Writing Research

I've reached that revision point in my novel where I really need to make it WOW.  The characters are set up.  The story is there.  And I understand the plot.

I've gone from 80k to 60k and now down to 42k words.

I was nervous, until I realized, (thanks to workshops, conferences and critiques), how important Psychology is to writing.

So, I've been doing my research-reading non-fiction books on the human condition.

As I create, my characters act in a certain way, therefore the story moves forward and a plot unfolds.

But as I look outside my fiction and into my real life, I see it's not all that different.  And I can apply my research to all my interactions.

Oh, if only I could write my own life the way I do for my characters.  But it's not that easy.  I can't control others.  I don't even think I want to (well......).  So, as I navigate this crazy world, I guess I'll enjoy my superb cast without trying to force the plot.

HEY REBECCA ROSE- does that make me a real life panster???

HELLOOOO, Beth!

Ethan may be a distant memory, a character laid to rest, but Beth will most certainly fill part of the void. She was originally created to demonstrate Loredana's inability to read people. But she turned out to be a little over-dramatized. In my revisions, I have toned her down, yet built her up at the same time. (At least, I THINK I have!)

I have been having fun fine-tuning this character. The changes have been inspired by a resource I have come to love, Writing and Selling the YA novel by K.L. Going. Though I hate defacing books with highlights, I have marked up countless pages with notations. I know I'll be returning to these spots again and again.

Beth is also coming more to life because of my intense reading for research. In the past, I was afraid of copying the great authors, instead of creating my own voice. (Not to mention that reading others made me feel inadequate!) But, after constant urging to read more of my genre, I got over myself and began reading in earnest. My Kindle has helped quite a bit too, because I can highlight passages and take notes, without defacing paper books.

So, as I mourn the loss of one character, I celebrate the birth of another. I think Beth is really going to be great, at least, I hope so. She' ll be a useful tool in bringing Loredana to life. She will be dynamic and interesting, instead of hot and cold. I look forward to becoming acquainted with her.

Some of the books I've read recently for inspiration include: Riding the Universe by Gaby Triana, Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Carrie by Stephen King. and, as I mentioned before, the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. With more coming, of course! Many of which, I have found via Blogger.

Kindle Krazy

My husband bought me a Kindle for my birthday. It's an extravagant gift that he knew I would never buy for myself. I have been trying to learn how to make the best use of it for the past month. I think it finally makes sense.

Buying books is dangerously easy. With the click of a button, the book appears. This is scary for someone like me who devours books like crazy. BUT, it's useful tool. I can highlight certain passages that I want to remember. Research for writing has taken on a whole new meaning.

The Kindle has a few drawbacks, though. For one, I can't search the web easily. I have to manually enter all URLs of blogs or sites I want to read and sometimes have trouble navigating them. But once, I've opened them, I can read them anywhere. I have not found a way to leave comments, though. AND...worst of all, I can't access Facebook. (Being an FB junkie, I'm a little disappointed, but I'm thinking Twitter might make up for that. I'll give it a whirl when I have my new cell phone.) Also, no matter the convience, it's STILL not a book. I miss the feel and smell of new pages. My senses are not fully engaged.

Overall, I'm not sure the Kindle is worth the cost, yet. Like most new gadgets, I'd expect rapid improvements with the price dropping soon. The ideal tool would be very similar to an iTouch but more affordable. If you were to ask me, I'd say to wait a little bit, unless you have extra cash to spend. I'm very happy to have my Kindle, but still feel terribly guilty about the cost. Maybe time will help me to see the true value in the expense.
Give it time, though, and I'm sure it will catch on.