This Fall in Gifs

WELCOME TO A GIF POST ! 

When I saw a new LiLe post with more Litany Lane stories!
 

Re-living the Fierro/Clara-ness of LL with TDOLL

What I'm waiting for everytime LiLe writes anything with Fierro and Clara

 

When LiLe mentions An American Fairytale

 Reading old IRL drama play out in Lile's old blog  comment sections while reading T-DOLL

Okay, on to me...

Why I rebooted Veritas

 When I re-read some of the intimate scenes from Veritas

When I posted the first chapter of Vice 

and realized I had to keep writing the rest

What it's been like writing 2 serials at once

When I start working on new Vice Chapter

15 Minutes Later

When I finish a chapter of Vice

When I turn word count back on 

and see my chapter is only 2,000 words long

When I first mentioned New Thing 

When I get frustrated with Vice and switch to New Thing

When Erik asks me how it's going with New Thing I promised readers 

When I find a good song for a future scene in New Thing or Vice

 

When I get frustrated mid-chapter and take a "snack" break (I'm not breastfeeding anymore)

Then

 What goes on in my brain when I give my characters angsty, depressing backstory

Looking online for names for characters in New Thing

When I talk to Mary's Doctor (The only adult I see regularly besides Erik and Laura and The G-Moms) about how I do this for free in my spare time.

When I see your comments and you catch the little things, pick favorite quotes, give me feedback and I'm pumped to get the next chapter ready.

 

When I actually start on the next chapter

  

Why I  (and Lile, I suppose) keep doing this

How I imagine you guys react when I don't post a chapter 
for more than two weeks

When you realize this is one of those times 

But smile.....

Because I have a trailer for New Thing...

.

Scroll !

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A little more

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Did I mention it's also a title reveal ?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

You're Here ! Check out the trailer !

http://youtu.be/LTRyqWUFHIw

Scroll for more info

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Keep Scrolling

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

How My Light is Spent

First things first, please excuse the cheesy Windows Movie Maker-ness of it all...but I like visual representations.

I hate to tease you all, but this is hm, how do I put this ? No where near finished. I only have about 2 and a half chapters, no official outline and a lot of the characters still don't have names, but my goal is to have some headway by December. I just wanted to share some of it with you all. Also, yes, the trailer is intentionally pretty generic. I like to keep my cards close to me.

In better news, I'm in love with the HISML playlist. It's an interesting mix.

Vice

I have really hit a stride with Vice, I mean the whole thing is outlined, but I needed more time to figure out a few plot points in the chapters I am writing. I know where I want to go, but I'm working on how to get there.

Back to the trenches for me ! 

I've Learned Nothing From TDOLL

To Lile
I saw this and thought of you

Questions
How is motherhood ?
Well, it's been pretty crazy, but I am so fortunate to have Erik, Lauren and who I am now calling The Moms ! My mother and Erik's mother have just been wonderful with helping out while still giving us space. Erik's parent's even have a rental house in CA now (subletting soon, just putting it out there) so they can spend time and help with Mary. I'm really enjoying every minute of her infancy, because I know it will pass by in a blink (although I am secretly already planning her first birthday)


But, I'm also a stepmom to a 15-year-old and that has it's own joys too. My stepdaughter is just the most positive and heartwarming teenager I have ever meet. While Erik (VERY rarely) has to be the disciplinarian I get to have all the fun with makeup, boys and homecoming dress conversations. I just have the most beautiful and loving family right now and I can't imagine doing this with anyone else. And I realize none of this explains why everything I write it so dark.


Favorite part of Sundays ?
Every time you all mention Sundays:
 

But really, I've always loved the playlist I had for Sundays and I need to see if I can log into playlist.com and still get it. I also like the idea of writing such a contrasting couple and how they navigate around that. Also, secret/forbidden love is fun.

Any updates on OHG ?
You know, I've been thinking of turning it into a series of vignettes or short stories. I think with that one I need to abandon the idea that all serials have to be "prose-novel-shaped".  I'd also have change the ending, since I told you all the original plan,

I'm still thinking on the Playlist question !


The Trenches
You guys I have never been this far ahead skeleton-wise. In fact, I said last post that Chapter 5 was the chapter where things got drastically different, but it is actually THIS chapter.

 I have really been in the trenches lately and I've been working a lot on pacing. I've been shifting scenes from chapter to chapter trying to make it flow so one chapter will be kind of short. But, guys I think I am working on a 10,000 word chapter, I have learned nothing from TDOLL.

In better news, I have a new song I'm obsessed with and can't wait to use. It will probably be around chapter 8/9/10-ish.

New Thing
So, New Thing is coming along...slowly. But, I do want to share a piece of it with you at some point even if you won't see the whole thing for a while. What can I say, I want to see your reactions because they sometimes help me write better.  Like I forgot about Sara's tattoos and so when someone mentioned it in a comment, it sparked the whole scene with Alan fixing the door and Luce pissing everyone one off. Anyway, the New Thing thing is not today or next post...but soon.

Next Up
I've been saving up and I think I'm going to do a GIF post next time !

Chapter Six
Okay, so Chapter Five was a bit of a filler chapter, so hopefully this one get the plot moving.


Sara's crew have just been given a hit by Rayne Washington, they make a plan for attack, but is Alan ready for his first kill ? And what exactly is going on with Luce, who Sara left behind ?

Chapter Six

You Can Ask Me A Question !

So, I'm going to answer a few questions a post and I'll separate them by serial !



New Thing

Will the New Thing be in 3rd person since the Epilogue of BH was in third person ?
It will be in first person because it came to me in first person. The same thing for Vice, I wanted it to be third person, but Alan's voice and perspective is particularly important. Which is too bad because I really like third person and want to write in it. One day. Far, far, far, far, far,far,far,far, away (the wheels are turning)


Can we talk about The New Thing ? Any hints to be had ?
Um, hmm. It's slow going for me between New Thing  and Vice. It's like writing a whole new language. Let me see, a hint that I can give. It will seem a bit like Litany Lane, it will have dual POV and multiple plot lines and one of the character's (not a main one)name's is tentatively Abigail. And one of the characters is based on Kevin Bacon.

Vice
We all love Minnie and Jean! But. . . how close are they? Are they actually incestuous ? Does this change or differ from Vice to Veritas. 

No, they aren't actually incestious. I never envisioned them like that. They just have issues with boundaries and this isn't Games of Thrones.

I actually made some changes between  Vice and Veritas, because in Veritas Jean and Minnie were going to have slightly different roles. In Veritas, the Dorys where never going to speak that much or have plots so,  I made them a little more demonstrative. I needed to showcase this "dark, edgy, taboo" world, and I needed the glimpses of their relationship to be a little bit...off.  As you can see I make them less close as it goes on


Blessed Hearts

Who would you consider the main character of Blessed Hearts ?
Definitely Rin. She was supposed to be the only character with a POV, but the others got in the way because she was supposed to be "dead" for a while. BH was originally supposed to be a 3-4 chapter thing, that kind of got away from me.

Ch-ch-changes
Well, this is the chapter where pretty much everything changes. At this point, I'm no longer scraping the old bits of Veritas together. I have to write who new chapters.

These chapter doesn't have specific music, but here is some nice ambiance sound ! 

Alan's been taken in by Minnow Dory and seen the Sprawl for all it is good and bad during a late-nite adventure. But after an encounter with Dakota, he is getting the sense he has stepped into something bigger than he thought...

Chapter 5

Character Inspirations

 I'm actually ahead of the game in my chapter writing which is RARE you guys. Now, Lauren (my stepdaughter) did tell me you all had some questions and I will get to those with each post, but I had this post picked out as a picspiration post, so, who wants pics? Also, can you see which one was also mentioned by Lile once ?




Sara Grace, 30 (Yes, she has 3)

Sara's Haircut

Sara's hair color

Sara's facial expression

Derek Grace (29 at death) I've had his for a while, but never mentioned it.

Alan Gray, 19

Just imagine blonde hair

Luce Grace, 13

Saint

  Minnow Dory, 16 ( and the outfit-spitation for what Alan first sees her in)

Jean, 23

Alan's Parents

 Jean and Minnow's have been mentioned before, but can you guys guess the others ?

What Luce ?... Is that you ?!
So, this is probably the biggest change from Veritas to Vice. I made Luce older and slightly more, um....lucid. In fact, he is the reason I had to re-edit Vice so many times. I had to write him in (cause, he is at the Tempus party in Chapter 1 after all) at the last minute.

I sort of had this thought that I wanted to write about a 14-year-old boy, I have no idea why. After writing Twyla in *that thing* I pondered what a character growing up in this environment would look like on the page. But, I had no place for a new 14-year-old character in the story. Then I realized this character already existed and his name was Luce. I later changed his age to 13, to put more of a gap between him and Minnie.

I also realized Sara had it way, way too easy (in fact, all the characters do...we will get to this) in the OG. She doesn't have anyone challenging her and she doesn't really ever have to parent because her kids just sit there quietly, which I now know is super unrealistic. So, I  decided to make Luce a more active and challenging  role in her life.

I also knew Luce needed to really hate Alan. Because in the original, Sara is kind of mad at Tempus and Alan, but not so mad she doesn't let him join her team. Sara's an adult, she realizes Alan had nothing to do with her husband's death and can process that. Well, Luce isn't there yet, so he  makes Alan's life hell.

But, I needed Luce's anger and pain over his father's death to have a physical manifestation fueling it which is why he loses his leg. Also, I had these thoughts during the Olympics with Oscar Pistorious before he shot his girlfriend.

Luce's picspiration is Asa Butterfield, when he was in Hugo and the same age as Luce. I had him picked out for a year and of course I later find out he would be Ender in Ender's Game, so good for him. Although it's funny because between interviews (which I watch for research, not to ignore writing) for Hugo and Ender's Game his voice sounds drastically different. Although in my head he sounds like his younger self.

Moving On
So, with each chapter will get a bit different.

Playlist:
-1- Emphasis by Sleeping at Last (I think this is in Breaking Dawn)
-2- The Boat (Benjamin Francis Leftwich (Thanks, Spotify radio!)
-3- Toulouse by Nicky Romero
-4- Elements by Lindsey Stirling ( She was on America's Got Talent)


Alan has just agreed to work for his kidnappers, but is he ready to get rid of his first body ? Also, there is going to be a lot of dubstep. Not sure why this hasn't come up before....

Shawna is Indecisive

The New Thing
The only thing I can really update writing-wise is on this new thing, which is in the bare bones phase. Normally, I wouldn't even talk about it but I've already come out with it so, I thought I'd keep you updated.

To answer some comment questions, it is in some ways a sequel to Blessed Hearts. Now, if you remember in that serial all the characters died and Soul and Rin were reincarnated. This story may/or may not explore that. But, mostly may not. But also will. Welcome to my nightmares.

I've written about 200 words and I have  a plot outline...I just need to give my characters names.  I struggled with whether to change their names or give them new ones, but I decided to give them new ones. But I'm not sold on it. I mean if it weren't for Soul this would be an easier decision. Either way, I'm super excited to start getting in to this world and becoming comfortable with it.

It also has a title, but I tend to change the titles (as you'll see) so I'll keep it under lock and key for now. When I'm 4 chapters deep I'll probably do some posting.


Vice
Well, Vice is still going along swimmingly. I've actually had to rearrange pieces because some chapters were too long. I admit, from TDOLL I know there are some parts I should strike through, but I have my reasons.

I have all of Vice  all plotted out and I do think it will be more than one part. In thinking about Vice I would love to write something small and concise, but then I look at big sprawling series and think, sure, why not ? I could do so much in this world.

Oh, speaking of names, don't be surprised if I start changing the name. I'm just not sure it fits anymore.


Vice Chapter 3
Here we are. The chapter where things really change and get different. Forget everything you know. Also, I do a thing with the font.

-1- Smoke Signals by Houses
-2- Yesterday We Had All Of Us by Fink (Don't look too much into this song, although it's my new fave)

Alan's been drugged for the second time this serial, but where does he wake up ?

Mini-Gif Post

So, I have a TDOSH ready, but nothing to blog about ! So here is a mini-gif update.

What I want from Lile after seeing all of her hilarious TDOLL posts and amazing novellas and just loving her work.

In fact, I've pretty much been watching LiLe's blog like this

 I've also been working on Vice and changing characters more with each chapter

Speaking of Vice, it been going like this recently  (surprisingly)

But still most days are

As for this new serial. Well, the plotting is going like this:

Well, this is probably more accurate:

One More

Okay, one more TDOSH. I did a section featuring Rhett and I discovered something kind of...interesting. There are a lot of lines from Veritas in this particular section of United Light. Which is odd because at this point Veritas was 3 serials away....

Did  just plagiarize myself ?