We plot our ideas. Build our characters. Write our stories. We've spent time molding each chapter to our every specification.
Also known as the editing process.
Some find this portion an absolute disaster. No desire to flip through the notebook (or laptop) and make their manuscript shine. Not because they hate edits... but because they're scared.
I used to be one. I still have five novels untouched. Guess what... this is the first time I want to dig those broken pieces out of the invisible garbage and make them sparkle.
AJ Nuest... one of the editors at Still Moments Publishing showed me what fun editing can be. Yes, she pushed me farther than I probably wanted to be pushed. But every step of the way was worth it.
Who is my best friend while editing? AJ, definitely human wise... but I'm referring to the Thesaurus.
Words are fun! Us writers (misconstrued as geeks) have a love of words. I was forced (happily) to broaden my horizon in the writing world. I'm no longer writing simple sentences like - I ran through the forest. I allow myself to be more free and descriptive - I breathed deep, taking in the brisk air as the branches hit my ankles, my barefeet leaping across the leaves.
I stopped being afraid. I started to take chances. It's led me to three wonderful short stories being published in 2012. Sometimes believing in yourself is more powerful than others believing in us.
What's your favorite part about editing? How do you make it fun when it becomes daunting?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Dreaming is for ROCKSTARS
So the other day I had a weird dream. For those of you in real life, who know me, know not only do I talk in my sleep but I have some vivid ass dreams.
My husband is SO LUCKY (yes, that's sarcasm). This is the kind of stuff he gets day in and day out...
Me: Damn, that was vivid.
Hubs: *rubs eyes* Huh?
Me: My dream, it was wicked. I lost a leg.
Hubs: Were you in the army?
Me: *giggles* That's absurd. I don't like war. It was in a doctor's office, or something like that. There was this bad guy, he drugged me with some weird stuff that makes you woozy and not feel pain. He cut off my left leg, only up to the knee cap, and then told me he was going to leave me there to bleed.
Hubs: Seriously?
Me: Yeah, but I wasn't scared. It was a trip, weird not feeling scared. There was a McDonald's out the window and a table that had my escape route planned out. It was wicked. There were two dead bodies, girls who looked just like me, no legs... wicked I tell you.
Hubs: I don't know how to respond.
Me: *ignores his comment* What's super weird was that was his profession. He made prosthetic legs... I don't know his plans for the real one's he was taking, but I was going to survive. I know I was.
Hubs: And then you woke.
Me: Yup. What's brilliant is it fits perfectly in with my young adult novel idea. Genius. I love weird dreams like that. They make my day.
Hubs: Cool (said in a dull tone, of course). You should shower or we'll be late.
Moral of the story: Don't go to bed hungry or McDonalds debuts (can't get away from them).
There you have it. I just proved dreaming is for rockstars (or the mentally unstable). How do you dream?
My husband is SO LUCKY (yes, that's sarcasm). This is the kind of stuff he gets day in and day out...
Me: Damn, that was vivid.
Hubs: *rubs eyes* Huh?
Me: My dream, it was wicked. I lost a leg.
Hubs: Were you in the army?
Me: *giggles* That's absurd. I don't like war. It was in a doctor's office, or something like that. There was this bad guy, he drugged me with some weird stuff that makes you woozy and not feel pain. He cut off my left leg, only up to the knee cap, and then told me he was going to leave me there to bleed.
Hubs: Seriously?
Me: Yeah, but I wasn't scared. It was a trip, weird not feeling scared. There was a McDonald's out the window and a table that had my escape route planned out. It was wicked. There were two dead bodies, girls who looked just like me, no legs... wicked I tell you.
Hubs: I don't know how to respond.
Me: *ignores his comment* What's super weird was that was his profession. He made prosthetic legs... I don't know his plans for the real one's he was taking, but I was going to survive. I know I was.
Hubs: And then you woke.
Me: Yup. What's brilliant is it fits perfectly in with my young adult novel idea. Genius. I love weird dreams like that. They make my day.
Hubs: Cool (said in a dull tone, of course). You should shower or we'll be late.
Moral of the story: Don't go to bed hungry or McDonalds debuts (can't get away from them).
There you have it. I just proved dreaming is for rockstars (or the mentally unstable). How do you dream?
Friday, January 6, 2012
Sexy and Shopping do not mix
Picture this.
Geez. Do I have to spell it out? Me trapsing through the supermarket with high heels, a southern bell gown, big blonde locks (purchased online... they're not natural), and plumped lip glossed lips (also paid for).
Yeah. Today I'm making a stand. Us woman, housewives, moms, any female with a man, have a lot to deal with. A lot of men expect a certain something special from their female (get your heads out of the gutter boys and girls).
They (as in male pigs... not my dear male bloggers) have this image in their brain that we as women have no problem wearing our best. While outside of the house (with something naughty underneath), watching the children (still looking incredibly sexy), cooking (with a chefs jacket - preferably nothing else), cleaning (in the provactive maid outfit we just so happened to have purchased from VS last week), and when the children are bathed and in bed, we're supposed to be ready to put on a damn show.
I'm here to put a stop to this madness. If I had children you'd be lucky for me to change the puke stained t-shirt I'm wearing after waking up at 3am to change a diaper, watching the little humans all day, (still getting blogging AND writing done), and putting them to bed, all while you finished an eight hour work day (with no screaming).
I've recently come across a few men and listened to how silly they're being with all the pressure they put on their wives. I couldn't help but share my thoughts (and most women's views in this world). It's a new year and it's about time these ridiculous images get out of the male head. Feel free to send them to Unedited, I think I've set the record straight... and if the words aren't working, here's a picture of what you'll actually get if you don't give your woman a break...
If you wanted a Victoria Secret model you should be a little taller, a little more chisled, and a little more famous (you don't see us complaining about your height or your recent weight gain...) You get what you get, so take it (and buy it - as in her - some flowers).
I should mention, my husband does none of the above. I clean (yes that's it, I'm not proud). The reason he married me was for my personality (at least I'd hope so or I remain clueless). This post has nothing to do with my personal life, and if it did it would no longer be my personal life... So really, this post is for anyone wanted to waste two minutes of your life. You're welcome.
Care to add any thoughts?
Geez. Do I have to spell it out? Me trapsing through the supermarket with high heels, a southern bell gown, big blonde locks (purchased online... they're not natural), and plumped lip glossed lips (also paid for).
Yeah. Today I'm making a stand. Us woman, housewives, moms, any female with a man, have a lot to deal with. A lot of men expect a certain something special from their female (get your heads out of the gutter boys and girls).
They (as in male pigs... not my dear male bloggers) have this image in their brain that we as women have no problem wearing our best. While outside of the house (with something naughty underneath), watching the children (still looking incredibly sexy), cooking (with a chefs jacket - preferably nothing else), cleaning (in the provactive maid outfit we just so happened to have purchased from VS last week), and when the children are bathed and in bed, we're supposed to be ready to put on a damn show.
I'm here to put a stop to this madness. If I had children you'd be lucky for me to change the puke stained t-shirt I'm wearing after waking up at 3am to change a diaper, watching the little humans all day, (still getting blogging AND writing done), and putting them to bed, all while you finished an eight hour work day (with no screaming).
I've recently come across a few men and listened to how silly they're being with all the pressure they put on their wives. I couldn't help but share my thoughts (and most women's views in this world). It's a new year and it's about time these ridiculous images get out of the male head. Feel free to send them to Unedited, I think I've set the record straight... and if the words aren't working, here's a picture of what you'll actually get if you don't give your woman a break...
I should mention, my husband does none of the above. I clean (yes that's it, I'm not proud). The reason he married me was for my personality (at least I'd hope so or I remain clueless). This post has nothing to do with my personal life, and if it did it would no longer be my personal life... So really, this post is for anyone wanted to waste two minutes of your life. You're welcome.
Care to add any thoughts?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Welcome Back
HOLY PANCAKE IT'S 2012!!!
Welcome to the new and improved (and by that I mean absolutely no change, whatsoever) UNEDITED.
I hope to bring you lots of random conversations in my life, quirky interviews, and reader twists. Yup, that's my New Years gift to you. Take it or leave it. Thank you for always stopping in and sharing your comments, I love EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
This post isn't just welcoming all of you back to the world of blogging... it's to remind you of two awesome ladies who were off the blogging grid for a bit. They've decided to start the new year right (with us, obvs).
Abby & Colene!! I'm so happy to have them back in the blogging world.
They're ROCKSTARS. Not to mention, having a ROCKSTAR giveaway because they're back in town. What are you waiting for... this screen isn't offering you anything, go on over and tell Abby & Colene just how awesome they are! And if you haven't met them... this is your opportunity.
Welcome to the new and improved (and by that I mean absolutely no change, whatsoever) UNEDITED.
I hope to bring you lots of random conversations in my life, quirky interviews, and reader twists. Yup, that's my New Years gift to you. Take it or leave it. Thank you for always stopping in and sharing your comments, I love EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.
This post isn't just welcoming all of you back to the world of blogging... it's to remind you of two awesome ladies who were off the blogging grid for a bit. They've decided to start the new year right (with us, obvs).
Abby & Colene!! I'm so happy to have them back in the blogging world.
They're ROCKSTARS. Not to mention, having a ROCKSTAR giveaway because they're back in town. What are you waiting for... this screen isn't offering you anything, go on over and tell Abby & Colene just how awesome they are! And if you haven't met them... this is your opportunity.
Monday, January 2, 2012
I'm a YOU TUBE SENSATION! SO VOTE!
Author note: Hermione didn't win... in fact, she was spanked by Clary. That being said it's been a WHOLE LOT OF FUN. Thank you to all who voted and helped me out. Look out for Wednesday's post... there is gonna be a link to a giveaway!
I thought, maybe if I said it out loud, it'd be true. Apparently that method hasn't worked... yet... I remain hopeful.
It's that time again! Hermione Granger made it to the FINAL FOUR! Now she needs your help to make it to the final two and this my friends, is NO JOKE! We're up against Cassandra Clare's Clary, and they've been walking away with upwards of THREE THOUSAND VOTES! I know our girl Hermione is a rockstar, I'm just going to hope we can get her close if not all the wayto the FINAL TWO.
How can you help? Vote, tweet, vote, facebook, did I mention vote? Yea, that'd be nice. And just to add a little more fuel the fire, here's me, making a fool of myself. Yup, a you tube sensation! To share the awesomeness find the linkage here!
I thought, maybe if I said it out loud, it'd be true. Apparently that method hasn't worked... yet... I remain hopeful.
It's that time again! Hermione Granger made it to the FINAL FOUR! Now she needs your help to make it to the final two and this my friends, is NO JOKE! We're up against Cassandra Clare's Clary, and they've been walking away with upwards of THREE THOUSAND VOTES! I know our girl Hermione is a rockstar, I'm just going to hope we can get her close if not all the wayto the FINAL TWO.
How can you help? Vote, tweet, vote, facebook, did I mention vote? Yea, that'd be nice. And just to add a little more fuel the fire, here's me, making a fool of myself. Yup, a you tube sensation! To share the awesomeness find the linkage here!
VOTE HERMIONE!!!!
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