Da Brain Power of Others

Greetings from 28,025 words,

I had the distinct pleasure of having a fabulous brainstorming session with a reader friend of mine. I can't tell you how valuable those few minutes were to my story.

She gave me a whole new outlook on what it could become-- and let's face it, when we're talking about our stories, we get all giddy, like fan girls at a Twilight premier... (oh one can wish *sigh*)

Well-- with her help- I've been able to see to the end of my NaNo draft and the next couple books after that- looks like a series alert folks! Of course, my Crit Partner Jamie, was essential to the brainstorming of this draft as well, and I can't wait to have her read it :o)

On the humor tip: So this blog feeds into my facebook account-- right there on the right side column there-- and I tagged my mom to read my excerpt. If you missed the teaser I posted it's Here. Well her comment was-- *sorry I'm still snickering*

Mom: Why are so many children freaked out about their parents having sex??!? I don't mind that mine did. I actually did LOL at this line: I was mortified and may never see again.

Me: It's gross mom! Plus this character is 17, so you tell me, would she feel that way...LOL Glad you liked that line :) Thanks for reading.

Mom: Actually I wasn't worried about my parents' sex life, I worried about mine! And you're not 17.

And... now you know what I've had to deal with... gotta love her.

In honor of New Moon tomorrow- and because I'm going to go fangirl and wear my Team Edward shirt (I know- you don't need to say it- I totally know how lame I am) *sorry boys*

Here you go!



So, do you ever brainstorm with non-writers? and how do your brainstorming sessions take place- what have you learned?

Hope everyone is having a great week. :O)

Monday Featured Blog-Dave To You

Dave is a cool cat who's got a funny and unique blog over there at Dave to You- A word to the wise is infuriating. Hunter S. Thompson

He's been chronicling his NaNo experience and his most recent post NaNo Update has observations on the weather as well as his recent word count-- there's snow there already-- yuck!

His post Things I Have Learned from NaNo had me cracking up out loud. It doesn't take much to do that, but I could totally relate to everything he was saying...

Dave had a scare last week when he thought he lost most of his NaNo story due to a computer malfunction (let's be honest- computers are a curse and a blessing, right?) Well I'm happy to report, he recovered most of the draft and is back on track! Yay :)

Dave is a Purveyor of Paragraphic Drivel- or so his profile says.

Make sure to check out Dave's blog!

Have a happy Monday everyone! For the Americans---> Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week! We put up the Santa set today- Yes- Santa is arriving November 21st! Tis the life of someone who works in a mall office :)

Hope everyone's writing is going well.

Excerpt from Snow's Falling

Hi Everyone!
For those doing NaNo this year, I hope you are enjoying this experience. I certainly am. I've hit a wall though. So lately, It's more like plodding through. I'm hoping this changes soon!

So I've been thinking... I read posts of the blogs I follow, but I haven't really read any of their writing, with the exception of my superfantabulous Crit Partner Jamie. So I thought I would share a scene from Snow's Falling, my NaNo story. It's not great and will be heavily edited come next year. This particular scene is when Snow first arrives home.

Hopefully this doesn't conjure any unwanted images in your head. You'll see what I mean... I think there's one swear word (if you can call it that), but it's a little gross... just FYI.


I walked over and flipped on the light. In one moment all that I had known about my parents was tarnished. Had I known what I was going to see I would have gouged out my eyes with a plastic spork.

My mom and dad were both naked on the leather couch. Through my shock I saw random body parts and red panties and-- I didn’t want to remember anything else. I turned around quickly. “What the hell are you doing?” I yelled.

“Snow, this is the most natural thing two people can do. Sex is a wonderful thing.” My mom’s calm and rational voice sounded like a soft song.

“Sorry kid. Thought you’d be home later.” My dad’s voice, in contrast, sounded like a rusty engine about to go kaput.

I heard the friction of the leather couch and my parent’s flesh separating. I didn’t dare turn around.

“Why aren’t you playing with your friends?” Mom said.

“I have homework.”

“Oh. Well yes. That’s important too, but you need to be social. You don’t want to end up alone.”

“Can I turn around yet?”

“Of course,” Mom said.

I turned around. My dad’s t-shirt was twisted and his jeans were unbuttoned. His dark hair was disheveled. My mom’s long dress was wrinkled, but her light brown hair was iron straight. I didn’t know how that was possible. They both had gleaming smiles on their faces.

I was not smiling. I was mortified and may never see again.

“I need my computer.” I walked further into the room and saw it lying on the couch. They couldn't be bothered to move it? Stomach acid climbed up my throat hoping for an escape. I didn’t want to touch it. “Please tell me you didn’t—on my computer.”

My mom stole a glance at my dad then turned toward me. “We were nowhere near it.”

“Next to it, maybe,” Dad shrugged it off like he was saying, 'No kid we didn't get any happy juice on your new macbook that you paid a thousand dollars of your own money for'.

I grabbed my laptop and walked out of the room. “Good Night!”

“Night,” Mom called up the stairs.

I wasn't sure what scene to share with you. This is a kind of the catalyst for some of the story, so it seemed appropriate. Also, I'm the only one that has had this horrid thought in my head, so now y'all do too. LOL. Sorry...

Thanks for reading :)

Oh.. I got another award thanks to the wonderful melane over at Chasing the Dream- An aspiring YA writer's path to hopefully becoming published



Thanks melane- you're awesome. If you haven't checked our melane's blog- please do so- she's got a great one over there!

Okay- off to write! I just passed the 20,000 mark! Hope everyone's words are plentiful for those doing NaNo and those working on their WIP's :)

So... do you provide teasers on your blog? How often?

Is This Going to Stick?

Hey there- long time no talk :) Sorry I've been MIA guys.

I contracted this crappy cold thing *cough* recently, but luckily it's on the way out, not the cough of course, Doc says it will hang around for at least another week! Yay.

Well, I've been writing a lot- that goes without saying right? Well I've noticed, my writing habits have changed a bit for November. I'm writing a lot every day, before this experience, I wasn't writing every day- I certainly tried- but it wasn't every day. How many times can I type the words, "every day?" Look I did it again. I digress...

I often wonder if I'll be able to keep up this pace when December rolls around, or if I'll just keel over and read all month, or just do... well anything else. I really don't know- but I truly hope I can keep this up. I'm the type of person that starts something and doesn't finish it, so I'm just really glad that writing has been something that has stuck. Whether writing every day sticks-- I guess we'll see :)

So... What are your writing habits? Do you write every day? Or just a lot at once then take a break? For those of you NaNoing- are you going to keep this up after November?

Do y'all like the new layout? I love it, it's got a retro t-shirt at Old Navy feel to it. Of course I viewed it at work in Internet Explorer (I use Firefox) and the columns are off.

I hope everyone is doing well :) Have a great rest of the week!

Monday Featured Blog- Wordplay, The Writing Life of K.M. Weiland

I've recently discovered many interesting and intriguing blogs. One such blog is: Wordplay, The Writing Life of K.M. Weiland

She has some of the most helpful and interesting posts out there. Her most recent post:

11 Dichotomous Characters - And Why They Work discusses the importance of dichotomy in characters. She lists her top 11 and they are an eclectic and interesting crew :) Also, another great post on character development, It's What Your Characters Do That Defines Them. There's also a great post about strengthening your beginning that I found very useful.

She writes historical and speculative fiction, is an interactive blogger, a must add to your blog list, if she's not already there.

Nano Update:
Hope everyone is doing well :) NaNo is going well. I made it over 14,000 this weekend. It's been quite the experience so far! I'm really enjoying this story. I just introduced a new character that wasn't in the original outline. I'm lovin' him though. I like when that happens, the character just pops out from a situation.

In this instance- I needed a hacker, so thus, Winger- the British, horny, paranoid, scruffy dude was born.

Will Snow serve up her friend as bait? Of course. Cause if she didn't that would be no fun.

Enjoy your Monday!