I need a nap.
Holiday season is starting to pick up and it's been one thing after another this past week. I've had stuff break down, customers who seem to have left their common sense at home with their wallets, and associates of several different departments treat me like I'm two years old. Headaches abound and sleep deprivation has become something I'm terribly familiar with as I try to find time to cook, clean, do edits, finish old art projects, and cuddle with my husband on top of dealing with the insanity of the holiday rush.
One day I'll get the knack of doing everything at once, but not today.
On a lighter note, I might be done tweaking chapter 27. It's not for sure yet, however, as I need to pop the new scene into place first. Hopefully this is it and I'll be working on chapter 28 sooner rather then later. My goal is to be working on Book Two early next year, so I better get cracking.
Also, I have discovered almond milk yogurt while I wait for my latest batch of goat yogurt to come in. It is sweet, nutty, fruity deliciousness and I'm close to being addicted to the stuff. Now if only they sold this almond goodness at my work...
Anyway, I'm off to get ready for a day of movies and general silliness. A good friend of mine is free for the first time in a while and I intend to take advantage of that freedom while I can.
~Sun and Moon
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
December 11, 2011
September 25, 2011
Keep your friends close
You know that saying "Keep you friends close and your enemies closer"?
It means, basically, to keep a close eye on your enemies because you can trust your friends to have your back. Or at least, that's what it means to me. Now, I don't have any serious enemies(that I know of, anyway), but I have some of the most awesome friends ever. Not only do they help me out when I find myself in need of a beta reader, but they even let me base characters off of them. Such a situation doesn't always come up roses, though.
You see, one thing I've noticed during my writting is that even characters based on real life folk still walk their own road. They become truly themselves and no one else.
It's kinda creepy.
Now, if you friends don't care, that's fine, but some people do. They see the character, so clearly them doing something they would never do and they get mad or hurt. The friend complains to the author who finds themselves between a rock and a hard place trying to accommodate their friend and keep the story in one piece.
A favorite author of mine had someone ask her how she came up with her characters. Not only did she write a very good response and put it in her FAQ on her website, she also responded to the unspoken question there: what do you do when the person on whom you've based a character calls you out on it.
Quoted directly from her website, here is what she had to say....
I often start with a real person--if not someone I know, then an actor or actress I think would fit the part. It's easiest for me to start with what someone looks and sounds like--if I know that, then I know about the character's personality. As a result, I use a lot of photographs of people or performers. Of course, there always comes a point, as I'm working, when the character breaks away from the person I based her/him on to become her or his own self. That's how I know I'm doing it right. A word of warning: tell no one that you based a character on her/him. Even if you think you've written about that person perfectly, s/he may not like what you have to say, or if the character you create starts doing things the person you based the character on doesn't do, they can get quite vexed. If they ask, lie. If you're a bad liar, like me, practice in front of a mirror. Do not tell them.
I love Tamora Pierce's books and I think she gives good advice on being a writer and an author. Now, I didn't read this until I had already told both people (yes, just two characters were based heavily on real folks) that I'd used them in my book. Neither of them minded, thank goodness, but they could have. I still base characters on real people, but now I'm careful to keep just who inspired who behind my teeth.
Remember, no one needs to know they were the inspiration for this character, or that one. After all, they may not like what they see reflected in the words you've put on the page.
Think about it :)
~Sun and Moon
It means, basically, to keep a close eye on your enemies because you can trust your friends to have your back. Or at least, that's what it means to me. Now, I don't have any serious enemies(that I know of, anyway), but I have some of the most awesome friends ever. Not only do they help me out when I find myself in need of a beta reader, but they even let me base characters off of them. Such a situation doesn't always come up roses, though.
You see, one thing I've noticed during my writting is that even characters based on real life folk still walk their own road. They become truly themselves and no one else.
It's kinda creepy.
Now, if you friends don't care, that's fine, but some people do. They see the character, so clearly them doing something they would never do and they get mad or hurt. The friend complains to the author who finds themselves between a rock and a hard place trying to accommodate their friend and keep the story in one piece.
A favorite author of mine had someone ask her how she came up with her characters. Not only did she write a very good response and put it in her FAQ on her website, she also responded to the unspoken question there: what do you do when the person on whom you've based a character calls you out on it.
Quoted directly from her website, here is what she had to say....
I often start with a real person--if not someone I know, then an actor or actress I think would fit the part. It's easiest for me to start with what someone looks and sounds like--if I know that, then I know about the character's personality. As a result, I use a lot of photographs of people or performers. Of course, there always comes a point, as I'm working, when the character breaks away from the person I based her/him on to become her or his own self. That's how I know I'm doing it right. A word of warning: tell no one that you based a character on her/him. Even if you think you've written about that person perfectly, s/he may not like what you have to say, or if the character you create starts doing things the person you based the character on doesn't do, they can get quite vexed. If they ask, lie. If you're a bad liar, like me, practice in front of a mirror. Do not tell them.
I love Tamora Pierce's books and I think she gives good advice on being a writer and an author. Now, I didn't read this until I had already told both people (yes, just two characters were based heavily on real folks) that I'd used them in my book. Neither of them minded, thank goodness, but they could have. I still base characters on real people, but now I'm careful to keep just who inspired who behind my teeth.
Remember, no one needs to know they were the inspiration for this character, or that one. After all, they may not like what they see reflected in the words you've put on the page.
Think about it :)
~Sun and Moon
March 17, 2011
What friends are for...
Last night I got all of my internet stuff squared away, grabbed my notes, and sat down at the computer for an hour of editting before bed. I had planned everything, but as an hour began to tick by I just drew a complete blank. The words that were filling my head were not those of chapter 25.
Nope, not even close.
Instead, I found myself thinking of all the friendships I had made over the years. From when I was just three years old, to now at twenty-four(twenty-five in May, but who's counting?). So many people flash through your life as you grow up and grow old, and they all leave their impressions on who you are. So here are the words from last night. This is my tribute to those who have touched my life and helped me become who I am now. May you continue to help shape me and my dreams.
Thank you
...............................
When you’re scarred and broken, and you don’t know where the pieces fall, and you feel like it’s you against the world, a friend is everything. When you feel like an outsider with your own family and you’ve shown a mask to the world so long that it has become who you are, a friend feels like a lifeline. They let you live in the moment, and help you through the rough times whether they know it or not. They make you laugh when you want to cry, and draw you out into the company of others when all you want to do is shut out the world. They are healers and guardians, brothers and sisters. They are the family bound by richer means then blood. No matter what may come, they stand with you as you stand with them.
There have been times in my life when my friends held me together and picked up the pieces when I couldn’t. They held me when I wept from the pain of growing up, and reminded me that someday it would all be worth it. Their strength helped me through the worst points in my life, and I have no doubt that they would do it again.
So to those of you who think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done, who think I turned my back on the years we’ve had together. To those of you who believe I’ve move on and away from the friendships of my past; I remember.
You have given me so much and have helped me become who I am today. I may not have said it then, but I’m saying it now. Thank you, for everything.
Thank you.
~Sun and Moon
Nope, not even close.
Instead, I found myself thinking of all the friendships I had made over the years. From when I was just three years old, to now at twenty-four(twenty-five in May, but who's counting?). So many people flash through your life as you grow up and grow old, and they all leave their impressions on who you are. So here are the words from last night. This is my tribute to those who have touched my life and helped me become who I am now. May you continue to help shape me and my dreams.
Thank you
...............................
When you’re scarred and broken, and you don’t know where the pieces fall, and you feel like it’s you against the world, a friend is everything. When you feel like an outsider with your own family and you’ve shown a mask to the world so long that it has become who you are, a friend feels like a lifeline. They let you live in the moment, and help you through the rough times whether they know it or not. They make you laugh when you want to cry, and draw you out into the company of others when all you want to do is shut out the world. They are healers and guardians, brothers and sisters. They are the family bound by richer means then blood. No matter what may come, they stand with you as you stand with them.
There have been times in my life when my friends held me together and picked up the pieces when I couldn’t. They held me when I wept from the pain of growing up, and reminded me that someday it would all be worth it. Their strength helped me through the worst points in my life, and I have no doubt that they would do it again.
So to those of you who think I’ve forgotten what you’ve done, who think I turned my back on the years we’ve had together. To those of you who believe I’ve move on and away from the friendships of my past; I remember.
You have given me so much and have helped me become who I am today. I may not have said it then, but I’m saying it now. Thank you, for everything.
Thank you.
~Sun and Moon
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