something.

But I had to have a come to Jesus talk with myself.  It just doesn’t matter!  I needed to get back to writing for the reasons I started – fun!

So, I’m back, Jack!  I know that I will have these droughts and struggles again, but hopefully, I can get back to my happy place. :-)