Birds of a Feather

     600 words on Flight today. I wish I could write more, but I'm working out the plot as I go. I have the middle of the story down pretty well, but the beginning is fuzzy and the end is totally wrapped in fog. That's bad, I know. I keep praying for creativity and reminding myself that Flight is supposed to be a fairly short book. Nanowrimo calls for 1,500 words a day, but I'm not trying to finish in one month. I have time. 600 words are MUCH better than nothing.

     My best friend called me last night. I told her I had been trying to write, but would gladly procrastinate to chat with her. I think she said, "Oh, you're writing your bird book, hu?"

     Dear bff, let me assure you that, despite any appearances, Flight is not a book about birds. But, seeing as how it is a story for you, I can add a bird or two in there, if you really want. ;)

     I usually listen to Pandora while I write. I've gone through phases of film scores and Skillet, but now I'm on an Owl City stretch (once again, the fact that an owl is a bird has nothing to do with my book). I really like "Hello Seattle" and "Embers." Music is so inspiring, even helpful. "Say Something" came up on the station, and I realized it perfectly described an incident in one of my character's past. Ever had one of those moments, writer friends?

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST

Let's Start at the Very Beginning

     I wrote just over 300 words today. The amount is not very exciting, but I am excited because those words make up the current start of Flight.

     If you've been paying attention, you may be wondering why I suddenly started writing the actual story instead of character developing short stories. Well, I'm still developing characters. There was one guy (you can call him John) that I needed to do major work on, but his short story rolled out nicely and helped me really see him. Now that John is done, I only have one more character with a murky backstory, so I'm still working on him. Remember, I've been hanging with these characters for over a year, so I think I have most of them down pretty well.

     By the way, if you're reading my posts, thank you so much! You are keeping me accountable, motivating me to get this story written so I can tell you about it. Maybe no one is there and I'm writing to myself, but I guess the push to write comes from the knowledge that, even if no one cares now, someday someone may be encouraged by my words.

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST

TEST- please disreguard unless your name is Dianne Murphy

Dear Mom,

Thanks for helping me with technical difficulties on this blog. I love you. I wanted to post something inspirational about our relationship, some quote that would make you go, "Awww!" But all the quotes  I found were so sappy. This is the only one that was truthful:

If at first you don't succeed,

do it the way Mom told you to in the beginning.

I'm Givin' All My Secrets Away... NEVER!

     If you check out my collection of favorite characters on my Pinterest board, you'll notice that most of them fall into one of two categories; they are either hilariously funny, or they have huge secrets. I've got Snape, the Scarlet Pimpernel, River Song, and several more. I love character secrets. I especially love discovering character secrets.

      So, naturally, I made Flight top-secret. It motivates me to write so I can share the story with everyone.

     Unfortunately, not everyone likes secrets. I'm beginning to realize that my sister and best friend may fall into this category.

     They are both complaining. After reading the part in my previous post that said, "I especially want to keep my sister and my best friend in the dark," my best friend declared (and I quote), "But the anticipation is such a burden!" My sister backed her up by saying that, "The book will be like blah and then we're gonna be like, 'Really? We waited for this?'"

     Yeah, secrets aren't really their thing.

     Now, to be fair, let me state that I do believe they are both just teasing me (to some extent). If someone were keeping a story from me, I'd say the same things. Probably.

     Anyway, they have been huge help to me in the past with book writing. They both provide great advice and ideas. I have nearly talked my sister's ear off many times, trying to verbally solve writer's block.I would probably get Flight done a lot faster and more efficiently if I included them in the details.

     But maybe that's another reason why Flight is top-secret. I want to prove to myself that I can do it on my own. Completely.

     Is that prideful? Probably prideful.

     I hope it's worth it. I hope they don't think the story is "blah." If they do... eh, I'm going to make like Scarlet O'Hara and "think about that tomorrow." I'm not nearly ready enough to spill my secrets today.

     Please excuse me while I go find more secretive characters for my Pinterest board.

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST

Cooking With Cadi

     I wrote about 270 words today (not counting a recipe I typed up for a friend). The 270 were on a character development short story. It was slow going, but helpful in discovering more about the character.

     Now, before you give me a pat on the back, I have to confess my treachery. I stayed up until 1:00 am a few nights ago and wrote almost 1,000 words... but not for Flight. It was a completely different and unrelated sliver of a story that I was suddenly feeling inspired to write a couple pages for. Sometimes inspiration is like taking care of a child; fun, but not always controlled.

     I admit to being a little conflicted; I want to get Flight written so people can read it, but I also want to do my best. Trouble is, my best takes time. I still have a year and a half. I pray for creativity and disciple for my inspiration.

     Since I can't share my 270 words with you (top-secret, remember?), here is a copy of the other words I typed today. This is a yummy recipe and healthy to boot!

Broccoli with Garlic
Original Recipe by Greg Tingstrom, tweaked by the Murphy Family

2 lbs. broccoli florets

6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 Tbs. coconut oil (original recipe called for olive oil, but we use coconut)

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbs. water

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I sometimes put a little less. It just depends on how hot you like the flavor.)

Cook broccoli until barely tender. (We steam a bag of frozen florets, but the original recipe called for fresh broccoli, cut and steamed.)

Place oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add garlic. Saute, stirring frequently, just until the garlic starts to soften. Add water, salt, and cayenne. Simmer for 2 minutes.

Place broccoli in a large serving bowl. Pour garlic mixture over it, mixing gently to coat. Serve hot or cold (we've never actually had it cold, so I don't know if what the original recipe says is really yummy).

Keep all vampires clear of the area, because that garlic is strong! Enjoy!  :)

Post Tenebras Lux!

-ST 

What the Hattedsmileyball am I Doing?!

     Flight. I am doing Flight.

     And a million other things, of course. 

     Those other things include StoryShoutOut, childcare, hospitality, reading, counseling, studying, sleeping, exercising, teaching, cooking, procrastination, preparation, relaxation, worshiping, worrying…. Sorry, whew, I ran out of breath!

     However, as far as this writer’s journey goes, Flight is the current focus of my pen.

     Flight is the working title/code name of my new manuscript. I started working on it this past year (and last Nanowrimo). My previous book, the one I was working on when I began this blog, has taken a backburner. (This is because the characters are stubborn and refuse to give me a coherent plotline. I think they are upset with me because I dragged them through Nanowrimo 2012).

    Flight is top secret. Whereas I have previously shared my drafts and ideas with close friends and family, Flight’s plot is going to be completely confined to my mind until its’ completion. I especially want to keep my sister and my best friend in the dark until then. They usually have huge influence in the stories I write, but I want Flight to be a special glimpse inside my imagination for them.




     What I can tell you about Flight right now is:

• The genre will be Science Fiction.
• The story will  not be very long; one or two short books at the most. 
• I really want to have the story done before I turn 24, so I have about a year and a half. That might seem like a long time, but if you take another look at the “million things” list above, you’ll understand better.
• Most of the research phase is done. Right now, I am working on character development. That mainly looks like short stories focused on each individual character, showcasing their past and present lives. I will be updating this blog as the work continues. 

   
     And so the Road goes ever on!

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST