L.M. Pruitt's Blog, page 18
November 9, 2011
Writing Wednesday--NaNoWri Update
As of this moment--which is actually a little behind, because I believe I'm writing after blogging--I'm sitting at a smidegen over 8K on Harvest Moon Rising. Clearly, I have some catching up to do.
Thursday will see me doing at least 3 hours editing on the second Jude re-release, Shades of Desire, so I can ship it off to the editor in December, and have it ready for release in February. The other part of Thursday will see me working on NaNoWri.
Yes. I live an exciting life.
Thursday will see me doing at least 3 hours editing on the second Jude re-release, Shades of Desire, so I can ship it off to the editor in December, and have it ready for release in February. The other part of Thursday will see me working on NaNoWri.
Yes. I live an exciting life.
November 8, 2011
________Tuesday
Yes, that's a big pile of blank at the top. With the release of Taken, I have no clue what to do on Tuesdays, at least for the moment. Probably by next week I'll have figured something out--I'm crossing my fingers I will, anyway.
So, consider this your break from blogging, as well as mine, and I'll catch everyone on the flipside.
So, consider this your break from blogging, as well as mine, and I'll catch everyone on the flipside.
November 7, 2011
Media Monday--Making Me Cry...
Ah, Monday. A day I both love and hate. Love because I'm off from the salt mine. Hate, because I always end up doing laundry. No matter how hard I try to get laundry done the day before, it never happens. But I digress, as usual.
This weekend I read two books. Shocking, I know. The first, the latest Nora Roberts, was fun, familiar, comforting--all the reasons I read a Roberts book. Well, along with peeks at interesting careers and funny, charming, hot men. I'm always torn between wanting to live in a Roberts world such as New York 2060 and be wooed by someone such as Detective David Baxter, or whether I'd be more at home (or more, ahem, satisfied) in a gritty, harsh environment such as Karen Marie Moning's Dublin with an uber-Alpha male such as Riodian. And yes, I've given this thought. A LOT of thought.
Anyway, the second book I read this weekend was Kathryn Stockett's THE HELP. This book--not comforting at all. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to cry with a sinus infection? I do, because I cried five separate times. Yes, FIVE times. And I'm not feeling in the slightest bit hormonal, so I can't even blame the tears on those pesky things. No, I firmly blame Stockett, because she wrote characters so real, so grounded in reality, I couldn't help but feel for them and with them. If the movie is even halfway as amazing as the book, I'll be bawling, which means I guess it's a good thing I never got to see it in theaters, because I am NOT a pretty crier. I actually get pretty darn red all in the face and eye area (thank you, fair Irish skin).
Because of this, I'm spending the day watching movies that will not make me cry. I mean, it's a little hard to cry when Cameron Diaz is making you laugh your ass off in Bad Teacher. And it's even harder to cry when you're drooling over Vin Disel.
This weekend I read two books. Shocking, I know. The first, the latest Nora Roberts, was fun, familiar, comforting--all the reasons I read a Roberts book. Well, along with peeks at interesting careers and funny, charming, hot men. I'm always torn between wanting to live in a Roberts world such as New York 2060 and be wooed by someone such as Detective David Baxter, or whether I'd be more at home (or more, ahem, satisfied) in a gritty, harsh environment such as Karen Marie Moning's Dublin with an uber-Alpha male such as Riodian. And yes, I've given this thought. A LOT of thought.
Anyway, the second book I read this weekend was Kathryn Stockett's THE HELP. This book--not comforting at all. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to cry with a sinus infection? I do, because I cried five separate times. Yes, FIVE times. And I'm not feeling in the slightest bit hormonal, so I can't even blame the tears on those pesky things. No, I firmly blame Stockett, because she wrote characters so real, so grounded in reality, I couldn't help but feel for them and with them. If the movie is even halfway as amazing as the book, I'll be bawling, which means I guess it's a good thing I never got to see it in theaters, because I am NOT a pretty crier. I actually get pretty darn red all in the face and eye area (thank you, fair Irish skin).
Because of this, I'm spending the day watching movies that will not make me cry. I mean, it's a little hard to cry when Cameron Diaz is making you laugh your ass off in Bad Teacher. And it's even harder to cry when you're drooling over Vin Disel.
November 4, 2011
Food Friday--You Start With a Roux...
Now, I know it's been forever since I shared a recipe with you guys. And to be honest, I'm not doing it today. Consider this the precursor to the actual recipe, since you can't make gumbo without a good roux.
There are as many ways to make a roux as there is to make gumbo. Which is to say, there's a ton of them. Depending on the recipe and your own personal tastes, you may end up making a light colored roux or a stronger, dark colored roux. The process is the same for either and for every roux in-between, the only difference is in how long you cook the roux.
Instead of waxing on about the beauty of butter and flour, I'm going to send you to a link. Because I'll be honest, I can't actually tell you how to make a roux. Can I make one? Yes. Can I explain the process. Nope. So, I'm going to let the kind people over at the Food Network (I believe), tell you how to make a roux. Practice it. Study it. For next week, it will be vitally important.
How to Make a Roux
There are as many ways to make a roux as there is to make gumbo. Which is to say, there's a ton of them. Depending on the recipe and your own personal tastes, you may end up making a light colored roux or a stronger, dark colored roux. The process is the same for either and for every roux in-between, the only difference is in how long you cook the roux.
Instead of waxing on about the beauty of butter and flour, I'm going to send you to a link. Because I'll be honest, I can't actually tell you how to make a roux. Can I make one? Yes. Can I explain the process. Nope. So, I'm going to let the kind people over at the Food Network (I believe), tell you how to make a roux. Practice it. Study it. For next week, it will be vitally important.
How to Make a Roux
November 3, 2011
Random Thursday!
Today's randomness--The fair is in town, the fair is in town!
I'm excited, can you tell?
The North Florida Fair comes to town once a year, always right after Halloween and right around the time it gets cold. Yes, we know when the weather is going to turn based on when the fair is going to be in town. Only in Florida.
Last year, and again this year, a big group of people from work are going. Partly so my younger cousin has someone to go on crazy rides with, mostly because we're all really big kids at heart. My favorite ride? The Tilt-a-Whirl. Seriously, I could ride that thing all night long and be perfectly happy. Least favorite? Anything that goes off the ground. I'm terrified of heights, but I always force myself to go on the Ferris Wheel, simply because I am terrified of heights. It's like I have to prove to myself that I am, in fact, a hardass, and the only way available is to scare myself spitless.
Other things on the list to do today--get started on NaNoWri. Yes, it's only day three and I'm behind. I'd like to blame my sinus infection, but if it didn't keep me from going to the bar and it won't keep me from the fair, then I can't really use it as an excuse. I'm just behind, that's all. A situation I am off to rectify, right this moment!
I'm excited, can you tell?
The North Florida Fair comes to town once a year, always right after Halloween and right around the time it gets cold. Yes, we know when the weather is going to turn based on when the fair is going to be in town. Only in Florida.
Last year, and again this year, a big group of people from work are going. Partly so my younger cousin has someone to go on crazy rides with, mostly because we're all really big kids at heart. My favorite ride? The Tilt-a-Whirl. Seriously, I could ride that thing all night long and be perfectly happy. Least favorite? Anything that goes off the ground. I'm terrified of heights, but I always force myself to go on the Ferris Wheel, simply because I am terrified of heights. It's like I have to prove to myself that I am, in fact, a hardass, and the only way available is to scare myself spitless.
Other things on the list to do today--get started on NaNoWri. Yes, it's only day three and I'm behind. I'd like to blame my sinus infection, but if it didn't keep me from going to the bar and it won't keep me from the fair, then I can't really use it as an excuse. I'm just behind, that's all. A situation I am off to rectify, right this moment!
November 2, 2011
Writing Wednesday--Plotting vs Pantsing
Ah, the age old debate--plotting vs pantsing. My friends, who are almost all non-writers, hear me throw these terms around and politely pretend like they have a clue what I'm saying. This past Saturday, one of them actually asked me to explain the difference, probably to keep me from going completely insane due to my constant struggle with formatting..
The easiest way to explain the difference: plotters definitely know what's happening, pantsers have a pretty general idea.
I say this because as a pantser myself, and having asked other pantsers, we're a lot more likely to be surprised at how something may or may not play out in the course of writing a book. When I start writing a particular book, I know how I want something to start, how I want it to end, and any super major events between point A and point B. Minor events? There's a good chance I don't have the first clue about them. And there have even been times when something minor has turned into something major and I didn't see it coming until either right before I started writing or in the middle of writing.
Like I said. I have a general idea. Not a specific one.
Plotters? They definitely know what's going to happen. For them, this is probably great. It probably sets their hearts aflutter with joy and their synapses firing at warp speed. You would think I would be a plotter. I plan out everything. Every-damn-thing. I live by schedules. There's a good possibility you could set your watch by me in relation to certain days and times. And yet, I cannot plot, as in write it down and stick to the damn thing to save my life. Well, maybe to save my life, but you know what I mean.
I'm sure psychologists would have a field day with the inherent differences between plotters and pantsers and how being one or the other relates to right or left brain dominance. I'm even more sure that in the long run, being a plotter or a pantsers doesn't make a difference. Putting the story on paper is what matters.
The easiest way to explain the difference: plotters definitely know what's happening, pantsers have a pretty general idea.
I say this because as a pantser myself, and having asked other pantsers, we're a lot more likely to be surprised at how something may or may not play out in the course of writing a book. When I start writing a particular book, I know how I want something to start, how I want it to end, and any super major events between point A and point B. Minor events? There's a good chance I don't have the first clue about them. And there have even been times when something minor has turned into something major and I didn't see it coming until either right before I started writing or in the middle of writing.
Like I said. I have a general idea. Not a specific one.
Plotters? They definitely know what's going to happen. For them, this is probably great. It probably sets their hearts aflutter with joy and their synapses firing at warp speed. You would think I would be a plotter. I plan out everything. Every-damn-thing. I live by schedules. There's a good possibility you could set your watch by me in relation to certain days and times. And yet, I cannot plot, as in write it down and stick to the damn thing to save my life. Well, maybe to save my life, but you know what I mean.
I'm sure psychologists would have a field day with the inherent differences between plotters and pantsers and how being one or the other relates to right or left brain dominance. I'm even more sure that in the long run, being a plotter or a pantsers doesn't make a difference. Putting the story on paper is what matters.
November 1, 2011
Taken Tuesday!---RELEASE DAY
That's right--Taken had been released an entire week early! Ah, the beauty of electronic publishing.
For those of you who missed the cover the first time, here's another look:
Taken is available on Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon--but, what's a release day without a giveaway!
What do you have to do? Comment below. That's it. That's all. There ain't no more.
As always, happy reading!
For those of you who missed the cover the first time, here's another look:
Taken is available on Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon--but, what's a release day without a giveaway!
What do you have to do? Comment below. That's it. That's all. There ain't no more.
As always, happy reading!
October 31, 2011
Media Monday--Kelly Clarkson's STRONGER
Let me start this off by saying I've been a fan of Kelly Clarkson since her first CD. No, I didn't watch her on American Idol--I caught the winning song on the radio, and went, "Hmm. This is pretty decent." Bought the first CD, was mildly impressed.
Second CD, Breakaway, blew me out of the water.
So, like I said, I've been a fan of Clarkson for a while now. We're the same age, so the music speaks to me a bit better than say, Miley Cyrus (although I'll confess, I do have some Miley on my iPod). Still, I was not prepared for Stronger.
I don't like dance music, unless I'm in a dance club, which isn't often, and even then I'm not a huge fan of it. Stronger is jam-packed with dance music, but it's the kind of dance music that you can actually understand the lyrics. The ballads, if you want to call a song drenched with emotion and power-house vocals and an empowering message a ballad, are phenomenal, even for Clarkson. When she rips in to a prospective man-friend on Let Me Down, it's not a song of disappointment--it's a song of realization, of knowing when to cut your losses and walk away. When she belts out on The War is Over, you understand what it means to turn away from someone you love, because you know that the only thing that's going to happen is more heartbreak.
I read in another review that Clarkson is on her way to becoming the Mary J. Blige of pop, the perpetual victim that nobody wants to see get better. Forgive my language, but bullshit. Stronger showcases a young woman making her way through the minefield of modern relationships and everything that over-the-top description suggests. That doesn't make her a victim--it makes her real, and honest, and at the end of the day, makes her Stronger.
Second CD, Breakaway, blew me out of the water.
So, like I said, I've been a fan of Clarkson for a while now. We're the same age, so the music speaks to me a bit better than say, Miley Cyrus (although I'll confess, I do have some Miley on my iPod). Still, I was not prepared for Stronger.
I don't like dance music, unless I'm in a dance club, which isn't often, and even then I'm not a huge fan of it. Stronger is jam-packed with dance music, but it's the kind of dance music that you can actually understand the lyrics. The ballads, if you want to call a song drenched with emotion and power-house vocals and an empowering message a ballad, are phenomenal, even for Clarkson. When she rips in to a prospective man-friend on Let Me Down, it's not a song of disappointment--it's a song of realization, of knowing when to cut your losses and walk away. When she belts out on The War is Over, you understand what it means to turn away from someone you love, because you know that the only thing that's going to happen is more heartbreak.
I read in another review that Clarkson is on her way to becoming the Mary J. Blige of pop, the perpetual victim that nobody wants to see get better. Forgive my language, but bullshit. Stronger showcases a young woman making her way through the minefield of modern relationships and everything that over-the-top description suggests. That doesn't make her a victim--it makes her real, and honest, and at the end of the day, makes her Stronger.
October 27, 2011
Random Thursday!
Not entirely. I'm not really doing anything random today. Well, I think I'm carving a pumpkin, but I'm not sure.
I'm spending the day formatting Taken, so I can have it out for you guys an entire week early (yes, you may cheer. I'll wait, go ahead.) I'm going to plow through as much editing as I can, although I don't think I'll do nearly as much as I should. I'll probably eat dinner at some point, catch up on my tv watching (Revenge AND South Park had new episodes last night!), maybe try and read a nice relaxing book.
Yeah, I think the pumpkin is going to be the most random part of my day.
I'm spending the day formatting Taken, so I can have it out for you guys an entire week early (yes, you may cheer. I'll wait, go ahead.) I'm going to plow through as much editing as I can, although I don't think I'll do nearly as much as I should. I'll probably eat dinner at some point, catch up on my tv watching (Revenge AND South Park had new episodes last night!), maybe try and read a nice relaxing book.
Yeah, I think the pumpkin is going to be the most random part of my day.
October 26, 2011
Writing Wednesday!--NaNoWri (or however you say it)
So. Against my better judgment, I've decided to participate in National Novel Writing Month. Why against my better judgment, you ask?
I don't do well with non-self imposed timelines.
If I say to myself, "Self, we need to get Project X done by this date", the chances are good I'll get it done. Because I set the goal myself. While there might be outside influences, such as fans, sales, etc, my writing timeline is my own.
Participating in NaNoWri takes that out of my hands. Because what do I hate more than non-self imposed timelines? Failing.
Yes, I know that not making the 50K doesn't mean that I've failed. But I will feel like I failed. Because I'm neurotic like that. And there's not a lot I can do about that little character quirk at this stage in life.
So, November may find me completely nuts. Or it may find me with a completed novel at the end. Who knows right now--we shall have to wait and see. For now, I'll resign myself to editing hell and twiddle my thumbs until Tuesday.
Wish me luck. I have a feeling I'll need it.
I don't do well with non-self imposed timelines.
If I say to myself, "Self, we need to get Project X done by this date", the chances are good I'll get it done. Because I set the goal myself. While there might be outside influences, such as fans, sales, etc, my writing timeline is my own.
Participating in NaNoWri takes that out of my hands. Because what do I hate more than non-self imposed timelines? Failing.
Yes, I know that not making the 50K doesn't mean that I've failed. But I will feel like I failed. Because I'm neurotic like that. And there's not a lot I can do about that little character quirk at this stage in life.
So, November may find me completely nuts. Or it may find me with a completed novel at the end. Who knows right now--we shall have to wait and see. For now, I'll resign myself to editing hell and twiddle my thumbs until Tuesday.
Wish me luck. I have a feeling I'll need it.
