Writing: When the Stars Align

I started writing my first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, in December 2009. Yes, forever ago, right? At that time, I had absolutely no clue how to write fiction. Creative writing was never second-nature to me. All I knew was research papers that I had to write during college. Bluh... more like slaved over. So not fun.

Over the last two and a half years, I've learned A LOT about fiction!

I wish that I'd have started out with the knowledge I have now. It would have made the process simpler. I've gone through FÉLICITÉ FOUND countless times, probably more times than can be counted on my fingers and toes. Ugh! There have been times that I've despised it. Then the love of my beautiful, cherished lovely swells in my chest again.

Like right now, I'm doing some extensive revisions on her. And after every paragraph, I fall all the more deeply in love with it that I squeal. Yes, literally squee out loud. My roommates probably wonder what the devil is wrong with me.

Any who, I think I'm finally getting it. It seems like something has clicked in this brain of mine. The elements that are so crucial to writing a super great book are clear. And I adore writing more than ever since I typed out Félicité’s first word. But, I know I will continue to get better.

Precious, huh?

Anyway, when did you have the clicking moment where the stars aligned and you felt like you understood how to really write a story? Have you ever fallen out of love with your story? When did you start to adore it again? What triggered that fantastic moment of love?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: I want to shout out a SUPER HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Mama Mia. I love you soooooo much, Mommy. You're an angel.

Writing Anniversaries

As I drove to work this morning, I realized it's been two years since the idea for my first book, FÉLICITÉ FOUND, came together. I'm blown away by the fact that it's been that long. And time has flown so fast I'm not sure if any of it really has happened.

The idea for it came from a short dream that exploded into a book. I would never have thought something like that could change the course of my life forever. I feel blessed to have found my life's passion over the last couple years. And I've been able to imagine up more ideas for many years to come.

What writing anniversaries have you encountered? 

PS: Here is my work Christmas Tree. We decorated it yesterday. It. Is. So. Pretty. *giggles*

Merry Month of December!

Writing. Jewels. Out.

Pantser or Plotter?

When you write a book, do you fly by the seat of your pants or plot it out play by play ?

I’ve experienced both now.

With my first book, I pants it all the way. This means creating the story along the way with only an idea of where the book should go. Honestly, I wrote the end first, then the beginning. After that I filled in the middle one chapter at a time. Occasionally, it was difficult because I’d finish a chapter and have to ponder what I should do next to have the plot progress to the ending I’d already written.

With my WIP, I decided I’d try my hand at being a plotter. Of course, I didn’t do a major huge outline the length of 20 pages. All I did was write a brief sentence or two about what I wanted to have happen in each chapter to get it to the ending I’d imagined. So far, it’s turned out to be successful. I like how quickly writing is going due to this method.

However, with my first book, I sort of didn’t know what I was doing at the beginning stage. It took learning more about the writing industry and a lot of great advice from critique partners and writing friends to help me get my book, Félicité Found, to where it is now—a query-able book.

This time around, I know the foundation of how to write a story well from chapter one. I feel like plotting it out has been a useful and beneficial technique.

Yet, maybe Félicité Found took longer to write because of not knowing where to go once I finished a chapter, but the creativity flowed just as easily. Only a couple times did I suffer from writer’s block.

I like both methods, but am partial to plotting now. Who knows what system I’ll use with my next project or those that follow, but they’re both ways in which a story can come to life.

So, as I asked before, are you a pantser or a plotter? Do you have a preference? And, why?

Back in the Saddle Again

I’ve been so focused on rewriting, revising, and editing my book Félicité Found that I’ve forgotten how much fun the creation process of writing can be.

Last week, I started working on my next project. Yippee! I’ve only written a few chapters, but I’m already in love with the story. I adore typing word after word to craft my idea into an intangible reality. Writing is liberating. Fun. And to finally bring my story and characters to life is entertaining. I find myself giggling occasionally or wanting to cry. And a pretty big plot hole I couldn’t figure out how to fill during outlining was solved right as I was lettering out a scene. Inspiration comes at the most random moments. I love it.

One thing that I’m happy about my second book is that I have so many more tools under my belt that I didn't have with my first book. I have a greater understanding of many of the crucial aspects of writing. I feel more confident this time around. And I hope that it won’t take as long to write.

I love writing!

While I’m querying, it’s a great way to distract myself from the long and sometimes agonizing process.

How is writing going for you? I hope very well.

Now What?

I’ve finished my first book, Félicité Found.

Now what?

Should I step off the writing train? Should I place all my focus on sending out query letters? Should I become a hermit-like mole, gobbling up other author’s words?

This has been an odd time for me. I took a wee break, then had to whip out a synopsis letter super quick. After that, I really didn’t want to write or read anything. I pretty much felt like I was in blah-blah-land, like I had barely graduated from college with my whole future wide open. I felt aimless, needed something to do.

A wise person told me: once I started querying my completed first manuscript, I should start writing my next—hop right into the next idea. On Tuesday night, I took her advice. Now I’ve got the first chapter of Julia King’s next hot seller done. It was liberating to formulate my new idea into words, especially because it’s been nagging at me for months.

And my WIP is completely different than my first book. The voice sings to me, making butterflies flutter their way through my veins. I love the voice of Félicité Found, too. It’s just different, combining a pinch of solemnity and a splash of darkness.

Writing another book (the first in a trilogy), has opened up my creative mind again. Funny enough, having gone through Félicité Found so many times has definitely earned me the right to start something new.

I’m not putting Félicité Found on the shelf, never to look at it again. I will be querying her out until my diligence gains me an agent, then a publisher. But for now, all I can do is progress forward, crafting another story.

Being an author is certainly difficult, but super fun when the creative juices are being pumped onto the page.

What would you suggest doing after you’ve finished your first, second, or twenty-eighth novels?

Name Revealed

I’ve been working on my novel for a year and a half now. During this whole time, I’ve been apprehensive to officially reveal its name. Perhaps it’s because she’s been such a major part of my life that I haven’t wanted to let her leave home to enter the big, bad world. I figure since I’m querying now, I may as well unlock the door and let her find her way into the capable hands of an agent and publisher.

I know this is cliché, but the idea came from a dream I had. Yet, it goes back farther than that. In July 2009, I treated myself to a trip to Europe as a graduation present to myself. The first stop was Paris, France. I’ve been smitten with that city ever since.

After coming back, I found myself there in my dreams all the time. Talk about a huge let down after waking up. Pft! But one of my Parisian dreams enthralled me; I thought about it for weeks. I told some family members its details with wishy-washy plans to write a story based around it. One sleepless night, I came up with the beginning and the end.

I started tapping away at the computer until I had a very rough draft finished. After many edits and revisions, I now have a complete manuscript. I’m where I’ve wanted to be for over a year. 

Query-dome! Woot Woot!

So without further explanation, I introduce you to my book’s title!

Félicité Found

My little secret is officially out of the bag. Félicité Found says to you:

BONJOUR! ENCHANTÉ! SALUT!

I hope you like the title, but WHEN it’s published you’ll enjoy its story even more.

To give you a little sneak peek into my book, I share the following pictures. 

They play special roles in my book. Enjoy! 

Pont Neuf Bridge

 Jardin des Tuileries and La Grande Roue (Ferris Wheel)

And of course the Eiffel Tower! Oui Oui!

I hope I've peeked your interest so one day you'll read my book!