Chatty Anna

Crystals & Chain

2010-05-13T20:35:00.000+04:00

As expected, I haven't been able to stay away from those awesome Swarovski crystals I got yesterday. There's just something about a shiny, perfect crystal that takes me to another place, much like storytelling. Like one of my characters says, "I could bathe in beads." Here are a couple of things I've made.

These earrings sport 6 mm "Rose" Swarovskis in both 6 mm and 4 mm and some gun metal colored chain. I just love this style and I've named it "urban chic" - a combination of pretty and grunge.

Another pair of urban chic earrings. These have 6 mm "Light Amethyst" Swarovskis, 5 mm Chinese crystals in light purple, and some more of that chain.

These are a bit different and unfortunately I didn't manage to get the camera to focus on the crystals. Copper colored findings and three light gold-colored 6 mm Swarovskis hanging on toggle clasp rings.

And last, a bracelet. This bad boy was hard to photograph! The crystals are so bright and the chain so not bright that it was truly challenging to capture what it really looks like. Finally, I slapped it on my water bottle and got this. It's a light summer piece, and the gun metal chain and the sparkly crystals make a delicious combination. This one has several 6 mm "Light Azore" Swarovskis and one 8 mm "Light Amethyst" Swarovski.

I also made really awesome Pizza Bolognese, which has nothing to do with jewelry, but I just had to get that out because it was so yummy. And now I'm taking the dog for a walk. Toodles!

Sparkly bits

2010-05-12T20:30:00.003+04:00

Ah, I'm having so much fun with my current WIP! It's a humorous YA fantasy, which is very much "my" style (meaning that I just luuurrrve it and the story comes naturally and easily). Or maybe it's because my inner clueless 14-year-old has never died. ;-)

Thursday is a national holiday here (Ascension Day), and I have two whole days off. No lesson planning, no grading papers, simply nothing but writing, crafting, and all kinds of fun. :-) And in honor of this mini holiday, I visited my local craft store for the first time in several months. And lookie what I got!

I went a bit crazy in the crystal section. ;-) These are Swarovski bicone crystals, 6 mm and 8 mm, and no camera in the world could adequately capture their wonderful shine and glimmer. I can't wait to make something with them!

I also got some glass pearls. These ones remind me of lingonberries with their delicious redness:

Our forests are full of lingonberries in late summer and in fall, so these would be great in a summer piece.

I haven't posted many finished pieces lately, but here's one. I don't know the proper word for it, but you can hang it in your window, and the sun will make the beads shimmer beautifully. Or, you can just hang it anywhere to prettify the room. :-) This one has pastel-dyed quartz chips, an Ethiopian prayer bead (metal), a couple of Swarovski crystals, and a pink crystal drop.

I made quite a few of these, and they make nice ornaments, too (I've hung them from curtain tiebacks).

Well, I'm off to spend some more time with that clueless 14-year-old. But before that, I posted a new tutorial on the basics of wire wrapping. Go check it out if jewelry making interests you! :-)

What's in a name?

2010-05-03T16:16:00.004+04:00

I'm at home, still sick, so I've been going through my magazine stash and lo, I found a gem. An issue of Country Living (British edition) from 2003. I love it, nay, absolutely adore it (in an "I must subscribe to this right away, like on this minute" way - it's true, I was about to subscribe to it on my iPhone but then I realized I was ordering the US edition and had to get up and come to the computer). It's chock-full of pretty pics from the British countryside (amazing frosted views of English vineyards and mystical flashes of old manor houses) and stories of quaint little businesses hidden in sleepy English villages. It even had a three-page feature on lemon - get it, lemon? Lemon history, lemon delicacies, cookware just for lemons. And the names - I don't think any other country has quite as delicious names as England does. I've found for example these surname gems: Lillicrap, Tart & Mullucks. And this cottage name: Brimblecombe. Also, Lulworth. Now, don't tell me these names aren't just screaming to be included in a story. Something like Dickens for children...

In case you're curious, no, I didn't subscribe yet because it was so darn expensive. I think I'll check if I can find the mag at the mall first. However, I did post another tutorial, so go learn how to make charm bracelets.

Happy May Day Eve!

2010-04-30T10:15:00.001+04:00

Happy 30th of April! In my neck of the woods, this is the eve of a national holiday, May Day. It's usually celebrated with balloons, streamers, various carnival thingamajigs, barbeques, and lots of mead and doughnuts.

Me - I'm going to stay firmly in because this morning as I woke up, I had a humongous flu. My throat is so sore that speaking is painful, and my nose is getting heavier with snot (sorry) every passing minute. I have one class to teach today, and I plan to make them do a group presentation so that my voice can rest. I do hope I'll be better on Monday so that I don't have to bring in a substitute. Anyway, I know some students are going to cut the class as it is an afternoon class on May Day Eve and their minds are already in partying. So, it might be a smaller-than-usual group, but then, those who are there are bound to be quite rowdy - we're talking of a boy-heavy group of 16-year-olds after all. Methinks I'll need a full packet of cough drops. ;-)

I've posted a new tutorial on my site: Make a funky necklace. I make this vintage necklace in it:

However, you can use whatever type of beads you want to and get a very different look.

I love making these tutorials because I remember when I was starting out, it was hard to find well-illustrated and clear instructions. I'm aiming for my tuts to be both, and hopefully you'll agree. :-) Go ahead and make your Mom a surprise present this year!

New Tutorial!

2010-04-28T13:35:00.004+04:00

My first ever crafty tutorial is up on my newly-redesigned website. Make yourself a pair of pwetty earrings!
->Right here.

Of wants, obstacles, and necklaces

2010-04-25T09:25:00.000+04:00

Happy Sunday! This is my only free day of the week, and I'm busy doing some fun stuff like updating my blog template and revising a manuscript. I'm thinking of switching to blogging on my domain name (via Wordpress), but that takes some poking around. I've used Wordpress before, so I know the basics, but all this installation stuff and patching old installations is a bit scary. Here's hoping something comes out of it.

My revisions are going well, not much to go. But as I work, I can't help rebelling just a teeny bit. Why? Well, because my story is largely an atmospheric one, a quiet one, and doesn't really fit into the "main character wants Y and then Z happens to prevent her from getting it, and then she does Q and finally triumphs". It's not a high concept story that can be summed up in one brilliant, sparkly sentence. It's mainly this "wanting" thing that bothers me, this idea that every character has to have some driving desire or factor in their life. Because that's not how life works, and that's also not how many popular books work. Take Twilight - whatever you think of its literary quality, it features a girl to whom things just happen. She doesn't really have any desires (other than Eddie's cold lips;-), and she tends to just drift - and yet people eat up the books. Take Harry Potter - he may have the desire to get away from the Dursleys, but in the end, all of the magical stuff just happens to him and he tends to be a bit of a drifter, too. Readers don't seem to care, so it always bothers me when I see people advocating the "want+obstacle" formula online because I think that it's too restricting. I know I've always loved stories where the MC just ends up in a peculiar situation or world and has to make the best out of it, and I can't be alone in this, can I? (please say no)
Obviously, I'm not saying books don't need active characters; I'm saying that we shouldn't judge books based on one plot formula only.

Plots aside, I've been doing some jewelry again. My camera battery was dying when I took these pics, so they may be a bit blurry in places, sowwy.

Anyway, here's a necklace I made with summer in mind - something light and funky. So, I attached several chain bracelets together to make a necklace, added sparkly Swarovski crystals, a belt buckle, and a couple of square ornamental connectors, and this baby was born:

This one features the lovely Ethiopian silver cross I got some time ago. I've been trying to make something with it for a long time, and finally I decided to combine it with memory wire covered with black velvet tubing. Perfect choice, methinks.

Now, I have a manuscript calling my name. Toodles!

Checking in

2010-04-02T13:42:00.000+04:00

Long time no blogging.

Seriously, I would have, but in the beginning of February, I got both a new apartment and a new job as a teacher (on top of my other job, so I work two jobs right now). So, I've been basically just grading papers and doing lesson plans amidst a mountain of boxes and spending the rest of the time in my other job.
I'm slowly getting back to normal life now, though, and it is great to put all the moving stuff behind (even though my new apartment is great, I hate moving, absolutely despise it because it is just so exhausting). I've been writing on and off even during this busy time, but as a new teacher, I can only sigh wistfully at the memory of those long, leisurely afternoons filled with writing. I teach in a gymnasium, which is an academically-inclined preparatory school for university (not sure there are similar schools in the US?), and it means a lot of work. It's been very rewarding and lovely, though, despite all the work. Teaching is definitely "me", and I'm already anxious to get a job for next year (this one ends with the current term in June).

Currently, I have two writing projects going on. Or, actually, I have more, but these are the main ones I'm trying to concentrate on. My quiet/literary/mystery/reallydunno YA is again going through a plot overhaul. This time, I'm bringing in more mystery and a touch of supernatural - but just a touch. The other project is a funny tween/lower YA reality-based fantasy, which is one of my favorite genres to write. Working two jobs is awfully stressful, though, and I can't wait to get a permanent job as a teacher, so that I could spend more time writing.

My crafty stuff has been packed away, but I've been snooping around the boxes lately. I have a new project in mind, but I'm not sure how to do it yet. I'm thinking of cracking open the papercrafting supplies box, though...

Crafty bit!

2010-01-24T17:45:00.000+03:00

I'll be moving to a new apartment this spring or early summer, so I made a deal with myself not to buy any more beads until I've moved (less stuff to pack, you know). I've been trying to use up my stash, and here's my favorite of those, a chunky pearl bracelet:

This is my first time making a bracelet with multi-loop connectors, and I'm pretty happy with it. The only snafu is that the pearls might be just a bit too large for this type of connector, but it's nothing too bad. I love the colors, and once I get over my buying ban, I'll definitely get more connectors.

Plagued by plot

2010-01-08T11:04:00.001+03:00

It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been busy planning, plotting, reading, listening to 30 Seconds to Mars's new album, and shamelessly watching the pile of movies & period drama I got for Christmas (loved: Princess Diaries & Dangerous Liaisons; didn't quite love: BBC's new Emma).

Honestly, sometimes I feel a writer's life is the craziest life there can be - at least emotionally. Right before Christmas I had a sort of revelation about myself as a writer. And that revelation was: "You're a humor writer, blonde. Just accept it, and leave the heavy stuff aside for now and concentrate on what you do best: light, humorous fiction." And I happily obeyed by starting a new humorous YA. And it was good.

But I have that darn coming-of-age YA under my skin. It's been a plague (in both a good and bad sense of the word) ever since I wrote it in 2008. The first draft poured out in a month, which is really fast even for me, and the characters just won't leave me alone. The story has gone through substantial rewrites since then, but I haven't managed to tame the plot. I'm happy with the emotional side of things, but even in a more quiet/literary book, a plot is kind of needed (at least in my opinion). And that's what I've been struggling to find, to no avail. I put the story on the backburner for a while before Christmas, but even with my newly-found resolution to concentrate on the chick-lit side, the story still won't let go. It's like a warm Snuggie on a cold winter's day.

So, I had an idea for the plot some days ago, and lo, it's simple, very simple, and something that has always existed within the story. Since this is a quieter book, it doesn't need all the bang I was trying to squeeze in (which can be all clear and self-evident from the get-go if you're a sensible writer, of course). This new plot is like a Christmas tree stripped of all the ornaments and tinsel: simple, earthy, and lovely. Of course, the neurotic writer in me is still freaking out about a million things ("Quiet novels don't sell!"..."You can't write another quiet novel because this was a one-time brain fart!"), but the wannabe-sensible woman in me is using the hammer to silence the whines pretty effectively. I still have some things to iron out, but I feel all giddy with the thought that soon I'll get to open my beloved manuscript again and start fiddling with it.

Considering all these mind games, I haven't been crafting a whole lot, but here is a necklace I made before Christmas:

I used those smoky blue glass pearls I bought in December and added metal disks between the beads. Also, added a light brown Swarovski crystal to the pendant. I think it fits with the color scheme and gives it a little something extra.

And now...I will pick up that torn and worn and cramped piece of paper that hosts my new plot plans...

Christmas in Scandinavia

2009-12-24T09:51:00.001+03:00

Christmas in Scandinavia (in this post I'm referring in particular to Finland, but all Scandinavian countries have pretty similar traditions) is a long affair. It begins on the first Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. A single candle is lit in churches all across the country (Finland is mostly Lutheran). A second candle is lit the next Sunday, and so on until all four candles are lit. Most kids have advent calendars that provide a picture, candy, or a toy for each day of December all the way through to Christmas Eve. Adults have Christmas parties with their colleagues and friends, called "pikkujoulut", literally translated "mini Christmas". These start already in November, and if you're the social type, you may end up with a different "pikkujoulut" every weekend and even on weekdays.

Christmas Eve is the main day of celebration. It all begins on the night between the 23rd and the 24th when most families put a specially salted ham in the oven and let it roast on low heat all through the night. The resulting smell of ham in the morning permeates all my Christmas memories - it has always been the real start of Christmas for me.

Christmas trees are often brought in and decorated only on Christmas Eve (in my family, I always do it). At noon the Christmas Peace is declared nationally. This is a tradition that dates back to the 13th century. The declaration (still in its original form and written on a scroll) is read aloud in the city of Turku and televised nationally, and for many people, this is when they quiet down to begin their Christmas celebration. The shops (and everything else) close down around noon and open properly only on the 27th. Buses and trains stop running for the most part, too, and the whole society simply shuts down to celebrate. This is an aspect I love about Christmas here; it's a very peaceful affair when it actually begins.

Many families visit cemetaries to light candles on the graves of their loved ones on Christmas Eve. A cemetary alight with candles is a beautiful sight! This is often followed by a meal of rice porridge, a thick, creamy, and delicious dish served with cinnamon. Church is usually a part of the celebrations as well; some families go on Christmas Eve, but many still prefer the early morning service on Christmas Day.

The Christmas Sauna follows in the afternoon. Saunas (steam rooms to many of you US peeps) are a Finnish invention (the word "sauna" is Finnish), and they're a prominent part of our national psyche. On Christmas Eve, most families fire up their saunas (I should point out here that owning a sauna is not a luxury here, and even many apartments have them), and take a long time to enjoy its heat. A historical tidbit: in the old days, most babies were born in saunas because they were the only places with enough warmth and water in our long and harsh winters.
After the sauna the Christmas dinner takes place, probably around 6 to 8 pm in most families. The dinner includes the ham (turkey or fish in some families), various casseroles, including rutabaga casserole and potato casserole, a red salad called "rosolli", peas, salmon, gravy, and boiled potatoes. Nothing too fancy, but in itself, very yummy. Plum cream is a traditional dessert (a mix of plum jam, whipped cream, and quark), as well as various other plum-my things (kiisseli, a translucent, thick, fruity soup is common, with spoonfuls of whipped cream). Gingerbread cookies and plum tarts are a staple, too.

After the dinner comes Santa, who according to Finnish tradition lives in Lapland near Mount Ear. Presents are distributed and opened, and the rest of the evening is spent in enjoying them, eating chocolate confectionary, reading books, and watching telly. Christmas Day and Boxing Day (the 26th) are both "lounging about" days when people stay at home in their jammies and do pretty much the same thing people everywhere do: eat, read, play games, relax and just enjoy. Boxing Day has traditionally been the visiting day of Christmas when people visit their friends and families. Before cars, sleigh bells were a frequent sound on Boxing Day when people rode around to visit each other.

The shops open again on the 27th, and then it's sales all around. The official Christmas season only ends in Epiphany, though (January 6th), which is a public holiday. This is also when most people throw out their Christmas tree and start a diet. ;-)

I may have forgotten some details, but these are the main points. I hope you enjoyed reading a bit about our Northern Christmas! With this picture of (the real!) Santa and his helpers in wintry Lapland I want to wish you a very merry Christmas if you celebrate! :-)

Blessed weekend!

2009-12-11T15:58:00.000+03:00

Such a lovely Friday afternoon: Christmas songs, candles, a shimmering star in the window, and the weekend ahead. And good news in the morning! It's so nice to go into the weekend with good news. :-)

I have a Christmas party tomorrow, and I'm making my creamy bean dip. It's the first recipe I ever came up with on my own, and I guard it jealously. :-D But it's yummy, and I can't wait to see what people think of it (most of them probably haven't had bean dip before; it's not commonly known here outside the vegan/vegetarian circles). I also made the most luscious chocolate-banana cake the other day. It's so juicy and chocolatey that I almost fainted when I tasted it - no, seriously, I did. ;-) I'm making another one for mom for Christmas for sure.

Finished another round of revisions -minor this time- for an YA. It's so strange how these tiny clunky bits can slip into your manuscript and take you by surprise even after your hundreth read. And because they're not actually mistakes, nobody else notices them either! In any case, this manuscript is now all smooth and shiny again, although I'm naturally plagued by a thousand "what if the MC did this instead of that" and "man, this minor character is a bit annoying" thoughts. Then again, that's nothing new. It goes with the territory, methinks.

Haven't been beading much; I'm craving for a new project but I have no idea what I should make. I did make a couple more pairs of those chains & crystals earrings, though. Here's one:

Oh, and I got the loveliest smoky blue glass pearls from my local bead shop. Hmmm...these definitely speak to me...maybe combine them into a lovely chunky bracelet with metal components...

Well, I've been Christmas shopping today, so I think I'll dig out the wrapping paper and the rosettes now. And maybe another piece of that cake...

No way NaNo.

2009-11-29T14:47:00.001+03:00

No NaNo win here, but that was expected. It just isn't my thing, and I think Maggie Stiefvater summed it up excellently in her recent post. But at least I got a story idea that I love out of this NaNo experiment!

I've been baking and cooking and making jewelry instead of churning up words, and it's been good and relaxing. I made wonderfully chocolaty chocolate chip cookies, and yesterday I baked a batch of southern butter rolls. They taste delicious, but since I haven't baked bread or rolls in ages, I forgot how much they expand, so they came out a bit too big - more like mini loaves. Tomorrow it's salmon strips with herbs and a dash of heavy cream.

Some time ago I saw a wonderful pair of earrings on Bead and Baubles that combined crystals and chain, and I've been wanting to try my hand at those. Here are two results:

I love them, but handling that tiny chain is a pain. Still, one must suffer for one's art, right? :-)

Two new projects

2009-11-22T21:10:00.000+03:00

Just a couple of photos this time. Been crafting & brainstorming & thinking about stuff & freaking out a bit about said stuff & watching period drama to calm myself...I wish BBC would churn out new stuff every month. ;-)

Anyway, I've been feeling oriental and colorful craftwise, and here are two results of that mood:

Earrings with Swarovski crystals. These are so my style, and I seriously wish I had pierced ears. Alas, I don't, so the fate of these is yet unknown.

Seed bead bracelet:

I've posted a few necklaces like this already, and now I felt like doing a bracelet to match. I just love seedbeads, and as a kinesthetic person, I love fingering seed bead jewelry; it's almost like a stress reliever toy.

Next project? Who knows, but it will be soon. My fingers are still itching...

A cameo appearance, and what's in a NaNo?

2009-11-19T16:35:00.000+03:00

I've been doing some beading again lately, this time with the cameos I got last summer. Since I haven't been able to find settings for them I figured I'd have to do that myself. I made this broochy thing out of one:

I glued it on a piece of fabric and embroidered the fabric with beads. It's still hollow from the other side, so I'll have to see if I should sew on some backing. I have a bead order coming with more fringe beads and seed beads, and I can't wait to make more of these. I really love intricate beadwork, although I'm not very good at it yet. Takes a whole lotta practice!

As for my NaNo novel...well, I probably should be panicking, but I'm not. That kind of storm writing just isn't my style; I need creative pauses when I just mull over the story in my head. And after those pauses I can write 3000-5000 words in a day. I have written one book in almost exactly a month, though, that more quiet YA of mine, but I was HUGELY inspired, almost obsessed, and the text just flowed out. I couldn't have written it more slowly. And it has undergone massive rewrites since.

While I like my NaNo novel, too, it's a much more commercial book, which means the plot must be snappy. However, when I write in a stream-of-consciousness style without pre-planning, the result usually isn't good because I write myself into a corner or don't put in enough twists. Yeah, I know I could always rewrite and edit, but truth be told, I prefer to get it as right as I can in the first draft because intricate plots are hard for me - give me a complex character or two and I have no problems, but plots tend to make me weak in the knees and not in a good way.

So, I've figured NaNo isn't quite for me. Then again, I sometimes wonder, who is it for exactly? Everyone knows writing a first draft of a whole novel (or the first 50 000 words) in 30 days isn't going to produce a pretty sight, so what's the use of rushing? Maybe it is best for those people who have problems finishing novels? Or maybe it's just fun and I don't get it? *scratches head*

Oh well, at least I accomplished something in November...I learned to cook super yummy Indian chicken! :-D For a gal who has mostly lived on whatever the hand can grab the quickest from the freezer, that is good. And it inspired me to expand my cooking skills - within a week, I've made quark pie (a local favorite), chocolate chip cookies, and spicy pasta casserole. I'm so going to try my hand at cheesecake next!

Tuesday Tattle

2009-11-03T20:21:00.001+03:00

I'm listening to Josh Groban's Noël, and man, it's good. I've been a Josh fan for years, and I don't think I've heard his voice this powerful and beautiful since Closer. I mean, when he launches into vocal thunderstorms in Little Drummer Boy, I just melt. I've literally stopped writing or doing whatever else I was doing and just sat there, sighing with a stupid smile on my face. Boy can sing. Boy's voice is perfect for Christmas songs.

On the crafting front, I've finally finished my knitting projects. Maybe it was a bit ambitious of me to start so many projects at once, but hey, when you're obsessed, you're obsessed. At least I now have a nice big scarf for my mom and two pairs of wrist warmers for myself. I still need to knit two more pairs of wrist warmers for Christmas presents, but I found a nice and easy pattern, so I can knit one wrist warmer in a day if it comes to that. I do plan to tackle socks soon, but I think I need to let my hands rest a bit first. ;-) Or do different kind of work, such as...

...writing. So, I started my NaNo novel. Funnily enough, this is the idea I scrapped a while ago, but morphed into something different. It's a fantasy YA, but set firmly in this world, and I'm trying to bring in some humor as well. I'm currently clocking in at 2899 words, so it's not like I'm storming up the NaNo charts, but I'm still making progress that I'm happy with. I like my characters and especially the town I chose as a setting (it's a real place, one that I could see myself living in). I probably won't win NaNo, but it pushed me into starting this story, so it's all good. :-)

And now, it's Angels We Have Heard on High with Josh.

WriMo or Not?

2009-10-24T16:28:00.002+04:00

To NaNo or not to NaNo? That is the question. I've never done NaNo (thought I have written a first draft in one month), and I didn't think of doing it this year either. But see, I've got this story idea that's nagging me. I've already written the blurb, and I know the basic plot. ButwhatifIfail...are there sanctions against NaNo failers? The muse will abandon you? Agents and editors will blacklist you? You'll never ever write a novel again?
Hmmmm...a decision of this magnitude may require chocolate.

Other than that, I've unfortunately come upon yet another crafty hobby: knitting. Yes, I've knit before, and no, I haven't finished a single thing. But I want to - socks, scarves, and wristwarmers! I'm going to raid the yarn section of a local department store on my next day off on Tuesday, and until then, I'll be knitting with an ancient hank of blue and white wool yarn that absolutely doesn't go with any clothes I own. But at least I'll get some practice, and knitting is a wonderful way to brainstorm story ideas, too.

Crafty Bits on Saturday

2009-10-17T16:47:00.006+04:00

Revisions are going well, so not much to talk about on the writerly front. But I have two new crafty bits to show! :-)

First a pair of earrings with cute little Matryoshka dolls:

I saw these tiny porcelain dolls in one of my favorite online bead shops, and I fell in love instantly. As most kids here, I, too, had my own stackable Russian Matryoshka doll when I was a kid, so I'm feeling very nostalgic. :-) Too bad I don't have pierced ears!

Secondly, another beaded necklace on velvet:

I think this has an almost steampunk feel to it. I definitely didn't aim for it, so it's a nice surprise. ;-) It's choker length and features vintage glass pearls.

Done!

2009-10-11T11:08:00.001+04:00

I can't stop listening to Kings and Queens. I agree wholeheartedly with Jessie from the radio station 'The Edge':

"If it is possible to change the world with a single song, I say 30 Seconds To Mars have achieved this with their symphony of stars.

I am OVERWHELMED by the grandeur of it. I think it's the voices, so many stunning voices...there is something magical about it that radiates hope. The ethereal light the music inspires is as powerful as it is comforting. In short this song SHINES."

And I finished the major revisions of my literary (in lack of better term) YA! I did a major plot overhaul, and it feels so good to have that behind me. It's up to my favorite type of editing now: the micro stuff. I'm a perfectionist, so polishing a sentence into perfection is a very satisfying experience. ;-) In any case, I think this story is my best work so far, and even though I dearly love all my stories, this one has really gone under my skin unlike any other. It chronicles the experiences and emotions of a seventeen-year-old girl who is sent to live in an Amish type community.

Here's my newest necklace. I was inspired to make this when I recently ordered some velvet ribbon with a bead order. It's the type of jewelry that could have been worn by a lady a couple of hundred years ago. :-)

It's actually just a beaded necklace sown into velvet ribbon. I've had the beaded necklace for a while, but I haven't really worn it. Now it's much better, and I'm making another one, too, this time of black ribbon. :-)

Yes, we can.

2009-10-08T16:51:00.002+04:00

What a funny thing this life is. My morning started very badly, but now in the afternoon, I'm so incredibly inspired that I feel like crying.

I just heard the first single, Kings and Queens, from the upcoming album of my favorite band, 30 Seconds to Mars. I love it so much and I feel so energized that I could just write a whole book on one sitting. I've been following the band making this album throughout the year, and the road has been long and hard; they fell out with their record company and were slapped with a thirty million dollar lawsuit, but they continued working on the album in Jared's (lead singer) house despite having no funding and having the lawsuit hanging over them. They have such passion for what they do, and it inspires me in my own creative path. They've employed new, unique strategies on this album in order to engage the fans in their creative process, too. They're using photos of the fans on a batch of album covers and they arranged group recording sessions for the fans in the US and in Europe. The fruits of these singing sessions can be heard on the album, for example at the end of Kings and Queens. I love it, and I can't wait to get this album. And I can't wait to see how this music will inspire me in my writing.

The other thing that has inspired me has been Kiva. I'm passionate about helping people in the third world, and this is a wonderful way to do it. Kiva allows you to fund microloans to the working poor all across Asia, Africa and Latin America. They use the loan in their small businesses or farming, thus improving their own living conditions and income. In time, they pay the money back to you, and you can lend it to someone else. One loan can thus help people over and over again! It's active helping and encourages diligency and responsibility, and since 98.42 % of the loans are paid back in full, the financial risk is tiny. The smallest amount you can loan is $25, so you don't have to be rich to do this. So far, I've loaned to two entrepreneurs, a young widow with three children from the Philippines and a young man from Nicaragua. I'm hoping to find some women to lend to from Afghanistan next month. The situation in there is so sad that I absolutely want to do my little part to help. :-)

Pretty in Pink

2009-10-06T18:14:00.001+04:00

Time for another crafty project. :-) This time, a pearl necklace:

I used those bumpy glass pearls and dusky rose pearls I bought a while ago. I think they fit together beautifully, and the bumpy glass pearls look almost like snow drops. The clasp can be worn either way: if worn on the front, the necklace has a trendier feel, and if worn on the back, the necklace has a more classic feel. I'm thinking of giving this to my 14-year-old goddaughter as a Christmas present, but she isn't really a jewelry person and I fear she might not have much use for it. Hmmm...decisions, decisions.

That aside, I've been on a period drama binge lately, and I watched Cranford again after Wives & Daughters. It's such a treat, and I can't wait to get my hands on the Cranford Christmas special that's supposed to air in the UK this year. Hope they put it on DVD asap!
Anyway, that wasn't enough, so I checked my period drama shopping list and ordered a couple more: North and South and Little Dorrit. I've had my eye on North and South for quite a while now, and it has been warmly recommended by fellow period drama lovers, so it's bound to be good. Little Dorrit is a new find and a newer production (2008), and it has an excellent cast and sounds simply delicious. Can't wait to dig into these!

But before that, I'm determined to finish these revisions. Half a chapter to go...

Fresh paint!

2009-10-05T08:53:00.001+04:00

I updated my website! If you have a minute, take a look and tell me what you think. :-)

Saturday Six

2009-10-03T17:42:00.001+04:00

Since I didn't do my Five Things on Friday, I'm doing the Saturday Six!

1. My revisions are going well. I'm overhauling the whole plot, so I've had to write quite a few new scenes. I have one more chapter to write, and then it's ironing time (making sure the new scenes fuse seamlessly into the existing text).

2. And speaking of editing...I've been using Sims 2 for story stuff lately. I created one of the characters in the book I'm now editing and built a palace that was to be the setting of that shelved YA story. It's a great way to deal with writer's block, and pubbed authors could easily use it in marketing, too. You know, "Look inside Fflumpden Castle, the setting of my Amazing Debut Novel!" Or, "Ever wondered what Wqurgas, the hero of my Amazing Debut Novel, looks like? Well, see it right here!"

Or maybe I'm just odd. ;-)

3. Watched Wives & Daughters yesterday. I saw it years ago, but didn't remember much of it. Not quite up there with the 1995 Pride & Prejudice or Cranford, but still very nice. Did I mention I'm a total period drama nut? Probably did at some point, but it bears repeating. I have pretty much everything the BBC has put out in the last two decades, and I'm always hankering for more. There's just no beating the Brits in this stuff. And you know what? One day I'll write that Regency romance, complete with pretty printed dresses, visits to Bath, and brooding heroes. I will, I will.

4. I'm redoing my website, and I'm having a lot of fun! I do like the current design, but I want something clearer and with a bit more space. Hoping to get it live in the coming days.

5. I feel so helpless about the natural disasters gripping Asia. I wish there was something really concrete I could do to help, other than to just donate money, but there isn't. Praying for no more disasters!

6. I'm having a hard time coming up with number six...oh yes. I think I'm going to have a tuna pizza for dinner now. ;-)

Story ideas and dreaming of Christmas lights

2009-09-29T18:48:00.001+04:00

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer writing an important scene must be interrupted by a pet.
Like today: I was writing this incredibly emotionally charged and tense scene, and it was dead quiet. I was completely lost in the text, and right then, my cat decides to come and say hi, and he leaps over my dog, who jumps up noisily and startles me. So, now the moment is gone (and both pets sleep peacefully). Ah well, at least I made great progress today. :-)

I've been reading through some old YA discussions over at the Blueboards, and I found an interesting one on overused plots. And what do I find on the list but my newest YA idea? Drat. I know one list doesn't torpedo a story, but I have been thinking for a while that my idea isn't original enough the way I intended to write it. Still, it has some goodies I can use in other stories, and after all, I do have that YA story idea I got on my summer holiday. And that one wasn't on the list. ;-)

It's getting pretty chilly here, so I've dug out some candles. I love candles; nothing is cozier than candlelight on a dark autumn night with a storm raging outside. And of course, soon I can put up my Christmas lights (yes, I'm a total Christmas-holic) and start preparing my sponsor children's Christmas letters! Must send those out early, as one kid is in Asia and another one in Africa. Too bad Christmas stuff is not in the stores yet...come on, folks, on with the tinsel and the carols!

Thursday Tattle

2009-09-24T20:53:00.009+04:00

EDIT: I checked Absolute Write, and it looks like Rachel's not back after all. Someone just aqcuired her old LJ address and is trying to impersonate her.

Rachel Vater's blog is back, yay! Along with Pub Rants, it's probably the oldest agent blog I've read, so I'm happy to see it back, and it's already in my Google Reader. Which is a fabulous invention, by the way. I can't understand why I haven't used it before. Now I can see all the blogs and sites I follow in one place. Considering that I have a blog also on LJ, that's mighty useful! And I really like the idea of the posts not being marked as read until I scroll the page. So often I open GR only to notice I must take the dog out or answer the phone or do something else first, but the posts stay unread until I move the mouse.

My revisions seem to have slowed down a bit. I'm in a very crucial scene now, followed by another crucial scene, and my mind refuses to hurry through those scenes. The good news is that when I get over the careful pace, I tend to race. :-D I hope to finish these revisions within a month or two.

I've made quite a bit of jewelry again, but this time I'll post only one. This is a very meaningful bracelet for me; the button in the middle is an actual button from a soldier's coat from the first world war when my country was fighting for her independence. It features a lion from our official coat of arms. I found these buttons at an antique dealer's booth a year ago, and I've been thinking what to do with them ever since. I have four more left, and while they are a bit brighter, I chose this one because it's tarnished and you can see it has tales to tell. :-)

Other materials in this bracelet are pretty interesting as well. The grey glass pearls are from an old necklace my mom once got from an antique shop. It was so badly frayed that I took it apart and used a few of the beads here. Also, the small white buttons are genuine buttons from the 40s or 50s (flea market finds!); they are cardboard because back then the economy was extremely tight due to the aftermath of the second world war. The silver beads are prayer beads from Ethiopia, and they are tipped by Swarovski crystals.

Well, that was all today. Pip-pip!

Going urban

2009-09-18T13:35:00.003+04:00

Evening shift at work, and it's pretty quiet. Hmmm...this means revision time. But first, yay for Melissa Marr for getting a movie deal for Wicked Lovely! It's going to be amazing, and I can't wait to see it.

Secondly, I must post my new necklace:

This came about from just messing around with the pliers. That round thing is actually not a real jewelry part; it's something I found on the street some months ago. I have no idea what it is (not silver or anything expensive obviously), maybe a part from a bike or something, but I picked it up and gave it a good scrubbing. I think it fits very well with that funky chain, and those purple crystals just screamed to be included. I think it has an "urban chic" type look, and I'm very happy with it. The only problem is that I didn't have a clasp in the exact same shade of metal, but then, who's going to see the clasp through my mop of hair?
Mind you, this is not the only thing I've picked up from the street. I have a little bag full of street finds for jewelry. ;-)

And now...it's revision time, baby!

Thursday Potpourri

2009-09-17T15:17:00.000+04:00

Ah, the news keep pouring in - this fall will be super musical! There will be 30 Seconds to Mars's new album, Adam Lambert's debut, the Stiff Dylans's debut, plus the debut of my favorite contestant from our national Idol contest last year. And I still have the new Hillsong and Hillsong United albums on my shopping list. :-) It'll be great to get new writing music!

Speaking of writing...still working on the revisions of the "literary" YA. Today, I tackled an important scene, and it's going pretty well. I do hope these revisions will be "it" because I love this baby so much and just want it to fly.

Other than that, I've been watching The Nanny. I adore this sitcom and used to watch it religiously when it first aired here in the 90s. I just love Fran and Maxwell and their adorkable relationship. Sony Entertainment really needs to get on with the DVD releases, though; I've already got the first three seasons, and there's no word on seasons 4-6. :-P

Oh, and expect new soap pics soon: I just got the yummiest "powder" fragrance oil!

Five Things on Friday

2009-09-11T00:45:00.001+04:00

1. @inkygirl tweeted an interesting news story of a 17-year-old girl who got a ten-book deal. Wow. Apparently, it is by a specialized publisher (LDS) and her mom submitted the manuscript, but quite an accomplishment nevertheless.

2. I've dug out my Sims 2 again. It helps me get and keep my creative juices flowing, especially now that I'm mulling over the revisions of my YA.

3. Superagent Nathan Bransford got a book deal! YAY! He has such a way with words that I'm not surprised. Can't wait to read his book.

4. Made a batch of creamy spice soap with cinnamom and cardamom. I can't get over how smooth and luscious the soap feels! Unfortunately, the yummy sandalwood scent I put in it has faded almost completely, probably because the fragrance oil was a couple of years old. But it's great soap anyway! :-)

5. Eight years ago on this very day I decided to check the news from a national news site around four in the afternoon. There was a small photo of a silver tower with smoke coming out of it. The caption said, "Plane crashes into one of the WTC towers." I opened the TV and the news started pouring in. It was so distressing that I had to leave my apartment and go to a supermarket, just to get my mind off of it.
Today my thoughts and prayers go to all victims and survivors of those horrible incidents. My biggest prayer, however, is that the hate that births terrorism would die out from every heart on this planet.

Lemon-oatmeal

2009-09-05T17:44:00.000+04:00

I made my first batch of soap yesterday, and it turned out great! I used quite a bit of olive oil, scented the batch with citrus fragrance oil, and added oatmeal for exfoliation. This batch behaved incredibly beautifully, too: it came to trace swiftly, went into the molds without a hitch, and gelled promptly. I cut it today, and this is what it looks like:

I used a silicone muffin mold for the round ones (a great idea I found on a soapmaking forum). After I put these in a cupboard to dry, I tried out some of the trimmings. The lather is very good and the soap leaves a nice, fresh lemony scent on the skin. Now I'll let them cure for about 4 weeks, and then they're ready to be used. :-)

I'll make another batch tomorrow, but first I need to get some cream and some cinnamon, as I'm thinking of making a creamy sandalwood soap with a touch of cinnamon. I got some fragrance oils today (eucalyptus, mint, and orange), as well as a bottle of sesame oil and a bag of ground linen seeds, but I'm still hankering for rose fragrance oil. The essential oil was so pricey I didn't get it.

Ahh, I just love soapmaking! :-)

The bubbles are coming...

2009-09-02T12:27:00.003+04:00

Well, I caved in and ordered some lye. :-) I just can't get into melt & pour soapmaking, especially when the only base I can get locally is clear and not particularly good quality.

But making real soap with lye and oils, now that I love. Homemade soaps are just so wonderfully natural and mild (they usually suit even highly allergic people), and creating your own recipes is half of the fun. I used to make a lot of soap some years back, but then I stopped for some reason (maybe because pretty much every inch of surface in my apartment was covered in soap). My mom recently mentioned my soaps with a nostalgic sort of sigh, and these swine flu-ridden times require particular cleanliness after all, so methinks soap must be made. I'm picking up the lye today after work, and I must start building my oils & butters and essential oils collection, too. I need at least a good rose scent, a lemon scent, and some kind of minty scent.

I have a feeling Santa's going to bring several people sudsy presents this year...;-)

Querying Tips

2009-08-30T10:58:00.006+04:00

I've been doing a lot of querying-related research, and I thought I'd share some of what I've found out. Hopefully it helps those of you starting your querying journey!

1. Cross-research every agent in at least these places:

Querytracker

QT offers many helpful features, including the possibility to track your queries and see overall data of queries to a specific agent. Reading the user comments is useful, but use common sense; some people post negative things seemingly only because they were rejected. Still, if several commenters mention the same thing (good or bad), it's probably something you should take seriously. Querytracker also provides a list of "Who reps who", which is great.

Agent Query

This site is a great tool and offers a lot of information: genres accepted, whether the agent is a member of AAR and accepts email queries, special interests, what to include when you query, and so on.

Agent's/Agency website + agent's blog

Always check the agent's website or profile on the agency website as information on other sites may occasionally be out-of-date. The agency website is your best bet to find up-to-date information. Something I learned recently: if the agent's and the agency's general submission guidelines differ, go with the agent's guidelines.

If the agent has a blog, read it to get a feel of his/her personality.

Publisher's Marketplace

Some agents keep important information about their submission guidelines in their PM listing. PM usually lists agents' clients as well, so it's a good research tool. Note that not all agents' PM listings are public, and not all agents list themselves there. Querytracker provides a straight link to agents' PM listings.

Verla Kay's "Blueboards"

The internet home for children's and YA writers. Great forum with plenty of knowledgeable folks, including several published authors. Check out the Market/Agent News & Discussion and the Response Times sub-boards (you have to be a registered member to see these).

Bewares and Background Check at Absolute Write

Absolute Write is one of the largest forums for writers online. It's for writers of all genres and ages, and their Bewares and Background Check forum is legendary. Lots of information!

Google

Always Google the agent to find possible interviews etc. that help you personalize your query. Querytracker provides a nifty link to search the agent in Google.

(If you know of other great places to research agents, let me know!)

2. Make sure the agent can read your query without problems

Open up an new email document and change your email settings to "text only" or whatever name the function has in your email program (in Gmail it's "simple text", for example). In Outlook Express, you'll find this function in the "Format" menu. This is the best option because all email clients can read text-only emails without formatting problems. Then, copy your query from your word-processor and paste it on an empty Notepad document to remove all formatting funnies the word processor has slapped into it. Then copy the text from Notepad and paste it into that empty text-only email. Now your query should look fine no matter what email client the agent is using. Then send a test email to yourself (try a different email address) to make sure it looks okay. Note that the lines in text-only emails are pretty short, but that's normal.

When the agent wants to see sample pages and/or a synopsis in the body of the email, paste all that via Notepad, too.

3. Stay calm and focused.

I know it's tempting to shoot off a query to every agent who reps your genre, but I'd advise you to be sensible. Your personality and working style should match the agent's, too. If you prefer sensitive, kind criticism, don't query an agent who is known for giving harsh criticism. If you want an editorial agent, don't query an agent who isn't one (they often mention this in interviews). If you want an agent who "holds your hand" throughout the pre-publication and publication process, don't query someone who is known to communicate only when there is something important to communicate. And so forth. It's better to target carefully than to end up with an agent you don't feel comfortable with. Remember: if one agent wants your manuscript, someone else will want it, too.

Five Things on Friday

2009-08-28T14:13:00.000+04:00

1. I have a three-day weekend ahead once I get home from this evening shift. Yay! I plan to keep revising my YA, do some crafty bits, and maybe play a game or two (I've just dusted off my Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 - love that game).

2. I may be the only one on earth to think like this, but I'm SO ready for fall. I don't like heat, and I can't wait for cool winds and crisp air. And I'm a scarf nut.

3. A co-worker got a non-fiction book published and he gave me a signed copy. How cool!

4. I think I've watched too many episodes of Air Crash Investigation lately...I even dream of huge planes. But that program is just so incredibly addicting!

5. I have an urge to make soap. Not the whole lye and oils shebang (okay, that too), but just glycerine soap. This may require a visit to the craft store tomorrow.

FYI...

2009-08-26T08:28:00.001+04:00

I have a mirror blog on LJ these days, so if you have an LJ, head on over and friend me! :-)

Blood and Bookmarks

2009-08-22T09:34:00.001+04:00

Crafting is a bloody business. Those who follow me on Twitter already know this, but 140 characters just isn't enough, so I'm going to have to tell it here, too.

I have these great microtip scissors from Fiskars. I was making a scrapbook layout the other day, and I happened to drop the scissors in my lap. Well, the blasted thing went straight into my thigh. There was a lot of blood and assorted screaming (the pets are probably traumatized forever), but after half an hour, I managed to stop the blood. Now I'm sore and a bit wiser. I still can't believe a soft, 6-inch drop from the table to my lap could make the scissors so hazardous, but I guess that just proves the quality of Fiskars scissors. ;-)

I have managed to finish some other crafty bits without injuring myself, though. I have this nifty magnetic bookmark, and I wanted to create something similar. Bought a couple of sheets of magnet, but they have next to no hold, so I went for button magnets instead. The bookmark's not completely flat because of that, but I think it has a sort of rustic charm:

And here it is clipped on a page:

I've done a couple more of these, but I'd really like to find sheet magnet that holds well so that I could get that slim look I love in my magnetic bookmark.

My beading this week has mostly consisted of trying my hand at memory wire. Strangely enough, I've never used it before, but after seeing Katie Hacker use it on Beadalon's Bead Basics, I bought some and some velour tubing to cover it. I kind of like the result:

Writing, or rather editing, has been good, too. I'm adding a few new storylines, and I feel like a doctor with a needle as I scour the manuscript in search of places to inject new stuff. And right now it's time for me to fill my needle and do another round...

Plotting plans and order ordeals

2009-08-18T15:20:00.004+04:00

I've been hard at work revising that literary YA (I should honestly come up with some nickname for it; I'm sure every time I call it literary, a kitten dies or something). Started reading the story from the beginning today (since it's been a while), and it feels so good to be back in that world. Which might be a bit strange, considering it's a very restricted, Amish-type community. Still, I'm happy.

In case there's anyone else who struggles with plot, here's the plotting workshop I'm doing for this manuscript.

1. Get the 9-step plotting template from the Blueboards, and plug your plot into that. Yes, it's hard, but it helps you figure out your plot. Don't be surprised if you find yourself shuffling plot points around to fit the template. It's all good.

2. Write down a list of chapters. I usually only write down a couple of words, or even one, to give myself a general idea of what happens in that chapter. For example, chapter 5 in my current chapter list reads only, "Frustration". In that chapter, the main thing is the inner frustration my character goes through because of something that happened in chapter 4. Her frustration obviously drives her into action, which is chapter 6.

3. When you've plugged your plot into the template and finished a tentative chapter list, combine the two. Beside each chapter name, write what part of the plot it belongs to according to the 9-step template. For example, in my current manuscript chapter 1 is the triggering event, chapters 2 & 3 are characterization, and so on. This way you ensure you don't spend ten chapters in one plot slot.

Of course, not every plotting plan works for everyone, but for someone like me who struggles with plot and would rather write characterization all book long, the above seems to work pretty well.

Onto crafty bits...I got a bead order yesterday, and it's the first time I'm not completely elated. The colors in the online store were pretty misleading; for example, fringe beads that were supposed to have a dab of pink paint inside were in reality a horrifying neon salmon color (yes, '80s type neon). I soaked them in various cleaning liquids overnight, but the color just won't come off. Ouch. Also, seed beads that looked a beautiful shade of dusty blue in the picture were in fact pretty "basic colors" blue. And the worst thing is that I noticed I've made the same mistake before...I already have a bag of those blue seed beads, and I remember how frustrated I was then, too. Now I have to come up with something to do with two big bags of blue seed beads that I don't really care for. Hmmm....

But but, I got great stuff, too! Such as these fab glass pearls with a bumpy surface:

And these orient-blue seed beads:

And I found a great online shop that sells papercrafting supplies internationally with a reasonable shipping cost! Yay! Too often papercraft shops want 20 bucks for shipping one small bag of paper flowers, but this one, The Glitter Pot (don't you just love the name?), has great shipping rates and lots of nice stuff. Just look at these ribbons and paper flowers I got:

Oh, and I ordered a bag of buttons just because I'm a button nut, and I'm completely in love with these. So many designs and such wonderful colors! *happy sigh*

And now I'm going to end this mega post and make a cuppa tea. Yes, I'm a total Brit in spirit.

It's a hornet, but it won't sting (hopefully).

2009-08-16T18:42:00.002+04:00

What an interesting weekend! I had to work, but it was very quiet, so I spent my time planning the revisions of my YA. I think I did pretty well; I used the nine-slot plotting template I always use and got the new plot to fit well in there. Many things will change, though, so I still need to map out some details. But I'm so happy I've dug out this YA; writing it was one of the most emotional writing experiences I've ever had, and I love the setting and the characters.

Aside from working and story stuff, I've spent hours watching the air show from my balcony (the airport is only a couple of miles away, if that). What a show! I've always loved planes (though I'm afraid of flying - oops), and watching these great ones made me all giddy. Not to mention hungry for my camera.

Among the shows I liked the most was the Midnight Hawks, which is the Flight Demonstration Squadron of our Air Force. They fly with four BAE Hawks, and they're goooood! Check out these cool pics:

They made some nice tricks, including a heart shape, which they're starting below. Sadly, I didn't manage to capture the whole shape because the wind was brutal and swept the sky clean very quickly.

And then! My absolute favorite! THE F-18 HORNET! Honestly, it was a fabulous sight to behold, even though the noise was something unbelievable. But there's just something incredibly exciting about this slick, roaring fighter jet. And the best thing is that I managed to capture it sending down fireworks (or something; my air lingo is lacking). Check out the video below, courtesy of yours truly.

Of course, I feel sorry for anyone who ever ends up in the path of one of these flying with a malicious intent. :-( But in a peaceful context, these are marvelous and I'm definitely keeping my eye out for any air shows where I could catch one even closer.

Six Things on Saturday

2009-08-15T09:09:00.004+04:00

Since I failed to do my Five Things on Friday, I'm punishing myself most severely with an extra "thing"; ergo, "Six Things on Saturday". Cruel, I know.

1. I'm back to revising my literary YA after a promising surprise response to an old submission. Mind you, I'm not sure it fully qualifies to be called "literary", but since I consider myself a more commercial writer and that story definitely is more quiet and in-depth than my other stories, that's the label I've given it. Literary writers everywhere may be weeping.
But in any case, I love that story (and my favorite character, priest-turned-rock star Valentin, resides in it), and if it ever sees bookstore shelves, I'll faint of happiness.

2. I made another beaded button.

This one's all pastel and has seed bead clusters, tiny glass flowers, and Japanese fringe beads. And yes, I'm working on a third one...

3. I saw a real Hornet yesterday. It was circling my house, and the noise was ear-shattering. More is expected today as an international air show kicks off at a nearby airport. My poor dog and kitty are home alone since I'm at work, and I hope they'll manage until I come home.

4. I checked the fall YA book releases (YA is only now starting to catch wind here), and lo, Kristin Cashore's Graceling is on the way, as well as Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments trilogy, Melissa Marr's Ink Exchange, Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, and Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn. Good to see YA seeping into the oh-so-serious literary landscape of Northern Europe.

5. I can't wait for fall to come. Crisp air, scarves, hot tea, storms...yum!

6. And speaking of tea, I think I'm going to make some now. Toodles.

Buttons Up!

2009-08-13T19:48:00.001+04:00

Random thought: Why doesn't Blogger have a "Music/What are you listening to?" field in every post? Because when I'm listening to this piece of fabulosity, I want to announce it.

I've been doing research for my new YA, and I had forgotten how much fun it is. Right now, I'm researching faery lore. I researched it quite extensively for my MG, but I'm going to a different direction now, so I need to update my lore, so to speak.

And speaking of lore...I came upon a funny discussion of Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver here. It's a community for people who ship Jacob and Bella from the Twilight universe. No wonder they're excited about a werewolf novel. ;-D Then again, Shiver sounds so awesome that I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't be excited about it. It hasn't reached my corner of the world yet, but it's on top of my book shopping list.

Crafts-wise...I know I said I'd do a papercrafting project next, butbutbut...I saw some amazing beaded buttons in the August Bead & Button, and I naturally had to ransack my sewing box for those juicy mini canvases. Found a couple and covered them with fabric. After a couple of less-than-stellar buttons I came up with this:

The colors are a bit off (the crimson beads for one aren't that bright), but you get the idea. It's got seed beads, pony beads, fringe beads, a metal bead, and whatnot. I love this kind of beadwork; it's very intricate, but since the canvas isn't too big, it doesn't take forever to finish. Of course, use of these buttons is a bit limited, but hey, we only live once. :-)

Crafty Bits

2009-08-11T18:13:00.002+04:00

I've been doing a lot of crafting again since coming home from our cottage. I tend to go in cycles, jewelry - papercrafts - jewelry, and now I'm in the papercrafting phase. I had this empty cosmetics box that a friend gave me last Christmas (with the cosmetics, though;-), and I thought it was nice, so I saved it for refurbishing later on. Here's the result:

I didn't have a clear plan, but I think it became an enchanted fairy box. I wish I had a daughter to give it to; it would be a perfect place to store sweet little secrets. :-) I used various scrapbooking papers to cover it, inks to age it up a bit, lots of ribbons and daisy embellishments, and a button for closing it up. Attached the button with superglue to make sure it won't twang off.

I think I'll continue with another papercrafting project, but I wanted to post these wire rings I made before I left for my holidays:

I've tried to make wire rings once before, but I didn't succeed very well. I think these came out okay, though. Used freshwater pearls, copper wire, and both acrylic and Swarovski crystals (I know, I combine materials shamelessly;-). I need softer wire, though; this is pretty tough to handle!

Last, a nice link for crafters (or those wanting to become crafters): Crafts Beautiful. This is the webpage of my favorite crafting magazine, and it's chock-full of stuff: videos, downloads, projects, etc. Worth a visit!

Lit Stuff

2009-08-09T11:29:00.003+04:00

-> The new cover for Justine Larbalestier's Liar is great. Way to fix it, Bloomsbury!

-> Loved the imaginary rejection letter for The Hobbit on Nathan Bransford's blog. It made me a little bit giggly and a little bit sad.

-> The Upstart Crow lit agency's website is online, and I'm loving their Writer's Toolbox.

As for my own writing...well, I've hit one of those neurotic places where all you can think of is, "Did my query/full/partial get eaten by cyber gremlins and if it did (like it probably did) what am I going to do about it, coz I can't just send off 'Hey didja get it emails'...help!" And on top of that, I'm obsessing over my YA romance...because let's face it, Twilight has changed that genre forever. I'm not really a Twilight fan (loved the movie, though), but I fear that any story with a supernatural romance will be taken as a Twilight clone. But my baby ain't (ain't!) - it has no vampires or werewolves. Or cannibalistic mermaids.

And on the non-writing front...I'm somewhat ~~completely~~ obsessed with Stiff Dylans, a band that was formed during the filming of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Their music is right up my alley, and who knows, it might be yours, too. Check out Ultraviolet:

Five Things on Friday

2009-08-07T15:15:00.002+04:00

1. This morning, I wrote the blurb for the YA fantasy romance I've been brainstorming. Yay!

2. I'm going home tomorrow. Yay no. 2! As much as I love our cottage, it'll be nice to get back to my own computer and have a proper bathroom.

3. I have to get this book that spotted in the newest issue of Beadwork:

4. I just ate a cone of strawberry ice-cream. Actually, make that two cones.

5. I saw Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging last night. It's based on Louise Rennison's popular Georgia Nicholson books. It was directed by Gurinder Chadha, who's probably my favorite director, and it was a lot of fun. Lots of extras, too. I heartily recommend both the books and the film!

Writer Meme!

2009-08-04T13:29:00.001+04:00

Here's a meme to tell your blog readers a bit more about who you are as a writer! My replies are below.

Writer Meme

1. What do you write (genre, etc.)?
2. Got any books published?
3. Current project(s)?
4. Favorite line(s) from said project(s)?
5. Favorite character you've created?
6. Your goals as a writer?
7. Your literary idols & influences?
8. What do you plan to write next?
9. Your tip(s) for beginning writers?

Writer Meme - My replies

1. What do you write (genre, etc.)?

I write MG & YA, but I have one chapter book waiting to be revised. Mostly fantasy, but not epic fantasy; my worlds and characters tend to be intertwined with the real world somehow.

I have two writing styles: one light and humorous, and another one that's more emotional and (hopefully) deeper. So far, the MGs tend to be the humorous ones, and the YAs the more emotional ones.

2. Got any books published?

Sadly, no.

3. Current project(s)?

Not writing or revising anything right now, as I've just completed a YA and revised an older MG. But I have a story idea floating in my head, a YA romance w. fantasy elements.

4. Favorite line(s) from said project(s)?

MG:
"Felix was older, so they had probably really kissed, too, like with tongues. I could never catch up with Sonia in the amount of kisses because she'd always have these kisses more than me. She'd die with more kisses, which was so unfair."

YA:
"'Is this how you greet your husband?' Balthazar asked. A silky robe hung loosely about him, and his tousled hair cascaded onto his face like swirls of luscious coffee. Thankfully, he wore long pants, but I had never seen anyone look more decadent. He blew out a puff of smoke from his cigarette and examined me quite peacefully."

5. Favorite character you've created?

My favorite would have to be Valentin, a priest from my more literary YA that's sadly tucked away until I know what to do with the plot.

6. Your goals as a writer?

All I really want is to create new worlds where kids and adults can escape. That's what books have always been to me.

7. Your literary idols & influences?

My biggest idol and influence has always been L.M Montgomery. I adore her descriptions and the way nature is woven into the soul of her stories.

8. What do you plan to write next?

That YA romance. And I'd like to get an inspiration and whip that literary YA into shape. A new humorous MG would be nice, too.

9. Your tip(s) for beginning writers?

Learn and study your craft. Don't fool yourself by thinking that language doesn't matter and storytelling is all there should be. There are many ways to tell stories, and writing is just one of them (think theater, music, arts). Writing with publication in mind means applying to become a master of language because it's your chosen medium. So, learn about language and the technicalities of storytelling through language.

Back to Fairyland

2009-08-02T15:47:00.006+04:00

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ETA: Comments are working again! :-)
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I snapped this pic today while taking a walk with the dog. I wonder if a fairy lives there?

And speaking of fairies (wow, that was smooth;-), now that my YA is finished, I've dusted off my fairy MG. I love that story, but the beginning has given me trouble since time immemorial. I've probably rewritten it a dozen or more times, and now I plan to do that one last time because I've had a revelation. Almost exactly a year ago I decided to revise the story to include a whole new element, and I wrote down the beginning to that version. A week ago I read through that beginning, and voilà! It fits the old version pretty nicely with minor tweaks. So, even though I swore I'd take a little break from writing during my summer holidays, I'm happily at work. :-)

In other news, I bought an electronic trimmer for my dog, and I tried it out yesterday and today (usually I just cut with trimming scissors). Does a very nice job, and the dog isn't scared of it either. A smooth dog, yay! :-D

Five Things on Friday

2009-07-31T09:02:00.000+04:00

I love memes and lists, so I think I'm going to start theme days on this blog (thanks to Lillian on the Blueboards for the idea!). The first one will be the ingeniously named "Five Things on Friday".

And here's the first ever Five Things on Friday!

1. I just trimmed my dog: two bags of hair later, he's half smaller and a whole lotta happier. Me, I'm nursing bruises and mosquito bites (the mosquitos will probably remember the two of us with fondness till the day they die).

2. I finished my revisions! That means my YA is ready to go. Now I'm skurred (Glamberts will get that).

3. I'm vacationing right now, and I don't think I'm very good in it, especially in staying in a remote cottage for long periods of time. I need a mall and a decent bathroom. Maybe not in that order, though.

4. I just lost my USB flash drive, and I'm anal about getting a new one. I hope I don't traumatize the sales clerk.

5. I was hoping to get a nice pile of recent YAs for holiday reading, but the rural libraries here don't carry even Melissa Marr. Methinks I must protest.

Double, double, toil and trouble...

2009-07-19T20:44:00.001+04:00

I had to make another seed bead necklace because I loved the first one so much (see previous post). This time I went for more ethnic colors, and this is the result:

The camera didn't quite capture the colors, but you get the idea. Perhaps surprisingly, these are super comfy to wear; they feel slick and cool.

On the writing front...I'm still piecing together that synopsis. Thankfully, cyber gremlins have stayed away from it, but that doesn't make it any easier. I've had the document open for almost all day today, but I've only managed to revise two and a half paragraphs. I guess the hardest part for me is the loss of emotion - emotion is very important for me as a writer, yet I can't convey that very well in a synopsis because my goal is to pack the plot into a concise parcel. I'm just happy that agents know full well how hard it is to write a synopsis, and I believe most take at least a peek at the sample pages even if the synopsis wouldn't shine perfectly.

Finally, an iPhone application recommendation: I haven't really downloaded any games on my iPhone (okay, Paper Toss, but that's it), but I've now found a game I couldn't resist. Tower Bloxx is a super fun game, in which you stack blocks in an attempt to build a tower. It's all part of a larger puzzle, where you try to populate a town as densely as possible. It's really fun, and the graphics are superb (3D!). It's on sale now in the iTunes Store for around a dollar, so it's worth getting for those long car/bus/train trips. :-)

"There is no one alive who is youer than you." - How true!

2009-07-16T19:06:00.005+04:00

I've just finished a new necklace while watching Amadeus. I really, really love this one; the colors in particular go beautifully together.

It's just a seed bead necklace, but it can be worn coiled tight like above, or so that the strings are loose. I was going for a fun, summery look, and I ended up using eight different colors of beads, which naturally means I must buy new seed beads. ;-)

But Amadeus. It's one of my all-time favorite movies, and this time, it felt even more appropriate than before. Salieri's obsessive jealousy of Mozart rings true to an extent (though I know it is a fictionalized account). Haven't I at times lamented not being the celebrated and out-of-this-world-talented writer? Yep, I sure have. Haven't I been secretly jealous of the writers who are being published and adored by fans? Yep, I definitely have. To an extent, I can identify with Salieri. But this time, Amadeus gave me a new realization: Salieri was perfectly good in what he was doing. He was a court composer, he taught the Emperor, and he was heaped with praise even with Mozart in the house. He had all the talent needed in him, and what he was actually doing was trying to be someone he wasn't meant to be. It was not a question of God favoring Mozart over him, it was a question of him being unhappy with himself - and greedy. And ya know what? I don't want to be either of those things. We all have our special strengths as writers, and nobody else can write the books we do. I don't want to end up like Salieri in this movie - I want to be content and thankful for everything that falls on my path. Even if I never get published, I have still achieved a lot, and my stories will still be unique because they're me. Just me.

So, that was my lightbulb moment for today. :-)

Phew!

2009-07-15T13:15:00.001+04:00

I had the scare of my life today. I've had a couple of days' break from writing the synopsis, and when I opened the file today, it was full of illegible signs: squares (lots of squares), tiny crosses, umlaut letters, random letters...no synopsis. I freaked out completely since writing a synopsis is so darn difficult and I liked what I had so far. Moreover, the document wouldn't stay in printing view (which is the view I always write in 'coz it reminds me of the page of a real book); it kept reverting back to normal view every time I changed it to printing view.
I always save all documents on my hard drive and on a portable USB drive, so I quickly cheked the USB drive file. It was corrupt, too. Needless to say, I super-duper freaked out (If this is illegible, what about my manuscript? Is there a virus rampant on my computer? Help!) and checked my manuscript file. Thank goodness, it was okay.

On closer inspection, I noticed the strange signs and letters had only ruined half of the synopsis, and the rest was unharmed at the end of the document - a document that used to be three pages, but now is seventeen (yes, seventeen) pages. I really don't know what cyber gremlin has fiddled with it, but I can only thank Providence for that I had a copy saved on my email account, and I could copy the lost beginning from there. I have no idea why that document was corrupt. All I can think of is that I've copied it back and forth from my mail account many times, and maybe that has messed with it somehow.

Stuff like this is a good reminder of how important it is to save your work in several different places. Like many of my fellow writers, I have an extra email account solely for storing my stories, but I hadn't mailed the synopsis there for some reason. Still, I'm kind of worried...the last time I worked with the document, it looked fine, yet now both copies were corrupt. (Cue deep, ominous male voice.) That means a perfectly normal-looking document can suddenly be corrupt in all backup places. Daily backup really is crucial.

Sunday Salad O' Stuff

2009-07-12T11:23:00.001+04:00

Fixing the "leaning" stuff in my manuscript isn't as hard as I thought after all. Yay! I mean, I have flashes of genius like "I leaned to look out of the window" there, which makes me embarrassed. What's wrong with just looking out of the window?

Honestly, though, one of my biggest learning experiences as a writer has been the realization that I don't have to chronicle every single movement of my MC. I don't have to write down every step and every breath. It's liberating, but it's also challenging, because writing down all the movements can act as a sort of crutch. When you stop writing stuff like, "She walked to the kitchen and switched on the coffee machine. She reached to the top shelf to get a cup and then searched the drawer for a spoon. She waited until the coffee was ready and sat down at the table. [And then the really important stuff happened]", you realize your writing is now stripped of the extra grease and down to the real, juicy meat - and it has to be really fresh, delicious meat in order to succeed (apologies to any vegetarians & vegans reading this). And that is scary. But it's good scary, because it forces us to grow as writers.

In other news, TwitterFon got new ad placement for the free version of the application - the ads are right on top of the tweets at the bottom. And the ads appear and reappear constantly as you scroll through your tweets. Now, I like paying for good stuff, and I was considering paying for TwitterFon, but I feel this is a pushy tactic, so I've switched back to Twitterrific. It quit working on me a while ago, but apparently, that was a widespread problem and not just my phone. Now it works great, and I've discovered the different color themes, too. I love it, and if it continues to work well, I'm definitely getting the paid premium version. Gotta support the developers! :-)

And last, my latest beading finds:

When I saw these gorgeous dusty rose glass pearls at the local beading store, I simply had to have them. I've already made one necklace, will post that later.

This is a Coptic cross from Egypt. I found it in the African trade beads section of one of my favorite online bead stores. You'll get a random design since there are so many, and I was on pins and needles waiting for mine. I'm so happy they chose this one for me. I LOVE it!

Stumbling with Synopsis

2009-07-10T14:45:00.002+04:00

I'm writing the synopsis for my current WIP, and as usual, it is h-a-r-d. I'm desolate that I don't have a bead order waiting for me at home to help with the stress. Maybe I should stop by at a bead shop on my way home from work...hmmm...(hey, I need new cutting pliers).

In any case, writing a synopsis is a diabolical task - yet, I absolutely get it why it must be done. It just feels like murder to try to pick the juiciest details and make them into a very short summary that conveys action, emotion, and character development (and probably something else I forget, too).

I've tried a new method now: I write disjointed sentences or paragraphs about important happenings in random order. Just sentences that pop in my head and that sound good. I don't worry about cohesion or any of that stuff yet. When I've hit the main points, I juggle the bits and pieces around and try to construct the summary, almost like a puzzle. It has worked okay so far, but it isn't perfect; I've just found a stumbling stone. That stone is something that is an itsy bitsy detail for most of the story, but that grows into a pretty meaningful thing at the end. Let's say it's a fly buzzing against the window. It's mentioned a couple of times, but in the end, it turns out to be a disguised prince who frees the cute princess from her ivory tower (yes, this truly is the best example my tired brain came up with:-D). It seems silly to mention buzzing flies in a synopsis. I mean, it is a plot thingy, and an important one at that, but it's hard to work into a summary that's supposed to be sweeping and general.

Yes, I've made up my mind. I need those pliers (and whatever else my quick little hand grabs). I want those pliers. I must have those pliers. Those pliers are essential to my survival.

The Dog Who Ate Fruit and Other Funnies

2009-07-09T21:48:00.002+04:00

Done with revision for today. Found one more instance of "lean", but that has to stay. Must attack the other ones.

Today's funny number 1: I have a couple of Russian characters in my story, and I try to read their dialogue with an accent (don't ask why, it just happens), but it always comes out as Indian. I don't get it; I've heard Russian accents and Indian accents, and they sound nothing alike. I think I might have watched that episode of Friends where Rachel and Monica mock Ross's fake British accent too many times.

Funny number 2: the dog stole a grape I dropped under the table. The grape was then carried gently onto the finest rug in the house, where it was consumed very slowly. Seems I have a fruit-eating dog.

Finished a necklace, and I lurve it:

Got that flower pendant with the cameos, and that chain has been in my beading box for ages. Unfortunately, the three pink Swarovski crystals don't show that well, because I absolutely had to snap the pic against the funky crimson glass bottle that adorns my living room. But they sparkle oh, so prettily. :-)

Lean on Me

2009-07-08T15:21:00.000+04:00

I'm sure every writer has crutch words that they use over and over again in their manuscripts. Well, I've just discovered mine: "lean" and "gleam". Allow me to bang my head against the table a bit. There. How can I possibly overuse words like "lean" and "gleam"? In my previous manuscripts, it's been normal words like "shrug" and "frown" that are usually connected to dialogue tags in one way or another. This manuscript, however, is one big feast where people lean on gleaming things. And I'm nearing the big conflict in the end, which means more gleaming is on its way.

Still, I'm really digging this "reading aloud" revision round. When you say the words, you spot repetition much more easily, and to my (additional) horror, I've found instances where I've used a certain word in two successive sentences. But that is nothing compared to the mountainous task I now have ahead of me: activating the leaners and toning down the gleaming.

Must bead to calm self down.

A Cameo Appearance

2009-07-07T14:33:00.007+04:00

My babblicious revision was interrupted today by the arrival of a bead order. Since I'm a bead freak, allow me to say, yay! I actually had my current story in mind when placing this order; my MC has to "survive" in a certain type of historical setting (think corsets rather than witch hunts), which is why I simply had to order these cameos:

They ooze lavender and powder and all things historical, don't they? As you see, I ordered quite a few different designs, and I love them all. I particularly enjoy the black ones; I have a necklace with a black cameo that I bought ready-made, and so many people have commented on it. I once even caught the cashier at the supermarket staring at it instead of handing me the receipt! :-D It has a slightly gothic look since it's embedded into a swirly black metal frame, so I don't wonder 'coz my girl-next-door blonde hair and blue eyes prevent me from looking the least bit gothic apart from that necklace.
Anyway, I need to find settings for these darlings now. Won't be easy. I already took a looksee at a few online bead stores I frequent and found zilch. Gosh darn, that means I must find new places to shop. How dreadful. ;-)

And now, I must make a pot o' tea to help the old throat before I start reading again.

Takeoff

2009-07-06T16:45:00.005+04:00

Let's kick this blog off with a brand spanking new post. Yay! My speakers are blasting Kelly Clarkson's My Life Would Suck Without You, which is an apt piece of music, considering what I've been doing all day: reading my current manuscript aloud. I've just completed my teacher's studies in May, and now I'm back to writing in full force, and (wo)man, it feels good. Yes, it drives me batty pretty much daily, but it is good kind of batty, like having a tiff with your significant other. I'm totally enjoying every tiff.

So, today I've been reading my current manuscript aloud. I picked up this habit with my previous manuscript (I think?), and it's a surprisingly good habit to have picked up. Obviously, it's pretty easy to sort of "mind read" instead of really reading what's on the monitor screen (gliding over mistakes and stuff), but I have a nifty trick for that: change the font. I always do at least one editing round where I change the font to something very different from TNR. I don't know if that works for everyone, but it definitely works for me because I'm a visual learner and an overall visual person. So, my eye catches blunders much more effectively when the look is different. I think there's even a fancy term for this, but I can't for the life of me remember it.

Oops, looks like I published this post in the middle of writing it...curse fingers slippery from ice-cream! Nah, I think I said everything I had in mind. But isn't this blog template cool? I searched for ages for a template that would be clean, either fancy, hip, or cool (I think this one's all of them), and that would function well. Surprisingly many templates look stunning, but when you try to use them, catastrophe is imminent. I mean, I do like my links clickable and everything. But this one's just perfect! I like the simplicity and the colors, and the city image is very appropriate considering I live in a city and the above-mentioned manuscript takes place in New York.

Okay, now I'm really done.

Test

2009-07-06T13:56:00.000+04:00

This is just a meaningless testy.