Reading and Writing

I thought it was about time for a bit of blogging...

Thank you to everyone that left comments, you guys are really too generous and patient with my stories. I've been working hard, writing every day. So far I've written over a hundred pages by hand, and about fifty on the computer. My plan of hand writing the entire draft before typing was derailed when I realized that I had to go back and change a major plot point, which effected everything after it. Ironically, the "change" is actually closer to the original comic. I should trust my original instincts about story sometimes. I also took some time to think harder about the story and write an outline. Now I'm trying to work on it a chapter at a time, jumping around to write the scenes that most excite me, using the outline as a guide. It's similar to how I wrote the script for Sorcerers & Secretaries, except less linear in execution. I find it difficult to write from beginning to end in prose because I like to spend more time delving into the character's thoughts and emotions, leaving me more time to make realizations about the plot. This means more time to realize I need to make changes.

This past week I've been walking around, concerned that my writing is too terrible and that this won't work out at all. Then I had a good discussion with my husband while we folded laundry, leading me to a spurt of inspiration about a particular part of the story that had been vexing me since college. I rushed to the computer and re-wrote a scene with a new perspective, and that was all it took for me to feel all happy and excited about the book again. I have a feeling it will be like this for the rest of the process, a dizzying up and down of confidence and despair as I try to figure out the story. Writing sure is exciting! I wish I could be more specific about my realizations but I don't want to spoil anything, especially this early in the writing.

I also read Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse this past week. I kept seeing the cover to Eclipse everywhere, and I thought the image was really striking. When I heard about the storyline, a high school vampire romance, I was expecting something terribly cheesy. And in a way, it kind of is. BUT... I really loved it and flew through all three books in a matter of days. They're incredibly juicy and unabashed in its portrayal of angsty emotion and humor. The further into the story the author gets, the deeper and more enjoyable the story becomes, as well. I highly recommend them to everyone, especially if you like beautiful male characters! And for those that have already read the books, be sure to check out chapter one of Midnight Sun on Meyer's website. It's chapter one of Twilight written from Edward's point of view, I think it's one of the better parts she's written.

In her thank you page, Meyer mentioned her love for the band Muse, and so I've been obsessed with these two songs lately:

Unintended, Time is Running Out, and Starlight

I also finished reading Harry Potter book 7. Quite the appropriate ending, the last chapter was amazing. And that's all I'll say about that... I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who's as late in reading it as I was.

Also, avatarspirit.net posted a nice preview of the all-Avatar edition of Nick Magazine, hitting stands around September 18th. I still can't believe I got to participate in something so many people enjoy (Thanks, Dave!). Especially because I love Zuko! Sheesh... I really lucked out to get the script for his story in particular. Anyway, enough gloating! Be sure to check out the magazine when it comes out. There's beautiful comics from a lot of fantastic artists! Cover by Lauren Montgomery whose work I just found out because of the magazine, the ever-amazing Rufftoon, the imaginitive Reagan Lodge, and more~