Island of ideas

In the middle of the ocean is an island. 

From above the island doesn't look like much. You probably wouldn't catch some celebrity sunning themselves while on a break from their box-office success. But, to me, the island is the best place in the world. 

Why?

Did you see the monkey? No? Look closer. You just missed it jumping from that tree. What tree? The big jungle over there to the left. Darn. Now the elephant's blocking my view. Hang on, I'll move around it. 

That's better.

If you squint (are you squinting?) you can see the golden temple in the distance. That's where the protagonist will have to go to find the treasure. But you know the villain will try to get there first.

Can you see the villain yet? I'm sure he's lurking around here somewhere. I can see his henchman behind that tent. What tent? The one on the beach. Did I mention the beach?

Why am I talking about imaginary islands? Because ideas are like an undiscovered island. There are hundreds of them, thousands, floating in the ocean of creativity. They might not look much from above, but your island can be whatever you want it to be.

You just have to look close enough. 

I Has Feelings

Over the weekend I was editing my MS and making sure I'd packed enough emotion or, as I like to call them, feewings (sorry, I also watched The Princess Bride. Now I keep thinking of the wedding ceremony!)

Anyway, it made me think how important feelings are in our writing. We need our characters to express emotion so we, as readers, can connect with them. If they don't show me they care, why should I?

We need intense, emotional close-ups to keep us hooked. How do you do that? Don't worry, I know a man who can help: 

Vandermemes from James Van Der Beek


Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to convert 'sheer panic' into words for my WIP.

Snow Day

The UK has snow.

I know this isn't something I shouldn't be getting excited over. Snow is a pain in the bottom to drive in. It comes with a side order of ice and frost. It has an annoying way of soaking up the hem of your jeans without you noticing until you sit down (and tuck your leg under your bum).

Did I mention that it's cold.

So there are lots of reasons to hate snow, but I love it (minus the driving in it part). There comes a day when you just need to embrace the small child inside you and go build a snowman.

I kind of see snow like writing. The blank word document/snow covered field waits for me to write/step my mark on it. Anything is possible where the surface is fresh, the idea is forming and the creativity hits. I don't know about you, but I find there is something very satisfying about making the first footprint/word on an untrodden canvas.

So a word document is kind of like being the first to walk in a fresh snowfall. It's satisfying to be the first leave your mark on it. Mistakes can always be erased later by delete or a fresh snow fall.

Until then just enjoy playing in it.

Weekends And Happy Dances.

Have you ever had a surge of writing that you don't know where it came from? Well, this weekend that was me...except, in this case, I know why it happened -- the neighbour somewhere near my house playing drum & bass music till 4am Sunday morning!

I should have put on my ipod and tried to ignore it, but for some reason I fired up the laptop, opened the wip and started writing. So at least some good came from the lack of sleep. :)

Anyway, there is awesome happening around the blogosphere.

Check out the exciting announcement from WriteOnCon

Oh, and a huge thank you to everyone for supporting, visiting, commenting, and following us over at Operation Awesome. We've passed the 100 follower mark and, to celebrate, Amparo is posting a special announcement later today. So feel free to check it out if you have time.

Oh, and in more happy dance news Paranormalcy FINALLY arrived (about time Amazon, about time.)

So, how was your weekend? :)