Writer's Block...

LDS Story Maker's Conference

2010-04-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

So me and my dear friend Kristen Knight (check out her website The Fancy Deep down under my favorite sites)went to the LDS Story Maker's Conference this past weekend, and it was fabulous and successful. Not only did we learn some great tips on how to be better writers and get published, but we both pitched to Shadow Mountain Publishing (they are an imprint of Deseret Book) and we both got requests to see more. Fablehaven, 13th Reality, The Candy Shop Wars etc...

So, tomorrow I'll be sending them my first three chapters and the rest of the week will be spent frantically reviewing the rest of the manuscript to make sure it's polished and perfect should they ask for more. This is the part of the process that I hate. I tend to get obsessive. Ahhh well, I'm excited and so very grateful for the window of opportunity. Thank goodness I have such a great support system here at home. Seriously, choosing to marry my husband was the best decision I've ever made.

I'll keep you all posted on the turnout. Wish me luck! Prayers are greatly appreciated

Keats

2010-03-09T13:45:00.001-08:00

I've been pretty interested in the poet John Keats since I saw the movie Bright Star and was so mesmerized by his ability to paint vivid, breath-taking word pictures. If I could write like Keats, no matter how old-fashioned it might sound, I would.

Anyway, I've decided to brush up on my 19th century poets...well, Keats anyway, and found a book of his poems at Deseret Industries (fabulous place to get inexpensive books for no more than $3, btw). I've been skimming through this compilation of his works over the last few months, but today, I was captivated by two of his longer, myth poems. The first is called Isabella or The Pot of Basil: A Story of Boccaccio, which I assume means that the story was originally told by Giovanni Boccaccio, the famous 14th century author and humanist.

This story is really sad and kind of...no make that really morbid, but very beautifully and pathetically written. Keats has a way of writing so you don't really get the morbid thing.

The story is about a woman named Isabella and a man named Lorenzo who fall in love and are so happy, but Isabella's brothers are hoping to marry her off to a Nobleman. Consequently the loveafair can't last, and Isabella's brothers end up luring Lorenzo out into the forest where they kill and bury him. There's more to it and it ends totally tragic and morbid. But it's oh, so beautifully written. Keat's writing is like eating a fine, french chocolate tart without the whip cream--a perfect balance of everything.

The second poem I read was his Lamia poem. While Isabella was sad in an adolescently depressive way, Lamia was much more tragic, because aside from the Greek mythology, it was more heart-wrenchingly believable.

For those of you who don't know who Lamia is in Greek mythology, she's a water serpent kind of nymph who lures in lovers. Keats puts her in a much more sympathetic light in his poem, which I like. The story is about her making a bargain with Hermes to become human and be able to woo and wed a man named Lycius she's fallen in love with.

It's funny to me how the tragic love story is so timeless. It's like we as human beings love to hurt. But there's something beautiful about that kind of ache a tragic love story brings. I'd say out of the two, Lamia was my favorite.

I'm a huge fan of mythology and especially artistic interpretations of them in art, poetry, lit and music. If you're the same way, Keats is worth picking up, even if it's just to read these two poems. Put in lame man's terms, the stories are heavy on the pathos, but when you put them to Keats language, he kind of transforms them into something really sophisticatedly magical and exquisite.

Anyway, just thought I'd deviate from the Young Adult book recommendations I've mostly given on this blog, and recommend something more substantial.

Happy Reading!

Truly, Madly, Deeply...

2010-03-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

I came across this article http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/fashion/27love.html?_r=1 today, and I just had to share it, because I completely agree with the author. While I adore, cherish, hold my son as my greatest inheritance as a mother, words cannot now, and most likely never will be able to express the way I feel for my husband. If something, heaven forbid and as devastating as it would be, were to happen to my son, I feel like I might be able to go on a little bit easier, because I would have my husband to carry an equal share of the burden--we would be able to mourn together as parents. However, sometimes I greatly question how I would fair if it were the other way around, and something were to happen to Michael. I would be alone in my grief as his wife--as the only one who had just lost the most important person in the world to me. I didn't realize half of me was missing all of my life until I met him and felt whole for the first time. As much as Sam loves his daddy, he just wouldn't be able to empathize with the magnitude of my grief, nor would I expect or ask him to.

I would also have to say that while the author of this article feels guilty for loving her husband more than her children, I do not; I think that that is the way it should be. I think the greatest gift you can give your children is to show them what is possible in marriage. As a child who didn't have that example, I feel greatly blessed that I was able to find someone like Michael, and create the kind of marriage and family we have. If it weren't for divine intervention, I would've never dreamed this kind of happiness was even possible. Now, Sam, and any other children we may have, will see that they too can be married to their best friend, someone who loves them more than any other person in the entire world...including their mother. And they will know how to treat them.

It just makes sense to me. In the end, the two of you are all you have once the kids are gone so shouldn't you be looking out for each other first and foremost? You ought to take that into consideration while the kids are growing up and make sure that relationship is healthy and nurtured all along the way. I think if you do that, everything else will just follow. Some people may think this is callous and horrible, but I would say that they were wrong. I agree with whoever said that the best way to love your children is to love your wife--or husband in my case.

Anyway, just my two cents that have nothing what-so-ever to do with writing.

Thanks for reading.

2010! Write On!

2010-01-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, so first off, I just realized that the title of my last post was totally spelled wrong (I just changed it). For those who don't know, I'm dyslexic, so although I write well, I do not now, and never have spelled extraordinarily well. But I've never let it stop me from writing...thank goodness. What the heck are editors for if not to fix spelling errors? It just go to show you that the only thing that can hold you back from accomplishing your dreams is you.

Now, on to the latest on my book. For the year 2010 I've made some great goals, and to get this manuscript accepted by an agent and possibly a publisher by the end of the year is among those. So, consequently, I've found it necessary to start remodeling a bit. This last week was my first week back with my little band of characters, and I'm pleased to say that chapters one and two are looking very promising with the minor changes I have made. Such as, completely changing the personality and appearance of my main character. This was all a matter of time though, I just had to be prepared to accept that she would have the final word in the end. I've been humbled, she will be what she will be, and I might add that she is awesome!

I've also changed the narration of my story from 3rd person omniscient, to 1st person past-present. I did this for two reasons, #1 was to give more life and depth to my heroin, and #2 was because there are things that happen later in the series that need to happen in her head. It also makes quite a few other things easier to tweak. So, never underestimate the power of perspective, both on and off the page. :)

Other than that, folks, we are back in writing mode, and I just have to say, that after taking a good three months off from regular daily writing intervals, I am so much happier and grounded, and organized and driven, and most importantly, I'm SUCH a better wife and mom when I'm writing every day. So, don't ever underestimate the power of daily writing as an anti-depressant either! ;)

Anyway, I'm hoping to have this draft in the best shape I, with the powers vested in me, can make it by the end of March. If I still don't feel like it's ready to send off to agents, I'll try submitting it to an editor and see what they can tell me. Then I'll try the agents again.

I'm feeling really good about 2010. I think this is going to be the beginning of a truly extraordinary decade!

Wish me luck!

Another "Rubbish" Read

2009-12-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

Alright, now that I've let my feelings about Hush, Hush simmer a little, and am thinking a bit more rationally than my last post (A post I felt rather guilty about and so deleted it from my blog for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about), I'm back to tell you that Hush, Hush...was still one of the dumbest books I've ever read.

Seriously. It's a knock off of Twilight on so many levels and it was in sore need of an editor. I still feel that the only thing the book had going for it was a cool cover.

I will say no more.

Why I Love My Husband...

2009-11-20T19:16:00.001-08:00

There are no words...

"Bright Star"

2009-10-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

My good friend Ashley told me about this film and invited me to go see it with her yesterday. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it's a story about John Keats the poet and his love or Muse that inspired his greatest poems (don't know much about Keats' life, but apparently it's a true story).
Anyway, I can honestly say, without any reservations that it is by far one of, if not my favorite movie of all time. Really and truly. The only word I can give you to describe it, is "Exquisite". When it was over, Ash and I were riveted to our seats until the last credit had run. It's full of Keats poetry which is so beautiful, and apparently it received a 96% or 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
If you love artistic (not artsy-fartsy, necessarily) but very sophisticatedly made, and very human movies, you need to see this one. Bright Star is a real love story.

p.s. This is one of the cleanest, yet most romantically stirring love stories I've ever seen. It's done so well that even the slightest touch of the hand sends your heart racing.

Sunday at Tiffany's

2009-10-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Okay, first off let me clarify that this is not a review of the beloved Audrey Hepburn film Breakfast at Tiffany's this is for "Sundays" at Tiffany's. Read on and you'll see there is a HUGE difference.

I usually give good book reviews on here, because, thanks to recommendations from friends with excellent taste, I rarely read books I don't end up liking. However, last night, I finished one of the lamest books I've ever read. I'm not kidding. I was so disgusted with it that if it hadn't been so late when I finished, I would've chucked it against the wall. (Didn't want to disturb the neighbors.)

So. Here is a list of reasons why I didn't like the book.

1) The writing was pretty terrible.
2) I felt like it was an insult to my intellectual capacity as a human being, let alone as a woman. I mean, do women really LIKE that kind of crap?
3) There was a sex scene. I always hate it when they have to put sex scenes in books; it's such a cop-out, not to mention disgusting to read. The thing I hated so much about this one, however; is that it kinda crept up on me. The book was pretty decent (morally) up to that point and then, WHAM! I so hate that!
4) The storyline was very weak.
5) It wasn't just because I had high expectations on account of James Patterson co-writing it. It was really just that lame.
6) They didn't give you any explanation whatsoever as to why everything happened the way that it did. There were no rules, it just happened, and I think that's why I felt like the author thought I was stupid, like, "Oh, this book is going to be read by women mostly--housewives even, so we don't really need to explain anything, they'll just buy it." Um...not so, pal!

Anyway, done with my rant. Don't read this book, unless you like books where you pretty much have to turn off your brain completely to be able to stand them.
Sorry, this review is really mean, and I'm usually not easily riled, but when it's this bad and it has to do with books and me wasting an evening on complete and utter rubbish, I just have to say something about it. :}

Time to Relax

2009-10-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

So, I heard back from Upstart Crow Literary last week, and unfortunately she didn't want to see any more of my book. I was half expecting this, since the rest of the book isn't in nearly as good of shape as the first two chapters. (I told you I jumped the gun.) But I must say, I actually feel relieved. The last six weeks have been excessively stressful trying to get my book in the best shape possible in case she requested it. Now I can take a nice break for the holidays before going back and really polishing it up.

I've actually been really surprised at how undiscouraged I've gotten from the five or so rejections I've already received. I think the reason why, is because the manuscript isn't as good as I know it can be anyway, and so I haven't been expecting much. It's good practice though. I'm sure I'll get a few more "no's" before I find the right fit. But, after four years of working on this project, it's nice to have the extra time to do it right. The whole time I was waiting for the response, I was kicking myself for sending it out before it was ready. I knew when I started on this story that I needed to take the right amount of time to really do it justice, and I'm happy to say that I didn't blow it completely. Now I've got time to polish, and outline the rest of the series. That'll be a nice selling point when I am good and ready.

Anyway, thanks all for your support, and thanks to those of you who've read it and been so supportive! You make such a huge difference!

"Catching Fire"

2009-09-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

SO AWESOME!!!

Catching Fire is the much anticipated sequel to The Hunger Games mentioned below. "Oh my!" Is all I can say about what this book did for me. There wasn't a dull moment, which is the kind of writing I love and strive to mimic. Oh, and of course, "Go, Peeta!" Really and honestly though, I can't believe Suzanne Collins did it again, and even better than the first time. I highly recommend this book. This doesn't happen to me very often anymore, but this was one of those "up all night reading" kind of books. The last one I read that kept me up all night, was it's prequel. :) I think I mentioned this below, but this truly is one of the best young adult fiction love stories I've ever read. Peeta is the best, and I swear if things don't go the way...but I'll stop my rant here, because I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone else.

Happy Reading!

Extraordinary News!!!!

2009-08-25T14:19:00.001-07:00

I seriously just finished jumping up and down on my bed. So, ehem! Here is the news before I get ahead of myself. After I handed my manuscript over to my writing group this month, I was feeling especially antsy to be doing something with all the spare time I had during the times I would originally be writing. So, I started writing and sending out queries to agents I'd been eyeing for a while. Well, after a week or two, I'd received two rejections, and so I thought I'd better wait until I got feedback and could polish my manuscript up some more before I started sending more out. Well, I'd already sent out five, and after my meeting, I felt like I might have a bit more work to do on my manuscript than I originally thought, so I was planning on waiting until the end of this month to query more. That, alas, has ceased to be the plan, since only today I received an e-mail from Upstart Crow Literary and one of their darling agents named Danielle asking for the first 100 pages of my manuscript! I know, but just wait, it gets better! She said, and I quote...

"I just read your sample pages, and I was absolutely riveted. I'd love to get a look at more!"

YIKES!!!

Of course, this is only the beginning, and she could very well hate it by the time she's finished with the first thirty pages. But after three and a half years of work on this baby, I'm inclined to be optimistic.

I'd better get cracking if I want these pages out before the end of the week. I'll keep you posted.

:)

When is Enough...Enough?

2009-08-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

So while my writing group has been reading my manuscript, I've been researching the agent/publishing market, and sometimes I feel excessively overwhelmed by it all. I feel so much like you have to have the most perfected piece of literature imaginable before offering it to an agent, and yet there seems to be a lot of crap that ends up getting published anyway. So, does any one have any feedback on when a manuscript is good enough to query an agent with? I think if I spend much more time on my novel, that I'll go insane and start destroying it by nit picking everything.

EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

2009-08-03T09:39:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,

I have finished 'the' draft of my book! I am so happy with it! I can't wait for you all to read it. I'm in the process of preparing and sending out query letters, as well as giving the final brushing up touches to my manuscript. Thanks for all your encouragement; I couldn't have done it without you all!

Ahhhh...The Hunger Games!

2009-05-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

One of my good writing friends told me about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins a while ago, and I finally got my hands on a library copy about a month ago. Life has been pretty busy, though, what with my book coming along so well, that I haven't had a chance to pick it up until now.

Well...it was totally worth the wait! I was up reading it till 3:30 this morning. For anyone who knows me, the only kind of book that will get me to stay up that late MUST have a great romance in it. This one has one of the best I've ever read. Not kidding! The sequel Catching Fire is coming out September 8th, and I'm exquisitely excited. I love having books to look forward to. Anyway, I highly recommend this book to anyone. Just a pre-cursor warning however; there is a lot of killing in this book, because well, in essence that is what The Hunger Games are all about. But it was surprisingly, tastefully (if that's possible) done. Enjoy!!!

Networking...

2009-04-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went down to my home town and visited with an old friend of mine. She was actually my old Laurel advisor growing up, but she is also a published writer, and a fabulous person to boot. She was so very nice in allowing me to pick her brain about what it's like being an author. She gave great advice and I'm so glad I made the trip.

She told me about her latest victory in the writing world; the oh so dreaded feat of landing an agent. Well, she did it, and it's not just any agent, she's the same agent who represents Shannon Hale (Princess Academy, The Goose Girl, Austenland etc) and Jessica Day George, (Dragon Slippers, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, Princess of the Midnight Ball, etc.) which is an incredible first agent to have, by the way!!! This lady doesn't even accept unsolicited query letters! Maybe she'll end up putting in a good word for me and I'll get the opportunity to submit a requested query letter one of these days. :)

Anyway, I got the rundown of her next book, which sounds awesome! If you want to check out her website, she has some great LDS Fiction books already out, which I love (and I'm a pretty picky LDS fiction reader). Her site is www.julewright.com. I love her!

I've always had a hard time with the idea of "networking", because it always sounded a little like you were accepting a handout. However, I don't know very many people who, when they accomplish what they've set out to accomplish, don't want to help someone else out who is reaching for the same star. So, thanks a million, Julie! Hopefully one day I can pay the same favor forward.

Hmmmm...

2009-04-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Take the Quiz here!

I actually feel pretty good about this outcome and I promise I answered every question as honestly as possile. I even took the test again by answering the questions I might've answered differently on, and the result was the same. I was surprised myself.

This is kind of fun though, because my sister Bekah and I always thought of ourselves as Jane and Elizabeth Bennett growing up. We never really labled ourselves as either, because I think secretly we both wanted to be Elizabeth...who wouldn't. Alas, it appears my sister was the pretty and kind one all along.

Going Private.

2009-03-28T22:34:00.001-07:00

This blog, along with our family blog will be going private as of April 19th. Please let me know if you would like to receive an invite to follow our blogs. Also, if you want an invite to both blogs, one or the other, please indicate. Thanks!

The Dream

2009-03-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

So, Mike and I went on a vacation--the first since our son was born, and we ended up getting stuck on a layover in New York for much longer than we'd planned. Aside from costing us a bit more than we expected for a hotel and such, we got to see some pretty darn cool things. Among them was this:

You can't exactly tell where this is, because the picture is rather abstract, but if you look very closely in the upper right hand corner you will see the word 'RANDOM'...That's right my fellow writing friends, I was standing right across the street from Random House Publishing Co. in New York. I actually went inside for a few minutes to look around and it was awesome, but I didn't take any pictures because there were a few ladies in there looking at me and whispering like I had no business being there. So I decided to capture a bit of memorabilia and motivation from across the street.

One day I will hopefully have business being there!

2009 and We're Back!

2009-01-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone!!! So today marks the beginning of a new draft for my manuscript, and as I mentioned earlier, I think this version will be the one. I've handed out my outline to my writer's group, and so far have gotten great feedback. By the way, it is WAY less discouraging to hand out an outline for a book and receive feedback, than when you hand over the entire written manuscript. I highly recommend trying an outline critique to prep yourself for the the other.

Anyway, I'm very excited to get back into my writing schedule after a nice break for the holidays and to see what comes of this thing. I have another meeting with my writing group the end of May, so my goal is to have the manuscript finished to be able to hand it over to them then and from there (fingers crossed) it will be mostly polishing--no more major plot tweaking--before I start pestering agents with it (fingers crossed again) in August or September!

Whew! I'm very excited about this year and having the opportunity of sharing a story that's been expanding in my head for all of this time with others. 2009 is going to be a great year!

The Perilous Guard

2008-10-21T09:12:00.001-07:00

I just finished this book called The Perilous Guard by Elizabeth Marie Pope. It's one of the only two books she's written, and I really enjoyed it. It's a young adult book and Ms. Pope got her degree in medieval lit, so this has a lot of historical elements in it. There is a love story--what story is good without at least a little love story in it? It's actually a rather cute love story, but the other elements of it are actually really cool. Its about a lot of the medieval superstitions of the Fairy Folk and everything. I actually just read a book called Sara by sister McCloud, who wrote a lot of hymns for the church, and she talked a lot about the "Fairy Folk" in her book, so it was kind of fun to get a better background in the mythology of the British Isles than I originally had.

Anyway, if you like medieval literature but would like to read something that you can actually understand :) than this is a good read. I'm learning that I waste a lot less time reading junk when I take recommendations from my friends, so thanks Sarah!

The Thirteenth Tale

2008-10-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale. It was last night at about midnight, that I wrapped it up what has been about a three month long affair, and I have to say I'm at a loss as to how I feel about the book, exactly. It could have something to do with the fact that I read it over such a long amount of time, but I came away from the ending unsatisfied and a little disappointed.

First of all, let me just say that Setterfield's writing tone and style are beautiful, and that was what kept me reading through the very weird beginning of the book. The middle was very interesting and also a bit strange, but the end...well, the end just kind of fell flat for me. I suppose the fact that the novel is compared to two of my most favorite books, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, so my expectations were rather high, but it just seemed like there were three endings, and each one seemed that much more desperate than the next. This is a #1 New York Time's Bestseller, so I'm probably off my rocker here, but I just didn't come away feeling as satisfied as I hoped I would.

Give it a shot and see what you think. Several people have told me that they liked it, and I've told people how much I was liking it, but this was before I'd read the end. It all just seemed like a bit of a streach for me; like there were holes and there shouldn't have been. I might have to go back and read it again with more realistic expectations, but I probably won't, so there it is. I'm most likely the only person in the world who didn't like this book. It actually doesn't happen very often that I don't like a book. Sorry to all of you that I've recommended it to. It's still a good read, guys, just not as good as I was hoping for.

Back to the Drawing Board

2008-10-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

Wow! Thanks everyone for the congrats! I think that's the most comments I've gotten on this blog since I started it. I should finish a novel more often. ;)

Anyway, so we had our writing group on the 25th of last month, and I got some really great feedback from the ladies. They really liked the story as a whole, were impressed with the imaginative nature of it, and over all, I came away with the feeling that I might actually have something here. But I also came away with the overwhelming realization that there is still A LOT of work to be done--not something you want to hear when you've just finished a 700 and something page novel. At the same time, there was a lot of great feedback on what I can change and work on, and that is always encouraging.

So, I've gone back to the drawing board and have spent the last week and will spend next week as well beefing up the foundation of my novel. I've been imagining this thing up for nearly twelve years now, and though it's come to me in waves over the last three years, those little seeds planted in the beginning have continued to blossom into what is now a potentially five-seven book series. Not only that, but there is this alternate world I've created in the universe of my mind with endless stories to tell. I think every author has that one story in them that is solely theirs to tell--the story that they will be known for if it is told just right. I think this is my story. I mean, it's been with me for twelve years now, for cryin' out loud. I was even reading some of my stories that I wrote when I was ten or eleven, and I was using the same name for my heroes and heroins back then that I unknowingly chose for this novel. They just keep coming back to me, and are relatively the same characters, I've just put them into different stories. I think this is their best yet, however. If I can tell the story right, I think this will be my story to tell.

After this last week, I have a portfolio of my world's mythology complied, with things such as their mythological creatures, to key objects and their purposes within the story as well as their history and origin. I'm also in the process of compiling definition and pronunciation lists, as well as character analyses. Of course all of this has been in my head the last three years, slowly evolving, but now, with the novel finished...roughly, I'm able to flesh them out more fully, and put them on paper for my own personal reference book. This is the part of the writing process that I really love. I did this same thing in my Myths and Legends class in college (One of the coolest classes I've ever taken, though not my best grade; Jan Wellington, UVU). Anyway, she had us each create our own portfolio of creation myths and hero/heroine legends for our own little universe. I remember thinking back then how much fun it would be to do that seriously for this very universe that had been slowly budding in my mind, but I was way to embarrassed about my imagination back then to trust a teacher, let alone my entire class not to laugh at it. So, I did some spoof on SPAM or something lame like that. I would love to do what I'm doing now under the guidance of a professor and with the motivation of a finals deadline. But there it is. We usually learn our most pertinent lessons outside the classroom, right?

Anyway, I think the next few months will be full of joy, anguish and sorrow at having to say goodbye to massive yet unnecessary chunks of my novel, while I prune and polish it into something fit to send off to an agent. Then, I will be truly happy with it. Yeah right. Anyone who's been through this process before knows that the only time you're ever really satisfied with your work is either when you've gotten the grade you want, or someone sends you a sweet pay check in the mail. Even then, however; I think you're running through the manuscript with regrets at all the epiphanies you've had since you dropped it in the mailbox. But, so is life.

I'll be sure to keep you all updated on the progress. Thanks again for your support and encouragement. Again, if you've ever been through this process, you can understand how incredibly appreciated it is.

Draft 1 completed.

2008-09-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Ehem!

Let it hereby go forth among the children of men, that I, Hannah, on the 24th day of the ninth month in approximately the tenth hour of the evening did complete the final chapter of my book.

Yipeeeeeee!!!

Elantris

2008-09-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

I just finished the book Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. He is an LDS Fantasy author, and my friend Sarah, who started our Imprint recommended it to me. I must say although I'm writing a somewhat fantasy/adventure novel myself, I'm not a huge fan of full on fantasy, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The main theme of the book is religion and political intervention when it comes to that aspect of our lives. Sanderson's views on different political takes of "church and state" are really interesting, and some of the ideas in this book were rather frightening, but totally applicable to today's world.

The love story is first rate and realistic which I always like, and the character development was really phenomenal. I love both the heroin and the heroes. It's told from three different people's point of view. I also loved the idea behind Elantris itself. Now that I'm writing my own book, it's so interesting to read books with a writer's perspective. It's like taking a look into another writer's mind. Brian Sanderson has a very cool mind.

All in all, I was very impressed with it. It wasn't the type of book I had to sit down and read in one sitting because there was just too much to digest,(which was actually refreshing) but I was always thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. If you're looking for a good read, I recommend Elantris.

Imprint

2008-09-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

So I've joined a writer's group called Imprint. We just organized it this last Thursday, and I have to say I'm extra excited about it. It really seems like it's going to be, not only very helpful, but tons of fun too. There are seven of us, all ladies. One of us has written a book for her brother's company that has been published, and another is working with an agent in New York right now. I'm almost to the point of submitting to an agent; another is in the research phase for a nonfiction book; two are poets, and another is taking the first steps in screen writing. So, we have a really good variety of genres as well as multiple levels in experience.

Anyway, we met on Thursday, and as you know from my previous blog, I was prep-ing the first twenty-five chapters of my manuscript to hand over to them all. Miraculously I made it, being only one chapter short, which I just finished today. My goal is to have the last seven chapters to them by September 25th, our next meeting.

I can't believe how quickly this summer has passed. I only had the first two chapters (of this draft) written back in mid-May, and now I'm at the tail end of the book, brave enough to hand it over to readers. It's funny to think that at the beginning of this whole process, (almost three years ago) I was so protective/embarrassed of what I was doing. I couldn't even talk to my husband about it without nearly bursting into tears, let alone anyone else. Now, it just seems like a part of me--"Yes, I, Hannah Clark, am writing a book--not just any book, but a book I intend to have published for the masses." It's so easy to say it now that it's within reach. I think this writing group is just what I need to get my manuscript in the right place to be able to send it off to agents by no later than Thanksgiving. The six other pairs of eyes will be invaluable, and wildly enough, they will be the first, fresh eyes to have read my story from start to finish. Boy, I can't wait to hear what they think. Having never heard a bit about it before, their fresh perspective will be awesome!

Anyway, I think I've rambled enough. I'm just so excited about this!

Cram Session!

2008-08-22T19:32:00.000-07:00

Alright everyone,

So this weekend my husband was kind enough to take my son and go visit my in-laws so that I could have a solid 72 hours of writing time. When I started on Thursday night, I had a goal in mind to finish five working chapters, and if possible, do some polishing on a few chapters I've already written. So far, I have three very promising chapters completed, and one more day to finish the last two.

My reason for doing this, is because that writing group I told you all about is meeting this Thursday, and I volunteered to be the first one to share my work. Unfortunately, as I had previously planned, my entire book won't be finished when I present them each with a copy, but by the time we meet again I will have given them the last six chapters and they will be the first living breathing people besides myself and my husband who know at least the skeleton and organs of my very first working novel!

Now I know that there is still a lot of work to be done--continuing with the body analogy, there are still muscles, skin and features to add before my story truly lives, breathes and speaks. But with such a grueling three years behind me, it is only appropriate that I should celebrate whenever the opportunity presents itself.

So, wish me luck on the rest of my weekend. If all goes well, then I will only have six chapters left to draft once my cram session is over. Sometimes I wish I always had this much consistent time to write. But then it probably wouldn't be appreciated as much, and therefore I'd find it far less productive.

"North and South" Continued.

2008-08-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I posted on our other blog that I'd just finished the book by Elizabeth Gaskell Tuesday morning 3:00 a.m.

Um...I LOVED it! It has suddenly become very likely my most favorite love story. And just so you know, Mr. Thornton in the book is far more dashing than the character in the movie. However; I have to say that Richard Armitage's face definitely helps you like the character in the book more...if that's possible.

I've also learned that I am a little behind in picking up and this BBC film, and to my great relief I am not the only person it has affected thusly. As I said before, anyone interested in discussing the book here is welcome, just leave a comment and we'll get it going. I'm planning on reading it again, and slower so that I can actually come up with something other than the love story to discuss. I did pick up on some strong "gender role" themes that were really interesting to me.

So, there it is, and I hope to hear from all you North and South lovers soon.

Return of the Muse

2008-08-04T10:32:00.001-07:00

Calliope: Chief muse of epic or lyrical poetry from Hellenistic times

She has returned, my friends! Or perhaps I should say he; I could easily name my sweet husband as the proper muse of this story. I think he's almost as excited about it as I am and has surprisingly contributed some awesome ideas to key parts in my book.

Anyway, it happened Friday afternoon and the effect was remarkable. I wonder sometimes if there really is some little sprite flying around a writer's head while they appear to be effortlessly (ha!) pulling all kinds of inspiration out of thin air...

Then I realize I know better. Consider the following:

"The Light of Christ is also described in the scriptures as 'the Spirit of Jesus Christ'...the Spirit of Christ can enlighten the inventor, the scientist, the painter, the sculptor, the composer, the architect, the author to produce great, even inspired things for the blessing and good of all mankind"

-President Boyd K. Packer

There's the true muse, folks. I think it's important to always acknowledge from whence all blessings flow. The Lord even cares about trivial things such as helping one of His daughters out of a writer's block rut. Thanks to Him and those who gave suggestions, we're back on track!

Suggestions?

2008-07-30T20:50:00.001-07:00

Speaking of writer's block...do you ever just feel like your on a roll and then everything screeches to a halt...ARRRGH! I'm even having a hard time finding the words to write this post!

Anyway, any suggestions for breaking a bad case of W/B blues? I'm not kidding guys, I've got a deadline to meet here. :) How about a few motivational exercises? I could use them.

Cheers for now!

Ouch!

2008-07-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

So,
My friend has read all of the chapters I've given her so far. I went to give her another chapter on Saturday, and as much good feedback as she gave, I have to say the painfulness of it surprised me. It took me a good day and a half to pull myself out of the "depths of despair" and I still think I'm stinging a little from it. Those people (myself included) who refer to writing a novel as creating a child weren't kidding. As much as you try not to, you still end up taking most of it personal, and it is like someone is criticizing your child. I was pretty shocked I took it so hard.
But I suppose I'd better get used to it. That, and learn to understand that when people are pointing out faults, it's usually because they like the rest of it and the parts that don't jive are messing with what they already like.

But really, my friend gave me great feedback, a lot of it I already was wondering about and knew. I know when I'm completely finished with this draft, I will be much more grateful for her because she's completely honest and that's something I really value. The only thing I found particularly unfortunate about it was that she had already read the first nine chapters of my last draft and I've changed quite a bit since then and she ended up being kind of disappointed about that. I, of course, have yet to put as much work into this draft as I did the one she read first, so hopefully when this manuscript is at the polished level as the last she'll like this one better. But there it is, you can't please everyone, and I like this draft better, though she had some good points I will put back into this one.

I suppose this experience is a good sign. First of all, I could tell she was passionate about a lot of things she talked to me about, which means that she cares about the story. And secondly, it was mostly stuff that I already knew about and nothing that had to do with the basic story line, so there's another plus. Most of what she talked about was clarity and character development, something I've been waiting to embellish until I'm sure the story line is awesome. But there really wasn't anything major she talked about that I wasn't already planning on doing. How often can you say that, eh?

Whew! There you have it folks! I'm having some growing pains as an writer.

Drum Roll Please...

2008-07-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

Well, about five minutes ago I handed the first 18 chapters of my book over to a friend to read through. Aside from my husband, she's the only other person who's set eyes on my manuscript. I always feel so vulnerable when I do this. Of course I trust her implicitly, other wise I would have never done it. But still, it's like spilling your guts to someone, before you even know if they like you or not. (Not sure if that makes sense, but it's the closest comparison.)

Anyway, the novel is coming a long. I was so excited to see the thickness of what I printed out to give to my friend. So far it's about 235 pages long, and that's just half way. Now I just need to make sure it's good enough so that whatever agent I send it to over looks the length and reads it anyway.

This whole writing thing is such a bitter-sweet experience, but aside from being a spouse and a mom it's the most satisfying work I've ever done. If nothing else comes of the process of writing this book, I've sure learned a heck of a lot about my capabilities and endurance.

I'd better get back to writing.

A Few Tricks

2008-07-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

Alright,

So I'm not a published author or anything, but as you know I have been working on my first book for the last three years. Some of my friends who write have asked me a few things about what I found most helpful in the process, so through trial and error, here they are.

1) When I first started writing, I spent about the first eight months just brain storming. I had a basic premise of what I wanted my story to be about, but it partly takes place in another world, so I needed to understand that world better than anyone alive. What I did to do this, is bought a stack of index cards, and just started scribbling down ideas. Since my book will have a sequel, these cards will come in very handy even if I don't use them in the first book. But I can't tell you how often they've aided my deteriorating "mommy brain" already.

2) Research! Make sure you research everything about anything you are writing about. Part of my book is taking place in our world, so I had to research everything about one of the areas, because I've never been there before. The other I'd lived in personally, so it wasn't as necessary, but knowing everything there is to know about the physical setting of your book is really beneficial to helping the story flow when you finally start writing it.

3) If your book does take place in a different realm, then draw a map of it. I am not an artist by any means, but understanding the logistics of where everything is and having a rough visual idea of what you want it to look like, makes describing it in words far easier than just pulling it out of your imagination randomly. (Others may disagree with me, but I've just found this really helpful.) Here's a picture of my map.

4) OUTLINE!!! I wish I had paid better attention in AP English when they talked about outlining research papers. It took me two drafts to finally realize how invaluable an outline is when you're trying to wrap your mind around something as huge and complex as a novel story line.

5) When you've completed your outline, create a story board. Here's a picture of mine. It has helped me in being able to have the entire story in front of me so that when I'm writing a chapter that has to do with a previous or later chapter, all I have to do is find it on the board, and I can see what I've already written and/or want to write and I don't have to do shuffling through a bunch of notes or re-read the chapter to know what I need to be writing about.

6) Don't show your manuscript to anyone until YOU are happy with it. Of course there are exceptions to this, like when you've got writer's block and can't seem to figure out how to move forward. But, you have to remember that everyone is going to have their own ideas about what they think should or shouldn't happen in your story; but it is your story. It should make you happy and follow the destiny you've set up for it.

7) Map out your story according to a formula. This is really helpful to know where the key chapters are, and as far as climax is concerned, where it should begin building and where it should end. I found a formula from an old play writing book I used in a class I took in college. It's called Play Writing from Formula to Form: A Guide to Writing a Play by William Missouri Downs and Lou Anne Wright. It's on page 33. Again, this just helps you wrap your entire mind around the plot, and it's also helped me keep the story in perspective so that I didn't make any one part too pronounced for the rest of the story.

8) Set reasonable deadlines for yourself. I'm the perfectionist sort of writer that has to have a deadline or else I'll never be finished with something. Setting a deadline for myself helps me to maximize the limited time I do have to write as a full-time mom, and it also gives me an end in sight. Speaking of deadlines, I've just helped put together a writing group with some ladies from my ward, and August 28 is my new deadline to having this manuscript ready for readers! This is very good news! I'm determined to make it!

9) Speaking of writing groups, that is another great thing to do. When your looking for feedback, it's always nice to get it from people who know what they're talking about--the other kind is very valuable too, but for polishing purposes and more complex aspects of your writing that a regular reader might not pick up on, people who write as well will probably understand those things better and might be able to point you in a better direction.

Anyway, these are just some things I've found really helpful. I hope some writer out there finds as much use from them as I have.

The Mormon Media Conflict...(in it's literary form)

2008-07-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

So, I don't think anyone reads this blog at all, because I really haven't told any one about it. Hmmm...maybe I will.

Anyway, I was reading up on the Stephanie Meyer website today as one writer to another, and I came across a bunch of articles on her website about her Vampire Dynasty. Now my fellow Mormon's may be able to sympathise with me on this, but I wonder what it's like to be Stephanie Meyer. She's written this amazingly successful series that has girls/moms/grandmas going gaga, and is a millionaire several times over. But what does she do when it comes to all of the worldly misinterpretations of her brain-child. Seriously, if Hollywood got a hold of something I'd put my sweat, blood and tears into--something that would be completely innocent, mind you, I would cringe at the thought of them putting their own "edgy" twist to things. From the articles I read today, it sounds like she's already had some trouble with it.

At the same time, I want to take my hat off to her for standing her ground when a fan site started calling themselves "twihards". Naive as I am, I'm still not 100% sure I understand the innuendos in that phrase, but from the reaction it seemed to provoke in Stephanie, I can't imagine it was, shall we say in Austen's words; "respectable".

This is taken from an article on Entertainment Weekly called "Stephenie Meyer: Inside the Twilight Saga"

"Meyer's publicist then recounts the time some fans started calling themselves Twihards instead of the long-accepted moniker Twilighters and the blogosphere erupted. When a marketing executive at Little, Brown announced plans for a Twihard button, the publicist begged him to abort, insisting he'd be fanning the flames of war." www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20211938,00.html

Go Stephenie is all I have to say. She definitely has a bit of power to do some good in the literary world.

Anyway, this is really just some random babbling. But when you're writing something to send out to readers and hold the standards an LDS member does, there must be a lot of conflict and total lack of appreciation for it's innocence on the world's part. I'm a firm believer, however; that if we as in "upstanding citizens" Mormon or not, don't start infusing the literary world with "mainstream" value driven literature, than what will be out there for our children to read? I can honestly and whole-heartedly say that that is my sole motivation behind my writing. I want my son and whatever other children may come along to have the kind of books being published in their time, that I enjoyed in my childhood.

Whew! Ranting aside, I thought I'd update you all...whoever you may be, that the book is coming along pretty well just now. I've had a few rocky weeks with the holidays and a few family events cutting back my writing time, but at the same time, I've also had some major plot and character breakthroughs with the extra mulling I've been able to take advantage of.

My goal for this first book, is to have it finished and ready to send off to agents by September. That's what I'm aiming for, and so I'm sure you'll hear about it when it's finished--if not through my miraculous fame and fortune, then from my blog.

Cheers!

My Little Secret

2008-05-07T15:42:00.001-07:00

So,

First of all, welcome to my new blog. For those of you who don't know, I have always wanted to be a writer. It's one of those things I've always known about myself. When I was really little, before I could even write, I knew I was going to be a writer. Back then, I'd imagine all kinds of stories.

Well, after hitting junior high, when every aspect of your self-esteem takes a blow, I started doubting my ability to write and kind of gave it up focusing instead on sports, music, friends, school...boys, of course. However, during those years I did hang onto my very active imagination, which of course was my escape through middle school drudge. By the time I hit high school, I'd convinced myself that only academic writing really mattered and though I loved a good book as much as the next kid had all but given up my dream of being a fiction writer.

It was in high school, however where I truly began to believe I had something worth pursueing. I took an A.P. class from a teacher in my high school who helped me decide on choosing English for my major in college. After five grueling years of academic writing I'm happy to say that I got it out of my system. And here I am, a mom of one awesome little boy and married to my best friend in the whole world, who somehow reached down inside me during my deepest moments of doubt, and funny enough tugged on the thread that has since often become my life line during the challenges of being a stay-at-home mom; my writing.

So, I guess here's the story behind the blog: I started thinking up a story a very long time ago...like over thirteen years ago and I felt like it was so good I really wanted to wait until I had a good chunk of time to dedicate myself to it. Well, about seven years later, when I was a sophomore in college, the idea came back to me and so I began scribbling down little notes here and there in a special notebook. When my son was born premature and sleeping almost twenty hours a day I needed something to keep me going and so, I finally got my good solid chunk of time to dedicate to this story idea I had so long ago.

And now, here I am almost three years later...still working on this story but honestly loving every minute of it. You know how they always tell you that you know you're living you're dream when going to work every day feels like playing. Well, that's what I feel like. But I won't lie to you; as any writer knows there is nothing more satisfying that wanting to communicate something and being able to come up with just the right words to say it. In contrast, there is nothing more grueling and irksome than being unable to say what you're trying to say the way you want to say it...well, excepting motherhood on both ends of the spectrum, of course.

So, here comes the point of this blog. I decided I needed an outlet; a place I could come and vent and feel like someone was listening (My husband is actually really awesome at listening, but I'm sure he's pretty sick of it). Whether or not anyone actually does come and listen isn't as important, though comments, empathy, support etc. is always welcome.

In short, this blog is dedicated to my successes, my failures, my frustrations, my new found tricks of the trade and anything else I feel I need to put up here to make the ride of achieving my dream--not necessarily becoming an "author", meaning someone who gets published, although that would be AWESOME--but to aid me in finishing what I've started. That's all I'm really asking for.

Stay tuned till next time.