What I'm celebrating this week:
1) My CPs got seven chapter critiques and one got a whole ms critique from me this week! I'm not a shameful slug anymore -- Yay!
2) I made it through my Ch 8 and have gone back to do Ch 7. Writing things out of order (for the first time) was a little harder than I expected. There were details I wasn't sure about that linked the scenes together (separate POV characters, same location), but overall it worked. I'm glad I took the plunge, but won't use this non-linear technique often -- too confusing.
3) I found a new Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child book this week! (Yes, my face may have resembled the delighted baby's in the picture above). They're the ones I'd most like to emulate. I'm not nearly as good as they are, but I keep trying.
No matter who you idolize, it's wonderful to find someone who inspires you toward your goals.
Who's your idol?
L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge
Katie @ TheCyborgMom
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59 comments:
Who's your idol? I choose you, Lexa. I've almost completely read your entire blog, and it's so fascinating!
The photo is delightful! You a shameful slug? Never, (smile). back to Ch7, already? It's just been a week!
I'll have to check out the new book! Can't beleive it's the weekend - enjoy!
I would have to say, the Joker ... since early childhood....
I hardly think you're a slug! Even in your off weeks you do more reviewing than me… As for idols, I have too many to count.
Now, when do I get to read the new chapters? I feel like it's been too long since I got a fix.
I imagine it would be quite confusing to write out of order - I'd probably get loads of stuff wrong if I did it. The simpler the better! Have a great weekend :)
Great work this week, Lexa, way to go!
I wrote my first NaNo very much out of order, but that was kind of how the scenes came to me. The bear was stitching it all together in the proper order!
Awesome week for you!
And Preston and Child are my heroes as well. Their books read like movies, if that makes sense. I'd love to be able to write like them.
Oh my gosh, that picture is so adorable! Thanks for the smile to start the day. Happy weekend, Lexa!
What a cute picture! Even better when one tries to picture you doing the exact same face - lovely. And yay to getting all the writing done. Nope, that's definitely not slug progress. Congrats!
I don't think you're a slug. I think you had a pretty good week!
Love the Snow White photo! Congrats on all your progress! I hadn't heard of those authors before. I'll check them out.
Sounds like you had an awesome, productive week.
so awesome! high fives!! My idols are anyone who go for their dreams, really! Taylor Swift is a big one, since she breaks convention and slays it every time :)
Thank you for that adorable pic. it made me smile! YAY!! on getting to Chap. 8! Keep it going....
Woot for finishing your chapter. And Yay for no more slugging it. :D
That's cool you found another book by your idols. Happy reading!
Hey I'm one of those lucky CPs!!
Yay for more writing getting done. That's awesome :)
Hey I'm one of those lucky CPs!!
Yay for more writing getting done. That's awesome :)
Hurray for a productive week!
I've never written out of order, although I do have a non-linear story bouncing around in the back of my mind. I'm a little scared to tackle it though.
I'm inspired by C.S. Lewis, John Flanagan, and Milo James Fowler - to name just a few. C.S. Lewis' ability to weave his faith journey into his writing and life without ever being "obnoxious" about it is something I wish I could do. John Flanagan is an Aussie writer that my kids love and I have loved reading his writing skill grow from book to book through 16 books so far. Milo James Fowler is a blogger I follow who always perseveres in the face of rejection - he just keeps re-submitting his stories and novels over and over until they find publishing homes.
I love that picture.
Good news that you're making progress on your MS. I don't often write scenes out of order, but sometimes a "future" scene just comes to me, so I write it down. It may get altered by the time I actually get there, but I actually like having "the bones" there waiting for me.
Boy, I wish I had one idol...it's too difficult to nail that down, but I will say that I admire many, many people and they all have the same qualities:
1. Creative
2. True to themselves
3. Productive
4. Good attitude
5. Caring
Like you!
It's so good to hear that you're pleased with the progress you're making. Idol? Anyone who struggles in anonymity for their art.
Hmmm...my idol would have to be Nicki Minaj. I know people see her as a crazy girl who has no talent, but she is an incredibly smart business woman and has come from rags to riches. Truly admirable.
People like her, who, despite their starting points, fought their way to the success they always wanted.
I'm glad you found a book to read! I just got bored of one and am trying to find a fun one!
WOOT! That is some awesome progress, Lexa. Definitely worth celebrating.
I don't think writing out of order would work for me, but, never say never!
Have a great weekend!
I'm so jealous that you got so much writing done this week, Lexa! Congratulations!
Thanks for putting Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child on my radar. I added Relic to my "to read" list.
Congrats on your productivity. I try to write linearly, but sometimes, as with my WIP, I decide to rework the beginning, which throws everything off. So now I have a load of material in various states of inconsistency.
Hooray for getting things done!
You are doing so great that I commend you! Who's my Idol...Unsure but I do admire my parents, Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, and my Oma
So excited for you, Lexa! When everything comes together in your stories, it's definitely something to cheer about. Hope you have a great weekend.
Good for you, glad you are having a wonderful productive week. Now to your questions, who is my idol? Anyone who lives their life as they see fit, and are successful at it - here are some examples, Jared Leto, because he sticks out of the crowd, Gary Vaynerchuck, because he is successful, yet humble, Chase Jarvis, because he make photography and teaching it cool. Great question! See you next week!
Idk why Blogger keeps eating my comments, but I'll try again. If you get duplicates just erase.
Looks like you've had a phenomenal week of writing. Good for you. :) You're awesome.
Thanks again as always, for keeping this amazing blog-hop alive and well. Hugs to you! Eva
Wow, a super good week for you! The photo is darling :) Have a nice weekend!
Wow, congrats on all the critiques! And LOL, I remember how much of a headache writing out-of-order could be, so many props to you for toughing it out!
I've never tried writing out of order. The idea hurts my brain. Great going on the critiques.
I have a few idols - Bob Dylan is top though. :)
shahwharton.com
Yay for finishing chapter 8 and getting started on chapter 7! I look forward to reading what happens next. :)
In terms of idols, I can't really say that I have any. I struggle with the term. But as far as writers who'd I'd love to be half as good as: Harper Lee (Who is finally coming out with book 2 - Yay!), Jodi Picoult, Stephen Donaldson, Carol Berg and Steven King. The list could go on and on, but each of those writers leaves me as a reader with a lasting sense of their world and characters, and I'd love to have readers say that about me someday.
That's an adorable picture! Congrats on your writing progress!
Oh I love that photo... hehe. Nope, you are no slug... I can't keep up with your awesome reviewing:)
Sometimes it's been necessary for me to write out of order too. It can be challenging, but certain stories call for it.
Congratulations on getting so much work done! I feel guilty, now, since I'm still trying to finish that darn first draft. Maybe my jealousy will kick me into a higher gear!
Congrats on getting all that critiquing and awkward writing done! Definitely something to celebrate. :)
Great work Lexa. Writing in a non-linear way is definitely challenging, so it's good that you're making it work. Hope you're having a great weekend. :-)
Congratulations on conquering your chapters, Lexa! Can't wait for the finished product=)
I'm not sure who my idol is. I admire all those who help others or inspire any of my writing. When I was little, Levar Burton from Reading Rainbow was my idol.
Oh my gosh, that picture is just perfect! I think my idols are my grandparents. They were amazing people and I miss them so much! Hope you enjoyed your weekend :)
Love that picture. Not only is the baby adorable, but I used to live next to Disneyland. Brings back good memories. Congrats on getting your chapters done!
Sounds like you're making great progress, in whatever order you're working. Love the cutesie picture.
Onwards!
That picture is precious!! I have lots of idols. (Lots!) Basically all of the authors and poets who've influenced me.
Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Bronte, Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Anne Rice, Ray Bradbury, Laurell K. Hamilton, Jane Hirshfield, Mark Z. Danielewski, Billy Collins...
So exciting to be inspired by an idol and to meet one would probably render me speechless! Two of my idols are JK Rowling and Neil Gaiman. Love them!
Sounds like you are making a lot of progress with your ms and with your CP work. Yeah! :)
~Jess
YOu were very productive! I would not try a not linear writing. I know I would get lost without hope.
Heroes? Mmmh, I think my heroes are old-fashioned and outdated.
I'm with Cherdo, I have too many heroes to mention them all here. The sad part is many of them are at the age where they're passing on. Margaret Lawrence is one I would have loved to have met.
I've never written out of sequence. Don't think I can. It's hard enough when I make a change to chapter 8 and have to go back to make certain I've fixed all the references.
Precious picture. It's so much fun to be that excited about something. I guess lots of writers look that way when they finish a story. You've had a very productive week. Congrats.
I have no idol that I can think of. Have a great week.
Hey, congrats on all that achievement!
My idol... I have no idea. And I don't know why I don't have an idea. Will have to think on this one...
And go you!
So many writers, too many to list, are my idols. I even have some of their pictures hanging in my office space. I have to look up Preston & Childs. I haven't heard of them.
BTW - You have a Very Inspiring Blogging Award if you would like it . . . at my blog. :) http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/2015/02/wow-very-inspiring-blogger-award.html?showComment=1423585910517#c5341209045679376643
Honestly, I don't have an idol. Is that crazy? My parents and grandparents are the ones who fill that role, along with several selfless people I've met along life's road. In fact, I wrote a whole hero series for the A to Z Challenge last year highlighting several of those people. =)
I thought I commented here already, but I don't see my mugshot. Need a new brain. Thanks for including my contest. Nancy G. West's humorous mysteries are really fun.
I'd say you definitely lose "slug" status. A very good week. And I love that picture.
Love, love, love the picture! Congrats on getting all done.
My idols are Taylor Swift and Princess Lum.
Great blog Lexa :)
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