Luck be a Lady

Time and time again, I get the advice to "write what you know."  It's good advice.  I find that when I follow that golden rule, I enjoy writing more and overall am happier with the end results.  That being said, it's hard to to if you don't "know," first hand, what you are trying to write.  When that happens, I try to get that experience first hand when at all possible.  Point in case:  A very crucial part of my story takes place in New Orleans.  So I took my first trip there last summer--a trip which I will be repeating in a few short weeks.  What I was imagining and planning to write was no where near the experiences I actually had.  It was so much easier to incorporate what I actually knew, places I actually saw, people I actually encountered.  While there, I made my first trip to a casino, which also plays a crucial part of not only the current book I'm working on, but those to follow as well.  I recently made another trip to a casino in Mississippi--strictly for research purposes, not at all to feed my addiction to Texas Hold 'Em (cough, cough).  What I found when comparing the two, is I made some pretty serious errors in writing that portion of the story that I'm pretty sure anyone who has ever set foot in a casino would pick up on pretty quickly.  While I am sticking to my vow NOT to go back and rewrite anything else until I finish the entire story, I know that there are definitely some things I'm going to go back later and correct.  

And the last important lesson that I learned while "researching" is that although I can think of few things I would enjoy more, I probably do NOT have a promising career as a professional poker player, so I better stick to writing!  But hey, who says you can't have a little fun in the process, right? 

Status Update

Just wanted to give a little update as to where my project stands.  I am happy to say that despite STILL being sans power cord (really, getting a replacement should NOT be this hard) I have made a good deal of progress in the past few weeks.  I have finished my rough outline for--drum roll please--the REST of my book.  I estimate I have around 6-7 chapters left to wrap things up.  Still trying to push having it complete in time for Killer Nashville in August, but sadly I'm also a realist and know that's probably a very lofty goal.  In any event, the creative juices are flowing, which means I'm in full swing tormenting my poor characters.

In the meantime, a book I have been anxiously awaiting hit shelves this weekend.  If you have followed my blog before, or checked out my suggested reading page, or been anywhere within a 5 mile radius of me recently, then you are probably already aware of how obsessed I am with Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series.  The 5th book was released this week.  I cannot wait to get started on it as I'm sure it will not disappoint!

Update of Sorts

Well, it seems like Blogger has changed stuff around and made the format all wonky, so I'm not sure how this is going to turn out, but here goes nothing.  Summer is here (as far as I'm concerned) and a lot of extra activities have wrapped up for me.  Hopefully in the near future--near being this week even--I'll have more time to write instead of keeping the roads hot!  In the meantime, here's what I'm currently reading:  Angel Fire, by L.A. Weatherly.

Another Week Down (Almost)

I realize that technically it's only Thursday, but that means tomorrow is Friday, and lots of good things happen on Fridays.  I get to wear jeans to work--which means no chance of jumping a fence in heels to chase my outline across a soccer field like I got to do today.  (Yes, somewhere Vince Camuti is cringing.)  I also get to go to The Red Shamrock to unwind with friends after work.  And most importantly, the weekend starts.

So, now that we are all pumped up about Friday, let's recap my week, shall we? I went to see The Hunger Games over the weekend.  It certainly did not disappoint.  For those of you who loved the book, you will not be disappointed.  And for those of you who have not read it..what are you waiting on already!?  I also hammered out a few outlines and am all set to keep rolling with my story.  I've also recommitted to finishing the woeful tale of Mr. Taylor by early summer--a good few months before Killer Nashville in August.

Also, be sure to check out the updates on my 'upcoming events' page.  Any suggestions for additions?

Peace!

Things should not be this hard..

Well, I'm perturbed to say that I am still sans power cord. After ordering one twice, and being shipped the wrong one twice, I still find myself limited to the options of a) continue writing everything in my notebook, as in, pen and paper, or b) trying to type it all out on this laptop which is missing 5 keys.  I choose option "a."  I would really like access to my PC since I have several half completed saved chapters and a very in depth outline being held hostage there.  I told my husband that I've gone this long without one, a little longer won't kill me.  I am starting to not believe that theory.  I am however, making really good progress in the ole red spiral backup though.  At least it's college ruled.

Other than that, I do have a rather enjoyable recent read to pass along for those of you into the whole, post apocalyptic dystopian genre.

I give you Divergent, by Veronica Roth, the first book in the Divergent series.  Enjoy!  And please, make your sacrifices to the power cord fairies for me!

Hello Saturday

So, it's Saturday and for once I have nothing I HAVE to do. The house is quiet, so I'm happy to say that I am going to spend the entire day writing!  I figured it's a good way to take my mind off the fact that--thanks to some of the kid's extra curriculars that got scheduled, cancelled, rescheduled and cancelled again last minute--I am NOT at Sleuthfest where I should be.  In any event, I'm feeling inspired, I'm in the "write" frame of mind (ha, ha, ha) and have decided I'm pretty certain about the path my characters are taking for the next few chapters.  For the most part, I've managed to get refocused and am ready to make some progress, so may as well get to it!

On a side note, while I know you are all anxiously waiting for me to finish, here's a great book that I recently finished.  I'm always excited when I stumble across a GOOD dystopian tale and this one--Enclave, by Ann Aguirre--certainly fit the bill.  It's the first installment in a series called The Razorlands, which means there will be more, which is always a plus if you ask me.  Enjoy!

Progress Again...No, Really!

It feels good to finally be able to post an update reporting actual progress.  I'm finally getting back to focusing on writing again now that I'm finding more balance (and peace!) in my ever hectic life.  Let me just tell you, if you have not had the experience yourself, your kids' extra curricular activities will drain any spare time you ever once thought you had! That being said, over the past few weeks, I've been getting back into the writing frame of mind, starting with refreshing myself as to where exactly I left out.   I jut finished putting together a pretty good outline for my next few chapters. Now I'm going to sit on it for a few days, run a few possible scenarios though my head, and then forge ahead.  I'm still looking at a goal of being finished by the end of spring--now just have to make it happen!