12 June 2014

Combating blank screen anxiety

**Attempt #4 at getting this posted; bloody Internet issues**

Having participated in NaNoWriMo for 11 years running, I've gotten fairly good at jumping head first into first drafts without knowing much of anything.  However, the blank screen still taunts me with its blinking curser, telling me I don't know what I'm doing, and that this draft is going to suck.

But you know what?  That's okay.  First drafts are allowed to suck, because the biggest point to that very first sentence is to write it.  It doesn't matter what you write, just write.  Whether you start off with a page worth of ranting about how this is going to be the worst thing ever written, or start with a perfectly coined sentence; the important part is that you're writing.  You're putting pen to paper, or keystroke to screen, and you are telling that niggling voice of doubt that it can stuff it.

First drafts are just what they sound like, beginnings.  Once you've given your story something to work with you can go back and fix everything you omitted, or forgot.  But get that first, sucky draft done.  Bite your thumb at the voice of doubt, and pound out the vision in your head.

And once you've finished that draft, treat yourself to a drink; because even a really shoddy rough draft is quite a step down the path of writing a fully functional story.


<3 Lacie J

Current projects:

Two Darkest Mercy stories, and something winter holiday themed :3

09 June 2014

Those silent months, in summary

Since it's been quite a few months between posts, I figured I'd take this post and babble about some of the things I've been up to, and give you a few mini reviews of my recently read books. 

~*~

Back in January, and again in March, I had the pleasure of attending showings for the Donmar Warehouse's 'Coriolanus' thanks to National Theater Live's worldwide broadcast.  Not only did this allow me to see a fantastic adaptation of a Shakespeare play performed in London, and meet fellow Shakespeare fans, it also gave me the opportunity to fangirl over the acting abilities of Mark Gatiss, Hadley Fraser, and Tom Hiddleston. :3 

Then, at the end of March, I got to enjoy the exhausting, box filled, process of moving into a new apartment.  So many boxes of books to haul up a flight of stairs. XP I can honestly say that moving I'd the only time I hate having as prolific a reading habit as I do.

Also during the past few months I've been able to attend book signings for Brandon Sanderson, Laini Taylor, Charlaine Harris, Laurell K Hamilton, Alice Clayton, Ruthie Knox, Monica Murphy, Tiffany Reisz, and Andrew Shaffer.

Now that we're all caught up on the mundane happenings of my life, onto some mini book reviews!

~*~


I picked this one up at the dollar store while visiting my mum, because I'd already finished the book I took down with me, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it.  The first 75, or so, pages dragged a bit, and almost had me putting the book aside; but once I made it through the world building/stage setting the pace picked up, and the story became more engrossing and enjoyable.


Norse mythology, and two of my favorite authors, together in one book?  Sign me up!

I adored this book and its romp through a present day world populated with reincarnated gods.  Fast paced with the well balanced characters and plot I've come to expect from both Marr and Armstrong, this was a fantastic introduction to a new MG series.


I was completely predisposed to loving this book, being that I'm a former writer, though still a reader, of slash fanfiction, and a self admitted fangirl.  That being said, this novel was a fantastic blend of laugh out loud humor and the gut wrenching struggle to find yourself amidst the often times frightening world of adulthood.

~*~

Come Wednesday I'll be talking current projects, and how I approach the nerve wracking blank page of first drafts.

<3 Lacie J

07 June 2014

Sorry

I've got no excuse for my lengthy absence:  that being said, I'm sorry about going silent on this particular branch of my social media. <3

I'm working on an actual, official post for Monday; so, I'll see you then!

Lacie J

*photographic proof I'm still alive*