Author Book Signing: Marissa Meyer

Another author book signing under my belt; however, this wasn't the first time I've met Marissa Meyer, but she wowed me but once again at her STARS ABOVE book tour event in Salt Lake City. She's the amazing author of the LUNAR CHRONICLES series. Must read books!

 

Some things I learned from Ms. Meyer:

 

To stay motivated while writing or rather to "trick your mind to write" she mentioned...

 - Set small goals so it doesn't feel like such a huge project, even if it is just one sentence a day.

 - Bribe yourself for productivity

 - Write in a different environment. ie: enjoy writing by candle light

 

Something remarkable Marissa shared with us: she started crafting stories as a little girl. She vocalized the stories and her mom wrote them down.

 

I love author signings and reading and books. And I love Marissa Meyer's books. She's one of my favorite authors to date!

 

Have you had to chance to meet one of your favorite authors? What's some advice they gave for writers?

 

Hugs,

 

Writing Jewels

Author Book Signing: Ally Carter

With great joy, I met Ally Carter yesterday at a book signing. She is a delight, so funny, and quite engaging. I think I was the oldest person there. haha

 

For those whom don't know who Ms. Carter is, you definitely should. She wrote some amazing series, including GALLAGHER GIRLS, HEIST SOCIETY, EMBASY ROW, and CHEATING AT SOLITAIR.

 

All of these series are MUST reads!

 

The lovely Ally signed all of her books that I own. I said she didn't have to because of the long line and her poor hand, but she still did. What a wonderful gal!

 

Tidbits I learned from her talk:

 

1. For aspiring writers, just write and don't worry about being published so much. Just enjoy the experience.

2. The first draft is, as she put it, "dirty water." Don't dwell on what you've written. You need to get it all on paper or computer, then you can worry about clearing up the "dirty water." That's what editing and revising are meant for.

3. She mentioned that for a good while, when she first starting writing and eventually when she was traditionally published, she had a day job. Ultimately, she quit her job and focused solely on her writing (she could support herself by then). I asked her "how she did both the day job and writing?" (I have a stressful day job and would rather chill when I get home). She didn't necessarily give me any pointers, but I did pull from her answer that I don't have a publisher giving me deadlines and that makes it easier, so feel blessed to not have that added pressure with juggling a day job and writing. Phew! That makes me feel better.

 

Anyway, I thought these would be of use to my writing friends out there! What is some advice you've been given from writers when you've been at book signings or other events?

  

Hugs,

 

Writing Jewels

Happy 2015! & Happy 2016!

Bon voyage to 2015. Welcome 2016! This is our year! All of our year!

2015 was a fun year for the Jules. A lot happened and I'm happy to share a bit of my year.

• Became an adult, officially. Ditched my twin bed for a queen-sized bed fit for a King.
• Attended Comic Con for the first time & saw Matt Smith there (Doctor Who). Smitten.
• Celebrated my 33rd birthday.
• Saw U2 in concert for the 5th time. I love those boys.
• Did a bit of hiking in the Utah mountains at the beginning of the summer.
• Colored my hair very blonde. Loved it!
• Traveled Down Under to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. On a broken foot, to boot. No pun intended, as I was wearing a boot cast. Nothing holds me back. Although, it probably should have. Loved loved loved the trip!
• Broken foot is healing, hopefully will be 100% better one of these days.
• Read 47 books. The goal was 50, but I came in pretty darn close.
• Trying my hand at painting. I'm somewhat good. Read "somewhat" very loosely.
• Toyed around with some writing ideas.
• Spent good times with family and friends.

How about you?

 

2016 is going to be a year of joy! I'm certain of it. Not sure if I will be adventuring unless if someone wants to pay for me to go to Africa with them... Maybe Morocco? Any takers? :)

 

I plan to get back to my writing roots, hone in my painting skills, and reading 50 books. I would definitely like to start dating someone whom I will eventually marry. If you know any LDS great guys, let me know. :)

 

Well, happy to be blogging again. Not sure if I will consistently blog, but Id' like to say hello and hope you have a delightful new year!

 

Hugs all the way from Bag End...

Writing Jewels

Lesson in Bravery

First of all, don't forget to enter to win one of two signed copies of my novel, Félicité Found, on Goodreads. Good luck!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Félicité Found

by Julia King

Giveaway ends September 30, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Now to the meat of the post...

I can be quite the sassy little brave-ster sometimes. Yeah, it takes some (ok, a lot of) mental coercion and talking myself into it, but it happens. 

 

My most recent act of bravery was this:

 

There's this guy I've been interested in for some months now. Oh, man, I have been smitten. Finally, after many a nice conversation, I was bold and asked this man of super hotness and intense intellect out. He accepted. We had a fun time. Is this relationship going to go any farther than the driveway? I think not, unfortunately. But, dear friends, I put myself out there and tried for something I wanted.

 

This is how I've felt about writing.

• First, I had an idea for a book.
• I started type, type, typing.
• I finished said book and started revising and editing. A lot. And a lot more with tons of peoples' critiques.
• I queried book.
• After countless rejections, I received that blessed agent call with the "yes".
• I parted ways with agent, but that's ok! :)
• I self-published the book instead.
• I'm happy.

Things may go a different path than you think, but you will never know what will happen unless if you try.

 

So TRY! Be brave! Start writing your story. Send out that query letter. And conquer this world!

 

Tell me your acts of bravery. 

 

Hugs

 

Writing Jewels 

Insecure Writers' Support Group: What's Missing?

Sometimes I feel like there's something crucial missing in my life. It could be a number of things: a higher sense of spirituality to more vegetables filling my diet to greater sociability to a husband and family.

I've tried to make something of myself through education, traveling, writing, and religion, however. My writing has most definitely kept my desire for life stirring through the sinews of my flesh and bones. I am eternally grateful for that one simple, yet profound, dream back in December 2009; it started this journey by supplying me with a wicked cool idea for a book.

Even though my writing has yet to place my words on the market, it doesn't matter. It has been a beacon through depression that often clouds my days. It has buoyed me up and exalted me to higher realms of joy.

I realized until I feel whole (if that truly ever happens, haha), especially with having a family of my own, I must have things to look forward to; otherwise, my life is just another day after another mechanical day.

So, when life (or writing) gets you down, offer yourself something to look forward to, be it a date night with your significant other, or a hiking trip on Saturday morning, or a Dairy Queen Blizzard.

For me, what I have decided to treat myself to is a trip to Boston, Massachusetts. Yup, I purchased my plane ticket on Monday. I'm saying peace to Utah for a few days at the end of this month. And, oh, do I need a trip!

Anyway, have something to look forward to, whatever it may be. It will keep you going and hopefully writing up a storm.

What do you do to pull yourself out of the gutter of writer's depression (or plain depression itself)? What are you going to treat yourself to in order to give you something to look forward to? And how are you doing today?

Writing Jewels

Me a Yogi--Bring It

I decided that yoga would be a great form of exercise for me. I've been rather stiff lately and it has made doing cardio not so great. I used to be able to go gung ho for 45 minutes on the stair climber; now, well, I plea the fifth.

 

Let's just say I pretty much suck at yoga right now. My balance is a fiasco of highly hilarious proportions. And my legs shake more than leaves on a tree during a serious wind storm. It reminds me of the first time I ever went rock climbing. Yet, I kept on gripping and stepping my way up the fabricated wall of death. If it weren't for me trying to impress my boyfriend at the time, I probably would have given up. Nah, I would have finished just not as speedy.

 

I have found a great website to teach me the strings. It is DoYogaWithMe.com. I hope to find my balance while doing the moves to the point where I can hang out there on one of my legs like a flamingo. Right now I don't stand as gracefully.

 

This makes me think of writing. When I began writing my first book, I had no idea what I was doing, but I kept on writing. Little by little, I learned how to write. I ended up reading some books about writing fiction novels, and that helped immensely. The books are: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King & 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes: (And How to Avoid Them) by Jack M. Brickham. Also, betas and critique partners steered me in the right direction.

 

Anyway, my writing has excelled a great deal; however, my yoga expertise is in the novice stage, but it will only get better with time as my writing. Just keep writing, that's all you can do.

 

Have you done yoga? If so, how long did it take you to get a handle on it? Do you know of any great yoga websites? What have you done to learn how to write better?

 

Writing Jewels 

Getting the Vision

I figured out what is wrong with me the other day... Yes, I eat too many sweets and like to sleep too much and maybe I'm a few nuts short of a fruit cake (or maybe I am a fruitcake. Pft. I'd rather be a piece of chocolate cake. Nom Nom).

 

No, no, those aren't the things I figured out were wrong with me. This is:

 

I haven't had writing vision for some months now (I plea the fifth on just how many months that may be). What I mean to say is I've been lacking purpose and an end goal to my words. This is why I haven't been able to sit down at my laptop and crank out chapters upon chapters as I have been able to do in the past.

 

By golly, I have seen the light and my vision is clear. Hal-le-lu-jah!

 

Suffice it to say I'm really back because I have some goals churning to be completed. I'm working on how to get there, but the most important thing is that I'm writing and plan to be doing that consistantly.

 

Woot!

 

So, my two cents worth of advice to my writing buddies is:

 

You've got to have vision or goals for your writing. This method will undoubtedly get you somewhere if it be checking the boxes of your to-writing-do-list or just whatever it is you want to gain from this journey.

 

Vision rocks and so do you! Hugs.

How's your vision lately?
 

Writing Jewels

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- X

I'm stretching it here with my pick for the letter X, I know. But it makes more sense than saying xylophones make me smile when they really don't. Ok, if they are incorporated into a beautiful symphony piece then yes, they do.

Anyway, what makes me smile starting with the letter X (or has the letter X found in the word) is...

EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

During the three and a half years I've been writing and progressing forward on my literary journey, I have met countless people who have impressed me this much: from the universe and back and then back and forth a trillion times squared. Yup. I have learned so much about my craft through these individuals and have gained amazing friendships as well. I can't express with words how grateful I am for having met them via writing conferences, blogging, and tweeting. You are my heroes/heroines.

For the sake of not having this post go on for pages and pages, I will spare you reading a truck load of names of wonderful people who I count as my angels of writing inspiration and encouragement. You know who you are. I send you hugs and a barrel of monkey's worth of love; they will be trained to clean your homes in order to give you more time to write. Hot dog, am I a nice little gal or what!

And do you know what? Even more extraordinary people have been flooding cyberspace because of the A to Z Challenge. I have enjoyed getting to know you all through your blog posts. I thank all that have spent time reading about my smiles.

谢谢, Gracias, ありがとう, Merci, תודה, Danke, Grazie, спасибо, Salamat, 감사합니다, Mahalo, شكرا , and THANK YOU!

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- W

December of 2009 brought about something that changed my life forever: I had an idea for a book. Just thinking about this turn of events brings tears to my eyes, but a smile to my face as well. That's when I learned of the joys of...

WRITING

Being a writer has given me more meaning to my life than I could ever have dreamed of, and my first book sprouted from a dream. Who'd have thunk? That dream will forever be ingrained upon my thoughts because it marked the commencement of a beautiful adventure. Of course, when I started writing that book, I had no plans of trying to get her published and I had no idea what I was doing. Let's just say I was 38.4 degrees below a novice.

Over time and deleting and adding a ton of words, I have learned a thing or two about how to write, about how to juggle life and words, and about the industry. It has not been an easy path, but one in which I feel blessed to have traveled and am still pushing forward through the hills, climbs, plateaus, and occasional valleys.

At the end of the night, I LOVE writing. It is the strength I needed throughout these years. It is my calling in life (well, one of them). I will never quite until my stories are published.

I smile because I write. I smile because no matter how depressed or downtrodden I become, I still write. It's in my flesh, bones, blood, and spirit. And this summer is going to be filled with many new words created by my hand. The future is bright and my words will be like my sun, buoying me up by developing new worlds of wonder for others to enjoy! One day, indeed.

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

Insecure Writer's Support Group: 5th Edition

A couple weeks ago, I saw Orson Scott Card author of ENDER'S GAME speak. He brought up something that I'd like to share on this Insecure Writer's Support Group Wednesday. Granted, he was focusing his talk on education, but I think it will relate to writing, too.

He talked about credibility--the credibility that comes from gaining a university degree. After four years (or more, if you were me) you obtain a degree. A lot of work is put into schooling. I know far too well. I spent many hours sitting in the math lab. Lots of hours writing papers. And tons of hours sitting in classrooms. But I did it! Now I've got a piece of paper that says I have a Bachelor in Anthropology degree.

Well, how does this relate to writing? As writers, we want that credibility that comes from having one of our books or all of them published. But is that really where credibility comes from? Ok, yes it is...sort of. But, it doesn't have to be.

We are credible because we write! Just deciding to scribble down a story and finishing chapter after chapter is credible. Just because you're not published doesn't mean that you aren't an author.

Yet, obtaining publish-dom is a fantastic goal to keep you typing out words. Having a book on the shelves at the local bookstore or online definitely will make you jump up and down, giggling up a storm (ok, that's what I will do). By all means, don't let not getting that big six figure book deal keep you from thinking you are a credible.

Just keep going. Keep writing. And be happy along the way. You are writer and that makes you AMAZING! An inCREDIBLY amazing person.

PS: Orson Scott Card also said that it doesn't matter where you get your education, be it Harvard or a community college or through reading books or community classes. It's the fact that you have learned something that matters.

The fact that you write is all that matters! And by golly, I've learned so much more about writing by writing a book than I EVER did during my college degree. This time could very well count as a masters program. :D

I hope this has made sense. Perhaps, I've just been blabbing.

Anyway --> *hugs* Especially if you are struggling right now with your writing. :)

    Writing. Jewels.

Great News

I've got some great news for you all. No, no... I don't have a publishing deal. Aww shucks. But I did find a new job! It's located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It will be a fresh new change for me, since I've worked at my current job for three years now. Change is good, right?

Right!

I'll be moving again...to Salt Lake City which will be incredible. I've lived in England, California for a brief stint, and Taiwan, but never anywhere outside of Utah County, Utah. This will be a new adventure for me.

This is happy Julia!

Anywho, I start my new job on October 1 and hopefully will be living in Salt Lake City before then. I'm so not going to commute. This is all sort of crazy and whirlwind. I'm nervous, not only for the move, but for the "new job learning curve". I hate not being able to dive head first into a job without being able to do it perfectly from the get go.

This is similar to writing (at least for me). I want my stories to be flawless from the beginning. That stems from having to go through my first book so many flippin' times, more times than I have fingers and toes. Talk about exhausting. It has gotten to the point that I don't want to look at it anymore. Ugh! Sucky.

But writing, as for day jobs, is a work in progress. We've got to realize that Rome wasn't built in a day (pardon the cliche). Good things will happen when they happen--sometimes not on our timetable, either. Thus be the writing industry.

Well, I feel blessed right now. I am getting the chance to have a needed change in my life and to progress professionally. If it weren't for a lot of rooting on from family and friends, including a whole bunch of Facebook followers, I'd have bombed the interview. I nailed it, though and what do you know, I got the job with high compliments from my soon-to-be employer.

Not to brag or anything. haha

Well, now you can congratulate me... LOL Anyway, how is your writing going? Day jobs? Life in general?

Loves and hugs from...

Writing. Jewels.

PS: Another piece of good news: I'm getting my hair trimmed and colored tonight. Goodbye splitends and grey hair.

ISWG: Fourth Edition

For more information, click here

If you read my post from a couple weeks ago, you'll know I brought up how I lost my desire to write there for a while. Well, to be honest, I almost quit the whole writing thing altogether. The thought of continuing with my dream made me literally ill, like I wanted to crawl into a hole and die a brutal death rather than going through the writing process again. Yep, it sucked. Bad. And I became rather depressed due to the situation.

I had to give myself a break, and even shelf a project for a bit to distance and detach myself from the dreaded burden that was weighing me down. It literally felt like I was dragging a couple hundred horses behind me who were galloping the other direction at the same time. Ugh! I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

One night, I had a cathartic event that helped me, even just a tiny bit, to dig myself out of my deep hole of writing despair. I decided to start plotting out an idea for a new project, which I have started working on. I thought that if I started with something fresh and new that I'd whip myself into shape. You know what? It worked. IT WORKED! Hallelujah and jump up and down and twirl in circles like a giddy little girl!

So what I'm saying here on this #ISWG Wednesday is:

1. If you need to, take a break
2. Shelf a project for a while to distance yourself from it, to breath again
3. Work on a different project to get your writing blood boiling again

Writing is not easy for sure, but in the end it is WORTH IT!

What are your tips to get you writing again? How have you overcome wanting to quit?

Writing. Jewels.

Success is in the Squiggles

Take a look at this picture--another one of my Instagram creations.

The following question was posed in a class I attended the other day: Which line represents success?

So, which one do you think represents success? The straight line or the squiggly one? I suggest it's the squiggly one. Why? Because success comes from a tricky process of trial and error, failure, mistakes, ups and downs, and the list goes on and on. Anyway, what I'm getting at is writing is a process of squiggles--that is what produces success in this industry. 

I've got to be honest. The whole writing thing has been rather difficult lately. I lost my mojo to write there for a while. There was absolutely NO motivation to write in my soul, bones, fingers. Yet, over the last few days, it has been coming back. I want to write. I want to be in the thick of my words again. I have to create! But the fact is that I have to open up Word and type. And I will!

Lately, my journey has been stuck in one of the curves of the squiggles. It has been very hard. But this is just one of the twists is in the process. Embrace the curves. Success is at the end of the rainbow with the pot o' gold glistening a shinny gold. Uh, pardon my cliche usage.

I hope my difficult time can help you get through your squiggly road. That's what we are here for--to support and help each other. Keep going strong!

How has your road to success been? Is it squiggly for you? Have you ever lost the desire to write? How have you overcome it? 

Writing. Jewels. 

Insecure Writer's Support Group: Battling the Storm Within

Here's to another lovely edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. I'm posted today instead of tomorrow due to the U.S.A Fourth of July holiday. Topic today ---> there's one thing that constantly gets in the way of my writing:

ME

Yep, you read correctly. Me. Me. Me. I think that might be a common connection between writers. Here are some reasons why I get in the way:

• I'm my own worst enemy
• Laziness 
• There's a storm brewing inside
• I get distracted
• Lack of motivation
• Writer's block
• Being overwhelemed

I'd like to focus on one of those items on my list. There's a storm brewing inside. For me the initial battle is getting myself sitting in front of the laptop with the Word document opened. I write when I get home from work or on Saturday. Now, folks, the last thing I want to do after a long day at work or on my weekend, is to work again. I get tired really easily, therefore, I can only do so much. But these are the only times I can really work on my writing.

When I arrive home, about 40% of me wants to relax, 40% wants to write, and 20% is giving me a guilt trip for not being productive. The tug-of-war continues until my mind feels like it will explode. If I choose to relax, at the end of the night I'll feel terrible. If I decide to turn on the laptop and work, I'll feel accomplished and happy with the results of a good nights writing/editing.
The trick is to get myself at the laptop. When I get home, I automatically get my laptop out and ready to go. I'll get dinner and then plug in earbuds and I'm off. It takes me a few minutes to get into the groove, but once the music drowns out the world and I'm invested in my story, I'm loving the process.

So, whatever gets in the way of your writing figure out a method to overcome it, then move forward. You can do this! Man, if I can, anyone can!

Do you get in the way of your writing? What are the things you battle with when it comes to writing? How do you conquer the sludge that keeps you from writing or progressing with your art with words?

Writing. Jewels.

Do You Like Action?

Okay, get your heads out of the gutter. I don't mean that kind of "Action"... I mean the important element of action that must occur in the first chapter of your book. I received notes back from an editor and one of the points she stated was getting to the pivotal point of action straight away. Granted I had maybe six paragraphs before the main action sequence, but it wasn't something that caught her attention. And to be honest, it was a little bit of an info dump if anything.

*shrugs sheepishly*

So, I took out some of that and jumped right into the action in the second sentence of my novel. It's more intriguing now and definitely will capture the reader's attention right off the bat.

I bring this up so that you won't be placed in the same predicament. The first chapter is crucial to make sure your reader moves on to the next chapter. If you dive right into the conflicting action, you'll suck them in. They most likely won't think: "Meh, that was okay."

So, how do you do this? Streamline that first chapter. Yes, you have to give some back story and describe the setting; however, it can be done with little cues here and there. As in the first chapter of my book, I show that it is cold outside by my MC shivering or the puff of air misting from his mouth. I give hints that he is crossing Pont Neuf Bridge. I let the reader know that something crucial happens in the Seine River. I even bring up the simple word Paris once.

The reader can tell now that it is winter-time and the book is set in Paris, France. It's those little cues that will allow you to jump right into the action instead of going on and on with back story, when the conflict has to arise quickly to capture attention. You want your audience to continue reading, right? Well, give them a reason to.  

What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you set up the first chapter?

Writing. Jewels.

PS: I'd like to thank the beautiful Elise Fallson for the 7X7 award. It made me smile so big I almost blew up all of the lightbulbs in my bedroom.

To Do List: Make it Funny

A little something to giggle over:

I think I've been a little bit too serious lately. I've been trying my darndest to work hard and to be productive that I've forgotten to find joy in life. My personal life has definitely been put on the back burner, but for good reason: writing. Somehow I need to find balance, though. Currently, I don't have writing deadlines, so why am I putting so much pressure on myself? Well, because I want to be published. The thing is I know deep down inside I will... eventually. Why sweat the small stuff, then? 

There's a point when you have to take inventory of your life. You know yourself better than anyone else. You know how much you can handle. You know when taking a break is the best option, be it from the small stuff or the big stuff in your life.

For me, I get stressed way easily. I call myself a "stress bucket". It sort of runs in my family. If I don't step back and take it easy for a bit, I definitely will be so burned out, it'll take me weeks to get back into the game. I need a full 8 hours of sleep. I must eat. I must have my down time by reading, watching a favorite tv show, or going on a hike. I need to work as well, be it my full time job or writing. I have yet to figure out how to balance out these things with including spirituality, exercise, and family/socializing. But, I'm a work in progress. And so are you.

Let's be kind to ourselves during the journey.

So, just for the heck of it, here are some things on my funny to-do list:

• I've always wanted to go to a semi-nice restaurant with a group of friends, order our food, and then whip out a game of Monopoly. I want to see how long it takes for us to get kicked out.
• I want to go into a department store, find some handsome, young bloke, kiss him right on the lips, and then walk away. (I most likely will never do this one, but it sure is fun to think about). *smacks lips*
• Go to a vineyard in, say California or better yet Italy, and ask for a drink of grape juice. Yes, plain, un-fermented grape juice. I don't drink, therefore grape juice is the only option.

Well, what I'm getting at is don't take life too seriously. Have fun. Relax if you need to. Work when you need to. And make sure you laugh along the way.

Do you sometimes take yourself too seriously? How do you find balance in your life? And, what are your funny to-do list items?

Writing. Jewels.

Always Follow Your Heart

The heart is fragile. I'm not talking about the heart as in the organ that resides within the body, but the heart that makes the world go around. The heart that aches sometimes. The heart that jumps for joy sometimes. The heart that keep us going, following our dreams.

The heart is such a complex word when associated with feelings deep inside. I think I may have felt every feeling this little heart of mine can handle. The ups and the downs. And in the end, it's my heart that I try to follow to lead me to happiness. But it's a tricky thing following your heart. It can sometimes be painful, downright agonizing. On the upside, it can lead to immense joy that can't be measured in any earthly way.

Writing is my dream. It is what my heart is telling me to do. I want to succeed so blasted much. My heart is full of this dream. Yet, it can be so darn right sad sometimes. I've been led down a road I never thought I would take. That of being a writer. If someone would have told me at the very beginning just how hard this route would be, I'm not sure I'd have chosen it. I am glad someone didn't tell me that at the beginning, though. It would have kept me from growing in ways unimaginable.

Would I give up the last two and a half years of hard work? Nope. Never.

My heart is still driving me forward, even when it feels like its on its last beat. And it's taking a lot of patience. More than I thought possible. But as the saying goes: Patience is a virtue. One that I don't possess much of. Haha My patience is being tried in other parts of my life, so it's doubly hard. Argh!

I know I will be published one day. The patience will pay off. And my heart will be stronger for it. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't give up. Keep on typing away. Be proactive. And for heaven's sake, believe in yourself. Follow your heart!

Now, I have to eat my words. *gobble gobble gobble*

What is your heart telling you? Where is it leading you?

Writing. Jewels.

The Outernet vs The Internet

I saw this the other day and thought it was hilarious.

Source

Those were the good old days when we had to use all of those "outernet" sources to complete tasks that take us minutes to do on the internet. I remember them... Yes, I remember researching for a paper at the library. Does that mean I'm old? haha

Anyway, I couldn't help but think about social networking as I laughed at this picture. I have met soooooo many great people while using Twitter and my blog. I swear, I wouldn't be where I'm at right now in in my writing journey if it weren't for social networking. The support I've found here is mind-boggling. I've found critique partners and betas on the internet. And I've actually only met one of them. Props to Morgan Shamy. I can't tell you how grateful I am for social networking. It has pulled me from having no idea what I'm doing to, uh well, knowing what I'm doing writing-wise.

If you've been following me long enough, you'll know I'm an advocate for using social networking during the writing process. It. Is. Priceless. How will people know you from the girl next door if you don't get your name out there? And the best part of social networking is you make amazing friendships along the way.

Back before the internet, I wonder how people actually got published. It is AMAZING to me. I bow in their glory. Seriously.

Anyway, did you laugh up a storm when you saw the Outernet picture? Have you found a lot of support from social networking? Have you found your CP's and betas from it? What are your thoughts on social networking? 

Writing. Jewels.

Writers by Design

The past two weeks, I've taken a break from writing. It's good to take breaks, especially after a serious revision . . . at least for me. It helps me to tackle the upcoming project of writing or edits with greater motivation. Last Saturday, I started an edit of my WIP, BOUND, as per beta suggestions. It should be fun.

While I was taking my break, I not only went on vacation, read The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, relaxed, etc., but I watched the full first season of the TV show Jane by Design. Yes, it sucked me in after 10 minutes; TV shows have the keen ability to do that to me. Ok, I'm so in love with this series that I've decided to redesign, re-envision myself through clothing. Yes, my pocketbook didn't like me for it. Sorry, bank account.

At any rate, I've taken some fashion tips from Jane to alter my outfits from that of a trendy librarian to a punky librarian. Uh... I have no idea if that makes sense at all. But, I'm liking the new me who splashes funky styles together to build a nice outfit.

This has to do with writing, too. Building a story is all about combining different elements (plot, characters, tension, setting, etc.). Some work and are beautiful, to die for. Others, not so much. Like in one episode of Jane by Design, Jane strings this rather ugly belt around her waist that definitely did not look good, and people told her, too. She quickly discarded it.

As writers, we compose a story and go back through it and have to get rid of certain parts, maybe even a full chapter(s) because it doesn't help the plot to progress. I've had to do that... my first book was about 100K when I finished the first draft. I remember one chapter that I loved so, so much. A critique partner suggested that it had to go. I dragged my feet, but eventually took the scene out. Now, the book is at 67K. Lots of deleting took place.

But with all the world-building, character development, and everything else that goes into writing a good story, it's all about designing it into something priceless, polished, gorgeous--like pulling together a fashionable ensemble of clothing.

Well, what are your thoughts on this sort of rambling post?

Writing. Jewels.

The Right Word

My mind fails me occasionally to articulate exactly what I want to vocalize. This has been a problem for me since I learned Mandarin Chinese. I think the super-hard-it-took-ten-years-off-of-my-life language crowded out my English. I can't speak Chinese well or English for that matter, now.

*shakes head*

Every once in a while when I'm part of a conversation, the right word doesn't come as quickly as I'd like it to. There's a perfect word I could use, its right there on the tip on my tongue, but it won't flow from my lips. What a predicament, indeed. And frustrating, huh?

This is why I like writing. I can calmly wait for the right word(s) to come to express exactly what I want to write. I don't have to come up with exactly what works for a conversation within a split second.

Words are important when it comes to writing... Uh, obviously... :D But the right word(s) are all the more important. One might work better than another--may emphasize the emotion you're conveying with more power. There have been times where I have stared at my computer for minutes on end to find that WOW word.

Here's a tip:

Pull out the thesaurus. Hundreds of times, I've found the right word from that blessed book. Or right click on the word that just doesn't quite work and look at its synonyms.

Also, it's important to ponder and think about the scene. Not jump too quickly to the wrong word when another would work better. 

Anyway, what is your process for finding the right word? Do you ever ponder over a sentence for a while until the right word enlightens your mind? Do you pull out the thesaurus? Any tips?

Writing. Jewels.