What Characters

HI. This is me, posting, NOT a bajillion years after the last time I posted!! I am so proud of myself, hehehe.

Anyway. A few nights ago I had a breakthrough. Two, actually.

First, one of my MCs in Defiance, Varesa. She's supposed to be really awkward. Slightly comical, even. I've been having trouble bringing out that part of her character while writing. There were moments when I thought I had nailed it, only to be disappointed because it would fade again.

Until it occurred to me...I should try to write her like I think when I'm hyper. I am not awkward––I hope...––but I do have a completely random thought process, and it's ten times worse when I'm hyper. If I could channel a bit of that into Varesa, maybe it would work?

YES. It did. I didn't really make her random, so much, but somehow, SOMETHING finally clicked. It was beautiful. I still need to get to know her more, but I'm on the right track. It is happifying.

The second win of the evening come from me procrastinating (SEE, good things DO come from procrastination!). I was googling an actor from an old show I used to love, and instead, I found this picture of a boy. A boy that, given a few shades of auburn in his hair, is my other MC's love interest. I have been trying and trying to find a proper picture for him, because I love having pictures of my characters. If I can't find one, I usually let it go. But with Thane, I couldn't. I would find pictures that had one aspect of him, and they would catch my attention, but they weren't quite right. I needed to find the right one. (It was sort of becoming an obsession.)

And boy, is this one great. I can forgive the hair being off, because the hair is wrong on basically all the photos I find, since I always seem to have unusual aspects. But the rest? Perfect. It has made me a very happy girl, finally having a photo to glare at when Thane isn't getting along.

So, two tiny things––things that have varying degrees of visible importance to the eventual completion of the book––are all it takes to make me feel like I won the lottery of my life. But even if they are small, they are important. It's the little things that keep me excited about writing this story. The little things that remind me that I love it when I want to throw it off the nearest bridge.

What little things keep you in love with your story?

On a side note, I saw The Hunger Games movie last night. Ooooh my GOODNESS. If you've seen it, did you like it?? (No spoilers :P) And if you haven't...you should do that. Nowish.



Twin Moment of the Day: Hunger Games movie. We loves it. (That is presumptuous of me, since she hasn't seen it yet so I *could* be wrong. But I seriously doubt I am.)
On my Mind: Latin homework.
Listening to: Someone is sweeping in the other room.
Grateful for: Sleep. Sleep is nice sometimes.
Wanting: The weekend!
Writing: Defiance! (41,830)

I Am a Finalist!

Just wanted to blog quickly about some exciting news I learned today. My short story "DIVE" is among the 60 finalists of the 17 Magazine Fiction Contest on Figment. I wrote and entered the 470-word story about a girl whose sister drowns in the ocean back in December, not sure what to expect, except an adventure. Because of all the hearts it's received since then, it's come as far as this.

I feel a little overwhelmed with the love and support shown by the Figment community to me and my work. DIVE is not perfect. Every time I read it I find a new fault with it. But I like it, and it makes me incredibly happy to see that other people do, too. That I was able to evoke emotions in my readers. For me, this is no small thing.

No matter who wins (the $5,000, I might add with a cough), I'm glad for the chance to participate. And for those of you who are interested in joining future writing contests on Figment (and they have a lot), you can start on my page (and maybe give a heart to any current contest entries you see? Hint, hint.)

Yay for writing! Yay for contests!

Love you all, and have a super Happy Thursday!

Best Part of Today: THE SUNSHINE.
Currently Craving: I'm actually not craving anything. Weird moment.
Music Pick: "Blue" by Big Bang

I'm Reading: "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen

WIP: Blink re-writes (1,065 words)

The Trip

In lieu of pictures of Twin, since she is still partly anon, you can have the very first picture I took, on our walk to the grocery store.

So, I admit, I totally wanted to do a post while I was with Twin and be all, "We are TOGETHER!" But that failed. I was entirely too busy being with Twin.

I had so much fun with her, guys. She's pretty much just as amazing in real life, which makes her WAY AWESOME.

We rewatched all three Lord of The Ring movies, extended versions, and we agree that neither of us like Frodo, not even one bit. Sam's the real hero. <3<3<3
We went on lovely walks, and drank delicious tea, and even wrote a bit. We painted our nails (mine are colorful! :D) and listened to music we both loved. We made chocolate truffles, and attempted chocolate sauce twice with varying success. We read the same book at the same time. (That was an accident, but interesting.)

After the first awkward moment where her siblings all stared at me, I got along with her family famously. Her little sister, Molly, even declared that she loved me, and wanted to be my best friend. I have the picture she drew and "home steeple" to prove it.

Don't I look mysterious?

One of my favorite moments––which is an inaccurate statement, because the whole trip was my favorite moment––was right at the beginning. When I arrived at the airport, I called Maggie and told her I was there, then I pulled on a lovely hat and my "fake glasses"(reading glasses from the dollar store with the lenses popped out) before heading to the baggage claim. As soon as I saw her and her mom, sitting, I forced myself to keep my eyes off them, and I slowly walked behind the pillar closest to them. It was all I could do to not squeal and launch myself at her. Or collapse on the floor, because my legs go cooked-noodle when I'm nervous, and I was so so so so nervous. Once behind the pillar, I took a moment to not have a meltdown, drew a deep, not-as-calming-as-I-could-hope breath, and walked around behind their seats. I was sure they would see me and Maggie would instantly know it was me.
At least, until I grabbed her shoulders and made her jump.
I am quite proud of myself for successfully sneaking up on her.
Her? Not so much. She was a little ticked.

Another favorite moment was when I went to the bookstore with Maggie, her mom, and her sister. This may not seem so big to you guys, but I've never gone to the bookstore with like-minded readers. It was thrilling. I bought a beautiful copy of Beth Revis's A Million Suns. It's quite lovely. *admires*

So many other things happened. I had balance difficulties once or twice. (In my defense, sliding across hardwood floors in socks is the funnest thing EVER.) We went spelunking. (spelunking = my new love in life <3) I actually finished a pair of fingerless mitts for myself (those in the above photo) and I'm very pleased with them. They fit and they're wonderful and they make me happy. *^_^*

The best of the best, though, was undoubtedly talking to Maggie face to face. Just...being in the same room as her. Knowing beyond doubt she's not a figment of my imagination or––as several family members have suggested––a creepy old man.

But now I'm back in Texas, and aside from being forgotten at the airport, I'm safe and sound. I've just begun the unpacking process, which is the real sign that my trip is over. *tear*

The trip was a blessing. Maggie is wonderful, and her family is unbelievably kind. I admit I was so sad I had to leave that I shed tears while waiting for my plane.

Now back to school and work and daily life. I'm glad to be back home, but I definitely can't wait 'til I get to see Maggie Twin again.

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)