Cheesecake and Writing Organically

Image source: www.girlinthemini.com

Cheesecake Cupcakes: Writing Organically

Good ol' Wikipedia taught me the history of cheesecake.  Cheesecake has been around for about 4,000 years.  It was originally made using flour, wheat, cheese and honey.  It was believed to have made its debut at the first Olympic games and became such a favorite that it was served at Greek weddings.  Over the centuries, the recipe has been changed, using different varieties of cheese and adding different ingredients, such as eggs and butter.  In 1872, an American farmer was trying to reproduce his own version of a French cheese for his cheesecake and ended up making his own version of cream cheese.  He then decided to start selling the product in foil wrappers, much like we use today, which became the staple for cheesecakes sold in America.

When I hear the story about the origin and changes of one of my favorite cakes, I must admit it reminds me of my own manuscript.  I had a dream one night that inspired my story.  I wrote out the scene of my dream and planned the story around it.  But as the story took shape, characters began to do things differently then they did in my mind and my plans.  And as I revised the story, I realized more and more that the scene that had inspired the entire idea didn't even fit anymore.  I sadly had to cut it out.

We can brainstorm and plot and outline for a long time, but somehow, as we start writing and the words appear on the page, they seem to veer off in a different direction then we originally planned.  I think this is a good thing.  Organic.  It makes the story and the characters seem alive.  

Whether it was intentional or not, I'm glad for the changes to the recipe that helped cheesecake become the dessert we know and love.  I admire the farmer who tried to make a French cheese and ended up with something different.  Instead of tossing it out as a failure, he realized the value in it and made a new and improved product out of it.  It went on to become a bestseller.

Spiritual Victory

The last couple of years, rather than making a list of New Years Resolutions I know I won’t be able to keep longer than a week or so, I instead seek God about a word, or theme He wants me to focus on for that year. The first year I did this the word He gave me was ‘intentional’. I learned more about what it meant to be an intentional wife, mother, woman of God, housewife, etc. But for the last three years in a row, when I seek God about my word for the year, it’s always the same.

‘Victory’.

Victory.  Noun. 1: the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist 2: achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties
 -Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Passion Fruit Cupcakes & Writing

Image from Our Best Holiday

Passion Fruit Cupcakes: Why Write?

I'll admit I've never tried a passion fruit cupcake, but I've had the fruit before.  It is purple or yellow and filled with seeds and juice that runs down your chin when you bite into it.  It makes me think of us, as human beings.  You see their outside shell, but you have no idea what is inside of them until you get to know them.  You have no idea what their dreams are, their hurts, their struggles and triumphs, but once you get to know them, the essence of who they are spills out. 

Sometimes it can be scary to share the essence of who we are.  It's easier to keep our dreams to ourselves in case they never come true.  It's easier to put on a mask of "all is well in my life" when really inside we're struggling. 

Frappuccino Cupcakes and Taking a Writing Break

Image from  food.allwomenstalk.com

Frappuccino Cupcakes: Taking a Writing Break

I love frappes.  Starbucks frappuccinos are no exception.  I go to Starbucks and get a frappe while I read my Bible or write, or revise, or blog.  Or I meet a friend at Starbucks and while we catch up on life I sip on my frappe.  Or when I've feeling stressed, I may stop by a Starbucks and pick up a frappe.  So, I was beyond excited to come across these adorable cupcakes.  They make me want to just sit back, relax, and savor life.

Those cupcakes look awesome!  And writing breaks can be too.  I have to admit, I'm on a major writing hiatus.  There are times I miss writing.  There are times I feel guilty I'm not writing.  But I've learned there are three reasons to take a break from writing, guilt-free.  

Three Reasons to Take A Break From Writing:

1) To let your writing breathe.

Put your manuscript away for at least a month, and then approach it again with fresh eyes.  When you work on it every single day you lose your objectivity along with your love for the story.  By putting the story aside, you'll come up with new ideas, and when you dig it out again you'll see new things, especially plot holes, and have a renewed desire to spiff up your manuscript and make it much stronger than had you kept plodding along.  Let your story relax.

2) To let yourself breathe.

Whether it's taking a day off from writing each week, or enjoying some time off after completing a manuscript, or whatever works for you, everyone needs a break to recharge.  And oftentimes, it's when we're not working on our stories, that's when the ideas come.  I can't tell you the number of times I've had ideas for my manuscripts while in the shower, driving, or on a walk.  Breaks are good and necessary for everyone.  Go read a good book, watch your favorite TV show, go on vacation, have a family game night, the sky is the limit.  You don't have to write every day.  Life is busy enough.  Let yourself relax. 

3) To pursue another project.

Whether it's another hobby, furthering your education, having a baby, etc, there are other things in life that are important to us and have every right to take a front seat for a while.  This is what I'm experiencing right now: putting my family first.  My children need me right now, and I don't want to miss out on time with them because my writing is competing with them.  There will come a day when they are more independent and that will be my opportunity to pick up my writing again.  Until then, I'm going to cherish time with my little blessings.  And when I have time, write a blog post or two.  Don't feel guilty about life getting in the way of your writing.  Relax and savor life.

Whatever reason you take a break from writing, know that in the long run, it'll give you fresh inspiration and energy when it does come time to dust off that manuscript.  Let go of the guilt, relax, and savor life.

Apple Cupcakes & Writing From the Heart

Apple Cupcakes: Writing From the Heart

Green, red or yellow?  Sweet or tart?  If you decide you want to make an apple cupcake, you have an array of recipes to choose from: with spice, as a streusel, with caramel, and the list goes on.  

I think as writers it's far too easy to fall into what I call an "I don't know what to write that others will like to read" freak out phase.  But just like all apples have a core, all writers have a heart.  If you write from the heart, that's where the seeds are.  It's vulnerable, yes, but if you want your writing to bear any fruit, you have to be willing to dig deep and share what you are with the world.   Doesn't matter what you think others will want to read.  Just write what matters to you.  And maybe, just maybe, it'll matter to others too.

Mark Twain says to "Write what you know."  I don't know if I agree completely with the man.  I've had to do quite a bit of research on creativity and neuroscience for one of the books I was writing, and I loved every minute of it.  I didn't know much about neuroscience, but I was fascinated with the concept and so I was willing to research it, willing to spend years of my life crafting what I found into a story.  It mattered to me, and that's what made me sit down and write and write, and then then rewrite and rewrite.  It was a story in my heart that needed to come out.  

What story is hidden in your heart?

Happy Birthday Shakespeare!

Today marks the 449th b-day of this literary genius.  Whenever anyone asks me which author I'd like to meet, I always say this guy.  Why?  I'd ask him where he got his inspiration for all his plays. I'd ask how long it took him to write each play. I'd ask him if he really wrote all of them (ya know, 'cuz there's all that controversy he didn't.) I'd ask him if he would want to keep writing feather quill on paper, or if he'd want to try his hand at writing on the computer. I'd ask him if/how he revises since he can't really copy and paste like I do. I'd see what writing tips he'd like to share with me.  I'd take him to see a play and see what he thinks of theater now (with women acting, whoa!). Or I'd go back into his time and see him perform in his own play in the Globe Theater.

Happy birthday Will!!

Image from westerlylibrary.com

How well do you know your Shakespearean plays?  Take this quiz to find out.  I scored an 8/10.

What do you like/dislike about Shakespeare?  What's your favorite or least favorite play?  

Red Velvet Cupcakes and Character Transformation

Red Velvet: Character Growth

I must admit, red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting is up there as one of my fave cupcake flavors.   I remember one time I determined to make a batch myself.  Before I knew it, I had cupcakes baking in the oven, but my fingers and my counter were stained red.  But whoa, those cupcakes sure tasted good!  And with that cream cheese frosting (I must confess, it was from a can, I wasn't brave motivated enough to make my own) it seemed like perfection.  I was so proud. 

Same thing with the characters in my current WIP.  I must admit, I am a little protective of them, since I love them and created them and all.  But I've known for a while there was something missing with one of my characters.  He seemed almost like a jerk because his life seemed too perfect.  Nothing was really missing in his life.  I did everything I could to make him seem like less like a jerk.  I tried to give him more of a motivation for doing what he does in the story.  But it seems flat.  Jerk-like.  And I tried to up the stakes, but that also fell flat.  And then, I realized what my problem was.

He didn't have a dark moment to stain his life and help shape who he is.  You see, every person has something that happens in their life that affected them negatively.  It makes them believe a lie about themselves: maybe that they're not good enough, or that they aren't worth loving, or that they'll always be a failure.  Their thoughts and their actions are tainted by that lie, just as my fingers and my counters were tainted by that red food coloring.

BUT, and this is important, something major has to happen in the story to bring that lie back to the surface.  They have to choose if they're going to continue down the path they've been going, or if they're going to accept the truth about themselves.  Hopefully, your character grows from this experience.  That, my bloggy friends, is the cream cheese frosting.  It covers over the lies they've been believing.  It creates all things new.  It provides healing.  Redemption.

You need both the dark moment from the past, the lie surfacing in the present, and overcoming the lie with truth to have a beautiful character transformation.  

That character I mentioned before?  He was just a plain chocolate cupcake, no red coloring and no frosting.  No wonder agents were rejecting this manuscript!  But I'm going through and adding in touches of his dark moment.  I'm rewriting the climax to show him dealing with his demons.  And I'm showing him learning the truth and experiencing victory over the lie he's been believing for so long.

Healing and redemption.  It's beautiful.  It's poignant.  It's something to savor.  

Is it something you have in your story?

Randomness About Me

My blogging buddy Catherine A Winn awarded me with the Liebster Award.  Thanks Catherine!  I am supposed to answer the following questions she posed to me about writing and then write 11 random facts about myself.  So if you want to know more about me, then keep reading, 'cuz without any further ado, here we go!...

1. What is the working title of your WIP?
Right State of Mind

2. What is the genre?
YA sci-fi.

3. When did you first want to be a writer?
I think around high school when I wrote a short story that my teacher LOVED and made me read to the class. I was embarrassed about that, but pleased that so many people liked it.

4. When did you take writing seriously?
Around the time I finished graduate school. I was teaching middle school English which inspired my first manuscript and my current WIP.

 
5. Describe your writing room/area or upload a picture.

Oh, a writing area sounds divine!  Right now, it's wherever I can go that's quiet or can snatch a few minutes to write or blog: Starbucks, dining room table, the couch, family office, and most recently the car.  (Weird I know, but if both kiddos are asleep after we've driven home from an appointment or a playdate or wherever I'll get my laptop and write in the passenger seat until at least one of them wakes up).

6. What writers influenced your writing?

Oh my goodness, there's so many!  Shakespeare, Francine Rivers, Susan May Warren, Lisa Samson, Renee Swope, Melanie Dickerson, Louis Sachar, Lois Lowry, Suzanne Collins, Brian Selznick, J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, Laurie Halse Anderson.....

7. Are you published? If so share with us.

Uh, I wrote three articles while in high school for the area newspaper as part of an internship thing I did for one of my classes.  I have the articles somewhere...  ;)

8. Do you work in a variety of genres or just one?

Two: I write both YA sci-fi and also Christian non-fiction.  They may seem like a contradiction but I like it, since they allow me to stretch as a writer as I pursue both genres and passions.

9. If you could be mentored by one successful writer, who would that be?

Tough question.  I think I'd go with Susan May Warren, since she's written both adult and YA fiction and also non-fiction and she seems like such a friendly, down-to-earth lady.

10. Who is your favorite author?

I don't think I could choose one from that long list in number 6.

11. Which book do you remember reacting emotionally to as a child?

I remember LOVING Holes by Louis Sachar in middle school.  I remember thinking it was so awesome how everything fit together in the end and I would love to be able to write something that cool someday.  I think I read it like three times in a row and told all my friends they had to read it.  

And even though the movie came out while I was in college, I had my parents go with me to watch it because I wanted them to enjoy it and I was so sad that my mom fell asleep during the movie.  And I bought it the day it hit the stores.  On VHS.  :)

11 Random Facts About Me:

1) I only write with black pens.  When I was a teacher I corrected all papers with green pens, since black didn't work so well, and I'm totally against using red.

2) I went to kindergarten in England, elementary and middle school in the States, and high school in Japan.  Loved that my dad's job gave me the ability to see the world.

3) My oldest son communicates mostly in sign language due to a speech disorder, and so we're learning new signs every day.  It's been fun learning a new language. :)

4) I have random hiccups.  As in, I'll have one loud hiccup, then about 20-30 minutes later another one.

5) I love cupcakes.  Don't know what it is about them, but just seeing a cupcake makes me happy.

6) If I'm writing, I like to have a frappe to help me along.  Either a Java Chip from Starbucks, or I make my own and experiment with different flavors. (Thanks Mom and Dad for the frappe maker!)

7) My favorite movie is Dead Poets Society. That movie is what inspired me to become a teacher.

8) The hubster is the first and only guy I ever dated.  I was 21 when we started dating.  He's still my Prince Charming.

9) I read about 3-5 books at a time.  All different genres/topics. 

10) I worked at a movie theater for 5 years while I was in high school and college.  I made, bagged, swept up, dreamt about, smelled of, and am no longer a fan of popcorn.

11) Each year I have 3-4 TV shows I can't miss: sometimes they carry over from the year before, sometimes it's a new show I've become addicted to.  This year it's Bones, Castle, Big Bang Theory and Parenthood.

Thanks for sticking around, hopefully you learned a few new things about me. :)

Sleep, Writing, and Living Intentionally (oh my!)

Whoever coined the phrase "sleeping like a baby" probably didn't have a baby.  Or at least, they didn't have mine.  This precious little guy is awesome during the day: content, smiley, drooly, adorable.  But he's the lightest sleeper ever.  And he wakes between 3-4 times every single night to eat.  This kid LOVES to eat.

So while I used to use nap time as my writing time, if the kiddos' naps ever overlap (about a once a week phenomenon), I get in on the snooze fest.

And honestly, I'm not that upset or frustrated by this lack of writing arrangement.  I'm choosing to spend more time with my kiddos during the day and more time with the hubster in the evenings.  And if I happen to get some writing in on the weekend, or while the hubster is at Bible study, well then, life is grand.

And I know that when the kiddos are older and more independent, there will be plenty of time for writing.  But for now, I'm spending lots of one-on-one time with E, I'm savoring the grins and coos and spit-bubble blowing of A, I'm snuggling and laughing with my sweetie, and spending more time reading my Bible.  Yep, life is pretty grand.

What's going on in your life?

Savoring Black Forest Cupcakes and Romance

Happy Valentine's Day bloggy buddies! In honor of the day we celebrate the ones we love and cherish, here's a Cupcakes and Writing post about romance.

Black Forest: Writing Romance

"Since the 16th century, Black Forest Cake has been a love at first bite dessert. Originating in Germany, this cake was supposed to conjure up romantic feelings of darkness and mystery coming out of the forest of loneliness. The darkness certainly makes itself present in the rich, dark chocolate that the Germans are so well known for. Perhaps the gorgeous red, ripe maraschino cherries evoke feelings of love and romance."  -veggiesensations.com

I'll admit, I don't write romance.  But I think every story I've written has had a little bit of a love story that emerges as the story unfolds.  After all, love seems to be something we're all either looking for, savoring, or trying to avoid.  And the same is true for our characters.

The Cake Foundation: According to the quote above, the chocolate cake is supposed to represent the mystery, the depth of longing within a character.  Their longing could be for love, acceptance, approval, etc.  Or it could be to avoid getting hurt again and cling to what they already have, making room for no one in their world.  Figure out what your characters are longing for.  What's their deepest need and desire?  And how can another character fulfill that?  Or what's your character's greatest fear or flaw, and how can another character help ease it by being in their life?

The Rich Frosting: Once you've got the cake foundation down, you need to add frosting.  This is where all the fun stuff of the romance comes in.  The instant love or the instant hate when they first meet.  The fun times they end up having together.  And even the fights and the conflict.  All these elements add richness to your character and your plot.

The Cherry on Top: When I think romance, I think kiss.  Not that "oops, I kissed you without meaning it kiss."  I'm talking about that big kiss that says "Wow, I love you and here's my proof to you."  It's usually at the end of a movie or a book and it shows the love the characters feel for one another, the commitment they are giving one another.

When all elements are combined you either have a delicious cake or a vibrant relationship.  

I pray that all those of you who are married are in a vibrant relationship that you can cherish and savor for the rest of your life.  And that everyone, regardless of marital status knows on this day and every day that you are loved and cherished by God.

Happy Valentines Day!

Why the Frasier Writing Contest is Awesome

It's here!  The 2013 My Book Therapy's Frasier Contest is here!  And it's full of awesomeness. :)

Besides being awesome, what exactly is the Frasier Contest?

"Entries for the 2013 MBT Frasier Contest for unpublished novelists will be accepted through Sunday, March 31, at 11:59 p.m. The contest is open to Voices members. The winner will receive a scholarship to a My Book Therapy coaching retreat ($500 value). Final round judges are award-winning author Susan May Warren; literary agent Steve Laube; and Shannon Marchese, senior fiction editor for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. For more information, FAQs and to enter, visit www.mybooktherapy.com."

Check out this fun video about it.  Gotta love when the lovely Susan May Warren dances. :)

Why I entered the Frasier before:

I breezed through writing a summary, not really making an effort to write a good synopsis, because all I wanted was some feedback on my intro and the Frasier contest sounded like a great way to get it.

I received awesome scores from Judge A, and low scores from Judge B.  So of course, I adored whoever happened to be Judge A, soaking in their words.  I read over, and disagreed with, the majority of what Judge B said.  But, before I decided to write this post I dug out those results and couldn't help but grin.  Everything that Judge B was absolutely right.  Judge A was encouraging to me in my courageous first step of sharing my writing with the world, but Judge B had the feedback I really needed to (but wasn't ready to) hear.  

Why I'm entering this year:

I missed last year's Frasier's contest since we were busy getting ready for our big move and for baby number two's arrival.  But now that things have settled down, I'm eager to get honest feedback on my manuscript I've been querying.  And the feedback you receive is phenomenal--detailed thoughts and suggestions about every category on the score sheets.

Plus, I knew this contest would be just the push I needed to finally sit my butt down and write that dreaded synopsis.  I mean, I can't go on querying agents who don't require a synopsis forever, right?!

So, I wrote the darn thing, and honestly, it wasn't so bad.  And I'm looking forward to feedback.  And a prize doesn't hurt either.  ;)

I've entered several writing contests, and I must say, I've learned quite a few things from all of them.  And the Frasier Contest is absolutely no exception.  

Anyone else planning on entering the Frasier?  I'd love to cheer you on!

Writing The "Dreaded" Synopsis

Will Phil the Pennsylvanian groundhog, see his shadow today?  He did not.  (Such a weird American tradition, to rely on a rodent for determining when spring will arrive.)

Will I continue to avoid writing a synopsis for the manuscript I'm querying?  Nope.  Not anymore!

 synopsis |səˈnäpsis|noun ( pl. synopses |-ˌsēz| )-A brief summary or general survey of something: a synopsis of the accident.-An outline of the plot of a book, play, movie, or episode of a television show.

I avoided the dreaded thing for a long time.  I mean, I'm not the one who coined the term "dreaded synopsis" so obviously I'm not in this boat all by myself.  I figured if other writers dread it, then I have the right to as well.  I made sure to query only the agents who didn't require a synopsis.  Yep, I'll admit it.  And once again, I don't think I'm in this boat by myself.

So anyway, I decided to bite the bullet and figure out how to fit my entire manuscript into a 500 word, one page summary.   How do you even write a synopsis?!?  And how do you make it sound compelling?

So, I did some research, and if you're in the process of writing your own synopsis (or need to stop avoiding writing it like me), you may find these links to be super helpful:

How to Write a 1 Page Synopsis

Five Tips to Make Your Synopsis Stronger

Writing a Synopsis

So, anyway, it took me two hours to write a decent synopsis.  It still needs some tweaking, but the point is, I DID IT!!  And it wasn't such a horrible, dreadful task. ;)

Anyone else need to write their synopsis?  

Or if you have written it, what advice to you have to share?

Cupcakes and Writing: Devil's Food

Devil's Food: Writing Compelling Villains

I had to look this one up.  Why is it called Devil's Food Cake, and how is it different from a traditional chocolate cake?  Good ol' Wikipedia told me that 1) It's called Devil's Food because its color is counterpart to the white or yellow Angel Food cake and 2) It's different from chocolate cake in that it is traditionally made with cocoa, rather than chocolate, and with some shredded beets to give it a reddish, or "devilish" color.

Beets in cake, sounds weird to me. But then I thought, well, shredded carrots makes a delicious carrot cake, so what the heck.  Beets just seems like something incredibly unique to put into a cake.  And that's when I made the connection: to write a compelling villain, they need to have something incredibly unique about them too.

"I like villains because there's something so attractive about a committed person - they have a plan, an ideology, no matter how twisted. They're motivated." -Russell Crowe

Love that quote!  So, how do I make my villain unique or compelling, or in Russel Crowe's words, attractive?  I think it's different for every person, but I gave my villain the following three things:

1) A weird quirk.  My villain talks to a picture of his girlfriend as if she's really in the room with him.  "She" encourages him and also argues with him, adding a unique inner dialogue within my villain.

2) A back story.  Though short, it makes it clear that something in his past (ridicule and disbelief from peers that he was smart enough to pull something thing off) has driven him to prove them wrong and redeem himself in their eyes and in the eyes of others too.  Because of this ridicule he is disillusioned, thinking he is doing what is good for others but not being aware of how his deeds affect others.

3) He's powerful.  For my villain, his power is his intelligence.  He's ridiculously smart.  So much so that he is driven to prove his intelligence no matter the cost.  Even if it causes people to get hurt.

So there you have it.  A villain needs something unique to make them an attractive character.  They can't be all bad, there should be something human and compelling about them.

What traits do you think a compelling villain should have? 

Giving Characters Personality

I must admit, I love psychology.  I minored in it in college, my all-time favorite psychology class being Personality and the Mind.  We learned about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicators, which is a "questionnaire designed to measure psychological preferences and how people perceive the world and make decisions".  I love taking those Myers-Briggs Personality Tests and learning which personality type I am.  (Just in case you're interested, I'm an INFP, meaning I'm Introverted, I perceive the world with my iNtuition, and I make decisions based on my Feelings and Perceptions)  If you've never taken it and would like to learn your personality type, check out this online questionnaire!

The hubster and I had an argument the other day and when it came time to resolve it, we realized the reason for our miscommunication and hurt feelings is because I was relying on the "FP" part of my personality (feeling and perceiving) and the hubster on his "TJ" (or thinking and judging).

That got me thinking about my own characters.  I know they have conflict, but does their conflict stem from their personalities and the personalities of the other characters?  Or is it just random conflict?

I decided to give my main characters the Myers Briggs test.  I found this website had a much more helpful list of questions to help me figure out my characters' personality types than just a long list of questions.  Figuring out each main character's personality type was such a cool experience, because I learned things about my characters along the way as I tried to figure out how they would answer the questions.  I then recorded my results. It helped me flesh out my characters a little more and add some realistic elements to the conflict between my characters.

Why didn't I think of this before?!?

Anyone else wanna share their Myers-Briggs type?  Or wanna use this tool to understand their characters a little more?  I'd love to hear about it!

Crazy 2012, Great 2013

My goal in 2012 was to send out query letters seeking representation for my YA manuscript.  And of course, that meant that by December of 2012 I'd have an agent in love with my manuscript and begging me to give them the honor and privilege of representing my book. ;)

But honestly the road to rejection representation has been rocky. I didn't send out as many letters as I wanted.  I had lots of life obstacles pop up: an appendectomy, being put on limited bed rest while pregnant, adjusting to a new baby, moving to a new state, plus the general busyness of life.

My 2012 Querying Stats:
Queries sent: 20
Rejections: 18
Requests for full: 2
Rejections of full: 2

Writing contests entered: 5
Writing contests won: 0

Yep.  Lots of discouragement and life stresses that prevented me from writing and seeking publication and blogging as much as I wanted.

But, some great things happened.  I could have lost the baby when I had my appendix removed, but baby is currently five months old and contently rolling all over the floor while blowing bubbles and babbling.  Hubster and I are much stronger as a couple, and stronger in our faith after weathering the storms that came our way.  And despite all those writerly rejections, the fact that 2 out of 20 agents were interested gives me a glimmer of hope that the story itself is an intriguing concept.  The story just needs improvement.  Luckily, those two agents gave me some helpful feedback, so my plan is to revise (yet again!), rewrite my query letter, and try again.

Also, I plan on writing a Bible study.  So incredibly different from the YA fiction I've been writing for years, but I must say that God taught me so much through the past year and I am eager to share it with others.  Plus, it has been great to try writing in a different format and genre. :)

And, because my life is finally settling down, I do plan on blogging a little more.  Yippeee!!

After the crazy 2012 we have had, I'm looking forward to great things in 2013!

Bloggy buddies, thanks for sticking with me during the past crazy year!  And now, I want to know, what great things do you have planned for this year? 

Cupcakes and Writing: Turtle

Turtle Cupcakes: Persevering

Ahh, nothing like chocolate and caramel and pecans to create a scrumptious and savory treat.  And that turtle atop the turtle cupcake in that picture is so gosh darn cute.  Kinda wishing I had that kind of creativity right now to create such awesomeness.

But anyway, the turtle cupcake reminds me of two aspects of the writing life, and both have to do with perseverance.

First: Slow and steady wins the race.

You remember the story of the tortoise and the hare, right?  Well, he didn't let the hare stop him in his own race, which is something I probably would have done.  I probably would have thought, "Well the hare is gonna win, why bother keep going?"

But he did.

I enter writing contests and don't win, but I see some of my blog buddies win.  And I want to give up.  But eventually I determine to keep going.

I get ANOTHER rejection letter, and see a blog buddy get an agent or get their book published and I want to give up.  But eventually I keep going.

I get writer's block and want to give up.  But eventually I push through it and keep going.

Slow and steady wins the race.  And though the slowness can be discouraging most of the time, sometimes, it gives me the opportunity to appreciate the journey.  I sure am learning a lot along the way.  About writing and myself.  And I will keep going.  Because maybe, just maybe, I will finish the race.

Second: Turtles have to be bold to get anywhere.

I mean, think about it.  They carry this nice hard shell on their back.  It's always with them and they could stay inside it forever and never get hurt.  But, if they want to get anywhere, they have to emerge.  They have to be vulnerable and poke those little arms and legs and head out of their shell.  And then they have to take one slow step after another, their extremities continually exposed to danger.

As a writer, we have to stick our hearts out there every time we share our writing with someone, or we send out a query letter, or enter a contest.  And the potential for danger is always there: a criticism, another rejection is always a threat.  But, if we ever want to get anywhere, if we want our story to do more than just live in our computers, or sit in a desk drawer, we have to be bold and take risks.  We have to keep on taking step after step, even if it means we are exposed.

What setbacks have you faced?  And what motivates you to keep on persevering?   And what do you think of turtles (the cupcake and the reptile)? ;)

10 Fun Gifts for Readers and Writers

In honor of the approaching holidays and frenzied shopping for loved ones and making your own Christmas wish list, I'm reposting this, along with a few more goodies I've discovered.  Enjoy!



Need to get a random gift for a reader/writer in your life?  Or something fun to buy yourself?  Then this is the post for you!

First off, random fun stuff for readers:

1)  New Book Smell aerosol.

Here's an actual quote from their website: "Now you can finally enjoy reading e-books without giving up the smell you love so much. With Smell of Books™ you can have the best of both worlds, the convenience of an e-book and the smell of your favorite paper book."

Seriously?  So random.  Check out the website for it here.

2)  "Movies: Ruining the Book Since 1920" t-shirt.

Haha, so true.  Check out their website here.

Only $10.  :)






3) PosterText

Your favorite classical text is on these awesome posters, along with a graphic from a story.  Here's Alice in Wonderland.  Have no idea which of these posters I'd want for myself, because they are ALL AWESOME!  Check out the awesomeness!

4)  Banned Books Handbag

My hubby got this one for me.  I love it.  And I get so many comments and compliments on it.  Proceeds from this bag support the American Library Association.  Get your own bag here for only 12 dollars and support the ALA and your freedom to read.  :)

5) Trivial Pursuit: Book Lovers Edition

I've never been the greatest at Trivial Pursuit, but maybe now I"ll have a better chance.  Available at Amazon.

And now, random fun gifts for writers:

6) "Will Write for Chocolate" t-shirt

Based on the website willwriteforchocolate.com - a great website by the way!  Debbie Ridpath Ohi (AKA InkyGirl) created the website and posts hilarious comics about writers.

Get your t-shirt here.  

I'll do about anything for chocolate.  In fact, I think I'll go get some now.  BRB...

Ok, I'm back.  Onto the next thing...

7)  Chocolate Keyboard.

More chocolate?  Yes please!  Find out more about it here.

8) Write Now Wall clock

Simply because we all need a little reminder to stop procrastinating. ;)  Only $15 and available here.

9)  Next Novel Journal

The perfect little novel for brainstorming, plotting, etc.

Get yours here.

And finally....

10) "Careful, or you'll end up in my novel" t-shirt

Oooh, what a threat!  What a great shirt!

Get yours here.  Available in 5 color choices.  

So, which of these gifts would you most like to receive?  

Cupcakes and Writing: Coffee

Coffee: Plot

According to GanoCup.com, coffee has become the second most popular drink in the world (after water of course).  They state that over 400 billions cups are consumed every year, making the coffee industry valued at 80 billion dollars.  And so, it should only follow that the world’s favorite drink should be transformed into cupcake form.  Now, I’ll admit, I’ve never had a coffee flavored cupcake, but I know they exist.  And if you were to hand me one, I'd gladly try it.  I’d imagine they taste like a Starbucks—the bitter smell of coffee, sweet smell of sauces and sugars emanating from the little cakes.  

And just like I go to a Starbucks to meet a friend or get some reading or writing done, people get their coffee to help them as they scurry around crossing things off their to-do lists.  Just as a coffee lover wants/needs their caffeine to keep them going throughout their busy day, so a good story needs an intriguing plot.

Whether you're participating in NaNoWriMo this year or not (I am for the fourth time and have yet to 'win') plot is something that is foundational to any story.  My first manuscript I ever wrote was a flop simply because it was so character-driven and had very little plot.  Not that characters aren't important, but if you want your readers to care about your characters, you have to give them a story they care to sit through.  And our goal shouldn't just be that our readers sit through our book, but that they're at the edge of their seats, turning those pages, rooting for those characters, "just one more chapter" kind of sitting through our books.

I have yet to learn the secret to developing a great plot.  I've read lots of helpful books, but I'm still not there.  I'm more of a 1) get the story out there, 2) think about it a looooong time, then 3)  revise it so the plot is more suspenseful.  And repeat steps two and three a gazillion times.  

I've learned a few tricks.  Such as make sure the inciting event occurs in the first chapter.  End each chapter with a cliffhanger. Each chapter should contain some kind of conflict.  Make sure there is something at risk for the main character and that they have strong motivation.  Start strong with a great hook.  

I wish I had the secret to developing a great plot.  Just as I wish a delicious frappe would plop in front of me anytime I sit down to write or read or surf the internet.  Or that I had a coffee flavored cupcake to try.

I'll just have to settle with learning new tricks for developing a stronger story.  Just like I make my own frappachinos.  But man, those things taste amazing when you have to blend all those ingredients together yourself.  You appreciate them a little bit more.

Hey readers and writers, what do you think makes a great plot?

Writers, what tricks do you have for developing a strong, intriguing plot?

And anyone else doing NaNo this year?

Cupcakes and Writing: Banana Cream

For me, cupcakes are kind of like my writerly mascot.  Well, so inspired the Cupcakes and Writing series. If you've missed any of the cupcake flavors and want to read them, you can check them out here.  Bon appetit! 

Banana Cream: Revising

If you’re planning on making banana cream cupcakes from scratch, you must peel a lot of bananas.  I mean, can you imagine biting into a banana cream cupcake and getting a mouth full of peelings?   Appetizing, huh?  

But that's what we must do with our manuscripts.  Remove those banana peels-the plot holes, the underdeveloped characters, the unnecessary details.  And add the cream: developing the characters and the plot.  Upping the stakes.  And molding our stories into something delicious.  Bakery worthy.

It's a process.  One I'm not a huge fan of, but it's necessary.  Just like we don't want our loved ones to eat banana peels in a batch of banana cream cupcakes we slaved over, we don't want our readers to read a story that is full of unnecessary stuff and lacking in the good stuff.  Plus, no one would want to sell it.

I'm on draft five of my WIP.  And each of those drafts have gone through major editing.  And then I'd realize I need to go back to the drawing writing board and either rewrite or make major revisions.  Yep, five complete drafts.  Because I've learned more about the craft of writing and applied it to my story.  Or because agents have recommended something that requires a rewrite: such as the agent who said I need to change the POV.  Uh, yeah, changing the POV isn't like "Find and Replace me with he."  Most definitely not as easy as peeling as few bananas.  Naw, it's major revision. 

But my story is better for it.  It's creamier and a little more delicious.  It may not be ready for a bakery/publisher yet, but it's getting there.  And that's my goal.

How do you feel about revision?  Any tips for removing those banana peelings in our stories and adding more of the cream?

Cupcakes and Writing: Molten Lava

For me, cupcakes are kind of like my writerly mascot.  Well, so begins the Cupcakes and Writing series.  Each Wednesday another cupcake flavor will be compared to an aspect of writing.  Well, until I run out of flavors, or inspiration, whichever comes first.  If you've missed any of the last ten cupcake flavors and want to read them, you can check them out here.  Bon appetit! 

Molten Lava: Story Twists

Have I mentioned how much I like chocolate?  Well, I’m addicted to the stuff.  So if I can have a chocolate cupcake oozing out even more chocolate, well, then I’m in heaven.  My mouth is right now drooling at the thought.  But, usually I’m unaware that there is added bliss right inside the cupcake.  All I see is a chocolate cupcake, and I happily dig in.  And then, to my surprise, (and delight!) I find more chocolate oozing out, and I’m one happy woman.  I love that kind of surprise.

Have I mentioned that I love to read good stories?  Well, I do.  But if as I’m reading, something great and unexpected pops up, well then I’m in heaven.  I dislike those stories that are so predicable I know every thing the protagonist is going to experience and how the story is going to end.  But if there’s a twist, something I wasn’t expecting, well then I’m glued to the pages, and in awe of the author who was able to blind side me.  I like to be blind sided while reading. 

I hope I can do the same as a writer.  I like to think that the story I tell contains surprises and twists that weren’t expected, and that keep the reader glued to the pages.  In fact, I think that’s one of the differences between my latest manuscript and my first one.  My first one had no surprises.  It was too predictable.  And lame.  It’s a dry and crumbly chocolate cupcake, not at all appetizing.

The hard thing to balance when you throw out those surprise twists, is that you oftentimes want to carefully lay out a few clues as to what might happen.  You bury the clues discreetly, the surprise ready and waiting to emerge and bring new life and enjoyment to your story. You don’t want your readers to guess correctly what your surprise is, but you don’t want them to be like “Whoa, where in the world did that come from?”  You want them to think, “Oh, of course, I should have seen that coming!”  Yep, that’s a hard thing to balance indeed.

As a reader, how do you feel about story twists?  And if you’re a writer, how do you incorporate twists into your story?