tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73601071386146477432023-06-20T21:52:11.676-07:00This Author at WorkThis blog serves as my online journal as a working author. With my first novel, Blood Rivalry, published, I am in the process of writing a new apocalyptic series. Please check back for updates!Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-50893747931468910922015-06-28T19:51:00.000-07:002015-06-28T19:54:04.433-07:00A Good Day for WritingHow do you know how well you're going to write tonight? Seems like an odd question, but aren't all us creative types a bit odd anyway? As a matter of fact, I can tell you what kind of night I'm going to have writing just by the kind of day I've had.<br />
<br />
Today for example was a good creativity day for me. I was really into the music that popped up on my I-pod. I found myself hyper focused on lyrics today....drawn into the musicians choice of words, the meaning of the words themselves. Then, the emotions those words induce, the effect they have on me all combine for a firestorm of creativity. There's that moment that you realize the musicians music and lyrics evoke emotions for you. Ah, creativity, sharing your inner most thoughts with others. The same happens when you write, your characters and their emotions become "real" as you write them on the paper. They become living works when someone else reads them, they don't just live in your imagination anymore. Hopefully your reader care for and are moved by your characters and their story.<br />
<br />
That bond of creativity, inspiration and the fear of sharing your creations with others really called to me today. Here's part of what it pulled out of me tonight for Survival...Enjoy! :)<br />
<br />
Em <br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Excerpt from Survival of the Fittest by Emily Fleming:</b><br />
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Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-91003082877895360412014-03-12T09:40:00.000-07:002014-03-12T09:40:03.280-07:00A First Peek at Survival of the Fittest :)Hello! As many of you know, Blood Rivalry is complete and published! Yay!<br />
<br />
Well onward and upward, I have begun my newest book <u>Survival of the Fittest</u>. Survival is an apocalyptic novel set just before, and during, a world ending flu epidemic. In this first sneak peek, you get to read a very poignant presidential address to the nation. As I am not a White House speech writer, I would appreciate any thoughts on how to improve it. I hope you enjoy this first look at Survival as much as I have had writing it. :)<br />
<br />
Write well,<br />
Em<br />
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<b> </b> by: Emily Fleming<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Sean tossed me the
remote as he sat down on the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
sat down next to him as he rested his head on my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were quiet as a color coded map of the
United States came onto the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Three states on the map were shaded green indicating that they had
confirmed cases of HI-38.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stomach
dropped as I saw only Alabama stood between us and the sickly shade of green.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My fellow Americans,” the President began, “we are
entering an unprecedented time in American history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The emersion on the HI-38, human influenza
38, virus has caused us to make some difficult decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no doubt that you have seen the
effects this disease has had on our brothers and sister to the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hearts and prayers go out to the Central
and Southern American countries that have seen much loss of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here in our county, we have only just seen
the beginning of what we fear could be similar casualties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not contained, the CDC believes that half,
if not more, of our population could be lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is with great sadness, and concern for you, our citizens, that I am
mandating the closure of all state borders effective midnight tomorrow
morning.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The President paused only a second to take a breath, when
the press core ignited into action shouting questions and yelling for
clarification.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have no further comment at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any questions that you have regarding
quarantine and vaccination processes can be directed to the CDC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for your time and God bless
America,” the President concluded his address and walked stiffly off the stage
followed quickly by the Director of the CDC.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I held the remote in my hand frozen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not believe what I had just heard,
the state boarders would be closed effective almost immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at the clock and did the math…5
hours and 45 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The President had
done the unthinkable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The TV switched back over the stunned anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a moment of silence before he began
to speak again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously in shock, he
started to stutter on about state’s rights and federal authority, but none of
it really made much sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know
if that was because he wasn’t speaking coherently or if I wasn’t registering
what he was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in utter
disbelief.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Dani?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sean’s
voice was trying to fight through the fog that was inhabiting my brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dani? What does it mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we going to be okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Dad coming to get us?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I didn’t know how to answer, so I
just took a deep breath and switched on the TV hoping that some </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">comforting
words would come to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not
so I just said, “We’re safe Buddy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
was </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">all I could muster.</span></div>
Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-29321774103195831262013-08-09T20:01:00.001-07:002013-08-09T20:01:55.816-07:00Book Research is Fun When You Shoot a Gun<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I've been thinking about book research a lot
lately, probably because I am knee deep in it. With my first novel now published,
I dove head long into writing a new, yet unnamed, apocalyptic series.
Although I love this genre, it has required me to do a bit more "formal"
research than I had to for my first paranormal, fantasy book since I can't make
the world up as go along. Writing in reality is tough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lol!<br />
<br />
After a fair amount of internet research the other
night (on cities, locations of Army bases, and the contraction of diseases), I
came to the conclusion that I am exceedingly happy to be an author in the time
of the internet. Finding the three largest cities in Mexico and a small
boarder town in Texas took me grand total of about 3 minutes. (Thank you
Google Maps!) I love the library as much as the next girl, but I can't
imagine the laborious process research must have been for “preinternet”
authors...no thank you!<br />
<br />
And now to the real reason you've clicked your way to my
blog today...research as recreation. In a post-apocalyptic world what is
your best friend? Yes, you guessed it, your firearm. Well, enter
your gun shy, baby squirrel saving author...yours truly. How am I
supposed to realistically write as a gun toting bad ass post-apocalyptic
heroine? Well, I guess I gotta learn how to shoot. And that my
friends was today's adventure.<br />
<br />
A good friend of ours took us out to the shooting
range to meet with his buddy Pjete (yes, with a j) ;) who is an instructor.
As I stepped onto the range, I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. I was
trying very hard to play it calm, but if you know me, then you know I was
talking a mile a minute! After going through the safety info, he handed me
the orange training pistol. He talked me through the correct way to stand
and I was thinking this isn't so bad, I can totally do this. Then he
showed me how to hold the pistol and aim. That's when I saw the gun
wobbling in my hands. Mind you this isn't even a real gun yet and here I
am shaking like a leaf. I just kept hoping he didn't notice.<br />
<br />
After a quick lesson on how to load the magazine, I
stood back and watched my buddy fire. I was pretty sure I could do
that. I'm not much of a girlie girl, so how hard could this be?
Pjete looked over at me and told me I was up. After having to explain how
to place my left hand over my right about a bazillion times, (I think I finally
got it.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fired off the first
round. Honestly, I wasn't exactly sure of what to expect as I fired the
first shot. It was loud of course, but kind of exhilarating too.
You get a serious feeling of power, but it's also a little nerve racking
knowing that you're holding something that could seriously harm, or kill
someone. Once the final casing popped from the chamber, I tilted the gun
so that he could see it was clear. I'm pretty sure I had held my breath
the entire time because my lungs were happy to take a long slow one as I walked
back to the table. I had survived my first foray into firearms as had
everyone else around me.<br />
<br />
Pjete was kind enough to spend an hour and a half
taking us through the paces. The more shots I took the less tense I
was. I can't say I was ever relaxed; in fact I was happy for the
continual step by step instruction each time I was up. Tell me where to
stand, where my thumbs go, remind me to chamber the first bullet, and then tell
me when to carefully squeeze the trigger....I needed all of it. I'm sure
everything would become easier if I continue to shoot, but baby steps are good.<br />
<br />
Toward the end of the lesson, we got down to the
real business at hand, book research! Since this newest book is set in a
time after most of the human population is gone, society isn't as well behaved
as it is today. Lawlessness is rampant and a girl stuck in this mess has
to defend herself….right? Like I said earlier, Danella can take care of
herself and knows her way around a gun. So Pjete had me lie down on my
back and shoot like my life depended on it. No words can describe how
that felt. Just watch the video.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzoGoLbOOplgm1AFeklyzdZS2MzgJ1gKZijXkDjhnM5vXHyqeT-DpP08KKt0FYxsoEe6iEFjeE501I2PhNSDA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just
in case that wasn’t enough, I got to walk up to an “attacker” shoot them down
and then shoot while retreating too. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz42InvkvV9QO_P3BdOCtsLvHxnK36fwla23pHkdRzyUQpeGUhMNHClLzbRaXCVevfLwXTztiVfd9Z8M38S3g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
today was all about book research, I had a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really neat to try something new that
I probably never would have tried if I didn’t need to for the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might have even found a new recreational
activity that I never in a million years would have thought I’d enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A big thank you to Pjeter Berishaj with Black
Mountain Defense, he was an awesome, incredibly patient, instructor.</span></div>
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<![endif]-->Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-20181996991226335562011-12-04T14:19:00.000-08:002011-12-04T14:19:39.184-08:00Excerpt From Chapters 9 and10<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Well, it's been a while since I've put an excerpt up here, so here's a bit for you to read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I liked to write it. Oh how I love scenes with Lizabeth and Gabriel!!! :) </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Write well!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">Emily</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <strong>End of Chapter 9</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christian hesitantly handed over my things and turned to walk back to the Jeep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gabriel quickly closed the door behind him. As soon as I heard it latch, I collapsed into him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carried me over to the couch and sat down next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every ounce of anger that I had had from him leaving me at school alone was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My stomach was still turning, I was in extreme pain and I wanted his help. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“What really happened Lizabeth?” he asked in a no nonsense tone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s a long story,” I said, “but I was in the library and I felt that feeling of being watched again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I heard something in the balcony upstairs and I knew that if I could just concentrate my senses on it I would be able figure out what it was, what was scaring me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so strange though.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I had to stop speaking, I curled my knees up to my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My lungs burned and stomach cramped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could feel it beginning to heave again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please?” I looked up at Gabriel begging him, “Please, just a drop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it’s the only thing that will make this feeling go away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears were welling up in my eyes and I knew he would never agree.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“So that’s what caused this. You were ready to feed, all your senses were focused on one person…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes, and then the rotten smell of death hit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t get it out Gabriel; it’s all I can sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need a little bit.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Absolutely not,” he snarled turning his head away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The longer this feeling consumed me, the more obsessed I became with the thought of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing in the world sweeter than your maker’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sure that nothing could push away the death that I had taken into my body, except Gabriel’s blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I yearned for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a very long time since I had asked him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only tasted him once, when I was turned, but for years after I begged him for just one more taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would never agree because he wanted me to stay with him by my own free will, not because I lusted for the taste of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was true that for a time I would fantasize about how I would get it from him, but he was older, stronger and wiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that the feeling would pass and over time it did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned that human blood could be a respectable substitute, but today I had lost all reasonable thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to have his blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The death inside me had to be stopped.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“When was the last time you fed?” he asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Last week,” I said dismissing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not hungry Gabriel, something inside me isn’t right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s as if I’m dying from the inside out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help me,” I begged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears began to spill out of my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my head down on my knees as another wave of pain washed through my body.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I felt Gabriel’s arm wrap around my body and pull me onto his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I unfolded my legs and looked up into his eyes as I let my head fall back into the crook of his arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held me just like the night he turned me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body lay across his lap, he had one arm under my neck and the other was wrapped around my body holding me close to his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked deeply into my eyes and said, “Just this once.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I saw his teeth flash as his bit into his wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blood began to pool in the bite mark immediately making a striking contrast between his ivory, white skin and the bright scarlet liquid seeping from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached my hands toward his arm to pull him closer, but he held them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in control of this, not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mouth began to water in anticipation of the sweet nectar my maker was about to share with me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Just this once,” he repeated in my thoughts over and over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought his wrist closer to me as the blood began to drip dangerously close to falling to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart nearly stopped, not wanting a droplet of it to be wasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quiver shot through my body, I wanted it…now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell was intoxicating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a delicate mix of a fragrant floral bouquet and the sweetest honey you’ve ever encountered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paused a moment to look into my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell that he did not want this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were sad as he placed his wrist against my lips.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I was euphoric, the taste was beyond explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unable to grab his wrist and press it to my mouth, I lifted my head to make as much contact between my lips and his skin as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drank quickly at first, and then slowed to savor every last second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His blood was cool, almost cold, in stark contrast to that of a human’s, but the taste and the intimate feeling of feeding from the one who turned me was indescribable. His blood slid effortlessly down my throat as if it knew exactly where to travel in my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pain in my stomach and the burning in my lungs began to ease instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gabriel wouldn’t let me drink for long, only enough to help me heal, but nothing would have been enough for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have stayed there, like that, with him forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Just as quickly as it began, it was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gabriel effortlessly twisted his wrist away from my lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been careful not to bite onto him knowing that if I had, he would have ended the exchange immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to struggle free hoping for one last drop, but he was too strong for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was holding me down gently, but firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could go nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wiped the remaining blood on a handkerchief as I desperately watched the wound seal itself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I closed my eyes and turned away from Gabriel, I knew that I had forced him to do something that he did not want to do.</span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 200%;">Chapter 10</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">We stayed on the couch for what seemed like forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was intoxicated by the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completely relaxed and wholly Gabriel’s at that moment, I could feel his blood moving through my body and it electrified me. Right then, I would have done anything for him, with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked nothing of me however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact he didn’t even speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arms were still wrapped around me holding me tightly, as if he were afraid to let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt safe, like nothing could touch me; I was with my savior, my angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had given me the gift of this life and we had just relived that gift again together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I belonged only to Gabriel.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I was the one who spoke first, “Thank you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do you feel better?” he asked without emotion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Yes, completely,” I gushed, rolling over to gaze into his dark eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached my hand up to his face and stroked it gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breathing in his sweet scent, I pressed my body closer, deeper into his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my arms around his waist hugging him and buried my face into his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never wanted to let go, ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Oh Lizabeth,” he hissed, “This is exactly why I would never do this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The emotions you’re feeling aren’t real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My blood has clouded your judgment.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I’m not hostage to my emotions Gabriel; I’m just seeing things more clearly than I have, maybe ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, sitting here, being with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what you’ve always wanted too.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Lizabeth, that’s enough,” he said standing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My head slid off his lap and onto the couch abruptly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I was still so blissful that I hardly noticed that he had moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Enough of what?” I prodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve always wanted me to feel this way about you and now you have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t know what you want Gabriel.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was annoyed with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could he act one way with me for as long as I had known him and then just stop feeling that way when I was just figuring it all out in my head?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Not like this Lizabeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not like this,” he said shaking his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need you to want to be with me.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“I do want to be with you Gabriel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much more obvious do I need to make it?” I questioned, frustrated that he wasn’t accepting my advances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up off the couch and started after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look at me,” I demanded, “Gabriel, look at me.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He turned around slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell that he was fighting a battle within himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which side would win; his moral side or the side that desired me too strongly for words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were dull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell that he was tired; tired of the internal turmoil I caused him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our heightened emotions were difficult to handle and I could only imagine the amount of restraint it took for him to deny his feelings for me every minute of every day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“This isn’t you Beth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not thinking clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to be alone,” he said as he walked toward his room.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I rushed past him and positioned myself in his doorway so that he could not pass.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Lizabeth move, now,” he said growing angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His internal battle was becoming too much to handle as I continued to push myself on him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Or what?” I shot back as I pushed my face closer to his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brushed my cheek slowly along his and exhaled ever so slightly into his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continuing to grasp hold of the door jam, I stood on tip toe and leaned closer to him squarely pressing my breasts against his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He closed his eyes and I heard him moan slightly with his next breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was winning.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“This isn’t right Lizabeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t how I want this to happen.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“It’s okay Gabriel, you are what I want,” I whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is what we both want.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He slammed his hands onto the wall on either side of the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wood frame splintered and plaster crumbled to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not going to let him scare me away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was angry with his emotions, not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rested my forehead on his, breathing in his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted this more than ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A shudder tore through my body as I awaited his next move.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“No,” he roared slamming his fist against the wall, “get out of my way.”</span></div>Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-50339043598320280962011-11-26T20:58:00.000-08:002011-11-27T09:53:01.395-08:00Dreams, Fantasies and Writer's Block Too!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> Ah writer’s block… I used to swear that I never got it and that used to be true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as I could get some words on the page I was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, that was before I took on such an enormous creative writing project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve done my fair share of academic writing without much trouble and my dips into creative writing have never been on this scope before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, needless to say writer’s block and I have been introduced.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me take a moment to explain what I really mean by writer’s block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not that girl that stares at the screen and has no idea what to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know where my story is going and how to get there (often when I’m writing my story takes an unanticipated turn). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I get writer’s block, I’m the girl who sits staring at the computer writing and deleting writing and deleting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I’m struggling with is my character’s relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brings me back to a previous entry when I talked about my “perfect” characters “Why are you so Perfect? Oh Right I Created You”. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My main character, Lizabeth, is very much me and for some reason I am just enamored with Gabriel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be fine except for the fact that Lizabeth is in a love triangle with another boy Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am able to write scenes between Lizabeth and Gabriel with ease. The dialogue flows effortlessly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scenes with Christian however, are like pulling teeth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go over and over what should be an easy scene setting up their new, blossoming relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How often do you get to know someone for the first time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There should be plenty for them to talk about, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ug!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian is my writer’s block.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the last couple of months I’ve been trying to figure out ways to make writing Christian’s scenes with Lizabeth easier with no avail until last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had this dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the kind…the how would my life have been different if I chose this instead of that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drawing on previous relationships, in my dream, I did something that I would never do in real life. (Oh look…another theme “stepping outside of my comfort zone”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the word fantasy is a little too strong of a word, but we’ll run with it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">This dream helped me figure out that I am comfortable with Gabriel’s character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gabriel’s relationship with Lizabeth represents the part of me that is grounded and “inside the box”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So where does that leave Christian’s relationship?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian’s relationship with Lizabeth represents something unfamiliar and exciting….something (like in my dream) I would never really do in real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing scenes with Gabriel are easy, because he is the choice I made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian’s character is uncharted territory for me, the choice I didn’t make.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Having that new understanding of what these characters represent in my book, even just for me at the subconscious level, has broken through my writer’s block with Lizabeth’s scenes with Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, at least for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I am writing scenes for Christian I look at them as an adventure, an exploration into the unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now look forward to writing them because now I can explore their relationship and her choice, unlike mine, is trending to the unfamiliar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of fun to watch through her eyes as she makes a choice I never did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy writing her putting herself out there with Christian and trying to ignore her fear of being rejected. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all a journey….a wild one!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Write well!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Emily</div></div>Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-20370643060018907182011-11-08T19:19:00.000-08:002011-11-08T19:19:38.282-08:00The Most Amazing Feeling in the World!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blog much?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently I don’t, at least not lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had this blog post in my head for a couple of months, but I haven’t had enough time to just sit and type it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, this is a little less about my novel and a little more about writing screen plays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it still fits though…enjoy! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have always been a girl who likes to live in her comfort zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when a good friend of mine asked me to help write a short for the 48 Film Challenge I shied away from the invite at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that’s not exactly true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first response was, “Sure that sounds like a lot of fun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it did, but as the big weekend got closer and closer I found myself not so excited about stepping out of my safe place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only person I would know on this project was my friend and I would have to drive home from a city I had never been too pretty late at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(All out of my comfort zone….I have a tight group of friends that I see often, but I am kinda shy in a new group.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fast forward to the day of the big event, I get a text from my friend asking me if I was going to attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I wavered back and forth about what I was going to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I did something that was really out of the ordinary for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agreed to be part of the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a moment of, “if you never try anything new how are you going to grow as a person?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I was going to miss out on a once in a lifetime opportunity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What a crazy night it was too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team was comprised of a mix match of friends of friends of friends, but we all seemed to work well together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily stepping outside of the box is not the story here though, so I will move on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The story here lies on the night of the screening of the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had written the dialogue for the major scenes and earned the first writing credit (cool) which was my first screen writing credit ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really excited to see how it all turned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, I had written the words, but the other aspects (direction, photography, acting, editing etc.) were about to come together on the screen before my eyes. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The anticipation was killing me and as the title was projected on the screen I could feel my stomach drop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the actors began speaking my words….MY WORDS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an amazing feeling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every hair on my body was standing on end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words I had written were coming out of someone else’s mouth and there were good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The actor’s put their own spin/inflection on them of course, but they were still mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something that I created, and had played out in my head, was now being seen by other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My characters were now alive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This blog doesn’t do the feeling justice, but it was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an unbelievable feeling to see my work become something more than just words on paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to get that feeling again. (Hint hint you know who you are!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In case you care to check it out here’s the You Tube link…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4j66gqgtwc&noredirect=1</span></div>Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-69990458805267370342011-07-21T09:49:00.000-07:002011-07-21T09:49:12.412-07:00Does a Major Revelation Mean a Major Revision? There's something that I've been struggling with as I've been writing this book. What is the message? At first I really thought it was just a pure story of entertainment, so does it really need to be anything more than that? However, as I think about all of the really good books that I've read they connect with you at a greater level than just pure entertainment.<br />
Now that's not to say that there are a number of good books out there that are still good, but are just an enjoyable read. Just because that's what they were written to be doesn't make them inferior. The funny thing is, that when I began writing that's what I thought I was writing.<br />
Flash forward now to a a few weeks ago when I was really stuck at one part. My character is struggling between two relationships in her life. She's truly torn between which to choose. As I've said before, I've had an incredibly difficult time writing scenes between her and her love interest (well, I guess they're both her love interests , but writing about her budding relationship with the human has had me stuck....alot!). I actually put aside the book for a good week or so because I really had no idea where to go. There was even one point at which I thought I should just thrown in the towel.<br />
Luckily for me, I met up with another author friend who pointed me in the right direction. We sat down for a cup of coffee planning on just going over a few pages of each other's work. Our conversation turned to my block on where to go next. As girls do, we talked and talked (I even had hard time articulating what it was that was troubling me about the relationship with the human character), but she finally said to me, "Emily, you have to figure out what it is that she is struggling with. What is it that she sees in each of these characters?"<br />
Then it struck me, this book isn't just a pure entertainment book, it's a book about finding your place in life and about living with the choices that you have made even if they have caused you to loose something you cared deeply about. Lizabeth had the opportunity to choose and she made her choice, now she has to live with it. She lost her humanity and she spends much of the book looking for ways to restore it. That's what Gabriel and Christian represent. Gabriel represents her choice and Christian represents the humanity that she lost.<br />
Wow, what a revelation to have HALF WAY through the book. I'm hoping that this has been in my subconscious all along and that this theme has somehow worked its way in without me knowing about it. (which I think would be better anyway) In the long run though, it has made writing scenes between Lizabeth and Christian much easier.<br />
I made a promise to myself (on some advice from yet another author friend) that I would not go back and revise until I finish the book, (This is getting harder and harder by the way.) but now I just hope that when I go back and reread I won't have to rewrite the first half of the book to follow the theme that I now realize I'm writing about. Oh well, live and learn I guess!<br />
<br />
Write well,<br />
EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-44176651648588302792011-06-30T13:22:00.000-07:002011-06-30T13:22:26.815-07:00Get Some Confidence Girl! I've been writing this novel now for over 4 years. Although to be honest, I've really only been serious about it for the last 6 months. I've always enjoyed writing, partly because I was always surrounded by literature as a child. You see, both of my parents are writers, journalists, by trade. My mom began her career in journalism at The Detroit Free Press as a copy girl, moved to The Macomb Daily as a reporter (where she met my dad) and then moved out of journalism and into public relations. My dad worked at the Macomb Daily as a reporter. He still works there today, but now as an editor.<br />
I often wonder what the the ability to write well should be attributed to. Is early exposure to books, a solid education or just something that you're born with? Throughout my education, I was always told I was a "good" writer. I"ll be honest, school was pretty easy for me. I never got great grades, but I also never really tried. I earned A's and B's in English class without much thought. In high school I was placed into advanced placement English. I enjoyed the class, but I did have to think a little bit. I passed the AP exam and received college credit for the course. In college I bounced around a bit, but ended up back at my love...writing. I earned a BA in English from Michigan State University.<br />
There have been plenty of times in my lifetime that I have been told that I am good at writing, so why is it that I am such a wuss about sharing it? I can sit here and write out my life's story for anyone on the web to read no problem, but the second you want to read part of the book I've been writing I freak out! If I ever want to make it at this author gig, I'm going to have to get over this reader related stage fright.<br />
I guess it all boils down to this. I have put my heart and soul into this book. I have delved into emotional places that I thought were lost to me. The characters I have created are bit and pieces of me and everyone I've ever met. Basically it's the sum total of my existence. If I put it out there and it's criticised, then I feel personal criticised.<br />
On the other hand, when someone likes my work I am elated, blown away. I still can't believe that people actually like what I've put on paper. Last night, at the writing group I attend, my stomach was is in knots. Now, no one in this group is unkind. They always give constructive criticism without telling you, "wow, that sucks," but I am always terrified when I share anyway. Go figure. I brought the part of my novel where the reader sees Lizabeth hunt for the first time. The first step is for someone else in the group to read your piece out loud. (Ah, terrifying) Then the group comments on it and then you can ask any questions you might have for them. The group is a diverse group age wise, so I'm always worried how a young adult vampire novel will go over. Last night (and every other night), it went over well. They told me that my writing was tremendous. "This isn't what I read. I don't like vampire books, but your is writing is tremendous." What a compliment.<br />
Maybe one day all of this will sink in and I won't be so scared to share my work. For now, it still seems a bit safer to share with people that I don't know well. Hopefully I can let someone closer to me read it soon. It's an uncomfortable thought though just because this whole process has been so personal. I think I should just shoot straight to New York Times best seller, then I won't know who's reading what. :) <br />
<br />
Write well,<br />
<br />
EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-90749965437687764712011-05-22T19:50:00.000-07:002011-05-22T19:50:42.211-07:00How do You Like Your Monsters? A fact that I have been wrestling with throughout the novel has been how to help my readers care about my, inherently evil, main characters. It's a tricky contradiction to have characters that kill, feed on, humans be the ones you are supposed to care for. Some authors have done it successfully where others have not (in my humble opinion).<br />
Take Anne Rice for example. In her most famous novel, Interview With a Vampire, she does a wonderful job of making Louis a savage killer in the beginning, and then as the story continues you begin to feel sorry for him as he is controlled by Lestat. Louis then tries to appeal to his human soul by feeding on rats only then to realize that he is what he is and returns to feeding on people. By that point of the story however, you have already fallen in love with this tortured man and are so invested in the story that you still care for him no matter what he eats.<br />
Then there are the "vegetarian" vampires...enough said.<br />
There are examples of good ways to endear your "evil" characters <br />
to your readers and not so good ways. I hope that I can balance the good/evil aspects of my characters in a believable way. The way my book is currently written this issue seems a bit contrived. (They feed on "undesirable individuals" in the inner city.) I hope on my rewrite I can do a better job keeping in mind my previous examples. I do think that I have written my characters well enough that the reader will care about them no matter what. I just don't want my story to suffer because of a ridiculous plot device.<br />
The funny thing is that the scene, the scene where the reader sees Lizabeth eat, is one of my favorites. I also think that the effects of her being hungry are pretty unique as well.<br />
<br />
<strong>Excerpt From Chapter 6</strong><br />
<br />
I listened to my surroundings carefully. I could hear a fight up ahead. Gabriel had chosen well. Neither of us enjoyed hunting humans, but there were some that you would feel less guilty about. <br />
The police were calling into a house, "Come out, we have your house surrounded. We know you have a woman in there. Let her go."<br />
I slunk around the back of the house. I could hear two heartbeats inside. Both were racing. Without a sound I jumped up onto the window ledge slipping through the open window with ease. The woman saw me first. I was covered in sweat and my eyes were wild. <br />
"Run," I commanded, "now." No one would ever believe what she said anyway.<br />
As the man turned to face me I opened my mouth slightly and ran my tongue along my sharp, elongated canines. He looked as if he was about to say something when I pounced. I landed on top of him with such force that he fell to the floor knocking the wind out of him. My teeth pierced his skin at exactly the right position and I began draining the life from him. I had no control as I drank; my body was working on instinct alone.<br />
The blood felt hot as it ran down my throat. Slowly my extremities began to regain their feeling. His blood was chasing away the pain. I was so focused now that I could only hear his heartbeat. It was as if it beat in my chest. I continued to drink until the beats became too low to hear and I stopped. Ripping my head back, I wiped what remained on lips into my mouth with my index finger. I sat back on the floor of the house to enjoy the only moment of warmth that came close to that of being human. The seconds after feeding left me warm inside only as long as the blood stayed warm. It was far too short.<br />
"Come out with your hands up, or we’re coming in," the police broadcasted their final ultimatum.<br />
Gabriel appeared in the window with a gas can and a lighter. He splashed the liquid on the floor as I leaped out the window. With a toss of the lighter the room when up in flames.Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-63865991825446500992011-05-17T18:23:00.000-07:002011-05-20T19:01:15.555-07:00A Little Fear Never Hurt Anyone, In Fact It Might Help! My husband was out of town last weekend, male bonding with his buddies, leaving me home alone. I've always fancied myself a strong, independent woman, but the prospect of being home alone in a big empty house was not exactly appealing to me. That previous statement embodies Lizabeth my main character as well. She sees herself as being quite adept to taking care of herself, yet she has spent her entire life, since being changed, with Gabriel. She doesn't want to see that she is much more dependant on him than she would like. It's amazing how much of yourself you put into your characters you create. Lizabeth's relationship with Gabriel, and to some extent with Christian as well, mirrors relationships that I have had in the past.<br />
I'm not scared of many things, but if you know me there are two things that will bring me to immediate panic...elevators and thunderstorms. I can't really recall any traumatic event in my life that began my fear of either, but I've been afraid of both as far back as I can remember.<br />
One time in college, I was on my way to my last exam of my sophomore year and I got stuck between 2 floors in an elevator in my dorm. During the ride, the interior door opened to the cinder bock shaft wall. I frantically started banging buttons, the doors shut and the elevator moved slightly. When the doors opened again I could see light and the floor of the building was at about eye level. Full of adrenaline I jumped, climbed, scrambled (I'm not sure what) up the shaft wall to the floor just above me and pulled myself out. I didn't really need an event to cement my fear of elevators, but this one did certainly.<br />
My novel is written in as a first person account, so you as the reader are inside Lizabeth's head. I need to make you feel everything she is feeling, hopefully as deeply as she is feeling it. This draws a lot on my theater background as well. As I am writing I often feel as if I need to be in the right mindset, feeling the correct emotions to pull off Lizabeth's thoughts believable (just as I would if I were acting a part). Fear is a powerful emotion and central to this story, so when I was alone this weekend and feeling, honestly, quite scared at times it was the perfect time to write.Peanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-46654462347065448192011-04-22T19:43:00.000-07:002011-04-22T19:43:54.456-07:00What Makes a Good Page Turner?Now that I am writing, it's funny how much I'm thinking about being a reader as well. I often wonder what it is that I like to read. What keeps me turning pages? That is of course the goal as an author is to keep your reader's interest throughout your story.<br />
<br />
Well for me that has, and I imagine always will be, action and emotional scenes. Once I'm emotionally invested in a story, all an author has to do is keep me moving through the background knowledge quickly enough so that I can get to the next action/emotional scene. As a reader, my favorite thing is to let my imagination go and find myself sitting next to the characters in those scene.<br />
<br />
I discovered an interesting thing the other day while I was writing. The parts of my book that I write with ease are the action and emotional scenes (like 1,300 words in an hour) and I struggle with the background and "storytelling" aspects (like 500 words in an evening). The funny thing is that I have my whole story outlined. My characters and plot all have a history that I know, so it's not for lack of knowledge. It's almost like I get bored the same way I do when I read. All I want is to do is to get back to the next action/emotional scene.<br />
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I'm not really sure how to overcome this other than to just push through and keep those parts of my story as concise as possible. If I'm bored as the author writing those parts, then I can only assume that my readers will be bored as well. <br />
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There is a catch 22 though. There is information that my readers need to know that can't always be part of a more exciting scene. I have found that my main character's inner monologue has been the device I've used most often. Personally, I find her intriguing and by getting in to her head I hope to give my readers a reason to keep going. I don't was them to get too bogged down by what I find to be boring, but necessary, to write. I hope they will keep turning pages to find that next exciting scene.<br />
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Write well!<br />
<br />
EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-79686426125420665962011-04-13T20:04:00.000-07:002011-04-13T20:13:37.111-07:00Why do you have to be so perfect? Oh right, I created you.I am nearly half way through my book (word count wise anyway) and I have spent the mass majority of it writing about Lizabeth's relationship with Gabriel. I have really enjoyed writing Gabriel's character, probably a little too much.<br />
<br />
In all honesty I have now created my "perfect" mate in Gabriel. He's protective, intelligent and completely devoted to Lizabeth. Which are all the characteristics any girl could ask for in a mate. As I've said in earlier posts there is a lot if me in Lizabeth therefore, when I write Lizabeth's emotions about Gabriel they are true to life (mine).<br />
<br />
Unfortunately (well for me anyway), the story calls for Lizabeth to view Gabriel as her brother. She cares deeply for him, but not in a romantic way, which is killing me.<br />
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I'm to the point in the story now where I have to write about Lizabeth's love interest. The first couple of times I had to do this I found it very difficult. I did such a good job making Gabriel my perfect male character that I couldn't write about Christian, in a romantic way, convincingly.<br />
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After some talks with an author friend, some soul searching and just writing through it I knew that the story required Lizabeth to fall in love with Christian. It was the pivotal to the story.<br />
<br />
Digging down into my emotions, there seems to be a lot of that while writing this book, (still working on making that a peacful process) I found what I needed to use to make Lizabeth's emotions for Christian believeable. I can't wait to watch their relationship blossom in front of me as hers and Gabriel's did.<br />
<br />
Write well,<br />
<br />
EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-15875218415209713472011-04-09T19:12:00.000-07:002011-04-09T19:12:39.688-07:00Music as my Muse (ok not exactly, but I like alliteration)I am continually surprised by what a journey this whole novel writing thing is turning into. For one thing, I am reaffirming things about myself that I already knew and coming face to face with things that I may or may not like.<br />
<br />
Let's tackle the reaffirming things I already know about myself first. I am female, but not your traditional female I'd say. I've never been a really emotional girl. I like to stuff my emotions down like so many guys I know. Maybe that's why I get along when them better. I've always been a fighter not a lover. <br />
<br />
So, here I am writing a book that's very dependent upon the emotional relationships that Lizabeth has with the male characters in her story (hmm, figuring anything out yet). As the narrator of the story she has a lot of me in her, so as I write about these two male characters I'm constantly pulling on relationships I've had in the past. (rough at times for this emotionless girl) Not to mention when I write about the male characters I have to jump in their heads too thinking about some relationships in the opposite. Ug! <br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong I have not had a horrible, catastrophic life. The opposite in fact, I think I've weathered the storm of adolescence and early adulthood quite well, but of course everyone has had those relationships in their life that they know they messed up or those that you wish could have at least been given a shot. Since I like to bury my emotions drudging all this up in order to write is not something that I enjoy doing.<br />
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Now comes the music part. I have found, blessedly, that music allows me to travel through these more emotional parts of my book more comfortably. Is it because I can put myself in the singer's shoes or because I feel like my experiences are validated through their lyrics? I don't know the answer, but I am thrilled that Saving Abel and The Script have my back. Thanks guys! (now play DTE this summer)<br />
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Write well!<br />
<br />
EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-4711414127571910542011-04-05T18:35:00.000-07:002011-04-05T18:49:44.918-07:00So did you name your characters that way on purpose?Ok, so I need to start this post with the fact that my mom is an intelligent, well read woman. (Now hopefully she won't kill me when I tell this story.)<br />
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As an eager author I am thrilled to have anyone read my work, especially those who's opinions matter most. So, when my mom agreed to read the first couple chapters of Blood Rivalry I was thrilled.<br />
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It seemed to take her awhile to to get back to me. So long in fact that I was getting nervous that she didn't like it. Finally on one trip to the ice cream parlor with my kids, she said that she had read the first 2 chapters. She said that it was interesting and that she thought it was well written. (Now, I figured this was high praise from her since paranormal romance novels are not her cup of tea). The next comment however caught me off guard. <br />
She said, "so, did you name your characters that way on purpose?"<br />
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Now, I tried not to laugh out loud because I know that she still views me as her little girl. I can only imagine her trying to think of me as a well read, intelligent adult now working to be an author. <br />
I replied, "of course," and went on to briefly explain my thoughts. <br />
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If you've already read Blood Rivalry and understand the naming of Gabriel and Christian there's no need to continue reading this post. If however you need further explanation behind the naming of my characters, then please read on.<br />
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Originally Gabriel was named Michael after the Archangel, but the more I wrote the more I thought he was not like Michael. The Archangel Michael is the leader of God's army and Gabriel is not really a fighter, therefore that name just didn't fit him. Upon further thinking and investigating, I realized that the Archangel Gabriel is the angel that ushers the human race into the next life after the Apocalypse. What an "ah ha" moment as a writer. My character Gabriel ushers Lizabeth into her next life after Thomas's death. Ta da, Gabriel was renamed.<br />
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Christian was a lot easier to name from the beginning and his name never changed from the second I wrote it. Christian is obviously derived from Christ. In my book Christian sees himself as needing to save Lizabeth from Gabriel. Although Lizabeth doesn't really need to be saved from Gabriel she welcomes his attention for other reasons. Christian is the "savior" figure in the book, so he is named accordingly.<br />
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So, yes mom, to answer your question I did name my characters that way on purpose. I hope that this helps clear up any future confusion on the matter! Love you! <br />
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Write Well,<br />
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EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-2688258626742573142011-04-03T09:39:00.000-07:002011-04-03T12:16:56.971-07:00My First Writing WorkshopI was fortunate enough to take a few of the middle pages of chapter two to a creative writing group at the local Public Library last week. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous since this was the first time "strangers" would be reading any parts of Blood Rivalry. Thankfully a family member, who happens to be a writer as well, agreed to go with me.<br />
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We walked into the room of about 12 other people and were instantly intrigued. The groups was an eclectic mix of age and writing styles. I was very excited about the possibility of getting some great constructive criticism from some experienced writers. Then, we found out that our pieces would be read aloud so that we (the authors) could hear what they sounded like. That completely freaked me out. I can't really tell you why, it was just not something I expected I guess.<br />
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The first volunteer's writing was a short newspaper like article about an older couple's disagreement about the amount of collectibles in their home. It was very cute and well suited for its audience. There were a multitude of other writings that we covered in the 2 hour workshop from bathroom themed poems, to a pirate adventure story. I looked up at the clock realizing that we were about to finish and I hadn't offered up my piece for critique yet.<br />
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The group facilitator said that we had time for one more piece and I jumped. "I'll go," I said as I handed out my pages. My stomach was in knots, but I knew that it was now or never. I had to take this leap of faith. When the reader read the pages out loud I was pleased with the way they sounded.<br />
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The reaction from the group was positive as well. I got a lot of good edits including a few pronoun and tense fixes that I missed when I read it myself. I'm beginning to see that that is going to be the hardest part for me. Content consistency isn't a problem so far (I have the whole story outlined in my head and to some extent on paper) but punctuation for dialogue and tense shifts are tricky. I think that's because it's my first draft and I"m trying just to get all my words out. That should be easier to deal with in later drafts I imagine.<br />
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I also came to a good conclusion at this first workshop. I have written 5 chapters and haven't used the word "vampire". It's now a personal goal to keep it out of the book. I'm not sure why it's so important to me. I guess it's that I figure I tell the story well enough that I don't need to be explicit. When I put that thought to the group I was answered with, "Well, when you get this book published you won't have to use the word vampire because the cover art will show that for you." Oh my God, he said <b>WHEN</b> I get this book published. I just about died! That one comment made my year.<br />
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Write well,<br />
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EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360107138614647743.post-28814348482781021652011-04-03T09:21:00.000-07:002011-04-03T09:21:07.343-07:00The Beginning of Blood RivalryI've been writing Blood Rivalry for about 3 years. It's been a start and stop process. Since having 2 kids, my life is quite busy. I started it while my husband was working on his master's thesis. I had a lot of time on my hands when the kids had gone to bed because he was busy.<br />
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It's been a fantastic journey so far. I find that as I write the characters really have begun to take to take on a life of their own. They are constantly "talking" to me throughout the day and I can't wait until I can get the time to write at night.<br />
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Recently, I decided that I needed to chronicle the whole writing process. Because this is my first novel, I am learning a lot as I go. I never have been much of a journal writer, but for some strange reason I feel the need to keep a log of the process. Hopefully it will prove to be an interesting read!<br />
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Enjoy!!!<br />
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EmilyPeanut M and Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16869196292999595775noreply@blogger.com0