Tangled Fiction Tuesdays!

It's Tuesday! And you guys know what that means. A new installment to a collaborative short story over at http://tangledfiction.blogspot.com/ or for you lj users, http://community.livejournal.com/tangledfiction/!

Part II of The Importance of a Strawberry Tart is written by my loverly friend and crit partner, Valerie Kemp. Next week, I will be writing part III.

Tangled Fiction Tuesdays!

Tomorrow is Tuesday which means it's time for the second installment of THE IMPORTANCE OF A STRAWBERRY TART!

Visit Tangled Fiction on livejournal or blogger to read part I of this collaborative short story. There are strawberry tarts, creepy children and dead things. Not to be missed!

Design.

I'm messing with my blog design again. Should have it looking spiffy in a few.

Brainstorming; How Do You Do it?

I'm sitting here trying to revise (which is nearly impossible since my three-year-old um...became three years-old) and so naturally that means I am procrastinating on the internet. I came across a post by paranormal author Kait Nolan today about writing things down with a pen, instead of on the computer.

I'm sure most of you have already figured out that your brain works differently when you write freehand as opposed to staring at your computer screen. I'm a panster, meaning 90% of my writing is done organically without outlining or planning. After I've got a decent draft, or most of one, I work things out in a notebook. I'll write down what I have, what I want, and possible routes to get there.

One of my writing colleagues at Tangled Fiction asked me what I do to brainstorm (some people like to lay on the floor and listen to music) and I really couldn't think of anything. Aside from working things out in a notebook, I don't think I really have any brainstorming tactics. Sure, ideas pop in my head when they're least expected and I'm forced to scribble on my arm, or leave myself voicemail. But I don't have a routine for it. Riding on the back of my husband's motorcycle helps to open my mind (it's ridiculously relaxing) but because I'm a mom that's not an easy option. Stuffing your kids in a saddlebag is frowned upon.

So what do you all do to get the creative juices flowing?

Tangled Fiction Is Here!!!!!

If you saw my earlier post, you already know what Tangled Fiction is. But did you know that TF is live! We made our first post today, kicking off the free fiction with a creepy collaborative short called The Importance of a Strawberry Tart. Come check it out!

http://tangledfiction.blogspot.com/

Or

http://community.livejournal.com/tangledfiction/

Tangled Fiction Is Coming!!!!!

I wanted to let you all know that three YA writers and myself have started a new free fiction blog called Tangled Fiction!

http://community.livejournal.com/tangledfiction/

The blog is also mirrored on Blogger, for those of you who don't like Live Journal (I hate it).

A little bit about TF:

We came together with a four-fold mission:

• to become better writers
• to have a good time while we practice our craft
• to give away free fiction
• to make that fiction fun for others

Starting in September, one TF writer will begin a new story on the first Tuesday of each month. Her story will be on whatever topic she pleases, such is the prerogative of being first! It will be up to the rest of us to continue telling that same story. We'll post on the remaining Tuesdays for the duration of the month until the story has reached its exciting and breathtaking conclusion!

That’s the structure, but there are a few more things we’d like you to know up front.

Our Recipe for Getting Tangled:

• No planning! We aren’t collaborating before the writing begins. We see the story as you do.
• Take Turns! We’ll all rotate through the four pieces of story: firsts, seconds, thirds, fourths.
• The Sky’s the Limit! The gloves are off and this is meant to be a challenge. Anything and everything goes!

We'd love if you'd join us as a "Watcher." Tell us you loved it. Tell us you were terrified. While this isn't a Watcher-driven community, we certainly do want to hear from you. We hope you enjoy the journey as much as we will!

Cheers,
Valerie, Natalie, Lacey, & Anne

Home!

I have returned! Most of you probably didn't even know I left. *sigh* It's not your fault. I am a terrible blogger.

My vacation went well! I went to the Grange County Fair and it was awesome, all be it way over-crowded. Visited with family, rode the hog for 8 hours in the mountains with Husband and some locals, went to an old country zoo where a tiger gnawed on my finger, and my mom was reunited with her wolf after 13 years or so. And I saw the Eutaw House and now I want it. Edgar Allan Poe stayed there on his way to Poe Valley. That is enough to make me want to invest millions into a place that will probably only lose money.

I'll share a few pics, but I won't totally bore you with the gazillion shots of mountains and trees.

Cutest kid ever.

Amish buggy

Mom and Dakota (ignore the tears, it was an emotional reunion.)

Donkey noses. Do I really need to explain that one?

Tiger chewing on my finger. No, the zoo doesn't normally let people back there. I'm special.

Husband at the Iron Horse Ranch.

My bestie and I (left) outside Homan's old country store. Across from the Eutaw House.

Also, and I will probably tell you about this a million times in case you miss it, Tangled Fiction blog is up and running! Our first segment of our first story will go live tomorrow! You seriously don't want to miss the awesome. And I'm not just saying that because I am one of the authors. Natalie C. Parker, Valerie Kemp, and Anne Marie are seriously talented writers and the four of us collaborating on ONE story? It will be epic. EPIC, I tell you!

http://community.livejournal.com/tangledfiction/