Writing rituals and Muse music

I have to have a few writing rituals/obsessional ticks/things I like (delete as appropriate) when I write/revise/blog etc.

1) A drink - tea, water, juice.
2) A notebook and pen.
3) My laptop, for obvious reasons.lol.
4) Music.

A while ago on the QT forums there was a post about music. Some people like to have music on while they write and some don't. I'm in the former...I need music when I write.

Music is one of those things that help me evoke emotions, inspire me and help build scenes. Hell, I even have a play list for my MS with songs that fit each chapter.

I listen to a very eclectic mix, classical, rock, pop anything. But my favourite band to write to is Muse. I've listened to Muse for years now and I've yet to find a song on their albums that doesn't inspire me. I even had a scene idea for my current MS while at their Resistance tour in November last year. Sad but true fact I got my phone out and wrote it down so I didn't forget!

Muse also inspires me not to give up with revisions/queries etc as with the following lyrics from Invincible:

Follow through
Make your dreams come true
Don't give up the fight
You will be alright
'Cause there's no one like you in the universe...

Check out more lyrics : http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/muse/

So what are your writing rituals and, like me, do you write to music?

Dear Lucky Agent Contest.

Not sure if you are aware of this but Guide to Literary Agents blog is holding the fourth "Dear Lucky Agent contest from 31st March-14th April.

The top three winners get 1) A critique of 10 pages of your MS by Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary 2) One-year subscription to WritersMarket.com.

All you need to do is email the first 150-200 words of your MG or YA novel. Oh, and the title and logline.

Check out the link for more details:

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/Dear+Lucky+Agent+Contest+Middle+Grade+And+Young+Adult+With+Agent+Regina+Brooks.aspx

Good luck if anyone decides to enter.

In other news check out The Alice Chronicles for a cool post on crutch words. It really got me thinking about the words I use a little bit too much.

Check it out: http://alicechronicles.blogspot.com/

Critiques. How? What? Erm?

Critique groups. Critique partners and just critiques in general make my stomach quiver.

Now, I have excellent critique buddies who I trust to give it to me straight so I can make my novel the best I can. But the one thing I want to get off my chest is my critique method.

I want to be a good crit buddy. To help, give advice, support and all the usual stuff but I worry about my methods. Am I too soft and should I be harsher? Should I critique for the sake of it? Or just comment on the bits I think need it?

Sometimes I just feel I'm lacking the critique gene :(

I read a lot. As a result tend to critique from the perspective of a reader. I read twice, crit once. I'm not grammar queen but I have my skills, so I'm told. Plus, I can spot a repetitive word like a demon.

The valuable thing about crit groups is each person brings a different skill. I'm the one who will tell you what I like, what I don't get etc. There are others who have the amazing ability to be blunter but that's just not me.

So I've found some handy tips to, hopefully, help with critiques.

Jana did a couple of cool posts on critique groups and tips:

http://allimsaying-jhutcheson.blogspot.com/2010/03/tips-for-critiquing.html

And here's some more:

http://www.rickwalton.com/writers/critique.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_2045526_critique-manuscript.html

http://editing.suite101.com/article.cfm/how-to-critique-a-writers-work

Now it's open to you guys. How do you approach critiquing?

Cool blog celebrations

I know, I know. I said today's post was a short HAPPY EASTER message but I've been blog reading and I just finished on Steph Bowes fab Hey! Teenager of the year.

To celebrate a year of her blog Steph is holding a competition to win free books and, for us writers, a query and first five pages critique.

Check out her blog for details:
http://heyteenager.blogspot.com/2010/03/massive-book-giveaway-win-win-win.html

Oh and the truth from the blog award? I'm allergic to garden grass, seriously...I'm a freak. Heehee.

Right, I'm outta here for tonight :)

Happy Easter.

Short post today but just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY EASTER.

My day has been filled with nice English weather (shock horror, no rain!) family bonding, catching up on crit work and an overexposure of chocolate. Damn you deliciously addictive choccie bunny!

Hope everyone has a good day, whatever you are doing.

Now it's back to the grindstone of revisions.

To outline or not to outline...that is the question.

Writing is a wonderful thing. It has twists and turns and has the odd (or million) doubting moment(s) when you get so frustrated with your wip you consider hitting the delete button and running for the hills!

But before that we have to start somewhere and this question struck me last night - are you a planner or do you write off the hip?

Now I'm a seat of my pants girl all the way. When I started my current MS it came pretty much loosely formed in my head. I knew the main characters, the plot and where it would go so I started writing. Sure there were some detours along the way but I enjoyed where it lead me.

So having never really planned, and being curious, I did a bit of research so I could map out my novel.

http://filmmaking-101.suite101.com/article.cfm/outlining_improves_your_writing

http://www.ehow.com/how_4536804_outline-writing-novel.html

http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2007/09/novel-outlining-101.html

http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2005/02/novel-iii-outlining.html

Oh yeah and there's also the snowflake method:

http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php

So I open the floor and ask which method works for you?

Check me, I've got an award...and I won a blog competition.

Big thanks to Lydia for my first blog award. If you haven't already then check out http://lydiakang.blogspot.com/

Okay so now I have to come up with six lies and one truth about myself.

1.I have six toes on each foot.
2.I am allergic to garden grass.
3.I am 5'10.
4.I have a twin.
5.I can touch my nose with my tongue.
6.I live on a farm.
7.I don't like hot weather.

And now I'll pass it on:

Angela http://storybyangela.blogspot.com/

Jana http://allimsaying-jhutcheson.blogspot.com/

Kirk http://alicechronicles.blogspot.com/

JeanneG http://jeannelyetgassman.blogspot.com/

And, if the blog award didn't make me feel all fuzzy enough, I won a blog comp.

Zoe Courtman over at No Letters On My Keyboard had a little request for help about the terror that is short stories. The deal, enter a comment and enter the draw to win one of four writing books. I left a comment and I won. Woot woot. And here's me saying I have no luck.

Check out Zoe's blog. Why? Because she rocks!

http://zoecourtman.blogspot.com/2010/04/contest-winner-huge-thank-you-how-laura.html

Enough about my blog brag. My challenge to you today is go spread the love and tell another blogger how fabulous they are :)