Monday, April 21, 2014

Wrandom Writing Tip #8: First Drafts

First drafts! YAY!!!!

Really, this is what you should be saying. First drafts should be the best part of writing a book (besides finishing it of course). Why do we have so many problems doing this simple task of writing until our eyeballs fall out?


First Draft Tremors of Fear
Sometimes, writers freeze. Let's face it. We all have. Dag-nabbit, I certainly do. About EVERY TIME I SIT DOWN TO WRITE. But starting the first draft is most definitely the hardest thing in the world to do.

So don't worry. We all feel that way, hun.

Something about sitting down to write the horrific story of three or more precious, innocent children you have birthed in your brain, to bring them pain and glory and love and loss, to kill their best friend and watch them suffer for their wrongdoings in the midst of Mordor and Hades all put together...something about that simple little task is scary, you know? Just me?

The first thing to know is that the entire world feels this way when starting a book. As far as my research goes. Which is a poll of one person. Which is me. I hate starting a book, because I feel like I have to get it right the first time.

You don't.

Of all things you should NOT strive for in a first draft, it is perfection and "rightness". The first draft is for literally letting your brain throw up on the page and watch what happens. It's like putting ideas down so you can whittle it down later. Scenes will come and go, and that's okay. I bet we'd be shocked at how many scenes were cut from Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings. And that's the beauty of writing...whatever doesn't work in one book will certainly work in another. >:)

So get over those first draft tremors. In fact, don't even think of this as a first draft. Think of it as preliminary writing, to get the feel of the book, explore the characters, and explore the world. Because, um, cough, basically you will have to rewrite the whole book when the first draft is finished. <:)


Planning
I've done a million things on planning, and I can't express to you how important it is. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE AT LEAST A NEWBORN BABY'S GRIP ON HOW YOUR STORY IS GONNA GO. Knowing the characters is NOT ENOUGH. You have to at least know where you story is going, a few big plot points, and how it's going to end. As the bare minimum. It's best to have a sketchy outline done on paper of the entire book, or go chapter at a time and write them as you plan them. Both work, as I've tried both.


So you're in the middle of writing a first draft?
While you're in the middle of writing your book, everything seems lame. I know. It isn't. It's not a book, remember. It's just exploration of what your book could be. Of what it will be. You are exploring your options, figuring out what works and what doesn't. Don't worry about randomness, long dialogue, chunks of description...it doesn't matter. It's your writing, you're just feeling the ground so that you can dive into the story in the next draft.


Just remember...
First drafts are CAKE. All you have to do is write! How easy is that? No extensive worry on plot, structure, or anything! You have freedom to write what you want, no matter how random and boring it is. So go crazy!



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Starting Books...and why it's so hard (for me)

This is really awkward for me.

I didn't used to have this problem. In fact, I always just pooped out whatever came to mind when writing.

So why now do I have this chronic fear of starting books?

As I'm sure you've picked up, I am a perfectionist. I have problems. And starting books is one of them.

I think it's because my whole life, up until last April, has revolved around finishing The Cycle of Time: The Journey. I've been revising that puppy for like, 4+ years. And when I finished and tried writing something else, it didn't come out all revised and perfect like The Journey is now. I've totally forgotten how horrible that book was when I first started it. And now I expect everything to come out looking all nice and neat and The Journey-y.

That is my main issue. I'm having editorial withdrawals.

Wow. Just talking about it is making me feel better, though. But seriously! I have gotten about zero significant writing done since last April. Last year. Other than the sorry beginnings of a few books and a few random short stories, I've written exactly squat. Maybe it's just a slow year. Maybe I've been busy with school. Either way, it's gonna change pretty soon.

I feel my brain booting up to inspiration mode after last night's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (I had an idea for a part in a book I haven't even planned out yet). I'm having ideas again! And inspiration is flowing! And I'm thinking!

I think it's also because school is slowing down, and I've been accepted into my dream college with all finances paid, so the weight's been lifted off my shoulders, as well. Wow...I just made my own day! :)

So, in short















But I guess that's what makes writers so AWESOME.

If we could get off our blogs long enough to actually do something with our lives.









Ana

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Inside the Character: Lukas Vetti

February's ItC is focused on one of my favorite creations, Lukas Vetti. He is from the Orion series 2, which isn't started yet but has been through extensive planning. We already have all the characters figured out and everything. :)

Anyway.

Lukas Carlo Vetti is easily one of my most complex characters, as you will see below. I am going to try a different approach to ItCs. I will be asking many more specific questions...but you'll see. ;|


1. What actor would play Luke?

That's easy. Jake Abel!


He is 107% what Luke Vetti looks like.


UPDATE: Noooooo...it's more Hunter Parrish.




Just.....look.


Talking to Luke...

2. So, Luke. Tell us a little about yourself.
Luke: Okay. But you might want to get comfortable. I was born in Germany, my dad died when I was 13, I joined a gang, learned to shoot, became a sniper, joined a different gang, went through about seven gangs, lived in India for a while, etc. etc. without giving too much away for my author. *winks*
Me: *dies*

3. Do you have any family?
Luke: Since my dad died, it's just been me, my little sister Willow, and my best friend Kyle. But I'm not even supposed to mention him. *hateful glare*
Me: *<:D*

4. Who is your best friend and why?
Luke: That's easy! Nikolai is my BBBBB, BB, BB-B-B-B-B-BFF&E&E. He's the kind of mopey quiet guy I can bug all day and he doesn't even look at me. It's totally awesome. He just gives my this look...*imitates this flat sarcastic look*...and I'm sorry it's just so funny. I die.


Inside the Character


Physical Characteristics


1. What color is his hair?

Luke's hair is a dust blonde-y color. It's blonder than dirty blonde, but not quite like, golden. It's straight and usually chopped off short and spiky. However, he's open to hairdo possibilities now that he's actually making money so who knows what it will be.


2. What color are his eyes?

Luke's eyes are gray-blue, said to be dull unless in direct sunlight.


3. What color is his skin?

Luke's skin tone has varied throughout his life, depending on his current living conditions. He usually stays moderately tanned, but there was a point where he lived in India, so he was very dark from sun exposure. Mostly, though, he stays, like I said, moderately tanned. Though it should be noted that he is apparently capable of tanning very darkly.


4. How tall/heavy is he?

Luke is very tall, standing at about 6' 2-3". He looks even taller, for he was blessed with a slim, tight, runner's body.


5. Does he have any piercings, tattoos, etc.?

YAS ALL THE TATTOOS. But there are stories behind all of them. Most all of them are from various underground gangs/clubs/groups he was involved in, and any not from gangs I will specify the event. I will attempt to remember them all and their placement.
He has:
—a viper's head, poised to strike, on his bicep
—a fingernail-sized skull and crossbones behind his ear
—a small crescent moon behind his other ear
—the roman numeral thirteen (XIII) on the inside of his forearm (the age he was when his father died)
—a giant black chinese-themed dragon taking up the better part of his back, placed so that the head is on the back of his neck (the Orion's tattoo)
—a snarling wolf on the back of his shoulder, dated (his best friend's, who betrayed him, death)
—two small sparrows sitting on a tree limb with falling leaves, dated, near his heart (his first girlfriend's death)

He doesn't like the dragon one for obvious reasons, but doesn't know how to cover it up or change it. He also is interested in getting more, but only likes to get them if they are meaningful or just super super cool.

Scars:
His most prominent scars, the most unique ones, are on his face. He has a vertical scar on his upper lip, where he split his lip when he was young, and another curving at the right side of his mouth, so when he smiles it looks crooky. :) Other than that, I'm sure he has quite a few scars. A few brands from gangs, I'm sure.


6. What is the most attractive thing about him?

In my opinion, it would be his facial expressions. *swoon* He has such quirky expressions. Oh, and the way he talks. He's so very much a jerk in all the right ways, but if he likes you it's just like awesome. He calls his little sister 'beautiful' like it's her name.


7. What is the ugliest thing about him?

Ugliest? Erm...well, his face is kinda longish which can turn some people off, and the scar on his forehead is really ugly too.


8. What does Luke usually wear?

He usually wears sleeveless shirts and jeans, to show off his tattoos and his toned arms. *rolls eyes* Or lazy gym shorts/boxers and a t-shirt. Or just boxers. Or just underwear. Or nothing.




Emotional Characteristics


9. When he smiles, what does it look like?

Like he's trying to figure out if he likes you or is just amused by you. But happy. Definitely happy. Except when he's smiling at Willow, and it looks like the sun rose on the happiest day of his life.


10. What is his laugh like?

Hm...he does really laugh that much, despite all his sarcastic-not-serious-ness. When he does, though, I guess it's just a normal laugh.


11. What does he talk like?

He's very sarcastic, and very charming while he's at it. He's from Germany, but has very little trace of an accent (only certain words, like "school" and "schedule" which he apparently has issues with accenting properly). He's also fluent in Spanish, English, and German. He also sometimes has some issues figuring out certain english sayings/slang, but not usually. It's pretty rare. 

Memorable Quotes: (Is sacrificing his life to save everyone else, when another character won't leave him) "Dude! You got your whole life ahead of you, and a hot girlfriend to boot! Get out there and live it!" | (Just got in a fatal car crash while on the phone [p.s. it was not his fault]) "I get it, God. No texting and driving."


12. How does he act when he's angry?

He either starts insulting, being cynical, or *coughSAYINGBADWORDScough*. Of course I never write the bad words, I just know he's quite learned in them. QUITE. LEARNED.


13. Does he cry?

I can literally only think of two times he ever cried. Even when Kyle died, he didn't really cry.


BONUS: What makes him cry?

The only times he's ever cried is when those he trusts/loves leaves him.


Beliefs


14. Is he religious?

He was raised Catholic, but about the only thing he's done to hold to that faith is continue to cross himself and say his rosaries.


15. How does he view people of other faith?

He doesn't really care.


16. What are his core values?

Luke's core values....HMMM........Family. He'd do anything to make sure his little sister Willow is safe. He is always very insulted and hurt when someone he trusts betrays him, and ever since his first betrayal, Luke has not trusted very easily.


17. How willing is he to fight for those values?

Luke would die for those he really, really loves, but of course first he would seek every other option first.


Character Likes and Dislikes


18. What is his favorite food?

Luke is partial to curry and hot/spicy food. He is also fond of meatballs and cheese. Mostly cheese. He hates butterfingers, though. Like, with a passion. (However he will eat them just to bother Nik.)


19. What is his favorite color?

Luke's favorite color would probably be army green.


20. What is his sleeping preferences?

Luke could sleep pretty much anywhere, but he mostly sleeps on couches and armchairs. He's not much of a sleeper, anyway, he just kinda cat naps most of the time.


BONUS: What position does he usually sleep in?

On his back with his hands behind his head or on his stomach with his arms flopping off each side of the bed.


21. What type of music does Luke listen to?

Recently, country. Bluegrass, maybe.



Character Introspection


22. What is his birthday?

August 17. Not sure about the year because my book is in the future and I'm too lazy to figure it out. But he's 22-23 through the book.


23. What family structure did he have growing up?

Luke's father was a German agent. No one really knows who he worked for, but it was apparently James Bond, Men-in-Black type deal. He met a woman from Spain—it is unclear wether he even married her, but seeing as they had two children together Luke and Willow assume he did—and had Luke first. He doesn't remember seeing his mother much at all, as she wasn't around much. They had Willow six or seven years later, and she died soon after Willow was born. From then on, Luke grew up half-raising his little sister as his father left periodically for "work purposes". His father died when he was thirteen. P.S. In no way was Luke's father a bad dad. On the contrary, Luke and Willow miss their father very much. Also, he grew up with a boy named Kyle who ended up being his best friend. They joined gangs together and basically were brothers.


24. What is the worst thing he has ever done?

Luke has killed profusely throughout his life, but it doesn't really bother him, honestly. *shame on him!* What bothers him the most was misleading his friends into the enemy's hand while he was working with the Orion. He thought it would help them, but he ended up being crushed by a two-story building in the process. The look Willow gave him when he betrayed her has haunted him.


25. What is the best thing Luke has ever done?

In his opinion, work in the army. Even though he was technically spying for the Iranians, he ended up refusing to feed information.


26. What is the most significant romantic encounter of his past?

ELLIE.... :'(  Ellie was a girl in the army he fell pretty hard for (but she fell first! ;] ), but sadly she died. He was heartbroken as Luke could be, and it made him really think about losing the people he loved. It pretty much rocked his carefree world.


27. Has he ever been in love?

Yes, three times. Once with a random girl in middle school whom he never spoke with, once with Ellie, and in the not-so-distant future (after the Orion 2), he meets a girl named Mel who is pretty much his female counterpart and goes head-over-heels for her.


28. What is his biggest goal in life?

Hm...that's a toughie. I guess to be the truest guy he can be; to take care of his sister, to not be a phony, to always be himself.


29. What does he believe is his greatest virtue?

Truth and honesty.


30. What does he believe is his greatest vice?

His ability to kill without feeling anything. –my sister. i.e, If you hurt my best friend I can make your death look like an accident.


31. What motivates your character most?

His drive to keep those he cares for safe. Mostly Willow.


32. Is your character objective-oriented?

Not really; Luke likes to make his own choices, but he tends not to make actual goals.


33. Would Luke rather be a good person or a great person?

I think at this point in his life, Luke realizes that he will never really be a "great" person, and I almost think he's best that way. Frankly, I think he enjoys being merely a "good" person, because that gives him a little elbow room. No expectations, so he's free to be himself.


34. Would he rather be hated for who he is or loved for pretending to be someone else?

As I've stated several times now, Luke Vetti doesn't give a pinky finger for what others think of him. He could care less if someone hates him. As he would say, "You're missin' out on THIS, baby!"


35. Is Luke an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert?

Definitely an extrovert.


36. Is he creatively expressive?

Most definitely! Luke is a talented artist who loves to sketch whenever he gets his hands on a paper and a pencil. He likes to make funny cartoony sketches of people, but his real talent is quite noteworthy. He becomes a weapons designer.


37. What is Luke's disorder?

He holds grudges. If someone betrays his trust, he will probably never forgive them.


38. Is he materialistic?

Not really. He has been poor his whole life, so he never had much material to hold on to.


39. What is his learning style?

Luke learns best by listening and doing. He has to be holding the object while the instructor tells him how to use it.


40. I am a ______. How would Luke complete that sentence?

I am a weirdo. (He tends towards the deep end of things *rolls eyes*)


41. Life is an act of ________. How would he complete that sentence?

Life is an act of survival. The best way to win is to be who you are and reach for the top.


(credit for this idea of character profiles go to the Bree Holloway, author of the blog Tea & Bree)

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

READ MY WORK!

ATTENTION! I HAVE JOINED ANOTHER WEBSITE AND HAVE TAKEN THE NEXT STEP INTO THE BIG BAD WORLD!

Anastasia Cross is now on Wattpad!

My best friend Angelina Zoe (find her writing here, and her blog here) introduced me to this great website a few weeks ago and I have just gotten to actually joining and posting. Since I am very wary about letting the world see my awesome ideas and letting them have free reign of stealing it (ahem ahem wink wink) I have decided to only post things I am not planning on publishing. I did post the first chapter or two of every book I have finished and that I am working currently on, so CHECK IT OUT! Also, I have posted several short stories that pertain to my larger novels (i.e. include the characters and setting). So if you have the time or get bored or something, check out what I've done!

I may also begin posting random stuff like, stuff I will never finish or book beginnings that I scribbled down, if you're lucky... >:)

Thanks for reading!

Your faithful freak,









Links:
My watt pad page, where you can read some of my writing
http://www.wattpad.com/user/Anastasia_Cross

Monday, March 24, 2014

"The Mind While Ill"—a ran-dumb poem by yours truly

I was hoping to save this post for a day when I was sick, but seeing as I have no other finished draft posts and I am in desperate need to post something, I'll have to post it now. Anyways, I wrote (well, scribbled) this poem down while sitting in my room suffering from a head cold. It's all in good fun and meant to be funny, obviously, so enjoy!

The Mind While Ill
(previously "Scribblings from the Blur of Fever")

There is no hope in this place.

Only pain.

Suffering.

The hole that is my heart longs

for the fair face of freedom.

No one can feel my pain.

No one.



Many times have I wrought the fabrics of time

wishing, hoping, living, wanting...

Only to see that it is all in vain.

All in vain.

Past times haunt me like those of a millennium of days.

But they are all just disillusioned pastimes

for my fragrantly beating heart.



Time flies by unchecked as I squander.

Everything I do becomes nothing.

Nothing, says I.

It is all an illusion,

broken apart like the thousands of miles

before a long trip

Or the aroma of faint salami 

floating on the breeze as the hot dogs grill on the fire.



How long, says I?

How long shall my life be that of one who is ill?

One who is sick?

One whose head is pounding into the ceiling...

Or at least that’s what I assume

Through the blurb of fever.



Many more times shall I fail to amuse

to laugh

to smile

to live....

But once more shall I say

that all things are illusions.

Brought on by the fever of life.

When someone brings you a cupcake,

and you find yourself eating it,

even though you are daftly allergic to the said confectionary treat

you will remember these words

that pour so freely from my swollen lips.



You will remember and never forget.

Faintly, I reveal to you

the seams of my burning mind.

For these words,

these precious last words,

they come like pigeons to roost,

or chickens to feed

or angry ducklings to the bread crumbs

spilled out by the frail old hand of wisdom

that is my granny.



How long shall I write this futile poem?

It may be decades before I cease.

But know this, young reader.

I am very ill

with a painful sinus cold

brought to me by my dear loving brother.

I should thank him for ending my youthful spree.

Slice, he does. Slice it down.

In it’s prime, it was destroyed.

Like so many things in life.

Like the cake on a birthday party.

Or the dreams of disco dancing for one who has no rhythm.

Or the raps of foolish men who have nothing better to do than

brag into a microphone with drums pounding in their ears.

It is so strange why someone would want to do that.

But I digress.

Even as my mind wanders for perhaps the final time

I wonder...

Why?



Why is there so much turmoil in my nostrils?

Mucus runs as if they were have a mucus Olympic race.

Down my throat. Out my nose.

Throbbing in the cavities that are my sinuses.

How dreadful.



“You should have ended this poem two stanzas ago”, you may say.

But should I have?

Really?

Or are you enjoying the pain of my sickness?

Are you?

Are you?

Are you?



Perhaps not. Or perhaps so!

For illness is nothing but horror.

Sleepless nights.

Painful extremities.

Medication.

DEATH.



Here I go. Falling...once more, do I fall...

Into the slumber of one who is but a breath away from demise.

So long, says I, for the last time.

Finally...

Finally!




I rest.