Mission: Accomplished

It is done. At 218 pages and 56, 596 words, with 1 day, 1 hour, and 29 minutes to spare...

My cousin, Alex, and I went to Kinko's last night to get our books printed and bound. We could scarcely suppress the giggles that threatened to burst from our lips, as we watched the printer spit out sheet after sheet of perfect white paper. I'm not a parent, but, when I held my beautiful book in my arms for the first time, I sure felt like one.

I can't believe it's already December 31st. It seems like only yesterday that Alex and I were sitting on the floor of my brother's room (why we were in my brother's room, I don't know) making our famous "gum pact" to finish a novel in a year. I don't make promises lightly and I always keep the ones I make, so I knew, once we sealed it in gum, I would have to run the race to the end. And so I have.

I feel like fireworks should be blazing in the night sky to honor the epic day Kaeli Newman finished something. Certainly, fireworks will be bursting, but to singal a New Year. Not to celebrate my book. 2011 - the year my book will be published.

I've learned so much this year from writing this book. For time's sake, I'll consolidate it into a "Top Ten" list of what I've learned. "And, so what we have learned applies to our lives today..." Forgive the random Veggie Tales moment. I teach preschool Sunday School... and I never did understand what Bob the Tomato had against the song. It's catchy!

Anyway, here is my "Top Ten":

1) I am a procrastinator. As if we didn't already know this... I think I actually enjoy the adrenaline rush as I wait until the last minute to get started. I plan to make my future deadlines MUCH shorter. Say, six months for my next book?

2) December is a horrible month for deadlines. Especially since I wait until the last minute. I will never make a deadline in December ever ever again. It's far too crazy, trying to juggle deadlines and Christmas parties.

3) Description is key. The more description, the better (and clearer!) the story.

4) Facebook is evil. Hi, my name is Kaeli and I'm a Facebook addict. (Hi, Kaeli). The first step is admitting it, right? I've learned I need to limit my Facebook time. When I get bored with my story, I find myself "checking" Facebook. And then, four hours later... You get the idea.

5) I have a huge support team. My family and friends have become my incredible fans and cheerleaders. Almost every day (at church, at the salon, at home), someone would ask, "Is your book done yet?" I even had one client stop in to the salon. She smiled and said, "You have two more days..." I'm surrounded by amazing encouragers.

6) Suspense is probably the most important element in a novel. Suspense propels readers onward, keeps them guessing, and makes them want, "MORE!" I learned that from the Hunger Games. I'm reading Mockingjay now, by the way.

7) You need someone to run the race with. It is easier to accomplish big goals if you have someone accomplishing big goals too - someone who understands the hills and valleys, someone who can give a little advice, or talk you out of giving up. My cousin, Alex, is my teammate.

8) My parents and brother are fantastic editors. And have boundless creative ideas to offer! With their knowledge and advice, they have helped make this novel what it is today. (I'm making myself laugh - #8 sounds more like a piece from an acknowledgements page).

9) Stories are discovered, not manufactured. I am simply the explorer.

10) And last, but not least, I've learned that I can do far more than I think I can, if I persevere until the end. As Josh Billings said, "Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there."


Novel Update: Oh, wait? 0 days remaining. Novel complete.

Just A Few More Hours...

60 hours, to be exact.

Life has been wild these past few weeks. I forgot December was such a crazy month. I've been running around, like a headless chicken, and, still, I haven't really paused to take a breath. I've been flying from work to Christmas parties to my laptop (to edit my book) to church to grandparents' houses. I bought my Christmas presents THE DAY before Christmas Eve. And, I guess, everyone else had the same idea too.

Needless to say, that's why I have neglected my blog.

But, despite the swirling blur of activities, I can see the finish line. I'm revising the last 19 pages - tying up all the loose ends and bringing everything together in one escalating suspenseful grand climax, followed by a fantastic resolution. I'm changing a few names, and adjusting other bits and pieces.

And, I'll admit it, I'm quite proud. Not the "I'm so much better than you!" sort of pride. More like the "My child is an Honor Student" variety.

On December the 31st (eek...Friday!), I will break through the tape at the end of the finish line with arms raised in victory, like the man in the picture (only I have more hair...so there).

Novel Update: 2 more days!

Poetic

The discovery of "words" and "sentences" and "paragraphs" must have been an incredible, awe-inspiring moment. I wish I could have been there at the "dawn of writing". Only another writer could really understand the pure magic of it.

Forgive the nerdiness...

But, when I hear Mt. Desolation hum, "Morning wears a veil of rain above the city I live in..." or Owl City sing, "Drenched in vanilla twilight..." I literally get chills at the fantastic poetry of their lyrics. It amazes me how these songwriters can paint such tangible pictures in words.

Metaphors. Similes.

My editor (my dear dad) wondered why I left out these magical elements in my own book. Certainly, I didn't do it on purpose. I'm not at all against metaphors and similes. A mere oversight on my part. But now my mission is to adorn every chapter with glorious metaphors and magnificent similes.

Novel Update: I'm scared. 15 days to conclude my novel. My dad still has 11 chapters to edit. I have to input the changes, and add several more of my own. 15 days...until victory.

Inspiration

Last December, when my cousin and I officially agreed to write a novel in a year (sealing it in gum of the Trident variety), we set out to do exactly that. But, in April, when I started this blog, I wanted to accomplish something else too.

Every time I watch Julie & Julia (a film about a woman who blogged about cooking ALL of Julia Child's famous recipes in 365 days) I get inspired. To write. It's strange because, aside from blogging, the movie is more about cooking than writing. But, despite that, I find myself on my computer working on my book every time, after watching Julie & Julia.

With this blog, I wanted to inspire others to win at something big and wild and crazy too. Every week at church, someone asks me how my book is going. The stylists at my salon frequently press me, "Are you done yet?"

The excitement is growing as the deadline approaches. People like to see other people win. Because, I think, it proves to them that they can succeed too. It's the reason we watch American Idol or cheer for our favorite sports team. Success inspires.

Another of my writing cousins recently wrote a blog post that almost brought tears to my eyes. He said, "I just feel the flame of inspiration beginning to flicker in my soul, sparking up from the coals of my creative spirit's dormant fire. I have two awesome cousins to thank for this rekindling."

Even if no one ever reads my novel (which I hope they will!), I will be content knowing that it inspired one fellow writer...

I have 18 days left. People are counting on me to finish this race.

Escalation

It's offical. I'm a nerd.

I received my copy of Writer's Digest in the mail the other day. In this age of internet social networking, I practically dance with excitement whenever I get anything in the mail. Upon seeing Harlan Coben's half-smile (or is he frowning?) and shiny bald head on the cover, I reacted as if it were some long-lost relative. Two months is practically an eternity to wait between Writer's Digest installments. Indeed, I'm addicted. And a certified nerd. But I believe I've maintained healthy levels of nerdiness. Deep down, everyone hides their inner-dweeb. I'm just admitting that I let mine roam free. Occasionally.

While pouring over these sacred writerly pages, I had an "aha!" moment. To my great dismay.

Several weeks ago, I came to the depressing realization that my novel severely and utterly lacked that essential story element, known by the general public as "suspense". Now, after reading Steven James' "3 Secrets to Great Storytelling", I decided my story was also missing escalation.

No, no, not escalators, such as you might find in the department stores while Christmas shopping. I mean, escalation, as in, to heighten the suspense you (supposedly) already possess. It pains me to say it, but this blog has more escalating suspense than my book. I have a time limit and a climax. Will I finish in time? Will I not?

Steven James said, "The story needs to progress toward more and more conflict, with more intimate struggles and deeper tension. The plot must always thicken; it must never thin." My novel's "escalating suspense" ebbs and flows like a series of random waves. But, what I need instead is just one great big wave that, page by page, rises higher and higher, until my reader (in this scenario, a terrified and slightly high surfer) stands there staring in awe and waiting (like some sort of freakish adrenaline junkie) to see if it will just keep rising or will it crash eventually? Duuuuude!


Now, how to actually accomplish that...

I have not a clue.


Novel Update: Way too much to do...why am I still blogging?

Procrastinators Anonymous

We procrastinators are a strange breed. Really, there is no complex explanation behind our thumb-twiddling-til-deadline ways. As Kesha so shrilly put it, simply 'we are who we are'.

I've had exactly 365 days to write this novel. I frittered away an embarassingly large amount of this year, thinking, "It's fine. I've got time." Too much time, apparently. I know I could have written this book in six months or less. I would have worked harder and faster, and not waited around until December 1st to stop talking about it and maybe actually put my nose to the grindstone. But, at least, now I'm motivated to work on the book every day. Right? *heavy breath* Right.

One month - just a single month left in my year-long writing journey. I have sixteen chapters to edit (fourth draft), my new plot twist to slip into the story, a possible rewrite of the entire ending (due to the new plot twist), juicy morsels of description to add, and a potential character flaw to give my main character... I foresee many late nights in these next 28 days.

But I will finish.


Novel Update: 28 days til query letter...

GOAL!

I made my goal - over 50,000 words and 200 pages!

Plus, after a heavy-duty brainstorming session, I created a "reason" for my novel. I invented impending doom, a time limit, and the reason behind the entire journey with the help of one simple stolen object. Oh, no - I didn't steal the item! My villain actually did. Now, each plot thread ties neatly into my new main idea, turning my aimless tale into a complex, multi-layered story.

However, this new addition means...yes, of course, you guessed it, back again to Chapter One to input the changes! I feel like it's a never-ending cycle. But the cycle must end in 39 days. I can see December 31st looming on the horizon...

"Kaeli" Update: A little overwhelmed...

Impending Doom

I stayed up until midnight, feverishly flying through the few remaining chapters of The Hunger Games. I kept glancing at the clock as the minutes ticked swiftly by, along with each page. I had to get up for church in the morning. Early. I tried to put the book down numerous times. But, every time, another exciting scene propelled me forward. All the way to the end.

Needless to say, I was tired the next morning.

Suspense, ladies and gentlemen. My book severely lacks suspense. There is no time limit. No sense of impending doom. No dangerous foes to run from. No wicked enemies to face (until the very end). Elle wanders, blissfully unaware of any danger, through the story, with the mentality, "What a fun little adventure we're on!"

I'll admit, it's not quite that bad. But it feels this way. Where is the drama? Where is the action? Where is the suspense? Where is the heart-stopping twist that forces nail-biting readers onward, despite the quickly aging day? What does Elle have to gain if she succeeds? What does she have to lose if she fails?


Novel Update: Once again, it's time to brainstorm. 10 chapters completed (fourth draft) and 45 days until......query letter time.

Tools of the Trade

By night, I'm an aspiring best-selling author. But, by day, I'm a hairstylist. A typical eight-hour day for a stylist involves doing hair (certainly) but, in the slower seasons (for example, right now), it involves a lot of waiting. Waiting for walk-ins with four other stylists. And impatient Kaeli does not like to wait...

I've spent the majority of my waiting time flying through the pages of the Hunger Games. On a side note, I'm not sure how one book, after six chapters, could turn from "A little slow, at first" to "I can't put it down!". I am impressed, Suzanne Collins. Most definitely impressed.

While the Hunger Games is an exceptional way to pass time, I decided, seeing as how I only have 49 days left til deadline, I probably should spend of a few of those hours...writing. And, as a hairstylist needs sharpened shears and a working blowdryer, a writer needs the proper tools as well.

So, today, I bought a netbook.

It is mind-blowing. Amazing.

For, those of you who are wondering "What's a netbook anyway?", it's basically a doll-size laptop. Probably, one of the coolest inventions since duct tape and jeggings. And I'm thoroughly excited to continue my writing journey on this petite 10" screen. It's simply adorable.

Novel Update: First chapter is really beautiful now. Elle's world is coming to life! 9 chapters edited (third draft...or is it fourth?) and 49 days remaining...

Writing with Little Arms

Don't you hate it when you realize one of your main plot themes makes no sense at all? I know I do.

It isn't the first time it's happened to me, certainly. And I'm sure it won't be the last.

I realized the issue though. I find myself handling great complex ideas and main plot points with Tyrannosaurus Rex arms. In other words, I've been undeniably lazy. I don't unwrap the idea to its full potential. I don't flesh out the details. I simply plunk an amazing theme into the middle of my novel, and hope the readers don't ask too many questions about it. I give them the stock "parent" answer when they ask, "But why?". Ehem, because I said so, don't you know.

The "because I said so" seems like such a simple answer. But readers don't buy it for long. It's true, I'm actually afraid to delve fully into an idea. I'm worried I'll come across more problems to solve and more inconsistencies to adjust. And, frankly, oftentimes I feel I don't want to work that hard. Laziness, indeed. It's easier to slip a beautiful unopened flowerbud into my story, and then that messy stuff known as pollen won't spoil anything.  

But I don't want my readers asking, "What's the point?" I want to put my whole effort into making this novel the best it can be. And so, I intend to return (yes, for the fifth time) to my beginning chapters and make each idea bigger and bolder. I want the book to spring to life. I want the story to be so realistic and true to life that it completely engulfs my readers.

Novel update: I'm widening my road map, and acquiring a giraffe neck to compensate for my T-Rex arms as I traverse these last 54 days til deadline.

Too Many Choices

 

Literary agents. I never realized how many existed out there! Finding an agent is like trying to select an ice cream flavor at Baskin & Robbins. As you peer down into the deep wide freezer box, you are overwhelmed by the limitless possibilites. And I, being slightly commitment-phobic, balk a bit at "limitless possiblities".

You must choose one, Kaeli.

But I don't want to choose just one! And, what if the one I choose is the wrong one!

True, literary agents themselves help limit your options by listing what they will and WILL NOT represent. But, that too is extremely disheartening. Far too many agents want middle-grade literature, but NOT fantasy middle-grade literature. And what can I do?! Transport all my dwarves, fairies, and princesses to modern day? I think not.

As they (still not sure who "they" is?) say, nothing worth doing is ever easy. Finding an agent is more trouble than actually writing the manuscript. And crafting a query letter BETTER than your novel...well, let's not even traverse that tangent.


Novel update: 9 weeks until deadline. I'm mapping out what still needs to be accomplished. Several more scenes are still waiting to be written and added (which will hopefully give me my desired 200 pages). I'm starting to feel a little nervous... As Willy Wonka put it: "So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.".

Titled. Perhaps?

While waiting for my dad's comments on each chapter, I wrote up a first draft query letter (which is really only half-terrible) and brainstormed a new title for my book to replace "A Tale of the Fairies". Yes, thank you, I know the old title is long and uninspiring. Hence, the brainstorming session.

I used to cringe every time someone asked, "What is the title of your book?" And I always follwed up quickly with, "And it's just a working title, really!" I treated the old title like a disowned child. I was not about to claim it as my own. Certainly, not after the bored looks everyone gave me after hearing it.

The gruesome task to rename has hovered over my head for weeks, and I decided the other day that I'd procrastinated long enough. My brain-blizzard produce a few promising keepers and several more that definitely belonged in the trash can, such as "The Great Beanstalk Adventure" which sounded more like a Muppet movie than a title for my novel.

The new title is certainly an improvement over the old. But I'm not sure if I'm completely attached to it yet... I feel like some sort of overly-cautious parent, unwilling to reveal my child's name to the world just now, for fear someone might...gulp...laugh. And so, I will reveal the new title on December the 31st when the book is entirely complete.

Novel Update: Besides what's contained in the above paragraphs, nothing new to report. 61 days. And counting.

Secret Code

I'm quite certain this photo represents how people feel when they glance over my Microsoft Word documents. Confused, they only see a jumble of green numbers scrolling up and down along a black background. Or, rather, a white page covered with boring 12-point letters. Whereas, I see an entire other world, peopled by creatures of my wild imagination.

The computer keyboard is my portal, transporting me from the trials of reality to the wonders of fantasy. Cue Aladdin's "I can show you a world..." I step into that world and I'm lost for hours, trying to collect enough souvenirs to take back to Earth and share with my fellow humans.

It's difficult to put my passion for writing into words. Even though I'm a writer. The words escape me for this. I suppose I'm sort of in awe of creativity itself. Art impresses me. Painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, and writers get a very small (and yet very potent) taste of how God felt when he created this world. How kind He is to share with us a small measure of his personal joy, by giving us creative minds!

Novel update: Up to chapter seven edited (third draft), 189 pages (only 11 more to reach my goal), and a measly 64 days to finish. I honestly can't believe it's almost the end of October. Where did the time go?

Imaginary Friends

When I was little, I had imaginary friends. And, the truth is, I still do.

I recently saw a shirt that read, "Writer's Block: When Your Imaginary Friends Won't Talk To You". I laughed at the truth in it! Elle and Jak, along with all the other characters in "A Tale", are my grown-up imaginary friends. I spend hours with them. Sometimes I have conversations with them and even arguments too. I understand their secret hopes. I sympathize with their deepest fears. And, whenever I am lonely or bored or sad, my characters will always be there to keep me company.

My good friend went away to college this week and, again, I am faced with the trials of growing up. Life is in constant motion and change, and I loathe it. I feel like Peter Pan. I want to run away to Never Land and remain forever young.

I suppose that's why I love to write so much. Because, even when I'm eighty-two and a half, I can still "play pretend" in my novels and no one will ever think the less of me. For a few hours at a time, I can escape to a world where dragons and princesses and knights in shining armor really do exist.

By the way, this photo is by Annie Leibovitz (who has done an AMAZING collection of Disney photographs). Here are a few more she's done:

My life would be absolutely complete if Ms. Leibovitz did the cover art/photography for "A Tale"... Indeed, I am a big dreamer.  But Les Brown says, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars."

Novel Update: Phase Four fully underway. Three chapters completely edited. 78 days.

All The Juicy Details

My dad and I are in the midst of editing "A Tale", and he instructed me to, please, add more detail!

As I read over Chapter One again, I realized that there isn't much description at all. Even I, the author, don't really know where anybody is standing or what anybody is doing in particular. And that, as we all know, is a very bad thing.

I completely agree with what my cousin said about her own characters, "I feel like they're all speaking in a vacuum".  It was as if Elle - my main character - was floating in a foggy meadow with her eyes closed while trying to describe what was going on all around her.

Needless to say (or perhaps not so "needless"), I'm going back and adding in all the juicy details. I never described Elle's employer. Nobody knew what she looked like! But, now they do.

Also, I embellished the opening scene with all kinds of lovely descriptions, so that Elle is no longer floating awkwardly in my metaphorical foggy meadow, but is now surrounded by a huge bustling excitable crowd in the middle of the village square. The scenery is finally becoming tangible. Happy day!

Wow, this picture makes me want a glass of orange juice immediately.......

Novel update: Twenty-four more chapters to edit and add descriptions to! 80 days to go!

Searching...



My dad finished reading my book this week. Phase Four: Third Draft is set to launch next week.

But, in the meantime, I've started searching for a literary agent. By "started searching", I mean logging into agentquery.com and swiftly scanning a few agents in the "middle grade" genre, before a few friends stopped by for a spontaneous movie night. Needless to say...yes, I got sidetracked.

I will get to it, eventually. Ok, sooner than later. After all, I only have 89 days until deadline. Can you believe it's October already?

As prep for my superhero series, I've started reading some popular bestelling series (how do you pluarlize series?) to sort of study the style and pace. I'm on Chapter Three of the Hunger Games. I've actually never read a book written from first person perspective AND in present tense. It's more difficult to get into the rhythm. But it definitely moves at a much faster, snappy speed, which is important for younger easily distracted readers. I also have The Lightning Thief and Lemony Snicket's The Bad Beginning to follow.

Also, I'm still in the middle of Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series. She is, by far, the most incredible writer I've ever read. She is a writing magician, and I'm not quite sure how she accomplishes it. Someday, I hope to be as talented.

I started this post to talk about literary agents, and strayed to listing off random books I'm reading...

Novel Update: "A Tale" has been read by two people, officially. Third draft is coming soon...

The Readers

I haven't posted anything lately, because I haven't personally done any more with "A Tale of the Fairies" (yes, still a working title).  

I'm in Phase 3: Test Subjects.

My mom finished reading my book yesterday. My first real reader! She said she loved it, and that it even made her tear up at the end! My dad is starting it today. Just the fact that someone, not me, has read my book seems to legitimize the fact that I've actually written a book. It's no longer a vague idea floating around in my head. Successfully, I have brought someone else into my imaginary world and shared it with them.

Cheers! I'm living the writer's dream.

Almost.

I'm told "A Tale" calls for, "More!" in the description department, which won't necessarily be a simple task since the book from a first person POV. Honestly, how much flora and fauna would you prattle off before it grew wearisome? However, added description means added pages. And I would still like to reach 200 pages ultimately.

Also, apparently I use the word "smirk" far too frequently. Which I find humorous. But, how many other words are there for "between a smile and a laugh"?

Lately, people (from church, from work, family, friends) randomly ask, "How's your book going?" Which means...they've been reading my blog. Or, at least, my facebook statuses, which merits a gold star at least. I'm happy people are interested. Interested people equal, I hope, hungry readers. Thank you, friends, for being so supportive.

Novel Update: 95 days.

Final 100

We're down to the final one hundred days. In the last 265 days, I wrote a 150(ish) page first draft followed by a 180(ish) page second draft. Now, as I plunge into my third and final drafts, it's time for the rubber to meet the road. Apparently we've been flying, and we must get out the landing gear.

I've been waiting on an ink cartridge so I can print the 180(ish) page second draft for the viewing and red pens of my beloved family, in hopes that my grammatical mistakes will pop out to their fresh eyes.

However, while waiting, I refuse to sit around and twiddle my thumbs. Instead, I'm putting them and my fingers to good use, outlining a new book to go with that impeccable plotless title. You know, the one I came up with a week ago?

In fact, I'm cooking up a short three-part superhero series for the YA crowd, and I'm getting kind of excited about it. Already, I've titled the three books. I've even named six of the more prominent characters, because, of course, an author can't know what their characters look like until they have a name. Now, that I have a clear picture of the six, I can start creating a plot...


Novel Update: Third draft time. 182 pages. 100 days to go.

Special Announcement

We interrupt this program for a special announcement.

I finished my second draft today.

Counting Down

Six days.

I'm so close that I can practically taste second draft victory. It's an altogether different kind of flavor! Indescribable, really.

I have reached 180 pages, due to a little more showing than telling. Also, I added a few fancy touches, and modified some inconsistencies. I'm still hoping to have 200 pages total, at least by the final draft.

Ugh, I've read and reread this book so many times, I probably have every word memorized. I could  travel around and do book recitations, I know it so well. I almost can't bear to look at it anymore, let alone read it again and make sure everything lines up...

But I must conquer!

I have three names to change - 1) a deserted island; 2) the giant king's fortress; and 3) the name of the giant army. And I have one last scene to adjust...and the second draft is finished!

Novel Update: I'm definitely going to make my sub-goal. After that, I'll have exactly 100 days. *Cue the creepy music - dun, dun, dun, dah!*

Troubles with Titles

I have a love-hate relationship with titles. I hate them and love them equally.

My current title for my book is A Tale of the Faeries - which doesn't really shout, "Read me!" from the bookshelves. Certainly, I wouldn't want to read my book, if it was titled that. There is quite a bit of truth in the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Because people will, and do.

There are just so many intertwining plot threads that I can't pick one from which to form a title. A Tale of the Faeries encompasses the entire theme, but doesn't give any hints to what the story is really about. It doesn't make anyone hungry for MORE! When I've been editing a book so long, it's difficult to see the novel as a whole - which is necesssary in giving it a name.

Looking on the bright side, while I'm still having trouble with the title, I have no problem with the plot. The plot of a story is, after all, the most important part, right?

The other day, I came up with an excellent title - which is a rare accomplishment for me, since the title is usually the cherry on top. BUT! I have no plot to complement it. Like meat and potatoes, you can't have one without the other. And so, I'm neatly tucking that amazing plotless title away for safekeeping in my not over full "Ideas" file.


Novel Update: No title yet. Obviously. Making excellent progress with the second draft. Going back through, adding my notes from the hard copy. I'm noticing alot of inconsistencies throughout, which I'm fixing as I go. I have 11 days until my second draft is due. 111 til the book is complete!

Super-Humans

I discovered one reason I don't currently have a boyfriend. And, yes, this has to do with writing, I promise. In every story, I create such a perfect combination of the brave, noble, handsome, witty hero. I give him fabulous talents and exceptional skills. He is absolutely unrivaled in every area. And, I think, I have fallen in love with the 'prince charming' of my imagination.  No mortal man can ever quite measure up to him.

And, therein lies the problem I face. Humans are not and never will be 100% perfect, and I want to make each and every one of my characters more human. Yes, even Prince Charming. I believe that giving a character human flaws and characteristics makes them more likeable. Readers can relate to them.

For example, I have a deep love and appreciation for Peter Parker (Spiderman) far more than for Clark Kent (Superman). In fact, I even find Clark a little dull. I see some of myself in Peter's humanness, whereas Clark is...well, Superman. Need I elaborate?

I recently saw the movie, Prince of Persia. I disliked the main character because he lacked flaws. It sounds insane. But, I hated him for his perfection. I wanted to know what made him real, what made him human, what made him...like me, I guess.

I'm afraid Prince Jak (my story's prince charming) is too perfect. Yet, I love him just the way he is... What to do??


Novel Update: 2 chapters and 17 days until my second draft is complete! 170 pages, and 117 days total remaining.

Show Time

127.

That's how many days I have left to finish my novel. Frightening. Yet inspiring.

It's time to take my writing and editing to an entirely new level. I have a sub-goal - a goal within my larger picture. My plan is to complete my entire second draft, fixing all the inconsistencies and writing the additional scenes, in the next 27 days. We're talking roughly a month.

Then, in the following last 100 days, I will be able to go over my work with a fine-tooth comb, have people read and critique my third draft, and finish it up before my deadline of December 31st.

That's the plan.


Novel update: Currently working on an additional scene - the death of a great, heroic character. I've even cried a little while writing it. Is that bad?

Alice Advice

"I give myself very good advice. But I very seldom follow it."

Alice and I have a lot in common.

Only two blog posts ago, I said that stories are not manufactured but, rather, discovered. I had an hour-long phone conversation with my writing cohort (which mainly consisted of me whining to her about how nothing made sense in my novel anymore).

She then told me to go re-read my own blog post, which said, "Whenever I'm struggling to make a plot line work, it's likely because I'm trying to force the story to go in a direction that it actually doesn't (or shouldn't) go."

Needless to say, I felt a little hypocritical.

Yet, after I got off the phone and for this past week, I've continued struggling to make a square fit into a circle. I laid awake in bed for, what felt like, an eternity. I went through every possible idea to fix my villian problem. With no results. Except a very sore brain.

The next day, I decided to take a break from the trials of my book. I'm just sitting there - contendly immersed in the world of Francine Rivers' A Voice in the Wind - when, out of nowhere, a lighning bolt of inspiration suddenly struck me. And I realized my one-line of dialogue had been there all along, simply waiting to be discovered. Oh, frabjous day!

All that to say, follow your own advice...if it's "very good advice". 


Novel update: Getting there... 131 days remaining!

Confusing Characters

One-line of dialogue can fix any story problem, or so they say. Like, "It's really great that we invented this thingymabopper to help us breathe under water." However, what people don't realize, is how many hours of strife and struggle it takes to get to that one simple little line...

Lately, I've been battling it out with my evil villian. I'm severely confused. What made perfect sense previously is complicated now. As I'm red-penning the later chapters, I realized my villian's been doing things that go against her true nature. Nice things. And last I knew, evil villians did not do nice things. At least, for nice reasons. If only I could uncover her true (and truly evil) motive for doing the nice things she's doing (and spell it out in one line of dialogue), it might all make sense and I could sleep better at night...

Another predicament I so kindly brought upon myself is...how to kill one of my main characters. I love him, and I'm not completely certain I can part with him. However, if I do part with him, I must do it epicly (I don't think that's an actual word). There can be no lame deaths in this novel. Oh, but I can't bear to watch...or write it.

Novel Update: Basically what I just said in the last three paragraphs... 133 days...

Born, Not Made

Stories are discovered. Not manufactured. Whenever I'm struggling to make a plot line work, it's likely because I'm trying to force the story to go in a direction that it actually doesn't (or shouldn't) go.

I hate to sound writerish... But stories are already there before I ever start writing them. The world of my fantasy is, to me, a real world with real people. I create nothing. I only enter that world, and bring back my treasure trove - in the form of nouns and verbs - to reveal that world to my readers.

My dear writing friend dared to ask the question, "Why?" A formidable question, indeed, to the writer. She asked what was the deep, driving motivation for my character Jak, and, as I thought for a moment, I could see his motivation clearly. It was already there. I just hadn't discovered it...until that moment. 

Novel Update: It's more difficult to track a second draft than a first, because I'm jumping all around the book. I have "red-penned" up to Chapter Seventeen. I'm going back and adding a few more scenes to give the characters, such as Jak, more depth. But I must hurry...140 days remaining!

Read! Read! Read!

My newest issue of Writer's Digest is a "top ten" treasure trove (try to say that ten times fast!) and I'm still discovering new wealth among its pages. However, some discoveries are painful truths. Number 5 of Sherman Alexie's Top Ten was, "For every 1 page you write, read 1000." Another writer said that if you fill yourself up with poems, essays, and stories, you will always explode with creativity like Old Faithful.

I used to wonder why I went through dry spells. I don't wonder that anymore.

I used to read all the time and, therefore, I used to write all the time. But reading takes dedication, time, commitment, focus. All of which, I lack at one point or another. But if reading means writing, I will do whatever it takes. To begin, I recently started reading Gone with the Wind. Not exactly within my genre. But a classic, nonetheless.

I hope it helps with my current writing drought...


Novel Update: "Red-penned" up to Chapter Eleven. 149 days remaining!

Second Draft

I have mixed feelings about second drafts. I printed my first draft out several days ago - all one hundred and fifty-five pages and twenty-two chapters of it. I gazed lovingly upon those clean white sheets as one might upon their newborn baby - so perfect, so fragile, so...not ready to go out into the cruel world to be critqued. Half of me cringed at the thought of tarnishing its purity with that accursed red pen. 

While the other half thrilled at the idea of covering it with notes of improvement. With each dash and dot, I sensed progress in the winds and shivered with excitement. Closer, closer, closer to my destination. To publication.

A chill crawls down my spine at the thought... I anticipate publication and I fear it. I fear for the unknown. What will they think of my work? Will they love it? *swallow* Will they hate it? And who is "they" anyhow?

But, now is not the time for such thoughts...much work is still ahead of this adventurer!


Novel update: First chapter has been red-penned. Or, rather, for lack of a pen of the red persuasion, blue-penned.

Novel Update

Hear ye! Hear ye! May it be known throughout the Great Northwest, and neighboring lands, that on this glorious day (July the 12th, 2010) Kaeli Elise completed the first draft of her novel. One hundred and seventy-one days remain in her quest to finish an entire novel by December the 31st. The journey may be long, it may be perilous, but conquer she shall!

Boxed In

I smile every time I see this picture...

All too often, I feel like this girl, with my head trapped by various sizes of cardboard boxes. Oftentimes it's a tight squeeze. And I'm not really sure what to do. It seems an easy task to simply lift said box from said head. But I guess it just must be too dark and confusing in there to think such simple thoughts as that...

As a writer, it irritates me to see boxes anywhere in sight. Remember, us writers like to be in charge. In Writer's Digest, there is a column for a short story contest. They start you off with a prompt, and let your imagination do the rest. I've been fascinated with the creativity of these stories.

One prompt was "Parents look on in horror as a magician's trick goes horribly awry during a child's birthday party" At this point in the past, I would have crammed myself into an extra small UPS box, for mailing a single toilet paper roll.

But these writers didn't...It says "parents look on in horror". I would first think that the story MUST be told from the parents perspective then. But the winning writer thought outside of the safe cardboard, and created his story from the first-person perspective of the magician's rabbit in the hat!

I suppose, 'thinking outside the box' consists of not necessarily using the first bland idea you have...


Novel update: One more chapter to tidy up before my first draft is complete!! 172 days to go!

Show, Don't Tell

The golden rule of writing - show, don't tell - is drilled, pounded, pummelled and otherwise smashed into your head from day one of deciding you want to write. It's a fantastic rule, of course, and the first every writer should follow. But, finally, after thirteen years of writing, I understand it.

I'm reading the Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy for the second time, and it's faithfully just as good as the first time. I'm also reading another book (which I shall not name), in a similiar style to the one I'm currently writing, and I'm astounded at the difference in the quality of the two books.

As I've said before, carbon-copy writing styles grow wearisome quickly. However, the opposing poles of these books is a matter of, you guessed it, "show don't tell". Baroness Orczy is a master at transporting you to the very time and place, without drawing attention to her writing. I barely remember I am reading. Whereas, in the other, I struggle over play-by-playish descriptions. I feel as if I'm being told a story, rather than experiencing it.

Indeed, it is exceedingly more difficult to steer clear of being a play-by-play writer when writing in first person - which I (and the other author which shall remain nameless) am. But now I know what to watch for...

Novel update: About 19 chapters finished (not consecutively) and 175 days remaining...

Tick, Tock

You know you're on a deadline when you start thinking of your life in terms of hours and minutes and seconds. Time slips quickly through my fingers with each tick and tock of the clock. (Oh, wait, I actually have a digital clock - which means the minutes go by completely silent, completely unnoticed). Every day, I waste this precious commodity. Every moment I spend away from my story brings me closer to my deadline and sends me further from my goal.

Today is the official halfway point. Shall we recap?

I began this blog in April, just four short months after starting my writing quest. I had completed 5 chapters in 97 days. I now have 182 days remaining. I have 17 chapters in beautiful shape (12 chapters in 2 months!), all ready for a second/third draft. 4 more ugly chapters await my magical editing wand. Currently, I have 150 pages total - including the ugly chapters - and my goal is 250. Whew!

Since I started writing this post today, 480 seconds have passed. Time is a cruel master.


Novel update: Working hard. The last half of anything always goes faster than the first. I finally understand the term, "racing the clock". Allow me to retrieve my sweat band...

Youth and Asia

This is an excerpt from the short story I'm working on. Trying to keep those creative juices flowing...

I returned from the hospital to the painful quiet of the house. My shoes thudded dully as I crossed the threshold to toss my purse onto the hall table. Tears stained my face – leaving white streaks through my blush – and new ones clung wetly to my eyelashes.

The ghosts of her former life haunted me at every corner. Gray smoke from her cigarette continued to wisp skyward, filling the air with its familiar aroma. On her chair, ‘Great Expectations’ lay open at page forty-seven. The dark stain on the rug – where she spilled her wine – still felt damp.

I was certain that at any moment she would skip laughingly around the corner, with a new joke bursting from her lips. I could see her settling into her chair, collecting her cigarette, gathering her book, and taking a long draught from her glass. But no matter how close she felt, she wasn't coming back. I closed the book. Its covers slammed shut.  She was gone.

Novel update: 17 chapters complete, 190 days remaining

Summer Has Arrived...Sort Of...

Typical Northwest. It's the first day of summer, and it's raining. Forgive me, Northwest darling. But your blustery temper (or temperatures?) has officially come between us. And though I love you dearly (as one loves a crazy relative), I know I will be leaving you for warmer climates (say...Arizona, perhaps?) when I am a rich and famous published author.

Will this be soon? Or am I destined to endure another June-uary? The choice is mine. Dare I procrastinate on my great project any longer? Nay. Page by page, I can start to feel the Phoenix sun beat down, warming my frostbitten fingertips. But I cannot blame the weather for my lack of motivation...or maybe I can. It is a fact: I definitely get more done when it's sunny.

It's the first day of summer, and that means I have ten days until my halfway point. I must make some progress.


Novel update: Nothing yet. 192 days remaining.

My Club

I discovered my proverbial club yesterday. And, no, I did not find it on Ebay.

After some insightful conversations with two writing relatives of mine, I found inspiration. It was craftily hiding within short stories.

Whenever I think of a decent story idea, I hoard it greedily, tuck it away in a semi-full file labeled "ideas" and never worry over it again... unless it can serve as part of a grander scheme. In other words, an actual novel.

Needless to say, I've never been much of a short story writer. I always felt that a short story was a wasted perfectly good idea. To reduce some fabulous plot or setting to only twenty pages seemed a bit like taking a few bites and then tossing a fifty dollar steak to the trash. I preferred full-blown two hundred and fifty paged monsters. Or nothing at all.

However, I discovered that writing short stories when going through dry spells actually increases creativity rather than deplete it. I once thought that writing anything besides my current novel was more a form of procrastination than actual work. But that isn't true at all. Developing other ideas helps me develop even more ideas. It keeps the creativity pool from becoming stagnant. And, instead of hiding my ideas away like money in a mattress, I'm investing in the bank of inspiration.

My creative juices are flowing again... I began writing a short story about a young girl and her experience with death. Not exactly my typical medium... but it's a good workout for my imagination.


Novel update: 197 days remaining, 16 chapters complete

Dry Spells

In the words of Jack London, author of Call of the Wild, "You can't wait for inspiration. You must go after it with a club." Apparently, I've been waiting for something that, like my new puppy, won't come when called. Quite a bit of waiting, actually. In the last couple weeks, I haven't written more than one or two words. I'm down to exactly 200 days, and I'm stuck in what feels like a Texas drought. I understand that everyone has dry spells, now and again. But I fear I will never again see the rains of inspiration. I have 126 pages completed and 20 more pages of a rough ending, which means I have to start using my imagination again... I suppose I'd better go out and buy a club. Since I don't have one on hand. I wonder if they sell them on Ebay...


Novel update: If you didn't read the paragraph above... 200 days remaing, 16 chapters complete

So Close, And Yet...

With two hundred and eleven days to go, I'm nearly halfway through on my great project. At least, halfway til my deadline. Not necessarily halfway through the actual book. And yet I'm dreaming of other books waiting to be written. I imagined up some fantastic book titles (which is usually quite a hardship for me). I'm writing bits and pieces, creating names for the main characters, thinking of sequels and series.

I am greatly upset with myself over this.

Whenever my current story becomes boring or difficult, I'm apt to cast it aside with a shrug of my shoulders, and move on to something else. What was that cliche again?? Oh yes... "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Apparently, I'm weaker than I thought. And I'm not the only one. My cousin and writing friend declared once, "New plots spring to mind, new rhythms, new names - the sparks fly again, with the same stirring joy as infatuation, and the same seeping guilt as an affair. Can one actually cheat on their book?" Indeed, I feel the same.

But, for once in my life, I would like to finish something. No matter how difficult. No matter how annoying. No matter how much I don't feel like it at the time. A Tale of the Faeries - or whatever it ends up being called - will not be like Spanish or French or piano lessons or ice skating or karate or all those other books and other things I never finished.

This is where the rubber meets the road... Now is the time to finish a race. THE race. By December 31st, I WILL have a finished manuscript. I am determined.

Ahhhh... I do enjoy a good pep talk. Now, back to the salt mines, as it were...


Novel update: 15 chapters complete, 211 days remaining

Writing Dictators

Generally, writers are pretty egotistical. They are power hungry, self-appointed dictators, and I will explain why. Writers take great delight in being the ruler of their own little world.

Yesterday, I was wrestling with a problem in my book. I couldn't decide if I wanted to give a certain idiosyncrasy to my main character or to a sub-character. I thought, "Gee, if I give this trait to Elle, then anyone of her particular race would have to have it as well." But, then, it struck me. I am in charge. This is a fictional land, and nobody HAS to be anything I don't want them to be. It really was a very freeing thought!

However, no matter how "in control" of my story I am, my dearly beloved characters somehow always create problems for me. After reading through earlier chapters in my book, I realized that the prince is kind of manic-depressive. Not exactly a charming characteristic. But, that's what editing is for, right?



Novel update: Finished chapter 14 today. There wasn't much there from the first draft, so I had to construct most of it from scratch! 220 days remaining! Can she do it, ladies and gentlemen??

My Boss is Ten Years Old

Writers never like to think of themselves as having a boss. They like to be in control, and that's why they write. But the reality is, a writer has three bosses (which is three times the amount they first thought they had...oh, dear!). A writer's publisher tells them what to do. A writer's editor instructs them on what to say and how to say it. But these are merely the "assistant managers", if you will, to the real boss - a writer's audience.

Many writers have a vague, surreal sort of relationship with their audience. Most have never actually been introduced to their audience, and usually, like some crazy infatuation, have placed their fans on a high pedestal - assuming them to be greater, grander, and all around much more impressive than they really are. Audiences come from all walks of life - they may be doctors and scientists, or homemakers and children. As a writer, you don't choose your audience. Your audience chooses you. They sign off on your paycheck.

Though I imagine myself writing to both the young and old - entrancing the masses with my literary skill, I know this is mainly fantasy. My audience is just learning cursive, multiplication tables, and maybe a little long division. They don't know a simile from a smile. But they know an interesting story when they hear one. My boss is from eight to twelve. What they like to read, I like to write.

And the educated and open-minded may shout their praises from the rooftops about my work, but, at the end of the day, to hear, "Read me more!" from my ten-year-old cousin is the sweetest music to my ears. My job is complete.


Novel update: Haven't written anymore just yet.... Getting to it soon! 223 days to go!

Novel Discoveries

I finished my 107th page today of A Tale of the Faeries (yes, it is only a working title)! And, by this time, I have come to discover there can be complications in a book containing both giants and humans, and there definitely is such a thing as "too much magic".

The giant-human problem is not an unsolvable one. Merely difficult, and incredibly annoying. Because, when you have a human as large as a giant's thumb, you begin to have perspective/proportion issues, especially if the human is completely thrown into giant land. It's hard to remember to keep doors immensely tall, chairs huge, and what to do about food? Should it be normal-sized, in massive quantities? Or massive-sized, in normal quantities? Should carrot sticks be seven feet tall? Plus, it's such a trial to have giants make eye contact with humans. Almost always, the giants have to hold the humans in their hand to have a natural, face-to-face conversation. But, as I said, not unsolvable...

And then the issue of "too much magic"... In my story, giant land is swathed in magic. Everything is magical. However, I don't want to work under the concept that "anything is possible". Because, if it was, my main characters would have instantly been killed off, and the story would have ended at page seventy-two. I need just enough magic to make things "magical", but not enough to make everyone all powerful.

Just a few things I'm mulling over...

Novel update: 13 chapters finished, 224 days to go.

Describing the Indescribable

The only issue with writing fantasy is you must write more description than you would for non-fiction. Otherwise, no one has any idea what you're talking about, and poor confused readers end up imagining the scenery all wrong.

But how does one write a compelling description, without boring their flower-and-fauna-overdosed audience? There is such a problem as too much description. Where is the dialogue? Where is the action? Where is my lunch? And my homework? And now...the reader has willingly left fairyland far behind, uncertain to ever return.

Since I'm writing a first-person novel, I often have a strong desire to make Elle (my main character) describe certain pieces of scenery as "indescribable", such as "the indescribable beauty of the forest". An obvious (and incredibly lame) excuse for not describing the indescribable. The readers want to know what is so indescribable about the forest, but their curiosity goes only so far... They don't really care about the particular shade of the tree bark.

It's all about putting a little effort into a balancing act between dialogue and description to maintain the magic and keep readers interested. And it's difficult. Description has never been a good friend. I much prefer dialogue, and funny sarcastic asides...


Novel Update: 11 chapters finished, 70 pages complete. 232 days to go!

Only Opinions

After reading an exhaustive list of famous writers' Rules for Writing, I've discovered that these people have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. Am I allowed to say that? Sure, they've written best-selling novels, but I'm not convinced their know-it-all advice is sound.

Writing has rules, indeed. That's an indisputable fact. However, after figuring out that verbs follow nouns, and learning where to place commas and quotations marks, it becomes all about a writer's personal style. And style does not have rules.

If style had rules, every single book at Barnes & Noble would be identical, and readers would have grown weary of reading way back in the 1700's. It's Jane Austen's style that separates Pride & Prejudice from Huckleberry Finn. And it's Mark Twain's style that distances Huckleberry Finn from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.

In this particular list, one writer insisted I must: "Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said"...he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way or any other way is a mortal sin." One question, sir: If you're going to use the verb "said" for every single sentence of your entire novel (which some authors believe is the ONLY way) wouldn't you want to spice it up with an adverb every now and then?

Another declared vehemently (ha!) to: "Never use the word "then" as a conjuction - we have "and" for this purpose. Substituting "then" is the lazy or tone deaf writer's non-solution to the problem of too many "ands" on the page." I beg to differ.

While still a third said: "Write in third person unless a really distinctive first person voice offers itself irrestistibly."

These are not rules at all. They are merely suggestions from authors who discovered using adverbs, "then", and first person voice did not work for them. But they may work for me.

I'll conclude, admitting that there were some solid pieces of advice amidst these do's and don'ts, such as "Finish the day writing when you still want to continue" and "Read aloud what you've written" and "The way to write a book is to actually write a book".


Novel update: 7 chapters completed (I combined 7 and 8) with 252 days to go.

Chocolate Ideas

Recently, I read a blog post from my favorite (live) author, Gail Carson Levine. She was answering a fan's question about coming up with "good ideas" for stories. Levine said, "In my opinion, the most important word in Katie’s question is good, which is a stifling word, especially when you’re in the idea stage. My definition of a good idea is an idea that makes me think of more ideas." She went on, "It may feel stupid, for example, to write a story about a girl with an enormous left thumb. So you abandon the idea and feel hopeless about ideas. But suppose you don't abandon that thumb and let your mind roam."

I took this thought a step further, and began imagining stories for everything! One night, while the rest of my family consumed a "real" dinner, I got out the cutting board, cut off a portion of my chocolate Easter bunny, and proceeded to eat it. I thought, "Wouldn't it be interesting if there was a girl who could only eat chocolate and nothing else?" A silly idea, yes. A great story, perhaps.

I continued on when I received an invitation for a rather interesting birthday party. I showed it to my brother, and said, "Doesn't that sound like the beginning of a movie?" He and I ended up staying awake until after midnight, creating an elaborate story based off this birthday invitation - complete with dialogue, costuming, character development, and location.

I never realized how many story ideas were just lying around - waiting to be picked up and written!