I Use GIFs to Describe My Writing Process (and to describe a lot of other things)

I'm a month late, but Cait's Beautiful People questions for July looked like so much fun to answer, I knew I had to do them eventually. Plus, gifs were involved, and I can never resist that.

1. How do you decide which project to work on?

Decisions? Yeah, no, not great at that when it comes to writing. If I ever try to make a logical decision, I end up opening fourteen documents, scanning through them to see what I'd written before, spending the next half hour weighing the pros and cons of working on the different projects, and ultimately not working on any of them.

That being said, it's usually best if I have a deadline set for something. The pressure of a piece having to be done by a certain date helps me work faster. And if I'm really excited about something, I'll drop everything else to work on that right away while I still have the inspiration.

2. How long does it usually take you to finish a project?

A long time. A really long time. I'm great at starting things; the first 5,000 words of any novel is the easiest thing I will ever write. But actually finishing something? Ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha.

It also depends on whether or not "finishing a project" means finishing the first draft or polishing a draft to perfection. A first draft of a novel for me might take a few months to a year, but edits take forever, mostly because I hate editing with a passion. Almost as much as Lorelai Gilmore hates decaf coffee.

3. Do you have any routines to put you in the writing mood?

I feel like I don't have an exact routine for anything. Whatever works for me in the moment is the best way to go about it, especially since my schedule changes so often, I hardly ever write at the same time each day. But something that does tend to stay the same is my need for the right amount of noise. Sometimes I like total silence, sometimes I want a certain playlist, sometimes I need something more along the lines of ambient noise. Once I have that down, I can get started.

4. What time of day do you write best?

See my answer to the above question. I'm not sure I notice a huge difference when I write, but I do tend to like the way my brain works really late at night and soon after I wake up in the morning. 

5. Are there any authors you think you have a similar style to?

I'd like to think my dialogue is similar to Rainbow Rowell's, and lately my first person narrative seems to sound like Becky Albertalli's, but I admire the both of them so much, it could just be wish fulfillment.

6. Why did you start writing, and why do you keep writing?

I honestly can't remember when or why I started writing. I just really liked it. It was fun and once I found out people did it for a living, I knew that's what I wanted to do. I haven't stopped. Sometimes there are short stretches when I don't feel like writing or everything I write seems like garbage, but it doesn't last long, because if I stop writing for too long, I start to get a little twitchy.

7. What is the hardest thing you've written?

It's funny how in the moment, some things seem so difficult, and then when I try to look back and remember what was the hardest, nothing comes to mind. The middle of any project is when the temptation to give up is the strongest. Endings are also really hard because I want to get it just right, and I never want to say goodbye to my characters. Also, anytime you get nervous about someone reading something you've written, it tends to be some of the best stuff you've written.

8. Is there a project you want to tackle someday but you don’t feel ready yet?

Adult fiction? Mostly cause, duh, I'm not an adult. Maybe memoir stuff, too. I keep a pretty regular journal, but to write good non-fiction pieces, I think it's probably best to get some distance from the memories. Then you can see what still sticks out and focus on that, the most important and memorable bits. And you can connect those memories with your older and wiser interpretation of them.

9. What writing goals did you make for 2017 and how are they going?

I couldn't be happier with how productive I've been in this sense. Not even halfway through the year, I completed all of my writing-related 2017 goals.


-Finish "Writer's Camp." Check! It's a full-length movie script that will probably just collect figurative dust in my documents, but I'm still happy I wrote it. It was tons of fun and helped me learn a lot about screenwriting

-Do more screenwriting. Done, and I loved every second of it. I wrote two spec scripts, one for "Castle" and one for "New Girl," as part of an application to a Warner Bros. internship experience. I knew there was like a 1% chance of me actually getting it, especially since it was geared for adults, but I still wanted to try. I did not get in, but writing the scripts was fun.

-Finish editing Beneath the Moon and Stars. Finally. I started writing this book toward the end of 2013 and I think I've finished up the final touches as of last month or so. Now I just have to find an agent for it.

-Finish Terrible Things. Finished! It's by far the longest fan-fiction series I've ever written. The story stands on its own enough that I could probably make a few changes so it reads as a normal fiction piece, too.

-Do the first round of edits for Ms. Holmes. This one was only difficult in the sense that I cringed with every page I turned. Oh how young and deluded I was. It still needs a ton of work to even be legible.

10. Describe your writing process in 3 words or gifs!

(You know me. I have no respect for rules when it comes to things such as limiting my gif usage. There will be more than three. A lot more. But they're all in order and make for a pretty entertaining representation of how writing a novel usually goes for me.)

 

 

What authors do you think you're similar to? What's the hardest thing you've ever written? Leave a comment!

Beautiful People Linkup--February

Cait at "Paper Fury" is co-hosting a linkup called "Beautiful People." Each month she announces a new set of questions to answer about your characters so you can learn more about them. This month's theme is Valentine's Day! I'll be answering the questions for two sets of couples. Patch and Toni are from a YA paranormal novel, More Than Words. Lottie and Ezra are from a YA sci-fi novel, Project Moonstone.

I don't have face claims for Patch and Toni yet, but here are Ezra and Lottie!

1. How and why did they meet?

Patch came back home from a long trip to find that the people living in his house had just about quadrupled. Toni, who was baking a cake in the kitchen, was one of the first new people he met.

Ezra "met" Lottie because of his job monitoring test subjects exploring different planets to see if they're inhabitable. For three years, Lottie was "Test Subject #93" to him, while Lottie didn't even know he existed. Eventually she met him later because during his mission to retrieve her from the planet, they both end up on a different one.

2. What were their first impressions of each other?

Hahahahahaha . . . not great for Patch and Toni. Patch was tired and hot and irritable, which really isn't a great way to start off meeting new people, especially with how often he already sticks his foot in his mouth. Toni mostly ended up rolling her eyes a lot at him and making sarcastic remarks.

Lottie doesn't trust government officials in general, so she was pretty quiet and cautious when they met. Ezra didn't know what to think of her, but he knew she was hiding something and was curious to know why she'd killed the man that caused her to be doomed to five years of planet exploration.


3. How would they prove their love for each other?

In subtle, silent ways. Both Patch and Toni have different reasons why they can't say the words "I love you," so they try to show it with little actions. For example, here's the last stanza of my poem "More Than Words" that goes along with the story:

"Three syllables are so heavy.

I can't take any more weight on these

aching shoulders. Let me tell you without

words. Let me brush the back of your hand with

my fingertips. Let me tell you with

a smile. Let me drive while you sleep

passenger side. Let me hold you close when

night comes.

Just for a moment.

Only for a moment.

Long enough to tell myself that

maybe, I could

deserve you one day.

Long enough to convince myself that

one day I will be able to carry those words,

and it will be beautiful." (This poem was part of a poetry collection that won a Silver Key for the 2017 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, by the way!!!)

In order to survive, Lottie and Ezra have no choice but to stick together, but even if they did, they wouldn't choose anything else. Other planets and galaxies have nothing on their pure determination not to be separated. They would cross impossible distances just to make sure the other was safe.

4. What would be an ideal date?

Adventure. Patch gets restless if he stays in one place for too long and Toni likes to wander. Together, they rid the world of evil spirits and get to explore new places all at the same time. But they wouldn't say no to a little dancing, too.

A fancy dinner somewhere quiet and warm. After years of less-than-ideal living situations, Lottie and Ezra have simple pleasures.

5. Is there something they emphatically disagree on?

Who the best Doctor is. At least, Patch pretends to disagree with Toni on that, because he knows it drives her crazy that he somehow can't understand just how amazing David Tennant is. He still claims that Eccleston is his favorite, but he's coming around. Slowly.

At first, Ezra refuses to believe that the government that's been established in the Milky Way is as flawed as Lottie says it is. This changes over time, but it's a sore spot for both of them in the beginning.

6. List “food quirks” they know about each other. (Ex: how they take their coffee, if they’re allergic to something, etc.)

Toni insists that any kind of food stolen off of Patch's plate tastes better than if she just ate her own. Patch doesn't see it. Then again, Toni doesn't see how baked goods she makes taste better than if Patch made his own.

Lottie is severely allergic to nuts, and Ezra takes great care to make sure they're not ever in her food.

7. What’s one thing they know about each other that no one else does?

Toni tells Patch the truth about her curse and what's happened to people she's loved because of it. In return, Patch reveals his fears and insecurities. Not only do they become friends very quickly, but confidants, too.

By the end of the book, Ezra knows the truth as to why Lottie killed a man, and it's not at all what he expected. Lottie is also the only one who knows where Ezra's true loyalties lie.

8. What’s one thing that they keep a secret from each other?

It's a total cliché, but their love for each other. In different ways, it'd be dangerous for Patch and Toni if their true feelings were revealed.

For most of the book, Lottie doesn't tell Ezra about her daughter. And until he completely trusts her, Ezra won't reveal any government secrets.

9. How would their lives be different without each other?

Neither Toni nor Patch would be as vulnerable as they're able to be with each other. They've become emotionally healthier thanks to their relationship.

Lottie would literally be dead and Ezra would have become a mindless soldier. Ezra gave Lottie the tools she needed to survive while Lottie gave Ezra the tools he needed to think and doubt.


10. Where do they each see this relationship going?

Nothing farther than friendship. Anything more would seem impossible.

As far as it can go with the complications of Lottie being an outlaw and Ezra a potential deserter/traitor.

Your turn! I want to hear all about your fictional couples. Leave a comment!

Beautiful People Linkup--September

It's time for one of my favorite posts again! That's right, Beautiful People! It was created by Cait at "Paper Fury" and Sky at "Further Up and Further In" for the purpose of writers getting to know their characters better through a series of questions each month.

For September, I'll be answering the questions for the three protagonists of my upcoming NaNoWriMo novel, The Family Business. The three characters are Angelica (the oldest sibling), Theodore (the middle child, who goes by Teddy), and Sloane Cooper (the youngest). The Cooper kids are part of an extended family who run an interesting business. Assassins for hire.

Here we go!

1. How did you come up with this character?

When I was planning my next NaNo novel, I knew I wanted it to have two things: family dynamics (specifically with siblings) and food. The food part was easy, but creating an entire extended family took a little more time and effort. I started with my main three siblings and made sure that each of them had unique, compelling personalities.

Angelica

Teddy

Sloane

2. Have they ever been starving? Why? And what did they eat to break the fast?

None of them have ever been truly starving, though money does get a little tight at times. Usually they all eat together for dinner (yep, all fourteen of them), which is a big meal of something simple and filling. Very much meat and potatoes.

3. Do they have a talent or skill that they’re proud of?

Angelica is an excellent, new, full-time assassin, if she does say so herself. She's stealthy, quick, and neat, the perfect combination.

Teddy is an artist. He can sketch or paint beautiful, creative portraits of people with ease. However, his family doesn't approve of such things. Art distracts him from the assassin business too much, which he has no intention of going into.

Sloane is the best orchestrator of Graveyards & Ghouls, which is a roleplaying game she's been obsessed with ever since she was old enough to understand words. There's hope for her yet in her family's eyes, but she's disinterested in the business, as well. She's not against it like Teddy is, but she can't seem to muster up the motivation to train to be part of it.

4. List 3 things that would make them lose their temper.

For Angelica: Her siblings' irresponsibility, people who don't take her seriously, losing something of hers.

For Teddy: His family's cavalier attitude towards life and what it means to take someone else's, constant noise, art being dismissed.

For Sloane: Broken promises, being ignored, not being able to get a pet dragon.

5. What is their favourite type of weather? Least favourite?

Angelica likes overcast weather because the darkness helps to conceal her. Springtime is best, because the weather is cool enough to make her assassin gear bearable to wear and there aren't any leaves on the ground or snow to worry about making loud crunching noises.

Teddy has always been a fan of fall, when the weather is mild and the colors are bursting. It makes for great inspiration.

Sloane loves winter. Everybody is cooped up inside anyways, so no one can get mad at her for not getting out enough.

6. What is their Hogwarts house and/or MBTI personality?

Angelica would pride herself on being Gryffindor for her bravery and daring, but she's actually a Slytherin. She's more ambitious than most in her family, and the cunning it takes to be an assassin can't be ignored.

Teddy is a Hufflepuff, through and through. Patient, loyal, and dedicated to his principles, he really couldn't be in any other house.

Sloane is a Ravenclaw. She may not be as motivated in certain areas as her family is, but she's unbelievably smart and witty. When there's a problem, she's the first to offer a logical solution.

7. Are they more likely to worry about present problems, or freak out about the unknown future?

Angelica is all about the future, all about the next step, the next job. She barely takes a second to breathe and allow herself a victory before moving on.

Teddy also worries about the future, but in different ways. He doesn't like the direction things are going with his cousins and siblings. Having so many people in his own family obsessed with such a gruesome career scares him.

Sloane's young, only thirteen, so all of her present problems seem gigantic, even when they're really not that big of a deal.

8. What is their favourite thing to drink?

Wine for Angelica. It makes her feel more grownup.

Tea for Teddy. It calms him.

Whatever's closest for Sloane. She's not picky and it's the quickest.

9. What is their favourite color? Least favourite?

Bright, bold red for Angelica. When she deals with so much of her life in blacks and grays, it's a nice change.


Teddy likes blue, because it's calming and peaceful. Blue skies are his favorite.

Greens and purples are Sloane's favorite. Something about the colors are a little offbeat, like she is, and fun.

10. What is a book that changed their life?

Angelica doesn't have time to read with her job, but on those rare occasions when she does pick up a book, it's something related to assassin training.


Teddy reads journals and essays by other pacifists urging rulers to end unnecessary wars and trying to persuade assassins to go into different careers that give more to the community.

Sloane has a worn copy of The Encyclopedia of Dragons tucked beneath her bed that she reads almost nightly. It has beautiful illustrations, detailed instructions on how to care for a dragon, safety tips, descriptions of the dragons, etc. She's always wanted a pet dragon, but her mother forbade it as having one is dangerous, and Angelica is extremely allergic.

What sorts of things would you like to see more of in books? What are your favorite stories with sibling dynamics? And if you get the chance, go link up with Cait and Sky for Beautiful People!

Beautiful People--February

Cait at "Paper Fury" is co-hosting a linkup called "Beautiful People." Each month she announces a new set of questions to answer about your characters so you can learn more about them. This month's theme is Valentine's Day! I'll be answering the questions for two couples, Kya and Lane from a YA contemporary romance, Beneath the Moon and Stars, and Lila and Melody from a YA paranormal romance, 'Til the Last Star Dies.

1. How did they first meet?

Kya and Lane ran into each other at the self-checkout counter in Kya's local grocery store. Lane immediately introduced himself and started babbling on about the disgusting flavorings they put in strawberry Pop-Tarts while Kya tried to keep her head from spinning.

Lila started talking to Melody at a bar when she sensed something was wrong. As a witch, Lila has the ability to see auras, and Melody's was jagged and full of static, like an old TV. They talked for a little while until Melody got too nervous about her cover being blow and ran off.

2. What were their first impressions of each other?

Lane immediately liked Kya, or rather he was intrigued by her and wanted to get to know her better. But Kya prefers to take everything a bit more slowly, and Lane was a little much for their first meeting. She didn't really know what to think at first, she just thought of him as an enthusiastic and overly-friendly stranger.

It was a similar situation with Lila and Melody. Lila was drawn to Melody's aura right away. She wanted to put her at ease however she could, even with just some innocent conversation. Melody was too scared of the people she was running from finding her to focus much on Lila, but she was nice enough. She didn't meet many nice people in her line of work.

3. How long have they been a couple?

That depends on which part of the story we're talking about, and whether they're still a couple by the end . . .

4. How committed/loyal are they to each other? Would they break up over a secret or a disagreement? Could stress drive them apart? Would they die for each other?

Kya and Lane are very committed, and they work hard to keep things as smooth as possible despite the various complications of their home lives. Said circumstances could, however, prove to make things difficult for them.

In Lila and Melody's world, you have to be willing to die for the other once you get close to someone. It's survival. There's danger around every corner, that means you need to be a team. But they love each other more than anything, so it makes it easier.

5. List 5 “food quirks” they know about each other. (Ex: how they take their coffee, if they’re allergic to something, etc….and feel free to mention other non-food quirks!)

I'm not sure if I have 5 quirks for each of them, but they all definitely have at least one.

Lane's "food quirks":

1. Any tea he has needs to be steeped for no more and no less than four minutes for the perfect amount of flavor.
2. No end pieces of bread for him, thanks.

Kya's "food quirks":

1. Blue M&M's taste the best out of all of them.
2. Especially out of a big bag rather than a snack pack.
3. Popcorn must be heavily buttered, otherwise what's the point?

Lila's "food quirks":

1. Stolen french fries (i.e. taken off of Melody's plate when she isn't looking) are preferred to the ones already on her plate.

Melody's "food quirks":

1. She hates any "extras" in her coffee. Just black is fine.
2. Cookies extra crunchy are way better than soft and chewy.
3. Breakfast for dinner is a crime.

6. Does anyone disapprove of their relationship?

Oh, so many people for Lane and Kya. Lane's mother and basically all of her bridge club friends disapprove of someone like Kya (who isn't rich, doesn't go to a private school, etc.), and Kya's stepfather isn't a fan of anything that takes time away from Kya's duties at home.

No one really disapproves of Lila and Melody's relationship, except for maybe the big bad witch, Angelique. She only wants to rip them apart in order to convince Lila to give into her powers and join her on the "dark side."

7. What would be an ideal date?

They both admit it's cliché, but a day in Paris would be a dream come true for Kya and Lane. They go to a little café to eat good food, then go back to their apartment overlooking the city and paint, read, and sing. They'd go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and try to make the day last as long as possible.

Lila and Melody just want to find a little cottage in the middle of nowhere where they can hide away and not be bothered by witches or demons or other supernatural dangers. A cozy night by the fire, swapping stories of their past adventures, would be perfect.

8. What are their personality dynamics? Similar? Contrasting? Do they fight a lot or mesh perfectly?

Kya and Lane's personalities are different enough to challenge each other and never get bored, but similar enough that they can make inside jokes and bond over shared interests. They rarely ever fight, and when they do it's resolved quickly.

Lila and Melody are extremely similar, with the biggest differences being that Lila is confident and Melody has spent a good portion of her life learning to be a shadow. I suppose Lila is more of an optimist and a romantic than Melody, but they both love art and music and want to make the world a better place.

9. What have been their best and worst moments together as a couple?

Kya and Lane's best moment: Probably their first date when everything was laughs and smiles and for a few hours neither of them thought about their personal troubles. Their worst moment: Something I can't tell you (dun dun dunnnn) . . .

Lila and Melody's best moment(s): Whenever they manage to take down some kind of threat together. It gives them more hope for the future. Their worst moment(s): Any of the countless near-death experiences where they both thought they'd lose the other forever.

10. Where do they see themselves and their relationship in the next few years?

Kya hopes to be scraping together enough money to go to community college and maybe even take music lessons, with Lane by her side, of course. Lane would be close to graduating college himself and imagines buying an apartment somewhere far from where they are now to live together.

As long as they're alive and happy, that's the best Lila and Melody can hope for, and they're just fine with that.

Your turn! What are your favorite fictional couples of your own creation? I want to hear all about them. Leave a comment!

Beautiful People Linkup--June

Cait at "Paper Fury" is co-hosting a linkup called "Beautiful People." Each month she announces a new set of questions to answer about your characters so you can learn more about them. This month's theme is parents! There aren't a lot of parents that play big roles in MG and YA books nowadays (including a lot of mine . . . whoops), but the ones I have I absolutely love. I like writing the interactions between them and all of the other characters, including their kids and their kids' friends. This month I'll write about Celeste's parents from Cosmo (Timothy and Quentin Smitherson) and Lane's parents from Beneath the Moon and Stars (Christine and Paul Hawthorne).

1. Do they know both their biological parents? Why/why not?

Celeste was given up for adoption as a baby, and as it was a closed adoption, she never knew who her parents were.

Lane may not be close with either of his parents, but he still knows and loves them, even if they frustrate him to no end some days.

2. Have they inherited any physical resemblances from their parents?

Celeste has no idea what she may or may not have inherited, though she definitely seems to have Timothy's playful smirk and Quentin's laugh.

Lane looks almost exactly like his father did when he was a teenager, since he has his dark hair and bright blue eyes.

3. What’s their parental figure(s) dress style? Add pictures if you like!

Quentin wears jeans and a t-shirt of some kind on most days, usually with an apron over top that's covered in flour. Timothy's almost always in a suit for work.

Christine and Paul, no matter the day or what they're doing, dress to impress, never a hair out of place.

4. Do they share any personality traits with their parental figures? And which do they take after most?

Celeste and her dads are all sarcastic. She and Quentin are definitely more outgoing between the three of them, but she's also thoughtful like Timothy.

Though Lane won't admit it, he and his mother share their stubborn qualities, but he gets his creative side from his dad.

5. Do they get on with their parental figure(s) or do they clash?

Celeste is super close with her parents, especially since they move around a lot and she didn't always have the best of luck finding friends at her schools.

As far as Lane goes, well . . . he and his mother aren't exactly the best of friends. They've been known to have screaming matches. They butt heads constantly. But Paul is hands off to the point of hardly knowing his children, so he and Lane barely talk, which makes it almost impossible to find anything to fight about.

6. If they had to describe their parental figure(s) in one word, what would it be?

Besides kind and loving, Celeste would describe Quentin as "fun" and Timothy as "witty."

Lane would pick "obstinate" for his mother and "apathetic" for his father.

7. How has their parental figure(s) helped them most in their life?




Celeste's parents have always been her best friends, but especially when she had to go through so many bullying problems at her various schools. When none of the students were nice to her, they were, and home's always been a safe place to sit back and relax.

As much as his parents drive him crazy, Paul and Christine have helped Lane to be driven and get good grades and take on some responsibility. He had the potential to be someone who could've decided he didn't care about how he did in school or what college he went to, but they focused him.

8. What was their biggest fight with their parental figure(s)?

The Smithersons hardly ever fight. Once in a blue moon, and it doesn't last for more than a couple days, at which point they're all tired of the tension and silence and apologize to each other. But Celeste did get into a heated argument with Timothy about dying her hair. The problem wasn't even that she'd dyed her hair, it's that she did it without asking and ended up making a huge mess in the bathroom. She stained several towels and one of his expensive shirts for work. But it all worked out soon afterwards.

The biggest fight Lane had with his mother actually happens in the novel, but I can't say when or why because spoilers . . .

9. What’s their favourite memory with their parental figure(s)?

Baking with her dads when she was little. They made a batch of chocolate chips cookies but it turned into a huge flour fight. It looked like it had snowed in the kitchen by the time they were done. She still has the picture in a frame in her bedroom.


His dad took him on a fishing trip once when he was about twelve, and it had to be the only time in his life he's spoken to him for longer than ten minutes. They talked nonstop for hours, and even though nothing had really changed the next day, he remembers every bit of it. As far as his mother goes, Lane actually had a pleasant time learning how to fold napkins into cranes at about the same age. They may not have talked much--they don't exactly have a lot in common--but they were both in a good mood and even laughed a few times.

Your turn! Tell me all about your character's parental figure(s). Do they get along? Are they related by blood? Leave a comment!

Beautiful People Linkup--April

Cait at "Paper Fury" is co-hosting a linkup called "Beautiful People." Each month she announces a new set of questions to answer about your characters so you can learn more about them. This month's theme is siblings! I love family dynamics, especially sibling dynamics, in books (and movies and TV shows). This meme made me realize that I actually don't have a lot of siblings in my stories, though. I'll definitely have to fix that.

Anyway, I couldn't decide between answering the questions for Cassandra and Cindy (unicorns from my MG fantasy trilogy) or Lane and Becca (from Beneath the Moon and Stars, my YA contemporary romance), so I'm bending the rules and doing both. ;)



1. What is the first memory they have of each other?

The first memory Cindy has of Cassandra is actually right after Cassie was born. Cindy, being only two at the time and not realizing how fragile newborn unicorns really are, tried to play with her by tackling her. Cassandra wasn't hurt, though, and thought it seemed like fun. It didn't take long for them to bond.

Cassandra remembers being scared of everything that was going on in Fantasya when she was about two. Giants, trolls, and elves invaded Prosperity Border (their home), and their dad told Cindy to take Cassandra and hide somewhere safe. Cindy stayed with her for a long time.

Becca's four years older than Lane, so her first memory is holding Lane on the couch, surrounded by lots of concerned adults giving her different instructions about how to hold his head up and keep the blanket wrapped around him. She remembers his huge poof of black hair, which never really went away as he got older.

Lane was always running after Becca when he was little, the two of them finding their own entertainment during their mother's boring dinner parties by causing mischief. When Becca was eight, she had Lane keep watch while she dumped clear alcohol into the sink and replaced it with water. Their mother screamed at them afterward, but Lane remembers feeling immensely proud of the two of them while they were actually carrying out their plan. He felt like a spy, standing at the door, peeking through the crack for anyone coming.

2. Describe their relationship in 3 words.

Cassandra and Cindy's relationship: Lots of love.

Lane and Becca: Ups and downs.

3. What kind of things do they like to do together?

Cassandra and Cindy, when they aren't fighting for their lives, love games. Even as adults, they jump in and play tag with their kids or hide and seek. They have energy to spare, so running around is the perfect outlet for them.


Lane and Becca tend to bond over exasperation at their mother's petty antics. They hated it as kids, they hate it now. But it's fun to whisper and crack jokes behind their parents' backs, both of them trying to make the other laugh first. Mostly, they just like to talk. They may not have a whole lot in common, but they can count on each other for stimulating conversation when everyone else around them is more concerned with the paint choice for the room they're sitting in.


4. What was their biggest fight?

Cassandra and Cindy rarely fight. They know all too well that they can't accomplish as much alone as they can together. Their biggest fight lasted for maybe a day. Cassandra accidentally let slip that Cindy was pregnant, when she and her husband were waiting to tell everyone all at once at a nice dinner. But after realizing it wasn't that big of a deal, they both apologized and went back to being friends.

Lane and Becca are unpredictable. Sometimes they're both in fantastic moods, the next day they could be screaming at each other. Overall, their relationship is really good, but they fight like normal siblings.

5. How far would they go to save each other?

Pfft, Cassie and Cindy have literally risked their lives for each other from the time they were toddlers. I don't think there's anything they wouldn't do for the other.

Lane and Becca have each other's backs, for the most part. It's kind of necessary for survival when they're both living with their mother. Becca hates to see her little brother get hurt or picked on, but she's willing to slap him into shape if the situation requires it. Lane is generally willing to do all sorts of favors for Becca, too.

6. What are their pet peeves about each other?


Cindy likes to tease her little sister in front of other people, which is funny at first, but quickly becomes irritating for Cassandra. Cindy hates it when Cassie chews with her mouth open.

Lane thinks Becca is too uptight, Becca thinks Lane can't take anything seriously.

7. What are their favorite things about each other?

Cassandra and Cindy love their inside jokes. Whether they're whispering and giggling late at night or cracking each other up in the middle of a boring event, they're constantly laughing.

Though he'd never admit it and risk constant teasing from her, Lane thinks Becca has good advice. She's the first person he goes to when he's in a pinch because he knows he'll listen. Becca likes the way Lane balances her out when she's feeling stressed. He's always up for a game or a night out.

8. What traits do they share? Mannerisms, clothing, quirks, looks, etc?

Cassandra and Cindy are both energetic, outgoing, fun-loving, happy, and funny. Their coats are pure white.

Lane and Becca are both extremely sarcastic and smart. They're both eye-rollers and share the same loud laugh.

9. Who has the strongest personality?

It's a tough call, but Cassandra probably wins. Cindy's a little worn out from her little sister's energy.

Lane, definitely Lane. He is a strong E while Becca's an I.

10. How does their relationship change throughout your story?

Cindy wasn't around for much of Cassandra's childhood, as she was separated from her during the war in Fantasya, but when the two reunited, it was as if nothing had changed. If anything, their bond strengthened.

Lane and Becca fought with each other more at the beginning of the story, sick of the other's antics, very much needing their own space. They soon found a common cause to unite them. I won't spoil what happens at the end.

Tell me about the siblings you've written! Or, even better, linkup with Cait and talk about them on your own blog. Who are some of your favorite fictional families?

Beautiful People Linkup--March

Cait at "Paper Fury" is co-hosting a linkup called "Beautiful People." Each month she announces a new set of questions to answer about your characters so you can learn more about them. Since Camp NaNoWriMo is right around the corner, I'm going to try and learn a little bit more about my protagonist, a seventeen-year-old character living in a writer's head by the name of Indigo Sparks. She's the hero of her story, a YA fantasy romance, who is a revered dragon slayer. She's short, wears pastel rainbow sweaters, loves Metallica, and kicks butt while looking adorable and not at all scary. The Writer has unfortunately decided to pair her up with another character in the book, a boy she loathes but can't escape.



1. What is their secret desire?

Indigo's pretty much an open book and often voices her opinions, even when they aren't wanted. She's filterless. But her not-so-secret desires are to fight The Writer tooth and nail to create her own story, one where she has the ending she wants. Upon discovering her friends' fates, she wants to help them out, too.


2. What is the best and brightest moment they experience during the story?

Probably everything she does in the climax, but I won't give that away here. ;)

3. What are the emotional places your characters are afraid to go to?

She doesn't like thinking about her past. It's too painful for her. Her parents never really got involved in her life. They forgot to show up to school productions, they forgot her birthday on more than one occasion, they wouldn't be able to tell anyone what her hobbies are. They were always busy with work and their friends and keeping up appearances in the neighborhood, but Indigo can't remember the last time they played a game with her. After she got sucked into the fantasy realm where her story takes place, she hasn't been able to find a way back to Earth, but what she's scared to admit is that she doesn't want to go back.

4. Is there a place/city/room where they will never go? Why?

Indie's always made a promise to herself that she wouldn't step foot into the morgue, where all the characters who met their demise end up, but that promise might change. She's also never seen the wing of the hospital where all the half-formed characters and ideas live, mostly because she's never had a reason to.

5. If they were permanently leaving town, what would they easily throw out? What would they refuse to part with? (Why?)

Her books and music and favorite clothes would come with her no matter what, but if she had to leave something behind for the sake of easy transportation, she'd be okay with throwing out her old drawings. She used to draw pictures for her mom and dad all the time when she was younger, but one day she noticed her mom using them as place mats or coasters. Then she noticed that they often ended up in the trash with coffee stains or sour cream smudges. She gathered the rest of them up and stuffed them in her closet and hasn't drawn another one since.

6. What do they want (consciously and tangibly)?

A happy ending. A family. Safety. Oh, and a bigger bookshelf.

7. On the other hand: what do they need (on the emotional, subconscious level)?

See above.

8. If they could change one thing about themselves, what would it be?

Indie learned a long time ago that wanting to change who she was did nothing but frustrate her, so instead she's learned to embrace herself, flaws and all. Though sometimes she wishes she were taller so she could reach things off the top shelves. It's especially infuriating when she has to hop up and down to read the spines of books that are higher up.

9. What is the most humiliating event of their life?

When she forgot her lines during her monologue for the middle-school play. She vowed after that to become a master of improv and not care what anybody thought about her if she messed up.

10. What things do they turn to when they need a bit of hope?

Indigo's best friend, Harper, isn't exactly a ray of sunshine. She's a good person to go to when Indie needs her butt kicked into gear or someone to tell her to snap out of it. But when she needs hope and comfort, she goes to the character therapy group and talks to her friends there. The group therapist has become a sort of mom figure for her.

Tell me about your characters! Are you participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this year?

Beautiful People Linkup--February

Happy Valentine's Day! :) And since we're celebrating love in all its forms today, I'd like to reference an old blog post of mine about my favorite OTPs. Click HERE to read it.

Now onto the main post, Cait's "Beautiful People" linkup. This month's linkup is a special Valentine's Day edition about couples in your stories. I'll be writing about Kya and Lane in my YA contemporary romance Beneath the Moon and Stars. I might ship them more than any other couples I've created. ;)

The cover I created.

1. How long have they been a couple?



Kya and Lane meet at the beginning of the book, and since I don't want to give away the ending for those of my readers who are beta reading it, I don't want to give away what happens. ;) The book takes place from about early December to the middle of January, so do with that what you will.

2. How did they first meet?



In a grocery store called "Jake's" in Kya's town. Jake's is small, dark, dirty, and in the middle of a bad neighborhood. Homeless people and gang members often hang out there, so it's not exactly a destination for a rich boy like Lane. Lane's grocery store, Lou's, was out of his favorite flavor of ice cream, which was why he went to Jake's in the first place. He continues to go to Jake's even after Lou's restocks their shelves so he can see Kya.

3. What were their first thoughts of each other? (Love at first sight or 
 “you’re freakishly annoying”?)


For Lane it was definitely love at first sight. Kya tends to be more wary of people, so while she was nice enough, it took a little bit for Lane to convince her that he wasn't a serial killer.

4. What do they do that most annoys each other?


Lane can't stand how self-deprecating Kya is, to the point where she beats herself up over the tiniest things. Kya hates it when Lane tries to get her to run away from her abusive stepfather, Marcus, because she's told him time and time again that she can't leave her mother, and she's worried that Marcus would find her anyway.


5. Are their personalities opposite or similar?


They're both extremely witty and sarcastic, both like books and art and music, and both have problems at home (though Kya's is infinitely more dangerous). Lane, however, is more confident and outgoing while Kya has been beaten down so often--physically and mentally--that she's nervous and timid.

6. How would their lives be different without each other?


Kya would have no friends outside of school. She would be constantly stressed out and have no one who could relax her or cheer her up. Lane wouldn't have any intellectually stimulating friends, no one who was his equal in conversations. He'd be bored out of his mind at home with his mother's snobby, gossiping party guests.


7. Are they ever embarrassed of each other?


Never.

8. Does anyone disapprove of their relationship?

HA. Yes. Lane's mother, Christine, loathes Kya. Kya is a source of shame for her, someone she has to hide away when anyone comes to visit. She pretty much spends the whole book trying to break the two of them up.

9. Do they see their relationship as long-term/leading to marriage?


Lane, always the optimist, definitely thinks long-term. Kya, with Marcus dictating her life for her, likes to take things one step at a time, hour by hour, day by day. She can't set herself up for something that might not happen, and therefore pushes any possible thoughts she has about long-term relationships/marriage out of her mind.

10. If they could plan the “perfect outing” together, where would they go?

Paris. England. Spain. Italy. Somewhere exotic and far away from where they live now. They'd paint and sing and read and eat good food. They'd explore small towns and back roads and get to know the locals. They'd stay up late and sleep in and not even bother making the bed.

Tell me about your couples! I'd love to hear about them in the comments. :)

Beautiful People Linkup--January

Cait at "Paper Fury" is co-hosting a linkup called "Beautiful People." Each month she announces a new set of questions to answer about your characters so you can learn more about them.

This month's topic, though, is a special edition. Instead questions about our characters, the questions are about ourselves!



1. How many years have you been writing? When did you officially consider yourself a ‘writer’?

I've always considered myself a writer, because I've been writing for as long as I can remember. The earliest memory I have of myself writing an actual story was when I was five or six. I wrote a short story about a ball and a Frisbee who were best friends, but couldn't figure out a game they could both play since they didn't have hands. (Spoiler alert: They ended up racing each other. The Frisbee rolled and the ball bounced.)

But after watching a home video a while ago, I realized that I've been telling stories since before I could even read or write. They were very long-winded stories that didn't make a whole lot of sense, but they were stories all the same.

2. How/why did you start writing?

See #1. for "how." As for "why," I have no clue. I've always enjoyed it, and I haven't been able to stop since. There's not a single day that goes by when I don't write something, even if it's just a sentence.


3. What’s your favorite part of writing?

Being able to create something from nothing. A blank page can definitely be intimidating, but I like to look at it as magic and opportunity. All the books that have impacted our lives were once just that, a blank page. I love creating worlds and characters and all the things we love about reading with a few taps of the keyboard. It's amazing.


4. What’s your biggest writing struggle?

Editing! Copyedits and tweaking sentences so they sound perfect aren't so bad, and sometimes it's even fun, but I dread the major edits: Plot holes, cutting characters, adding characters, changing the order of when things happen so they actually make sense. It's awful.

Also query letters and writing a synopsis. But who actually enjoys writing those?

5. Do you write best at night or day?


It all depends on the day. Usually I work on my big projects during the day. At night, I'll sometimes freewrite or scribble a few paragraphs of fan-fiction. It helps me wind down before bed, and usually gives me weird dreams. Weird dreams are fantastic for story ideas. ;)

6. What does your writing space look like? (Feel free to show us pictures!)

This is where I spend the majority of the day. There is usually a mug of tea or hot chocolate within reach. The whiteboard currently has a list of projects I need to finish up, along with my business card.

This is the other side of the desk, where I keep all of my supplies. The bulletin board is for outlining and editing. There are also over a dozen folders crammed into that desktop organizer, each one filled with information about the book it's being used for.

My little TARDIS and Dalek figurines keep me company.

I like to keep my iPod by this paper so if I'm tempted to use it for anything not writing related, it's here to remind me.

I printed out the "Sherlock" design and taped it over an empty can for my pens. The picture frame in the background has two of my favorite inspirational quotes about writing.

7. How long does it typically take you to write a complete draft?



Since I'm easily distracted, a long time. :P Some I've been working on for two years now, though inconsistently. If I'm really motivated and make myself get it done before working on anything else, maybe two months. It also depends on how long the book is. For example, I wrote little else when I was working on Flightless Birds, but since it's currently at 125,000 words (that's about 500 pages), it took me a full five months to get it done. (By the way, anyone up for being a beta reader for that one?)

8. How many projects do you work on at once?


Several. Right now I'm in the middle of six or seven books, all in different stages. It's good in some ways, because if I get bored with one I can work on the other, but that also means it takes me forever to get anything finished.

9. Do you prefer writing happy endings, sad ones, or somewhere in between?


It depends on the book. Usually, for middle-grade, I go for happy. But with YA I might do a somewhere in between kind of ending. I don't want my books to make readers feel depressed after finishing them, but the endings also aren't perfectly wrapped up and tied with a bow. They're hopeful, but not exactly happy.

10. List a few authors who’ve influenced your writing journey.



(Even though several books have influenced my writing journey, I'm only going to list the authors that have consistently delivered and inspired me time after time.)

J.K. Rowling, Rainbow Rowell, Bill Watterson, A.S. King, Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, and Marissa Meyer.

11. Do you let people read your writing? Why or why not?


Absolutely! If nobody reads my writing and gives me feedback on it, how am I going to get better? Usually I only send parts of my books for critique after I've done a few rounds of edits, but my best friend sometimes gets sneak peeks.

12. What’s your ultimate writing goal or dream?

To be successful enough in my writing that I don't need another job, to inspire others to read and write, to make people smile or cry or think, to create characters that stay with people in the same way so many characters have stayed with me.

13. If you didn’t write, what would you want to do?


Figure out why I'm not writing. Then, if all else fails, I'd do something else that would engage me creatively. Maybe open a bookstore or do something with art. I also really like music, so it'd be really cool to work with artists on their music somehow. Maybe I'd work with animals, though not as a vet, probably something along the lines of working at a pet store.


14. Do you have a book you’d like to write one day but don’t feel you’re ready to attempt it yet?


Well I'll probably end up writing an adult book someday, but until I'm an adult and have read more adult fiction, I don't think I can do that yet. ;)

15. Which story has your heart and won’t let go?

If we're talking about stories somebody else has written, Harry Potter, hands down. But if it's something I've written, that'd be the Fantasya series. I wrote the first two books when I was ten and eleven, and I remember having so much fun with it. I love creating the sort of world I wanted to live in, characters I would be friends with, a story I'd want to read. They both obviously need tons of work, but even if they don't go anywhere, those books are the first stories I ever felt like I'd worked magic with.

Linkup with "Paper Fury!" I want to read your posts!