Swimming with Manatees and Why I Must Flog My Brain with a Wet Noodle
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WHAT I'M READING
I finished SWAMPLANDIA. I think it might have been the best book I've read all year. It is complex and the imagery is exquisite. I have to say though, that it probably isn't for everyone. Elements of the book are haunting and the characters are very human and flawed. It reminded me a little bit of THE BONE PEOPLE. Both are books that stick with you long after you close the cover. But the people in them feel so real, that you would be surprised if someone told you they are not.
Now I'm re-reading THE RAVEN BOYS in anticipation of the release of THE DREAM THIEVES next week. Really looking forward to it.
WHAT I'M WRITING
My brain is my worst enemy sometimes. It committed two atrocities this week.
Atrocity #1: My brain pointed out that the writing in the beginning of my MS is not as strong as the writing towards the end. Which means I should rework the beginning to make the writing stronger. Crap. (Though on a positive note, it means I'm learning a bit as I move through a book if the end is that much better than the beginning.) Trying to focus on the positive.
Atrocity #2: My brain became totally fixated on a new book idea that has nothing to do with the other two MS's I've been working on. And try as I might, I could not get my brain to stop thinking about it and living in that world. So I had to take time away from my other writing to jot down some ideas and a plot outline to keep my mischievous brain pacified long enough to let me write. *flogs brain with a wet noodle*
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
After our kayak trip on Saturday, we decided to go for a swim in the ocean. And as we were floating along, Chris noticed a big, dark grey shape headed toward us in the water. It was huge and moving and for the longest time we couldn't figure out what it was. It turned out to be a pod of manatees. Five of them with a little calf. You don't see manatees as frequently on the ocean side, and you typically don't see them in 5 feet of water. But there we were balancing on our toes in the gorgeous blue water with a bunch of manatees swimming all around us. They hung out for about 45 minutes, just swimming in lazy circles. It was so amazing, we were running high all day because of it. Although, I learned an important lesson- Always, ALWAYS charge the underwater camera. I got 30 seconds of video before the battery died. Kicking myself for that one.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
Yeah....that about covers it. :)
Now I'm re-reading THE RAVEN BOYS in anticipation of the release of THE DREAM THIEVES next week. Really looking forward to it.
WHAT I'M WRITING
My brain is my worst enemy sometimes. It committed two atrocities this week.
Atrocity #1: My brain pointed out that the writing in the beginning of my MS is not as strong as the writing towards the end. Which means I should rework the beginning to make the writing stronger. Crap. (Though on a positive note, it means I'm learning a bit as I move through a book if the end is that much better than the beginning.) Trying to focus on the positive.
Atrocity #2: My brain became totally fixated on a new book idea that has nothing to do with the other two MS's I've been working on. And try as I might, I could not get my brain to stop thinking about it and living in that world. So I had to take time away from my other writing to jot down some ideas and a plot outline to keep my mischievous brain pacified long enough to let me write. *flogs brain with a wet noodle*
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
After our kayak trip on Saturday, we decided to go for a swim in the ocean. And as we were floating along, Chris noticed a big, dark grey shape headed toward us in the water. It was huge and moving and for the longest time we couldn't figure out what it was. It turned out to be a pod of manatees. Five of them with a little calf. You don't see manatees as frequently on the ocean side, and you typically don't see them in 5 feet of water. But there we were balancing on our toes in the gorgeous blue water with a bunch of manatees swimming all around us. They hung out for about 45 minutes, just swimming in lazy circles. It was so amazing, we were running high all day because of it. Although, I learned an important lesson- Always, ALWAYS charge the underwater camera. I got 30 seconds of video before the battery died. Kicking myself for that one.
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
Posts
Wow, those manatees are awesome. What an amazing experience, Kris. At least you have some pictures and 30 seconds of video. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteMy brain tries to commit similar atrocities. Especially #2. But I growl at my brain and tell it to keep working on the current idea and THEN we'll think about the new one. Brain whimpers and protests, but it's the only way I'll get anything accomplished!
Have a great writing week!! :D
Haha! I wish I was in better control of my brain like you. Mine doesn't cower or whimper. Mine threatens me with insomnia and a massive embolism if I don't comply. :)
DeleteI can so appreciate the brain fixating on a new idea. I have the same issue. I keep a folder in scrivener that's titled "book ideas" and jot down my notes in a new page whenever inspiration hit me.
ReplyDeleteI do that too. My Book Ideas folder has about 60 ideas in it now. (complete with over 120 pages of partial chapters, photos, and plotlines) I think about 3 of the 60 are decent. :)
DeleteLove the manatee photos and that story! So awesome. :-) As for beginnings and endings in stories, I have experienced the same thing in most of the stories I've worked on. I'm thinking of one in particular that I loathe the beginning. It's so frustrating trying to get it to match up to the rest of the story. Hope it's much less frustrating for you.
ReplyDeleteI would love to reread THE RAVEN BOYS before THE DREAM THIEVES gets here, but I don't think I'll have time. Ah well. Have a great week, Kris!
Thanks Jaime! And I think my attempts at fixing the beginning will probably result in a lot of hair pulling and possibly a new drinking habit. :)
DeleteAnd can we all have time turners please?! Because there's no way I'm going to get caught up this week AND have time to read THE RAVEN BOYS. :)
I think a reread of THE RAVEN BOYS is definitely in order. And those silly story ideas - I have a hard time reining those suckers in. I just jot LOTS of notes down in journals and try to focus on the one at hand. Not always successful. In fact, I have one tugging at my brain now. Good luck with that!
ReplyDeleteAlso, yes - my writing tends to strengthen a I go too. It's a good thing.
Pesky new ideas... :) Still better than no ideas, right?
DeleteAnd I'm glad I'm not the only one with and ending that outshines the beginning. Fixing it, however, might be a totally different matter. :)
Wow how amazing to see those manatees, they're such beautiful creatures.
ReplyDeleteMy brain is always wandering off to new story ideas so I sympathise!
I'm going to re-read The Raven Boys too, I just can't wait for The Dream Thieves, everyone whose read it has loved it.
Thanks Alexa! And I know, I'm very jealous of everyone who has already read THE DREAM THIEVES. I keep compulsively checking my kindle. "open open open" :)
DeleteWOW!!! Manatees!!! Can you tell I've never seen one in real life?
ReplyDeleteDon't you love how brains get obsessed with WIP ideas when we need them to focus on other things? Mine does this a lot.
I should probably at least flip through THE RAVEN BOYS before I start the 2nd book.
I can fix that. *hands you a ticket to Florida* :)
DeleteAnd yes and no, I LOVE new ideas, but I'd also really love to finish this damn WIP already. Your brain and my brain would get along nicely.
Look at the manatees! I've had the fortune to swim with them once in Florida and it was an amazing experience. You're so lucky! Wooooow :D
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your ideas/writing/editing/general awesome life stuff ;)
They are such amazing, peaceful creatures. Definitely made my day.
DeleteAnd thanks, hope your week is awesome too! :)
getting sidetracked by your brain is part of being a writer, I think. It happens to me all the time. And I'm also rereading The Raven Boys, love love love it! I think I might have had a heart attack if i had been in your place with the manatees. they're awesome, yes, but it would still have freaked me out.
ReplyDeleteManatees are probably the gentlest creatures on the planet. But you're not alone; a Croatian woman who was swimming near by, did have a little freak out until we explained that manatees are vegetarian and there was nothing for her to worry about. They're just so darn BIG though. Thus the freak out.
DeleteAnd I got sidetracked while typing this comment, so I've got it pretty bad. :)
First, my husband always goes into a spiel about how I want to swim with manatees (insert belugas or any other large water creature here, and hug manatees and kiss a manatee (okay, that's getting questionable, there). So, I must admit, they are pretty darn cute! You were so lucky to get a few shots!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, it's good that your brain alerted you about the uh, "weakish" opening. At least it wasn't an agent who pointed it out. :-) And it'll get better, no worries!
Okay, you get the Made Me Laugh My Ass Off award for today. That manatee comment was hilarious. I can help you with that life goal by the way. (Well not the belugas, but dolphins and manatees yes!)
DeleteAnd thanks for being polite and calling it "weakish". That sounds a lot better than, "Did you write this first chapter while drunk?!" Haha! :)
I can't believe you got to swim with manatees! I would LOVE to do that! I think I would be in absolute awe the entire time.
ReplyDeleteWell, if those are the worst atrocities you've committed all week, I'm pretty sure you're doing okay! I think it's normal for an ms to feel stronger toward the end, isn't it? I figure it takes some time to settle into the story and get a feel for the characters and the setting. At least that's what I told myself the numerous times I rewrote the beginning of my ms lol. Lots of work, but at least if the ending is strong you know you're capable of sprucing up the beginning! I'm sure it'll be amazing all said and done!
Have an awesome week! :)
We were in awe the whole time. We kept turning to each other, grinning and going "this is so awesome!"
DeleteAnd I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had to go back and tweak the beginning. Though if I delay any longer, my CP's are going to revolt and snatch it while I'm sleeping. :)
I'm with you, every time that I'm working on one thing some new idea pops into my head begging to be written. And then I work on that one and then another idea pops up. Ha. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletePesky little brain with its pesky little ideas. It's a wonder we ever get anything done isn't it? :)
DeleteOh em gee, manatees! SO CUTE!
ReplyDeleteI don't even know how to respond to the fact that you swam with manatees. That's so amazing. I'm pretty excited about The Dream Thieves as well--mine's preordered and I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI totally know about getting an idea in your head. That's what happened to me with the last novel I queried. Good luck with it!