I am, I must say, working on a basic plot, from beginning to end, for the sequel to Avalon (which I had NO intention of writing but so many ideas came to mind and I’m not ready to let these people go, so I’ll give them a bit more life…). So yeah, there’s a sequel…and it just kind of happened. I was like, ‘what about this, though?’ – ‘oh, and this could soooo easily happen.’ So now I’m forced to write it. I’m not in control….these dang characters are. Sometimes I swear they’re more real than I am

Back to the point, though… When I started the first book, I had an idea and I figured out the ending, but the middle, well, it just came as I wrote. I saw the scenes play out in my mind and I typed away, writing what was happening. This time, though, I have a more defined idea of what will occur. One, because I can’t not think about it, and two, because I have a bit more experience writing and I know the process will go quicker this way. Most likely I’ll drift off the path a bit as the characters go their own way, but I’m looking forward to it
The main difference between this book and the first is that I have NO idea what the ending is…so that will be interesting to see what comes about. In fact, I literally just wrote down something else that came to mind. Something that wasn’t dealt with in the first book. Avalon is definitely a stand-alone novel, but there are issues that can be dealt with in another story, so that’s what I’m doing…. O.K., enough of that.

Back to the *original* point. Formulas. Synopses. These things suck! Queries, eh, not so much. I like mine. I have a few versions, depending on who I’m submitting to, but this whole synopsis thing. It’s for the birds, as my grandma would say (and actually did yesterday, while talking about this Ridiculous heat wave we have going on!).
My favorite are the agents who don’t require them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m working on mine and I’ll have it ready—I have to since I’m submitting a partial tomorrow, but I just had to vent that I don’t like them at all. I want to write. Not put together a proposal, or presentation, in order to sell something. I’m not a salesman. I’ve worked retail…I’m the type that’s honest. If something isn’t right for the person, I’ll tell them. So how am I supposed to sell my book.
Oh yeah, that’s right. I’m beyond in love with it and have confidence and faith that others will see the spark it contains. So we’ll see. Now I’m off to pretend I’m back in college, writing an outline for some stupid paper I don’t have any desire to write. Wait, that’s not true. I like writing…no matter what it’s about. It’s the outlines that I hate.
And the synopses. So there ya go.

xx -e*

here she is. if you want to read about how i found her and how i generally feel about what characters in my books/stories look like, click right here. (but not til friday *7.17* after midnight as that’s when the other post is scheduled to publish.)

the reason this girl stood out to me is because..well, there are just so many reasons::
*her hair. perfect length and it’s straightened, as alexis likes it. her hair’s curly, but she rarely wears it as such. also, her hair isn’t pulled back. alexis always makes sure her ears are covered, even if some of her hair is pulled back..
*skin tone. she’s dark, but not ‘tanning bed’ dark. it looks like she could be half-italian/half-spanish.
*her eyes. not too much makeup, but enough to bring them out. it’s pretty much the only makeup alexis wears. can’t see this girl’s eyes, but alexis’ are green.
*eyebrows. well-groomed. in keeping with bringing out her eyes.
*her tattoo. she has one that the reader knows of on her foot. one single star. but she’s the type to have something like this and hide it. maybe the top would peek out of a tank on a warm day, but most people would have no clue it exists.
*the belt. just her style.
*age. at least the age this girl looks to be… alexis is twenty, and this girlie seems to be around the same age, give or take (or give) a few years.
*the pose. alexis is uncomfortable in her skin and with her peers, but she would so take a picture like this just to keep for herself. i could see her taking myspace pictures (although i don’t think she’s the type to have a page) and throwing some random poses like this in there that she would never have any intention of posting, let alone seeing the light of day. they’d be locked away – password protected – on her laptop somewhere. even better, on a memory stick that requires a password and encrypts all files. i could so see her with her lips to the camera—trying to portray her inner minx lol
*final note: this just is a perfect example of who alexis thinks she is (and actually really is—well, other than the faery part ) but is too afraid to show her true self to others. for many reasons, mostly fear of rejection or being shunned for being a freak.

this is alexis hodge. period. and i love everything about her!

Now for the hard fun part. I’m off to write the story I requested of other readers/writers. I can’t be remiss in my duties, now can I??

PleasePleasePlease check it out HERE.

Thanks a lot. Greatly appreciated!!!

p.s. i just realized i wrote regularly (i.e. not all lowercase letters).
odd—must be because i was busy writing ‘for real’

Now, trying to be a serious writer, I realize how much you truly  have to invest in even secondary characters.
So, tomorrow I’m going to do some exercises for my characters during my 7-8 hr road trip (no, I won’t be the one driving).

I’m reading a new book by Nancy Lamb called The Art and Craft of Storytelling and she gives amazing tips so I’m going to take her advice for this part of my novel.

First part is a brainstorming list for creating characters.

For each character, these things need to be determined…
*personality
*defining traits
*origin
*home - frex city or subarbs 
*shelter – what kind of house
*family constellation
*best friends
*interests
*dislikes
*favorites
*hobbies
*clothes
*names – like nickname..
*body language

Then, ask yourself lots and lots of questions about your character.  frex ‘how do these traits indicate emotional conflict?’
dang…this will be an exercise..and I’m not even done listing what I have to come up with.

These questions are even more important:
*what does the main character want the most?
*what obstacles must the character overcome?
*what makes the character memorable?
*how does the hero save herself?

Good thing I have a lot of time cause I’m gonna need it!  But I’m excited because I have the story pretty much done in my head, I just need to get it written down and that will be accomplished thru character’s action..  Wish me luck!