People Watching

When you're in a big group of people,
it's easier to be invisible.
Great for watching.

I've spent a lot of time sitting off to the side and watching the way people interact. I can tell you if a girl is interested in someone, if a boy is interested in someone, who's a jerk, and who isn't. (Most of the time. Sometimes, if I've had a few beers, my super powers become fuzzy.)

If you look for small gestures, a woman placing a hand over her stomach. It's not always indicative of pregnancy, it can also signal insecurity, an eating disorder, or something else. If you look for someone playing with their phone, it can also mean more than just getting a text.

I can also read people from the way they talk. It's a little easier with people I interact with on a daily basis. In example, I once called a friend, said hello, and she simply said, "Hey."

But there was a catch in her voice and I heard it. As soon as I asked if she was okay, she burst into tears and said, "I was trying so hard not to let anyone know."

Being able to people watch and read their interactions and tone of voice helps with writing, I think. So if you feel blocked, or if you can't quite get interactions right, go to a mall. Sit on a bench and bring a notebook. Look for couples. Look for friends. Look for kids who are upset with their parents. See how they act. Try to eavesdrop on what they say.

Writing Books V

Welcome to round five of the Writing Books Series. I know, I know, I haven't kept up with this, but since it's Thursday, and I got an amazing new book, I figured I'd let you guys know.

So, what does this mean? Basically that each Thursday (ideally, sometimes real life gets in the way) I try to post a book I've found helpful in my writing career, tell you why I found it helpful, and try to tell you a price range. I'll attempt to keep this up until I run out of books, or lose motivation, whichever comes first :) (Chances are it may be another few months, but you know...)

Book Five is:

The Emotion Thesaurus!

I have had this book all of two days. Day one, it sat in my lap as I rifled through its magical pages. It helped tremendously with the novel I'm working on. Then, I was so excited, it slept in my bed that night (not. kidding.) A regular Thesaurus goes through and tells you ways to say the same word, right? Well, The Emotion Thesaurus says, "You're angry, here's what you may feel, what you may do," and offers a huge launch point to fully utilize showing vs telling. I am so, so happy I own this, and I hear there is a Volume 2 coming out soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

I found it cheapest on Amazon (it was $14.99 new!), but it's available at B&N (I think it's closer to the $20 range though). Either way, if you don't have this, you need it.

Writing Prompt

Since I just spent all of the night working on submissions for PNWA, I'm exhausted, written and edited out, and cranky. I feel like with the aftermath of Valentine's Day, some of you may be feeling the way I am, too. So with that, don't lose heart. I've come up with a writing prompt to try out. And, it's a choose your own adventure. How fun!

Option 1:
*Go somewhere. McDonald's. The mall. A park. The beach. Anywhere where there will be people around you.
*Bring a notebook.
*Now sit for five to ten minutes observing the interactions around you.
*Find some people that you find terribly interesting.
*Fall in love with them for some reason.
*Now write the scene:
           How are they interacting with each other?
           What does their body language say?
           What perspective are you writing in?
           What is happening?
           What is the tension in the scene?

Or


Option 2:
*Stay home.
*Grab a notebook.
*Put on your favorite movie or TV show.
*Pick a scene you really, really, really like.
*Write it:
           What is happening?
           What perspective are you writing in?
           Who are the characters?
            What is the tension in the scene?

For both of these, if you feel super ambitious, write the scene a few different ways; 1st person. 3rd person. His perspective. Her perspective. The table's perspective. You pick. It's amazing what you can do with writing, play with it. Remember, it's supposed to be fun!

Let me know what you come up with :)

Turning Titles Into Poetry

If you don't follow Janet Reid's blog, you should. Mainly, because she has THIS CONTEST going on until tomorrow. This is/was my submission:

The Disenchanting Truth

The Truth About Forever

Is that Bright And Shiny Morning(s)

Are for the Lucky One(s).

At Second Glance,

The Little Prince won't come

To The Rescue, 

Which means She's Come Undone. 

The Girl Who Played With Fire,

Was found Running With Scissors,

Saying, "Someday My Prince Will Come,"

Unaware of The Slow Vanishing.

She'd Fallen

And become a Loose Girl

Who live in The Glass Castle

Full of Disenchantments and Stolen Innocence. 

She was A Woman Betrayed.

She wasn't Lucky.

Counting The Hours,

She learned

Certain Girls aren't Those Who Save Us.

And That's How I Live Now.

Good luck to all those who enter!