Hey, everyone. Nothing really new on the writing front other than I've finally hit 20,000 words (halfway) on PHARAOH'S LINK and I'm stedily working through chapter 2 of THE MONTICELLO DIARY.
I wanted to stop by and share with you another guest post I've written for More TV Please! This time, we explore the three Modern faces of Doctor Who.
(Sometimes) Rude and (Still) not Ginger: The Three Faces of the Doctor
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. I have to say I'm so happy I decided to check out Doctor Who. Not only does it shed some serious light on Torchwood but it's just genuinely a fantastic series.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Oh Happy Day!
So I've had an interesting week so far. I'd totally intended on powering through PHARAOH'S LINK this weekend but it didn't end up happening. Instead, the muse decided to wack me over the head with 3 other ideas. So I gave in and am starting a couple of them.
I'm really hoping to get a few chapters in on this one project, an historical thriller, before July 6. Why you ask? Because I'm going to a writer's workshop led by Steve Berry and I'm hoping to get his opinion on a few things. Plus, I'd like to be able to send the material to Roger to get his feeling on the project.
I also have some other good news. I was very concerned that I had lost my scholarship for school. I received a letter in the mail today congratulating me on keeping it! I was SO happy. You have no idea. I'd been pnaicking for weeks that I'd not made the grade to keep it. I'm so relieved now.
I also recieved another rejection on EUTERPE'S SONG yesterday. And it was quite the lovely rejection. The editor praised the premise and a lot of the situations but they felt it wasn't quite right for their imprint, which focuses on character driven work. And they were concerned that any new work that has a heavily Greek mythology bent will obviously be compared to Percy Jackson and it may not hold up. But the editor assured me (and my agent) that we'd probably get a taker and that they would have the perfect vision to get my characters on the shelves.
Now this may seem like, oh they didn't want it because of the competition. Which, to be fair, is true. But what I like about this is that it shows the editor took the time to carefully consider my work. That to me, speaks volumes.
And hopefully I'll be back next week with some writing progress updates for you. And who knows, I may have read another book by then. We'll see.
I'm really hoping to get a few chapters in on this one project, an historical thriller, before July 6. Why you ask? Because I'm going to a writer's workshop led by Steve Berry and I'm hoping to get his opinion on a few things. Plus, I'd like to be able to send the material to Roger to get his feeling on the project.
I also have some other good news. I was very concerned that I had lost my scholarship for school. I received a letter in the mail today congratulating me on keeping it! I was SO happy. You have no idea. I'd been pnaicking for weeks that I'd not made the grade to keep it. I'm so relieved now.
I also recieved another rejection on EUTERPE'S SONG yesterday. And it was quite the lovely rejection. The editor praised the premise and a lot of the situations but they felt it wasn't quite right for their imprint, which focuses on character driven work. And they were concerned that any new work that has a heavily Greek mythology bent will obviously be compared to Percy Jackson and it may not hold up. But the editor assured me (and my agent) that we'd probably get a taker and that they would have the perfect vision to get my characters on the shelves.
Now this may seem like, oh they didn't want it because of the competition. Which, to be fair, is true. But what I like about this is that it shows the editor took the time to carefully consider my work. That to me, speaks volumes.
And hopefully I'll be back next week with some writing progress updates for you. And who knows, I may have read another book by then. We'll see.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
How Music is Like Writing a Novel
So I thought I'd bring you all a little post about something other than just general updates this week. I was thinking last night about how creating music and writing novels are similar.
As I listen to the new Hanson album (Shout It Out) (don't judge me), I'm reminded what it is that I love so much about the band. No matter what the music sounds like, it always evokes in me a renewed sense of admiration. I've grown up with the band since the beginning in 1997. And the core of their music making hasn't changed. They still have their trademark 3-part harmonies and soul and '50s-'60s rock n roll feel.
So how, you ask, is music like writing a novel? It's simple. Both novel writing and music making tell a story. The real heart of music is communicating a story to your listener. Musicians, especially songwriters are really poets in disguise. They weave tales with beautiful lyrics just as a novelist crafts a story with the right words. It's about sharing a piece of the musician's soul with the wider audience. And isn't that what we, as novelists, do as well? We take a piece of ourselves and bare it to the world in what we write. Sure, it's sometimes difficult to pinpoint the piece of the creator in the finished product but it's always there, regardless of whether you can see/hear it or not.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that music can serve as great inspiration for other creative endeavors. As I continue to work on my various projects, I let the music I listen to fill me up and inspire me to greatness.
Thank you Hanson for 13 wonderful years and many more to come!
As I listen to the new Hanson album (Shout It Out) (don't judge me), I'm reminded what it is that I love so much about the band. No matter what the music sounds like, it always evokes in me a renewed sense of admiration. I've grown up with the band since the beginning in 1997. And the core of their music making hasn't changed. They still have their trademark 3-part harmonies and soul and '50s-'60s rock n roll feel.
So how, you ask, is music like writing a novel? It's simple. Both novel writing and music making tell a story. The real heart of music is communicating a story to your listener. Musicians, especially songwriters are really poets in disguise. They weave tales with beautiful lyrics just as a novelist crafts a story with the right words. It's about sharing a piece of the musician's soul with the wider audience. And isn't that what we, as novelists, do as well? We take a piece of ourselves and bare it to the world in what we write. Sure, it's sometimes difficult to pinpoint the piece of the creator in the finished product but it's always there, regardless of whether you can see/hear it or not.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that music can serve as great inspiration for other creative endeavors. As I continue to work on my various projects, I let the music I listen to fill me up and inspire me to greatness.
Thank you Hanson for 13 wonderful years and many more to come!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Another smattering of updates
So sorry I haven't been keeping to my weekly posts. Last week was busy with starting work and this week is busy with my boyfriend visiting.
Not a whole lot to report. Nothing new on the EUTERPE front sad to say. But that's the nature of the biz. I have set an absolute deadline for myself for finishing PHARAOH's LINK; Sunday June 20th. Even if it kills me, I'm going to stick to it!
Work has been really interesting so far. I've got several big cases I'm working on for several different investigators. I've been drafting interview questions for a 2-day onsite interview process for one case. I'm quite excited to atually go and participate in the questioning. How cool that they let us just dive in? Been doing some statistical analysis on another case. One thing I've learned fairly quickly is that even if someone seems sympathetic from reading their statement, you have to remain impartial and not take sides.
I sat in Tuesday and yesterday on a hearing for a Dept. of Agriculture case. Very fascinating to see the dynamic between the attorneys (who knew each other for quite some time) and the various witnessses. The judge is probably one of the most awesome people in the office. Got to sit in just by chatting with her at the copy machine on Monday.
As for keeping up with the blog this summer, I think I may work a little something out with Jen over at More TV, Please! about doing a TV rewind series on a show (probably a shorter show...like Merlin season 1). I've got the DVD set but haven't rewatched any of the episodes yet.
Well I need to head off to work...such is the life of the grown up (or summer intern).
Not a whole lot to report. Nothing new on the EUTERPE front sad to say. But that's the nature of the biz. I have set an absolute deadline for myself for finishing PHARAOH's LINK; Sunday June 20th. Even if it kills me, I'm going to stick to it!
Work has been really interesting so far. I've got several big cases I'm working on for several different investigators. I've been drafting interview questions for a 2-day onsite interview process for one case. I'm quite excited to atually go and participate in the questioning. How cool that they let us just dive in? Been doing some statistical analysis on another case. One thing I've learned fairly quickly is that even if someone seems sympathetic from reading their statement, you have to remain impartial and not take sides.
I sat in Tuesday and yesterday on a hearing for a Dept. of Agriculture case. Very fascinating to see the dynamic between the attorneys (who knew each other for quite some time) and the various witnessses. The judge is probably one of the most awesome people in the office. Got to sit in just by chatting with her at the copy machine on Monday.
As for keeping up with the blog this summer, I think I may work a little something out with Jen over at More TV, Please! about doing a TV rewind series on a show (probably a shorter show...like Merlin season 1). I've got the DVD set but haven't rewatched any of the episodes yet.
Well I need to head off to work...such is the life of the grown up (or summer intern).
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