Friday Sketch

Writers are weird, weird people. We spend a lot of time moaning and groaning about how freaking long it takes to finish a book or how much work it is. And then we finish (like I did yesterday), and what's our first thought?

"Hmm, what should I work on next?"

Seriously? Not "How long should my vacation be?" Or maybe "Let's not do that again for a while." Or "I should really clean my house, read all those crits piling up, and take a big chunk out of my TBR pile."

No, here I am thinking about the next project—what it should be and when I should start it and how I can make it the best thing I've ever written. I'm rather disgusted with myself, to be honest. I'm a freak of nature. So far I've decided to start my "first" round of edits on Transparent next week and to work on something new.

The new project isn't really that new. I wrote like five chapters a while back, but then forced myself to put it away and do my "real work." Well, after digging through my manuscript graveyard yesterday, I've decided that I want to pick this one up again.

This drawing is one of my MCs, Corbin Parr. I didn't have a good picture of him in my head, so I decided to draw him. I'm not totally happy with it, but at least I know he has brown hair and gray blue eyes. That's something.

Corbin is moody, restless, and more daring than his father would like. But he can't help himself—the Shepherds, an alien race now occupying Earth, took his brother, and he's determined to find him even if the chances are slim. That is, if he can escape his father's compound first.

I like him, even though he's kind of a pain in the butt. Anyway, those are my plans for the rest of the year (plus reading all these crits, sorry crit partners!). What are yours?

Friday Random

If you're wondering what a free write post looks like, you're about to find out.

So I finished a certain edit on Wednesday, and I sent it off to new readers. New betas sounded like a really good idea in my head. I mean, I've read the book so many times (and so have my crit partners) I'm honestly not sure if I'm clearing up world building issues. Fresh perspective should help, ya?

I forgot how much of a mess I am when I send stuff out. It's been a while! I can't seem to concentrate on anything—not even anime—for more than a few minutes. I keep getting attacks of the "Oh my gosh they're going to HATE it. Why did I send it? Why am I DOING this? Gah."

It's a party up in here.

Also, I have this new idea. It's KILLING me not to run away with it and forget everything else. I feel like I really, really need to work on something brand new and shiny. I also know I have other responsibilities.

But I did write a prologue...and I may have started the first chapter. I'm a ninja like that. I figured I'd share the very short prologue, since it doesn't really give away much:



Probably done. Maybe a little lame. But I'm excited about it. The world building has been a blast (if not a touch morbid). Right now it's all for fun anyway, like Spork.

I've started doing something weird in my reading habits lately. I'm reading more than one book at a time. I'm surprised to find I like this approach. I used to be the "I have to finish this book before starting another" person. But I started reading a YA Contemporary while I was also reading a YA post-apoc, and I liked being able to go back and forth. The stories were so different I never got confused like I thought, and I really like reading according to my current mood.

I just finished Sweethearts by Sara Zarr and absolutely adored it, and before that I finished The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Now I'm working on Incarceron by Catherine Fisher and Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan, with a little Spells by Aprilynne Pike on the side. Loving all.

As for drawing, I'm finding it soooo hard to get a drawing done on Friday! I'm still trying to figure out what to do. I may go back to Saturday Sketch like before, or I might draw over the weekend and post on Monday. Still trying to figure out a good schedule.

In other riveting news (since I'm full of that today), my kids are still cute. Dino boy is currently weidling a sai/light saber combo. Very deadly, that one. Ninja Girl is doing a very good downward facing dog on the yoga mat. Ah, I love those punks.

Also, I would love you forever if you brought me a double cheeseburger, onion rings, and a cherry limeade.