Updates and News

This week has been very busy fine tuning and getting things ready for Caged Moon's release date, but things are going great! The video's out, the book has been formatted to go.

Be sure to check out http://bluesunstudio-inc.com/ on January 24th, where Caged Moon will be featured in the studio's cover critique. Book description and author bio will be up and featured as well. :)

I've also finally had a moment to start working on my next up and coming YA novel, "The Star Children", which is it's working title for now. I do plan on changing it as soon as I can come up with a better name. I know I want 'star' in it, but am afraid using 'children' in the title might sway young readers. We shall see. Any good suggestions, ring me a line. :P

Have a great day, everyone! Be sure to check back for more updates. :)

When Help Isn't Help

Everyone has an opinion, and as writer, I know I am guilty of wanting to make everything perfect. So, I find myself asking for a lot of opinions from others to validate my feelings on a subject. The problem is, a lot of times, instead of lifting my confidence about something I’ve created - that I’m actually secretly proud of, it makes me feel more sub-par, and thus in need of more self-validation from others.

It’s a vicious cycle.

Now don’t get me wrong, some good solid criticism is extremely beneficial and appreciated, but should we, as writers, throw away our own sense of art for the thoughts and opinions of others? What if Van Gough agreed with people that his art was too abstract and that no one would ever buy it, and then he formed to that conformity? I think we/I need to put things in perspective. Every single person out there likes and appreciates difference things, and certain things set them off.  We are all from different backgrounds and have varying preferences of taste. No one person views things the same way.

I am a true believer in honest criticism, (let’s face it, it is needed) especially in the writing world, but NOT at the expense of one’s own sense of art. If I’m looking for everyone’s personal ‘okay’ on something, it’s time to re-evaluate what I’m doing here. ‘Cause let’s face it, THAT is NEVER going to happen. What is important, is MY okay, because when it comes down to it, that’s all that matters.

~Rachel

Caged Moon's Cover Art Is In!

Cover art copyright Sarah E. Melville 2011

January 20, 2012 Release Date is coming soon. Feel free to grab a counter from my page, spread the news, and the fun :)

Official Release Date

The official release date for Caged Moon is January 20, 2012!

Countdown widget coming soon. :D

Writing Distractions: Is It A Conspiracy?

Hey everyone, it's Rachel.

Is it me, or is there some kind of innate conspiracy going on to distract me everytime I try to write something lately? I'm over 68 pages along in my next book, great character chemistry, plot is moving along full of action and tension, but of late, everytime I fully intend to hit it, something seems to be coming up. Perhaps its the holiday season. There's shopping to do, school concerts, and parties, but there are other things doing this as well.

I think the internet and technology (altho i'm guilty of the love) is someone's big conspiracy to suck us all in and get nothing done. Even right now as I'm blogging this, I have three friends up on instant messenger, I'm working on a joint post with someone in a writing game I'm in, my phone has rang three times in the last hour, and I've been 'forced' to randomly brouse youtube and a couple other sites - fully against my will of course. :P <.<

Can you imagine how much I'd have done if I didn't have any of these distractions? I'd probably have four books done. Course, I'll admit, the process wouldn't be nearly as fun without the random chatter and inspiration from my online friends. Writing games (RP) also helps keep my inspiration and creativity alive and challenged, due to writing against other players in an interactive plot. I wouldn't change those for the world, but I would like to change my ability to focus. I always say, the hardest thing about writing a book, is making yourself do it. That still holds true.

So tonight, I'm asking you all to think....What helps you to focus? Let's share the inspiration and get some real writing done. ;)

Character Problems: When The Two Of You Don’t Get Along

            You’ve created the perfect character. His/her background is well fleshed out and the personality calls to you. Everything is going smoothly, when suddenly, out of nowhere, your character makes a move, or says something that halts your entire project. In fact, ‘What the hell?’ may have even crossed your mind.

            I’m sure this happens numerous times in a writer’s life, but what happens when it’s so off-character from your intentions that you actually don’t like your character anymore? This is exactly what transpired with a character I was writing for. (non-book related) He made a move that bothered me so much it actually made me feel queasy thinking about it afterwards – hours afterwards.

            The question then arises, what do I do? Normally, I’m one to go with flow of the characters. I like to let them lead me. It makes them more real and true, in my opinion. But when it’s to the point of hating your character, the threat of not wanting to continue crosses your mind. It also throws the entire project and direction intended off kilter. I ended up rewriting, but it does bring up the question of how far we, as writers, are willing to let our characters dictate the direction they want to take. Of course, it could have also just been a bad day, but it does make one think.

            I believe there needs to be a middle ground, much like the actors of a play need a director behind the scene. If one person throws off the entire performance, it’s time to get rid of said actor…or in writer’s terms re-look at who that person was really meant to be, and perhaps start over.

           I am glad to say, I think I made the right decision to re-write. The queasiness is gone, and my character and I? We’re friends again. ;)

Preparations Under Way

Preparations for CAGED MOON's debut are well under way. I've spent this week talking to the designer about cover art ideas, and design ideas for the formatting of the book. Very exciting stuff! :) I still don't have an official release date yet, but I can asssure you things are coming together fast and you'll be the first to know, here.

Stay tuned!

~Rachel