I may be a novice, but I know it’s damn hard to write a novel. We like different computer programs, methods, locations, everything. It’s our thing.

Dear  Early Mornings -

Just as with Late Nights, you and I have a love-hate relationship. ESPECIALLY if you show up RIGHT AFTER Late Nights. But that’s okay. You always arrive with the coffee and various breakfast tasties. I like that in an Inspiration.

You bring out so many Interesting People. It’s great, because most of the time they’re too tired to know they’re being Interesting with that fancy capital “I.” There’s just a good amount of variety.

The earlier you come by [but not before 5 am], the easier it is to get my favorite spot in my local coffe shop, too. Background bustle is ideal for me. I get so much more work done! I generally write for much longer with you around.

AND I get to feel superior to the late-comers. I’m early, and therefore PRODUCTIVE. Okay, well. Not always. But at least I LOOK productive. I’m dressed in Big People clothes and EVERYTHING.

(It’s amazing how much more I do when I change out of my pj’s in the morning. Or at any time. It’s like “I put on a bra, I’m being PRODUCTIVE.”)

Thanks for coming around so much, Early Mornings. I couldn’t ask any more from you.

Actually, I can.

Could you work out a more favorable schedule with Late Nights?

I sort of need my Optimum Hours of Sleep to be of any use, to either of you. Kthnx.

Pancakes,

Me

I’m 24 years old! Honestly, I didn’t think I’d survive to 24. I don’t know why, but I just didn’t mentally prepare myself for past 23 years. Didn’t seem plausible. I freaked when Ninja turned 26 this past May. I’ve had time to ADJUST since then, and to be EXTRA CAUTIOUS so I wouldn’t cause my DEATH. That’s probably what kept me alive, lol. Well, this is a milestone for me!

So, in no particular order, my BIRFDAY WISHLIST!

• Books.
• NOT to have woken up at 5:30 AM to take a shower and then go to Starbucks. Srsly. Doesn’t the Birthday Girl get to sleep in? And possibly get breakfast in bed?
• To have easy access to coffee and/or soda. (GRANTED)
• A Pony Horse UNICORN (that won’t kill me).
• Booooooooooooooooooooks.
• For Dragonpunk to just lift out of my brain and splash onto the page as words in one instant. Of course, I’ll need an unholy coupling of SCIENCE and MAGIC for that. *puts on goggles* *pulls out Death Stick* (if you don’t know what that is or what book it’s from YOU’RE DEAD TO ME)
• Legs that don’t need constant shaving.
• The Sharpie Liquid Pencil. Yes.
• Did I mention BOOKS yet?
• This ring, size 9. I just really like the way it looks, and want to wear it while I write what might end up being The Punk Chronicles. Who knows, but that plot is BIG. And so is that ring. And PURTY. WANT. I’ll probably buy it with my birthday munies.
• A BIG party with all my friends. Preferably at a place with skee ball. And/0r some really tasty BOOZE of VARIOUS TYPES. (hahaha that’d be funny, trying to play skee ball while drinking. FUNNEH.)
• boooooooooooooooooooooks.
• My twin sister to call me and we talk and not be mean or mad or sad at each other. Not likely, as she’s been gone and out of touch for 4 years. Still, it’d be nice.
• Good food with good people. That would be the best one.
• The Big Bang Theory Seasons on DVD for a marathon. Also maybe a Sheldon T-Shirt of some kind. That would be AWSUM.
• BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSS.
• Did I forget anything?

Dear Maggie Stiefvater -

Can I call you Maggie? I hope that’s ok. You seem like a pretty cool person, so I’m gonna go with it.

You’re an amazing writer, Maggie. I love reading almost anything that comes into my hands. I gobble up stories like it’s food. But on occasion, I leave a book unread on my shelf for some time. That’s a good thing, because it almost always turns out to be a novel that blows my mind.

Lady, you blew my mind. The Wolves Of Mercy Falls shook the foundations of my reader and writer mind. It’s rare that I’m so drawn into a story. Even more rare? When I get so lost in it that I lose eight hours of the day and not notice because I’ve lived days, weeks, months or years within the world of the story. That’s only happened a handful of times before (you’re in very good company).

And it’s not just your writing. You are also a gifted artist. And a skilled musician. I can’t think of anything that represents your talents more than the stop-motion trailers you did for your own books, especially my personal favorite, the Linger trailer. It’s beautiful. That you are capable of taking an entire story and seeing the visual artistry, the audio grace, and showing others is jaw-dropping.

Though you may not have intend it, I’ve also pulled out my old sketchbooks and tuned my long-neglected violin. My calling is as a writer, but I also find a happiness in sketching and playing music. I likely will never reach much of a mastery in drawing or violin, but it’s fun. And it refreshes my energy and mind for writing.

As one of the most well-rounded author I know, you inspire me to look beyond my words in order to strengthen my connection with them. Your art and music and writing all complement each other. I consider you a new-age powerhouse in the author world, one that has earned it for all her hard work and amazing graciousness.

So, thank you for inspiring me to aspire, in my own ways.

With Honored Respect,

Brittany

Today, I went out and did some I haven’t done in some years.

I got a manicure.

And boy, did my nails need them. My cuticules were so out of control, Nancy talked about it as she was working… and filing… and painting. She even laughed about it with some of the other ladies. I laughed too. Because it was baaad, lol.

Jackson Pearce gave me the idea on Twitter a few weeks ago. She said she got hers done every two or so weeks, or something, a treat for all the hard work she put into writing. (That’s in addition to her 3 diet cokes, which I’ve been surpassing already doing to begin with, lol. I should cut down >.<) I decided maybe it was time I gave my hardworking fingernails a break.

Let me tell you, my nails look goooood. I picked this beautiful purple color, and I LURV it.

It's like candy for your fingers! (but don't try to eat them)

I couldn’t get the right angle to give the color justice, but it’s PURTY. When you’re constantly clacking on a keyboard or gripping a pen like your head is about to explode, it’s nice to see some pretty color and/or sparkle on your nails.

No, seriously. It gives me a smile and makes writing that much more fun.

Not that it’s not fun to begin with. It is. But a flash of fun can lighten the pressure of first drafts or revisions.

So if you’re in need of a pick me up when the words are getting rough, get yourself a manicure. I found a great place that’s not too expensive, so I plan to do it a monthly thing, if not more. Maybe throw in a pedicure when I finish a draft.

Writing a novel is long, painful business already, though it definitely has it’s rewards. Adding a bit of pampering to the process just sweetens the pot!

Currently Reading: Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Song of the Scene: Explosive by Bond

Dear Late Nights -

You and I, we have a love-hate relationship. I don’t like staying up late, because then I have a hard time waking up the next day. Sometimes I can’t even read or write during the day because of you. But GOODNESS you come up with some great ideas.

Like that night you gave me the notion for the current fun Work In Progress. It came out of nowhere and had several scenes already wrapped up in pretty bows for me. And last night? When you gave me a key plot twist for Dragonpunk? Amazing.

I don’t like being drowsy in the morning. BUT, it’s totally worth it. And I always have coffee.

Really, I feel like my best work is often done Late Night. I seem to actually wake up more the closer it gets to bedtime. Too bad half the good places to eat close about that time. I don’t care. WORDS ARE ALL I NEED.

Now, if only it wouldn’t tire me out during the day, writing so late at night.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Hearts,

Me

Well, *I* have motivation. I love to write, and wouldn’t want to stop for the world.

No, srsly. If it comes down to me not writing to save you people, you’re screwed. NO ONE should depend on writers to save the REAL world. We’re barely checked in to begin with. How do you think we’re able to MAKE UP the stuff we do?

No, I was talking about my latest Work In Progress. See, the plot has been morphing and morphing to something SO TOTALLY DIFFERENT from what it started as. Now, that isn’t a bad thing in itself, but I was still having a problem figuring it all out. I’d get a little bit into writing the first few scenes or outlining the plot, then lose steam.

I didn’t get it. I had an amazing premise, a well-developed mythos, and a deep desire to write. But it was like pulling teeth (I even dreamt I lost two back teeth. I could actually feel it – freaky). The want didn’t translate to the flow of words I’ve come to expect.

Really, it was getting painful.

I thought I’d have to *gulp* put Dragonpunk away for a bit. Maybe *gasp* forever.

BUT THEN.

My awesome writerly friend from Twitter whom I LURV, Jessica, pulled me onto a chat so I could talk out my WIP. I started getting my head wrapped around the story a bit, but I still had problems with the last half of it all.

She kept on saying things like “Why?” and, in a very nice way, “So What?”

Really. Annoying.

Also?

OMG SO HELPFUL.

Jessica asked me what they were most afraid of and what they wanted the most. And had a constant stream of “Why”s and “So What”s going. I couldn’t really answer those questions (and didn’t want to admit it, so it took me awhile).

Turns out? My characters didn’t really have much in the way of motivation. So they were sort of boring. And also easy to put in any plot. Thereby destroying said plot.

What little motivation I had thought to give them wasn’t strong enough, or contradictory to the plot I put them in. And, truthfully, plot-based in and of themselves more often than not. I was dragging them in circles without figuring them out.

So, I know what the problem with my WIP is. My characters aren’t realistic.

YET.

Looking back, I can see this is sort of my MO. There are holes in character arcs of some of my older work. It’s clear now I have to do in-depth character sketches to make sure I have strong characters. BEFORE diving too deep into a story. Then, maybe, I can put them in a situation and know the outcome. WITHOUT guessing.

How about you? Do you ever find yourself with underdeveloped characters? Do you do character sketches before writing anything, or do you let the characters develop as you write?