Welcome to my World

Once upon a time, my only writing goal for the week was: Write Chapter 9 of Dog Breath. It seems like such a long time ago. Probably because it was. At the time, writing was a hobby. I had no intentions or aspirations for publication. In fact, I had no idea that there were writing conferences, or literary agents, writing associations, blogs, or critique circles. My only feedback was my best friend, Deanna. (God bless her!)

Fast forward to reality, A.K.A. now.

New daily tasks replace that simple, naïve weekly goal.

Yesterday it was:
* Conference with Dog Breath cover artist.
* Start highlighting ms (that's manuscript for the newbie) for Dog Breath audio recording.
* Begin sound effects sound list.
* Categorize highlighted dialogue into male/ female/ and children roles. Type up.
* Type list of characters & associated chapters in which they are appear in ms.
* Speak with librarian in Marianna library about hanging promotional photo contest flyer for Dog Breath and library's acquisition procedures.
* Send follow-up email to librarian.
* Reread and note improvements for Chapter 21 of M.O.D. (Initials for book title of 2nd book in Sci-Fi/ Fantasy series.)

Today... well...there is a whole new list.

Welcome to my world!

My Voice or His

Author George Lasher once told me that I’d be a successful writer when I finally found my voice. Obviously, he wasn’t referring to my volume- which could deafen penguins in Antarctica- or my opinions- which are definitive, endless, and always unsolicited. Not understanding what he meant, I carried on…writing and writing.

                Somewhere along the way, writing transformed from a hobby into something that I felt was achievable. I have explored picture books, chapter books, and comedy. And still, he was right, my dabbling missed something. I began to pray that I would be inspired and that I would improve. I finished writing an adult comedy (my first completed novel) and set out on my second. Eighty pages into that work my perspective changed on life. I stopped asking God for specific things that I wanted and needed. Instead, each day, I simply said, “Let me know your will.”

             As I sat down to write on my story- which I was very much attached to- I distinctly felt that I should cast it aside for this new world that began taking shape in my mind.  And, as my very first act of following His plan for me, I did. Ironically, that is the theme of the book: Having faith to follow God’s plan for you.  Five months later, I am completely finished. I read the final chapter to my writing group last night.

              I look back on what I’ve written. Desiree’s conflicting impulse to push people away and her desire for a forever family. Zach’s determinations to help Gretchen, even if it means defying a god. And, the principles my characters learned along the way, they were mine. As my characters learned eternal truths, so did I. Yes, I look back on this story and see my voice. That foster child who struggled for love but fought it at every turn. The one whose past could never stay buried. That teenager who was taught the truth, but refused to act on their knowledge. The one that took the long road to find the light. These are my stories embedded within the pages of a science-fiction, young adult novel. Within it is my voice. But, more importantly, there’s His voice, too.

             I’d ask you to wish me luck in finding an agent, but then I remember.

Preparing for my next novel.

Now that I have 57 character sketches, 86 pages of character dialogue (18, 544 words), and a map of my imaginary world... I guess I am ready to start my next novel now.

What's this next novel about, you want to know...It's a teen novel that will be a mix between literary and modern fiction.  .Setting= Houston Suburbs/ Middle School.  I could talk for hours about this book, but unless your my friend or future agent... you'll just have to wait until it's finished.  I have no doubt this book will be taught in schools one day because of the message that will be in it. 

It is sad that I can't share a clip of the dialogue or idea without feeling that it might get stolen.  Sad, sad world we live in.

Best place to get dialogue.

As if you needed a reason to get out and meet your neighbors or actually go to church....but if you are a writer... you just might...because I have gotten the BEST dialogue and speech patterns from talking to neighbors or listening to people give lessons in church.  After all, no loud music or noisy crowds like the mall.

For example: Nigerian man speaking English during a Sunday school lesson.  I noticed for the most part he sounded like an American.  But on longer words with more than two syllables, he was VERY articulate/ over articulate for someone living in Texas.  Also, every o after the first consant was pronounced as an ah sound.  So, correct became cahrrect and work became wahrk.  He was educated, too, so his vocabulary was more extensive than some other people.  He also said, "Any other thoughts?" when he wanted someone else to volunteer to talk.  The last thing I noticed was that the short i sound was pronounced with a long e sound.  If became eef, interesting became een-trist-ing.

Adult Comedy Fiction Novel

Well, I finally finished my adult comedy, a whole 80,000 words and 306 pages of dog, children, work, Mormon, and dare I say I threw in a little potty and x-box humor for the men out there..... as if a man who looks like Mario Brother's and smells dog breath for a living was not funny enough.... this thirty-year-old man has to find a way to make a lovely brunette advertising agent, who is the current girlfriend of his best friend and neighbor, interested in him.

So, I am back to looking for agents and publishers...