How Accurate Do You Need to Be?

Hey, everyone! Guess what day it is! It's the Insecure Writer's Support Group posting day! Ok, I'll stop with the exclamation points. No, wait, one more...today I have the honor of being a co-host!! Oops, that was two. Anyway, as always, the IWSG is hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh, and my fellow co-hosts this month are Joylene Nowell Butler, Lily Eva, and Rhonda Albom. Don't forget to check out the IWSG website, too!

So what am I insecure about this month? Still working on the third draft of my book and not getting as much done as quickly as I'd like. Despite my efforts, I keep gaining weight every week, but I'm really determined to eat better and exercise more, since my will power usually tends to fizzle out by Wednesday. And (this isn't necessarily an insecurity, but it is driving me nuts...) my birthday is this Saturday and my present from my fiance has been sitting on my dresser since LAST Saturday. *sigh* I really don't like to ruin surprises, but come on, it's not fair! And it's heavy, too, so I know there's more than one thing in there...

Anyway, this is what has really been bugging me lately: SETTING. It's something that continuously perplexes me, to the point where I feel I'll never get it right. Ok, so my novel takes place in New York City, a place I've visited many many times--but I've never lived there. And my MC has always lived there, grew up there, and I worry that this won't be believable because I haven't. For the majority of my novel, there isn't much to worry about. The characters are usually very isolated and the two main settings are their apartments. So within the confines of those scenes, I really don't have to worry about setting. I also like the juxtaposition of them having to be so isolated in such a busy and populated city. But those moments when they do go out into the world--I worry that I haven't gotten it right.

I also did some research that worried me about the accuracy of my book. So when I first started writing it, I knew my MC was a freshman and that he was failing his math class. When I was a freshman, I took Geometry. Back in middle school, some people were able to move on to Pre-algebra in 7th grade, where others took another year of a more basic math class. So while some freshmen took Geometry when they got to 9th grade, others were taking their first year of Algebra. Anyway, since I took Geometry, and I figured my MC is a smart and clever guy, he probably would, too. So that's how I wrote the story.

But the more research I do on the NY school system, the more I feel that this wouldn't be possible. From what I've found, it seems that all students take Algebra in their freshman year, then Geometry as a sophomore (doing internet research is tricky, so if by some miracle someone reading this went to school in NY, I beg you, enlighten me!). If this is true, it throws a giant wrench in my plot. I really can't change his math class to Algebra at this point--Geometry just works better as far as how I've worked in themes and symbolism. There's also a scene where my characters are solving a geometric proof that I seriously CANNOT cut. I can't. It's too good, and too important. I also can't make my MC older, since his age is important to the plot. So what should I do?

I'm wondering if it actually matters. What is more important, being true to the story, or being accurate with the structure of the school system? Is anyone really going to notice if I get it wrong? It's not like it's on every page of the book. Is this a detail that should matter at all? I'm not sure. I may just be over-thinking this. My gut is telling me to leave it be, and if someone calls me out on it, I can explain how I thought being true to the story was more important than getting one tiny detail right.

Phew! Ok, now that I've vented, I've got a lot of blogs to visit. *cracks knuckles* Off I go!

Jordan Takes Over: Write Everything Down

**The first Monday of every month, I let my muse take over the blog. I apologize in advance.**

Here's the thing, everyone. I actually had a really good idea for a post today. I really did. But, you know, I'm very busy, so I kinda forgot what it was supposed to be about. You can't blame me, really. I mean, technically I'm not real, so I don't have arms to write things down. And I totally told Sarah my idea but did she write it down? Of course not! So who's to blame here? Not me.

But it turns out this little mistake (not mine!) gave me a great idea for a bit of advice for you people. I'm sure you've heard it before, but it really can't be stressed enough: WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. No, seriously. EVERYTHING. If you expect your muse to remember every tiny little thought you have...well, I mean, maybe you have a muse who cares more than I do, but what do you want from us? We have to inspire you AND be some kind of bookkeeper? I don't think so.

And do you really think you're going to remember every single idea you have? How many times have you been hit by inspiration and you think to yourself, "oh, I'll remember that." Does that ever happen? Maybe if you came up with something major, sure. And I think the abstract ideas are easier to remember than something more concrete, say, a sentence. If you're writing an actual sentence in your head, do you actually expect to remember it hours, maybe days later--word for word? How about when you're drifting off to sleep and you come up with something, then say to yourself "I'll remember it in the morning!" Are you quite sure about that?

So here's my advice. First of all, always have something to write things down on. A notebook, a scrap of paper, your phone (this works great for those middle of the night ideas, since you don't even have to get up and turn on a light if your phone is right by your bed). Anything, really. Heck, if you've only got a pen, write it on your arm. If you think it's a good idea then why would you ever chance it slipping away?

Second! Always interrupt what you're doing for an idea. No, I don't care what it is or how important (I mean, unless you're at work and you think you'll get fired or something). If your muse has been gracious enough to inspire you, you'd better be damn sure you take notice or they might just start ignoring you. So yes, even if you're in the middle of a conversation, stop. If you're falling asleep, or you wake up in the middle of the night, or if a dream gives you an idea...get up and write it down. If you're drunk and get an idea, write it down--really slow so that you can actually read it once you're sober. If you're doing, you know...THINGS...with your boyfriend or your girlfriend...or your boyfriend AND your girlfriend (I'm just kidding, I've never had a threesome...not with a girl, anyway...) Where was I? Oh, right. So no matter what you're doing, if an idea hits you, STOP.

Ok, so now that I have a whole month to remember that good idea again, hopefully it will come back to me. That doesn't mean that I'm going to write it down...do as I say, not as I do, people.

JP

Hey, I Read Your Book! Moonless & Broken Branch Falls

Ok, I'm cheating a little. My original plan was to have this mini book review segment on the last Monday of every month. But then for several reasons (procrastination...) I thought it would be better suited for the last Friday of every month. Except today isn't the last Friday, it's the first. But I didn't really want to put this off for another month, so here it is! The first segment of Hey, I Read Your Book!

Ugh, this is going to be just horrible, I know it. I'm terrible at reviews. Especially when I like a book. I find it's easier to have lots to say when you're constantly coming across things you don't like about a book. But I'm going to try anyway. So I guess until I get into a groove with this thing, the reviews will be short and sweet. I'm calling them mini-reviews because I'm not going to really go into too much summary or reveal any spoilers, just tell you what I liked about the book (and why you should read it, too!).  My goal is to have two books to review each month, so hopefully I can keep up!

First up!

Moonless by Crystal Collier

Let me just say--I loved this book. I've always had a soft spot for paranormal romance, but have sort of lost touch with it in the past years due to the temporary abandonment of my own book series, as well as the overkill in the genre. But Moonless was unlike all the other books I've read in the genre. It should also be considered historical fiction, which was a refreshing element. This book frustrated the hell out of me--but in a good way. I was hooked from the very beginning and it never lost my attention. I was right there with Alexia, dying to know the truth about who she is and what is happening. You get little tidbits of the truth, which not only had me flying through the pages, but had me gasping at some moments and saying "Aha, I knew it!" at others. At times it was romantic and swoon-worthy, other times suspenseful and downright scary. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Next up is...

Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler

This was a fun read. Gabe was a quirky character and it was fun to get inside his head. When the story begins, he's just like any other awkward teenager (even though he's a goblin), but as the story progresses, it takes a different turn and Gabe and his friends go on a quest to save their town from being torn apart. I just loved the descriptions of all of the beasts Gabe lives with and the ones he encounters during his quest. The idea of the different species wanting to coexist sends a great message, especially to the younger readers of this book. Gabe and his friends not only fight to save their town, but for the right to be friends with (and date) whoever they choose, regardless of the laws that keep species apart. Something is revealed near the end of the book that will leave your jaw hanging. Overall, this was a quick, fun read with great characters and a great message.

Woo, so there it is! My first attempt. I'll probably post these reviews on Goodreads, as well. Be sure to check out these books and give them a read. You won't be disappointed.

Side note! I forgot to tell you guys, but if you read last Friday's post, you know I was trying to figure out what my 1000th movie should be. The general consensus was that I should watch a classic, so after doing some searching, I watched Gone with the Wind last Saturday for my (drum roll please) 1000th movie! Once I remember that I had never seen it, I knew it had to be the one. It was looooooooong, of course, but I loved it! So now I can get back to watching more movies, and maybe someday make it to 2000.

Writing Coincidences

Let me start off by saying that I don't really believe in coincidences. Small, everyday ones, sure. But the bigger ones? I look at those as more of an intervention of fate. It can happen with a lot of different things--your eye just happens to fall upon an advertisement for something you need, or you just happen to run in to someone you know. I once went shopping at a Kohl's with my fiance (just boyfriend at the time) and we ran into my cousin's husband, then literally five seconds later my sister comes around the corner with her husband and daughter. We all just kind of stared at each other, wondering if we'd opened up some sort of wormhole.

Weird things can definitely happen in real life. So how do you work these kinds of moments into your writing? It's a rather tricky concept, because it's easy to feel forced. There's a good chance the reader won't believe this sort of coincidence will happen in real life. And if they don't believe what's happening, then you've lost them.

First of all, you really need to assess whether or not a coincidence is even necessary in your story. If you can think of a better way to make something happen, then you should probably do it that way. A coincidence should really only be used if it is absolutely necessary, if there is no other way to bring your character to a certain place or realization, or even bringing two characters together. My second tip would be to have your character(s) acknowledge it. Have them think, "hey, this is weird," or even wonder if fate is somehow involved. It may seem cheesy, but if it's just a passing thought and you don't hammer it over your reader's head, then by all means, play the fate card. Or heck, call it what it is--a coincidence!

I think my biggest bit of advice would be to not overdo it. Unless your entire book is about coincidences or the power of fate, you should probably only have one or two coincidences in there (if you need them at all). If you make something unbelievable happen over and over again, the reader is going to get annoyed. They're going to find themselves saying, "This would never happen!" And again, unless that's the point you're trying to make, this is not good.

Example time! I think (or hope, anyway) that I only have one coincidence in my WIP. Basically I had to get one character to another character's apartment for a pretty important scene, but with one major problem: he didn't know the address. In the short story version, the other character gives him his address, but as I reworked things, I realized this would never ever happen. So I had to think it over. I didn't really think this scene could happen anywhere else, and having the element of surprise when he just shows up at the apartment seemed to help. But where does he get that address?! I realized there was another character who had it--the MC's mother. Of course, he couldn't just ask for it. I thought about him rummaging through drawers and address books trying to find it, but that seemed silly.

Anyway, I'm rambling as usual, so I'll cut to the chase. Here's how I did it. Throughout this scene, my MC, Jordan, has been talking with his mother and the whole time she's been putting stamps on a stack of envelopes. He gets annoyed with her and announces that he's leaving. Then this happens:

            She threw the stack of envelopes at me. “Drop off the mail, then.”

           I would have glared at her but she wasn’t even looking, so I reached for the envelopes with one foot pointed toward the door. And then I had one of those perfect moments. If I hadn’t looked down for just a second, it might not have happened. But clearly it was supposed to happen, since the universe so conveniently placed the answer right in the palm of my hand. I mean, I’m used to getting my way, but this was more than that. This was a sign. Because guess whose name was on the top of that pile? And not just a name, but an address. 

Now, I certainly don't claim to be perfect with my writing, but I think I worked this coincidence in the right way. He acknowledges how this moment is weird and convenient, a sign, even. But he doesn't over think it. Once this paragraph is done, he doesn't mention the coincidence again. He just acts. He goes to that address, and the story moves forward. 

That's what a coincidence should do, really. It moves the story forward when it reaches a road block. You don't want to spend pages and pages over-analyzing the significance of this coincidence. Just let it happen, acknowledge it briefly, and move on. Let the coincidence do what it needs to do and then forget about it. Sure, sometimes coincidences are unbelievable, but you still need your reader to believe it. 

How do you guys deal with coincidences? Do you try to avoid them? Any examples in your books or ones you've read you'd like to share? 

Getting Back on Track

All right, this is going to be a short one. I'm still coming out of a NyQuil induced coma. I was sure I was getting a cold yesterday but I think I fought it off. I don't feel sick anymore, but I'm still a little out of it. I was supposed to start my monthly book reviews today, but I've decided to push them to Friday. Yes, partly because I procrastinated and don't have them done. Partly. There are several other reasons, and I just think Friday is a better day to post that sort of thing. Anyway, moving on!

I don't remember the last time I worked on editing. It's probably been about two weeks. What have I been doing instead? That's a very good question. Lots of cooking and cleaning my apartment, a little reading, but all in all, I haven't been all that productive. I know I need to try harder, and stop avoiding things that I don't want to work on. I really, really, really need to work on my book every day if I ever want to get it done.

So that's what I'm going to do now. Stop procrastinating and get some stuff done!

Reasons I Shouldn't Write a New Book, Plus My 1000th Movie!

I could have split this into two posts, but I've got something else planned for Monday, so what the hell? So I've been thinking about this sequel thing all week and I realize there are plenty of reasons why I shouldn't start it right now. So here they are!

Reasons I Should Not Start Writing a New Book

1. How about I finish the first book before roaming off into sequel land, huh?
2. I really just don’t have the time or the patience to craft a brand new character and create an authentic voice for her.
3. I also may be permanently stuck writing teenage boy voice. I can’t even write poetry anymore.
4. My muse might actually kill me for this one. Seriously. I come up with a sequel to Jordan’s story and he is not in it at all. He might be mentioned, but probably not by name. So he’ll probably sneak into my brain just at the right moment and BOOM—I fall down a flight of stairs.
5. Actually, homicide isn’t really his style. But he would probably find some way to completely sabotage my life.
6. I’m not entirely sure I can create a character in her mid-thirties (at least not without a lot of time and thought—which is not going to happen any time soon). When I picture her, she feels younger than she actually is. I see her hanging out with her best friend and I realize, wait a second, that friend is most likely married with a couple kids.
7. Don’t make me research stuff! I kinda see this character being a florist, which I’d have to research. And her mother has a stroke at some point during the book, which I’d also have to research. And SETTING. I’d have to figure out where these people came from—what town, what is it like, blah blah blah.
8. My original intent was to only HINT at things that happened in the first book, but I think that will confuse anyone who hasn’t read it and frustrate anyone who has. So I’ll have to have some big confession scene where my MC’s brother admits that he committed statutory rape. And I can’t picture her reaction at this point—she was molested as a child so there’s gonna be some resentment.
9. I'm wondering if writing a sequel will somehow take away the credibility of the first book. I feel as though it SHOULD stand on its own, but I'm also really attached to the characters so I don't think I could ever be done with them. 
10. No, seriously. I need to finish the first book. 

And just because:

Reasons I Should Write It at Some Point

1. I think it could be a really good story—a gripping family drama where old wounds are reopened and secrets are brought to light.
2. I could actually write from a woman’s point of view for once.
3. I get to keep it in the universe of my first book, which I absolutely love.
4. A while ago, I created this fabulous character, Anthony, who I thought I’d never get to actually use, but he would definitely pop up in this book.

So basically, it’s not that I should NEVER write it—it’s that I shouldn’t write it NOW. I do kinda want to outline this one, though, so it may be something to do when I need a break from editing the first book. I could always brainstorm a title, too, since it took me over two years to come up with the first one…

And now for something completely different!

I like to make lists. To-do lists, lists of blog ideas, etc. But there’s one list that I’ve been working on for years, constantly adding to it and making sure that I haven’t forgotten things. And that list is my movie list. The list of every movie I’ve ever seen.

A few years ago (haha few she says…it was 8) I found myself in an interesting position. I had just graduated high school but had deferred my enrollment to college for a year (life issues) and was waiting to move out of my house to a different town, so I didn’t want to look for a job until we moved. Basically I had a lot of time on my hands. I did do a lot of writing, after my late night coffee drinking/yoga sessions (don’t ask), but I also spent a lot of time on the internet.

I don’t really remember how I got the idea to make the list. I found a website called Lists of Bests (it recently shut down…sad face), which had several different kinds of lists you could follow and check off—movies you’ve seen, books you’ve read, places you’ve gone. And you could make your own lists, too. For some reason, I started one. I added every movie I’d ever seen.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s gotta be impossible to remember every movie you’ve ever seen. Well, not exactly. But it does take a LOT of time, which I had. I spent hours and hours browsing DVD pages on Amazon until I reached the very end, making sure I added each one to my list. I looked at every genre, looked for all of the TV movies I thought I had seen, and eventually it was done. Every movie I’d ever seen, in alphabetical order. It was quite the accomplishment. Occasionally I would remember a certain movie that I’d forgotten, but over time that stopped, so I was fairly certain I’d gotten every one, except maybe ones I watched but was too young to remember. And when I saw a new movie, I would add it to the list, making sure it was always accurate.

Anyway, I’m rambling way too much. When I found out Lists of Bests was shutting down, I had to completely redo my list on iMDb. You can look at it here (go on, you know you want to!). Here’s my current dilemma. If you do look, you’ll notice that right now there are 999 titles on the list. That’s right—I’ve watched 999 movies. Which means my next one will be the 1000^th. It seems like a significant event, really, so I don’t want to watch just any movie. I want it to be a good one.  I haven’t watched any new movies in a while because I just can’t decide!

I’m open to suggestions! What the hell kind of movie should you see for your 1000^th? There aren’t any movies out in theaters I’d like to see right now, and I would prefer to not have to pay for one, although the on demand movies would probably only be about $6, so what the hell? I have Netflix and HBO as well, but I just can’t decide! What should it be? 

Anyone ever need to convince themselves NOT to write something? What should my 1000^th movie be? How many movies do you think you’ve seen? 

Ideas are Like Flies

No, seriously. Think about it. When you get a new idea, doesn't it buzz around your brain like you're some rotten piece of fruit? You try to swat it away, you say "Shoo! I don't have time for you right now! I already have things to work on!" But it persists, zooming around your thoughts, distracting you from everything else. You realize you can't fight it off.

Ideas really seem to come at the worst times. When you don't have time to work on them. When you've already been working on a novel for three years and you really just want to finish it. But new ideas are exciting, too. They can give you a much needed break from the monotony of working on the same project day after day. They can give you reassurance that you have something else to work on once current work is done.

I don't even know where this new idea came from, really. It's kinda sorta a sequel to the book I'm working on now, but also not. The main character for this new book, if I write it, is only mentioned in the first book. She's the sister of one of the main characters (I mentioned her briefly in this post). For some reason I just kept thinking about her, wondering what her life is like, how she has to deal with things that happened in her past. And suddenly there was a story idea buzzing around my head! I never actually thought my book would have a sequel, especially one where Jordan isn't in it. At all. He's going to be mad at me for this one...

Here's my dilemma, and I think I'll go more in depth with this concept in a different post at some point, but I'll explore it briefly here. If I do end up writing this book, there will be this odd scenario where the reader will know more than the main character (assuming they've read the first book). I picture this book taking place about two years after the first one, but the MC has absolutely no clue about the things that happened to her brother two years before. I'm thinking I'll probably hint at it, possibly even have him confess to her, since the whole book involves their entire family dealing with their demons. It would also be the second book where I use a character and still not write from his perspective.

I'm not sure yet. I'm not sure if I'm even going to write it. It just keeps buzzing around my head.