To Read or...To Read More

SO. A whole semester. Whew. Let's just forget that unfortunate lack of my ever posting existed, yes? Great. I'm glad you are all so understanding.

In the time since I last posted, I have finished the summer semester, taken up sewing, and sent some of my favorite people birthday presents(like Maggie's hat and my friend André's Toothless)! I am also one of the chat hostesses for Write On! now. (Chats. Fridays. Come. You know you want to.) Oh, and I sorta went to Canada. No big deal. Just another country. That I've wanted to go to for YEARS. (Niagara Falls is BEAUTIFUL, GUYS. Majestic, even.)

I've also realized a tragedy. I used to read ALL the time. It was...basically all I ever did. It's finally come to my attention that that is no longer so. I've read a woefully low number of books in 2012 so far. I mean to fix that. My new goal is at least one book every two weeks. That still sounds slow to me, but it's a start. It's better than this not-really-reading thing. I AM A READER, DARNIT. (So this might've also been inspired because of a comment my brother made that miffed me. *cough*)

I want to blame a rule my mom made a few years ago about having to read one book for her for every book I read for me for my lack of reading lots, but...I can't. I've just had a shift in priorities. I discovered the internet had more to do beyond Facebook. (That's right. I discovered Twitter and blogs and Goodreads and Hulu and Netflix and Korean TV shows.) I started dual credit classes. *shrugs* It was sorta just a cumulation of things.

But! I will revive my readerly reputation. (Maybe I'll even tell you 'bout my readings.) Because how on earth can I claim to be a writer when I'm hardly a reader?

Do any of y'all read less than you used to? More? If so, why the change? Also, if you haven't, read Maggie's post (and the comments) on basically the same topic––except...less random. Hee. I love my Twin, guys. She's a smart'n. (She will also dislike that I used "smart'n" because it's so very Southern-accented of me. *grins*)



Twin Moment of the Day: OH DEAR I DON'T HAVE ONE. O_O
Reading: "The Iron Thorn" by Caitlin Kittredge
Listening to: "Poison & Wine" by The Civil Wars
Grateful for: AC. It's only May, y'all. 90+ weather is just WRONG––even for Texas.
Wanting: Lunch that is more than ice cream (Not that I don't approve whole-heartedly of homemade ice cream as a meal. It is a superfood, you know.)
Writing: Defiance...

An Old Year and A New Year

I've been overdue for one of these posts, with everyone else is writing them around me, but I'm a firm believer in "better late than never." So, without further ado, here it is! Late, but still very much accurate.

2011. Where do I even start?

I entered 2011 hopeful. The year before had been pretty much crappy, and I was really looking forward to turning things around in my life and taking control. Long story short, as most of you probably know, I have scoliosis. I went to see my spine Dr. in November of 2010 for my yearly visit (he happens to be out of state, which is just plain sad.) My dad had mentioned, and I knew he was serious, that this was going to be the last visit. And no kidding! I wasn't taking the treatment seriously. There are a lot of exercises and time involved, and 100% commitment to the regime is absolutely necessary if you want any positive results. After almost 3 years, I just wasn't doing it, hence the"last visit." But this time was different; something changed in me, and I decided it was time to take it seriously, and get fixing my spine. This was when the biggest challenge I faced last year began.

My first goal was to hit 90 days straight of faithfully doing the routine. I'd learned that every day I skipped would set me back 50% or more in my progress. For those first 90 days it was an inward battle of whether or not I should continue, or even if I could. I wasn't sure if I was capable of committing to this -- or anything, really -- or even why I should bother. [Quick note: My motivation for this is to continue dancing one day. I danced for 7 years and had to stop because of my spine.] During this time of being unsure of myself and my abilities, coupled with spending 4+ hours per day on my spine and a sudden explosion of everything I ever thought was true about myself, there wasn't much "fun" to keep me going. This is where writing comes in. And even more surprisingly, Write On!.

I joined the Write On! team (thank you, Authoress!) in early February 2011, when the site was brand, brand new. I was absolutely psyched about it. A site and forum just for teen writers that I get to help run? SO. THERE. This also came during a season of being lonely, in a sense. I'd just pulled myself out of some not-so-pretty relationships, and I was really wanting ... well, friends. Honest, dependable, awesome friends who would really be there for me. The last place I would have guessed I'd find them was online.

Surprise, surprise.

I "met" some of my favorite people ever in the year 2011, and I continue to be amazed by the internet and what it's capable of doing, and the people you're able to meet because of it. I'll admit to turning my nose up at those with "online friends" in the past. I've been slapped in the face, and well deserved! You guys at Write On! are so awesome there aren't words. And I'm just going to stop there or this will become an emotional gush instead of a blog post.

Similarly, Write On! (more specifically the people there) helped to renew my enthusiasm for writing itself, which served as an anchor for me during those first 90 days. I've always treasured "The Zone" (that place you disappear to when you're REALLY in to writing?), but never so much as at the end of a lousy day of spine-straightening. And the teens at Write On! were there to cheer me on and forward, providing motivation and encouragement where I needed it. I will happily credit the 2 novels I completed in the span of 6 months to everyone over there on the forums and in my Adium box. I'm not sure I would have done it without them.

So, if you haven't got the idea by now, Write On! (and writing in general) played a huge part in my year.

To finish my spine story, I did pass 90 days, with flying colors, and plodded on through the summer. 100 days was a celebration, then came 200 days, then 300, and then the awesome 365 days, which I just hit this autumn. During the year I really learned the importance of commitment, in every area of your life, and what it means to be dedicated and unwavering. I learned an invaluable lesson, through my spine stuff, about never giving up. And I can take that into any other area of my life. Writing, dancing, working, motherhood-- anything I want to do. It was a year of growing pains of all kinds, new friendships, overcoming obstacles, and seeing life through new eyes.

Now, here we are facing another year. It's currently Day 409 of my spine rehab, I just got a job (see earlier post), I'm working on a novel I'm head over heels in love with, anticipating the visit of one of the awesome Write On! teens (who just happens to be Constance), and generally excited about life. I will turn 18 this year, which means insurance and other such bills to pay-- no small thing. I'll be tackling my first ACT test(s) and getting my drivers license. There's a lot to look forward to, and a lot to conquer.

Bring it on.

What I hope for this year is that I continue to grow. I want to change and I want to change things around me, for the better. I want to write many more novels and send my first query letter. I want to read more and spend more time with my family. I want to meet new people, figure out what I want to do about college, and KILL that ACT score.

I did originally plan to write my resolutions list-like, but I kind of just summed them up in the paragraph above. I will, anyway, just for you list fans like myself. And also so I can cross them off throughout the year.

Now it's YOUR turn! If you've blogged about your resolutions or the new year, do post the link below. I'd love to read it. Or just shower the comment box with your hopes and dreams for the coming year, and what you learned last year.

Thank you for reading! From the bottom of my heart. Here's wishing you a magical new year!

MY 2012 RESOLUTIONS:

• Grow as a person
• Grow closer to God
• Send my first query letter
• Finish at least 2 novels
• Read at least 30 books (bare minimum)
• Make new friends and meet new people
• Forgive more
• Catch someone off-guard with a surprise present
• Get a decent score on my ACT
• Get my drivers license
• Tour at least one college campus
• Ride my bike more
• Spend more time with my family
• Pray every single day
• Spend much more time around the horses
• Re-watch all 3 Lord of the Rings movies
• Continue to straighten my spine
• Get an iPod touch / iPhone (haven't decided)

I was very tempted to stick "buy a car" on there, but I'm not so sure that'll happen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Honesty

I have something different for you all today. It's a lesson on honesty (one I've learned myself the hard way) from me to you. Take it however you want, and (hopefully) enjoy.

Beta reading. Line editing. Helping other writers with revisions. We've all done our fair share of reading someone else's work to help them along in their journey as a writer, right? Even if you haven't (yet!), this post still applies. 

When you're giving feedback on someone's novel, there is one, extremely important thing to keep in mind. This will benefit the writer you're assisting more than almost anything else, even though it might feel like that's not true.

You absolutely must be HONEST.

Look at the difference between these two responses to a chapter that's in rough shape (keeping in mind I am creating these examples right now, on the spot):

RESPONSE 1: Wow! I really like this chapter! It has a ton of potential. Awesome!!!  I can see how much time and thought you put into it. Way to go!

RESPONSE 2: Okay. Nice! This chapter has a lot of potential, and it's almost there. Here is what I suggest you think about as you revise...

Maybe that's a tiny bit of an exaggeration, but it happens! Especially depending on who's manuscript you're reading. Maybe you're afraid to criticize? Maybe they're new to the writing thing and you don't want to discourage them? Maybe you think nothing you have to say could help them?

That brings me to the second part of this post.

You must be TACTFUL.

Tactful honesty is a recipe for success. When approaching a situation where you'll be offering advice/critiques/etc. it's important to remember first off that whatever you say the author will ultimately decide to take or leave. But in order to do them a favor, you must be honest, in a tactful way. That's the very best gift you can give to them.

If you sugar-coat (I really, really liked this! It has some mistakes, but nothing you can't fix, really! I just love it. You're going to be published in no time!) you may feel like you're protecting the writer, thus helping them stay encouraged and charge forward in their writing career. But actually, you're only tying a weight to one of their ankles, slowing their progress, hindering them.

Where's the line between discouraging the writer and being honest to help them? It's very fine, but it's there. One way to be tactfully honest is to express your opinions as opinions. Ask questions, and leave things open for thought. By stirring the writer's creative juices, you're working against the discouragement factor, while working toward successful revisions and ultimately fixing the problems you see.

Look at the example below:

EXAMPLE 1: Okay. This chapter started well, but then went right downhill. You lost your pacing (and my interest) and it rambled on. I was just skimming by the end. This needs a LOT of work. It's doable, but it's a lot. You should fix A, B, C and D. Also, character B is totally unlikeable!

Before I give you Example 2, I'm going to pick out the problems with the above critique.

*It's too harsh. It's honesty without tact. It wasn't approached gently. You can be honest, and still gentle.

*The line about "needing a lot of work" (while true) is a check in the discouragement column. Know the writer!  Can they handle a comment like that? Not sure? Leave it out.

*The use of "you should" is teachy. It's imperative. Giving a writer an order about their own work is more likely to raise anger/resentment rather than consideration.

*Saying "character B is" is stating a fact. There's a big difference between "there is" and "I think" and how the writer takes each.

EXAMPLE 2: This chapter began with promise, but I felt it went downhill after that. I had some issues with the pacing; I felt like it was rambling, especially toward the end. Is there a way you could make A happen faster? I would do B and C to fix this. Also, I didn't like character B. I feel they came off like [words] and I had trouble sympathizing because of [words]...

And on it goes. See the difference? Words like "I felt" and "I suggest" make a world of difference. You are being honest about your reactions/feelings/opinions, but you're not preaching it at the writer. You're merely offering your advice, your two cents, your help. And if you come about it in a humble, tactful way, it will be endlessly more effective.

Ultimately, it's up to the writer what to take or leave. You can only do so much. But your (tactful) honesty is ultimately only going to help them along in their writer journey, whether they decide to miss out on that or not.

LESSON LEARNED: Don't be afraid to be honest!

To conclude this post, I'll leave you with some questions. Have you ever struggled with being honest? Have you ever been too rude/preachy? Have you had negative reactions from someone whose work you were critiquing? What lessons have you learned from your personal experience with helping other writers revise their work? 

Best Part of Today: Being with TARYN!!!
Currently Craving: SLEEP. A solid 10 hours. (Yes, I said 10!)
Music Pick: "Shooting Star" by Scarlet Division
I'm Reading: Why, nothing! (Or maybe I'm just procrastinating to begin my english lit required reading...)

WIP: Fire (11,261 words)

Taryn's visiting!

Copyright (c) WyndyDay Photography

Okay, first I'd like to start off with a big, round apology. I've been such a bad blogger for the past-- what? two weeks? And I'm sorry. Each time I tried to think of something, nothing came to mind. Like, at all.

It's all tied in to my I'm-17-and-suddenly-absolutely-nothing-is-clear-in-my-life (which includes many of my own personal opinions, thus robbing virtually all my blog post ideas). I won't burden you with a list of excuses, I'll just move quietly on to the point of this post.

*clears throat*

By this time tomorrow, I will be talking to Taryn Albright FACE TO FACE.

Long story short, Taryn is among my favorite people I've met online since Authoress asked me to help out with Write On!, and she just happens to attend a college four hours away from me. Even more luckily, she just happened to get a ride with a friend to my town. So, way sooner than I'd ever have dreamed, I GET TO MEET HER!

I'll take this moment to squeal and clap and toss confetti in the air, since that just about sums up what's going on in my head.

Let the countdown begin!!

And just because it's been a while, how are YOU? Anything exciting in your life this weekend? Do share. I'm all ears.

Best Part of Today: The nip in the air. Hurry up, fall!
Currently Craving: Change. And a challenge. And hot chocolate.
Music Pick: "Up In Flames" by Icon For Hire
I'm Reading: Authoress' novel 


Pssst... have you followed ME on Twitter yet? I have my very own => @DancinTravelbug
WATM: Fire (11,261 words)

Growing Up

I think the title just about sums it up.

Life's been a bit rocky lately. I'm not sure when it isn't during the teen years, but in particular I've been feeling some of the not-so-pleasant sides of being 17. Maybe it's just me as a 17-year-old. Maybe not. All I know is I'm ready for it to be gone, or resolved, or... something.

I'm restless. I feel like a young bird just teetering on the edge of the nest. There's a long drop below, but blue skies ahead. Some days I feel ready to just jump out and fly, to get on with my life! Then others I'm not sure if I'm ready. Am I mature enough? Would that be stupid? Do I have the funds? The support? What do I want to do? What's the direction God's leading me in?

It's frightening. It's bittersweet. It's exciting. Exhilarating. Tempting. Sad. So many things. And honestly, it doesn't help to be female. Because let's face it, being a girl is just hard, period.

When I close my eyes and ask myself what I see in the future -- my life's future -- my answers change almost every day. There are the concrete facts; I will be writing, I'll be a mommy, I'll have a blue Toyota Corolla. And then there are the ones that hang in the air. Some days I'll be going to college. Others I'll be dancing, and choreographing my own Nutcracker show. And still others, on those gray, rainy days, I'm stuck in a job I hate, living a life I know I never want to. Keep in mind those are specifically on gray, rainy days. It never lasts long. I'm all about reaching for the stars, really.

I know in time, I'll do all the things I want to. I have a firm mind to. But what about now?

I'm not really sure what I'm wanting to get out of this post. Maybe I just wanted to share. Maybe I'd like some advice. I'll take anything.

If you've been through this, does it get better? What did you do? I can't afford to travel or to start horseback riding classes (which somehow feels like it would help). I can't afford to do much except work, write, and enjoy life as I can.

Okay. Here's an especially happy fill-out to lighten up the tone of this post. Thank you for reading. Hopefully I'll be more sparkly next time.

Oh! And it's official. I've ditched my anonymous name (much as I love it!) for my real one. Making the change from "Lizzy" to "Maggie" all over the internet is harder than you'd think.

Best Part of Today: The rain!! It's been SO dry.
Currently Craving: Change.
Music Pick: "Just Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Buble (He fixes EVERYTHING!)
I'm Reading: "The Near Witch" by Victoria Schwab
WATM: To Save Them (11,401 words) + new idea... don't ask

Caught Between Two Worlds

Ah, that title sounds tragic.

It's not.

Let me explain! Don't just run off. Goodness.

I started college classes, right? I'm doing them through dual enrollment (also known as dual credit).

So far, I'd say the classes are wonderful. I really would. They're fun and I like my professors, for the most part.

...Problem is, I'm only 16. I've never been crazy social, and that age difference (Yes, at its least it's an overwhelming 2 years *eye roll*) between me and all of my classmates is... daunting, despite it not being that much of a gap. Basically, I don't talk to people, and I just feel totally out of place.

At the end of the day, I don't feel in place with people closer to my age, either. Most of the time my friends are a little older than me... and so this year they all went off to college. I'm one of a few people that is neither college-age nor junior high-age. And it's lonely.

But! I have all sorts of wonderful people online. *cough* Twin, Canadian, Taryn, TEO, etc. *cough* So it's not tragic. It's just a fact. I'm sort of caught between two worlds. And I don't actually mind.

Anyone else feel like they're caught between two worlds, because of age/school, or otherwise?

In other news, the writing is... not going as fabulously as one could hope. Classes started this week, so I was oomph-less at the end of the days. But I'm already getting into a groove, so that should change. I still love my story. *hugs*

Aaand tell me how you're writing is going!! ^_^

Twin Moment of the Day... Neither of us like or understand American football's existence.

On My Mind... Why aren't my Jedi mind powers bringing the rain clouds to East Texas? Why??

Listening to... nothing, unless you count a squeaky fan.

Grateful for... AC. So much. So much love for the AC. *coos at it*

Wanting to... eat some picante sauce-cream cheese dip. It's basically yummy incarnate. ^^

Writing... Selfish (:

Summer's End

I shouldn't live where I do. Summer ends too quickly.

Tomorrow is my first chemistry class of the year. UGH.

Let me back up and explain. While I am educated at home (who likes the h-word anyway?) there are some subjects that I simply can't teach myself/have a parent teach me. Like the sciences. I mean, I'm not exactly the kind of person to mail-order preserved rats and earthworms to dissect at home for biology. I mean, EW.

It's my senior year, which is quite a relief. I'm done with maths forever (unless, of course, I go to college) and all I see is the light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. But first I have to cross just a couple more milestones, and one of those is chemistry.

I'm taking a chemistry in a classroom outside of home, which is great. I don't have to do any grading, I don't have to create my own schedule. However, the downside is that I can't begin my school year when I want to. I must begin when the class begins.

Thus, it's only early August and the weight of an extremely difficult subject is already on my shoulders. I am dreading tomorrow.

Thank goodness for things like Write On! and novels and books and Constance and chocolate and friends and family all around to help it be a little easier.

I could ask when school starts for you, but how lame and downer would that be? Instead, I'll pick something cheerful.

What's one of your best summer memories from this year?

And I'll leave you with an extra-colorful fill-out to make up for the blah-ness of this post.

Best Part of Today: Peanut butter, honey and ripe banana circles on toast.
Currently Craving: Pineapple!!
Music Pick: "Concerning Hobbits" by Howard Shore
I'm Reading: "The Seer and the Sword" by Victoria Hanley
WATM: Blink (48,237 words)

Showing Instead of Telling

Just a quick post about something I've been turning over in my mind lately.

You all have heard it before: SHOW, don't TELL. And you all know how true that remains to this day. I especially have always been aware of it in other people's writing, pointing out where more should be shown, not told.

Then I found out it was a problem in my own writing.

I think one of the easiest places to overlook it (at least for me) is in relationships and emotions. When you say "she's her best friend", it does not have the same effect on the reader if you're not SHOWING the best friendship. If you say "he was angry" it definitely won't be as obvious as if you had your character throw something across the room.

It's easy to slip into tell mode because we're TELLING stories. You might tell a hundred things that could've been shown.

So for you: what are some things you struggle with remembering to SHOW rather than TELL?

Hope you're enjoying your Saturday as much as I have. I got out in the sunshine today and soaked it up. Vitamin D must make you happy, because I'm happy. Or maybe it's still my new story idea. *squeal*

Best Part of Today: Absorbing the sunshine.
Currently Craving: Frozen yogurt.
Music Pick: "Pony (It's OK)" by Erin McCarley
I'm Reading: "Graceling" by Kristin Gashore (love!)
WATM: Plotting and preparing Blink

A Little World Building

Just a quick update in WIP-land.

This afternoon I sat down with full intentions to write. Right now I'm drafting a novel called Sovereignty, as you might or might know from the bottom of my posts. The other day, as you probably also know if you've been keeping up with this blog, I was going through old story ideas to hopefully find some jewels.

Well, I did. And I managed to string together said jewels to make a necklace. In plain english: I have my next story mapped out.

I'm a pantser, but that doesn't mean I don't plan sometimes. I detest plotting when it must be done. My weakness IS plotting, generally. But I think I have something special here, and I'm so excited about it. Thus, I was excited to do some work on it today and start answering those questions now instead of later, when all I'll want to do is write it.

All that to say, I ended up spending this afternoon world building for my new novel. The one I'll write just as soon as I'm done with Sovereignty.

So, for the comments, do you ever multitask? How many novels have you worked on at a time? Perhaps some are in your head?

I think I might go practice my guitar now. I'm learning a new song. I'll just go ahead and put this in-the-process-of-being-learned-song on my Music Pick for today.

Until next time!

Best Part of Today: Getting some super good plot work done.
Currently Craving: Ice cream. In the WORST way.
Music Pick: "Everybody" by Ingrid Michaelson (lovely song on guitar, truly)
WATM: Sovereignty (drafting)