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Paper Fury

#AmCurrently…plotting, writing, sneezing, hiding

by 133 Comments

#amcurrently

Have I been quiet around the blog lately? Yes? All reviews and no discussions? Yes. Well, I have reasons, which I will throw at you nicely. It’s time for a more lifely (totally a word, don’t knock it) kind of post, isn’t it? A catch up post! A bit of an #amcurrently post.

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am plotting

Do you know what happens when I try to write a contemporary? BAD THINGS. Sad things. Imagine a world without swords and dragons and magic. Help. It’s very hard for my little brain to attempt. Plus I am not well versed in “contemporary teenage living” since I didn’t live an average teenage life. My soul is my more suited to dragons than high school. Plus I’ve never been to high school, so that’s awkward.

But contemporary I must write.

It’s a Beethoven retelling. It’s called Tremolo. It’s about a broken German pianist forcing his son to live his dream. I tossed it all up on my wall with sticky notes and string and hoped it’d work.

am currently outline (3)

At least it looked pretty.

am currently (1) am currently (2)

amwriting

Then I started writing my Tremolo catastrophe.

Lately, writing has been entirely too difficult for me. My thoughts have died on my keyboards, I’ve had a slew of rejections in the publishing world, my ideas have seemed like guava soup, and all my characters sounded the same. DOOM. Lots of gloom, but mostly doom. I’m nothing if not dramatic. Hello?! WRITER.

And you remember my NaNoWriMo project? The Dead Boy and the Paper Cut? Which I wrote in 7 days and has been THE best thing (in my opinion) that I’ve ever thrown onto paper? WELL. IT WAS SO EASY, EVERYTHING ELSE IS NOW SO HARD. The first 10,000 words of Tremolo made me cry. Pfft. Made that wail. I asked myself how I could fix it. How could I make this book better?

RESULTS:
  • Stop being so serious.
  • Be the Joker? Not Batman?
  • Please add in more references to cake.
  • The protagonist is not nearly sarcastic enough.
  • Stop trying to write sensibly and exaggerate. Say her eyes are made out of stars and there’s an ocean of nerves in his throat.
  • Give the little 5-year-old sister a larger, and more comedic, part.
  • Please add in more lasagna.

And you know what? It worked. My writing is flowing (it’s still horrific first-draft-rubbish, of course) and there are funny bits and it’s not nearly as agonisingly emotional as it started. Maybe I just CAN’T write emotion? Maybe I can only write sarcasm and awkward relationships? Maybe that’s okay.

Beck (my protagonist) and August (the friend/love interest) are well on their way to being another of my OTPs.

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intelligent beck

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tortle

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lasagna

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cake

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amsneezing

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Then I got a cold.

If there’s one thing that kills my writing for me, it’s stopping. I CAN’T STOP! I’m like a train wreck that must go, go, go before I lose the plot. Literally. When I drop the plot there is no picking it back up again. This is why I write fast, peoples. My memory is so awful I can literally reread my past writing and go, “Ooh, plot twist! Didn’t see that coming!” Despite, um, having…written it myself.

And yet, all I could do was lie in bed, sneezing, and listening to A Clash of Kings on my iPod.

GOOD NEWS: I’m nearly finished A Clash of Kings. Only about 80-pages to go!

BAD NEWS: I hate, like, 87% of the characters. But mostly Theon. All of Theon. LIKE I REALLY DO NOT LIKE THEON, OKAY?

So I sneezed and raged at Theon and lost a whole day of writing.

 

amhiding

Having a big internet presence isn’t actually all glitter and chocolate cake. I sort of new this? And I sort of didn’t. While I was struggling with Tremolo and sneezing and feeling guilty because I’d just received 5 unsolicited review copies (which all look really good! But I wasn’t requesting books while I was trying to write! ARGH)…things got a bit nasty on my Goodreads. Just the ol’ “your opinion sucks, how dare you disagree with me” and then a few epically negative comments on my blog.

Suddenly all my scheduled blog posts looked…flawed.

Suddenly I thought, “TAKE IT ALL DOWN. DON’T POST ANYTHING. BE CALM.”

So I’ve only been posting reviews (which not many people read, although I’m endlessly thankful to those who do…let me hug you or at least smush cake in your face) and bookish photography. Safety.

Is this ridiculous of me? YES. Should I be worried about disagreement and negativity? NO. Haters gonna hate. Shake it off. You know the drill. Which I will. But I also thought, “Let me hide and just write for a while.” So I did.

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Well, I tweet a lot. I tweet and people say such nice things to me and are encouraging. So shoutouts to the tweeters @Oh_thestories @jessellev @speculatef @IrisjeXx @divainpyjamas @YAindulgences @HappyIndulgences @LaLaT0adSt0ne @ChasingFaes @BrettMichaelOrr @angel_reads who were all just plain NICE to me. YOU PEOPLES ARE THE BEST AND THAT IS ALL.

 

ampleased

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But let’s end on a positive note, yes?! The internet easily gets drowned in negativity and mean comments and people being insanely crazy hooligans because there’s no consequences on the internet. I mean, there are. But you can be rude and it seems like there’s no consequence.

So I #amPleased because:
  • Instagram is a freakishly lovely place and the bookworm community on there is SO NICE. Plus epic photos. I mean, what is not to love?
  • Tweeting nice things to people and leaving nice comments is…NICE. Writers say “nice” is a mediocre word to use, but, humbug to them. NICE! NICE! NICE!
  • It’s actually been kind of excellent not reading books. I usually swallow one a day, and right now I’m only reading comics. Breaks are good.
  • And, I’m not complaining about my unsolicited ARCs, because they’re pretty and I can’t wait to get to them. BOOOOKS.
  • Despite being a royal pain in the beginning, Tremolo is treating me better. We’re nearly even friends. I’m at 37,000 words and only need 13,000 more!
  • I have really nice friends who leave INCREDIBLE comments, and — you all know who you are — so thank you. You make crummy days better, okay?!

 

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YOUR TURN!! what have you been currently doing?! what book have you recently got that you’re pleasantly excited to start reading soon? does the negativity of the internet get you down, sometimes? what’s your coping strategy? how much do you hate Theon from Game of Thrones? do you stick paper/sticky-notes/string on your wall when you’re plotting?! does adding in scenes of cake make all WIPs better???

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Comments

  1. My comment comes in a number of parts.
    PART 1: those excerpts are AMAZING and SASSY and EXCELLENT. Plus, Tremolo is an amazing title.
    PART 2: Awwwwww Cait don’t let the haters get you down!! WE ALL LOVE YOU *tackle hugs*
    PART 3: I am also getting a large amount of review copies right now O_O I have five assessments this week!! I don’t have time to read!!
    PART 4: Okay, I lie, I read three books over the weekend. I couldn’t help it.
    PART 5: *waves pompoms* You can do it, Cait!! Just remember that first drafts are supposed to be fun, and (obviously) don’t have to be perfect 😀

    Reply

    • WELL, THANK YOU. I was so pleased when I thought to call it Tremolo. GO ME AND MY ITALIAN. *struts* Yeah…I totally don’t know Italian. But music terms…if I go to Italy I’m totally only going to be yelling music terms and it will be of zero help. -_-

      What is it with the flood of review books?! Whyyyy don’t they spread them out more?! XD Okay! I’m not really complaining…I love books. I’m just overwhelmed with like 17 books on my TBR right now. Gah.

      Reply

  2. I know I’ve told you this. I know you won’t believe me. You’ll stop hating Theon (as much) after a while. I’ll bet cake on it.

    Books pleasantly excited to read … well, I just bought a bunch of books off Book Depository, which I mainly did because my mother insists I must buy books for my next year now to get prepared and I sneaked in lots of my own books. I’m super excited to read Wrath and the Dawn and Daughter of Smoke and Bone! (I was also super happy that my assigned text, The Cherry Orchard, was ridiculously cheap. But it’s assigned, so.)

    I don’t think I’ve really had anyone be negative to me — there were one or two out-of-the-blue tweets when I accidentally tweeted my political stance (this is why I don’t do politics on the blog! except I do! because it’s hard to live in Hong Kong without being political!). But all your reviews are awesome even if I disagree with them, so have some more cake.

    I don’t think I’ve ever actually written a cake scene before … I was sorta too busy with the murder and dragons. The beta responses for my ms are coming in and AAAAH it’s so nerve-wracking! Because everything feels *difficult* now. I’m trying out new things with my next ms, and I’m using blu-tack to stick flashcards on the back of my door. Last night I had this sudden epiphany about why the ending didn’t work and rearranged all the cards while trying to hide from my mum. But contemporary? That sounds hard. (I’m sure you’ll nail it, though. I already ship Beck and August.) And OMG, you named a couple of people Frey. Just wait until you get to A Storm of Swords. XD

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    • I DON’T KNOW. I still hate Snape. I hate bullies. I hate bullies who should be excused because of “tragedy”. I mean, I understand Theon has issues (so much rejection and “where do I belong in teh world”) BUT HE KILLED PEOPLE I LOVE. And he killed people to save face and erghhhh no. NO NO. *rants and cries* But if I change my mind you can say told you so. 😉

      Ohhh, I hope Wrath and Dawn is good. LET ME KNOW IF IT’S GOOD?? I’m seriously considering buying it only there’s no paperback (I think) and hardcovers are so darn expensive. *heavy sigh* So we’ll see.

      I think disagreeing is fine! WELCOME EVEN. It’s just when people get all acidic about it. I mean, there’s no need, there’s really not. Plus when it’s someone you don’t know…that’s like going up and yelling at a stranger. No one should do that. >_< YOU CAN HAVE MURDER AND DRAGONS AND CAKE. I promise. It can be done. I want to write a fantasy that’s going to have snow and assassins and murder and cake. It’s going to be glorious. And cakey. :’) I love those kind of epiphanies though. So glad you’ve got your ending sorted!! CONTEMPORARIES ARE CRAZY. I need dragons. HAHHHH. I named them Frey on purpose. >_< Although it was only partially for GoT. It was also for Mortal Instruments too. So many nerd references that only a few people are going to get hehe. I'm sneaky.

      Reply

      • I’m so late to this particular party, but just had to get this off my chest: I don’t like James Potter. He is portrayed as such an ass when he was young. He’s the bully that created the bully in Snape, but he gets let off the hook because he grows up handsome and funny and with friends? Not cool.

        I am new to your blog, but I really love your style, and it translates beautifully into your fiction, if the excerpts you shared are any indication. I am impressed. And wistful, and perhaps even envious, because as much as I love books and writing, I have never had any talent for fiction.

        Reply

  3. Haters gonna hate. Ignore them Cait, or smite them down. Either or.

    There’s a bizarre culture on the Internet to take things personally, or think someone thinks they’re better than you, if someone has a different opinion. I’m never gonna get butt hurt if someone hated a book I loved, or the other way around. Everyone has different opinions.

    I do hate Theon, but I also feel sorry for him!

    I’ve had a few ARCs through. I asked for them, but I usually request a handful, knowing I’ll only get one or two. But I’ve been approved for all of them, even though most said they would prefer US reviewers. I’m not complaining, because they all sound like books I’d love, but I feel under pressure now. Lesson learned.

    Reply

    • Maybe it’s because all the hyper-sensitive people hang out on the internet because they can’t handle real life?! LOL I’M JUST KIDDING. I’m a bit sensitive too at times, actually. xD So I probably took things a lot harder than I should’ve anyway. But I’m good now. *flips hair* Just going to do what I do. BUT YOU ARE NICE. THANK YOU.

      I am curious if my Theon-hate will dissipate but, let’s be real. PROBABLY NOT.

      Reply

  4. Ooh, I am liking the look of this Tremolo 🙂
    And that sucks about the haters :/ I haven’t really received any internet hate, but I do occasionally see hate for the things that I like. When that happens I turn off the internet and eat icecream
    Icecream fixes everything.

    What am I doing at the moment?
    Well, at this very moment I’m ignoring the fact that I have a physics exam tomorrow morning and still have studying to do…
    Still have a LOT of studying to do…
    *huddles in corner and eats more icecream*

    Reply

    • Ice cream does fix everything. It is like the glorious glue and fixer-upper of life, tbh. YOU GIVE SUCH SAGE ADVICE, CASSIE. I SHALL KEEP YOU. AFJDLKS BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING SO NICE. :’)

      Ohhh, good luck on that exam, though I suppose you’ve taken it by now. *crosses fingers for good results for you*

      Reply

  5. I get the feeling that this is going to be a long, rambly comment. Sorry in advance, I clearly got up on the wrong side of bed today because I am feeling social. SOCIAL. Horrible word, social 😉

    Those excerpts are brilliant (by which I mean, I laughed XD)! Sarcasm is the best thing that can possibly be written in a WIP. Also, your character is so honest – CAKE IS LIFE.

    I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I’ve been working on my WIP for years, YEARS, but it’s obviously not working. I’ve had to go back to the drawing board with it and now I’m feeling depressed. And conflicted. My secondary WIP is going better – I wrote the first nearly nine thousand words in 2 days. 2. Days. This is clearly your fault. 😛

    Internet negativity has caused me to curb my reading of a certain website because the commenters were just so mean. I didn’t even comment and it made me feel uncomfortable. I don’t understand why people leave mean comments – I DO leave sarcastic comments (sorry if those ever come across badly) – but I couldn’t be bothered to type out a mean comment. I mean, what are you actually getting out of that? I’ve never been cyber-bullied and real life coping strategies won’t work online, but my coping strategy would be to block them/delete their messages without reading them. I don’t suppose you can do that with a blog though 🙁

    STICKY NOTES FOR THE WIN! I have future plot points and snippets of dialogue stuck on my bed.

    Reply

    • NEVER BE SORRY FOR YOUR EPIC COMMENTS. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. *tackle hugs you* Although, feeling social sounds a bit scary. Are you okay? Have the symptoms gone away? IS IT CONTAGIOUS. *backs off and sprays disinfectant*

      ahem.

      ahhhhhh. REALLY?! I’M SO RELIEVED AND PLEASED. Sometimes my humour is so weird my sister just looks at me and sighs like she’s giving up on my sanity. But I think I’m funny, so that’s something. I wrote a book like 10 times once. GAH. Probably even more than that…I loved the finished product though, but it took me like fiiiiive years and it was so frustrating. >_> NINE THOUSAND WORDS IN TWO DAYS? YOU ARE A MASTER.

      Ah, yes, I totally understand that. Tbh, I avoid tumblr because I’ve heard it’s a bit wild like that. *gulps* I just look at tumblr posts on facebook and don’t open the comments because, gosh, why are people so mean?? Maybe I was just brought up to be super polite, but I think respect/politeness is CRUCIAL to being a humaniod. I can totally delete comments…and sometimes I wonder if I should. >_> Like, my blog is my space, right? I can moderate things I don’t like. Although then I wonder if I’m just getting my nose out of joint and not letting people voice differing opinions. But disagreeing and being MEAN about it are different!!

      ANYWAY. MY MAMMOTH COMMENT IN RETURN. 😉

      Reply

  6. EVERYONE HATES THEON. I’m constantly torn between a) hating his guts, and b) feeling immeasurably sorry for him. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL, I TELL YOU. AM I SUPPOSE TO HATE HIM OR NOT?! GAAAAAH. (Except you’ll only start to feel (mildly) sorry for him in later books.) SO sorry to hear about those negative comments! I had no idea! 🙁 PEOPLE CAN BE TERRIBLE. I mean… an opinion is an OPINION. Not a fact. Geez. You shouldn’t bash someone for that. 🙁 Also I love the sound of your new story. And I shall shamelessly admit that I have stalked your Pinterest board on that multiple times. >.> 😉

    I recently borrowed a crapload of books and I’m sitting here, at my desk, and thinking, “WHAT ON EARTH DO I READ NEXT?” Being a bookworm is hard. Buuut I did just read The Wrath and the Dawn and it was EXCELLENT.

    Reply

    • But I’m a big Snape hater. Like nothing can convince me that Snape deserves to be loved. SO YEAH. I feel like Theon and I are always going to be an a hateship. I mean, I hate Joffery, but tbh, isn’t he mentally ill??? And I hate Cercei, but isn’t just she being a wonderful mama bear to her cubs?? SO MANY GREY AREAS. SO MUCH PROBLEMS. XD I do love this series though. omg. FEeLS.

      AWWWWK. THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPYYYYY. I need more pins for that board though. All my fantasy books have like millions of pins and there’s my contemporary….all there with coffee beans and sad faces. XD I’m hopeless.

      Reply

  7. Oooo, so many things to say!
    FIRST: I can’t imagine how horrible it must have been to get hate, I mean – why? Why would people do that, you’re AMAZING CAIT, I’m telling you, amazing! You should not and do not deserve that, please, don’t let those people stop you from doing what you love, okay?
    SECOND: This book sounds and looks amazing. I’m not a /huge/ music buff, especially classic, but the family dynamics and the humour and the shipping and how it sounds, honestly, I LOVE your work Cait, write more!
    THIRD: So many great books you’re getting! I agree, I miss Instagram and the BookCom so I want to get back into it, which is hopefully now, so woo! Taking time away from reading is good too, good job!

    Basically, JUST BE YOU. We love you for it, you’re fabulous, keep it up!<3

    Reply

    • awwwww, AMANDA, you are so nice. :’) I’m getting all sniffly here. THANK YOU THO. And the haters will not get me down! NO! *dons tin foil armour and saucepan helmet* I SHALL CONQUER ALL. Nicely. With manners.
      There is hopefully enough cake and lasagna in my book to make up for the musicness. I PROMISE. Also annoying and adorable little sisters and cute romances because I can’t write anything too intense when it comes to romance apparently. Hopefully my “fluff” attempts worked though. xD HAHA. Ahem. Instagram is life. It is.

      Reply

  8. I want to read more about Beck and August! *thumps laptop* “We want more! We want more!” Ok I’ll behave now. Seriously though your excerpts are fab!!!

    Sorry to read about the online negativity. Some people seem to think that because they are hidden behind a computer screen they can say whatever they like. Not cool. Hope you are ok.

    Hope your cold is better too. I hear cake has excellent medicinal qualities!

    Take care xx

    Reply

    • OMG (!!!) THIS IS THE BEST COMMENT (!!) I AM JUST GONNA SIT HERE AND SMILE LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT (!!!) Ah, but yes, it’s so true. I think there’s a lack of accountability on the internet? Like you can be mean and who’s going to tell you off? There’s no real repercussions, and that is sad. Some people are a bit deluded. BUT STILL. Not everyone is. Most people are a million percent nice. LIKE YOU.

      Reply

  9. People have been saying mean things to you? WHY ON EARTH would anyone do that? You are such an amazing blogger, and it’s safe to say that you are a wonderful human being as well. Don’t let anyone knock you down, girl! 🙂 I hope you feel better!

    Reply

      • They aren’t a real thing. You made it up and I applied it to my current turtle/tortoise animal that I am now deciding is a tortle because my husband and I keep fighting about whether it’s a turtle or a tortoise (it just sort of came with our house. the previous owners left it there in a tank so we just adopted it).

        So it’s now a real thing as it has been applied to a real live animal.

        Reply

  11. Those Tremolo snippets are SO. GOOD. Pleeeease tell me if it ever gets published, because I just want to eat it up. Sass and lasagna and cake… YES PLEASE.

    And don’t let those negative comments get you down because YOU ARE AWESOME. And your blog is awesome, your reviews are awesome, your obsession with cake is TOTALLY awesome. So I hope you come through this soon and keep on posting all your awesome posts and being your awesome self. 🙂

    Reply

    • If it ever gets published I will be YELLING ABOUT IT ALL OVER THE INTERNET BECAUSE I WILL BE SO EXCITED. *flails for hours* XDXD So let’s just cross fingers and hope that one day it does?!! XD Awk, but thank you! YOU ARE SO NICE.

      Reply

  12. I’m so sorry that your sick and that people were mean to you and that you’ve had so many rejections (clearly these people can’t recognize genius when they see it–their loss). And I love your story idea–like, if I found it in the store I would buy it and crow about it all over the internet. AND I LOVE YOUR SNIPPETS. Your snark, and the cake, and the lasagna. asjfksjk Also, I’m mildly jealous over here tha you get so many unsolicited arcs–at some point would like to start requesting/getting arcs, but right now I’m so busy I can’t even think about it. And I got a job, which was like, what did I do that for? (Money to buy more books, obviously.) Anyway, you are a fabulous pineapple frond, and reading your blog is like rubbing my face in chocolate cake–if you ever stop posting I will probably just whither away with sadness.

    Reply

    • CLEARLY. They’re realise their loss when I’m famous. *flips hair* hehe, bUT SERIOUSLY NOW, THANK YOU, LIZ. <3 This comment is just like afjdlksa the best of ever and I'm flailing right now. YOU ARE SO ENCOURAGING. The unsolicited books are kind of scary sometimes, because they all seem to come at once. Like the publishers must go out to tea and be all, "Ooh, let's send the bloggers ALL THE THINGS< MWAHAH." and then there's nothing for months after that. -_- LOL, I JOKE, I JOKE. For some reason everything is being published at the moment, right? SO MUCH TO READ.

      Reply

  13. Oh, luv, let me hug you! *hugs Cait tightly*
    My month hasn’t been any better. Can you believe that I haven’t read a single book since June started? This is outrageous, and it makes me want to cry! *Go sobs in a corner*
    I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been so caught up with debate practices since the month started, and until this weekend I couldn’t concentrate in anything related to reading, blogging or even continue writing my new book, which I am desperately hoping I won’t lose interest in.

    I just wanted to say that I believe in you Cait and Tremolo will end up being amazing!
    Don’t stop being awesome, sweetie!

    Reply

    • I haven’t read a book in like a week. IT’S SO WEIRD NOT READING. I understand this pain. *hugs you with warm hot chocolate and good wishes* WE shall have to get back into it soon, eh?
      AWK. :’) Thank you, Mishma!!

      Reply

  14. *is kinda dead as she’s typing this, but kinda dead is still kinda alive, so don’t go digging through her pockets looking for loose change* Vacation Bible School wore me out and now hobbits are sick. 🙁

    *GIVES CAIT HUGSES AND KITTENS AND BABY DRAGONS BECAUSE CAIT IS AWESOME* I like your reviews. True, I don’t read every single one of them and I haven’t read most of the books, but I like reading your reviews. You explain why you did or didn’t like a book and you’re honest and you are funny. And anyone who is mean to Queen Cait for that can just be executed by means of cute cuddly things and sunshine and glitter! *nods* *is kinda dead, as previously mentioned, so perhaps executing haters is not such a good idea*

    BUT YOUR NEW STORY. IT SOUNDS SO GOOD. I AM INTRIGUED. WE WANTS IT PRECIOUS.

    Reply

    • Aw, sadness for your hobbits. DON’T CATCH IT. Little hobbits are like disease carrying machines, tbh. I avoid the little hobbits in my life when they’re ill.

      OMG THANK YOU FOR THE BABY DRAGONS BECAUSE I NEEDED ONE OR NINE OF THOSE. fajsdlka thank you though, Katie, this makes my day because omigosh YOU ARE SO NICE. I’m glad my reviews make sense and seriously I try to always explain my loves/hates because ranting incomprehensibly is like a pet peeve of mine. xD I hope never to do it. YEAH, LET’S EXECUTE HATERS WITH GLITTER AND SUNSHINE. And puppies. I’d like to see a hater be mean when they’re surrounded by fluffy adorable puppies. THEY ARE IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO LOVE.

      Reply

  16. Oh, Cait! I’m so sorry for you! Negative, mean comments are the worst. People can be so rude in the internet!!! :/
    Lately I’ve been editing some (bleh) but I don’t despise my main character as much, and I’m beginning to think my story isn’t so bad after all. But then again, I’ve been procrastinating on this scene where have to add in description and stuff. *sigh* but then yesterday i got this awesome idea for a story after watching an Agents of SHIELD episode, so now that new story is like, “no! Don’t edit! Think about me!” BUT I WILL FINISH THESE EDITS.

    Reply

    • It’s just so weird how mean people can be!! I mean, whyyyy?! Why does it matter if someone doesn’t agree with you?? I don’t understand the mentality of going all knives and pointy and making people see your point of view is best. BAH. Everyone should be entitled to opinions! *stamps foot* 😉
      YAY FOR GOOD EDITING NEWS, THOUGH. I love that moment when the story is actually getting visibly better. *dances with you* Don’t give into those plot bunnies just yet though! STAY STRONG. XD I have so many ideas, I don’t even know which to tackle after this book though. AHH. Decisions!

      Reply

  17. Those little snippets of your story are sounding awesome and there’s so much humour! I need me some humour! *drool*
    Unfortunately I am also a little bit sick, hope you get better. (just eat lots of cake!)
    And don’t let the haters get you down, because as you said just shake it off! (is it just me or do you immediately think of Taylor Swift’s song Shake It off as soon as someone says that?)

    Reply

    • HUMOUR IS FUN. I’m going to have to totally smash my first 10,000 words though, because they are so unfunny. >_< I apparently can't write serious books. Aww, I hope you get better really soon too. Being sick is so not fun. :'( I THINK OF TAYLOR SWIFT. I literally can't even think of shaking or off without having that song on repeat in my head forever. xD

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  19. Now I know where those tweet segments came from… I love August! Great storyline, too. That angst laden person on Goodreads was so unaware and not worth your time, which is better spent writing. Feel better soon, you can’t properly rule the world with a runny nose. I have been re-designing my MG blog, and when I am finished with that, I am going to start on my Children’s blog. I am also trying to find Sebastian’s pineapple pants (I saved them to make a quilt for his first born, lol), so I can take a picture and write that post. KEEP WRITING!

    Reply

    • It is true. It kind of ruins my yellings of “TAKE OVER THAT PLANET NOW” when I have to stop and sniffle in a tissue. Sheesh. I’m speedily recovering so I can get back to domination. *nods* BUT THANK YOU, LINDA! <3

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  20. HOW DARE PEOPLE BE MEAN TO THE MAGNIFICENT CAIT, THE OVERLORD, THE FLAILING PINEAPPLE?! HOW RUDE. Seriously though, Cait, your blog is one of my favorites and one of the best in the blogosphere, so you keep flailing and photographing and reviewing and posting and whatnot because there are SO many people who love your posts!

    Also, Tremelo looks so good – I WANT TO READ IT.

    Reply

    • WELL THANK YOU. YOU SPEAK TRUTH. Next time they’re silly, I shall send them to you and you can speak sense into them. 😉 jFADSLK THANK YOU THOGH. OHhh, I hope the ending of Tremolo works. *types furiously*

      Reply

  21. I’m glad your project is going well (or well-ish) for you! And the negativity of the internet got me down for like a week then I got the sense to leave Tumblr and now I’m like in this nice little bubble of book bloggers. It’s quite pleasant, actually.

    And Tremolo sounds super cool, and it’s totally a contemporary I would read and I’m just basing that off of those tiny little excerpts. ALL YOUR NOVELS SOUND SO COOL. Mine are just…weird. Especially the one I’m doing for July Camp NaNo.

    Reply

    • Book bloggers ARE nice. Like it’s pretty much 98% wonderful positive community around here AND I LOVE THAT SO MUCH. I feel like the weekend just exploded unnatural, what with being sick and a few bad comments and blahhhh. I kind of distanced myself from it and feel a bit better for it all now. XD

      fAJDLSK THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!! Weird is good. Weird is great. I’m tentatively planning to do another book in July but, gah, my fingers are tired so who knows what’ll happen at this point?! x)

      Reply

  22. So I’m not sure where to begin because that post was full of everything, but I’m quite happy I stumbled upon it. Commentluv + Google are great for finding really interesting blogs I never would have found myself. So congratulations on finishing a NaNoWriMo. I think I only ever attempted one and I may have had a newborn sitting beside me, which didn’t really help in rested nights or well-formed sentences. Writing is fantastic and if you’re able to do it, kudos to you. I lack motivation, short-term memory, and work ethic to actually write anything of substance, but I admire anyone who manages to do so even once. Tortle sounds like a chortle and I hope he’s full of comedic wisdom; turtles often are. But if not, you’ve crafted some complex utensil-wielding characters and at least one who likes cake. I consider that a win! Keep going and I’m sure it will be wonderful.

    Reply

    • Hi Corinna!! Thanks for your incredibly lovely comment (and welcome to my blog!!) and zomg, XD I’m smiling so much. THANK YOU! NaNo was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done…I think it’s the community that helps! So many people writing together?! It just really motivated me to keep going. I have a horrible short-term memory too, though, argh. Hence I stick all my plots on the wall to keep me refreshed. I hope you manage to finish writing something one day!! It’s an incredible feeling.

      Reply

  23. Ahh Cait, Tremolo sounds FANTASTIC! I’ve actually studied about the life of Beethoven and a retelling = fabulousness. Plus I’ve never read about a YA Beethoven retelling so GIVE ME THIS BOOK NOW. *reaches into screen*

    I know how you feel about writing contemporary! I have trouble turning regular life into something that’s fun and exciting to read about… I don’t know how authors do it!

    I HOPE YOU’RE FEELING BETTER ALSO. <3 Sending you hugs and virtual soup.

    Also, while there are fab people on the internet, there are some not-so-fab ones too. I've had my fair share of "you didn't even give the book a fair chance" comments and other unfriendly words (this is what I get for being extremely critical), but I've learned to brush it off since I have so many internet friends who support me, like I support you! Don't mind these people–they haven't been properly converted to pineapples yet. Soon.

    Reply

    • It’s a loose retelling though VERY LOOSE. lol I love Beethoven though. I’ve always been obsessed with his life story because, omg, it’s just insanely interesting. :O AND HE’S SO ANGRY AND LOVEABLE. All my favourite pieces to learn on the piano where Beethoven.

      *gobbles virtual soup* YOU ARE SO KIND. And I’m feeling a lot better now. But gawsh, all the intense stuff strikes at once, right?! It was a crazy weekend. o.O

      BUT TOO TRUE. There really is no point getting hung up on the haters. For ever one hater, I have like a billion friends saying they love what I do. WHICH IS SO EPIC AND SPECIAL AND I JUST NEED TO HUG YOU ALL OR SOMETHING. :’) I’m really lucky.

      Reply

  24. Sometimes I think internet hate is way worse than any other kind, because you never know where or when it might strike…and the people who indulge in it are merciless. When you’re on the receiving end, it’s just plain SCARY. But the high opinion of people who spend their free time dishing out pixels of hate isn’t worth much anyway. You probably just need to wait for the shock to wear off, then you’ll be fine. 🙂

    In the mean time, just remember that this Supernatural parody wants you to keep being awesome and feel better soon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCZy8cAgBlM

    Reply

    • I LOVE THAT PARODY. Each time I watch it I just about collapse laughing with it’s wonderfulness. :’) My favourite show ever. AFJDSKLA THE PERFECT REMEDY.

      But totally agreed on internet hate. And it’s always so…weird. Like a random stranger is hating on you?? How do I deal?? Gah. I just have to distance myself and vent to my family and have them pat me on the head and feed me chocolate…and I’m alright again. XD Plus everyone here on the blog is sooo nice and encouraging. Gah. You are the best! YOU ARE!

      Reply

  25. Not many people read your reviews? What?!? What is this craziness! Your reviews are the best. Seriously. I don’t even read the kind of books you read and yet I find them so interesting when you review them. (Although really: more spoilers would be so cool since I’m not going to read the book anyway. I think I’m a loner when it comes to that opinion though.)
    And yeah, the pictures of your plot are the coolest! I am such a bad plotter. Some day I might actually put my stuff up on the wall and be all cool and take pictures and post them on my blog.
    And… Yeah. I had more to say but I have someone waiting for me so I have to go. Just keep being amazing and writing and reviewing and not listening to negative people. Your blog rocks.

    Reply

    • OMG, AIDYL, YOU ARE SO NICE. *blushes and dashes off dancing* I totally should add in more spoilers just for you. 😉 I think it’s endlessly awesome how you read them even though you don’t read that kind of book. GAH. *tackle hugs you*

      The plotting-on-the-wall is GREAT for visuals and blog pictures. hehe. That’s like 87% of the reason I do it. OKAY MAYBE NOT. XD It helps me remember the plot, it really does! And also…it’s pretty…

      Reply

  26. *huggles this post and you*
    I think this is actually the very first time I’ve seen snippets of your writing, Cait! 😀 I knew you were a writer, but I hadn’t ever read anything of yours. And oh my word, I love this! You have such a hilarious, snarky voice! Honestly, when you publish something one day, I will gobble up your book and probably laugh so hard I cry. XD
    Feel better soon! I’m not sneezing, but I’m on the tail end of a cough, so I feel ya. Writing is harder to do when you feel blegh.

    Reply

    • OMG, REALLY?! I’m so so glad you like it! *dances* It’s always nerve-wracking sharing snippets, and seriously, most of the book is an absolute mess. These are like my tiny nuggets of acceptable writing, hheh. BUT! One day I hope the whole book is tidy and readable. :’) afjdlksa thank you you are so nice!!

      Reply

  27. Snippets, snippets. eek I finally got to see some of Cait’s writing and it was perfect and deliciously sarcastic. I love August and his parents they are so delightful. Love the one about cake had me choking so funny.
    Who would leave a bad comment, your hilarious. I quite enjoy your book reviews, their honest and very entertaining if it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have read ‘The Raven Boys’ *gasp* Can you imagine.
    Yes, just shake it off, they got nothing on you.

    Reply

    • ZOMG, THANK YOU, SKYE!! *flails wildly* This is so encouraging and you are so nice and LET US JUST SHARE SOME CAKE OF HAPPINESS AND SPRINKLES TOGETHER, SHALL WE? YES.

      Oh gosh. REALLY?! NO. I refuse to imagine a world where you haven’t read the Raven Boys because they’re delightful wonderful incredibleness needs to be seen by EVERY HUMAN EYEBALL. *hyperventilates quietly* Still, I’m so glad you read it!!

      Reply

      • Your Welcome! 🙂 Aww Thanks. I am always up for cake.
        Me either, I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series.
        😀

        Reply

  28. Rejection is all part of the process! I’m sure your books will be on bookshelves all over the world and I’ll be bragging to everyone how I know you…distantly…on the blogosphere…
    AND I LOVE HOW YOU ORGANIZED. I generally organize on dozens of sheets of paper which I lose on a daily basis. I tried doing it in a notebook but man, for some reason, it doesn’t work for me. I do like your string and sticky note idea though!
    About the characters sounding the same, I have that problem too. Whenever I write something new, everyone just sounds like a carbon copy of another character i wrote in another story which FRUSTRATES ME TO NO END. To be fair, I think a lot of successful authors have that issue too.

    KEEP ON GOING, CAIT! EAT SOME CAKE WHILE YOU’RE AT IT. KNOW THAT YOU’RE AWESOME AND NO ONE CAN SAY ANYTHING LESS (because you would scream: “Off with his/her head!”)

    Reply

    • WELL I REALLY HOPE SO TOO!! *flails* At the beginning rejection just sucks, but when I distance myself from it (usually takes a few weeks, heh) then it’s not so bad and I’m able just to shrug and work on something new. *nods* I REALLY HOPE I GET PUBLISHED ON DAY THO. Dreaming, dreaming.

      Sticking my plot on the wall is SO HELPFUL. Omg. It helps me remember what I’m doing and it’s pretty visually (hheehe) and it just keeps the linear sorted in my head too. I LOVE WALL PLOTTING. I don’t take it down though, when I finish a book, and I’m not sure if I have enough wall compared to how many book ideas I have. o.O

      Reply

  29. The Internet can totally make me despair for humanity sometimes. Aside from reviews and the odd comment on Goodreads, I don’t do much commenting anywhere anymore. Everybody wants to share their opinion, but nobody really wants to hear anyone else’s… so it just leads to drama and tears and feeling like you must be the only sane person left on the whole planet. The way I cope… well, I often start typing a response to something that gets me fired up, but I rarely ever post it; sometimes just getting the thought out of my head and onto the screen is enough.

    I don’t use anything physical for plotting, usually. I tried index cards once, many years ago, but found it to be too cumbersome. Then I thought maybe a program like Scrivener or Writer’s Blocks would be good (where you can put your ideas on “cards” and then move them all around as needed), but I’m coming to think that that’s probably not going to work for me, either. I tend to plot in my head, and sometimes I’ll write out a list of plot points in bullet form… but it doesn’t get any more complicated than that. I’d love to have all sorts of coloured cards and paper and string cluttering up my walls, because then I could just stare at it and think, “Wow! It looks like a real writer lives here!” But most of my walls are taken up with furniture or paintings, and the few spaces that aren’t already occupied are kind of hard to access.

    You know, I don’t know if I’ve ever written a scene with cake. Maybe those characters lived in a cakeless fantasy world. Oh, the horror!

    (What’s the status of The Dead Boy and the Paper Cut? Are you going to try to get it published? I’m sure there are a lot of us who would be interested in reading it!)

    Reply

    • OMg, I do that too!! I thought I was the only one! XD Sometimes it’s therapeutic just to rant and then not post, right? I actually wrote a whole ranty post about negativity on the internet and how hurtful/harmful it was and then….I have zero intentions of posting it. Posting about negativity is negativity, I guess??? I may edit all the angst out and talk about internet-negativity at some point. But now while I’m emotional about it.

      Have you tried SCrivener? I kind of want to try it but I’m worried because a) would I be okay writing on a total new platform? WHO COULD KNOW, and b) it’s expensive. XD I mean it’s not awfully expensive, but it is if I’m not sure if it’d work for me. I have most of my outline on the computer as well…I mostly put it on the wall because writing it out cements it in my brain and I don’t forget it. WHICH IS YAY FOR ME BECAUSE I FORGET ALL THE THINGS SO EASILY. This wall I’m using now is actually, erm…my wardrobe door! XD My other walls are bookshelves and windows and a bed. heheh.

      Omg, cakeless fantasy worlds? ARE YOU WRITING HORROR.

      (Agh, yes. I love Dead Boy, but to be honest, I don’t think it’s going anywhere atm. I am sad about it too. 🙁 I can’t really give anything definite in terms of why it’s not going anywhere [ergh, I know it’s annoying so sorry!] but if it really is a no-go in the publishing world I’m thinking of cleaning it up and posting more on wattpad because WHY NOT. Life is short. xD I’m really proud of that story and I’d like everyone to see my devious ending. mwahhaaha)

      Reply

      • I downloaded the trial version of Scrivener and worked through the tutorial. It looks like it does a lot of stuff… but it may be more than the average novelist needs, and so it may also be more complicated than the average novelist wants. Huge learning curve! But I can see it being very useful for weirdly formatted books or non-fiction.

        In any case, the 30-day trial is free, so you can give it a try before you buy.

        Reply

  30. I have the same problem with trying to write contemporary and never having been to high school. XD I solve it by setting my books during summer vacation. *wicked grin*

    Your plotting. O_O It is beautiful.

    OH MY GOODNESS AAAAAAAAAHH. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THOSE SNIPPETS THEY SOUND HILARIOUS AND AWESOME. I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK WHEN YOU FINISH IT AALKSDJFLKSDJFLSJDFLKSJDLJ. YOU ARE BRILLIANT CAIT AND CLEARLY AN AMAZING WRITER ALDKJFLDKJ

    I’m so sorry you have a cold!!! 🙁 Aaahh that’s terrible. D: *gives you huggles and blankets and tea and cake* Get better okay?????? *heart*

    HOW DARE ANYONE BE MEAN AND NEGATIVE ONLINE TO OUR QUEEN. *fumes* WHO DO I NEED TO GO MAIM. *brandishes battle axe* Seriously that is NOT okay and I am angry. 🙁 YOU ARE WONDERFUL CAIT AND WE LOVE YOU. NEVER DOUBT THAT. Nobody should be allowed to say negative things to you. >:-[ *catches you up and wraps you in a blanket and stands protectively in front of you brandishing said battle axe* Also why would anyone NOT love to read your reviews they are so fuuuunny. XD

    NICE NICE YES.

    I’m glad you’re enjoying your break and that your book is getting along with you again! (DID I MENTION HOW AWESOME IT SOUNDS? BECAUSE IT SOUNDS AWESOME AND I NEEEEEED IT. AND I DON’T EVEN READ MUCH CONTEMPORARY. BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE JUST MY TYPE AAAAHH. WRITE IT WRITE IT FINISH ITS AWESOMENESS.)

    Also is that Captives by Jill Williamson? O_O

    OH. AND I AM READING THE THIRD HEIST SOCIETY BOOK. IT IS SO GOOD. YOU MUST READ IT SOMETIME. Heisty crimey books huzzah! 😀 Also I dreamed I met the actors of Nate and Eliot from Leverage and it was fabulous.

    Sorry this comment is long. O_O BUT I HAD SO MUCH TO SAY. I hope everything will get better and go well for you! *huggles* Love ya! Keep being awesome! ^_^

    Reply

    • ERGH. IT IS AN AWFUL STRUGGLE. I find it doubly awkward because my agent is in the UK so therefore we’ll be trying to sell my books in the UK. Aaand Australia has opposite seasons. So if I do summer I have to do Christmas and that’ll get weird for a Uk audience so LIFE IS SO COMPLEX. WHYYYYY. *flails around like an octopus*

      But AFDJLKA YOU ARE REALLY NICE, THANK YOU, DEBORAH. I’M JUST GONNA SIT HERE AND GRIN LIKE A FREAKISHLY PLEASED CHESHIRE CAT, OKAY?! OKAY.

      And, why yes that is Captives. Is it horrible to admit I won it but never read it?! Gah. I have too many books in my life. >_< I loved Replication though. OMG MARTY. <333 YAY FOR HEIST SOCIETY. I feel like I need to reread the first one though. Omg, I would love to dream I met Eliot. *collapses with fangirling feels* HE IS SO INCREDIBLE. Ahem. Also, so much fabulous hair. NEVER APOLOGISE FOR LONG COMMENTS, YOURS ARE THE BEST. <3

      Reply

  31. Your writing looks/sounds really good! Hearing the topic, I was skeptical, but your excerpts are perfect. =) I hope you feel better soon. I’ve been missing your posts.

    Reply

    • SKEPTICAL? OF MEEEE? EMILY HOW COULD YOU.

      *rolls on the floor cackling* I’m totally just joking. 😉 Was it the Beethoven part the weird bit? I wasn’t sure I could pull off a contemporary! (Well, I’m still not positive, but it’s finished, so there’s that!) But it turned out okay and no one even died. AWARD FOR CAIT.

      Reply

  32. Firstly: I LOVE THE PASSAGE YOU SHOWED US!!!! Everything about this book just sounds fantastic! YOU CAN DO IT CAIT!!! Writing is so stressful. There’s an idea that I’ve had in my head for 3 years now, but any time I try and type it out, I really struggle to write it perfectly. It’s so tough when you’re not just writing something for yourself, but you’re hoping to get it published.

    In answer to your first question: Tomorrow is my final GCSE exam (History) and so after the exam I’m officially allowed to leave High School for good – which is crazy because I’ve been waiting for this day for so long and now it’s finally here. Exam stress has meant that I’ve not read anything since April, and can’t wait to get home tomorrow afternoon and start reading ALL THE BOOKS.

    Reply

    • ZOMG, THANK YOU, HOLLY. THIS IS SO ENCOURAGING AND NICE AND JUST JFADKLSA THANK YOU. And I absolutely 100% agree. I know people say “write for yourself first”, but in reality…I don’t think I would keep writing if I know exactly zero people would ever read it. I love that motivation of “ooh maybe this could be published one day”.

      OMG!!! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR EXAM. Well, you’ve probably taken it now. I have my fingers crossed for epic results for you and congratulatory cake at the ready!!

      Reply

  33. Thanks for the shoutout, Cait! I meant every word. I have ‘Shake it off’ stuck in my head now. 😀

    It’s okay to just post reviews if that’s all you feel like posting – your reviews usually have a comedic element to them, so are always a joy to read.

    I’m loving reading your writing – sooo funny!
    “‘Question.’ Beck stares at the unmoving shell. ‘Is it alive?'” Lol. You also posted another excerpt on Twitter that had me laughing.

    Oh, and cake makes EVERYTHING better! 🙂

    Reply

    • IT’S STUCK IN MY HEAD TOO. *gives in and runs around the house shrieking SHAKE IT OFF*

      afjdlk, thank you!! ^_^ I’m so glad everyone thinks they’re funny and it’s not just my weird sense of humour. *snorts*

      Reply

  34. Aw, man, Cait. I’m so sorry that people haven’t been nice to you over the Internet lately. I’ve found that bookish people are usually really nice, but there are always a few people in every group that have to ruin everything. It’s okay to express differing opinions, but it’s not okay to completely tear down someone else’s opinions in a way that’s completely unaccepting and in an obviously nasty tone. Just ignore those people because the rest of us LOVE your reviews and all your posts. Seriously, I pretty much don’t understand the fabulousness of all your posts and even though your humorous, sarcastic writing style is definitely not like my writing style, I still love it.

    I am so in love with the way you plot. I would do that because it looks so visually pleasing, but I also don’t want it plastered on the wall where everyone can see it, you know? My novels are secret until they are very polished. I also love those snippets. They simply crackle with humor, and I love it.

    My reading and writing has suffered lately because I’ve been caught up in studying for finals. Algebra II and Chemistry were the ones I was most stressed out about, so now that I just finished those exams today and my heart rate’s down, I hope to get some more writing and reading in. I still have some exams to go, but the school year is almost over and I’m looking forward to reading and writing a ton over the summer. Here’s to an awesome summer!

    Reply

    • AWK. ANA. THANK YOU. *tackle hugs you* This is the nicest thing of ever and fjakdls I’m just smiling so much right now. :’) And it’s true! Mostly the bookish community is SO NICE. They’re just unbelievably lovely….I think book bloggers are the best blogging community out there, tbh. We get passionate, but mostly everyone remembers there’s people behind the blogs and they’re respectful.

      Ah, I totally understand the needing to to be secret feeling. *nods* Easy way? WRITE VERY BADLY. HAHA. Okay, yes that’s a bad idea, shush Cait. No one really waltzes into my room and reads my walls, so I’m mostly safe.

      Ohhh, best of luck with those exams too! IT SOUNDS A BIT STRESSFUL. One of the many reasons I’m glad I was homeschooled and didn’t do exams because seriously I wouldn’t just melted into a ball of tears. I do not work well under pressure. I HOPE YOUR SUMMER IS SPECTACULAR!!

      Reply

  35. A Beethoven retelling? With the title “Tremolo”? That sound so so cool! I’m glad its treating you better than it had been before… also Mrs. Frey sounds awesome from the excerpts you posted, hehe.

    I’ve never read the A Song of Ice and Fire series, but I really want to. I love dark and gritty epic fantasy, and that’s what that series sounds like. Other than the characters you hate, how are you liking it?

    I’m sorry about all the haters. Just remember for every hater, there’s five more of us fans who adore you and your blog!

    Have a great day!

    Reply

    • YAY I’M SO GLAD YOU THINK IT SOUNDS GOOD. *breaths sigh of relief* I’ve had this on my brain forever and it’s nice to actually finally be hammering it out…especially since it’s working better now. XD

      Oh I love ASoIaF! It’s so so incredible and, yes, dark and gritty. If you like dark and gritty, I think you’d like it! It gets tedious with the endless amounts of description and I think book 3 is a bit of a black hole of boredom at times but BOOK 1 WAS THE BEST THING IN THE UNIVERSE. I’m nearly finished book 2 and I have book 3 to go onto because I’m just that obsessed. XD #noregrets

      Reply

  36. Aww, I hope you’re feeling much better soon. )-: I’m currently writing the first draft of my own story, and it’s kind of a slow process because some days I only get 100 words down. (I applaud your incredible writing speed) I’m sure you’re book will be absolutely fabulous! I love all the sass and fantabulousness of the excerpts you have deemed us worthy to read! When you are published, I will buy all of the books you write. (-:

    Reply

    • YAY FOR FIRST DRAFTS. We should share writerly-first-draft-conspiracy chocolate because first drafts are hard. I like to write fast, but I don’t really write consistently, so that is a problem. >_< This is my first real project of this year!! THE SAME. 😉 FJDASKL THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS THOUGH.

      Reply

  37. Can I just say that I want your book now, please? Can you please finish it today so it can be published tomorrow and I can buy a copy? That would be good. Because those excerpts? I was amused! I smiled, I giggled – “Tortle”, love it! I want to read this book! But also? WOW, do you write crazy fast! You are so super speedy, you are queen (or possibly overlord?) of reading and writing!

    Me: I have been reading and writing. Reading YA, writing personal blog posts and drafting to a piece to go on a website. I have been getting serious about jokes. Offensive jokes. But also writing about abortion, and planning to write about sizeism and gingerism. Seriousness is everywhere. I just finished Another Day by David Levithan today, and next I’m going to read Girls Will Be Girls because I want to be a better feminist. SO! That’s me, lately. I’m sure that was absolutely fascinating for you, haha!

    The negativity of the internet does get me down, so I tend to steer clear of any negativity. Not many people comment on my blog, so I don’t get much negativity there. I’m sorry you’ve been on the receiving end of negativity recently, that sucks 🙁 But you know what? Post those posts! There are many of us who love your blog and your content and want to read it. (Seriously, your blog is one of the first places I visit to see if there’s anything new. I look forward to your posts. ) There have got to be more lovers of your blog than haters.

    I still haven’t gone near Game of Thrones. I’m intimidated by all the pages. I feel slightly pressured to try and reach 100 books this year. I never have. I think Game of Thrones might put me back a few books, lol. This was also unimportant.

    Basically: KEEPING WRITING! On here and for your book. Keep those words flowing! Please? 🙂

    Reply

    • I’m like a Queenly Overlord, because I have to have the best of both worlds. *nods* bUT YEAH I DO WRITE FAST. But I don’t write consistently. That is my biggest failing. *cringes* This is the first draft I’ve written all year! It’s like over halfway through. GAh. I’m a slacker.

      I want to read all these ism posts because they sound amazing already. And JOKES ARE THE BEST. I like funny things. I totally adore fun things…they make life infinitely better. Do you like David Leviathan’s writing?! I haven’t read anything by him and I don’t really know where to start. PFFT. IT IS FASCINATING. IT IS.

      The lovers outweight the haters SO MUCH, so I really shouldn’t get all in a knot about it. *nods* I think that’s easier said than done sometimes…but I’ve cooled down since and am totally shrugging it off. 😉

      (Game of Thrones is intimidating and I’m at this point where I just want to go “NOBODY READ IT BECAUSE THE SUFFERING IS SO GREAT”. But at the same time that’s totally a compliment, right?! I’m way too emotionally invested and I saw a spoiler about the death of my favourite character so am pretty much not okay. *wails*)

      Reply

  38. Oh dear, now I feel slightly guilty because I’ve been neglectful in my commenting for the past week. I’ve only had a chance to glance at things. (To be fair, I’ve been visiting family because my grandpa’s memorial was on Saturday, and we had to get ready for that and now we’re packing up his house.) Anyway, I’m sending you ALL THE HUGS and ALL THE CAKE and ALL THE LOVE and ALL THE ENCOURAGEMENT. I have read your WIP Twitter updates and loved all of them. It was nice to have something to make me smile. Thank you!

    I’m sorry you’ve been having a rough time. I don’t understand the negative people who go out of their way to make other people miserable. It seems like an awful lot of work. Unfortunately, I know telling yourself “just don’t worry about it” doesn’t ACTUALLY help all that much. So I guess just keep reminding yourself that 99% of us think you’re awesome.

    Since I don’t have much of a presence on the Internet, I think it’s easier for me to stay away from the negativity. I read other people’s tweets about bad things, but that’s pretty much it. I don’t think it’s worth my time to get worked up about petty people doing stupid things, since I’m not directly affected by it. The news is a lot more stressful to me than random drama on the Internet.

    P.S. Adding more cake makes everything better.

    Reply

    • Haha this is awesome, I didn’t check for other comments before posting mine and the ending of your comment flows seamlessly into the beginning of mine 🙂

      Reply

    • DO NOT FEEL GUILTY. I feel like I haven’t been posting anything too fascinated recently anyway. ERK. Colds are the worst. -_- Aw, sorry about your grandpa though. 🙁

      I SHALL EAT ALL THE CAKE AND THANK YOU FOR IT BECAUSE CAKE MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER.

      The 99% of you are my absolute favourites, and the haters are really quite insignificant, amirite!? It is very tempting to get all hung-up about it, but YEAH. It’s too much effort. I have cooled down. XD

      Reply

  39. Cake makes EVERYTHING better. No discussion.
    I’m happy you’re making progress with your new book, it sounds really interesting! 🙂
    And a big BOOO for people who say unkind things on your blog/Goodreads. I never know why people take the time to do such things! I certainly don’t have the time to harass every single person on the internet that I don’t agree with (not that I’d do that even if I had the time). Seriously.
    You’re awesome, your blog is fantastic and I love reading both your reviews and discussions. There, that needed to be said.

    Reply

    • CAKE IS EVERYTHING. THAT IS ALL. I completely concur with you on this. xD

      Aww, thank you! I hope my new book works out well for that ending. *chews fingernails nervously* But too right, eh?! It’s so weird how people go out of their way to be nasty online. Why bother?! People only get hurt and it doesn’t achieve anything. Siiiiigh. BUT YOU ARE SO NICE. THANK YOU. :’)

      Reply

  40. Absolutely loving those excerpts! You know me, I’m all about the quirk and fun, and those have both. A pair of smartassery parents and use of flamboyant words equals a great time. Rejections? Are they MAD? See, that’s a strength of your character that you’re able to pick yourself up and keep putting yourself out there. Me? I’d be sulking in a corner stuffing my face full of chocolate. And that crap on Goodreads, what IS it with all the critics having a crack at reviewers lately. Jeann had one, and another blogger too, who now I can’t remember. But books are so objective and no opinion is wrong. I’m all for friendly discussion, but if you feel that strongly, share it on your own review, don’t hijack others.

    Hope you’re feeling better soon smushy. Ask mumma smushy if she has any chicken noodle soup and rest up. We need you back to your old self. How else will we get out cake and GIF fix <3 <3

    Reply

    • I did the sulking and stuffing my face with chocolate already. 😉 NOW I SHALL DON MY ARMOUR AND BATTLE ON. *gives Boudica like scream and rushes at the masses with swords* I’m cute and dangerous.

      I just don’t get what the whole “let’s fight about whether a book is good or not” thing that goes on. Like does it matter if someone hates a book??? I’d rather find someone to mutually hate a book with or mutually love it. *shrugs* AND I AM WELL ON THE MEND. CHICKEN SOUP CURES ALL.

      Reply

    • It is RIDICULOUSLY fun and addictive. I’m horrible at handwriting, but somehow it really cements the plot in my head before I start writing…aaand it helps me to remember the plot when I’m not writing. hehe. I’m notorious at forgetting my own plots.

      Reply

      • Oh, I’m mortified of my handwriting… But I’ve heard somewhere that the act of physically writing something out in blue ink supposedly helps one to retain the information easier…? I don’t know if it’s true or not! But the writing-it-out part makes sense to me! (I don’t know about the color of the ink? Lol!)

        I have to constantly scroll back in my Word Doc. to re-read what I planned/plotted next. It drives me crazy!! (“C’mon, Hannah, you created this story… You should know what comes next.”) xP

        Reply

        • REALLY?!! I’M GETTING ME SOME BLUE INK. (And I totally do that with the plot too, though. It’s a whole “juuuust checking if I was supposed to go in that direction” heh)

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  43. Aw, Cait, I hope you get better soon!

    I hope Tremolo treats you well from now on. Will we be able to read it when you’ve finished it?

    As for what I’ve been doing recently? I’ve been painting, reading, blogging and doing schoolwork. (I’m homeschooled, like you were. *high five!*) And I totally need to start reading some comics soon.

    Reply

    • I am pretty much better, thanks, Felicity!! And I don’t know….mAYBE?!! It needs such severe editing it’s not even funny. Actually it is. I’m laughing at the horribleness of my own writing. But at least the plot is down and semi-intelligent.

      *homeschooler hi five* PAINTING?! Painting like art or houses or small dinosaurs? I MUST KNOW.

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  44. Love the excerpts! So much sass and cake! As a musician, I never get enough of musician stories. I want to know more. *gives you cute turtle eyes*

    A just bought A Game of Thrones, so I’ super excited about that. Finally, I get to see what everyone is going on about. I also read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell for the second time because I got the special edition copy for my birthday.

    Negativity on the internet sucks, but I’m the type of person who enjoys watching people fight online for research purposes. xD

    Reply

    • *gives you cute turtle lettuce* AWK, BUT THANK YOU. *dances* I’m so glad you like them! Seriously this book was such a horrific beast to start with that I was just crying with relief when the dialogue started flowing funnily and properly. MUSICIANS ARE COOL. I don’t play nearly as much as I used to, but I’m a cellist/violinist/pianist. So hopefully it’ll all sound authentic. 😉

      FANGIRL. OMG. I LOVE THAT BOOK. Game of Thrones is intense and amazing. I’m hating it right now because I’m reading book two’s finale. xD But that just means my feels are getting crushed!! ehehehhe

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  45. Tremolo sounds awesome! I’m at stage where all of my stories end at around page 3 because I can’t write dialogue for the life of me. I think I’m going to take a break and then take a workshop.. Good luck!

    #HateTheon yes, me too.

    Reply

    • Oh thank goodness. MUTAL THEON HATE. People say I’ll feel sorry for him later, but, tbh, I still hate Snape. SO there’s probably no hope for me.

      Awk, thank you!! *blushes* And best of luck with your writing too!! Dialogue IS tricky. I tend to really scrutinise it in books I read so I can figure out all the famous published author’s secrets.

      Reply

  46. Glad your cold is getting better and Tremolo is starting to work. I think it’s a great title and interesting premise. Can’t wait to read more.

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  47. I do not know who these mean evil trolls demeaning our Marvellous Overlord are, but I can tell you what they are: Deluded pineapple fronds!

    Seriously, Cait, the internet loves you, so just ignore the trolls. They’re the ignorant minority here. Also, I read all your book reviews, and I happen to think they’re fabulous and my favorite type of your posts.

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  48. I have really been loving all of your excerpts that you have been posting on Twitter! Even though it seems like the book is giving you trouble, I think it might be worth it for those amazing pieces of writing. As for your lack of ideas, I do not think that is a problem either. You are obviously creative (anyone who has been on your blog/Instagram/Twitter for at least five seconds knows that) and you always find a way to make things work. I mean, you are recreating the life of a musician who has been dead who knows how many years and making it relative today. That takes a whole ton of creativity, confidence, and courage (Can you tell that I have a weakness for alliteration?) So, you can definitely tackle this contemporary (and maybe give us a few more excerpts along the way?).

    Reply

  49. There are other emotions than sarcasm? Pretty sure you’ve got it covered with that one! And I LOVE the excerpts from your book; it’s exactly my kind of humor. Also yay German representation haha. If you ever need someone to suggest weird German sentences to throw at your book, feel free to drop me a mail. 😀

    I haven’t got it yet, but I just ordered VIcious and I’m excited to read it! I have tons of books I haven’t read yet, and I didn’t need another one, BUT I’ve been toeing around it for weeks, and it sounds PERFECT. I have high expectations! My coping strategy for anything is to ignore it until it goes away. Hey, it works sometimes. I don’t hate Theon anymore, but I used to. I don’t go all Stiles on my walls, but that’s only, because I suck COLOSSALLY at plotting. I just can’t plot. I need to write it and see where it takes me, because 1) I just get bored and stop writing when I know what’s going to happen and 2) I genuinely cannot come up with a plot beforehand; I just can’t. I do sort of have things in the back of my head once I start writing, and the more I write the more ideas I get, but beforehand? Not a chance in hell. I think the answer to your last question is obvious. A resounding yes from my corner of the room!

    Reply

    • NOT ANY FUN EMOTIONS ANYWAY. Sarcasm FTW, I say. 😉 I’m so sarcastic though that I barely realise what it’s like to not be sarcastic. Imagine a world without sarcasm? **gasp**

      Vicious is TOTALLY worth it and perfect and fajdlka I love that book so so much. I can’t just suddenly like Theon…ever. I mean, I hear so many people say that I’m going to like him later, but HOW DO I FORGIVE HIM FOR KILLING SO MANY PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT??? *cries copiously*

      ZOMG DID YOU JUST ACCUSE ME OF GOING ALL STILES OVER MY WALLS. :’) My life has been made.

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  50. UUUUGGGGHHHHH I hate you for having such an easy time writing and having things actually come out good! Tell me, how do you do it? I’ve been in a slump for months! It’s like every time I look at a blank page my heart sinks. I can’t take this much longer!

    AND CONGRATULATIONS. Seriously I am VERY happy for you, even if I hate your guts.

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  51. Cait, you are a precious human bean and don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise or I WILL sic my poodle on them. (My small, but very fat and menacing poodle. Do not overestimate the power of poodles!) But taking a break and writing is a perfectly fine thing to do. Breaks are good!

    I am in the same boat with contemporaries! I’m pretty sure if I ever attempted one a dragon would crop up somewhere. One time I wrote a steampunk thing that in no way was supposed to have dragons and then…a dragon became a main-ish character. >.> Yeeeah. I also have never lived the average life or been to high school, so yeah. I understand your pain. But, um, can I just say how epic this story sounds??? A BEETHOVEN retelling? How unique is that??? As a player and lover of the piano I very much appreciate this. LOVE IT.

    And I know writing is suuuch discouraging work, but CAIT. CAAAIT. THOSE SNIPPETS. I literally laughed out loud at every single one of them. I mean…
    “That was pointed,” Mr. Frey says.
    “Yes, dear, it’s a fork.”
    *CHOKES* HILARIOUS.
    Please oh please oh please keep writing and trying to get published because I NEEEED a Cait book on my shelf. NEED.

    I am so sorry to hear you have a cold! I caught one myself, so I very much sympathize with you. Actually, I’m so amused right now because I literally wrote a “lifely” post a lot like this yesterday before I had even read yours! With news of my cold and writing and all. Except your brain obviously functions better than mine while under the influence of a cold because my post is…well…let’s just say I don’t have very tangible thoughts when I’m sick. XD But I just thought it was hilarious we posted very similar things on the same day.

    I do so hope your cold is nearly gone and your words will zip onto the page as fast and easy as Legolas’ arrows! You got this, girl!

    (Oh, also. OF COURSE cake scenes make WIPs better. Cake makes EVERYTHING better!)

    Reply

    • I will NEVER underestimate the power of poodles. I have a poodle cross and omg, he is a vicious little thing. XD BUT N’AWWWWW. *tackle hugs you* This is the nicest thing of ever and so encouraging and *gulps* I’m just over here sniffling in happiness, okay? :’)

      OH YAY!! I seriously feel there is a piano shaped hole in the world. I love pianos. I like classical. I ADORE BEETHOVEN. There is so much win. Let’s just hope I can pull it off, yes?! I tried to spend less time in school and more time walking to and from, lol.

      I NEED A CAIT BOOK ON MY SHELF TOO. *gets on knees before publishers* Maybe Beethoven will be the one to make the world fall in love with me my writing? We shall see. xD

      This totally just cements lifely is a word. WE MADE A WORD. I hope your cold is clearing up though. Why is it that colds totally muddle the brain?! Gah. All I could do was lie around consuming TV shows and audio books. xD I need go read your lifely post now. CLEARLY WE ARE ACCIDENTALLY CYBER SISTERS OR SOMETHING.

      Reply

  52. CAKEBOO

    Okay even if I don’t agree with your opinion on books, or you like more genres than I do, I STILL LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL HUMAN AND YOU’RE FUNNY AND CUTE(i’m taller so i can say that. but srsly you are cute) AND I LOVE YOU

    SO THERE

    nobody mess with my Cakeboo and get away with it

    (i just typo-ed ‘Cakebook’. This nickname just keeps getting better and better XD)

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  53. Your book sounds so wonderful! Love the quotes. I don’t care whether you post reviews or discussions or even your grocery list . . . I love everything you post.

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  54. I just… THOSE EXCERPTS. XD I love them to bits!
    You said before that you liked The False Prince? Well, congratulations, because you’ve reached Nielsen’s level of wit. 😉

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  55. Firstly, just keep being your awesome and fabulous self. HATERS GONNA HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE. *shakes it off*

    Secondly, man, I feel like I’m in the same place as you with writing. One of my stories is just NOT working out and it sucks that it’s the one I wrote almost all the way through last summer. I think it needs to be re-drafted and I don’t even wanna start that because it’ll make me feel like a failure, and oh THE TASK WOULD BE GINORMOUS. Buuuut I am working on another book that I will HOPEFULLY actually finish this summer. I’m not far, but I’m in love with it already, and I want to just write (and I haven’t felt that way in a long time). But enough about me, I’m sorry YOU’VE been having such a sucktastic time with writing. I hope things fall into place soon. 🙂 *hugs* also, your snippets above? So much good witty banter and awesomeness. (Please feel free to send me the complete manuscript at any time).

    Thirdly? Oh, well, I didn’t actually have a third point. JUST KEEP WRITING, WRITING, WRITING. 😀 and don’t forget about reading, though it’s been nice for me as well not swallowing a book a day. I’m being chill right now. I like chill. Let’s all be chill together.

    Reply

    • *jumps in to dance with you* YEAH JUST GOTTA SHAKE IT OFF, TO BE HONEST.

      Ugh, the failure part is just so annoying and frustrating. 😐 And it sounds good in my head, but on paper? BLAHHHHH. I really think someone needs to invent something that’ll pluck good ideas right out of your brain and make them awesome on paper. HEHE. I hope your newer project gives you an easier time!! I KNOW THE PAIN, THO. We shall chill together for sure. With ice cream. Writers always deserve ice cream.

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  56. Time out. Someone dares insult you? But… do they not realize that you have minions?! That’s not too smart of them. Not too smart at all. In all seriousness, HOW can people have bad stuff to say about you? You’re simply lovely, so don’t ever forget that or give them ANY power over what you say or do.

    Also, those quotes are freaking hilarious, and witty, and wonderful! I think you underestimate yourself with contemporary! I mean, sure, I haven’t read the entire book (probably because you haven’t written it, that IS a problem) but come on- that is phenomenal! The point is, I WANT to read the entire book, so please, keep lasagna-ing.

    To answer your questions: I still have ALL the BEA books but… I am reading Heir of Fire. Celaena comes first. Obviously. The internet DOES get me down. It actually has me with a case of the sads right now! But… I don’t know, I usually whine to Holly about it and then go to bed. That’s the best way, I think.

    I haven’t seen or read Game of Thrones, but for you, I will hate that guy too. DAMN YOU THEON, your name is dumb too, shouldn’t you just be Theo!? Also. If I could plot at ALL, maybe I would 😉 I do have notebooks full of random notes about all the characters who… so far have lovely personalities but nothing to do 😉

    Hang in there. Cake makes everything, including WIPs better. And so do big internet hugs from random Americans, so have a few 😀

    Reply

    • EXACTLY. I have scary minions. I’ll arm you all with chocolate swords and capes, and you’ll nefariously bring judgement on my haters. It’s gonna be an awesome plan. Nothing will ruin this. *nods*

      BUT ALSO: AFJDSKLAF YOU ARE SO NICE, THANK YOU, SHANNON. <3

      Haaaaa. I will definitely keep lasagna-ing (that is my new favourite word) and hoping the wit keeps coming. It was supposed to be a serious book?? HAHAHAHA. nope. Big nope. I think I was not born to ever be serious. And I'm also really glad you have Celaena as #1 priority in your life. You're making good life decisions.

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  57. Okay, these snippets- They are the best! They made me laugh out loud for- quite a while. I think most of this post, I was laughing instead of reading. . . In Beck’s defense, ‘um’ is totally an intelligent word. One uses the word ‘um’ to summon thoughts, therefore it qualifies as intelligent. I also like August’s name. And I love how Mr. Frey can cut a lasagna “majestically!” DON’T EVER LET ANYONE MAKE YOU TAKE THAT PART OUT! (As a side note that is unrelated to any of this, I love The Dead Boy and the Paper Cut. . . I kind of miss it.)

    People who have opinions about your opinion are obviously suffering from over-thinking. Having an opinion about someone else’s opinion is just a little shallow. It’s an opinion, people! Everyone gets one, okay? Play nice.

    Don’t let them get you down, Cait. The rejections, the idiots on Goodreads who are probably full of themselves, the nasty commenters, whatever. Who cares about them? You are awesome. And I love your discussions! And your books! Seriously, when your books hit the shelves I’m going to buy one and tell everyone I know and do a little dance, donate one to the library (I can do that, right? I mean, who refuses free books?). And when you get more published, I’ll probably have a shelf for them all.

    I recently used sticky notes for Oddball the Sequel. Because, well . . . the plot was all tangled in my head. There were no promises of cake, but coffee, yes. And I think I added an earthquake. I never thought I’d write an earthquake scene, but it seems it’s going to happen.

    Reply

    • WELL THAT IS GLORIOUS NEWS. BASICALLY, THE BEST EVER. I tried to make this books series????? But apparently I cannot do that??? NOPE. It only started working when I let it be humorous. >_< And "um" is a greatword. I use it all the time. "Um" speaks multitudes. WE ONLY BELIEVE IN MAJESTIC MOVEMENTS AROUND LASAGNA. (I miss The Dead Boy and the Paper Cut too, tbh. XD I had a real hankering to get back to it, so, omg, maybe I'll just throw writing plans out the window and finish it sometime??)

      AWWWK. :’) You are so encouraging and sweet and just THANK YOU. This is the bestest.

      Did the sticky-notes work for you??? Somehow they make me remember my plots better between drafts, but while writing I barely ever look at it. xD

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  58. Wow you have a lot going on. XD I’m currently editing a book I’m submitting to editors and an agent in August. There’s also a conference I’m going to attend in August so I want to have the book ready by then so I can pitch the book there too! I’m also trying to finish rewriting another book that I started before editing this one but this one is the one that people are mostly interested so I’m doing them at the same time. It’s rough. XD I’m trying to not get more books lately. I’m trying to finish all the ones I currently have which I finally will in October (I scheduled it all out) then I’ll be free to read new books! Yaaaaay! 😀

    storitorigrace.blogspot.com

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  59. Whoa, you’re so organized! My plotting of a book usually consists of a messy word document and several folded pieces of paper with hasty scribbles on it.

    Okay, I need this book. Like now. Your quotes are hysterical. And I haven’t ever heard of August being used as a girl’s name, but I really like it!

    Someone needs to make a gift of what cutting lasagna majestically looks like. xD I’d like to see that.

    Eww, being sick sucks. 😛 And negativity sucks. But blogging friends really do make everything better, don’t they?! I love this community and everyone in it to bits and pieces.

    Reply

    • I told Mime my characters were called “Beck and August” and she’s like “Yeah and which one is the girl and which is the guy?” LOL SO UM YEAH. My naming is always a little bit odd, but I kind of like it that way. 😉 Give me lasagna and I shall show you how to cut it majestically. IT’S AN ART.

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  60. I adore this post. I adore the format with the different #ams (I might have to borrow it on my blog someday and give you credit for the cleverness). I like the glimpse into life behind the internet. I am amazed by the way you write so quickly and so focused and I’m jealous that you have time to *just write* – my day time job makes it always a balance between working and writing and sitting on my couch watching tv because I’m tired from working 🙂

    I think hiding from the internet when things get negative is awesome. I mean – that’s what people always say, if you don’t like what someone’s saying you can just not read it. It’s completely different when they’re saying those things in your space and it completely sucks. But you still get to turn off your computer and walk away and read a book or keep writing despite them. They don’t have the power over you to demand and hold your attention.

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  61. I love contemporary! And yes, it is not easy to write it. But write you must!

    Sometimes I find it hard to write, having really no time at all.

    Looking forward to read of Beck and August .:)

    Reply

    • Aw, thank you! And awk, I have just really come to the full realisation of how HARD contemporary is!! Fantasy is easier, I thin, eheh. Ahhh, finding time to write is the eternal struggle.

      Reply

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