2012 - A new beginning?

Here I am again... seems like I get lost sometimes in that time goes by. The older we get the faster time goes by.

The more books I read, or listen to thanks to Wade who introduced me to audio books, the more I want to start writing. After all these years of non-muse I think I am almost ready. I wasn't ready before and I really don't understand why I stopped in the first place. Maybe I had to figure out for myself that writing is something I truly wanted to do and not something my mom or others wanted me to do. I feel like this urge to write is genuine, that it's coming from me and perhaps I have been denying a part of myself all this time.

The problem was in part, "I think" the responses from my professor at SOU. I think he denied me the praise I needed back then. I was a different person back then who needed others to feed me confidence. Perhaps now I can take a step back and realize that it really doesn't matter what he thought and that I shouldn't deny myself what is part of me any longer. I truly did need to find myself first. I understand now *yes there are tears forming in my eyes as I am writing this* Self-realization is beautiful.

Now what to write?

On my nightstand...

Currently I am reading the Dresden Files. I'm almost finished, haven't started "Turn Coat" yet but plan to soon. Overall it's a great series and Harry Dresden is an awesome character that finds himself in all types of trouble yet manages to get himself out. He's the only Wizard in the Chicago phone book.

For whatever reason, because there never is a dull moment with the characters and plot, it is still a slow read for me. If you can manage to get through the first few chapters things do start to pick up and you won't be able to put them down!

I'm Back

This is a blog post signifying that I am back. It's been ages since I've been on blogger! I hope to start this up again. There's so much going on and so much that has happened in the last, what? 5 years!

For now I am back and reading old posts.

On my nightstand...

I have stopped reading Kate Elliot for some reason. Not sure what happened to the momentum but it's not there. This book is not as fast paced or interesting as the others. Probably due to having to connect characters and story plot. But oh well. It's still on my nightstand so we'll see if I can pick it up again.

In the meantime I've been reading Anne Rice, who is a great writer in my opinion. I've read out of the Vampire Chronicles so far; Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, and currently on Queen of the Damned. And I'm loving every page. Unfortunately I don't have the others, which I'm hoping to remody this weekend. Heaven forbid I finish Queen and can't continue on. :)

Storyboard

Currently I've been thinking a lot about what to write. There's a lot that I'd like to write about and sometimes it's hard to decide what to put down. I haven't reached that point of write it all down yet, not sure why.

This storyboard will consist of something I thought I'd never write: Horror. That's right. I'm very interested in writing about Vampires, could be I've been watching way too much Buffy lately, or maybe not. I really enjoy role playing Vampire the Masquerade as well. Anyway, I really like the concept of a Vampire gaining his soul and falling in love. Yes I know, Buffy and Angel. But I said I like the concept, there's no rule in not being able to steal concepts and making them your own.

Where does it start, how does it end, and what goes in the middle? That's what I've gotta figure out. Time to start writing ideas and concepts and free writing. Start painting the picture. Actually, starting with a character might be easier for me. I still prefer pen and paper, but I realize this is the computer age. I just don't think I can do it for now. Maybe I'll grow into it, but until then I may just write it and then post it here once finished in steps. We'll see.

Also I need to do some research on the different Vampire lore out there, there are many. Rule number 1, gotta read to write. :D

On my nightstand...

Currently on my nightstand is the fifth book of the Crown of Stars series by Elliot called "The Gathering Storm". So far this book has been a bit slower, or I'm reading it slower. Still a great series and one I'll likely keep and read again. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens with a few loose ends and how it all comes together. There are six books in total so I'm almost there. I'll be sad to see it end.

Sandra Miller's Website

http://www.pgtc.com/~slmiller/index.htm

Sandra Miller offers many features to a writer: her own writing, reader reviews, fiction writing tips, and more. This is a great resource for those who are struggling at any stage of writing, whether it's just starting out or those last finishing touches. I recommend exploring her website!

Here's an example of her tips for character development, something all of us have struggled with at one time or another:

Here are a few things to consider when developing your character:

What are your character's vices? Unfortunately, we all have them. A vice for your character doesn't necessarily have to be drinking or swearing--perhaps your character is a compulsive spender. Perhaps your character's vice is something as innocuous as a habitual over-consumption of sweets; maybe your character is a chocoholic. And perhaps your character has just been diagnosed with diabetes. As you can see, what is considered a vice will depend largely on your character's situation.

What are your character's pet peeves? Sometimes a person's pet peeve can give you insight into their personality, and what things are important to them. For example one of my biggest pet peeves is people who say things like "the floor needs swept" or "the dishes need washed". From this, you can tell that grammar is important to me (and a good thing, too, or I would have a hard time of it as a writer!) If I had a character whose biggest pet peeve was having a pair of slacks without creases, what would that tell you?

What is your character's strong point? Every story involves hardship, and your character will need a way to survive this hardship. Usually, this involves the character's strong personality strength, or plays off of that strength somehow. Scarlett O'Hara survived Gone With the Wind because of her strength of will, her single-minded determination to get what she wanted. What is your character's strength?

What about a nickname? Does your character want to be called Bill, or William B Holladay the Third? Sometimes you can tell quite a bit about someone by what their friends call them.

On my nightstand...

I'm reading Kate Elliot's "Crown of Stars" series and loving them so far. I'm currently reading "Child of Flame" and it's even better than the last one. There's a bit going on and everyone is in different places so I'm curious in finding out how it comes back together, and trust me it will!

Each book is roughly 800 pages off adventure, romance, political intrigue, and religious implications. There's a mix of high magic and low magic depending on who, what, where, and when. This series is well worth the read if you have the patience and time.

Introduction to the writer

I have been writing since I was in grade school, short stories, then poetry, and hopefully novels. I enjoy reading as much as writing and currently have a large collection of fantasy. My first fantasy author was Terry Brooks and his Shannara series. I also enjoy classics and children's fiction.

I plan on writing fantasy novels, sci-fi tech novels, and maybe even some general fiction and non-fiction. I have so many ideas that I just need to start jotting everything down and write until I can't write any more. And hopefully that will not happen for a long time.