Good morning.
Another weekend has flown by, and in just a few precious hours I must once again engage with other human beings.
I slept terribly. It's been super windy out, and all those weird whines and whistles houses do during such weather kept waking me up.
I'm also on here instead of Google Drive because I'm stalling. I'm not sure how I want Chapter 12 to start. I know what needs to happen within it, but I'm still trying to come up with the best, most powerful and telling opening. It's the first big chapter for a new character, so I also have to make sure his personality is developed correctly.
The image of a bowling alley keeps coming back to me.....hmm, might have to explore this.
KR
June 27, 2016
June 21, 2016
Writing Files: Staying Organized
Some people have asked how I organize my writing, especially when penning a full-length (or lengthy) novel.
I use both old-school methods and electronic.
For the old school method, I always have a thick notebook that is for the novel ONLY. Nothing else. (Okay, once in a while I have to scribble some kind of note in there when I'm desperate for paper, but I try not to.) I usually use a five subject notebook, that way I can use the different sections for things like character profiles, chapter outline, and Things-That-Need-To-Happen (that is what I call it!).
Recently, for The Underbelly Series, I grabbed an 11X17 size piece of paper to create a diagram- one side has the city, St. Clair, in the middle and connected by lines are all the characters- the "good" guys on the left side and the bad crew on the right. I have at least one character that is riding the rails and working for both sides, so this type of diagram lets me see how everyone in the story is connected.
Electronically, I use Google Drive to write it all up. I use separate documents for chapter outline, character profiles and plot points. Then I make each chapter a separate document as well. My character profiles are color coordinated- good guys one color, bad guys another color, and then those that work for both sides a third color.
The Underbelly Series is the most organized story that I have ever put together. I'm now of the mindset that I can't have too many documents about it, or too many notes- as long as it stays organized. You don't want to clutter the whole shebang up so much that it's impossible to work on it.
KR
I use both old-school methods and electronic.
For the old school method, I always have a thick notebook that is for the novel ONLY. Nothing else. (Okay, once in a while I have to scribble some kind of note in there when I'm desperate for paper, but I try not to.) I usually use a five subject notebook, that way I can use the different sections for things like character profiles, chapter outline, and Things-That-Need-To-Happen (that is what I call it!).
Recently, for The Underbelly Series, I grabbed an 11X17 size piece of paper to create a diagram- one side has the city, St. Clair, in the middle and connected by lines are all the characters- the "good" guys on the left side and the bad crew on the right. I have at least one character that is riding the rails and working for both sides, so this type of diagram lets me see how everyone in the story is connected.
Electronically, I use Google Drive to write it all up. I use separate documents for chapter outline, character profiles and plot points. Then I make each chapter a separate document as well. My character profiles are color coordinated- good guys one color, bad guys another color, and then those that work for both sides a third color.
The Underbelly Series is the most organized story that I have ever put together. I'm now of the mindset that I can't have too many documents about it, or too many notes- as long as it stays organized. You don't want to clutter the whole shebang up so much that it's impossible to work on it.
KR
June 14, 2016
Morning Demons
Good morning, readers.
Today I managed to wake up early, enough to get a tad bit of writing done. I love the early morning- I love the quiet, the half-light, the calm before the day begins. However, my love of sleep often outweighs my love of writing.
I'm trying to change that.
I would love to be the type that bounces out of bed the minute the alarm goes off, but alas, it's a daily struggle. Occasionally, when I'm in a super good writing spot, my eagerness to keep the story going will help me not hit the snooze button...again,and again.....but for the most part, my brain tells me to F*** off.
I'm trying to figure out my sleep rhythm, and I suspect that I need to set my alarm even earlier- it seems like any later than 5 a.m., and it's near impossible for me to get out of bed. However, I'm going to have to get my mind used to seeing a '4' and not automatically thinking, No way man.
The other side of that quarter is going to bed early enough. This time of year, when it's light until past nine, going to bed at a reasonable hour is a whole 'nuther difficult factor in this.
I'm really just stalling with this blog post. It's easier to bitch about my sleep schedule than work on Chapter 11. I finished Chapter 10 last night and Chapter 11 requires a good portion of backstory and description. Backstory is easier than description, for me.
(Besides waking early, description is definitely my biggest writing challenge. I'm much more eager to write action scenes, than to describe what my characters are seeing.)
KR
Today I managed to wake up early, enough to get a tad bit of writing done. I love the early morning- I love the quiet, the half-light, the calm before the day begins. However, my love of sleep often outweighs my love of writing.
I'm trying to change that.
I would love to be the type that bounces out of bed the minute the alarm goes off, but alas, it's a daily struggle. Occasionally, when I'm in a super good writing spot, my eagerness to keep the story going will help me not hit the snooze button...again,and again.....but for the most part, my brain tells me to F*** off.
I'm trying to figure out my sleep rhythm, and I suspect that I need to set my alarm even earlier- it seems like any later than 5 a.m., and it's near impossible for me to get out of bed. However, I'm going to have to get my mind used to seeing a '4' and not automatically thinking, No way man.
The other side of that quarter is going to bed early enough. This time of year, when it's light until past nine, going to bed at a reasonable hour is a whole 'nuther difficult factor in this.
I'm really just stalling with this blog post. It's easier to bitch about my sleep schedule than work on Chapter 11. I finished Chapter 10 last night and Chapter 11 requires a good portion of backstory and description. Backstory is easier than description, for me.
(Besides waking early, description is definitely my biggest writing challenge. I'm much more eager to write action scenes, than to describe what my characters are seeing.)
KR
June 11, 2016
A Writing Confession
Another Saturday morning. Another writing morning cranked to the side because of a sleeping feline on my lap. *sigh* I don't really mind though, my fur babies are my life and I wouldn't trade the sweet little face that's slumbering only a couple inches away.
Okay, how is the book going? I need to confess something.
I am no longer working on Broken Bloodlines. Yes, I have given up on it once more. I had made a decent dent in the editing but there are still some big holes to fix, and....I don't know, I just lost my motivation with it. Those that have been reading my blog long enough know that the B.B. series is my albatross. The perfect plot is always just out of reach. This is a story that I have been trying to finish-really finish- since 2005. Someday, someday...it will get finished, and not just "I am impatient and I'm going to throw it up on Amazon just to feel better" finished, haha. This first book is such a mess because I had no writing plan back then- I was just writing scenes as they came to me, and tried to make it cohesive. (It's not cohesive.)
Fast forward 2016- these days I'm much more organized with my world building. I have separate documents for character sketches, plot outlines, things-that-need-to-happen graphs. etc. I have also shifted to a different paranormal camp, one that is infinitely more exciting. The Underbelly Series is a story line that I started fall of 2015, when I was miserable in my job and needed an escape. (Okay, so I'm always looking for an escape, but whatever. )
This story has been talking to me since day 1, and the characters are so bad ass. I still have an end date for book 1 December 2016. And I'm holding myself to that.
I am currently working through Chapter 10; there's a character who has committed a heinous act- well, actually it was done 22 years previously, but it had just been discovered. And the demon king is not happy.
I thank you all for your patience. As much as I wanted to be an accomplished writer by this age, I didn't have the self-discipline that I needed to get there. It's roughly ten years later, and I've still got a ways to go but I'm in a much better place to make it happen.
FAITH.
KR
Okay, how is the book going? I need to confess something.
I am no longer working on Broken Bloodlines. Yes, I have given up on it once more. I had made a decent dent in the editing but there are still some big holes to fix, and....I don't know, I just lost my motivation with it. Those that have been reading my blog long enough know that the B.B. series is my albatross. The perfect plot is always just out of reach. This is a story that I have been trying to finish-really finish- since 2005. Someday, someday...it will get finished, and not just "I am impatient and I'm going to throw it up on Amazon just to feel better" finished, haha. This first book is such a mess because I had no writing plan back then- I was just writing scenes as they came to me, and tried to make it cohesive. (It's not cohesive.)
Fast forward 2016- these days I'm much more organized with my world building. I have separate documents for character sketches, plot outlines, things-that-need-to-happen graphs. etc. I have also shifted to a different paranormal camp, one that is infinitely more exciting. The Underbelly Series is a story line that I started fall of 2015, when I was miserable in my job and needed an escape. (Okay, so I'm always looking for an escape, but whatever. )
This story has been talking to me since day 1, and the characters are so bad ass. I still have an end date for book 1 December 2016. And I'm holding myself to that.
I am currently working through Chapter 10; there's a character who has committed a heinous act- well, actually it was done 22 years previously, but it had just been discovered. And the demon king is not happy.
I thank you all for your patience. As much as I wanted to be an accomplished writer by this age, I didn't have the self-discipline that I needed to get there. It's roughly ten years later, and I've still got a ways to go but I'm in a much better place to make it happen.
FAITH.
KR
June 04, 2016
To Build an Empire....
Happy Saturday morning dear readers!
I'm currently writing on the couch with my torso twisted all funny, due to the feline that has draped himself all over my lap. Thus my laptop has been placed to my left, so I have to twist in order to give my fingers correct placement on the keyboard. Lazy kitties.
This is a quick post as I have a special library gig to go to soon. However, I wanted to put a little blurb up about how I'm branching out.
You see, I am very much an introvert, and can easily morph into a total hermit.
When it comes to writing, I am really making an effort to be more involved- through online discussion, book reviews, writing communities, etc. I have signed up to be a Reader's Hollow book reviewer, which I'm really excited about. (See button--->)
It's a great site, full of awesome writers and readers and reviewers. Amazing titles come through, and it was hard to decide on which book to review.
And as always, I'm always open to new writers that are looking for an interview and exposure- email me! kellyraine1818@gmail.com and we'll get that set up.
We all have to work together in this!
Have a great weekend,
KR
I'm currently writing on the couch with my torso twisted all funny, due to the feline that has draped himself all over my lap. Thus my laptop has been placed to my left, so I have to twist in order to give my fingers correct placement on the keyboard. Lazy kitties.
This is a quick post as I have a special library gig to go to soon. However, I wanted to put a little blurb up about how I'm branching out.
You see, I am very much an introvert, and can easily morph into a total hermit.
When it comes to writing, I am really making an effort to be more involved- through online discussion, book reviews, writing communities, etc. I have signed up to be a Reader's Hollow book reviewer, which I'm really excited about. (See button--->)
It's a great site, full of awesome writers and readers and reviewers. Amazing titles come through, and it was hard to decide on which book to review.
And as always, I'm always open to new writers that are looking for an interview and exposure- email me! kellyraine1818@gmail.com and we'll get that set up.
We all have to work together in this!
Have a great weekend,
KR
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