Visual Stimulation

So I've been working on a MG manuscript for quite a while now. At least that's the way it feels. But recently I had an epiphany. I'm thinking of including some graphics with the story at least for inspiration.

And I've been working with the graphics--well, the idea of it, I'm no artist but I have quite a few of them around me in my house--to develop my story more and enrich the plot. It's odd how I haven't thought of this before. I mean after all my brother was an artist, my husband's uncle is an artist, my boys are artists. Unfortunately that one gene somehow skipped by me but . . . I'm thinking, why not take advantage of everything around me?

How 'bout you? Are you using everything available to you in your writing?

Word Game

If you think you know words, try this quick test. It's fun.

Beading for fun

This is my first project beading. I took a class in Idaho while I was on vacation. It was a relaxing morning and a fun crafting experience - my only problem was threading the needle - luckily I have a few youngins around to help me out ;) and I'll actually wear this bracelet :)

Half-Marathon - Made IT

It was a fun weekend filled with hiking, running, and eating :)

Hope you all had a great weekend too.

Friday Field Trip

I've been in a few critique groups over the years and I've made some good friends and learned a lot along the way but one of the best ways to learn something is to try something new.

So, me and my writings buddies try to take a few writerly field trips every now and then. We have visited French bakeries to flavor our stories with true tastes and smells. We've visited a psychic to learn a little more about ourselves and our characters. We've even planned to visit a couple publishers to see the entire process of production.

So, have you gone on any writing/reading field trips lately? If not, maybe you should. You just might learn a little and enjoy the journey :)

Emotions

Emotions can be good and they can be bad. But one thing's for sure--your book has to provoke them.

Think about it. Your favorite movie, favorite place and yes even your favorite book becomes that favorite because of how you feel watching, reading and being in that place.

And, even action movies/books aren't all adventure. They have to provoke some sort of emotion: maybe fear, excitement or joy. Without emotion your book is dead.

And remember to add a little something from both sides of the coin: good and bad feelings make your story multi-dimensional.

So happy AND sad writing, reading and watching--it's what gives life the spice :)

Word for Wednesday - a Writer's Game

What does the word Nerdjacking mean?

Take a guess.


Then scroll down


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Nerdjacking means digressing into extreme and/or unnecessary detail about one’s passion (music, coding, gaming) to an otherwise uninitiated layperson, without awareness or acknowledgement of the listener’s rapidly waning interest or lack of understanding of the subject at hand. (Thanks to Urban Dictionary)