So Much to Do, So Little Time!

So I'm still alive. However, with Dear Son's new mobility I've realized it just isn't possible for me to keep up with my blog the way I intended to and still have time to actually write. So this is the new world order - I'll pop in and post when I have time and something to say, but I'm not gonna let it stress me out. I'm not even attempting to stick to a schedule for the time being, because that just isn't working out. But I still love you! And I will be tweeting regularly to keep in touch with you lovely people of the internets.

Here's what I'm working on now:

Looks fun doesn't it? :) It was a lot of fun to write! Off to continue editing.

-Gemma

Stuff For Writers - Television Tropes

Today I'm going to share one of my favorite sites. I can literally spend hours on this page without realizing that more than minutes have passed. TV tropes is "a catalog of the tricks of the trade for writing fiction." 


What are tropes, you ask? "Tropes are devices and conventions that a writer can reasonably rely on as being present in the audience members' minds and expectations." They're similar to cliches, but without the negative connotation. (Although if you've read this post, you know that well done cliches are A-OK with me) I found this video through a link on one of the pages (I can't remember which one, I spent hours there the other day) and it illustrates tropes far better, and funnier, than I could describe them.

That was awesome right? Anyhow, the site breaks down tons of plot devices and other writing tidbits with really funny, easy to understand descriptions. There are also examples of each one, in several types of media.

A few of my favorites: (Be forewarned - This site is addictive!)

Freewrite Friday - Tired Grain

Once again, I'm posting this on a non-Friday. I missed last one so my plan is to post another tomorrow. We'll see how real life aligns with my plan. Lately they've been on different schedules...

Anyhow, this is Tired Grain. Enjoy!

Truth is More Adorable Than Fiction

Girl writes love letter to fifth grade sweetheart. Boy finds letter in his closet eight years later. Boy reminisces, asks girl to prom. Girl says yes. 'Awww'-ing ensues.

This. Is. Too. Cute.

Check out the full story on The Huffington Post.

Join the conversation: Do you have any mementos from a childhood crush? How did you get it & what did you keep? I'd love to hear your stories!

Stuff For Writers: Manage Your Own Agenda

We all write for a reason, and everything we write has an underlying message.


Romeo & Juliet - Holding grudges leads to death.
Lord of the Rings - Power corrupts.
Hunger Games - Fight the Power!


I'm being facetious, but you get what I mean. Theme is a huge part of story. But please, I beg you, do not let your plot suffer at the hands of your message.

Stuff For Writers: Around the Internets

Random things I like & love, shared with you!

-Hunger Games BARBIE?!? NOOOOOO!

Katniss would melt this thing down, sharpen the end, and turn it into a shank! Although I'm pretty sure Peeta would sleep with it at night... And, ok, if I'm totally honest, a *little* part of me wants one. But it just seems so WRONG!
http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/04/09/hunger-games-katniss-everdeen-barbie/

-Double Take Photos

I like looking at pictures for inspiration, and these remind me that sometimes when you're reading a book, what you think you see isn't what's really going on. Those are my favorite stories, where you're completely convinced that one thing is happening, but then you realize that it's something else, and all of the facts still make sense. This first picture made me stare for like two minutes. My brain was so sure something crazy was going on. Then when I finally got it, it was like 'Ohhhhh! DUH!'
http://boingboing.net/2012/05/22/fun-gallery-of-double-take.html

-Will Smith does Fresh Prince Rap on Talk Show

Just because Will Smith is awesome, and the Fresh Prince is awesome, and I love most things nineties and throwback, here's Will Smith rapping the theme to 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' on The Graham Norton Show earlier this week.
http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/05/21/will-smith-raps-fresh-prince-theme-song/

-Ryan Gosling, Liteary Agent

Totally saved the best for last. Ryan Gosling. As a literary agent. Fictionalized, of course. But hilarious nonetheless. This Twitter account is my new best friend. He says things like "Hey Girl, you write, I'll take the kids to Cold Stone. That chapter: you finish it. Sundaes: we'll bring you one."  &  "Hey Girl, I'm mailing you your line edits. Realized I wrote Ryan + your name in the margins a bunch. Sorry. Sometimes I daydream at work" The hilarity/awesomeness of this page is too much for me to even describe, so go see it for yourself. *internet swoon*
https://twitter.com/#!/goslinglitagent

Indie Spotlight: Hush Money

Susan Bischoff's Hush Money is THE book that finally convinced me indie books were cool. I'd flat-out laughed at the idea/suggestion that I would ever self-publish, because I was a purist, an aspiring author who was going Big Six or Bust. Then I found a little (well, actually, there's nothing little about it) novel called 'Heroes For Hire.'

And it totally blew my mind.