Heather Rigney's Blog, page 6

Do you outline?

I don’t know how people write long pieces without outlining. If you are one of those people, let me know how you write a novel, novella, short story, etc without using one. Do you wing it? How does that work?
Let’s define outlining for those not in the know:
An outline is a (sort of) map that a writer uses to get from scene to scene.
In my YA zombie novel, I used a reverse chapter outline. I wrote a quick blurb about what I wanted the last scene to be and worked backwards from there, writing a blurb about each chapter based on a list of potential scenes I had brainstormed. That list was really funny because I asked my students, at the time, what weapons could be created from various places/objects around the school. Being an art teacher in an art room, you better believe the large, industrial cutting board was a fan favorite (and, yes, I do believe I worked that into the novel. That and the metal yardsticks, everyone, including other teachers, frequently used as a fencing swords.)
When using the reverse method, I found it incredibly helpful to think about where I wanted to end up. Being systematic (to a fault, sometimes), I worked from the beginning forward. One could easily jump around and write scenes of interest, which could cure writer’s block if there was a scene that was more exciting to write than others.
With the zombie book, I used a Word document to make the outline. In my current work, the mermaid book, I am using a notebook. I’m thinking I like the Word doc better. I keep changing things and I can’t read my writing!


I though it would be fun to include a photo of J.K. Rowling’s outline for HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX: 
Image found on slashfilm.com

Do let me know your method of laying out a lengthy piece. It's always interesting to hear how others work...
Happy writing...Your Favorite Mermaid

Writing Rituals

Finding the right rhythm to write. It’s like finding the right rhythm to exercise, meditate, or feed yourself. It’s elusive and imperative, a pain to nail down. But once you find it, and it could take some time, it should be blissful. You should find yourself skipping towards it as if you were having a gorgeous lunch with your most treasured person on the planet.
Yes, it should be that good.
If you’re reading this, you either know me through social media, are related to me, or found this through a search. If you are the former, “Hey there! How are you?” If you are the latter, you are seeking, as I have done, ways to get your head into the framework of writing (so as to nourish your soul) on a regular basis...
This was written for you, seeker.


First of all, let me admonish you for wasting time doing searches on writing tips, writing rituals, and/or ways to write more. You should just be writing--says the girl sitting in a coffee shop writing this blog post when she should be editing and working on her own half-finished novel. 
But it’s true. 
You should write and write and write and write. 
But I understand why you are here. Let me ask you this, what stops you from writing?
      You can’t find the time?      You procrastinate too much? Skirt the task like a tired dog circles his bed?      Find yourself uncomfortable once you’ve set yourself to the task?

I understand. It’s going to be okay. (Feel better? Not yet? Keep reading.)
Can’t find the time solutions:
When I was a working mom, my life felt like a conveyor belt of endless tasks. From the moment I opened my eyes until the moment I shut them I was in ‘go-mode.’ It sucked. But I still snuck in time to write. No, I’m not Jessica Alba, Bethany Skinny Girl Whatever, or any of those other powerhouse moms who can look gorgeous, skin and dress a deer, make a wreath out of the antlers, do the laundry, all while driving their perfectly behaved children to equestrian ninja classes.
That’s not me. 
I looked like crap, I felt like crap. I did not feel that I was enjoying the ride of life. I was beneath the ride, somewhere in the sewer with my head barely above the filth. I digress. I found time to write in the strangest places--on breaks, at lunch, and during endless, faculty meetings  I found time in the car waiting for my parents to make the hand-off with my little darling. If I was rested, I found time after dinner, or in the morning before work. I found time when my daughter napped on weekends (if I wasn’t napping too.) There was no ritual at that time. Finding the time was the ritual. But I did what I could. A paragraph here, a sentence there. Every word counts.
If you are on the conveyor belt of life, I’m sorry and hope that you are finding peace wherever you can get it, but I also hope you will try to sneak in your passion for writing wherever and whenever you can. 
This mermaid is also sending you a hug—sounds like you need it.
This print is courtesy of Robin and Helen.
You, too, could own this...Go on over and tell them Heather sent you, then buy it for $20!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/102149836/retro-typewriter-illustration-8x10-print?ref=pr_shop
Procrastinate too much/Skirt the task like a tired dog circles his bed solutions:
Do you really want to write? I’m serious. Ask yourself this question. Listen to the answer. Think out loud with someone who you trust. Tell them, I need you to ask me this question: Do you want to write? For real life? Then start dishing. I give you full permission to NOT want to write. Maybe you thought you did. Maybe you’re still on the journey to finding your creative passion. I just found out that I don’t want to concentrate on my artwork as a career. I don’t want to teach art anymore. I would only do those things to make money. That’s not a good reason to feed your soul. Is there something else you would rather be doing? Then go do it. This may be why you’re procrastinating. 
OR it could be you have issues with allowing yourself to be happy. Do you prolong happiness? I do. I store it up and wait until I am too exhausted to do anything and then I don’t appreciate it at all because I am soooo not in the moment. I’m a mom. I’m good at putting myself last. This is not okay. No, really it’s not. No, I don’t mean get all selfish and such. You don’t need to be getting a pedicure everyday or reading magazines constantly and ignoring your children. That’s not cool. 
Julia Child said, “Everything in moderation…including moderation.” That includes allowing yourself to be happy. Do it. Schedule it. Don’t put it off until you reach the point of exhaustion. Life is not a marathon, you don’t need to be clambering up the hill of life, clawing your way to “you time.” Btw, I’m not good at this either—but I’m working on it! This could be why you clean the whole house before you write, or finish that one last thing, before you write, or make a quilt for your daughter because you said you would, before you write. Maybe I’m talking about myself here… Anyway, take a cue from any 12 step program—step one is admitting that you have a problem. Recognize, acknowledge, ignore the truly unnecessary junk that is preventing you from writing, and go write!
A girl, her Americano, buttered olive bread, and her laptop.
Unstoppable.
Find yourself uncomfortable once you’ve set yourself to the task solutions:
Everyone is different. Everyone has their own ritual. Some writers have their writing cave. They go there at the same time every day and don’t come out until they achieve their daily word count. I applaud them and their enviable word count.
I cannot write in our 700 sq ft apartment. That’s way too much temptation for me to procrastinate (see above). I need to be in a public place, a noisy one. Maybe it’s the knowledge that others can watch me. My drive to perform and please others comes into play here. I am fully aware that these are strangers who are, most likely, not aware of my presence…yes, I have some issues. I recognize and acknowledge. But it works, so I’m not going to question the crazy bubbling just below the surface. My daughter is in pre-school every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Last school year and for some of this new school year, I have gone all over, around, and outside Providence, RI in search of the perfect place to write. I will post my findings and notes of various writing venues at another time.
I have discovered that my favorite place to write is Seven Stars Bakery on Broadway (SSOB). Here’s why. They have the perfect writing beverage and snack—an Americano with a slice of freshly-made, olive bread slathered in butter. The tables are small but square. I cannot write at a round table. It throws off my chi. The height of the table is imperative too. Often, I find the Starbuck’s tables to be of an unworkable height and my writing sessions (when SSOB is closed) at Starbucks are often short. SSOB also offers the most wonderful array of hipsters exceptionally eccentrically dressed comingled with impeccably manicured, three-piece-suit types mixed with Providence fire and police personnel in their uniforms and turnout gear. It’s a constant parade of clothing that nourishes my vision the way the olive bread and perfectly brewed coffee nourishes my taste buds and caffeine addiction. But my favorite thing about SSOB is the lack of internet access. That’s heavenly. It means I cannot goof off on the internet. If I need to check a fact or something, I have to use my phone. 
I did not realize how important this ritual of SSOB time was until it was taken away from me. My daughter’s pre-school needed a substitute teacher for two months while one of the teacher’s was on maternity leave. I did it willingly, to see my daughter in her own environment, to have the opportunity to teach my own daughter, to see if I liked teaching pre-school, and to teach alongside one of the most amazing teachers (really, she is a force of nature and one of the most dedicated, creative, brilliant, caring individuals I have ever met in the teaching profession. It was an honor to be by her side.) BUT it took me away from my Tuesday/Thursday writing ritual. I have been cranky beyond belief.
Today, I am back. I dropped off the peanut and was surprised when the lovely woman who had returned from her maternity leave handed me a bag of Holiday presents. I can count on one hand the number of memorable Holiday gifts I received from the twelve years of teaching eighth grade. This was stunning. As I pulled into my parking spot on Broadway, I reached into the bag and pulled out an envelope. I’m still not sure why I did it, but I did. Inside was a lovely card from one of the cherubs I taught, and from her mom, bless her, bless her, bless her…was a gift card for Seven Stars.
At that moment, I knew I was where I was supposed to be and hopefully, with a little luck and searching you will find your place as well. Keep searching.
Good luck to you, writer…Your favorite mermaid

2012 - I'm over you and your bad juju...

There are lots of ways people say goodbye to the year that is ending. Some seem more effective and useful than others. Some seem insane...

I worked with a lady who was Cape Verdean, and it was part of her culture (this could have been specific only to her family. Who knows? It's my story now, damn it) to clean her entire house, sweep the stairs, dump out all the trash, dirt, lint, unmentionables, all the bad juju so as not to bring that nastiness into the new year.

I know another friend of mine who writes down all the things she didn't like about the previous year, and then burns the list so as not to bring that nastiness into the new year.

I know other people who will plunge themselves into the icy depths of coastal, New England waters. They call these Polar Plunges or Penguin Swims. I call them ridiculous. Maybe it's madness, bravado, or some new age, new year baptismal--a way of cleansing the bad juju so as not to bring that nastiness into the new year.

Then there's me.

I've tried cleaning like a mad woman. I've made the bad juju list (and burned it and almost my kitchen.) I've thought about subjecting my pasty, weenie self to frigid New England waters (and then rejected that really bad idea!) But the ritual I like the most is making a list of things I'd like to see happen. No, they're not resolutions, more like suggestions to myself. I started this in 2010 and it has been interesting to check in on my past self, one year later. Here is a sample list from last year:




Looking over this list, I have to admit that I did achieve a lot of these goals. Then again, some of them I sucked at achieving or just plain ignored them.

Interesting point though, the first one:

WORRY LESS.

Huh. Before I wrote this post, I was stressing about vacuuming the apartment, folding the laundry, and getting my tutu ready for the party I'm going to later on this evening. Then it hit me...

WORRY LESS.

Do I need to vacuum? Hell, no. Do I need to fold that laundry over there (yes, you laundry, don't think I don't see you staring me down, getin' all wrinkly and such...you can deal.)? Hell, no. Do I NEED to be stressing over a tutu, for Christ's sake? Hell, no. No one cares. No bad juju is going to happen in 2013 just because I did not do the damn laundry on the last frickn' day of 2012.

I've had a good year. I started running, I wrote and finished a novel, I've been published, I made some AMAZING new friends. It all happened because I focused more on what mattered to me and not what didn't.

So, if you're out there reading this, my advice to you is screw the laundry every now and then, eff the vacuuming, don't put pressure on yourself to make everything on your Pinterest board. It doesn't matter. Be true to yourself, relax more, make goals like:

Paint your nails more (it forces you to sit still)Read more (also forcing you to sit still)Take time to take care of your miraculous body that you have been blessed with (get out and move it around, it likes that!)Hug and kiss the people you love (This year was full of loss and tragedy. Treasure those around you)Ask yourself, what will make me happy? And listen to yourself!I wish you all good juju in 2013, dear reader, and I hope you will be better to yourself (I'm hoping the same for future me!) And if you don't make a list, you know what? It doesn't frickn' matter...
Love,Your Favorite Mermaid

The Next Big Thing Blog Tour

Lovely to have been included in this blog tour. If you are wondering what one is (I asked too!), be sure to read this article. 
Emm Cole, who I met on the GoodReads group, MERBOOKS, asked me to participate and I was thrilled to say yes! Emm is a writer, mother, and all around kind person. She is currently writing the sequel to her book, MERMINIA, a tale of a mermaid with healing magic who has been swept up into an ancient and blooody war. You can read more about Emm and her work here. 
Thank you, Emm, for including me.
Be sure to check in with the other writers at the bottom of this post to keep the tour rolling.
Here we go:
1. What is the working title of your book?
MERMAIDS ARE NOT NICE…but I am thinking of changing it.
2. Where did the idea come from for your book? 
The idea to do a mermaid story was presented to me by my friend and author, Christine DePetrillo. She thought it would be fun to get a few Rhode Island authors together to write short stories based on the same theme. She chose mermaids and I ran with it.

In my first draft, my main gal, Evie was a total bore. She was flat (not chested, just one dimensional), and uninteresting. She needed some spice. I thought of how much I adored Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse (from the books that went on to become the hit, HBO show, TRUE BLOOD), how she was just an ordinary waitress dealing with vampires. I found the notion of her accessibility appealing and took off from there. Evie became a funeral director, a drunk, and a horrible mother. All those spices in my "character stew" amused me to no end and I could not stop writing! Evie is the worst part of me. She is everything I never wanted to do. She is my Bizzaro World alter ego. If I let all my inhibitions go and didn’t give a crap about anything, I would be Evie. Sad, but true.

This novel is an expansion of my short story, “Mermaids Are Not Nice,” that was previously published in the anthology, “DIVE: A Quartet of Merfolk Tales.”

I asked myself, “What would a mermaid really be like?” The answer was clear--she would be a heartless, nasty, mean-spirited, gorgeous woman who was fake, fake, fake nice as well as immensely attractive in both outward appearance and eccentric personality. I didn’t want her to be the protagonist, so I started to write from the perspective of a woman who may or may not be ensnared by my vixen mer-bitch.


3. What genre does your book fall under?


I struggle with this. I think of it as a dark, sci-fi, thriller, comedy with a fantasy twist. 

4. Which actors would you choose to play in your movie rendition?


What a fun question! I never thought about this until just now.
Evie – I think 

Rebel Wilson
Paddy – He is so popular amongst my readers, so he would have to exude confidence and love beyond his unpleasant appearance. I did a search for heavy, male, Irish actors under 40 and this guy came up: William Delaney. To me, he does not look heavy nor is he as ugly as I have depicted Paddy. However, with a few tasty donuts, pints, burgers, and such, he could really rock this character.
William Delaney
Nomia – Marion Cotillard
 or
Rose McGowan

5. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Just so you know, all those stories about mermaids being perky and adorable like nautical cheerleaders are crap.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Self-published
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The short story took me three weeks and it was 11,000 words. The full manuscript is taking longer only because of the Holidays, and external obligations that have pulled me away from my writing regimen.
8. What other books would you compare this story to?
The Sookie Stackhouse books, for sure.
9. Who or what inspired you to write the book?
See number 2!
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
In the extended version I delve more deeply into where my mermaids came from, more about the village where the story takes place, and more background information regarding both Paddy and Evie’s families.
There is also a mermaid smack-down that I have outlined and am super-excited to write!

Thank you for reading! Be sure to check in with these authors in a week or so (it's the holidays so give them some slack) to see what they are working on...


Jennifer Basile

Dorothea Duenow

Joseph Mazzenga

Happy Holidays Sale!

Hello!

Hope you are ready to enjoy this holiday season and remember that it is supposed to be merry!

In the etsy shop I have added cards, t-shirts, and my very first discount sale! Prints will be 20% off from now until December 17, 2012.

I do wish you the very best this season and hope that you will enjoy the cocoa, the children, the trees, the smiles, the laughter, and the love that seems to embrace during the month of December.

Happy Holidays from your favorite mermaid...

Vegan Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe

Since I have been overwhelmed by the photo of my stuffed pumpkin on Instagram and FB, I will post the recipe! I think it's hilarious that I posted about both my new book being available in paperback and a stuffed pumpkin, and the stuffed pumpkin received more comments!

Ingredients:

1 sugar pumpkin - top cut off, guts removed (save seeds to roast! See below!)
1/3 cup minced white onion
1 cup sliced portabello mushrooms
To taste--fresh Thyme, Sage, Rosemary
2-3 Large Italian Sausage Links (I use Trader Joe's meatless variety. Meat-a-tarians do your thing here!)- sliced into quartered pieces
1/4 cup dried cranberries (I had orange flavored ones and they rocked!)
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 can of white northern beans (garbanzo are fun!)
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (Can't beat Trader Joe's frozen, organic brown rice! Ready in 3 min in the microwave! I weep for those who do not have access to Trader Joe's...)



Instructions:

***SUPER HELPFUL TIP ALERT!!***Steam the pumpkin in advance!This will cut your cooking time in half! 
Take a large pot (large enough so that you can put a lid on the pot with the pumpkin in it) and fill it with water so that when the pumpkin is in the pot the water comes up about four inches around the submerged pumpkin.

Bring the water to a boil then place the pumpkin upside down in the pot. Put the pumpkin cap in the pot too and cover them both with the lid. NOTE: if the lid does not fit, make a tinfoil tent.

Steam the pumpkin for 15 min and move on to step 2 while that orange beauty steams away...Heat your oven to 350 degrees.In a pan (I prefer cast iron, but you do your thing), heat some olive oil and throw in the mushrooms and onions. Cook until the onions are clear and the mushrooms look cooked and shrunk. Add the fresh herbs here as well.Add all the other ingredients and stir it up! Here is where you can add any of the following seasonings: Cumin, Sea Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper. Taste it, smell it, you'll know if it's right. Just add seasonings slowly until you're taste buds (and nose!) are happy!That pumpkin will be ready and HOT! Use tongs to pull it out and place it on a plate or cutting board or something! Dump out most of the water...leave about an inch in there. Place the pumpkin back in the pot-- right side up, please! Now stuff that thing! Use all the ingredients and put the cap back on his head. Make a tinfoil tent this time and place it over the top, loosely. This lets the steam out.Cook for 30 min.When it's done, taste it again. Season if need be. When you serve it, scoop out a helping of the stuffing, then scrape the insides of the pumpkin into itself to get all the yummy goodness of the pumpkin flesh (that sounds so zombie creepy!)Eat and enjoy! Let me know how it came out!***BONUS RECIPE!!!***Pumpkin Seeds!That oven should still be toasty. Turn it down to 300 degreesLine a baking sheet with tinfoil.In a bowl, mix the seeds (remove the stringy goop--although a little bit adds flavor!) with cinnamon, sea salt, and olive oil. Spread them on the tray.Bake for 30 minutes while you're eating dinner!

My DIY MerFrida iPhone Case

I wanted to make something very special for my first, ever, iPhone. I am a total klutz and knew I needed something durable to protect my new expensive purchase. What to make? Had to be a mermaid, that much I knew. But then I wanted to pay tribute to one of my favorite artists. I started looking around at pictures of Ms. Kahlo and found this one:


She was childless and her pets meant everything to her. This is why I decided to include a SeaFawn with my MerFrida! When I was going through those long four years of infertility, the memory of Frida and her pain helped ease mine, and I found myself talking to her in my head quite often. She comforted me, and I am sure she has comforted many others. Frida was strong, brave, talented, and heartbreakingly vulnerable. So many women today share these same qualities. We, as mothers, artists, career-women, wives, friends, daughters, leaders, thinkers wear so many hats, and, somehow, we manage to do so with grace and dignity. Frida is a symbol of that grace, strength, and dignity and this is why she means so much to me.

I videoed myself creating the final piece for my phone. I used Pelikan watercolors on 130lb watercolor paper. I then scanned the final using a HP Photosmart C4480. In PhotoShop Elements I positioned the image on one of the downloaded iPhone Design templates from Uncommon.  I then uploaded the image to Uncommon.com and selected a capsule case. If you would like to order an Uncommon case with my artwork on it, let me know. I have $5 off coupons and would be happy to give you the image and the coupon code for your order. Someday I will figure out how to make my own iPhone cases and sell them in my etsy store. Until then, watch me paint!
Please enjoy:


Watercolor Demo of Mermaid Frida from Heather Rigney on Vimeo.

DIVE: A Quartet of Merfolk Tales is now on Amazon!

You, too, can read my new short story, Mermaids Are Not Nice..., in the new anthology, DIVE: A Quartet of Merfolk Tales! That's right, head on over here and download your copy today!
Here's my blurb:
MERMAIDS ARE NOT NICE by Heather Rigney
Just so you know, all those stories about mermaids being perky and adorable like nautical cheerleaders are crap.
Just ask Evelyn "Evie” (rhymes with heavy) McFagan, alcohol-fueled funeral director, and all-around lousy mother. In a coastal New England playground, some crazy new chick, named Nomia just spoke to Evie telepathically…or did Evie put a little “something-something” in her coffee again? 
Or maybe this time, despite her husband’s insistence that she seek rehab, Evie’s onto something—something fishy.
Snooty playground mom, Marla, has gone missing and Nomia was the last to see her. Coincidence? Or does the village have a killer trolling around?
Evie is determined to get to the bottom of things…or the bottom of a nice bottle of bourbon; whichever comes first.Maybe she should stick with the bourbon, because as Evie dives deeper into the mystery, she starts to discover that mermaids are not nice…

But you don't just get my story, oh no, sister. You get THREE other tales as well! You will be supporting Rhode Island authors when you click, "Buy it Now". So, go on, download it today! It's only $2.99! And while you're there, be sure to hit the "like" button to give us a self-esteem boost!

Coming Soon! DIVE: A Quartet of Merfolk Tales

My short fiction, MERMAIDS ARE NOT NICE, will be featured in an upcoming anthology of merfolk tales written by four Rhode Island writers! Living in the ocean state, we Rhodies know a thing or two about the sea--and what lies beneath it!

The release date is September 25, 2012. I will be sure to provide a link here on my mermaid blog!
Like the cover? Thanks! I designed it!

I'm a multi-talented mermaid.

Mermaids are always welcome here at Mermaids Love Sushi.
Are you a mermaid? Merfan? Merman? Let me know about you, your work, your mer-obsession.
I love to celebrate the finned ones!

What I did on my summer vacation...

Haven't been around simply because I haven't been around! Our little family traveled all over New England and enjoyed the warm, beautiful weather that is so rare in these parts.

So, did I do anything creative? I sure did. I painted here a few times and it was lovely:


I was commissioned to create a Star Wars mermaid. That was especially fun, since I am such a huge Star Wars fan! Here it is... BTW, prints are available for purchase here in my etsy shop. Think of it as the Mermaids Love Sushi gift shop:

Let's see...what else? Oh! I wrote a short story that will be out soon for you to download! But more to come on that...
And, coming very soon, all sorts of new mermaid merchandise for the gift shop
Hope you had a lovely summer.
What did you do? Anything exciting? This mermaid is listening!