I am way too indecisive.
I can never decide what I want to write.
I start a story and then I'm around 20K words through, when a new idea pops in to my head (along with the million other ones). Except this idea is different from the others, right? It's shiny and perfect, and it is totally gonna be a bestseller one day.
Woah, hold up. Why am I talking about publishing a new book when I'm not even halfway through drafting another one?
So I'm writing my current ms, and I'm getting really in to the plot, the characters, and the world and I am just loving it. And then I get a bunch of new ideas. A cutesy romance. A dystopian society. A mental-illness love story. High fantasy series. A historical fiction novel--just everything! And then I start to pull away from my ms, trying to grab for another story idea, because why focus on one when you can not focus on seven, right? Wrong.
Do any of you have the same problems? Do you sometimes have trouble focusing on one ms?
Anyway, off to write my current manuscript and nothing else.
"Wait, Sarah. These two characters could have the cutest romance ever--"
No! Must focus.
May there be many words in your future,
Sarah
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
Story Love
Hey everybody! Sorry I was gone for those couple days -- I went on a bit of a road trip and just got back today. Didn't read much (sadly), which is why there was a lack in reviews (or review) in these last couple days. I'll hopefully have one up very soon. Or at least this weekend. (I have another road trip tomorrow.)
Now, let's jump in to the topic of this blog.
Story love. The loving of the story.
For some writers, when they hear that (or see it), they most likely think of a story that they've written, come up with, or are in the midst of writing, that they absolutely love. I know that's the case with me.
When I think of story love, I think of my characters, their relationships together, their dialogue, their background stories, the plot of the story -- just everything. I think of the story that, once I get on a roll writing it, I never want to stop.
I had a moment of story love today. I was doing a NaNoWriMo word sprint that was 30 minutes long, and I wrote 1K words. I was also at a part in my story where the two main characters are starting to get to know each other and slowly fall in love, and all that jazz.
Anyways.
I love, love love love loved writing this scene between the two characters (Ember and Axel). It's the beginning of their relationship / friendship and all, and it's just cutesy and intimate and innocent and open and I love it. Of course, I wrote it in half an hour so it will all need to be reworked, but that's beside the point.
After writing this scene, I was on a sort of fictional high. I had this huge grin on my face, because, well --
I LOVE MY STORY!
I never really realized it before. I'm always thinking, yeah I'll get my words in for NaNoWriMo and all, but the story isn't good so I'll just drop it after. Maybe I'll rework it and try to rewrite it all another time. But now I'm realizing, I. Love. My. Story. And I wouldn't change the way it is for the world. Sure, it's terrible right now. But I am going to finish it, ignore my inner editor and any negative thoughts, and power through the story. I am determined to finish it and see how it goes. If I hate it, so be it. It's good practice.
And my unconditional story love will push me through it (even when I really hate my story).
My questions for you: Do you believe story love helps? Do you trust your story love to get you through your story? What story do you love the most--could be one that belongs to you or not?
<3 Sarah
Now, let's jump in to the topic of this blog.
Story love. The loving of the story.
For some writers, when they hear that (or see it), they most likely think of a story that they've written, come up with, or are in the midst of writing, that they absolutely love. I know that's the case with me.
When I think of story love, I think of my characters, their relationships together, their dialogue, their background stories, the plot of the story -- just everything. I think of the story that, once I get on a roll writing it, I never want to stop.
I had a moment of story love today. I was doing a NaNoWriMo word sprint that was 30 minutes long, and I wrote 1K words. I was also at a part in my story where the two main characters are starting to get to know each other and slowly fall in love, and all that jazz.
Anyways.
I love, love love love loved writing this scene between the two characters (Ember and Axel). It's the beginning of their relationship / friendship and all, and it's just cutesy and intimate and innocent and open and I love it. Of course, I wrote it in half an hour so it will all need to be reworked, but that's beside the point.
After writing this scene, I was on a sort of fictional high. I had this huge grin on my face, because, well --
I LOVE MY STORY!
I never really realized it before. I'm always thinking, yeah I'll get my words in for NaNoWriMo and all, but the story isn't good so I'll just drop it after. Maybe I'll rework it and try to rewrite it all another time. But now I'm realizing, I. Love. My. Story. And I wouldn't change the way it is for the world. Sure, it's terrible right now. But I am going to finish it, ignore my inner editor and any negative thoughts, and power through the story. I am determined to finish it and see how it goes. If I hate it, so be it. It's good practice.
And my unconditional story love will push me through it (even when I really hate my story).
My questions for you: Do you believe story love helps? Do you trust your story love to get you through your story? What story do you love the most--could be one that belongs to you or not?
<3 Sarah
Saturday, 19 July 2014
Romance Concern
So, I'm working on my current manuscript (we'll shorten that to ms), and I'm coming across this scene in chapter four, and I really hate it. Of course, the entire story is very first-draft-y, so I'm not extremely concerned because I can always change it in revision.
But.
The two characters are meant to fall in love during the book, and they have basically just met and the main female character (Ember) is trying to convince herself that is she isn't feeling anything for Axel, seeing as they just met. She is pushing him away as best she can, as she has to leave the village and chase her evil psychopath mother and kill her. Axel wants to come with her, knowing the journey would be extremely dangerous. Ember pushes him away, not wanting to fall in love when she is practically walking straight in to her own death.
Anyways.
I feel like I was trying to squeeze some proof that Axel was falling for Ember, but it all seemed so fake. I don't know. I guess I'll find out during revision...
My question for all you writers out there: Do you ever feel that you are writing a cheesy, fake romance? Do you have trouble making it real and believable?
But.
The two characters are meant to fall in love during the book, and they have basically just met and the main female character (Ember) is trying to convince herself that is she isn't feeling anything for Axel, seeing as they just met. She is pushing him away as best she can, as she has to leave the village and chase her evil psychopath mother and kill her. Axel wants to come with her, knowing the journey would be extremely dangerous. Ember pushes him away, not wanting to fall in love when she is practically walking straight in to her own death.
Anyways.
I feel like I was trying to squeeze some proof that Axel was falling for Ember, but it all seemed so fake. I don't know. I guess I'll find out during revision...
My question for all you writers out there: Do you ever feel that you are writing a cheesy, fake romance? Do you have trouble making it real and believable?
Friday, 18 July 2014
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux Series, book 1
Page Count: 335
Rating: 95/100, 5/5 Stars
Notes: Review may contain mild spoilers.
Obsidian is the first book in a paranormal YA (Young Adult) series. After reading it, I decided that I had to officially shelve the entire series to my favourite shelf--and that's based on the first book. It was so amazing. There are so many things I love about this book, but before I get to that, I'm going to give a quick synopsis of the book.
The book starts out with our main character, Katy, in her new bedroom. She moved with her mother from Florida to the small town Ketterman in West Virginia. She is totally not excited. That is, until she meets her hot neighbour.
Right next door to her is Daemon. Though he is stunningly attractive, he is the ultimate jerk. Him and Katy do not get along. In the same house as Daemon, is his twin sister, Dee. Katy and Dee instantly become good friends, but Daemon is against their friendship. But Katy doesn't let his coldness and rudeness get to her, and stays friends with Dee.
And as much as Katy and Daemon want nothing to do with each other, she is thrust in to his world.
When Katy is attacked by a stranger, Daemon is there to save her. Somehow, his alien powers leave a mark on her. Turns out there's also an entire evil alien race out to get the powers from Daemon and others like him. With the trace on Katy, she is lit up. All the enemies can see is her.
Now, Katy and Daemon must stick together, much to their dismay. Daemon must protect her until her trace fades. He has to keep her alive, and she has to try not to kill him.
-
Now. Obsidian. Holy crap.
This book was fantastic. It was action-packed, fast-paced, funny, and all around lovable. Throughout the entire book, something was happening; there was never a dull moment.
I loved the take on aliens so much. It was believable and so well developed. The idea of having sexy alien boys instead of creepy bug-like creatures. It was refreshing and I loved it.
And the characters were fantastic. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. They were witty, feisty, emotion-filled, and real. So many lines of dialogue and inner monologue made me grin like a fool. I laughed out loud at several times too. The relationships between the characters were believable and real as well. The friendship between Dee and Katy was cute and simple, but it was evident they were close. And then Lesa and Carissa, with Katy was fantastic. And even Lesa and Carissa on their own. They were easily my favourite friendship. They made me laugh and smile. They were so much like real friends and the relationships I have with my friends.
Next, Katy and Daemon's relationship. It frustrated me to no end, but I still loved it. The romance is real. The whole story, you want them to fall in love. You want them to have their first-conversation sudden undying love for each other, but at the same time you want it to be believable. And it was. Katy is trying to keep a strong head on her shoulders and not rush in to things. She is trying to protect herself and Daemon and I loved that. It was so refreshing.
And Katy's love for books and her book blog. Don't even get me started. It made me so happy! She always talked about getting new books or making a video/blog post to review a book or reveal her new books that she'd gotten. And her books were so important to her. One of my favourite lines of inner monologue was "...--the craziest thing I'd ever done. Worse than giving a one star review, scarier than asking for an interview with an author I'd give my firstborn to have lunch with..." It made me grin ear-to-ear. She was always thinking about books, no matter what.
Also, let's just have a moment for Katy's badassery.
...
No matter what, Katy would never be a weak damsel in distress. Even though Daemon had to save her a couple times, Katy was totally capable of saving herself, Daemon, and just everyone. I loved how she was able to hold her ground and believe what she wanted to believe and take care of the people she loved.
Witty characters, amazing plot, fast-paced, and beautifully written, Obsidian is the best read-in-one-sitting-and-quit-your-job-to-do-so book. You will want to have the next books right next to you to continue to read.
-
Has anyone else read Obsidian? If so, what did you think? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading, everyone!
What Will This Blog Contain?
Hi everybody!
My name is Sarah. This blog is going to be all about books and writing: my two favourite things. I'm going to post reviews of books I'm reading, my TBR's and Wrap-Ups, updates on my writing, recommendations for different genres, perhaps, and a bunch of other things. I'd love to hear feedback from all of you, out there, my fellow booklovers. Let me know what you want to see on this blog, and also any books you'd like to see me review in particular. My first review is going to be up soon. Be sure to check it out. Thanks for reading!
My name is Sarah. This blog is going to be all about books and writing: my two favourite things. I'm going to post reviews of books I'm reading, my TBR's and Wrap-Ups, updates on my writing, recommendations for different genres, perhaps, and a bunch of other things. I'd love to hear feedback from all of you, out there, my fellow booklovers. Let me know what you want to see on this blog, and also any books you'd like to see me review in particular. My first review is going to be up soon. Be sure to check it out. Thanks for reading!
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