Friday, November 6, 2009

Reading Now:

What I'm reading right now:

Callie's Rules by Naomi F. Zucker (Egmont 2009).



Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody





The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

NaNoWriMo etc.

I write this from the wonderful Tempurpedic in our Nest's spare room. The heating pad is on, the muscle relaxers are in, and wonderful Nestmate is downstairs, having taken the day off, looking after Chickling who, we've just discovered, has H1N1. This Momma Bird is not a worrier by nature, but it's been a tweetin' crazy week, let me tell ya.

Lots of time for catching up on the blogs however. I love this one. Great suggestions and it's got me wondering. Are you doing NaNoWriMo?

I'm not, but not because I wouldn't like to. Perhaps next year. If you are doing it, I'm interested to hear what tools you're using to find time, write, focus, become inspired, and so forth.

Have you discovered this wonderful writing tool called Write or Die? After using it for one day, I paid the $10 for the desktop version. It's just what I needed. I've written more in three 20 minute sessions (and not all of it complete guff!) than I have in weeks.

One of the first things I teach in my writing classes at *Art School of Note* is using different triggers for Stream of Consciousness writing. I think it may make for an interesting post at a later date.

Music works well for me. I like the Atonement soundtrack (and others by composer Dario Marianelli), Radiohead (and instrumental versions of their songs such as pianist Christopher O'Reilly's moody and glorious tributes), and a piece by New Age musician Deuter called Alchemy which I put on repeat and write to for hours.

What about you? Is it music (and what kind)? Do you use positive affirmations? Do you do morning pages? Have a safe zone? Other triggers, tricks, or treats?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Countdown

Only three months now until my new three book MG series is out. Yay!

Haven't been here much lately due to a car accident (blah, youch) and week long visit from wonderful YA Fantasy Author, Isobelle Carmody. How heavenly it was to walk along the beach together talking books, writing, and publishing day after day.

I'm inspired to finish my current MG novel... just as soon as I get this whiplash seen to...

Back soon.