The Odd Method of Rewrites

As a follow up to the last post, I'm starting to think my method of rewriting a scene is a bit tedious.

Step 1) identify problem scene.
Step 2) outline how things should happen
Step 3) take the problem scene and paste it into a new Word Doc. 
Step 4) write out the new scene either on paper or in a different blank Word Doc.
Step 5) tweak scene just before and after new scene to improve flow.

I used to just edit and rewrite in the original draft. It was faster but the new scene felt jumbled and repetitive.  It takes me physically longer to go this way, but it has yet to fail. In a separate page I can look at it as a whole instead of each line I'm on. I used to just rush to meet deadlines but I'm stopping that.  The story has to matter first.  If I miss a deadline,  I'll just send it elsewhere. 

Plus, nothing inspires me more than a blank page. 

To Keep or Not to Keep?

I am sure I have rattled on plenty of times about my issues with word limits. It means a lot of trimming of the original idea, but every writing advice I've received states "kill your darlings". I don't like it. My novels and stories would never end if I had the choice. But that often drags down the pace and looses a lot of the exciting tension that keeps readers going.

Today's example is a nearly finished short story due by the end of the week. The cap is 4,000, which I just hit. However, there is just one scene left to write. Bryan keeps going back and forth, dancing between arguing with a side character and plunging his blade through a monster's heart. To keep it short, I may have to cut the entire scene I wrote this weekend in half. But what would make a better story? That is the important question.

In my mind, the back and forth was supposed to dig into Bryan's conflict with his desires to follow after his father. This story takes place right before he leaves England, so in the front of his mind he is ready to part with hunting all together. I wanted Bryan to see it would not be so simple for him to walk away, when he knows what he wants deep deep deep deep deep deep down. It was also supposed to introduce more of the Fae Activists. But it does slow down the action. Who really stands around and chats while monsters destroy a drawing room?

Time for rewrites!

An Experiment in Serialization

I have decided to try a little experiment here. One of my writing exercises has been this odd little crossover between my two Victorian series. When I can't write anything else or need to just stretch my mind, I dabble with what would happen if the worlds collide. It has been helpful, but I doubted it would amount to much. Then it occurred to me to just try and put it out there. 

 If you click on the "Grey Jewel" tab above, you can see this story unfold. It isn't very much now, but I update it every now and again. Chronologically, it takes place sometime after the first book of each series. While neither have been published, it seemed somewhat odd to share it with the world. Then I thought, why not? It can't hurt. 

You don't really need to know the details of the books to read this. Any substantial knowledge has already been mentioned in my rants here. Consider it an AU fanfic...of my own writing.  

I hope you enjoy!  

Business or Pleasure?

Today, at my regular day job, one of my co-workers asked me about my writing. She commented that she sees I always have some notebook open with scribbles next to me--not that I'm avoiding doing my day job, it's just that I get ideas at any moment and need something to write with. She then asked if I just did it for fun. Seeing as I just read a thought provoking blog post by Kameron Hurley, I thought I might answer that in a little more detail.

I told her that writing was my passion, and I did dream of becoming a professional and published author one day. But of course it is fun! It's the most fun thing I do all day. Like I told her and many others, I'm full of these stories that just need to come out. I literally get twitchy if I have gone a while with writing something.

With an inbox of rejections looking back at me, I've been wondering lately if that big dream would ever come about. I'm starting to come to better terms with leaving all the worrying aside and having some faith and hope. How can I get published if I'm worrying and not writing? Writing has to be fun, or it only results in an awful pile of garbled words. No one wants to read that. I certainly don't.

I recently had to put a short story on hold because it stopped being fun. I knew I had to finish it by the deadline, but I had no idea how to fill in the plot holes. I stared at the blank screen for hours, all while other ideas tempted the back of my mind. When I tried to force out anything, it became a chore and the story suffered. By working on the "fun" ideas, I was able to recharge and actually think of a better idea for the story on hold. While it means finishing it in the distant future, I feel better about not forcing out something I didn't like. In that time, I finished two other new stories.

But I have to think of the business side too, which also played into the reason for putting that story on hold. The semi-original plan is to have prequel short stories being out before or right after Resurrected Thief comes out. Now waiting on answers and not knowing when anything will get accepted does often cause issues with that plan, but it hasn't changed my motivation. I have to brand or establish my Victorian fantasy to publishers and the world. Unfortunately, stories about dragons and elves sent thousands and thousands of years earlier, doesn't exactly help. Nor does the fact it doesn't all make sense without a glimpse at my master plan.

Like I said before, I don't want to pigeon hole myself. At the same time, I want to show that this alternate world of mind is world worth investing in. I'm not quite in any of the established genres yet, but I have to show that isn't a bad thing after all. But I have to do it while having fun, or there really isn't much of a point to it.

Shifting Gears

The mad rush is finally at an end. I've sent out two or three short stories a month for God knows how long now, and I can finally stop to catch my breath. Well, not really. I still have a few more anthologies to submit to, but they are not for a few months. But that isn't what I need to focus on right now.

All my attention is turning towards my poor neglected novel.While Esther, Bryan, and Thomas have not had any rest either, their first adventure together is gathering electronic dust. But no longer!

I really am excited to get back to work on finishing and finally submitting this beauty. The short stories both gave insight on how the characters live and also my own writing methods. The rejections from the past few months have also taught me about what market this book does and does not belong to.

Last year, I had an opportunity to send Resurrected Thief to a publisher I really really really wanted. However, I knew the book wasn't finished. First, it physically wasn't. I had about two chapters to go. Second, it still felt there was something else missing to the whole adventure. In all my plotting and scribbling for the short stories, I finally worked out that missing piece. I'm still bummed about missing that chance--and two other smaller houses I really liked closing to open submissions--but I'm glad I waited. The book and all its characters are much better off now.

I think I'm ready for the next step.

The Rescue

This is my darling Vicky, taking a nap on my handwritten first draft of Our Fathers. We adopted her and Bailey, who would not sit and join her for this picture, in December of 2012. My sister had been talking about adopting a dog for the longest time, and convinced my parents to go down to a local shelter. Meanwhile, I was in one of the most depressing times of my life. I went along with the second trip, as my mother thought I needed to get out of the house and that puppies would help. 

Vicky was the skinniest thing you had ever seen. The shelter had found her on the streets a week before. She was so timid and liked sitting off by herself. When I went over to her, she just sat by my side and rested her head on my leg. She kept right next to me the entire time...well, until the staff brought along food. While I sat with her, my sister fawned over Bailey, who was a newborn little fluff ball that fit in the palm of your hand. My mother and sister couldn't decide which dog to get, all while I sat on the floor with Vicky. I'll admit, that first day all I wanted to do was go back home and cry. I had just been dumped, lost my job, suffered another rejection letter. But Vicky sat by me and didn't leave. 

The next day, the whole family went back to the shelter. We didn't know which dog we were getting, but that we had to make a choice before someone else adopted one of them. I remember walking back into the area housing all the dogs. Vicky was lying down in the back, hiding from all the other people. When I stepped into the room, her head jumped up and she ran over to the door. She started bouncing around until I came over and rubbed her little head. My mom started laughing that she recognized me, and I knew it was true. Vicky wanted me. So I picked her up and carried her to the counter. We all still loved that little fluff of a baby, so my parents decided to just throw everything to the wind and get both. 

All while filling out the paperwork, buying food and toys and beds, I didn't put Vicky down. She kept her head on my shoulder until we got into the car, where she curled up on my lap until we got home. After trotting around the house with joy, Vicky resumed her place curled up at my side. She and I are inseparable. 

Why interrupt my normal talks about writing for a tale of adopting my little puppy? Because as an author, life can be lonely. Not everyone is cut for loneliness, and I am one of those people. It's also a life of rejection and hardships which can be hard to endure all by yourself. Vicky and Bailey are my current support team. They provide plenty of cuddles and kisses when I am sad. They also force me to get up and go outside. 

Please do not take this as me being one of those people who only live for their pets. Yes, they are my babies and I love them to death. They have helped me through a lot of dark times when I struggled to explain to people what I feel about my writing and other things. I've gotten to the point where I stop telling people when the rejections come in because I'm tired of the same responses. This isn't ingratitude for their comments, just that I know after all these years it's subjective and there will be hundreds more rejections than acceptances and I need to keep carrying on. I've only had one boyfriend who didn't respond that way, and it was absolutely perfect. 

My thoughts have gotten away from me again. The point is that everyone needs someone to stand by them. And I thank God every day for giving me these two fluff balls. 

Fair Elven Maidens

In lieu of currently writing several tales set in the Fae Realm itself, I thought I would take some time to drabble about three "fair elven maidens" that form a foundation for this prequel series.

First is Tirithviel, star of my current writings. She is the "elf assassin", but plays a bit of a bigger role than that. She is one of a secret sect serving the more unseemly desires of the elven nation. She is given missions by the Lord Steward, who enjoys showing his position of power at any opportunity. She is also the only female within this group, but that doesn't stop her from plucking at the tense political strings. If there is a strange occurrence in the city that just so happens to give the elves more power, Tirithviel and her companions are most likely behind it.  

Saerwin is a stalwart member of the city's guard. Always clad in armor and always following the rules. She first peeks her head in "The First Days of Winter", but might actually steal the role from Tirithviel in an upcoming project. Or maybe the two will work together. On second thought, I doubt they will get along. While she is an elf, she doesn't share the same thoughts as many of her kin that elves belong at the top of the hierarchy. Politics in the Fae realm are actually a lot of fun to write, but Saerwin would prefer to stay away from them. She is a guardian and will gladly stand at the front lines.

Veryan has yet to make an actual appearance in any writing. She will be serving in a more traditional feminine role of mother and wife. She is actually the sister-in-law of Tirithviel. Probably a distant cousin of Saerwin knowing how elves are all related. Yet both of these elves are constantly compared to Veryan, and they usually respond with a bit of mockery. Mostly in good nature, of course. Neither of them are nurturing, and they are well aware of that. They can handle a blade better than a baby.

While this all sounds like ranting, which it mostly is, I do know how all three will play into the grand scheme of things.Their actions directly correlate to why and how Esther and Bryan hunt down the dangerous Fae. I really should write the stories themselves, but I really just want to ramble to someone.  

Should you ever give up?

The short answer is no. I keep writing, keep foraging onward. But what about when a project hits a wall and there is no going around it? Or when your story just isn't as exciting as you thought it might be?

My old answer was to move onto something else and finish that writing later. It's lead to scores of half composed shorts and novels clogging up my computer. I'm trying to keep pushing on and finding the bright light at the end of the tunnel. What is the worst that can happen? A rejection letter?

My short story "A Golden Alliance" is hitting a few of these walls. I know what has to happen in the scene, but it isn't coming across as thrilling as it plays in my head. Being so close to the end makes it even more frustrating. The deadline is just over a week away and I have about 500 words left. Yet such such hard words.

I wanted to write a story in the vein of conniving political schemes, but between elves and goblins instead of old men. The events here lead up to the pinnacle of the trilogy following the elven assassin Tirithviel, and her missions lay the groundwork for the final book of the Hawke series. It all lines up perfectly in my head like dominoes...but the words aren't coming. This scene is reading like bickering teenagers pretending to be mature, which does describe them in a manner of speaking. I only wish it could come off more sophisticated.

The words will come out anyway. They usually do. I can only hope they are the right ones this time. I hate rewriting. It always makes me feel like I wasted time writing, where as line edits make me feel more on goal. The bones of this story are excellent. I just need to plaster on more attractive flesh.

New Updates--Sort of!

While this might seem contrary to the last post about branching out from the Victorian Era, I've reworked the pages showing my current projects. Take a look around!

The Black and Redd Mysteries do not have much at the moment. You can find the link to read the first chapter of Our Fathers though! What follows is a very rough outline of the future of the series. Please forgive the brief descriptions. They come from both not having a full idea of the story, and not wanting to spoil very much.

The Hunters is a little bit more crazy. Right now, it's arranged chronologically. In my head, there are going to be three series of novels and a whole lot of short stories filling in the gaps. First comes the history of the Fae Realm, which will be mostly comprised of a trilogy and several short stories. Next comes the "Hawke Hunters", which follow Esther, Bryan, and Thomas. This series will be five novels and so so so so many short stories. The final series of novels will be sent in Eastern Europe and is either going to happen at the same time or ten years before the Hawke novels. Since it's nothing more than an idea, I've left it off the master list at the moment.

As I'm sure you are all aware, this rough timeline is by no means set in stone. Also, for reference, my short stories range from 4,000 to 15,000 words. Different publishers have different definitions for the separation between short story and novella, so I just labeled them all as shorts. When things are published, the labels will be more defined. Also, any italicized titles are the rough placeholders. I really need to work on my title crafting skills...

So explore my crazy attempt at keeping my thoughts organized! And please feel free to comment with any, well, comments about what you are excited to read. I don't want to always be talking to myself.

The Far Off Future

While every scrap of paper around me has notes about Victorianism, I've been thinking about other things to write. This is by no means a delay of any of my current projects. It's just a desire to be known for more than one type of writing.

I have so many half composed ideas for high fantasy and sci fi books. Tales of sorceresses leading armies. Surly rangers tracking bandits. Genetically enhanced spies. Cyberpunks plotting in night clubs. I'd love to devote times to these characters and their own stories soon. It honestly won't be for some time, since I'm at home with my Victorian mysteries. I just dread the idea of unfinished stories.

I know a lot of authors are satisfied with staying in their zone, and I have no qualms with that. I just want to write about everything and anything. Whatever fleeting odd thought that comes in my head ends up on paper. Yes, a lot of them get scrapped for being nothing but nonsense. Others get fitted to work into another project. A few of the ideas in the Monster Hunter series are actually carried over from these little odd thoughts. To be honest, I even thought about trying that entire series into another fantasy series, but it got too complicated too fast.

I do have a priority list of other things to write when Black and Redd and the Monster Hunters are either done so I have more time. I wish with all my heart it was possible for me to stay at home and write all day long. I'd be able to get all of this done a lot sooner. Maybe I'll win the lottery soon!

A Change of Plans

After another slew of rejections, I think I might have to reevaluate my writing plans. Seeing once again that my stories are not quite right for the anthologies is feeding into my self doubts about not being good enough. I know it's a practical reason on the editor's part because they have a limited number of spaces and need a cohesive narrative, but it still stings.

So instead of wallowing, I'm reassembling my plan of attack. Up until now, I've been sending submissions to any and all anthologies marked steampunk, Lovecraftian, or paranormal. Apparently my writing doesn't quite meet these descriptions. While I don't quite agree, I have to move on instead of arguing or trying to mesh my writing into something it isn't. So I intend on trying to send these short stories to magazines instead. I also want to try and do one a month instead of two or three so I can divert time between the short stories and the novels. Writing three short stories at once and hitting all deadlines showed me it was possible to multitask very well. I also tend to write better with looming deadlines.

Now, I know I've tried to set limits before on where I submit to avoid unneeded stress. It very rarely lasts long. I am not going to deprive myself of writing something if a prompt really strikes the Muse's fancy. I just feel I need to change my approach on finding places to submit. And if this doesn't work either, we will find another plan and keep moving along.

Which is Better: A Bad Book or a Good Book?

I guess the answer would appear obvious. I for one would rather get lost in a captivating new fictional realm, where I cannot put the book down no matter what is happening around me. My own writing gets pushed to the side, but I always always end up feeling more rejuvenated to write my best. Reading a fantastic book inspires me to write my own work and be considered at the same level of these authors.

Now, a bad book is a different story. Seeing the success of a bad book sparks a different sort of fire underneath me. If books about certain phases of the moon and arrays of color get massive success, why can't I? Let me show my worth and show how much better a relationship between two compatible detectives can be instead of an abusive stalker and his helpless victim?

Likewise, I tell myself that the characters and their actions should inspire readers to better themselves. I want Esther and Scarlet to show women it's possible to live out your own dreams when all of society is tell you to stop and go back to your knitting. I want Colby and Bryan to show it's possible to overcome countless obstacles from your past and find the place where you belong. I do not want my characters to make readers think it's a wonderful idea to find someone to control their life for them and to grovel to another's wishes.

While I know these books are a phase and we won't hear about them after a while, the time spent hearing all their praises eats at me. I'm not denying there is some jealousy. These authors have sold millions and I haven't. But the sheer mass hysteria of fans troubles me even more. People really enjoy it when a boyfriend strips the girl of all agency and blames her for all the issues? This lack of respect and manipulation is what people call romantic now? I'm not even talking about the poor writing and grammar yet!

The world has enough insanity every day. We shouldn't encourage people to seek out the dangerous kind. We should be showing them something better.

To avoid spoilers, I'll keep this example vague...When I was editing one of my novels, the male lead started to get overly aggressive in his romantic endeavors. As soon as I read it I rewrote the scene so the female sticks to what she wants and the male then backs down. He is at first offended, but he isn't portrayed as a saint for pursuing her in that manner. Instead, I try to show how much of a, for lack of a better term at the moment, butt head he was being and he then learns to respect her and her wishes. Is it really that hard for people to actually do that?

In conclusion...I want my writing to spark something positive in my readers. I want these stories to matter.

It's All About the Pace

Pausing the madness of writing my fifty million projects to celebrate that one is finished.  It needs to be edited and titled but at least the hard part is over! Only two or three more to go until the big deadline of March 1st. 

One of the reasons I finished this particular project so early is the short length. The cap is 5,000 words, but the story is just 3,500. Many people think 5,000 words is plenty long but not me. It's barely a chapter! Knowing how I have a tendency to extend myself and then waste days trimming the fat, I tried to outline my short stories differently. For 5,000 words I have the intro, the swift conflict, and then the resolution or dramatic cliff hanger. This short story was no different, until I started writing the conflict. I had barely passed 1,000 words at that point. I started to worry that it wasn't going to be exciting enough. 

Now, I have nothing wrong with really short fiction. I just have the habit of writing every little detail. I have also never written anything this short before. I still think it's a great story, which I don't want to force by adding in more scenes and dialog. At least if something strikes my fancy, I have room to add it. 

There is also no time to waste on the other stories. Back to work!  

Unraveling History

Or how I came up with another possible series when researching a side character.  

I have a serious problem. And I love it. New stories never stop popping up in my mind, urged on my the strangest questions. I now either have a new prequel trilogy or a slew of short stories about a character appearing in two chapters of book two of my monster hunting books.

It all started when I just wanted to make sure a building in Romania existed for the short story I'm writing now. That turned into reading about the Russo - Turkish war and getting drawn into the rich history of that entire area. I knew I had to write more than I already planned.

When I first started writing this series, I wanted it to start in England, Germany, or Russia. I really wanted to avoid the stereotype of British run steampunk, but at the same time I wanted to play with the imperialist attitude of England. Having their fingers in every pie, as the saying goes. Plus, I needed certain historical events for the series.  

I knew when I started, this was not going to be just five books. The short stories were to allow me to tell the original stories that grew in my head before coming up with the frame of the major conflict. I can travel all over time and space in them! At the same time, they are giving me more and more ideas that can't always be expressed in 10,000 words or less. 

Bryan and Esther's travels before the first book take them through half of Europe. He makes it as far as Poland during his studies before family calls him home. Esther sets out on her own adventures much earlier, for reason's you'll see in the book, and she makes it to the coast of the Black Sea. Poor Thomas is stuck in England with his books. The more my trio explore, the more I want to dig into the history. I have notes for stories about their families and even people they pass in the street. It just doesn't end. 

For now, I jot down the new ideas in my trusty notebook. I'll have to let them simmer before seeing if I can make a solid novel out of them or just short stories. That and I really need to work on the approaching deadlines. 

I really hope people don't get sick of this alternate world of mine. At this rate, I'll be pumping out its history until I die. Then, like Tolkien, my heirs will have the task of assembling posthumous publications.  

Falling Behind

I cannot stand getting behind schedule.  It's not totally my fault since I've been sick and bed ridden the past week. Lying in bed with a fever doesn't always make for the best writing sessions. I ended up reading and watching a lot of TV. Which is looking like I might only finish two of the three stories due by March 1st.

It's better than nothing I suppose. Or maybe my foggy head will allow some burst of writing genius to come forth. That would be nice. For now,  I'll keep plugging along and drinking my tea.

I really hate the winter.

An Escape

Most people would describe fiction as a method of escapism. Reading, watching a movie, playing a video game takes us out of our own world and into different one. Let's be honest, the real world isn't always the best place to be. Every person has hardships, and we have different methods of coping. I'm sure it's obvious that mine heavily relies on writing.

Cleaning out some old boxes this weekend uncovered a short story I wrote after my first breakup. A young couple is on their first date when the zombie apocalypse breaks out. It's all very sweet until they are being directly attacked by a horde. The young man throws the girl out of the way to save himself, but ends up dying after all. She is then left to survive on her own. It's admittedly not my best work, written as a freshman in college and still learning a few tricks. But the emotion is so strong in it. Reading just the first pages brought me back to that time when joy shifts into pain within a few split seconds. I will probably never publish that piece though. It would need an immense amount of refining, and I really don't feel inspired by zombies anymore.

My writing has this odd blend of things that I wish that would happen and things that did happen to me. Traces of my friends, family, and people I really can't stand end up in these characters. Thomas and Colby both share some traits with boyfriends, but I never try to completely imitate real people. Then it wouldn't be an escape.

Now, I'm not saying that I feel at home surrounded by dead bodies. I just love the art of deduction and the flair of the past. It can feel so foreign and so welcoming. I wouldn't want to live in a world without the internet, but I wouldn't mind the elaborate dresses and magic.

So I'll throw myself into this world I'm writing. It helps me cope with the real one.

My First Inspiration

I can't believe I've gone this long without mentioning my all time favorite book. Well, books.

The Hobbit. The Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion. Anything touched by J.R.R. Tolkien. I bleed for Middle-Earth.

Anyone who knows me in real life, would be able to tell you that in a second. When I was in high school, someone found a lost copy of The Two Towers and every single person thought it was mine. It wasn't--mine was from the paperback box set issued before the Fellowship of the Ring movie and this one was from the box set issued before The Two Towers-- but not a single person believed me. My parents introduced me after I read through the entire Chronicles of Narnia in one day. My mother told me all about how they were friends and writing buddies. I was instantly captivated, borrowing the books constantly from the library.

When the movies came out, it was amazing. The books were everywhere, and my Christmases were filled with more books. My parents gave me The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales that year. I used all the money to buy whatever books in the History of Middle-Earth I could find. It was a rough quest, which I actually completed last year. The return of Middle-Earth to the big screen was incredible and brought back my favorite books to the front of bookstores.

Middle-Earth has always felt like my home. In a way, I struggle with writing high fantasy because I know it won't be as good. By blending it with murder mysteries, I can make it more my own. Tolkien's ability to craft this world with its own language and history always awed and inspired me. That's when I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to explore the vast unknown regions of Elsewhere. 

Is Multitasking Good or Bad?

I've started up on a writing habit I had when I first started trying to get short stories published. Simultaneously writing several things at once. While my brain always has different ideas spinning around, I have been trying to write them down as notes while focusing on the big project at hand. With four things due by March 1st, I thought I would give multitasking a try again.

My main reason for this is that I keep stumbling into holes where I don't quite know what will happen next. So instead of puttering around, I will work on one of the other stories. It tends to work very well in the beginning for me. I just have to make sure I'm focused on the right plot at the right time.

When I last tried this a few months ago, I ended up writing a story where the fantasy world of Esther, Bryan, and Thomas clashed with the historical world of Scarlet and Colby. In my opinion, it's a fun bit and maybe a good extra to throw into one of the published books or post here one of these days. However, it doesn't really help me get anything done with the pressing deadlines.

Most of the time, I end up mixing up the names of people and locations. It's not the worst thing in the world, but I have to be careful about fixing it. People's genders tend to change too. If it proves too troublesome, I'll go back to writing one thing at a time.

I still have a the list of projects prioritized. It might make me sound stingy, but I want to make sure the stories that will pay hundreds get sent before the ones that pay twenty. Yes, I want to get all of them finished and published everywhere. Sometimes though, you need to stop yourself from getting too overworked. I have not been very good at that so far.  

Winter is the time for Writing

At least, that is what editors seem to think. My pile of future submissions keeps growing and growing and growing! There is too much to do and too little time. Being so short, February is less than helpful in trying to budget my time.

As of right now, I can do it all. Editing "At the Water's Edge" has taken up a bit too much time since I went 2,000 words over the limit. Oops. But this is the first time that's happened in a while. It's not the end of the world, but I really want to write something instead of cutting out words!

Today's plan is to edit a little bit more, and then start outlining the next three projects. Two are half outlined already, so it's not too much work to do. Three day weekend helps too, along with these new stories being less than 8,000 each.

And if I don't make the deadline, it's not the end of the world. I'll finish it and submit elsewhere. Stress is not going to wear me down anymore. So back to writing!

Procrastination or Research?

One of my top ways to ease Writer's Block is research. It helps spark ideas, but also creates distractions. Instead of writing, I'm reading about all the various chemicals used in Victorian laundry. Yes, I ended up coming with a series of murder based off this, but I didn't do more than scribble a few lines. However, my worst form of "helpful research" comes in the form of video games.

The Sims. My best and worst tool. It provides a great visual reference and I love watching my creations run amok. However, it drains so much time as you perfect each detail. Especially when trying to get the Sims to act the way I want. I spent a good deal of time recently with my Hunters in their "University". It's hard enough getting them to keep on track with their Sim Needs along with my Writing Needs. Bryan should be painting, but chatting online. Thomas should be reading, not playing pool. Riley should be working, not playing his guitar at 4 AM. Ugh. For some reason, the ladies always tend to go about their business the proper way. Nerina enjoys her time in the pool, while Esther is quite studious.

One of the massive problems is how easy it is to loose track of time. Last week, I spent so much time trying to get Riley and Nerina to kiss, that I didn't actually write the scene until the next day.

I can only hope the Muse doesn't get angry with me. Maybe she should wake up...