Early Birthday Plans

What's this?  Two posts in one month?  Weird.  I must be on something.

I am.  Sort of.

I'm flying high on excitement, baby!

Disclaimer: If you're not interested in video games, stop reading now.  There is nothing writing related contained in this post. 

If you flip back through some of my older posts, you'll see me mention World of Warcraft.  For the few that might not know, WoW is an MMO ( Massive Multi-player Online game,) set in a fantasy world where you, the player, can big from two factions, a plethora of races and classes, and then set about monster killing, questing, gathering, creating, and interacting with other players.  It is pretty damn addictive.

Well, WoW is coming out with its fourth expansion, Mists of Pandaria.  THIS is why I'm ridiculously excited. Pretty, pretty Mists of Pandaria.

And why yes, I am dork enough that I'm going to be buying the deluxe digital edition as a birthday present for myself.  I mean, a flying Mouse*?  Really?  And a puppy?  How could I possibly resist?

But that's only part of it.

I have two computers.  All right, three techinically, but one is a PC, which I don't like, it doesn't have a wifi card, and has no speakers.  It's currently in the bedroom hooked up to the TV, but there's not a whole lot I can do on it.  Though it's great for playing majong when I'm having issues getting to sleep, so at least it's good for something.

One of these days, I will buy a wifi adapter, tower, lightning rod, thing.  It's just not super high on my priority list at the moment.

So, back to the two computers I actually use.  The desktop is old.  For a computer.  Five years is really old.  But, for all it's ancient decrepitude, it's a really great computer, and let's be honest, I don't have the financial means to replace it.  The poor thing only has 1GB of ram.  That's just pathetic, and I know it.  It knows it too, but by golly, it does its best with what it's got.

Unfortunately what it's got isn't enough to play WoW.

Fortunately I have a laptop that handles the game pretty decently.  Except for Northrend (part of one of the previous expansions) and most a couple bits of the newest areas, including five man (only five mans!  You should see it in a ten man raid.  It's painful) dungeons.  I hear tell that they've upped the graphics quality of Mists again, and while I might be able to play it on the laptop, it would not be fun.

The easy solution?  Upgrade the ram.  On the desktop.  Which has a lovely graphics card.

Now, anyone computer savvy is probably howling about how hard, if not impossible, it is to upgrade a Mac without taking it to the store and paying out the arse to have one an Apple professional do it for you.  It's one of the big reasons gamers prefer PC's, right?  They're easily upgradeable.

Lucky me, I know a Mac guru who can get to the innards of my sleek, lovely machine, and replace the ram for me.

There!  That's the other half of my birthday present to myself.  I'm buying new ram to upgrade my pretty decent even if it is five years-old computer.  And this makes me almost more excited than the upcoming release of Mists of Pandaria.

Not only will I be able to play Mists, but I'll also, finally, be able to play Diablo III.  This makes the nerd-girl in me squeal with delight.

/nerd rant.  Next post will be about writing, or something more to do with writing than my gaming addiction.  I promise.



*If you don't know who Mouse is, high thee to your favorite book seller and start reading Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files.  Best. Book series. EVAR!  

To Clear Up Some Confusion

This summer has been remarkably productive for me.  I have drafted three books, start to finish, and I'm about half way finished (for the second time) on a fourth.  One of these books I've revised, cleaned up, and have started querying.

I'm sure most people that read this blog (hi readers, both old, new, and those poor souls that have gotten horribly lost on the interwebs!) also follow me on twitter, where I ramble and rant about writing on a near daily basis.  This feed is linked to facebook, so my family and non-twittering friends can see what the Hell I spend all my time doing.

There's been some confusion about the books I've been working on.  Probably because I call them all the same thing in the twitter feed, except for the one I'm currently working on, which has earned the idiom The Book That Refused To Die, Or #TBTRTD.

Instead of writing a deep, meaningful blog post for the month of August, I'm here to clear up the confusion about my massive work in progress list.  In order of appearance and/or completion.

(I really suck at writing pitches of any sort, so bare with me.  These are fast and dirty and not well thought out.  Also, these are all working titles and subject to change at a whim.)

FAERIE BAD LUCK: Nym discovers that her bad luck mark has been framed for breaking a goblin mirror, an attempt to keep him from investigating the deaths of faeries in Mundane, the human world.  With the help of her fluff ball muse and the human knight of the Unseelie court, Nym sets out to find the killers and bring them to justice.

Genre: Adult Urband Fantasy
Status: Finished, and querying

A SEQUEL to FAERIE BAD LUCK.  It was written more for me, getting a feel for how things could pan out, and will never see the light of day again.  If ever FBL sees publication, this will be scrapped and I'll pretend it never existed.  It doesn't even deserve a quick summary, it's that bad.  Hell, it doesn't even deserve a title.

Genre: Adult Urband Fantasy

Status: Finished, but trunked

ELEMENTAL FIRE: A new power has come to the small town of Four Springs Montana, and has been starting fires throughout town.  As a shaman, it's Amy's responsibility to help her mother and aunt safe guard the town, and maintain the balance of nature.  After her friend is killed in a house fire, Amy is determined to find the arsonist and see them come to justice.  

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Status: Drafted, awaiting revisions

LIGHTNING STRIKE: (Also known as #tbtrtd) Jacky witnessed the gruesome murder of her cousin, and doesn't remember any of it.  The police are convinced she's guilty of the crime, and are determined to make her disappear before her memories can resurface.  On the run from the law, and dodging a couple of agents for a shady government agency she'd never heard of, Jacky must find the real killer and clear her name. Before she ends up vanished or dead.

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy

Status: Drafting

There you have it! A comprehensive list of the books I've spewed out this year.  I have no idea what I'm going to work on after I finish LIGHTNING STRIKE.  Maybe something new.  Maybe I'll see if I can work on revising ELEMENTAL FIRE without wanting to vomit. (I didn't like it. Still don't. It just didn't come out the way I wanted it to.)  I have some ideas waiting in the wings for me to poke at, but nothing that's screaming for attention.  

Mer.  At least I still have half a book to write before I need to worry about What's Next.

Issues of Pacing

Oh, pacing.  That aspect of a novel that makes it speed by or drag like a dog rubbing it's ass on the carpet.

Pacing is an issue for a surprising number of writers.  I think we all struggle with it at some point or another.  There's so much that effects it.  How quickly action scenes play out.  How much information is jammed into a coffee session, how fast or slow the hero and heroine fall in love and get some happy fun-time in.  How much downtime there is between action scenes, how often clues to solve the mystery are doled out.  On and on and on.

Chapter length can effect pacing too.  I've been playing around with chapter length, and am rather intrigued by the results.  Before, my chapters were always right around 2,000 words, a result of my NanoWrimo training of one chapter, 2,000 words a day.  For the current project (loving dubbed The Book that Refused to Die) I've been making a point of making the chapters longer.  There are some that are twice the size of what I normally write.

Here's the interesting thing.  I think adjusting the chapter length has effected how I've paced the story.

There's more character interaction, more moments of domesticity, and little bits of backstory that I don't think I'd have included if I'd been "limited" by 2,000 words a chapter.  Yet there's more action, too.  The chapters aren't stagnant.  There's movement and action and drama and conflict and plot.  Plot!

Now, I was never limited by the 2,000 words.  Never.  Some chapters were shorter, occasionally they were longer.  I just always felt like the shorter chapters moved better, kept the story going at warp speeds.  This is stupid.  I've read plenty of novels where the chapters go for-freaking-ever.  That doesn't mean the book moved slower, that it was less action packed or plot driven, with those little moments of normalcy that gave remarkable insight about the various characters.

It might be an interesting experiment to go back and divide the chapters into 2,000 (or there abouts) clumps, and see how much it changes the pacing.  I won't do it, because I'm a lazy slouch, but I'd be curious about the results.  Would readers notice the difference?  Would it change the pacing for them, or am I rambling and it's all a figment of my imagination?

What do you think?  Does chapter length effect the pacing, or is it all about the content?

Tales of a Forgotten Blog

So, erm, it's obviously been a while since I've done this whole blog thing.  Not because I've stopped writing (Ha! no.) but more because I really didn't have anything to say.  And then there was that whole "everyone's sick of reading blogs" and I was tired of writing blogs, and really, what's the point of rambling away to an empty theater?

I know, it's not really empty.  Or at least it wasn't when I went on hiatus, but this is just a tiny little corner of the interwebs, that's really only important to me, and it wasn't so important to keep up and running when I books to write.

And hoo-boy have I been writing.

This year alone, I have finished the rough draft of three--read it again, 3!--different books.  Admittedly one was a sequel that I wrote just for me and ended up not working as well as I thought it would, but still!  I'm also chewing through words on the first draft of what has been lovingly called The Book That Refused to Die.  Those familiar with the blog--or are bored enough to go through the meager content in the archives--will know that I've been working with my character Jacky Kendricks for a Very Long Time.

I queried her book last year, for a bit.  I had a request for a full, which also received a very nice personalized rejection.  I'd planned on querying more, until I started working on the synopsis and made a rather depressing discovery.

The query letter WAS a synopsis.

I tried rewriting the query.  Many, many times.  Failed.

Finally came to the realization that the dratted thing had no plot.  Oh, it had plenty of story, and character, and action, but no plot.

Whoops!

So it got trunked while I focused on NanoWrimo (2011).

Cue the roll around of 2012 and that strange desire to make resolutions.  I didn't want to say anything too specific, because that never ends well for me, but I dubbed this the year I would get shit.

I've succeeded spectacularly.  Three books drafted.  One revised, beta'd, polished, and has been tossed out into the wild with query letter crafted and the synopsis being procrastinated as long as possible.

All that to say that it's the querying that prompted me to revive the blog.

I'm still not sure I have anything new to say, but I do have a nice little list of blog post ideas tucked away.  Somewhere.  I know it was around here somewhere.  I'll dig it up and for the next little while I'm going to aim to post something new at least once a month.

We'll see how long this lasts.  My expectations aren't exactly high.

This post counts for June and July right?  Since it's at the end of one and so close to the beginning of the other.  It doesn't?  Oh.  Well.

Just let me go find that list.

What Motivates my Writing

First off, it's been a while since I've blogged. I've been collecting ideas to write about, and eventually I'd like to do a monthly blog. I certainly have a lot of things to talk about. It's just one of those habit things I need to get back into.

I'll work on it. I promise.

Today, though, I wanted to answer a question. On twitter, @cazanne34 asked me: how do you keep motivated with your writing?

I had to sit there and think about it for a moment, because I'd never really thought about it before. I mean, I know why I write, but not what keeps me at it. Though thinking back on it, perhaps the two are linked.

The answer I gave, limited to 140 characters, was: I love what writing, is what it boils down to. Whether I eventually get published or not, I'll always write for my own enjoyment.

This is the complete truth, and it really does tie in with why I write. I write because I love stories, and I love reading. I enjoy taking that niggling of an idea and fleshing out into a novel length plot with action and romance. I really love watching characters grow and change in my own head as they mature through the story.

It's no secret that my Ultimate Goal is to see a book published. Working towards that goal keeps me pushing myself to become a better writer, learn what I can about the industry, and reach out to other writers to share their pool of knowledge. But it doesn't keep me writing. I was writing avidly for several years before I really started trying to find out what it'd take to get published.

What it all boils down to is my love of the written word. I love it the way some people love skiing, or sky diving, or sailing. If I make it as a professional, that's all well and good, but I'd do it anyway. Keeping that in mind makes it easier to focus on the writing itself, rather than worrying about what I'll do if this book doesn't land me an agent, or a publishing deal. I already know. I'll write.

As for making my daily word count goals, I bribe myself. "If I get 2,000 words written today, I can have a ." Silly, but on days when I don't want to write, it helps me keep my ass in the chair and put words on the page.

So what keeps you motivated with your writing?

What the New Year will Bring

This happens every year. I blog a lot during the spring and summer months, then taper off come fall, and winter holiday is a dead zone. This year has been especially busy for me. And emotional. But changes are coming in 2011.

Come January, I'm going to be diving into the last (I've said it before so don't believe me) revisions of AD. The query letter is going to get written and critiqued, and come hell or high water, I'm querying this book. Hopefully sometime before the crazy winter season.

Having decided school is really not my slice of pie, I need to find a job. Doing what, I don't know. I have until roughly May-June to figure it out and start making money that I can use to pay bills. Student loans don't pay themselves off, after all.

I would promise blogs on a semi-regular basis, but I don't like making promises I can't, or don't intend, to keep. So, I'll just say I'll drop in from time to time. Probably rant and rave about the revising and querying process. Nothing new there. I probably won't be keeping up a to-read list. It's gotten pretty ridiculous and the upkeep of the list is annoying and time consuming. Instead, I'll probably just make a list of books I have read.

That's pretty much it. There's personal goals I'll be making for the new year, of course. Things like "live a healthier lifestyle," "get in better shape," "be more social," etc.

Don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to a new year, and all the wonderful craziness that it will undoubtably bring.

To-Read List 2010 November Update

*creeps in* Hi everyone. It's November. Been writing a Nation Novel Writing Month novel. Making a list of interesting blog topics that I'll start on in the new year. Probably.

In the mean time, enjoy the growing list and the fact that I haven't done all that much reading this month. =)

The List (in no particular order)

Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson

The Well of Ascension - Brandon Sanderson

Hero of the Ages - Brandon Sanderson

Well of Eternity - Richard A. Knaak

Shakespeare's Landlord - Charlaine Harris

Shakespeare's Champion - Charlaine Harris

Shakespeare's Trollop - Charlaine Harris

From Dead to Worse - Charlaine Harris

Dead and Gone - Charlaine Harris

Dragonfly in Amber - Diana Gabaldon

Voyager - Diana Gabaldon

Magic in the Blood - Devon Monk

Magic in the Shadows - Devon Monk

Dragon Bones - Patricia Briggs

Dragon Blood - Patricia Briggs

Bone Crossed - Patricia Briggs

Silver Borne - Patricia Briggs

Small Gods - Terry Pratchett

Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett

Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead

Frostebite - Richelle Mead

Blood Promise - Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss - Richelle Mead

City of Bones - Cassandra Clare

City of Ashses - Cassandra Clare

City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare

The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova

Enders Game - Orson Scott Card (borrowed from brother, don't actually own)

American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Kushiel's Scion - Jacqueline Carey

Kushiel's Justice - Jacqueline Carey (Don't actually own this one. Don't know how that happened.)

Banewrecker - Jacqueline Carey

Gardens of the Moon - Steven Erikson

Glass Houses - Rachel Caine

The Dead Girls' Dance - Rachel Caine

Midnight Alley - Rachel Caine

Feast of Fools - Rachel Caine

Lord of Misrule - Rachel Caine

Carpe Corpus - Rachel Caine

Firestorm - Rachel Caine

Thin Air - Rachel Caine

A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin

The Gunslinger - Stephen King

Prince of Dogs - Kate Elliott

The Burning Stone - Kate Elliott

The Last Wish - Andrzej Sapkowski

Genesis of Shannara - Terry Brooks

Children of Chaos - Dave Duncan

In the Realm of the Wolf - David Gemmell

Hero in the Shadows - David Gemmel

The Becoming - Jeanne C. Stein

The Scent of Shadows - Vicki Pettersson

Dragonfly - Frederic S. Durbin

Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong

No Humans Involved - Kelley Armstrong

Broken - Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong

The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong

His Majesty's Dragon - Naomi Novik

Thorne of Jade - Naomi Novik

Black Powder War - Naomi Novik

Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik

Night World Vol. 3 - L.J. Smith

The Secret Circle - L.J. Smith

The Night of the Solstice - L.J. Smith

Heart of Valor

The Hunter - L.J. Smith

The Chase - L.J. Smith

The Kill - L.J. Smith

Changes - Jim Butcher

Beauty - Robin McKinley

Spindle's End - Robin McKinley

Tithe - Holly Black

Valiant - Holly Black

Ironside - Holly Black

White Cat - Holly Black

Vamped - Lucienne Diver

Speak of the Devil - Jenna Black

The Dust of 100 Dogs - A.S. King

Bullet - Laurell K. Hamilton

Graceling - Kristin Cashore

Black Magic Sanction - Kim Harrison

Something from the Nightside - Simon R. Green

A Devil in the Details - K.A. Stewart

Red Hot Fury - Kasey MacKenzie

The Switch - Lynsay Sands

Silver Phoenix - Cindy Pon

Lament - Maggie Stiefvater

Ballad - Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater

Dark Angels - Karleen Koen

Through a Glass Darkly - Karleen Koen

Now Face to Face - Karleen Koen

Leviathan - Scott Westerfield

Soulless - Gail Carriger

Changeless - Gail Carriger

Blameless - Gail Carriger

Personal Demons - Stacia Kane

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

Boneshaker - Cherie Priest

Golden Compass - Philip Pullman

Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman

Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman

Midnight Daughter - Karen Chance

Mob Rules - Cameron Haley

Devil in a Red Kilt - Elizabeth Williams

City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare

Rose Daughter - Robin McKinley

Side Jobs - Jim Butcher

Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones

Masques - Patricia Briggs

Fade Out - Rachel Caine

Kiss of Death - Rachel Caine

The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie

Before They Are Hanged - Joe Abercrombie

The Last Argument of Kings - Joe Abercrombie