Wednesday, September 05, 2007

My Brain, The Author

I loved the comments from everyone yesterday about editing and writing. We all have our own processes, don't we? Interesting stuff.


Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I'm writing like a fiend. (Okay, I don't really know what that means - how exactly does a fiend write? But I digress...) The pages are coming pretty well and while I know it's very bare bones writing in some places, I'm okay with that. Like I said, it's the editing I live for. To quote Eva Gale, that's where I make it thick. (I love that!)

The troubling thing is, is that while I'm working furiously on this YA, my mind is busy writing a new story. A straight contemporary romance. No elements of paranormal at all. And when I say my mind is writing this, I mean scenes come to me out of this "other" book like I'm watching a movie. Big scenes. Clumps of scenes. I know their names, their backstories, their motivations, what their families are like...even the title of this new book.

*Sigh* I think I have no choice but to write it when this YA is done. How else will I get it out of my head? Does this happen to you?

And in an unrelated rant, why in the name of all that's good and pure is Christmas stuff starting to show up in the stores? Could we at least officially hit the first day of Autumn? Could we? Please? Gah.

9 comments:

  1. A friend of mine is a pharmacist at Walgreens, and she said they've had the xmas stuff in boxes in the back for a month. Can this really be good for business? It just makes me tired.

    Personally, I love they way my brain gets obsessed with another story when I'm trying to work on the current one. I think it's a sign that you're very stimulated by what you're writing. Definitely get some of those new ideas down on paper!

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  2. Also, I mentioned you in my blog today...Only nice things, I swear!

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  3. Definitely write the story that's hammering on your brain. It could be nothing, but it could be a big story for you. And if nothing else, once you let it out, the voices will stop. ;o)

    I haven't seen X-mas stuff yet, but I haven't been anywhere either. Used to be keeping it to a month made it special. Now it's several months, and nothing is special about the season any more. *sigh*

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  4. I want to work on two things because I'm ready to sell my next work, BUT I won't let myself work on my adult proposal until I've added another 50 pgs to my contracted YA. I've planned to work on the YA in the mornings and then the evenings while kids are doing homework, etc, work on the adult proposal...we'll see...

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  5. Christmas stuff??? Yikes!!

    And to think I was a little perturbed that I saw Halloween stuff in August. LOL!

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  6. Anonymous2:20 PM

    That's great that another idea is bubbling forth! Woo Hoo, Kristen :)

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  7. Aww shucks, thankee. (I'm glad you understood, I have no other way of explaining it. ;-)

    I totally ignore any and all holiday stuff until the proper month. I enjoy the mad dash scramble to get what I need. What would Christmas be without Chaos? OK, not really, but that's my story. I understand they're trying to sell me on the holiday in hopes that I will SPEND, but in all honesty, they're wearing me out on it. And I can't be worn out on Christmas, I have kids!

    As far as getting a story like that in clumps, it freaks me out when that happens. I have a three ring binder (I know most authors like to use journals, or notebooks, but I like to shuffle ideas around, sometimes even jotted in other places, and it's easier for me to punch holes in the paper and shove it where it belongs) and in the binder I have it sectioned with tabs according to story. When I get scenes for other stories, I jot down POV, GMC's and details to get it out of my head so I can concentrate on what I'm writing. (I've heard Bantam is looking for contemps. Write fast)

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  8. Yes, my mind often gets going on another story idea when I'm still working on one. Sometimes it won't let me rest or focus on my WIP until I write something of it down, at least get a brief synopsis down on paper so I don't forget it...that seems to make those characters happy enough to let me work on my other WIP.

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  9. Since you know me so well, you know that I am frequently writing one story as another is pounding in my brain trying to get due attention.

    And often times it's more than one story trying to come out. :)

    I say make notes if you need to on the new one, don't stop writing your YA, but definitely start to work on the next book as soon as the YA is complete.
    My 2 cents. :)

    Or you could make a list and put all the information into a spreadsheet. A spreadsheet is always an option you know. :):):)
    L

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