12 December 2014

Grabbing a red pen in the dark...

Let this be a lesson to you, people--always plan your blog posts ahead! Because I'm now writing this knowing that I've been blitzed (yaaaaaaaaay!). I'll still act surprised!! I was going to write a book review today that I've been putting off for forever but I thought I would write something more personal, especially since there have been a few more developments regarding my last post.

Basically meaning, I WROTE SOMETHING ELSE!

I've gotten into the strange habit of getting randomly hit by inspiration when I'm trying to fall asleep. I always try to brainstorm during this time (mostly because it's quiet...) but I don't usually come up with anything that requires me to get up and write it down. But for the past three nights in a row, that's exactly what has happened, and considering how little I've written in the past few months, I'm not going to complain.

The first thing that happened was that I figured something out that completely changes things up in one of the subplots. I think it's great--it makes something happen a lot earlier in the book than my original drafts. I felt like there was a certain aspect that was way too dramatic, and I figured out a way to make it more subtle. The only problem is I have no idea how to end this subplot now, but it could be fun figuring it out. It actually just fizzled out toward the end of the book, so now maybe I can end it with a bang.

Also (best segue ever!)--I think I may have figured out part of the sex scene at the end of the book, too. Still no actual words forming in my brain, but it's progress. I've been wanting to make my MC a bit more evil like he was in the original short story I wrote, so I think I've figured out a way. (I know that sounds really weird out of context. Just trust me.)

I said something about a red pen, didn't I?? Two nights ago, I was once again hit with inspiration to the point where I wanted to write down the words that were in my head. I usually just grab my phone and type in my ideas, since I don't have to get up and turn on a light or anything. But this time my phone was halfway across the room charging. Luckily I knew exactly where I had left a notebook, and my pen holder is right on my nightstand. I fumbled around in the dark trying to find them, knocking a few things over in the process. I just grabbed the first pen my fingers touched, then ran into the bathroom to get some light.

Of course, I had grabbed a red pen. Not exactly my first choice for scribbling down new ideas, but it would have to do. I wrote down a one sentence idea that I didn't want to lose. And then I wrote my MC a mini-speech that starts with, "Look, don't feel sorry for me," and then proceeds to be the saddest speech ever. It stemmed from me watching too many Christmas movies and then realizing that he never would have believed in Santa.

But anyway, I have rambled on for far too long. I'll let you scurry away now. Happy Friday!

67 comments:

  1. My muse always seems to hit me at 3 am. Maybe it's because our brains are somewhat resting and it lets new ideas flow. YAY!!! on getting some great ideas. Have a nice weekend!

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  2. Fun post! I'm glad something popped up in the middle of the night and you got the sex figured out!

    No, errr -- Wait -- that don't sound right... I meant, it's great when the sex works because of what comes during the night.

    No -- wait! I meant --

    Oh, never mind... Happy Blitz day!!!!

    ;)

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  3. Muses must be night owls. Mine always hits right when I'm falling asleep. Happy Blitz Day! :)

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  4. Good for you! I have lots of different color pens around my house - by my bed is one with a light blue/green ink. It's fun, but not the easiest to read. Of course, that just might be my eyes getting older.... :o

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  5. I tend to find myself revising when I'm in bed supposed to be sleeping. I wish I had more pens.

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  6. You and my wife with all the Christmas movies! Misty all the time.

    I think there has to be something subliminal with notes written in a red pen. I'm just saying!

    BTW...yes...you've been BLITZED! Enjoy. :)

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  7. Yay! You keep running with that inspiration -- no matter what color it comes out in. :)

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  8. Bedtime is the best time to plot. It's great for several reasons- like you say, it's quiet. I hate to be interrupted when my brain is stewing. And second, it relieves my brain of senseless worry. The downside? Now sometimes when I plot during the day- I fall asleep. My brain is trained like Pavlov's dog to zonk after some planning.

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  9. Congrats on the wordy breakthrough! It's amazing when you find little things that change it all up and get the words to flow. Happy Blitz Day!!

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  10. Yeah for new words, no matter what color they come in. Happy Blitz Day! :)

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  11. Some of the best ideas do come late at night. Sounds like your red ink writing is going to be powerful. Happy Blitz Day!

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  12. Always keep a a notebook and a pen close by. You never know whe the phone will die on you... Happy Blitz day! Enjoy!
    With great respect! A.

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  13. When inspiration strikes it is important to get it down on paper because you never remember the next morning - trust me I know! Glad to hear you are writing again, Sarah have a happy blitz day :)

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  14. I have a red pen on my nightstand because in that drowsy time between sleep and wake sometimes creativity plays. :)

    I'm really glad to hear that your muse has come to call. I hope the book goes well.

    Happy Blog Blitz Day!

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  15. I love, love, love when inspiration strikes like that. It always makes my story so much better!
    Happy Blitz Day:)

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  16. Doesn't matter what you wrote on or what you wrote with - you wrote.
    Happy Blitz Day!

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  17. When I was blitzed I had no idea because I didn't get an email to warn me, but I had a guest scheduled that day anyway so I couldn't have planned something ahead of time. Happy Blitz Day!!!!

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  18. Hi Sara .. congratulations on the blog blitz day and for changing up your post .. to something personal. The thought of getting up and writing notes is always uppermost in my mind .. but I put my brain away and let it sleep - I know I shouldn't ...

    We achieve much in those quiet hours ... red pen - a change ... and so pleased you've accomplished ideas and thoughts in your pen in dark days .. cheers Hilary

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  19. Inspiration is inspiration. No matter the form. Fantastic. YaY for the muse. Happy, happy blitz day.

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  20. Happy Blitz! I also often get inspiration just as I'm falling asleep.

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  21. Writing is the best bedtime routine! Bonus: falling asleep feeling accomplished.

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  22. love love LOVE when inspiration hits! And right before bed is always a good time for me too. Happy blitz!! :)

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  24. Yeah, my notes and ideas are spread all over the place. Typed into my text messaging, written on envelopes from old mail, scraps of paper, one of my 37 different notebooks, the back of my hand, whatever is "handy."

    Anyhoo, just checking out your blog (via the blitzzzzzz). I'm sure I'll be back.

    See ya 'round the web. All Things Kevyn

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  25. I'll get up in the middle of the night just to write something down. Sometimes it's even legible the next morning. LOL

    Happy Blitz day!

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  26. I like the sound of your MC's mini speech even if it does turn out to be sad.

    Inspiration usually hits me at work which is why I have a notebook in my handbag that has multiple pieces of scrap paper attached to it with an elastic band. Because rather than fish out the notebook I just write on anything instead (preferably something that can easily be lost :) )

    Happy Blitz Day!!!

    Chippy

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  27. I am writing stuff all the time, usually on scraps of paper, apps on my phone, whatever computer I am near....

    Happy Blitz Day!

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  28. Sometimes I get ideas as I'm falling to sleep too and sometimes I think I'll remember them, and I don't. (But most of the time I do) :) I need to put pen and paper on my nightstand.

    Happy Blitz Day!!

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  29. Yes, I like to write my ideas on post-its or I'll forget them. Happy Blitz Day!

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  30. When inspiration strikes, you use anything to write it down! Some of my best ideas have come to me when I'm about to fall asleep. Happy Blitz Day!

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  31. Yay to being blitzed and figuring out your sexy scene.

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  32. My best ideas come to me at night-- sometimes in the middle of the night. Normally writing down a few key words is enough to jog my memory later on. I hate waking my poor husband up... but inspiration strikes when it strikes.

    Happy Blitz Day!

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  33. Very Happy Blitz Day! And you never refuse a muse inspiration unless you want to offend the muse and have it not speaking to you in a while. :)

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  34. That is when I do my work to a night. I write best then. I can't sleep well either so it takes the mind of stuff. Anyway, happy Blitz Day. See I tried to act all cool and surprise you. Oh yeah, you knew you were being blitzed. :)

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  35. I love those middle-of-the-night inspirations. I was completely jetlagged after a long flight when we moved to England a few years ago. The first night I woke up at 0:dark-thirty. None of our boxes had arrived yet, we didn't have internet (hell, we didn't have heat!) so I sat huddled next to a heater the contractors had left us and started to write a scene I'd been dreaming. That was the beginning of my first book, and I've just released #3, with #4 scheduled for this spring. So let's hear it for midnight revelations. Good luck with your scene, and happy blitz day.

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  36. Red ink is better than no ink. : ) HAPPY BLITZ DAY!

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  37. Always a great feeling when inspiration hits during the night. Good thing you were prepared!

    Happy Blitz Day!

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  38. Ahh middle of the night inspirations.. I keep a notebook and pen in my nightstand so I can write down those dreams that, "would make the best book ever!" ..except I usually don't turn on the light, so in the morning sometimes the notes are totally illegible haha
    Happy Blitz Day!

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  39. Sarah!
    I'm so excited for you! I love that inspiration is smacking you in the face. Don't fight the flow.

    BAZINGA!

    You've been blitzed!
    I hope its a great day!
    Heather

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  40. Happy Blitz Day! I also get hit with ideas when I'm trying to fall asleep. That's why I keep a journal on the bedside table!

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  41. I love when inspiration hits, it's woken me out of sleep too!
    Happy Blitz Day :)

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  42. The trick to writing down ideas in the middle of the night is making sure it's legible the next morning. This doesn't always happen to me 😳

    Happy blog blitz!

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  43. Yay for inspiration to hit! I'm still waiting on it for my newest story ... any day now ...

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  44. Maybe it's something in the are or 'tis the season', but I have been having those same strokes of inspiration as I try to fall asleep. Last night was a doosey, so I spent most of this morning working on a short story. Well...whatever, gotta love inspiration and not knock it when it strikes.

    Oh, I almost forgot. Happy Blitz Day! So how sis you know anyway?

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  45. And a happy Friday to you, too! It's good to get those inspirational juices flowing, isn't it? (But wouldn't be nice if they struck more often during daylight hours instead of waiting until the middle of the night?)

    So how ya feeling? A little woozy? You should be, because you, my dear, are getting royally BLITZED! Enjoy.

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  46. Love middle of the night ideas! The best ones have been the ones I was sure I'd remember and no need to write them down...that only happened twice long ago, never again will I trust my memory with such thing lol. I use my phone and notebook/pen too.

    Happy Blitz Day!!!!

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  47. I love when inspiration hits. I find mornings and showers the best. I hope some is going to hit me on the chapter I'm working on.

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  48. I always get ideas when I don't have access to a pen or notebook, typically! I try to keep a notebook by my bed in case I get inspired at night.

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  49. Isn't it always the case that inspiration strikes when you least expect it? I'm glad you managed to get your idea down on paper and write that mini-speech. Whenever I have ideas like that, my brain tried to convince me that I'll still know in the morning in order to lull me back to sleep!

    Happy Blitz Day!

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  50. Hi, Sarah,

    Inspiration does strike anywhere and at anytime, so it's best to be prepared.
    Enjoy the blitz.

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  51. Usually our minds are so busy busy busy with day to day stuff and "inspiration" can't sneak in sideways. So when our minds start to calm down and drift toward sleep, it jumps in before REM can obliterate the opportunity.

    You've been blitzed!

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  52. Different coloured pens = jotting down 'multi-coloured inspirational ideas'.
    Sounds cool.
    Happy Blog Blitz Day!

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  53. Definitely seems like you are in the zone right now. Ride those waves of inspiration while they last!

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  54. Take inspiration how and whenever it comes, day or night, phone, red pen, #2 pencil, chalk or crayon. Heck, charcoal from the grill out back works in a pinch. ;-)

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  55. It's funny how inspiration takes hold of us sometimes. I agree with Jeff, use whatever you can to write even if it's sparkly glue!

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  56. Right before sleep seems to be a time when our minds are really creative. Happy blitz day

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  57. What writer has never has never been hit by an idea while trying to sleep? I've even had characters and storylines from long-hiatused books come back to me in dreams.

    Happy Blitz Day!

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  58. I think I've only got up in then ight once to write down ideas that wake me up. Usually, I roll over and catch some more zzz's. A read pen probably shows up better in the dark :)

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  59. You need to change the subtitle to your header. You're not trying to become a real writer, you ARE a writer. You write, don't you? As for the brainstorming before bed--I do that, too. It's why I have a pen and paper EVERYWHERE. You never know when inspiration strikes and if you don't write it down, it will disappear. I know. It's happened to me. I always write it down now. Good luck and Happy Blitz Day! :)

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  60. I'm inspired at night, and I love having different color pens around.

    Happy Blitz Day.

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  61. Oh, those night-time ideas that MUST be written down. They are so often the very best.

    And it's blitzes to you!

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  62. Happy Blitz Day! Sorry I'm a little late to the party. How did you know you were being blitzed? Were you on the email list?

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  63. Hope your Blitz Day was amazing!!

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  64. Great site! I love your bio and that you're a nature lover. Happy Blitz Day!

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  65. Much congrats on writing! Nice red pen- those can be magic. Hope you have a Blitz-rific day!

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  66. I'm late! I'm late!
    Happy belated blitz day :-)

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