Writing Tips: Don't Get Sick!

Never ever ever get sick when you're writing. It's the worst thing in the world. Your brain is too muddled with all the aches and pains to focus on any words. You stare at the same page for two days straight, because you can't focus on getting to the next line.

I have two huge deadlines in January. This fever is trying its hardest to stop me. I refuse to let it. But at the same time, all I want to do is sleep. As a result, everyone in this scene is cranky. Maybe it could work. If only I could think straight.

The Wars in the Stars

Like most people this weekend, I spent my time with Star Wars. First, this will be a spoiler free post. This movie is incredible and everyone deserves that experience. So go see it right now! NOW!

I just have one little thing I want to share about it.

Rey is perfect. She's everything I wanted as a kid seeing Star Wars. When I was a wee child, my parents took me to see New Hope in one of those $1 afternoon screenings at the local theater. I was already a little nerd, and they wanted me to get the proper experience. I loved every second of it. Being a girl, I naturally loved Leia. She's strong and savvy. But I wanted to a Jedi more than anything. I wasn't any good at public speaking or leading, so I couldn't compare to her.

There were no female Jedis in the orignal trilogy. Then you catch little glimpses of them in the prequels, but they are always in the backgrounds. We were given Padme, who was similar to Leia. But she still didn't fill that hole in my young heart. So I had to pretend.

As I started to get into video games, I found the single greatest game. Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy. It was everything I ever wanted. It was the first game where I could make my own character and not play as the standard male hero. So I made my strong Twi'lek girl with her purple lightsaber. It was also the first game I played where your choices influenced the game and you had multiple endings. It was seriously everything I dreamed that Star Wars could be.

I just wanted the chance for a young girl, like me, to have adventures with the Force. Yesterday, I finally got to see it. I'm dying for the next one. I was so nervous it wouldn't be good, but it was what I had wanted. I have a few minor issues, yet they didn't stop me from loving every second of it. I was clapping and shouting in the theater with all the others. I want more of Rey and Finn and Poe. I want all the spin-offs.

Most of all, I'm finally happy that me, and all the other girls, finally get to see the adventure I always dreamed about having,

My Brain is Turning to Pudding

But in a good way! Because today was semi-momentous. I finally got a response from my top choice of an agent. While not a request for the full manuscript, she did suggest some revisions. After that, she'll gladly take another look at Our Fathers.

So yay! It's not a total rejection! Her comments have lined up with the other rejections I have gotten in the past two months. I knew the first chapter needed some major work. But this is progress! I have potential!

Every little bit of good news is enough for me to celebrate. Hope is always good. I know what I need to do, and now I have major encouragement.

My time will be primarily focused on the rewrites then, but keeping up with Resurrected Thief too. I might drive myself to the brink of madness, but I think I can do it. I want to send them both out in the beginning of 2016, and I really think I can do it. So we write and write and write.

Never stop!

"I found him to be unlikable"

Speaking from a shared experience, that is the one of the most annoying critiques an author can receive. First of all, what does it matter? There are plenty of unlikable people in the world. They still can be interesting and compelling.

Someone once said that about Bryan and I hesitated. I didn't want you to like him at first. He's rude, selfish, and immature. He's just starting to grow out of it as the first book progresses. Not everyone is a sweet and valiant hero from the first page. One of the major points of The Resurrected Thief is exploring his reluctance to do anything he doesn't want to. In the end, all his decisions but one are based on selfish motives. Honestly, Bryan doesn't quite loose his stubborn streak. by the end of the entire series. I'm not saying he's a bad person, but he has some major flaws.

We all do, and that's what makes the characters human. I don't think it would make for a good book anyway. I wanted both the reader and Bryan to share in the dilemma of not knowing what step to take next. Stay home or carry on? He's a fickle man, and it contrasts so much with Esther. She knows exactly what she wants to do and how to do it. In some ways, she's just as stubborn as Bryan. She's not without her dark secrets, of course. However, Thomas is an open book. Such three different personalities cause a lot of inner conflict. Their relationships with each other are just as important as catching a killer.

I want readers to care about what happens. Yes, liking the character helps but it isn't necessary. Their goals should be compelling, and I hope I've succeeded in that.

Why can't I stop editing!

For someone who complains about it, I take a lot of time to edit and edit and edit. Technically, the books are done. A lot of shorts are done. But my Muse fails to agree with me. She keeps nagging about little things here and there. I doubt she'll stop even after the books are on the shelves!

I've been submitting the agents, and then using the waiting period to edit some more. I just don't know how to stop myself. I really should. I guess the previous rejections have it stuck in my head that it's not good enough.

In the end, I'm happy with what I wrote. I'm in love with this book. That's what matters, right? Everyone knows agents and editors make their own tweaks once they get the book. I guess I'm just trying to get ahead of that? Tolkien was the same way.

One of these days, I'll find a way to cut myself off. Maybe just not today...

WIP Wednesday!

Still chugging away on edits. The end is (somewhat) in sight! At this rate, it'll be done by mid-December. Let's hope the muse keeps on agreeing with me.

Fun fact! This scene was actually the third one I outlined when I began this novel. I was still figuring out the quirks of Bryan's personality and he decided to have a lovely chat while sailing to Egypt. It was a bit long winded at first, but we've all come a long way since then.

Here's today's tidbit of new words:

“Perhaps we should speak with your cousin to confirm,” he retorted.

“He would agree that there is something much larger at play here,” Esther resumed speaking in a harsh tone of voice. Before he could continue arguing, she pressed one of the heavier books into his hand.