Author Fun

I was tagged in a blog post by a fellow author, Laurie Lyons. The challenge is to answer the question and then tag other authors. This is our version of tag...yes, the author game is on.

This is hopefully going to be more fun than other games...I mean, you should see some of us on Facebook. On there, we've played other versions of tag where we have to post a segment from one of our work in progresses, or we list our favorite books. We're just like the rest of you with silly online games and tomfoolery...just, we get our nerd on. Our geek on. What have you. Even have fun with grammar sillies.

We're boring people, but with colorful personalities. Many of my friends in the writing world will have me laughing and in tears quicker than most others I know. And I learn a lot from them. Writing world, it's a family. Anyways...take in and embrace the game that we're deciding to share with all of you.

Here are my answers.

What are you working on right now?

I will be honest. I haven't been writing too much lately. My moods aren't cohesive with what I want to put on the page, and I feel like it's doing a disservice to what I want to say when I want to write, say, a romantic scene, when in reality, I'm avoiding anything romantic as much as possible. For instance, if I were to watch a movie right now, I would prefer to watch someone kick ass, lots of action or something. Romantic movies, especially when the romance or the relationship factor, is high, I avoid big time. That's the best way I can explain my mind set, and it's affecting the writing process, because when I write, I put a huge part of myself into the piece.

But, for my work in progresses, I do have things going on. I always have things going on. I have two novels that I've been working on forever now. One is in England, has a mob-like or gang family kind of set up in a way. It's for the most part, a love story. The other novel is kind of a college based book, with everything that goes on in the background of college in a way. You know, kind of a rock and roll vibe but with finals. Haha. The whole: sex, boys, love, drugs, drinking. But it's got a heart. There are also little short stories here and there that I work on, and my verse work: songs and poetry.

Other than the writing aspect, I'm working on the beginning of my editing career. Started my editing services last month, and am open for business. Feel free, if you're a writer/publisher/what have you, to give me holler.

How does this differ from others as its genre?

Ha, that's a hard question. I don't think about genres. Not really. I know I'm going to be having a short story coming out from 7DS Books at some point, and that's my first supernatural-esque story. It's different than other supernatural kinds of stories that I've read, but I don't know if it's different than many in the genre. I don't really truly agree with thinking about genres when you are writing, because then I feel as if it's a constriction. Figure out the genre after the piece is done. Leave that aspect to when you are trying to find a publisher or for the marketing aspect.

How does the writing process work?

I work with my pieces like a patch work quilt. I write in segments instead of straight through. It's easier for me, because my mind isn't always working in a linear path. If I have a scene on my mind, that's what I work on. There are many times, where I just sit down to a blank page, with a few lines or tiny brainstorms in my head, and just write. Then, I take what I have and figure things out from there. It's all one large puzzle. No one formula.

So those are my answers. I was supposed to tag three other authors that I know, but unfortunately, most of my friends in the writing world have already done this game. I guess I'm at the end of the road for this branch.

The Yo-Yo Game

We’ve played the game of yo-yo,

You wrapped a string around my heart so long ago.

Ups and downs,

Highs and lows,

Lead me along

Like walking the dog.

But I’m not a dog to you am I?

You never really got to see the bitch inside,

It was often muted.

I was and am to you,

A goodie-good.

You really no longer know who I am, do you?

The string has slowly sliced my organs,

But the bleeding is okay,

I’ve learned to withstand the pain.

I’m strong.

I’m proud.

No longer bringing me to the ground with agony,

Because like an actress

Or a woman in a painting,

I can conceal quite well now

The tears and wanting inside.

I know how to go on without waiting now.

You withheld your flirtations you had with other girls

Got with some as well,

I’m not going to keep anything from you on it,

If you ask if other guys have come along that I’ve flirted with,

I will answer with a simple yes,

I’m not the kind of person that will keep it from you

And just remain silent.

We were always friends first,

So where’s the friend that I could trust

And would put my life in the hands of?

I’m good, oh yes I am

But there’s plenty that you wouldn’t believe

Keep me in the distance of the string

Wrapped around your finger.

Oh well, shame

You’ve missed another chance.

I’m going on, if you talk,

That’s fine, I’ll respond,

But if you want more,

You’re going to need to take action,

More than just words that look beautiful

Or sound like sinfully happy music to my ears.

You want a relationship, for real

Don’t come to me with words

And more excuses

Like the ones where you’d say you wanted me

Wanted us to take the next step,

And then respond with a “but here’s what’s stopping me.”

Nothing should be stopping you.

If you really do love

If you really do care

Show me.

Learn who I am now

And take action.

My life waits for no man.

Winning and Losing Game

Ally once knew boy

Who was her first love,

He taught her how to kiss

And to keep on wishing—

He knew she deserved better than him,

So he let her go.

Chorus:

Now she’s got two weeks until she’s twenty,

And she’s already loved,

She’s already lost…

She knows that loving is a winning and losing game,

But she’s done letting time tell her,

Her heart’s score.

Ally went on to college,

Finally had her heartstring by the hand,

She gave him everything she could in friendship

But she wanted more of the man,

Unfortunately he couldn’t meet her demands

And left her feeling low.

Chorus

Ally’s taking chances,

Not letting men decide her fate.

She’s flipping coins and letting the coins fall

Not paying attention to what others say.

If fate’s going to intervene she thinks,

Then the right man will come her way.

Chorus

And she’s already loved,

She’s already lost…

She knows that loving is a winning and losing game,

But she’s done letting time tell her,

Her heart’s score;

And Ally’s not going to let it be sore no more.

She knows that loving is a winning and losing game,

And her heart’s not going to be sore no more.