The Sudden Creativity-Disappearing Act

    
     Have you ever had one of those days where nothing is going on brain-wise? That's what happened to me yesterday. It's not like I wasn't there- I went about my daily routine, functioning normally, carrying on conversations, solving minor problems, etc. But it's like, I was only operating on one level. There was nothing deeper there. I went to post on my blog and I had nothing to say. Which is weird because I have a few topics floating around in my brain that I want to post about sometime. But I couldn't find them yesterday. I couldn't remember them. It's like any creativity I possess had just disappeared.
     I wonder if it's because I spent the entire morning cleaning out my absolutely ba-sgusting van. With four kids you can only imagine how gross and dirty it was. Actually- you can't imagine it- even I was surprised at all the crumbs, crusty fries, old fruit snacks, candies, and toys buried in every nook and cranny of my van. Ew. It was such a mindless task I wonder if it squashed out my creative juices. But then, usually I have lots of ideas flowing when I'm cleaning because it is so mindless I can let my mind wander to other things.
     Who knows. I just know that this sudden-lack-of-creativity-disease hits me every once in awhile. And I really don't like it. It makes me feel like something's missing. Like I'm not my whole self. It's kind of scary actually. I think I need to find a cure, STAT. (Although- phew- I'm back to normal today.)

Hoax

     Oh. My. Gosh. I just read the post on Writer Beware about that hoax where a writer got scammed into thinking they were not only going to be repped by a Writer's House agent but that their book sold immediately in a six-figure deal. Sheesh. If you want to read about the post, go here.
     Can I just say- how awful. I'm shaking my head at the awfulness of the whole thing. Can you imagine, thinking your dream is actually coming true, only to find out it was just a cruel joke?
     The lesson here is learn all you can. I have a fear of things like this in the back of my mind, but mostly, I think everything will just work out for me. I won't get scammed by a fake agent or someone who wants to take all my money. But you never know do you? And when you're in the throes of finally realizing your dream, I can see how you would lose your level-headedness.
      I think everyone should be aware of this, so if you haven't heard about it, read the post. And then don't let it freak you out so much that it ruins your weekend!

Too Much Editing?

    
     How much editing is too much editing? That's my question for today (and for, well, all-time).
     I've lost count of how many times I've edited Daze and Knights. I'm not regretting the edits. I know my MS has just gotten stronger and stronger each time. But I worry about getting to that point where I've completely edited myself out of it. Or edited the voice out. Or edited those sentences that are my way of saying things.
     Agents want your MS to be squeaky clean. I get that. They don't want you to tell them it still might need edits. I totally get that- why anyone would point that out in their query is beyond me. But how do you know when it is squeaky clean? Do writers actually reach that point, that moment? Do they have that thought of, "I've done all I could, it's the best I can make it, now it needs to prove itself out in the world"?
     I don't think I've ever had that thought. No correction. I've had that thought after each and every edit. And then I go back and there's always more to fix. I can't help but think there will always be more to fix. So how do you stop editing? What makes you stop editing that MS for the last time?
     What do you other writers out there think of this? Because I'm thinking this time (like every other time before) that this edit will be the last one. That I will query again for a bit and if I get nowhere than the book will be shelved for good. Or at least ten years or so. But I know, deep-down, that I could edit it again in the hopes that one more edit might do the trick.
     So how much editing is too much? When do you stop? When do you say, I've done enough?

Give Us Some Love... Or Hate, Whatever

     My parents offered to take my two oldest kids and keep them for a couple of weeks, cuz they're awesome like that. So I'm in Cardston for a couple of days which is why I haven't blogged. I go home later today but I wanted to do a quick post mentioning the Agent's Inbox contest underway over at Mother.Write. (you can find it here). I'm one of the lucky entrants- #9, I'm not shy I'll tell ya- and I'd love any and all comments.
     So come on, hit me with your best shots. I can take it. And everyone else who's taking part in the contest would love your comments too. So check it out!
     And on to Road Trip Wednesday...

What was the best book you read in July?
   
     Wait, is July over? Did I miss some days? I swear I've still got a few days left and you never know what I might read.
     No, kidding. Nothing will beat Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Yes. For sure. Nothing compares. Half-Blood Prince would come second. I have to say, I'm really enjoying Something Borrowed right now. It's a lot like the movie (except without as much of John Krasinski's character- sigh) and it's been a fun summer read. But nothing beats Harry Potter.
     How about you? What was the best book you read this month?

Passion and 13 Reasons Why

     I've read two books since Divergent. The first was Passion by Lauren Kate. It's the third book in her Fallen series (if I can call it that).

     I really like these books. Reviews are mixed (as they usually are) but I'm a fan. It's hard for me not to be since the books are basically a love story through time. Daze and Knights, and all the future books I have planned, can be summed up the same way. Although hers has Angels and Demons in it, mine doesn't. I liked how in Passion, Luce explored those past lives. You know I'm a sucker for history. What I didn't like was Luce constantly repeating herself. I got that note from a beta reader recently about how Jessica repeats herself, and I thought, nah- she doesn't. But now I'm going to really look for that as I'm editing. I feel like everything Jessica has to say and everything she thinks is important, especially in the moments they happen. But I really need to look for those things she's said before so readers don't roll their eyes as I did a few times during Passion.

     The second book I read, last night and this morning because I couldn't put it down, was 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I know many of you have probably read this book already. If you haven't- do it now! It's a powerful book. One that you keep thinking of. That you can't get off your mind. Probably because it's disturbing. It deals with hard issues. It reminded me of Laurie Halse Anderson's books- she also writes about tough issues. It was an amazing book in its way- one that doesn't exactly give you the warm fuzzies, but makes you think about yourself, and your interactions with others. Everything you do, everything you say, can have a profound impact on someone else in a good or bad way. And you probably won't even realize it. The lesson I learned from this book was to really think about how you treat others. Because you never know what they're going through. Or what one thing you say or do might cause.
     So, two very different books, but both good in their own way. Honestly, I think I prefer the love story of Passion to the twisted/heartbreaking story of 13 Reasons Why. It's just more my thing. But I applaud anyone who can write about that stuff because those stories need to be told and heard.
     P.S. I just read on Jay Asher's blog that 13 Reasons Why will be made into a movie with Selena Gomez starring as Hannah Baker. I'm excited and also somewhat scared to see that book as a movie. And I think Selena Gomez, as cute as she is, makes a weird choice to play Hannah.

Need A Little Love Inspiration?

     I know I posted a dance routine yesterday. I'm way behind on my SYTYCD- I've got two weeks of shows on my PVR that I haven't watched yet. Last night I watched the top 14 show and saw this number (above).
     Wow. Just, wow. I could go on and on about how amazing it was but if you watch it you'll see.
     Aside from the amazing technique and performance, I just FELT so much watching the number. The dance completely and perfectly and wondrously (love my adverbs) showed that feeling of first being in love. That floating-on-air, passionate, breathless, able-to-do-anything, intense, feeling. If you need some inspiration for love or a relationship in your writing, watch this. I guarantee, you'll get the inspiration you need. I especially love the part where he crawls his fingers up her arm, then down her other arm. Gave me the shivers.
     Again, wow.

I Got You and Road Trip Wednesday

     I'm totally obsessed with "I Got You" by Leona Lewis. It all started when I watched this dance number. One of my favorite routines so far this season. Watch it, it's amazing. I also have the song on my last Harry Potter post- it's the background song on the video tribute to the actors. Such an awesome song.

    
     On to Road Trip Wednesday. I skipped last week cuz I was too Harry Potter involved. (I saw the movie again last night. It was toonie tuesday, so why not?!) So here's today's question: Who are your favorite literary villains/antagonists, and why?

Um, duh... VOLDEMORT. Such an evil, evil wizard. So evil that he split his soul multiple times by murdering others, just for immortality. Goll, he's bad. And it's so satisfying when *spoiler alert* he gets his in the end.

And also, SNAPE. Although *spoiler alert* he doesn't end up being a villain, he's still so mean throughout all the books. He's probably a favorite of mine because we learn his story- we find out the reason for the meanness. We find out that he's not just evil, he's sad, and lonely, and he made some bad choices. Poor, poor Severus.

A completely different kind of villain, but one I love to hate- George Wickham from Pride and Prejudice. He's smooth, charming, handsome. But a snake. A ruin-er of innocent girl's virtue. And a big inspiration for one of my own characters.

So what about you? What villains do you love? Or love to hate?