Sharp Pen/Dull Sword

My Method Writing

2012-02-09T11:36:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends,

When I'm deep inside my drafting cave I often go into a 'method acting' mental place, whereby I am IN the world and AM the characters. Sometimes to the point of total immersion, wearing the clothes that the characters might wear, decorating my writing cave in a way that evokes the setting, and drinking and/or eating the kinds of food they'd be eating. I surround my space with tokens and images and languages and smells and sounds that ground me to my WIP's world. (needless to say, I have a uniquely odd collection of...random stuff.)

Music, in particular, inspires me.

(That moment when a song is so powerful it gives me goosebumps? Damn, I love that.)

Music helps me 'get in character', in the mood/mindset I need to sink into to write a particular scene. Especially the moody, sad scenes. I'm sure many of you do this, too.

I am always searching searching searching (these days, usually on Spotify. the 'related artists' feature is very useful.) for new songs. And I thought you might too.

And, since I am currently in drafting mode (a YA magical realism), I thought I'd share a few of the songs on my current repeat playlist.
Perhaps they will inspire you, as well.

**So, let me start by saying anything by Fink or Civil Twilight is a big YES for me.

Letters From The Sky by Civil Twilight:

In My Veins by Andrew Belle:

All This Could Have Been Yours by Shooter Jennings:

Cannonball by Damien Rice:

Breathe Me by Sia:

Yet by Switchfoot:

Okay, I'll stop now, because I could go on and on and on.

Oh, and because I think this is boss and I want it and hey, DMX, yo:

I'd love to hear about the songs inspire YOU the most.

**Please remember to buy songs responsibly, ethically, legally...the same way you wish your book(s) to be purchased.

Love,
Lola

"No days, perhaps, of all our childhood are ever so fully lived as those that we had regarded as not being lived at all; days spent wholly with a favorite book" ~Marcel Proust

Emerging

2012-01-25T11:32:00.001-05:00

Hello Friends,

*crawls out of cave* *blink blinks* *eyes adjusting to the light*

How are all of you? How were your holidays?
I've missed you.
I've especially missed those of you who don't habit The Twitter. (I love The Twitter for its ease of popping in to say hello and/or responding to any @mentions quickly and then popping off. I can keep in touch with so many quickly, of which I am quite fond.)

Anyway, I'm sorry I have not been around the blogosphere in a very long time. (Thus, my missing you.) I long to know how you are, in what creative endeavors you are ensconced.

I've been rather isolated in my writing cave, drafting a new WiP. Honestly, I've done little else since the bustle of the holidays ended. This novel is beyond atmospheric (and a bit complicated) and I find it hard to leave its world without losing my groove.

I haven't even been reading. It's difficult for me to read when I'm deep into drafting a world like this.
(But I'd totally make an exception if someone wants to share an ARC of BITTERBLUE or FROI OF THE EXILES with me.) (was that not subtle?) (am I abusing parentheses again today?)

The few moments I have emerged from my cave it's been to spend time with my (neglected) family. They like me to make actual eye contact with them once in a while, so they tell me.

Truly, I hope you'll forgive my many and long absences of late.

Okay, your turn...tell me ALL The Things--> GO!

Love,
Lola

☆✩ Whobilation ✩☆

2011-12-16T15:57:00.001-05:00

Hello Friends,

Happy Holidays, my beautiful friends!

I'm sorry I've not been around lately (except for the briefest of pop-ins on The Twitter). I've been beyond busy, as I am sure you've been as well.

Still...
I have missed you.

book trees make me happy :)

So. I've been busy.

After completing Nano, I donned my elf hat and commenced with getting my badass festive on.

I finished all my Christmas decorating by the first week of December (I only did 5 trees this year, but still, I decorate THE ENTIRE HOUSE, inside and out, front and back, upstairs and down, bathrooms, hallways, bedrooms, even the garage.). And, last week I finished gift shopping and card writing and card sending! Not bad, yeah?

yes, this is our main tree this year.

Not everything is wrapped yet, but some things have made it under the tree (as you can see above). (true, more things in bags than wrapped, but hey, a girl needs time to party, too, right?)
(And there has been much partying on the weekends! And much more to come.)

Oh, that reminds me! This:

Lola's Grinch Punch

Ingredients

1/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons water
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
15 drops neon green food coloring
1 liter bottle lemon-lime soda, chilled
1 bottle of sparkling wine, chilled
2 cups of vodka, chilled
2 pints vanilla ice cream
Directions:
(do step 1 the night before)

1) In a large saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved; remove from the heat. Stir in milk and extract. Transfer to a bowl; cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

2) Just before serving, transfer milk mixture to a punch bowl. Stir in the food coloring, soda, sparkling wine, and vodka. Top with scoops of ice cream. Serves: 15-20 drinks

Yesterday, whilst wrangling dust bunnies and pine needles in preparation for our up-coming Whoville Whobilation complete with Roast Beast (aka prime rib), I found myself doing what I oft do when doing such unfortunate chores:
losing myself in various nooks and crannies of my grey matter, pondering sundry thoughts of a meaningful and meaningless nature.

As my brain in December is wont to do, I began thinking about the last 12
months and my dreams for the next 12 months...

Man, I am blessed. However awful my childhood was, the universe sure made up for it. My little fam is healthy, happy and financially stable even in this economy. We've given generously to charities we feel passionate about, and I love that we are consistently able to do so.
The house is festive and sparkly, the liquor cabinet is well stocked, and Santa's bag is chock full of wish list goodies for all.
And, most important, our home is love-filled. Somehow my husband puts up with me and loves me. Like, LOVES me.

And, damn, I love him, too.

2012 is the year I will finally query.
FIVE novels and I've yet to query.
But, I felt no need to rush. I wanted to work on my craft. I wanted to let each story have the time to be told the way I wanted to tell it.

Finally, finally, finally, as of this month, my asthma is under control.
Oh, I need to pick up my refill of asthma meds at the CVS.
And maybe I should pick up another bottle of scotch, just in case. So many of our friends drink scotch. And vodka goes fast too.
I like vodka.
I love champagne.
Oh, I better get more champagne for New Year's Day.
NY's Day is also my husband's birthday.
Do I have enough gifts for his birthday? Yes, I think I do.
I always worry about that, because, you know, people with birthdays near Christmas always get gypped.

Then somewhere between scooping the cat box and rearranging faux snow around a tablescape, my thoughts took a random and weird turn, as thoughts often do...

I love my cat. Which makes me a cliche of a writer.
I really do love her though. But, dude, her cat box reeks.
And she's fat. Maybe if she ate less she'd make less stinky stuff.
She needs to get on that.

I wonder if that toad my husband accidentally weed-whacked (and we used cornstarch to stanch the bleeding before releasing) lived?

Did he make it back to his little toad abode and make toady love and toady tadpoles?

Man, I hope a hawk didn't swoop down and eat him.

I wonder if hawks think toads taste like chicken?

I really need to get a pedicure, this polish has been on since Halloween.

Silly dogs want to go outside again. I know they only want to go out so they can come back in therefore earning a treat. They've trained me well.

*lets them out*

*digs in box for two treats*

I bet these taste nasty. They look vile.

Then again, they eat 'treats' out of the cat box.

*gags a little*

Oh! I know the PERFECT way to kill that character! He will die choking on his own vomit. *thinks on how that fits into the plot better*

Plots are hard.

I hate reading books or watching movies and noticing gaping plot holes. I mean, I LOVE LOTRs, and have read and watched the movies a million times. But...

*loses concentration while noticing a HUGE dust bunny under the entertainment center*

I should write a story about killer dust bunnies that eat dogs who eat cat turds.

And, really, I wonder if that toad lived. I hope he did.

And so my thoughts go.

One minute you're scooping cat poop and the next you have a spark-- an idea waiting for you to wrap words around it, make it breathe, live. Suddenly you are scurrying for a pen and paper, or your laptop, the need to write urgent.

Twisty magic, that.

Note, this is my last post until after the new year. Thus, no matter the holiday(s) you celebrate, I wish you all the very merriest.

(saying 'merriest' reminds me of this beloved quote: "of all the Charlie Browns,
you're the Charlie Browniest." :)

I wish you much peace, happiness and love!

Love,
Lola

Thankful

2011-11-23T21:10:00.001-05:00

Hello Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving!

To ALL of you, American and otherwise, I am sincerely grateful for YOU.

To those of you doing Nano and still aiming for your 50k, YOU CAN DO THIS. It's not too late to put up epic word counts and finish.

And for those of you/us who've crossed the finish line, CONGRATS!

Love,
Lola

Deep In It...and Winner Announced!

2011-11-07T20:21:00.002-05:00

Hello Friends,

1) This is going to be a quickie because I'm deep deep DEEP into my Nano-WIP.

whooping!

2) Sorry this took so long (see #1), but I finally have a winner for Hilary Wagner's THE WHITE ASSASSIN (Book II of The NIGHTSHADE CHRONICLES)...
...

and the winner is... *drumroll*...

Claire Hennessy !!!

CONGRATS Claire!

(Claire, please email me your mailing address and I will send it out right away.)

3) The lovely Karen Hooper's debut book, Tangled Tides, is coming out later THIS MONTH! You can pre-order it (here). (I may have already ordered one :)

4) Because I think it's funny:

5) Thanks for putting up with my random posts posted randomly.

I hope this finds you healthy and happy.

Love,

Lola

NANO Prep Tips Lola-Style

2011-10-26T14:54:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends,

So, today I thought I'd share how I prepare for NANOWRIMO.

Even if you aren't participating in Nano, some of these tips may still be helpful for you in carving out the sacred daily writing time we all need more of, especially when we have busy families and jobs and such.

I won't talk outlining-type prep work (because, HAHAHA! *wipes eyes*), but if you do want info on how-to-plot-for-Nano may I suggest the blog of the lovely Alexandra Sokoloff. In fact, she's been doing a series specifically on nano-prep-outining, but her entire blog is filled with plotting and structure tips.

My tips are also useful for when you are on deadline.

Before I commence with my tips, the most important thing to Nano-success, to ALL writing success, is COMMITMENT.

Okay, let's get on with it. Gird yourself...

Lola's Nano Preparation Tips:

1. Do a HUGE grocery shop this weekend. STOCK UP!

(3 dozen eggs, check. 5 loaves of bread in freezer, check. 10,088 frozen pizzas, check!) Stock up and utilize your freezer. If you are in charge of feeding a family, find some super easy crock pot recipes and stock up on those ingredient. Buy the veggies pre-cleaned and pre-cut, or do so yourself NOW.

While you are at it...

2. Stock up on your writing beverage of choice (coffee, soda, tea...whatever, AND the sugar and creamer you may need). Buy WAY more than a month's supply. Ditto for your favorite writing snack.

3. Have the local pizza (etc.) delivery on speed dial.

4. Get spouse/family/friends on board. You will need their support. (My husband will often bring home take-out dinner or take our daughter out for dinner and bring me home a meal...a meal which he quietly shoves under my writing cave door.)

If you're married with children, get your spouse to bring home dinners and help extra with the kids. (if you have little ones home with you, buy some new little toys, movies, books, crayons, etc. NOW, and whip them out when you need some quiet time. Consider hiring a teen/senior helper.)

Friends and family need to know that unless their hair is on fire, to please cheer you on SILENTLY from a distance (aka leave you alone!); chatty visits, phone calls/texts etc. will have to wait until December 1st. You will be sequestered, MIA. Hold them (and yourself) to it. (make sure you make it up to them later, by spending time with them and thanking them for their support.)

5. Spouses/significant others/roommates should be pre-warned that it is possible (probable!) that your personal hygiene and grooming will decline substantially during the month of November. (all the more reason they should LEAVE YOU ALONE with your computer ;)

(*sniff* do I reek? Yes? *rubs on more deodorant, shrugs, goes back to typing*) (where's that scrunchy that isn't all stretched out??)

(remember that shopping trip where you stocked up on supplies? Yeah, make sure you bought extra toothpaste, deodorant... and some cleansing wipes.)

6. Get your nails done and hair cut/colored NOW, pre-Nov., or be prepared to wait until Dec. 1st.

7. Preemptively CLEAN YOUR HOUSE and do ALL LAUNDRY like a mad person. START NOW.
Then every few days during Nov. try to zip through and whirl-wind clean the hot spots (kitchen, toilets, quick vacuum). If you live with someone, try to enlist their help to do more than their share and you'll make it up to them another month.

DO NOT HAVE/ALLOW ANYONE OVER in November. You won't have time to entertain them and likely the house will not be up to company standards.
Which leads me to...

8. DO NOT host THANKSGIVING (for those living in the States) at your house this year!! Go to your parents/in-laws/siblings/friends/restaurant. The amount of time it takes to clean for company, plan your menu, shop for the menu, cook, entertain, and then clean afterwards is death to your goal... not an option.

It's a wonderful day to spend with your family and friends you've been neglecting, so spend the day relaxing with them.
(And then get RIGHT BACK on track the next day! Make sure you family understands that Thanksgiving was a one-day hiatus and now you still have to finish out your month of hardcore writing. They can have lots of time with you in December.)

9. I make it my goal to write 2,000 words/day 6 days/week. The 7th day is for errands, chores and spending time with loved ones...preferably outside, in the fresh air and sunlight.

If I know I won't be making my goal (like Thanksgiving day, for instance), I 'bank' extra word count AHEAD of time. I will do 2,500-3,000/day for a few days before the day off.

I also try to do this (banking extra word count) a few times early in the month to have some 'savings in the bank' for a 'rainy day emergency', in case I get sick or something unexpected comes up.

(I mean, if I get a last minute invite to a front row at Incubus/Kings of Leon/etc. concert,, I'm not gonna say no. Duh. I'm gonna ditch that ms like 4 day old stanky fish.) (So bank as many extra words each day as you can!)

10. And this may be the most important tip: BACK UP YOUR WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! Have a plan NOW of how you will accomplish this. And have extra flash drives/hard drives ready now.

For those doing Nano this year, I know the Nano-site doesn't have the buddy list functioning yet (grrrrr!), but when they do, you can buddy me at:

the-sharp-pen

What are YOUR plans for November? If you are doing Nano, what are YOU doing to prepare?

Love,

Lola

Interview With Hilary Wagner & Signed ARC Giveaway

2011-10-18T01:32:00.001-04:00

Hello Friends,

Behold...TWO posts in two days! (the devil must be ice skating)
I know, it's a Festivus Miracle.

Because today I bring you my interview with the lovely and delightful Hilary Wagner, author of the NIGHTSHADE CHRONICLES.

Last week the second book in the series, THE WHITE ASSASSIN was released.

THE WHITE ASSASSIN

About the THE WHITE ASSASSIN:
Book II in the Nightshade Chronicles begins three years after Juniper and his rebel band of rats liberate the Catacombs and defeat their oppressors.

A sense of peace has settled over Nightshade City, but it is a false one. Billycan, the white assassin, has been found. Deep in the southern swamps, he now rules a primitive horde of savage swamp rats eager to overrun Nightshade City and claim it for their king. With the help of an ancient colony of bats and an uneasy alliance with the swamp snakes, Juniper and his Council set out to thwart Billycan’s plans. When an old secret is revealed—one so shocking it shakes both Billycan and Juniper to the core—the fate of Nightshade City and the life of Juniper’s only son depend on Juniper’s decision: should he help his mortal enemy? The past resurfaces with devastating impact in this exciting sequel to Nightshade City, a dark tale of intrigue, deception, and betrayal.

Nightshade City, Book I of the Nightshade Chronicles is a CBC Best Book of 2011 and a Crystal Kite finalist.

Okay, let's have a little chat with Hilary, shall we?

Hi Hilary, it's lovely to have you here. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Lola, thanks so much for having me! Hmmm...about myself, where do I begin? Here is the nutshell version: I was born in raised in Chicago. I love big cities, spending time with my husband and little ones, and I'm a bit of a reality TV junkie. I prefer museums to long walks on the beach, and I'm terrible with directions of any kind! My favorite foods are sushi, risotto, baked goods, and junk food galore. I freelance for National Geographic School Publishing and in my spare time I sleep! ;)

Oh, you know I'm happy to have you, love. (also, now I'm craving sushi) How did you come up with the idea for this series?

The Nightshade Chronicles was not an idea I had bouncing around in my head. It forced itself upon me and had to be written! Nightshade City (Book I) actually started as a picture book, but after writing the first page I realized it was far too creepy to be a picture book, so it instantly became a middle-grade novel and grew organically from there, one scene at a time.

Can you tell us about your journey to getting published?

Here is the short version. I received roughly 175 rejections on Nightshade City over the course of about 14 months (as you can imagine, it was a painful process), two offers of representation (I received one offer after I already signed with Marietta Zacker of Nancy Gallt). Marietta sold the book in about 7 weeks. It was very exciting that the sale moved so quickly after I was signed. It took me so long to find an agent. I was terrified when I went on submission that it was going to be the same long agonizing wait. And for those of you still on the agent hunt, never write off an agent you initially don't hear back from. From when I queried the Nancy Gallt agency, to when I got the offer, it took a good 8-9 months. It was a very long process, but a very rewarding one, so stay at it and keep querying!

An excellent example of hanging in there and NOT GIVING UP, Hilary.

Outline or Wing/Pants It? (If you do outline/plan, please share with us your outline/planning process.)

What is this strange and exotic word you speak of...outline?

What is your writing process like? Do you have a ritual? Do you listen to music while you write?

I have no ritual other than keeping the TV on in the background very, very low--just a murmur of voices. Dead silence makes me nuts! Sometimes I do like music, as long as it's instrumental and dark and stormy in nature. In other words, I would never be able to write to Justin Beiber! I'll write anywhere I can have my laptop out, from up in bed late at night, to my son's karate lessons! Have laptop, will travel--and write!

(Dude, that is the first time the name Justin Beiber has been mentioned on this blog.)

How do you balance writing with a full-time job and a busy family?

Actually, it sort of balances me! What's the expression, 'if you want something done ask a busy person to do it'? That really describes my life. It's very chaotic sometimes and I write when I can, usually very early or very late, but I manage to get it done. It's something I'm driven to do, and when you're that driven by something, you'll find the time. I mean really, who needs more than four hours of sleep a night anyway? ;)

I always say "we can sleep when we're dead". (it's 1:04am right now, as I write this post)

Tell us, what have you learned with regard to revisions?

That they are painful! No, just kidding...sort of! Nightshade City edits were relatively straightforward, and then came The White Assassin, which was anything but straightforward. Despite how tough the edits were, it was a valuable experience, which made me grow as a writer. Several scenes were cut, because my editor and I decided they'd be better in Book III, and several scenes were rewritten completely for that reason. Characters were added, taken away, and the plot was totally switched at one point. I'd say over half the book was rewritten in order to make it the very best it could be, and I would have rewritten the whole thing ten times over if necessary. Editing is tricky work, especially with a second book in a series, because it needs to be individually great, not just a nice continuance of Book I. My editor, Julie Amper, told me that and no matter how many books I write, I will never forget it. I've read second books that paled in comparison to the first, and I didn't want The White Assassin to fall into the "so-so" category. That was my biggest concern throughout the process.

What can we expect from you next?

I'll soon be starting edits with my editor on Goblin Shark Rising (Fall 2012). It's an undersea adventure that takes place in modern day Tokyo. As I'm sure you've guessed from the title the book involves goblin sharks (among others)! I'm thrilled about this novel. Not only will kids get to meet a lot of sharks and other mysterious sea creatures, but they'll get to discover Tokyo and learn about the Yōkai, a group of Japanese demons, ghosts, and monsters--very electrifying stuff! This book required loads of research, but so worth it!

Okay, that was fun, right?

Wanna have MORE FUN?

Perhaps you'd like to win a signed and doodled (by Hilary) copy of THE WHITE ASSASSIN! Because I'm giving one away. (International) Contest ends 10/27.

1) All you have to do to enter is follow my blog (can I see you happy avatar on my sidebar widget?) and leave a comment on this post. It's that simple.

2) Want extra entries? Also simple:

Go visit Hilary's blog and follow her-1

Tweet about this giveaway (@LolaSharp)-1
Follow me on Twitter-1
Follow Hilary on Twitter-1

Blog about it-2

Follow me on GoodReads-1

Follow Hilary on GoodReads-1

(please tally your points in my comments section and leave any links)

Good luck!

Love,

Lola

Busy Bees

2011-10-17T14:18:00.001-04:00

Hello Friends,

Happy Monday. How are you?

1) I've been a very busy bee, bumbling and buzzing,

doing critiques for fellow writer friends, planning my next novel...

...getting ready for NANOWRIMO...

(FYI: I'll be doing a big post on Nano-ing on Friday...but even if you are not doing Nano this year, the post will talk a lot about carving sacred writing time out of our busy schedules.)

... taking care of my family (including PSATs and Homecoming, etc.), you know, LIFE.

2) Tomorrow (Tues. the 18th) I'll be giving away some ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies) and doing an author interview with the lovely Hilary Wagner on her writing process, to celebrate her sophomore book release.

3) I love Spotify .♪♫•*¨*•.♬ I love creating playlists for writing and life.

4) Last night season 2 of THIS came back!

5) Because, really, who doesn't love some good old fashioned zombie apocalypse fun?!

nom

6) I love this:

7) I

YOU.

8) Talk to me. How are you? How is your writing going? Are you MAKING time to write?

Love,

Lola

South of Charm

2011-10-04T23:25:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends,

Happy October to you!

In celebration of my friend Elliot Grace and his recently released debut novel South of Charm, I thought I'd ~~torture him~~ interview him and we could ~~torture him~~ get to know him and his writing process better. So let's get to it!

Elliot Grace

It's great having you here, El. (I'm super proud of you, by the way.)

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your book.

Hi Lola. As an original member of your Wolf Pack, I'm thrilled for the invite ;) Thanks so much for hosting a stop in my tour.
As for me...I'm originally from the Gulf side of Florida, currently displaced in central Ohio with my wife, our three kids, and a variable motley crew of foster children, whose faces tend to change depending upon the day. It's a fascinating form of madness, which of course led to the publishing of a story featuring a young boy of ten, his little sister, and their daily struggles with a mother at war against an enemy of the mind, schizophrenia.

How did you come up with the idea for this book?

It's an ongoing debate throughout the publishing world...whether or not to write what you know, as opposed to doing the necessary research and penning a thriller based in some tropical paradise never visited by humans, much less the story's creator. I took the former route. Having spent my childhood near and dear to someone with the unfortunate ability of seeing and hearing people who don't exist, I penned "South of Charm" with little research, drumming chapters from the heart rather than a library and Google Search. Along with a family mired in dysfunction, I included a healthy dose of baseball, and bundled the whole thing up with a touch of magic...in the form of a wise old cat ;)

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I was in the third grade, already an established book worm, when presented with the challenge of writing a story for Right to Read Week. That novella, entitled "Terror Castle," earned me a meet and greet with an established author who not only visited the school, but read my story to the entire student body during assembly. That's when I knew...a career in the Major Leagues was out, for my passion was now focused elsewhere.

Can you tell us about your journey to getting published?

My journey began much like an other, sending out queries and receiving rejection letters by the dozen. Then a few years ago, while paying a visit to what is now the largest book fair in Ohio, I met David Weisenburg while chatting with one of many featured writers.

A simple conversation about my story, led to David's request of a query and my first three chapters, for only then did I realize that he was an editor for Wooster Books. Three weeks later I was signed, and the editing process was under way.

Outline or Wing/Pants It? If you do outline/plan, please share with us your outline/planning process.

For the majority of stories I've written, I've gone the route of outlines, sketch paper, and the type of planning that only a mad scientist could appreciate. For "South of Charm," I tossed the outline aside and hammered keys until my fingers throbbed. Fearing what a change in strategy may bring, my next story has been hastily sketched, periodically researched, but for the most part, penned from my gut.

What is your writing process? Do you have a ritual? Do you listen to music while you write?

"South of Charm" was for the most part, written under the dark of night. It's become the only time when I'm allowed some peace from the likes of rowdy children, honey-do lists, and the dreaded day job. Considering my ever growing household, I can't foresee any changes in the immediate future.

As for music, it varies with the scene I'm writing, and the mood I'm in, or would like to be for whatever form of drama I'm hoping to create.

What have you learned with regard to revisions?

Patience is key. During a span of two years, "South of Charm" endured three re-writes, a change of title, and countless hours of editing. There were disagreements with the editing staff. There was a beta reader whose suggestion of a major change resulted in a delay of six months. I began to wonder if in fact a finish line actually existed. Happy to report that it did ;)

What can we expect from you next, El?

Having finally overcome the fear of being in the spotlight at book signings, I've recently been notified of several upcoming events, including one at the very spot where I first met David. In between the signings and fathering an ever changing house full of children, I've begun work on a project that I'd actually started before "South of Charm," currently titled, "The Fellas." David's already been calling...time to get busy.

Thanks for stopping by, El. You know I wish you and your book and your writing career every success. (also, you totally don't look like a nerdy hillbilly, El. ;)

Lola, the pleasure's been all mine! Thanks for having me ;)

To purchase on the Kindle

To purchase print copy

Make it a splendid day, friends!

Love,

Lola

Book Love

2011-09-16T12:59:00.001-04:00

Hello Friends,

Happy Friday! May your weekend enjoy some quality writing and/or reading.

"The disorder in Yashar’s apartment was that comfortable littering and stacking that only another writer can recognize as order - the considered scatter of papers and books a writer builds around himself until it acquires the cozy solidity of a nest."

Paul Theroux, The Great Railway Bazaar

What do you think...is heaven a library with comfy beds and chairs and coffee and tea (and champagne!) and friends (including animal friends)? I think, yes.

But on the days writing feels more like hell (revisions, anyone? anyone?)?...

Well, that's when it's time to make some tough choices.

And get your fun on!

Know this: I love you.
I love you for being my friend, for loving words and creating worlds and for understanding why I love words and creating worlds.

Thanks for being in THIS world. *hugs*

Love,

Lola

It's Friday, I'm in Love...

2011-09-02T17:02:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends,

Happy Friday!

Did you write this week?

As we head into the weekend, I challenge you to abandon fear and trust yourself, to dig deep (go there!) and try new things, to find inspiration in new places.

And, this:

Write. Imagine. Create.

And when all else fails?

Know when to stop for the day, have a margarita...

and dance on top of the table!

Have a spectacular weekend!

Love,

Lola

I Did It All For The Book(y)!

2011-08-24T23:08:00.003-04:00

(Yeah, I know. That blog post title barely works. Let's pretend I'm clever, K?)

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time." ~Sylvia Plath

Hello Friends,

How are you? How is your summer? I hope this finds you happy, healthy, writing the magic.

I've been busy lately researching for my next novel, enjoying the last days of summer before my kid goes back to school, back-to-school-shopping, pinning on Pinterest (it's like crack!) (if you want to check it out you can follow my link on my sidebar...but essentially it is a place to make inspiration, story, idea, etc. boards in an easy organized fashion), drinking margaritas, reading in the sunshine, doing another round of 'roids because the asthma came back, reading/critiquing for others, etc.
Blogging? Um, well, not so much. Sorry. *blushes* But I'm back. *waves*

Oh, and yesterday I was watering my flowers and the earth started shaking (not gonna break out in AC/DC song). It felt like I was on a boat. (still not gonna break out in rap/song) That was...unexpected. I haven't felt a single earthquake since living on the east coast. Now the hurricane is coming. I like storms. I've lived through plenty of hurricanes. I like writing in storms. Thus, I hope to have a good writerly weekend.

Speaking of writing, Rachael Harrie (at Rach Writes) is organizing another author platform building connection campaign.

(not calling it a Crusade this year)

(I'm very parenthetical today for some reason. Sorry.)

It's a wonderful way to meet lots of other writers. You can find out more about the campaign--how it works, what to expect--> here.

But, HURRY, you only have until August 31st to join, then the list is closed.

How is YOUR summer and writing going?

And, remember...BE FEARLESS!! I believe in you.

Love,

Lola

Sundry Bits

2011-07-23T14:37:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends,

I know, I know. I've been away from the bloggy-verse for too long. Longer than I intended.

I've missed you.

I've been busy and inspired and...busy.
I have so many random things floating around in my head to tell you about.

(and we're NOT going to talk about the raging inferno of a heat wave outside my door and likely yours too.)
Where to even begin?

1) I know you love to read as much as I do, thus, prepare to love me for telling you about THIS site--> www.bookholder.com Life changing, I tell you. LIFE CHANGING.

2) Would you like some free storyboard templates? Yes? (trust me, you do. You'll thank me later for this site too) Go here--> http://www.printablepaper.net/category/storyboard

I usually use this template:

but there are LOTS to choose from.

3) I've long been obsessed (and have done many posts on them) with gypsy caravans.

I dream of having one in my backyard as my own little
magical writing cottage.
(further justification: it could double as a guest cottage, too.)

très romantique, no?

I have huge folders filled with my collections of pictures of these gypsy caravans... shall I share a few with you? Oui!

source via flickr gipsy bazar

click on photo to see larger

Fantastical! Are you not inspired to write in one of these?

LOVE this bohemian purple a green...pretty!

OMG...WANT!!!

don't you want to write in here?

My dogs and cat would *love* hanging out here with me!

Love love love the pillowed swing... and fire pit

*LOVES* *drools* *NEEDS*

click to see larger...and droolage.

Yeah. I'll stop now before you have me committed for being the cray-cray.

4) I've received many emails and tweets asking for pictures and such from our vacation. First, let me say the timing of going to Harry Potter World right before the final movie was perfection. It amped the excitement and immersed us deep into Harry's world.

The outside of Hogwarts..inside is the BEST ride EVER: The Forbidden Journey.
Worth the price of admission just for this ride alone.

my daughter and my husband (on right) and random strangers (on left)

daughter wishing she had her invitation to Hogwarts

daughter wishing she could buy Hermione's dress. (sadly, it's just a display; not for sale)

We only spent one day at Universal (just to go to HP World), the rest of the 2 weeks was spent in Disney. Aside format he heat, we had a magical time.

daughter with Belle inside the castle.

husband with Aurora inside castle

Okay, I won't bore you with any more family photos of our vacation. (I wouldn't have posted them if so many hadn't asked.)

5) Thank you JK Rowling for giving us Harry Potter. It has been an amazing journey.

Neville saves the day!

If these don't inspire you to dream big, to create new fantastical worlds, I don't know what will.

Tell me about your dreams. I care about them.

Know this: I love you. I love you for being my friend, for loving words and creating worlds and for understanding why I love words and creating worlds.

Thanks for being in THIS world. *hugs*

Love,

Lola

Castles and Wands and Pixie Dust and Magic ☆∴★∵∶｡◦°✰¨*•.¸¸✩

2011-06-23T11:01:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends!

How are you?
I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

So many random things inside my head this fine morning:

1.) Pottermore. I'm intrigued. JK Rowling made the big announcement. Did you catch it? Watch her video here: http://t.co/RvukYEW

2) Which segues me nicely to...Husband, Daughter and I will be leaving this weekend (for two weeks!) to visit this:

Harry Potter World HERE WE COME! Butterbeer!

And we're having dinner INSIDE this for 4th of July:

We'll be staying at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter this time.

Usually we stay at the Polynesian, but since I couldn't be in New Orleans for ALA this year (because we'll be in Diz) I thought this way I could still sorta be there (Disney knows how to do a theme, because it really has a french quarter/NOLA feel to it)...plus, they make/serve beignets! So I can still get my fix. :)

One of the places at our hotel where I'll be getting my beignets next week!

3) Due to the above mentioned vacation, I will not be blogging until middle/late July.
BUT, I will be around on The Twitter. (*pets twitter* *pets smart phone*) In between packing and getting our house/pet sitter settled and in between park visits, I am sure to pop-in on twitter to say hello, see what y'all are up to, and how the world outside The World is faring.

And *possibly* tweet humiliating pictures of Husband's (and/or Daughter's) Face of Terror whilst riding this:

and this...

I LOVE Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster!

or perhaps this:

4) ERIC!!! I've missed you so! *drools*

I'm over the moon that True Blood is (almost) back.

(and sad that we have to wait a YEAR for more Game of Thrones)

5) I've been busy writing a new WiP. I needed a break from revisions on the last two WiPs.

I want this pink typewriter.

I know some of you love revisions and edits more than drafting. I find revisions...stressful. Part of the reason they're stressful is that I'm a perfectionist and I fester fester fester over every detail, large and small.

Whereas I adore drafting. I allow myself to just flow and follow the characters, immersing myself in their world. I don't worry about plot holes or getting things perfect during that magical first draft. (of course this leads to my hellish revisions)
And, in truth, I don't mind the 2nd draft where I close up the big holes and tie the major strings together, adding layers and tidying a bit as I go...until I decide I have to rip large chunks out and have to rewrite a dreaded middle chapter (or two or three) over (and over) again.

Somewhere around the fifth draft I'm in the deepest level of Revision Hell, ready to torch the damn thing and do a tribal death dance upon its ashes.

That's about when the melodious siren song of a Shiny New Idea (SNI) finally lures me away.

And, truth be told, that's a good thing. It gives me some needed time and distance. When I finish a first draft of a project, I go back to a project that needs polishing...with fresh eyes. Where I commence the festering and ripping apart all over again. ;)

That's my process, though. It's slow, sometimes painfully so, this process of mine, but I love it. Usually. Sometimes.

5) So, tell me...

What's YOUR writing/drafting/revision process?

What are your summer plans?

Are you going on any vacations?

Know this: I love you. I love you for being my friend, for loving words and creating worlds and for understanding why I love words and creating worlds.

Thanks for being in THIS world. *hugs*

Love,

Lola

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-17T18:50:00.000-04:00

Love,

Lola

Lenny Lee Fest(ival) of Sunshine

2011-06-03T08:06:00.000-04:00

Lenny is my favorite 11 year old boy in all the universe.
Lenny spreads his sunshine everywhere he goes with his passion for kindness, writing, reading, and animals.

Lenny you inspire me. I still use your writing pledge (on my sidebar) all the time.
You are a supernova-bright light in this world. Thank you for being.

If you'd like to know more about Lenny and why he's so special, please follow his blog here!

Happy Weekend, everyone!

Love,

Lola

I'm Back...and Creative Thinking

2011-05-26T16:05:00.000-04:00

Hello gorgeous friends!

Yes, I'm alive.

Thank you for all the thoughtful 'Get Well' cards and emails and tweets and comments and texts and phone calls over the last 2 months. They meant/mean so much to me. I'm beyond grateful to have YOU in my life.

Love is the best medicine.

It feels good to be back. I'm still on the prednisone (and holy hell has it made me gain weight!), but I can breathe. Breathing is kinda important, yeah?

So, anywhoodles, enough about me.

HOW ARE YOU?

Oh, how I've missed you.

Also, it has been brought to my attention that just before I got sick, I promised to do a post on:

description, metaphors, similes and such.

Thing is, I haven't written it yet.

And, due to being so sick for so long, I'm behind on...everything.

Also, those are some broad, deep topics, yes?

So, I thought I'd break it down, make it a series of posts.

And I think starting off with Creative Thinking is how I shall begin.

Why? Because to write inspired, non-cliched description/metaphors/similes one must...think creatively.

Right?

Right.

So let's do this thing.

(meaning, I'm going to write this right now, right here in Blogger-compose, hit 'post', and hope it makes sense and is typo-free. o_0) (but you know that's how I write all my posts, so, yeah, you're used to me and my wicked ways by now.)

Creative Thinking for Writers in 5 Easy Steps by Lola Sharp

1) No Negative Self-Talk. Creativity requires freedom. YOU ARE CREATIVE and YOU ARE BRILLIANT in your own special way. It is born within us ALL. Give yourself the freedom to play, to try new things, to live without fear or shame, to be unique.

2) Read, Write and Study Poetry (no one ever has to see it). Play. With words.

3) Start and Maintain Lists of 'Favorite Evocative Words'. Be creative with these lists and continue to add to them.

*(I prefer these lists be hand-written, because I believe pen to paper activates deeper parts of our imagination.) (also, try writing with your least dominant hand! :) (use colorful ink if you like. Feel free to doodle, too. :)

List One: Random Favorite and Fun Words

Maybe you just like the sound of the word, or the look. (I love the words rutabaga and kookaburra, for example. I love the way they move in my mouth and the way they sound.) Or perhaps you love the image the word invokes. Feel free to make words up! (those are my favorites) Pay attention to their rhythms, cadence, sounds, shapes, and how they make you feel, as much as their definition, meaning.

List Two: Make a list of STRONG, ACTIVE Verbs

Now let's go deeper, let's make at least SIX more lists (of words) separated by the FIVE senses (plus). Working on these lists will help you become more observant, more thoughtful.

List on Sight...Practice and exercise your eyes (and your other senses): when you look at something, what do you really see? Look at, say, an orange...or an ashtray, or a chair, a person. Take 15 minutes and describe it visually in a list. Go deeper. Now compare it to other things.

Be original, play with it. Is it a pink sky? Nah. Perhaps it is a cotton candy sky or a flamingo sky or a mango sky or a Pepto-Bismal sky or a strawberry milkshake sky?

Word List: Sound Imagery Words/Onomatopoeia...what is the sound of (fill in the blank)...? Make lists. Made up words are especially useful here. PLAY!

Make more Word Lists for:

Taste

Smell

Touch/Texture

Add a '6th sense' list, too...and/or if you write fantasy/sci-fi, create lists based on your world(s), etc.

4) Create a Creative Space: Surround yourself with inspiration. Make it special, colorful (or not) and uniquely yours. Write in bed if it makes you happy. (I often do!) Play music or work in silence. Tape images to your walls. Whatever works for you.

5) Carve Out TIME (preferably daily, but whatever works for YOU). Creativity is smitten with solitude. Nurture yourself with creative writing time. Free-write a bit each week by hand.

Okay, that's enough for today. We'll go deeper soon.

But, I hope you find these tips and exercises helpful.

To my fellow American friends, have a safe and FUN holiday weekend! And for everyone else...ditto, minus the 'holiday'!

Love,

Lola

Quick Update

2011-05-06T15:18:00.000-04:00

Hello gorgeous friends,

I know, I know. I've been sequestered in my writing cave and now, sadly, I'm very sick. But, oh, how I've missed you!

Before I take another chug of NyQuil I wanted to tell you all how much I adore you...

and to wish all the mothers out there a

VERY Happy Mother's Day!

♡ I hope you give her a book. ♡

Love,

Lola

Deadlines and Stuff

2011-04-05T13:16:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I know. The A to Z challenge. I made it to 'B' and then things got cuh-ray-zay busy.

C is for CRAZY, Calm, Catching up, CPs... and CUPCAKES!

D is for Dropout.

D is also for Deadline...and I haz one.

(Thus my need to 'dropout' of the challenge)

But because I refuse to be a total and complete fail and because I like to finish-ish what I start, BEHOLD, I give you the rest(ish) of the alphabet in one post!

E is for

and Eric!

F is for Firefly...

G is for Gargoyle (love this book...what a debut)

and Gilmore Girls

H is for Hogwarts

I is for Inspiration

J and W is for Joss Whedon

K is for Killer Kitten

L is for Logan...

and Love and Literature

M is Music (and Magnificent Manuscripts)

N is for New Notebooks and Perfect Pens!

O is for Overtired and Overworked...thus, you don't mind that I'm going to be skipping some letters soon, right? Good. *phew*

P is for Pretty Prose

S is for Spike

V is for Veronica Mars

and sexy Vampires and Vampire Slayers

Z if for Zombie parts art

Okay, I'm going to be holed up for a little while...writing writing writing.

In the meantime, tell me...
How are YOU?
How is your writing going?

Love,

Lola

Blogparty Winner, Badass Beauty, Bravery...

2011-04-02T13:38:00.000-04:00

1) B is for boooyah! and blogparty and Burch...Jamie Burch at ~Dancing Down Serendipity Street~ ! Jamie is the winner of my part of the Carol Signed with an Agent Blogparty Mega Giveaway! Congrats Jamie! (an email will be heading to you shortly)

2) B is for Black Buggies...

3) B is for Badass and Beautiful Bad Boys...

4) and Baby Blues...

5) And Bravery...

6) And Brandon Boyd...

7) B is for Beautiful Books and Bookstores!

8) And Belief... in ourselves. I Believe in YOU!

Love,

Lola

A is for April and Awesome and Amazon Gift Card

2011-04-01T10:39:00.001-04:00

The EPIC A to Z challenge has begun! (dude, there's a LOT of us! o_0 )

A couple Awesome things on this fine April Fools Day:

1) TODAY is the LAST DAY to ENTER our Mega Giveaway Blog Party celebrating Carol's Agent signing! There are a bunch of us giving away awesome writerly, readerly prizes...including a Kindle! SO HURRY! (you have until midnight tonight) (eastern/NY time)

(you can ENTER MY part of the giveaway, an Amazon Gift Card, HERE)

2) Happy Weekend!

Love,

Lola

Sharp Pen/Dull Sword

My Method Writing

Emerging

☆✩ Whobilation ✩☆

Ingredients

Thankful

Deep In It...and Winner Announced!

NANO Prep Tips Lola-Style

Interview With Hilary Wagner & Signed ARC Giveaway

Busy Bees

South of Charm

Book Love

"The disorder in Yashar’s apartment was that comfortable littering and stacking that only another writer can recognize as order - the considered scatter of papers and books a writer builds around himself until it acquires the cozy solidity of a nest."

It's Friday, I'm in Love...

I Did It All For The Book(y)!

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time." ~Sylvia Plath

Sundry Bits

Castles and Wands and Pixie Dust and Magic ☆∴*★∵∶｡◦°✰*¨*•.¸¸✩

Happy Father's Day!

Lenny Lee Fest(ival) of Sunshine

I'm Back...and Creative Thinking

Quick Update

Deadlines and Stuff

Blogparty Winner, Badass Beauty, Bravery...

A is for April and Awesome and Amazon Gift Card

Castles and Wands and Pixie Dust and Magic ☆∴★∵∶｡◦°✰¨*•.¸¸✩