Twisted Fairytale

I have quite a dilemma on my hands. In this brain cell frying heat, I’ve had to limit my laptop time to avoid overheating. Not to mention how insanely hot the computer gets while on my lap. The two fans blowing in my direction don’t seem to help keep it cool (is there anything that can keep a laptop cool or will I just need to purchase one of those lap desk things that you serve breakfast in bed on?)

Anyway, as you can tell by my very distracted commentary, I’ve had a lot of trouble concentrating on too much at once, which is why my blogging has been limited. I’ve had to learn to use my time wisely. If the laptop is going to be on for 2 hours, then those 2 hours need to be used for writing. And you know what? That has worked out well. I’ve been working scene by scene, on not just one project, but two!

My fantasy sequel is taking shape. It’s a good 30k in, I’ve filled in a lot of the glaring plot holes that were haunting me, and with some of the new subplots I’ve managed to figure out how to up the stakes. Once I get to the part where I left off before I wrote myself into a corner, I think I’ll have a good idea how to end it. *sigh* The life of a pantser is a difficult one. Never knowing where the wind is going to take me. It can be nerve wrecking.

My YA fantasy is also coming along nicely. Chapter two is about done and the world is becoming clearer and more lush with each scene. The characters fascinate me, theyre so distinct and specific to their world, which makes the whole world feel that much more real. I have high hopes for that story. It’s probably the most high fantasy I’ve ever written. When it’s all said and done it’s going to be a mish mash of fairytales with a touch of Romeo and Juliet.

I hope to keep this focus and progress going, even when the weather cools. Although I do plan on taking more daytrips when that happens. But, in the meantime, I’m glad to be feeling productive.

In my time off, I’ve been doing some reading and catching up on Series 3 of the new Doctor Who. David Tennant, I love thee.

Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday!

As part of the Drollerie Press Blog Tour, I warmly present Sarah Avery, author of Atlantis Cranks Need Not Apply and Closing Arguments, blogging July’s tour topic: Summer!

Earth of Birch and Hemlock

Summer is a place, an itinerary, a road trip, and the kin who greet me there. Summer is the Adirondacks, precisely because summer in those mountains is less summery than in any of the places I’ve actually lived. When the heat and humidity at home grow unbearable, I pack out and flee north to a place that’s, well, all humidity, but at least no heat. Evening brings sweater weather. Make it a wool sweater; you’re going to get rained on. Summer calls for a fire in the Franklin stove. Bring the firewood in to dry.

Up the patrilineage, my people were mostly lumberjacks and blacksmiths until quite recently, when teaching became the family trade. We clear-cut the Adirondack forests, and forged the tools for the cutting, until the lumber companies ran out of profitable woods and sold it all into a park. Not long after, the ice-harvesting companies that cut up frozen lakes to sell in chunks in New York City lost everything to the advent of refrigeration. It was a boon to us–a lumberjack great-uncle turned landscape painter saved a stretch of lakeshore from the death throes of the Utica Ice Company, and the cabin he built has been the center of our cosmos ever since.

A century of protection has let the hills grow green again. To an outsider’s eye–and mine is an outsider’s eye, never having overwintered in this place where I can only name a few of the leaves and birdsongs–the clear-cutting years might never have happened.Set your foot on the ground here, and your step dips slightly into a softness of decomposing trees–layer upon layer of them, in a soil so full of little air pockets that running raises a hollow, drum-like thump.

Set your foot in the water here, even in August, and you will not doubt that the wealth of this land was its ice. It takes the memory of the heat I left at home to get me in up to the shoulders, and then it takes a fey mood to get me to dunk my head. Better to take out a boat.

Better, when it rains, as it will, to take out the notebook and sit on the rickety boathouse balcony, to look out over the water and across the breathing green world of the real into whatever it is I’m writing. I’ve embarked from the boathouse for a thousand other worlds. Summer is a journey by water, summer is the characters who greet me on the other side.

For more about Sarah Avery visit her blog: Ask Dr. Pretentious

I’m exhausted- but man was today awesomely productive.

My family and I enjoyed a day trip to Mystic Aquarium. Peanut absolutely loved it! He kept reaching out to touch the glass of the indoor exhibits. His eyes grew so wide when he looked at the flourescent fish or when one of the sea lions splashed into the pool and swam by in a hurry. It was so great to see his little brain at work making connections and being in awe. I’ll admit, it’s been ages since I went to an aquarium, so I enjoyed myself just as much as he did. I took a billion photos and was won over by the cutest group of penguins ever.

Then, I enjoyed some delicious bacon pizza at the infamous Mystic Pizza. Yes, the one that the movie was based on. The one with Julia Roberts. Here’s a link if you’re curious. The pizza was surprisingly delicious and the atmosphere was light and casual. We had a great time.

And since the ride was a long one, I even got some writing done! In fact, I’ve been writing a scene here and there for the past few days, fleshing out the WIP and trying to get the pace going. It tends to slump. So today’s car ride provided the time (which I usually sorely lack) for me to write a really crucial scene. And honestly, I really like how it will round out the chapter. So thank you, Miss Cora Zane, for your awesome writing words of wisdom and support. I would not have been moved to even finish the story, were it not for you. *hugs*

So yea, I’m exhausted. Ha ha. I’m going to go feed my Peanut and hit the sack. Good night Blogland.

While working on my fantasy sequel this week, I realized that having demi-god-like characters makes for difficult external conflict. They’re so powerful, so much of the issues I imagine up for them aren’t really issues at all. In the scheme of the world they live in, they’re on an important quest, and maybe it’s just me but that quest is far too easy to accomplish without some trouble along the way.

Which means it’s back to the old drawing board. *sigh* Gotta figure things out a bit better. I found such a good flow on this story, I think that’s why I didn’t notice the glaring plot hole. I was too in the moment.

My YA fantasy is another story entirely! That one is taking on a richness and life of its own which is so thrilling. I love the heroine so much. She just fascinates me. And her world is so specific. So much of who she is comes from her culture and her surroundings. If I had more time, I’m sure I’d be putting a major dent in that book- but for now, I’m glad its moving along when we spend a few mins together. Makes me happy to revisit it each and every time.

I also want to say THANK YOU to Miss Cora Zane for the snazzy Kreativ Blogger award she gave me. It made me feel really loved. I mean, we all know I haven’t been the best blogger since Peanut arrived. Mommyhood is a busy and time consuming career. But it’s nice to know i’m not forgotten. So I’m showing it off.

It is now my turn to nominate 7 blogs who make the net a better place to be. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Cloudwoven- She loves books, coffee, black and white movies, baking, her (adorable) pets, and mix tapes. She and I are practically soulmates. She’s honest and interesting and I never get bored reading what she has to say next.

2. Diary of an Adult Runaway- I live vicariously through Gabrielle. Her Parisian adventures are so romantic and fantastic. I gobble up each picture she posts. Whether it be of the streets after a light dusting of snow, her trip to America, or even goodies that she finds online. I’ll admit, I’m terrible at responding to her posts, but Gabrielle, I read every one of them! Keep the pictures coming!

3. Karen Erickson - She and I share similar obsessions. Like American Idol, for instance. Plus, she’s always got fun posts about her life and her family activities. I always feel good after reading her blog.

4. Literary Escapism- One of my new favorite hangouts. This place has it all. New interviews with authors. New releases. New book art! Have I ever mentioned what an elitist book cover whore I am? Cause, I am. And this place feeds my obsession. I love it.

5. Nights of Passion – Susan has some really great things to say about writing, about life, and about the moments in life that inspire your writing. Plus, she likes BONES! Anyone who is willing to drool over Seeley Booth with me makes my list of ultracool.

6. Tie Me In a Knot and Throw Me Over Your Shoulder- Lisa is someone you all might want to keep an eye on. She’s a YA author striving toward publication and I can tell you that her stuff is fantastic with a captital A (for awesome, lol). She and I have known each other for years and her talent still never ceases to amaze me. Plus her taste in music is exquisite. So how can you not love her?

7. Sci-fi Guy- Simply put: feeds my scifi/fantasy needs. Reviews, giveaways, coming soon, and re-releases all in one comfy place. There is some fantastic info on there.

And that’s that. I’m not going to do the 7 things I like because Peanut is due to wake up any moment! Hope you’re all having a great hump day!

xoxo

It was brought to my attention that today is Chocolate Day!

Who knew? A day devoted to chocolatey goodness? I’m all over that.

In fact, I believe a proper celebration calls for a trip to Coldstone Creamery this evening to indulge in cool chocolate treats.

In the meantime why not celebrate by heading over to Drollerie Press and getting a special treat. The Chocolatier’s Wife by Cindy Lynn Speer is on sale for 20% off. In addition, everyone who posts about their chocolate sale on their blog, website, facebook, or twitter stream will be entered to win a $25.00 gift certificate from Fannie May chocolates!

Now that’s a sweet deal!

Happy Chocolate Day to all.