Music

TGw9L - Week Six & The Celebratory End

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, then you know this happened:

Nothing feels better than typing those two words and actually being proud of the work and time you put in. The moment was so different from finishing ADKOU (aka the trashed manuscript from this year). I was equal parts relieved, excited, but also really, really tired.

Let's see how I did my final week!

Week 6: 15,300
Total: 75,423

I owe the motivation of this week to all the support from my 2 handsome boys and the PVRIS concert.

Blaire, though annoying at times, was a constant companion on my lap, and Michael supported me the whole way, letting me spend hours in the cave. He even went to the PVRIS concert with me (despite not having slept in two days so I wouldn't be alone), got me a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate, and took me out for dessert.

The concert though, was even better than I thought it'd be. There's just something about seeing a performance live that transcends listening to the record. Even more so, when I'm able to imagine all these scenes in my head from my MS that correlated with some of their tracks (see my post last week here, to see what I mean).

All these things helped me get to the finish line that I ended up making it before my self-imposed deadline of June 1st! So that's something to feel good about, especially with vacation around the corner.

The first draft is always the 'magical' draft. It belongs fully and completely to you despite all its flaws. But if you want to make it even better and go through revisions, you'll have to take off your rose-colored glasses and get other eyes on it. That's the hard part.

For my own process, this would be the time where I take a break before going back to do a read-through and creating my own revision plan to get it ready for CP's. I'm doing things a little differently this time around because I want to know if there's 'something there' in my story. Is the story and the characters compelling enough? Not only to snag my own interest, but the interests of others that they would go along with the MC's journey? So this time, I actually sent my first three chapters and pitch out with a few trusted CP's and then to my agent.

Though I enjoyed every minute of writing this MS and am already thinking of revision ideas, I know that if I have to let this project go, then I will. It's a hard thing to do, but I'm prepared to do so if need be. But I am also prepared to work hard on it and give it everything I have, if all signs point to yes.

Either way, I've learned two important lessons this year with these two complete first drafts (ADKOU & TGw9L):

  1. Write passionately. Do not write for the sake of writing. Write with your whole heart and nothing less than that. Because if you don't, it'll show in your writing. You can't fool the reader.
  2. Know when to let things go. Making decisions are never easy, but when it's time to pull the plug on something, do it with respect. Don't think of it as a waste of time, don't think that it has to do with you. Stories work in different ways, and maybe it's not the right time for you or it to be fully realized. Seek opinions you trust to help you make the hard choices if need be, but don't be afraid to leave something behind. It's not quitting. It's moving on to give yourself the best possible chance to grow and thrive.

TGw9L - Week Five & Epiphanies/Inspiration

High-five! Because I completed week five! Okay, that was corny, but hey! I made it! And I'm posting early instead of waiting for Friday. So go me!

So my progress...

Week 5: 13,388
Total: 60,128

It was a really great week for me! The 18th especially because I had an epiphany about how to end my MS in a way that ties everything together, so I couldn't be happier! I wrote up to 3K that day so I could get closer to writing it, but even ending the week at 60K, I still have a ways to go. So much farther to go, I found myself procrastinating on the 21st. A part of me just wants it all to be perfect, but I have to accept that this is only a first draft and I will make it better. I just need to get it out, finish--while still keeping the flame I have for this book alive--before I run out of stamina. And also, another part of me just wants this done, done, done! So I can hold this precious, but dark story in my hands.

So to fuel up for the finish line, I'm using some inspiration. If you follow me on twitter, you may remember this tweet from my first week of drafting:

The song is 'You and I' (stripped version) by PVRIS. It basically captures the relationship between Elias and Delilah (who is actually Jane, and who actually doesn't have a 'real' name--long story). Anyway, the thing is, when I draft, it's usually done in silence. Usually I'll create a playlist to listen to when I work out or take lunch break walks to get me thinking about the story. This time, I found myself gravitating to PVRIS's 'White Noise' album all the time.

Like, seriously. It just speaks to me. Lyrics written for the album were highly inspired by ghosts and spirits, so I guess it's fitting that I would connect my MS to this album, since my MC is akin to a ghost/spirit herself. Now, I've been listening to the album non-stop to get me in the zone as I finish up the MS. 

But get this! I found out on Monday that PVRIS has a concert this week in Seattle! Must be fate, right? So I got tickets, and now I'm so excited because I get to see these songs--that have filled me with inspiration for the past month and a half--live! It's like a pre-celebration bash before I knock out 'The End'!

Gahhhh! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. Just for funsies, I've listed some of my favorite songs and what they mean to me in respects to my MS:

You and I (stripped & regular version) - My two MC's courtship/romance.
Empty - My MC's character ARC.
My House - Delilah's dark thoughts that lead to her demise.
Holy - Eliza's 'poor unfortunate soul'.
Fire - My MC's dark past/confrontation. 
Eyelids - Bittersweet moment scene for my two MC's.
Only Love (Acoustic-not on the album) - The ending + epilogue of the MS.

Really though, I love the whole album <3

In other good news, I've accepted a job offer and will be switching to my new role in July! May has been very good to me, and I am so grateful.

To end, here's some epic brunch pictures this past weekend at The London Plan (which was delicious. I have to say, it's my new fave brunch place!).


 

 

 

Parachute Concert & Rebounds

Last weekend Michael and I went to the Parachute concert. I absolutely ADORE this band. I've followed them since their inception and have seen them live 3 times. And each time is always better than the last. Needless to say, we had a blast!

Lately I've been focusing on trying to relax. After ADKOU (the WIP I've been working on for the past two months) flopped, I knew I needed to do something to take the pressure off myself so I can fall in lovewith a story again. Oddly, the situation reminds me of dating. During my first break-up with a long term boyfriend, I found myself rebounding, hard. I did this because I needed a distraction from the gaping hole that was my chest. With more clarity, I realized me jumping into ADKOU was the same thing. I just wanted to write something and finish it, because I absolutely loved THE JEWELED EMPRESS. And I still love it. So it's hard going from a project you love to absolutely nothing. So I ended up jumping in too quickly just for the sake of doing something--for the sake of progress. But the thing about rebounding is that you can always learn from it, and sometimes they show you a different path, or they're a stepping stone to something better.

So a few things I learned from ADKOU:

  • I can finish things. I should already know this, considering I've completed and revised two MS's before ADKOU, but it's a good reminder.
  • I don't need to finish what I start. Just because I start a story, doesn't mean I necessarily need to finish. If I know the spark isn't there, why force it? It's like forcing yourself to be with someone even though deep down you know they aren't the one (sorry for all the dating references, but apparently I'm on a roll with this theme).
  • I can write fast. Even though I have a full-time job and I have other obligations, I am capable of producing material in a short amount of time. But that doesn't mean I need to. Sometimes, you shouldn't rush a good thing because you may just ruin it. It's akin to wanting to take 'the next step' even though your S.O. isn't ready for it yet. Or taking out muffins from the oven when it hasn't had time to bake. That said, I know I have to trust the process and respect my creativity instead of cracking the whip at it.

A different path ADKOU showed me:

  • I am more than one story and I am more than a writer. We can't have one thing defining us.
  • Keeping a balanced life and living life fully are more important than using all my free time to write. Don't get me wrong. I love to write, and I love spending the whole day writing. And that's good on occasion. Six straight weeks, however, can make for a bad relationship with writing (the exception to this is if your job is to write, but if you're like me, struggling to balance writing with work, school, family, etc, it's not easy to do!) and that's what happened with ADKOU. I blocked out everything with the mantra, Write! Write! Write!, blaring in my head. It led to finishing, but it didn't make me feel accomplished like I thought it would.

A stepping stone to something better:

  • Finally at peace with shelving the MS, I filled my time with things I love and enjoy: like people's company, food, sunshine, books, and TURN (currently obsessed with that show).
  • Delilah's been lingering in my head. She wants her story told, so I started dabbling with the opening chapters. And I reallllly like it. I'm getting fluttery butterflies in my stomach. I'm taking it as a good sign. I sent the rough pages to my CP and she really liked it, too. I'm onto something I think. It's so awesome too because she was a character who came to me (on April 2nd) of her own accord. I didn't have to force this story out and I'm not rushing to finish it either. I am starting to grow attached to it, however, so I suspect I will finish it because I am excited to see how it turns out.

To sum up, no writing is ever wasted. Live life and enjoy it. Don't fall victim to the pressure you put on yourself. Give yourself a break once and awhile. And watch TURN so I can squee with you ;)

Sister Weekend & Ellie Goulding Concert

This weekend was awesome! Mostly due to the fact that my sister came to visit! And of course, the Ellie Goulding concert we went to!

Since all my sisters live in California, it's such a special treat for me when they come up to Washington to visit!

To start, I took the day off on Friday and drove my sister to Seattle to explore. My sister's visited so many times she's practically seen everything, so it was fun to just walk around. I took her to this cute little crumpet shop called Queen Bee in Madison Park, a place I frequent, and was delighted that she liked it just as much!

After walking around the arboretum, we went to the grocery store to get supplies to roll sushi for dinner.

It was her first time rolling as well as Michael's so it was fun and relaxed Friday as we made our own rolls for dinner (California rolls, and spicy tuna rolls).

After, we rented the movie Brooklyn and I absolutely adored it. If you haven't seen it yet, I recommend checking it out!

Saturday morning we went out to brunch at Tallulah's. It's one of our favorite places that we take all of my family members too. After a run in the afternoon, it was finally time to get ready for the Ellie Goulding concert! To start off the night we did Happy Hour at Petit Toulouse and then headed over to the arena for the show.

Let me tell you, Ellie Goulding's voice is heavenly. Her albums don't do her voice justice. See her perform live and you'll understand why.

It was by far the best concert I've ever been to and I would totally see Ellie live again in a heartbeat!

Sunday, we kept it pretty relaxed by going on a leisure hike before getting some shrimp tacos from Cactus for lunch. Afterwards we headed to the Korean store to grab some ingredients for dinner.

During the day we watched A Little Chaos which was another great movie (I recommend that as well)!

Monday, I had to go back to work, but my sister and I made the most of it by getting pedicures after and making a lasagna bake for dinner.

Then just like that my sister's stay was over. It was hard to drop her off at the airport and I always get slightly nostalgic when my family leaves. Luckily, I'll be going back to California in just two months to see them all. For now, I'll just cherish the memories.

Ellie Goulding's Divergent Track and the YA Film Trend

So yesterday I retweeted V. Roth's EW post on the Divergent Soundtrack. Check out the article and the new Ellie Goulding song here. At the first listen, I loved it. At the second listen, I loved it even more. At the third listen all I'm thinking about is how I can get my hands on that soundtrack! As you can probably tell, I'm pretty stoked about this film as well as TFIOS (The Fault in Our Stars).


YA Lit is starting to become a large influence in the film industry. Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, need I say more? And as long as it gets people reading, I'm all for it. And I'm just hoping that the film industry takes the story to heart instead of doing rush jobs to reign in some cash. Remember the Eragon movie? That just about broke my heart.

This YA book-to-film trend, however, is finally placing emphasis on the Young Adult genre. YA used to be such a guilty pleasure for me, something I kept to myself, books I would read in the comfort of my own room. But now things are starting to change. More and more people are starting to read YA, even outside its designated age range. Even at my college a course on young adult fiction was placed on the same caliber as Eighteenth Century British Literature. Though I wasn't able to fit it into my schedule, I just think that's so awesome.

So what is it about YA that makes it such a phenomena? I think it boils down to the YA writers. They're taking creative risks whether it's through the narrative voice, structure, or whatever. Angels, vampires, wizards, dystopia, reincarnation, gritty realism...anything goes. They're taking risks and it's paying off as a collective genre.

Holding Out For A Hero

Lately I've been so  o b s e s s e d with Ella Mae Bowen's "Holding Out For A Hero."


I've had it on repeat while writing just because her voice is kind of what I imagined my protagonist to sound like: sincere, open, and vulnerable. Not to mention I think my character is holding out for a hero herself, though she doesn't want to admit to it. 

This song also conjures up a scene in my head that I've been looking forward to writing. And I just love how music can do that to you. How the sounds and lyrics can paint pictures and a story just like how words on a page can. It's absolutely magical what words and sound can do.