In which I use zumba in a mathematical equation*. And also my stance on Conflict.

So I've somehow accidentally become addicted to zumba.

(Well, let's just replace the word "addicted" with "a class regular once or twice a week.")

(Truthfully, I walked out of the first class I ever took because omg it was so freaking hard and I thought I was going to vomit.)

(But then I went back a few weeks later and fell in love.)

(Which I thought would happen the first time because I danced my whole life, so it should have been, you know, like a thing. A dancer thing. Zumba = Dance. Except the fact that I look like an idiot in zumba and if I told any of my classmates I danced my whole life they'd probably laugh like they thought I was joking and then they'd figure out I wasn't and then it'd be all awkward turtle.)

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Wait. Where was I going with this?

Oh yeah.

*gets back on track* 

Here's the thing. Zumba is popular at my gym. Like, you have to get there forty-five minutes early to get a good spot in line for class, which in turn let's you grab a good spot toward the front of the classroom (so you can see the instructor/yourself in the mirror).

So I usually get there super early with my Kindle/iPhone games and chill while the line forms. One particular day a few weeks ago, I was first in line. But by then, I'd started getting to know some of the regulars, so I'd turned around to chat with them--and by the time class was about to start, I turned back around and a girl was waiting in front of me. Now, it was pretty obvious she wasn't cutting to be a jerk or anything, she was just new and didn't realize that she needed to wait in line. Okay, and granted the line was long so it would have been obvious protocol--but in her defense, I had no clue when she'd arrived. Maybe the line was just a few people when she got there. Who knows?

Which is the somewhat convoluted way in which I come to my point. Conflict. I avoid it anytime I can. This is not meant to imply that I'm a pushover, or don't know how to stick up for myself or others. Believe me, I do. But I also pick my battles, and when conflict can be avoided, I take a different path. As was the case this day. I wasn't going to say anything to the girl who cut. Neither was the friend I'd been chatting with. But . . . Apparently not everyone felt the same way.

A woman about five people behind us in line TORE into that girl. Yelling and causing a scene.

It. was. SO. embarrassing.

For her, the yelling woman.

I mean . . . She looked like a complete nutso beyotch. 

I *totally* believe this. 

The new girl went to the back of the line. And honestly the moment happened so fast it was over before I'd even had a chance to stick up for her. Which I feel really guilty about--but I did look for her in class. She was on the other side of the room, but she seemed totally fine.

The crazy yelling chick, however . . . Not so much. She was a few spots behind me in class, and I could see her in the mirror. And she looked like a freaking idiot.

And, let's not forget, this is coming from a girl (me) who knows she looks unbelievably silly in zumba.

But this woman? I mean, she was bouncing all over the place and making stupid facial expressions and CLEARLY thinking she looked hot. Normally I wouldn't say anything. Normally I wouldn't even notice. But because I saw her be so rude to someone over something so small? I was on the lookout.

And that right there is why I pick my battles. Well, one reason anyway. I don't bitch if someone cuts in zumba line--because it's just zumba. You can pretty much make that metaphor for most things.

I don't snap over little stuff. Or, at least, I try my hardest not to. Because those little things? They're exactly that. LITTLE. Not life changing. Not life threatening. Why create conflict when it's not a big deal? Why let something small ruin your mood?

Anyway.

There's your "about Sara" bit for Tuesday! I like zumba and I pick my battles. :)

*What? You were expecting rocket science? Zumba = Dance is a MATHEMATICAL EQUATION.

From Idea to Drafting: My Writing Process

I love when writers talk about their processes. How they write. How they plot. How they revise. It's kind of like getting to take a peek in your neighbor's house. Getting to see how they decorate, their furniture choices, their color schemes. Sometimes it might not match your particular style, but still. You can't help but be curious. (And sometimes you discover a style that might work for you as well!)

So.

In case you've ever been interested in taking a glance into my house . . . here's a high-level peek into how I write a book.

Sometime in the next couple weeks, I'll talk more specifically about how I plot. And maybe about how I revise, too. :) 

For the record, I've yet to have my process work the same way twice. It changes every time I start something new, but some of the basics are pretty constant.

1. I usually get hit with inspiration for a new story (one that actually sticks, I mean--I have plenty of concepts that fizzle out after a day or two) right around the time I'm halfway (or almost) finished with the draft I'm currently writing.

Sometimes timing can be everything.

For the WIP I'm currently revising: A year or so ago, while in the middle of a different WIP, I got a Word-a-Day email with a word I love but rarely use--and suddenly it became part of the title idea for a new book. The email came in on my phone as I was walking down the stairs and when I got to the bottom I stepped into the living room to find that my husband had an old surfing movie on--and right there my main character for that new book came to me. (Hint: she surfs!) So those two things happened nearly simultaneously. And from there, she--and the concept--grew.

2. I spend a while letting the story/characters develop organically--if (in the story's case) somewhat vaguely--in the back of my mind. Every once in a while I'll jot notes down if something particular strikes me about the plot that I know is a keeper. (This goes on for four to six months or so. It might be shorter, but usually I'm busy finishing--or, ha, sometimes deciding not to finish, *sigh*--another project.)

Although, in some cases, characters spring into my brain fully formed. And mess up everything.

Yeah.

For this WIP, I'd been getting to know my main character for six months--and right when I was about to get down and dirty with plotting, a second main character plowed her way in. (TWHS) (Sorry. Couldn't help myself.) (So immature . . . ) But anyway. There she suddenly was. And she ruined MANY of those plot points I'd thought were keepers.

But, okay, to be fair, she also added a lot to the story. (I totally grew to love her, the sneaky little thing.)

3. I get serious about the project and start plotting for real. With both my computer (Scrivener, whut whut!) and a notebook. (This part of the process can be two weeks to two months, depending.)

This is when I 1) read a bunch of books on craft and try to follow their advice (which lasts approximately three days--because my stories/characters refuse to stay in line, even when I'm just plotting them, *sigh*) and 2) call in a CP for some major brainstorming.

4. The writing starts. (A month or two for this step.)

This is usually a false start. It happened twice with my current WIP. Got about 30-40k in and ended up scrapping just about everything. Because I almost never have the world built enough--the fantasy aspects. I know vaguely how everything works, but when the writing actually begins, I end up realizing I need to know things in a MUCH more detailed way.

5. More plotting. (Another few weeks.)

It's another CP's turn. Or two. MOAR brainstorming. But this time it's focused on very specific aspects. This is when things get all messed up, and I feel like I can't make my story work the way I want it to . . .

And then, somehow, things start falling into place.

6. The REAL writing starts. (Three to six months.)

I follow the outline I've plotted as closely as I can. Which frequently isn't possible because once the real writing starts, everything shifts and changes.

And I love every second of it. :) 

Well.

Every second I'm not otherwise engaged by complaining about how hard writing is. And how I have to re-plot the second half again. And how I'm never going to finish this stupid draft. And how my characters are refusing to cooperate.

So, you know, basically the same as every other writer I know.

Unnecessary Censorship . . . The Good Kind

I mean . . . try not to crack up. I dare you.




(And thanks to my friend Bobby who tweeted this!)

Have a good weekend!

xo

Misfits

Today, I'd like to introduce you to my most recent obsession.

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If you watch TV and if you write YA* and if you enjoy being entertained by simultaneously cracking up and being on the edge of your seat over what's going to happen next? Yeah. You need to watch Misfits. 

Like, right now.

The basic premise? Five young offenders stuck doing community service get struck by lightning in a freak storm and develop super powers. These are not good kids. They are not going to use their powers for good. This all results in some freaking hilarious--and seriously awesome--television.

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And if you can separate the entertainment factor (which, believe me, will be difficult) you can learn so much about character and plot development. Everyone's authentic. The story lines are never predictable. The show doesn't hold punches. At all. Just wait, you'll see.

Oh and also? The soundtrack is freaking amazing.

Cristin introduced me to the show a couple weeks ago and I've now watched all three seasons. In fact, I finished all three seasons within a week. I wasn't kidding about it being an obsession!

The show's available on Hulu. You can thank me later.

Now I'm off to check out Downton Abbey, since I've been sold on the quality of British television. :)

xo

*Or even if you don't write YA . . . 

A Spoiler-Free Question About Spoilers . . .

Not everybody hates spoilers. I have some friends who don't care if you spoil a movie or TV show. One of my writing professors even used to say that it shouldn't matter if you hear ahead of time how a book ends, or about a twist within--because it should be the telling of the story that you enjoy.

I get it. I do.

But I still hate spoilers.

And, okay, it's one thing to talk about the ending of, say, Harry Potter, because at this point, who DOESN'T know that ending. (I mean, unless someone tells you they're reading the books for the first time and have never seen the movies . . . or the movie previews. And has been living under a rock. Then of course I wouldn't talk about the ending.) (And if you're one of those people, do NOT look at the image at the end of this post!) Or the ending of Titanic. Or Thelma and Louise, which I've never seen but know exactly what happens. Endings like those become iconic and part of pop culture. They're almost impossible not to know.

But anything new, or new-ish? PLEASE DON'T TELL ME. Like, I don't even want to know if a book ends on a cliff-hanger. Which is where my questions for you come in.

Do you consider it a spoiler if someone tells you a book ends on a cliff-hanger? What about if they reveal that there's a HUGE twist, even if they don't tell you what the twist is? 

I kind of do. I don't consider either one a malicious spoiler or anything--not anywhere near the level of giving away what specifically happens at the end or the exact details of the huge plot twist. But . . . at the same time, it tells me something about a book that I want to find out on my own. If I hear a book ends on a cliff-hanger, I usually don't read the book until the next in the series is out. If I hear a book has a huge twist in it, more times than not I'm able to predict what's going to happen instead of being surprised, because I unconsciously go into the book looking for what twists could be coming. Yanno?

So anyway, tell me your thoughts!

xo

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