My Five 2011 Resolutions

I'll keep this simple since I almost never follow them (or remember them by February) anyway. These I should be able to do:

1. Finish my Rules for Revenge novel that I'm writing.
2. Start writing and complete my novel, The Have Nots.
3. Not cut my hair (except for trims).
4. Read at least 100 books in 2011.
5. Have the adoption of another child in the works by the end of 2011 (I have no control over this, but I'm really hoping).

The Good News and The Bad News in Your Story

Some of the best writing advice I've ever heard was on a podcast done by Pilar Alessandra called On the Page. It's a podcast for screenwriters, but many of the shows pertain to writers in general.

(I'm paraphrasing, but) She said that good stories have good news and bad news to keep them moving and interesting. I don't know if you've watched the zombie show, The Walking Dead, but this is the perfect example. The show is a constant stream of good things, then bad things happening. You're always on the edge of your seat.

In one scene the cop appears safe from zombies as he grabs a bag of weapons. The next second, he's surrounded by zombies who all want one thing...him. Then he spots an Army tank and we think he's safe. He crawls underneath only to have zombies coming at him from both sides. We think he's a goner as he's about to kill himself. As he looks up from under the tank, he sees the hatch to get into the tank. He quickly crawls up and huddles next to a dead guy. He's safe. But not for long. The "dead" guy next to him suddenly comes alive and grabs for him. He quickly shoots him and is safe at last. At least until the next "bad news."

This trick is a great way to keep your readers turning pages and interested in what happens next.

How Many Little Moments Do We Miss?

I was up at 3:00am like I have been every night for the last week and a half. Feeding a baby in the middle of the night is a nice interruption of sleep. (And I only say that because she only gets up once. If she got up three or four times a night like some of our kids, I'd be writing a different post).

I held the baby in one arm, with the bottle in her mouth. In the other hand, like every night, I held my iPhone. I usually take this time to check emails, Facebook and play Friends With Words (and addicting Scrabble-like game). I was in the middle of making a semi-awesome play, when I glanced down and saw the baby looking up at me. Her big dark eyes just stared at me. While I was staring at my phone.

Being only six weeks old, she sleeps  most of the day. The fact that she was staring at me like that, two nights before we're to give this beautiful foster baby up, made me think. How many other nights did she stare at me, wide-eyed, while my eyes were glued to my phone instead of her?

I tucked my phone under my leg and stared back at her. I sang a Men at Work song to her that was on the radio (you never know, that could possibly be the only time she'll ever have a Men at Work sung to her in her life).

I told her how much we've loved her and having her in our home. I know she didn't understand, but I explained how much we're going to miss her, and how badly we wish we could keep her. I instructed her to have a good life and to be the best person she could possibly be. In response, she stared a little more, then spit the bottle out and went to sleep.

And to think I would have missed all that if I hadn't put my phone down.

Friday Five: Random Things I've Said to My 4 Year Old Son This Morning

1. "Get your finger out of your nostril....that nostril, too."

2. "It's bow and arrow, not oh and barrow.'"

3. "Saying you blew hot air out of your butt is the same as farting. Now stop it."

4. "For the hundredth time, stop walking on the back of the couch!"

5. "No, you can not use glue to give the baby a mohawk."

And this is all before lunch.

Songs That Create a Story For You

Last night after getting my four year old to bed, feeding the five week old and getting her down, I crashed on the couch for a few minutes of alone time (while the hubby showered). Earlier yesterday I'd heard Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts on the radio for the first time. I found her voice pure and haunting. I downloaded it right away, but didn't get to listen to it again until last night.

As I laid there enjoying the first quiet minutes of my day, I listened to the song and thought about a future story idea I've been taking notes on. I didn't have much to go on except the basic premise...no specific characters, or well thought out plot. While listening to this song though, I suddenly envisioned the main character, and why she does what the plot is centered around.

I love it when something comes together like that. Now this is my theme song for that story, and when I have time to work in it some more, I know I'll be playing it a lot.

Have you had a song hit you from out of the blue that helped you creat a character or story idea?

Things That Won't Work When Parenting a Child

1. Screaming at him to stop yelling.

2. Trying to look serious when telling him to stop making fart noises and singing about poop. But you can't stop laughing.

3. Telling him he can watch Spongebob, then hoping he forgets when you turn on Hoarders instead. You will most definitely hear, "But you said..." (I don't know where he learned that from).

4. Reminding him not to kiss the baby's face because he just looks germy. Then you smother her with kisses. ("But you said...:)

5.   Telling your child he can't do something because he's not old enough. Then telling him to stop doing something because he's too old.

My Tuesday Ten

It's been a stressful few days, so I thought instead of dwelling on things that aren't going right, I'll be thankful for the things that are:

1. We thought the baby we're fostering was leaving yesterday, but she will be with us for a little while longer.

2. We finally trapped our hamster after two months of him being MIA.

3. My son loves drawing, cutting out his creations, rolling them up and sealing them with tape, then putting them into an old baby formula can he decorated.

4. After a snow storm last night, my wonderful husband snow plowed the driveway, and did the neighbors too. Then he went out on the terrible roads and got us some coffee:)

5. We got one of the biggest, most beautiful Christmas trees we've ever had. Now that we have a big living room, it doesn't even look like it takes up that much space. I hope this one doesn't tip over.

6. We have awesome parents who are always there for us whenever we need them.

7. Yesterday I had a great conversation with my dad when I thought we were about the lose the baby. He calms me down and makes me feel better. All while listening to me rant.

8. The baby is on an amazing schedule and sleeps four hours at a time. Because of this I'm not a zombie during the day.

9. I met a foster parent yesterday that I haven't met before, and we really hit it off. It's nice to have other foster parents to vent to once in a while. I also met another couple of brand new foster parents who don't live far from us. Hopefully we'll be getting together with them.

10. Even though I haven't had time to write, my mind is going constantly with ideas for characters, plot, scenes and dialogue on my wip.

Spotlight On...Before I Fall author Lauren Oliver

1) What was the hardest part about writing Before I Fall? The easiest?


Since the book tells the story of a girl who is reliving the last day of her life seven times, the hardest part was probably trying to make roughly the same set of circumstances interesting and new every time. I was very, very worried my readers would get bored. The easiest was probably evoking the suburban high school world, since Before I Fall takes place in a town very similar to the one where I grew up.


2) What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel (or writing in general)?

I think the most challenging thing about writing a novel is sticking with it every day, even when your characters are misbehaving, you hate every word you put on the page, and you have no idea what’s supposed to happen next.


3) What do you do when you’re in the middle of a book and you’re sick of it? How do you keep from stopping to work on your new shiny idea?

Ha—see above! That’s the hardest thing about writing. Nowadays I make sure to outline my projects, so that when I’m stuck I can consult with the outline; that usually helps with the “oh-my-goodness-I-have-no-idea-what-to-write-next” feeling, which I find leads to paralysis. Other than that, I try to cultivate good working habits. I write the same amount every day, and cultivating that discipline really helps me get over those humps.

4) What are your current writing projects?

My new book, DELIRIUM, comes out in February 2011, and I am currently editing its sequel, PANDEMONIUM. I also have my first middle-grade, LIESL AND PO, coming out in Fall 2011.

5) What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

Being a good friend, and starting my literary development company, Paper Lantern Lit (www.paperlanternlit.com).

6) What is your favorite quality about yourself? Your least favorite?

Hmmm. My favorite quality is probably either my loyalty or my generosity. My least favorite…I can be very critical, both of myself and others.

7) Favorite TV show?

Glee, although I honestly watch about three hours of TV a month.

8) Who is your favorite author and why?

I can’t list a favorite, but up there are Ian McEwan, Jeffrey Eugenides, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Roald Dahl.

9) What’s the last book you read?

What The Dog Saw, by Malcolm Gladwell.


10) What is your favorite/most helpful book on writing?

Defitinely Stephen King’s “On Writing.” It’s phenomenally helpful.


11) Do you have a Facebook or web page for fans?

I sure do! It’s http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/ Please visit me!

http://www.paperlanternlit.com/

1. To kindle, animate, or stimulate (interest, activity, spirit, etc.) 2. To ignite passion 3. To light the way for promising writers

Natalie Goldberg

As a fan of Writing Down the Bones, I love this video because I think it's a wonderful piece of encouragement for all writers of all backgrounds.