I'm Actually Getting Good at This Stuff

  Well... Nanowrimo's over... and I'm still a failure. 

   I didn't reach my original 50,000 word goal, but you know what, life just gets in the way sometimes and I can't help that. The good news is, unlike last year, I've actually got a story developing that I like... a lot... and it's realistic fiction, which is very very very unlike me. I usually hate writing anything other than fantasy/ dystopia/ science fiction/ anything that basically could happen in real life, though I do enjoy reading some realistic stuff, I just don't like writing it myself. Except for this one book.

   To make a long story short, I was so excited about this story I was telling the basic plot line about it to my friends at school. Not spoiling too much, at one point in my story, Piper, the main character is very conflicted and needs to go to someone for help. Instead of going to Rylin (the person who she's been leaning on for everything through the entire novel) she goes to a guy named Shaft who drinks and smokes and the only reason she likes him is because he gives "good" advice. She ends up accepting drugs from him and basically just screws herself up.

  While I was explaining this to my friends I frustratedly groaned and said, "But she just had to go to Shaft, when Rylin was right there!"

   One of my friends started laughing, but I didn't get the joke. I was explaining the annoying lives of my characters. This was not a laughing matter! He just shook his head and said, "Giselle, I find it funny that your the one writing the book, yet your the one who gets angry at your characters."

   And then I had a realization. Some very respected authors will tell you they are not the creators of their world, but their characters are. For instance, in Stephanie Meyer's book, The Host, *spoiler alert* she said she never intended Ian to develop a relationship with Wanda, but Jared wouldn't stop being a jerk and Ian wouldn't shut up. 

  I think that kind of mindset is what all writers want, not to be frustrated with your characters, but to know them so well you know what kind of mistakes they'll make, and that's when they become real.

  The thought made me chuckle because I hadn't though about that before my friend brought it up, and I realized that hey, I'm actually getting good at this stuff.

NANO WriMo, Not only do rivers whir, they whir and rush!

  I think we all know what time of year it is....

  NANO WRIMO!!!

  This is my first year trying to be fully dedicated to finishing it, because I attempted last year and... well, I died would be an understatement. I can still hear the pathetic 40 words I wrote, not even worth putting up in the about my writing section, screaming for my attention. Sadly they won't get any.

  But that is besides the point!

  We all know the goal of NANO is to write 50,000 words by the end of the month. I refuse to believe it is just by accident that the NANO eve is Halloween because there is no way I could have gotten my head start on the thing, (5,00 words by the opposed to the normal 1,667) without my Halloween candy keeping me up.

  But 50,000 words is a lot for just a month, at least for me it is. I find myself when describing things, using more words than are necessary to boost up my word count by just that much.

  In fact, did you  know rivers whirred and rushed! Did you know food wasn't just delicious, but scrumptious?! Did you know flowers are pretty but beautiful as well?!

  These are the kinds of these that I can get by with... I know pathetic.

  Anyways, what kinds of strategies do you use to boost your word count, or just fufill the Nanoing goal of writing a book in a month?
 
  

Reached!!

  You know what I'm excited for?

  Reached!

  Cassia faces the ultimate choices in the long-anticipated conclusion to the "New York Times" bestselling Matched Trilogy
After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising--and each other--Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.
In this gripping conclusion to the #1 "New York Times" bestselling Matched Trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.








  For any of you who don't know, this is the third book in the Matched trilogy, a dystopian story by Ally Condie. I believe it to be, pretty much awesome. 


   Well, you know I'm excited! Though there's no trailer for Reached, there is one for Matched! So any of you who haven't read it, go on down to this trailer and behold it's glory!

Some Back Story...

   Geez... I haven't blogged in forever. I will allow you all to cut off my hands now.Well, I was only joking. Let's not mutilate me please. I will be a good little blogger.

  So, I guess to make up for not blogging in a few weeks I'll be giving you guys a special treat. Today isn't really about advice to writing. It's about the evolution of writing in my own personal experience.

  That sounds too sciency.

  You'll find out what I mean soon enough.

  I remember when I was younger, I loved playing House with my sisters. That was the basic name we used for the game most everyone does as a child which is, play pretend. One of us was always a mom, two of us were sisters, and we would create a story from there. I loved playing it. I still, to this day, remember a story we made up once that made an impression on my mind.

  We were all laying on the couch, pretending the couch was a boat and we were stranded in the ocean. The mother (who was my older sister) had turned evil and was trying to throw me and my younger sister off board. So me and my younger sister were fighting to stay on while our older was tickling us, demanding us, doing anything she could to get us off. But we wouldn't get off.

  It isn't until now that I realize we were creating a story. Two sisters bonding against the tyranny of a mother. It was times like those as a child that I knew I loved making up stories.

  I went through life, never really thinking, oh, I know I want to be a writer when I grow up! I just knew I liked making stories.

  In recess at school everybody would go out to the field and I play kickball. I hate kickball. Always have, always will. Plus, I was always last to get picked. But my teachers usually wouldn't let us sit out. We had to do something. Nobody else wanted to do something besides play kickball, so I ended up being the loner child who walked around the field the entire recess. It was so boring just walking around and around and around. So to entertain myself, when I walked I made up stories in my head. At the end of recess I would be reluctant to leave because then I would have to leave my story. I didn't realize until about third grade that I didn't have to leave them. I could write them down.

  I was in the third grade  when I actually started writing, as in, grabbing a pencil and writing down the stories that floated around in my head. But I didn't write them in story form, I wrote them in script form.

  I still have some of those scripts stuffed up in an old drawer somewhere. I wrote one about a mermaid and her friend getting captured. I wrote one about a band of bugs that grew in friendship. I wrote one about Santa adopting a daughter (misspelling "dauter" the entire time.)

  I was so in to it! I tried to get my teachers have our class perform my "masterpieces." I even had my own editor. A friend of mine who being nine at the time, typed up my plays after I had written them. Did writing life get better than that?

  Yes, yes it does.

  I was in the fourth grade when there was a required writing test everyone had to take. You know, like those standardized tests at the end of the year, except in writer form. They gave you this fancy lined paper and everything. They told you to write about a topic they gave you, and then shoot off a story. My story was about a girl who gets a diamond encrusted wristwatch from her friend that turns out to be a time traveling watch. The diamonds were magic or something, I can't remember.

  I do remember getting excited about the story idea though, and writing it down happily. When I was finished I looked back at it and frowned, thinking, this needs a re-write. My inner editor was screaming at me even at the age of nine. Oh joy...

  This was a timed test, about four hours long, and when everyone else was sitting at their desks doodling on leftover notebook sheets I was still writing away, erasing over things, narrowing stuff down, making alternate endings. I felt like a dummy. You know that feeling when everybody else in a room is finished with a test except for you, and you feel like everybody is watching you, waiting for you to finish. Yeah, that's what I felt like.

  Eventually the test had to be turned in and my teacher came over. The story was in what I now realize as maybe third draft stage, when I had to turn it in, thinking, this is terrible! I'm going to be the only one who gets a horrible score because I didn't have enough time. The scores were based off of numbers, as all standardized tests usually are. 1, being the lowest which means you utterly sucked, just in nicer terms. 2, not very good, better than 1, but you still failed. 3 ranged from anywhere from satisfactory to good.Give yourself a pat on the back. 4 up to 4.5 was that was amazing!

  I was thinking I would get maybe a 2, if I was lucky, with the monster I had created.

  I got a 4.5.

  The day my teacher told us we were having circle time or something like that and said she had gotten an email from the school board about all of our tests scores, and one of us had gotten a perfect score. There were some snickers of students guessing who it was, some smart kids in the class, pointing fingers. I was only thinking, definitely not me. And then the teacher pointed in my direction. 

  I swear I could feel my heart drop in my stomach.

  I was the only kid in the school who had gotten a perfect score, and like one of five kids in the state. To me, that was the craziest thing in the entire world. How could little old me be given a perfect writing score? Perfect! That nasty old story was anything but perfect. Magic time traveling diamonds...

  I got a plaque at the end of the year that had my name on it and everything. It was all too surreal. Teachers suddenly decided that I was destined to become a little author, and sent me off to yearly young writer's conferences.

  And I loved every minute of those conferences.

  I think it was then that I realized that I loved writing. I still wasn't thinking about writing for a career, I just knew what I liked doing, and that's what took up every minute I wasn't doing something in my hectic fourth grade schedule...

  Time went on and I kept on writing little plays, I wrote some short stories as well. It wasn't until the sixth grade that I actually got struck with an idea, but realized, this idea is too big for my little stories. I had the premise for a book working out for me, but I never really entertained the idea that I could actually write a novel until I read the book Airborn by Kenneth Oppel.

  This book will always hold a special place in my heart because it's what got me actually "writing-writing." If that's the term for writing books. I was so enthralled by it, from it's explosive beginning to the cliff hanger ending (seriously, I would consider this book an amazing read for whoever wants to read it.) I finished it in one sittting and then sat there thinking it needed a sequel (it does have one by the way, but I didn't know that at the time.)

  I had one of those my-lfe-can-never-be-the-same-because-this-book-is-over moments. Kind of like the end of Harry Potter, or the Hunger Games. I didn't have anything else to read though, and it would be a long time before I got another book (I was on winter vacation or something like that.)

  And then I had the epiphany where the clouds opened up and angels sang from above.

  I could write my own adventure, but in the way I want to. Not just in a little skit form, and not in just a two paged short story. I wrote the first chapter to my book A Room For Lost Souls that night.

  Little did I know what I was getting myself in to, but I liked writing, loved it actually. I wrote in a very naive blissful kind of way, but isn't that what the first blooming of writers supposed to look like?

  And that's how my writing life started, kind of like a domino effect, one after the other.

  Years would pass and more novels would pop out. Secrets about the writing world became known to me and those secrets shaped me in to a better writer.

 I am still waiting for the day when I get to say: And then I wrote my debut novel. That day will come sooner or later, but for now I am a fifteen year old girl who just likes writing stories that I want to read, and in some ways I still feel like the seven year old fighting off  my sister to stay on board the couch.

School's Starting Again...

  So... school.... *insert synchronized sigh here.*

  It's started back up again, and you know what that means. Homework, homework, a little bit of play practice, homework, maybe some sleep, homework, more homework, homework, oh and did I mention homework?

  It doesn't really help that I'm taking AP World this year which is supposedly the hardest class you will ever take in the history of your high school life (not sure if I believe that yet.)  And with school means more plays, since it's required to do at least two plays a year at my school.

  Oh, and none of us can ever forget seminary, can we?

  (For those of you wondering, seminary is this thing we Mormons do where we get up in the morning at five and go to church. Fun, right?)

  Anywhoo...

  With all of this stuff going on, it's hard fitting writing time anywhere here. So, how does one master the art of time management?

  As writers, that's something we all should learn. Something that helps me manage time is keeping a schedule. It's just a basic set up for what I do every day and where writing slots fit. I have one, but it's not like a follow it to the very last minute type of schedule. Just an outline.

  5-Get up and go to seminary

  7-8:30- Writing Time before school

  9-4- School

  4-4:45- Chores around the house and the occasional snack

  4:45- 6 or 7ish or 8 (Depending on the homework load)- Homework

  6 or 7ish or 8- 9- Writing Time

  9-10- Whatever I want time (Most days this transforms in to writing time)

  10- Go to bed

  And then I get up and start the pattern all over again! Yay for monotony!!!! With this I can basically see where I can squeeze writing time in. Of course, eating finds it way in there and some bathroom breaks (unless, you know, you want to become a starved person with a bladder infection.)

  I know extracurricular things come along. With the plays I'm in the rehearsal usually go from 4:30 to 7, taking up much of my homework time. I have church activities as well and later in the season basketball. These can all get tangled and mess with a perfect little schedule you have mapped out in your head. That's why it's best to get ahead of your writing if you can. Instead of writing 2,000 words, maybe add an extra 100. Those words will pile up and make up for lost time.

  Through all of this it's always important to keep your writing time holy. Don't just waste it by re-reading old writing, or staring at the computer screen wondering what to say next, or being persuaded by the evil internet icon and having hour long journeys on Facebook. Not that that's ever happened to me before though... *coughs nervously.*

  So, as a writer time management is something you need to master. Which in the end will benefit you and your writing.

 

Origin Giveaway!

  Hey guys!

  Brand new author, Jessica Khoury is having an awesome giveaway over there on her blog, http://jnkhoury.blogspot.com/p/origin-olympics_20.html. Go check it out! It includes tons of fantastical prizes you'll be sure to love.
 

Origin, the new YA novel by Jessica Khoury, is about to come about! Super excited for this one! To find out more about check out this website http://origin-book.com/.

  And look at this awesome trailer!

  Be excited. I know I am.

Dear Diary Blogfest

  I am back from camp, and it was awesome!

  So Katie over in Fiction Diaries is doing a blog fest. Basically you are supposed to list 100 random things about yourself... Well (cracks knuckles) Here I go!

1. I love Sesame Chicken.

2.I am Mormon, and I love being it!

3.I am the second oldest in a family of six kids, ranging from seventeen to ten months.

4. I have braces.

5. I never change the color of my braces. They will stay blue!

6. I go to an arts school for Drama.

7. I love acting (if it wasn't obvious from the drama program I'm in)

8. I am writing a series.

9. I have been writing since I was twelve.

10. I just started writing a new book about human plant-hybrids... and I couldn't be more excited.

11. I have misophonia, which basically means I want to punch anybody who chews loudly.

12. I am part Hispanic.

13. I am part white.

14. I have waist length curly hair.

15. The longest I've ever stayed up writing was until five in the morning.

16. During the summer I am a bum.

17. I am addicted to the show Avatar The Last Airbender!

18. I have created four Cosplay costumes for the character Katara, all were hand sewn.

19. And yes, when I was ten I cut pieces of blue fabric, tied them to my wrists, slashed my siblings back and told everyone I was a waterbender.

20. I recently spent three days in the woods, dressed as pioneer, pulling a hand cart, with no showers.

21. I have also recently spent a week in the woods, not dressed as a pioneer but having an awesome time at camp. 

22. I am afraid of manatees. 

23. I love lemon doughnuts.

24. I used to write plays.

25. I discovered writing plays isn't as fun as novel writing because you only get the dialogue.

26. I have tons of cousins.

27. I am typing right now on this laptop.

28. I am now discovering writing 100 things about yourself is harder than it looks.

29. Oooh! 100 years ago the Titanic sank, and I love that movie. 

30. I have not seen Avengers, though I want to badly.

31. My favorite song right now is "Set Fire to the Third Bar" by snow patrol.

32. I am fifteen years old (can't believe I didn't think of that one earlier.)

33. Hunger Games is my favorite series.

34. It is also my favorite book.

35. I share a room with six year old little brother and four year old little sister. 

36. Due to this my room never stays clean for long.

37. I speak Spanish.

38. I also speak English.

39. You are now realizing that, that was obvious.

40. My mother also grew up in a family of six.

41. I feel like a criminal reading the books at Barnes and Noble because I haven't payed for them. 

42. Reading the books at Barnes and Noble is oh, so tempting though.

43. Did I mention I love sesame chicken? Well I also love any Chinese food.

44. I have discovered editing is a crap load of work.

45. So is writing.

46. I wouldn't be writing if I cared about the work load.

47. I'm almost half way to the half way mark!

48. I once watched the LOTR trilogy on the way to Nauvoo.

49. I fell asleep and missed most of the second movie.

50. I've reached the half point line!

51. On that same trip to Nauvoo I rode there in a care with no air conditioning.

52. Because of this we had the windows down half the time

53. Remember what I said about my hair being waist length? That came as a problem when my hair started whipping people's faces. 

54. I eventually decided to stuff my face under a pillowcase to cover my hair and I looked like this...

55. And no, Nauvoo is not a planet from Star Wars. 

56. That trip was particularly big because it involved all our family, cousins included.

57. I am now moving off of the topic of Nauvoo.

58. I hate make up.

59. I never carry around a purse.

60. In short, I am not a girly girl.

61. I recently read the ending book of the Maximum Ride series. 

62. The ending was horrendous.

63. I still haven't gotten my school summer reading book.

64. I love gummy bears.

65. I love gummy worms just as much.

66. I eat them even if I do have braces.

67. I eat a lot of things I'm not supposed to eat while on braces.

68. My dream role is probably Carlotta fro POTO.

69. I would want to play her because she has an amazing vocal range and her character is so funny.

70. "They lov-ed me! Love-ed me, lov-ed me!'- Favorite quote from Carlotta.

71. I recently watched Love Never Dies, which is the sequel to POTO.

72. It was amazing!

73. I am realizing for the second time how hard coming up with 100 things about yourself is.

74. If I could pick a cartoon character to marry it would be Sokka.

73. I would pick him because he is so funny.

74. "This drink, I like it. ANOTHER! *smashes cup on ground*"- Thor. Favorite movie line right now.

75. I like wearing flip flops.

76. It's a pain in the butt finding socks.

77. I almost always wear mismatched socks when I do where socks.

78. I also wear knee length mismatched socks that I roll down to my ankles.

79. I think fluffy pillows are amazing when you are tired.

80. I love the Gallagher Girls series.

81. I love the book Matched and Crossed.

82. I love Divergent and Insurgent.

83. Now I am just naming books I like. 

84. I have an obsession with plums. 

85. I also have an obsession with grapes. 

86. I have too many inside jokes with too many friends to count.

87. I love the musical Wicked. 

88. I love eating s'mores year round.

89. If you didn't know, s'mores are a year round snack.

90. I know almost every line from Nacho Libre.

91. I love love love orange juice, I could drink that stuff by the gallon.

92. I could eat breakfast items for lunch and dinner. They are the best!

93. I hate ice in my drinks.

94. Right now I am in fuzzy pajamas. 

95. I have discovered my brother's laugh is the cutest thing in the world.

96. I have always wanted to have a Hunger Games themed camp where everyone wore flags, and if your flag was pulled you had been killed. I have this game plotted out in my head.

97. It bugs me when people say, oh your writing a book. Are you going to publish it? Well... I want to, but that may take years...

98. I only have two more things to say about myself left!

99. I try to keep up a journal, but I always fail. Though right now I've been pretty consistent. 

100. I love running around the woods pretending I am Katniss.

*Whew* Imagine me wiping my brow and then collapsing on the floor from utter exhaustion.

Well that's it! Don't worry I haven't actually died. Head on over to fiction diaries if you want to see what other people are participating.http://thefictiondiaries.blogspot.com/