Things That Don't Work on Your Editor

EDITOR: Why is Nya doing blah blah blah in this scene instead of blah blah blah?

ME: Um... Because I said so?

EDITOR: Nope, try again.

ME: --bangs head on keyboard trying to think up a good reason--


"Because I said so" works for mom's, why not writers? Not fair. Totally not fair.

Ask Away

It dawned on me that I've opened the blog up to questions on The Other Side of the Story, but I've never done that here. So...

What's on your mind?

Anyone got any questions for me?

Ask away!


NOTE: As questions come in, I'll answer them but keep this post on top for the week.

Reader Questions #1

Q: How have you approached outlining your series? In other words did you give it directions early on OR have you let it find its own way?

Good timing on this question since I've been blogging all about this on the other blog. But for those who don't need that much info, I'm a light outliner. I like to have a solid structure for the major events of the story to give me direction, but then I like to let the story itself happen organically. I like to say I always know where I'm going, but rarely how I'll get there.

I did not have the entire series outlined from the start. I didn't even have more than a general idea of books two and three until I needed more detail for my agent. She had to give potential editors a synopsis of those books when she was submitting the novel. I did a two-page synopsis for book two, and a half page synopsis for book three.

I knew the bare bones for books two and three, but until I wrote the books, I didn't know how those key pieces would play out. For example, I know "Nya defeats the bad guy" but no clue how. Or "Nya uncovers the truth about X" and I just point her at the guy keeping the secret until she finds it.

Connections always show up as I write and my subconscious does a pretty good job and putting things together. I also uncover things as I write, then have to go back and put in the groundwork for it. (which is actually a post planned next week on the writing blog).

I find it's a lot easier to have a firm understand of my characters and their goals (and motives) and then putting them in a situation and seeing what they do. They always come up with more interesting things that what I think up.

So yep, you were right, there is a balance of the two.

The Good Stuff

Writers lead strange lives. We live in make believe worlds, and we're a bit like time travelers, existing in lives and worlds that no one else will experience for a while.

I just started working in Shifter 3. Shifter 2 is written, but won't be released for nine or ten months, and Shifter 1 is has barely toddled its way into the world. I'm learning about things that for my readers, haven't happened yet. And sometimes, that really stinks.

Because I wrote a scene this morning that I truly love. It actually made me tear up. It was perfect for Nya and exactly the kind of things she'd do in this situation, and I can't tell anybody.

Fall 2011 can't come fast enough.

Hard to Wait

I'm very excited this morning. I got to see a black and white sketch for the cover of Shifter 2! I can't say anything more yet, but it looks super cool and I love the theme building for the series.

While I can't show the sketch off (yet!), I can show you some other illustrations by the artist. His name is Brandon Dorman and I love his work. His use of color is just amazing. He did The Shifter as well, so you can trust the next one will be just as beautiful.

I can't wait!

Talking About It

There's a fun interview (and review) with me over at Writing it Out. Good stuff there, so stay awhile and check it out! (and a big welcome to those coming here from that blog)

Because Everyone Deserves a Laugh

That expression is priceless. I just might have to make this my desktop.