I feel good!

I went to the LTUE conference on thursday and friday. Even though lots of the classes didn't apply to me (since it's a fantasy writing conference) there were still some that did. There was one class that was AMAZING though. It was taught by an author named Clint Johnson and he talked about conceptulizing your story to its full potential before you start writing. Then, of coarse, he told us how he goes about that.

I loved it because, I, who hates to outline, found it a great way to get all my thoughts out about my story, pick the best one, and then start writing. Before, I'd have a vague idea of my story, but it was bound to twist and turn every which way, usually depending on my mood. But last night I analyzed my protagonist and my antagonist the way Clint showed us and rewrote my first chapter (for the third or fourth time) today. It was so much fun!

So, now I just feel happy and content with the work I did. I know it's not perfect, and I'll revise it another thirty times before I'm done with it, but I feel like I've accomplished something on a much deeper level than before. YaHooo!

Two things-

There's a couple things I've been thinking the past few days.

The first is how much I love this writing community. I blog hopped, starting from Janette Rallison's site (thanks Janette :) ), and found this whole big blog writing world. IT'S BEAUTIFUL! (sorry for shouting, haha, I just love it so).

Each day, before I begin writing on my manuscript, I actually visit a handful of writing blogs to help me get in the mind set. Each time I do this I find little nuggets of gold. Example, yesterday I found out about LTUE, a free writer's conference. Oh the joy! I mean, who isn't up for that? Thanks LaRene Hall at LDS Writers Blogck.

The second was about my main character's voice. This being the first real YA I've written (I've also written a failed chapter book that was so horrendously bad I'm embarrassed) I'm not sure if I have a problem on my hands or not. I'd love some feedback.

Carlina, my main character, is willing to self sacrifice in order to do what she thinks her dad wants. And if that means accepting an evil (and the most popular girl) at school as her stepsister, and a superficial stepmom into her life, then she'll do it. Everything that comes out of Carlina's mouth is nonconfrontational. And no matter how bad her life gets she won't let anyone know about it. The possible problem lies in the fact that when Carlina is speaking in her head her voice can be quite sarcastic and hurt. But when she speaks outloud she sounds like a demure little mouse. Is that ok when the character thought voice is different from the spoken voice?

So those are my thoughts. Looking back through my post I realized I'm having a parenthesis day. Cool beans. Love ya guys!!!
Ashley

Is Writing Not An Art?

A while back I was blog hopping through my graduating class's blogs. In one of the blogs the writer is big time into art- like photography and painting. In one of her posts she made the statement, "I know that writing is not technically considered an art."

What?

That was news to me. Writing is definitely not a science. If it were, I think a great many of us would be published authors.

Really, writing is similar to all the other forms of art. We, as individuals, are trying to make our thoughts and emotions entertaining for other to look at/read. Right? Am I wrong here?

Have any of you ever heard someone say writing is not considered an art?

Nice to Meet You!

Thanks for the welcome!

As all moms know- finding the time to write is hard. How in the world do we find the quiet time to really give our full attention to what our characters are saying?

A couple of weeks ago I resolved to get up every morning at 6:00 to write. There would be no children to distract me from my goal. That lasted around four days. I swear my boys have a innate sensor that tells them when I am awake. Now they get up at 6:15 every morning, hoping I am awake. Ugh.

Not that I don't absolutely love them. I just wish it was easier to find the time to write. I could also write at night, but I have a confession- I am a T.V. junkie. And all my good shows are on at night. Between Heroes, Lost, The Bachelor, American Idol, Bones, The Office, and House I end up watching T.V. every night. I know, I know- its horrible.

Anybody want to offer advice? Anybody want to give me a smack upside the head and tell me to not watch so much T.V.? Anybody?

Plot thoughts

I thought I had my book figured out. And I was excited about it.

Then I had a conversation with hubby. It wasn't even directly about my book. It was about another book I had just read, A Dance for Three by Louise Plummer, and my book changed.

But I believe it changed for the better. I've been writing long enough to know that I find my character way before I find my plot. Which I enjoy and loathe at the same time. This is my question though- how do you know when you've found the right story for your character?