Lessons

I have learned a few things over the last couple months.

First I am definitely not and outliner. No I am what some call a pantster. I get my idea for a story or a character pops in to visit and I start writing. I may have a vague idea of where the story will go but most of the time I don't. I've discovered the characters always know, even if they won't share it with me until the last minute.

Second I am an outliner. Yes, schizo, I know. But what I've found is the perfect way to outline without outlining. And all it took was deciding to turn my fantasy romance book Puca into a movie. I found a group of great film and screenwriting people on Twitter which in turn led me to beat sheets and the three act structure. I had a vague idea that just possibly I could use this in my fiction writing but I had no clue how. Then I got some great advice from Jacqueline Lichtenberg and now the story is flying again.

Helpful Links:
http://aliendjinnromances.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html
http://scriptchat.blogspot.com/
http://www.blakesnyder.com/tools/
http://www.rareform.com/screenplay-editor/beats.php

Oookay

About time I updated this thing. Much has happened since last April. I have a new book coming out January 4th 2010, Pale Fire from Phaze books. I tried to NaNoWriMo this year, got to 26,000 words before edits stopped me again. But I am continuing with the book which is a Steampunk western and tons of fun to write. Also working on the sequel to Pale Fire, doing the odd cover commission, and continuing work on my other projects which includes adapting Puca for film. The website has been updated as well with three free reads, including a Steampunk Christmas story (18 and older please)

I've been spending a lot of time on Twitter with some wonderful new friends. If you want to follow me there I'm @PennyAsh.

The place we're renovating is getting close to being done and moving day is coming up soon. The best thing about the place is it is totally paid for, there will be no house payment, no huge remodeling loan to pay off, and I will have a writing room.

I'll be putting in a garden this spring. I am hoping to try my hand at canning too. I'll be doing container gardening for the vegetables and I'm planning a poppy garden. My favorite flower, poppies in any color but especially red.

In the future I hope to start doing reviews again too.