Day 35: Yesterday Was Awesome!

A very good friend came over yesterday. She and her family have just moved back to Louisiana after being gone for a year or so and we are sooooo happy they're back. We all hung out and had a good ol' time. Of course, at some point I started talking about my book and she seemed interested. I wasn't sure if she'd be willing but I think it was her that offered to read it and help me refine it (if it was me, I apologize for being a pushy writer, Melissa). 

So, I printed out what I have so far: almost 25,000 words and 86 pages. Boy did that feel good! Just holding that nice chunk of papers and knowing I had created it all was soooo satisfying! I was a little nervous handing them over to her. So far everyone who's read it has liked it but they're all family and they're supposed to tell me its great. I think its in the Constitution somewhere. 

"If a wayward relative asks you to read their first draft, one MUST say it is a best seller for sure."

I really respect her opinion. We read similar things sometimes, but we also have different preferences. 

We also decided to start a book club. I gave her a book to read. Was it mean of me to give her Les Miserables? Its one of my top 5 books, but its really long. I also gave her Anna and the French Kiss in case she wants to break from Les Mis. I have been assigned The Great Gatsby. I read this in high school and hated it. But at the time I'm sure I was more interested in story and plot than the actual beauty of the words. So, I'm going to give it another shot even though I'm writing. I figure Gatsby could only affect my writing in a good way.

She also expressed an interest in writing and said that she had a little something she was working on. This is so exciting for me because I've been dieing to find someone I can get along with who is going through the same thing as I am. Or who is at least interested in what I'm doing. Someone I could talk to in person (I have found a couple of online friends who have been very supportive!).

Anyway, I'm super excited to witness the wrath of your red pen, Melissa. I mean, black pen since you couldn't find a red one, lol!

Day 33: It Makes Me Sad All Day...

I can't read!!! I mean, I can't read while I'm writing. Anytime I set down to read I feel like that time would be better spent thinking about my novel. Plus, its like I can't just enjoy the book. I read it as a writer, analyzing the characters' motivation or the author's description. Writing has sucked all the fun out of reading for me! And it makes me sad all day.

I can't read YA because I start thinking, "Man, this is so much better than what I'm doing." I can't read my favorite genre of romance which is Regency because I don't want my writing to all of a sudden turn into lots of "Old chaps" and tonish this and that.

I guess I just have to finish this first draft before I'm able to allow myself to read. Could I just... I just need to... Excuse me for one second...

AAAARRRRGGGG!!!!

*deep breath* Okay, I'm back.

Oh well, if that's the way it has to go then so be it. I'll just have to put on my big girl panties and get to work. I'll just chuck this up to another motivation for finishing. Forget finding an agent and getting published, I WANT TO READ A BOOK!

Obviously, I'm feeling a little bonkers today so here's a song that just feeds that state of mind.

What I've Read This Year - 2011

Just keeping track of the books I've read in 2011.

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
2. Scandal by Amanda Quick

Day 17: Had to Read...

I couldn't stand it anymore, I had to sit down and read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. And the verdict is: TOTALLYAWESOMENESSCRAZYGOOD, ILOVEDITSOOOOMUCH, ICAN'TEVENSTANDIT!!!! Whew...

Seriously folks, this book is a must read. The whole thing is so freakin' cute and endearing and witty and it's the sweetest damn thing ever! I laughed out loud several times which for me is THE sign that it is a great book. I kinda want to send it to my niece and sister-in-law but I'd rather they just bought it, 2 copies, each of them need to buy a copy. And so do you! Go out and buy a copy! Or order it! Whatever just get it, read it, love it!

Day 11: Why Can't I Be the Next Big Thing...

Okay, I know that there are millions of other writers out there that are competing and striving for the same thing I am. I understand that doing this is a labor of love, something that only I can do and no one can do it for me. I also realize that unless I keep with it and don't give up, its not going to happen. Writing is a love of mine that will always be a part of me.

BUT, after surfing some of these writer forums and query sites I got a little, I don't know, depressed. It seemed that every FAQ page mentioned something like "If you want to be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling, give up now." or "If you're expecting to make money at this, don't even try."

I ask you: WHAT IS WRONG WITH HAVING BIG DREAMS?! It seems like the industry is trying to knock you down before you even try.

Yes, I write because I love to do it and I have a story to tell. BUT, I also write because I want people to read it. I want people to like it. I'll admit it: I WANT TO BE THE NEXT J.K. ROWLING!!!

Ah, that felt good. *sip of coffee*

I don't see what's wrong with going for the glory. What's wrong with using daydreams of being richer than the Queen of England as incentive for getting down those next 1000 words?

So, I've decided not to read anymore of those "Why are you a writer?" articles, because I know why. And I'm going to dream big whether they like it or not!

Also, according to my poll in which 2 very cool people voted, I have about a 50-50 chance of finishing this book. Pretty good odds, I'd say :)

Day 3: What a little @Mention can do...

Yep, Stephanie Perkins answered me back which makes me feel great! I know it wouldn't be that big of a deal to most but it is to me. Waking up to this this morning just gave me more impotence to continue down this path. 

I read a statistic on one of those author blogs that said 81% of people who answered a poll said they wanted to write a novel but only 2% actually finished. I'm not naive, the odds are not in my favor but I'm okay with that. The idea that I could be one of that 2% is enough to keep me going. 

So, I really began the process. I just sat down and started writing. I ended up with around 4 chapter synopsizes. I don't know if this is the way it's supposed to be done (truly I don't think there is a right or wrong way), but I've always liked to write a nice long paragraph that gives a rundown of what happens in each chapter. Then I start writing the chapter above the synopsis. 

At the end of the day, I did a little more Twittering. Just so you know, Twitter is an AMAZING  thing! I asked a question of some pretty darn great writers and they responded! How awesome is that?!?! I really want to start reading the Evernight series by Claudia Gray, but I was afraid that immersing myself in that world would affect what I was writing. So, I asked Holly Black, Cassie Clare, and Stephanie Perkins if they allowed themselves to read other YA books while writing. Here's their answers: 

I still don't know whether or not to read... Who am I kidding??? There's NO way I can not read for however long it takes to finish this book. It could be years!!! Not possible. I'll let you know what I think of Evernight :)