tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70737183229106886912024-02-18T19:07:47.713-08:00Christina G GaudetChristina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-16738286941405784462012-06-21T12:12:00.000-07:002012-06-21T12:12:16.032-07:00New Blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXJNt2DbC2juOEOBmqkCI9A8cJIIpK7w12F0CARv5HZt0nbnHGKRT8J0iQxySVGUvIMxCmL_RQk8F97SjVUDYk8EUe1R4j2EqiACO9a0RgYnRUeU4WC-XiXiF9sxxea4ptrK9rZc94g/s1600/christina-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXJNt2DbC2juOEOBmqkCI9A8cJIIpK7w12F0CARv5HZt0nbnHGKRT8J0iQxySVGUvIMxCmL_RQk8F97SjVUDYk8EUe1R4j2EqiACO9a0RgYnRUeU4WC-XiXiF9sxxea4ptrK9rZc94g/s320/christina-logo.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Hello all! Thank you so much for dropping by this blog. Feel free to look around at some of my archives to see what I've had to say in the past. If you want to know what I'm up to now, please visit my new <a href="http://christinaggaudet.com/blog">blog</a> at christinaggaudet.com.<br />
<br />
Thanks again for visiting, and I hope you enjoy my new <a href="http://christinaggaudet.com/">website</a>.<br />
<br />
ChristinaChristina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-26725536539059324132012-06-14T18:41:00.001-07:002012-06-14T18:41:44.535-07:00CrazinessI know I said I'd start getting more blog posts done, but a couple of things have happened this week that have made me break that promise.
1) I finished my novel. Well, as much as one ever finishes. I've written, rewritten and edited the thing and now it's out with a few beta readers. I can't wait to hear back from them.
2) My website went down. This has given me a chance to try to make something much nicer and more professional. The problem is that I'm not really sure how to do that yet. I have a layout in mind, it's just the building it that's a problem.
A A) Which means I'm trying to teach myself Drupal. So far my brain doesn't like it, or the amount of time it's taking up.
B) Also, if I ever figure the whole thing out, I'll probably be moving the blog from here to my main page. Which will make a difference to all five of you actually following the blog through google.
Anyway, all this means is that I've been busy. And there may be changes here soon. Hope they are all good ones.Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-26443632516980281362012-06-08T16:31:00.000-07:002012-06-08T16:31:58.915-07:00Follow FridayThings have been a little crazy for the past week. I haven't had a chance to sit down at my computer for more than a few minutes at a time. However, I'm determined to get things back on track with my writing, starting with this blog.<br />
<br />
Today is Follow Friday and it happens to be the 100th blog hop hosted by Alison and Parajunkee. There are giveaways on some of the blogs so check them out.<br />
<br />
<b>1. When did you start blogging?</b><br />
<br />
Oh, jeez, that's a bit of a hard question to answer. I've had a number of blogs, including one on Livejournal back in the day. This blog I've had since March 2011. That's when I made the decision to self publish my novel and wanted a blog so that I could use it to meet other authors and maybe some readers.<br />
<br />
<b>2. What is your favorite part of book blogging?</b><br />
<br />
Getting a chance to talk about books is so much fun. I tend to do it whether or not anyone is listening. Talking about myself is even more fun, and my hope is for other writers to be able to learn from my successes and failures. <br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<b>3. What is your favorite book(s)?</b><br />
<br />
Growing up, my favorite author was Tamora Pierce. She was my hero. After reading her series <i>Lioness Rampant</i>, I knew I wanted to write YA fantasy.<br />
<br />
However, my favorite book that I've reviewed so far would have to be <i>Frostbite</i> by Richelle Mead.<br />
<br />
Which reminds me, time to get back to writing some reviews...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=148487" type="text/javascript" ></script>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-53734314067698208312012-05-29T11:57:00.000-07:002012-05-29T11:57:06.138-07:00No-No’s in YA fiction<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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There is so much YA fiction out there right now that it’s
not particularly surprising that agents and publishers and even readers are sick
of seeing certain trends. One of the most obvious is of course sexy vampires.
It’s been done to death, pun intended, and agents are prone to gag and throw
the work out the window if they see it come across their desk.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This reaction makes a lot of sense. In order to sell
something, you need to have a fresh, exciting and new product. Otherwise, what’s
going to convince people to pick up your book in particular when everything
around it looks exactly the same?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get this, I really do. But here’s the problem. My book is
full of current YA no-no’s. To the brim. Let me show you some examples. Please
don’t get mad at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
List of no-no’s for YA stories that I
completely ignored and threw into my novel;</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Parallel worlds / Portal fantasy.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>This
has been done, and done well (think Narnia) so most people are sick to death of
seeing it. Also, a lot of writers start with a portal fantasy, which means that
agents and publishers tend to see poorly constructed and amateur manuscripts of
this type cross their desk regularly. See so many of them, and eventually the
words “Portal Fantasy” are automatically associated with badness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Fantasy</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>On
the same lines, Fantasy is done done done. See that huge section of the bookstore
with “Sci-Fi and Fantasy” written above it? Yeah, there’s where the fantasy
stories belong right now. YA apparently has no room for this kind of story,
especially things that are considered “high fantasy” (think Lord of the Rings).
While I understand there is a full genre for these kind of books already, and
most are geared toward a younger crowd anyway, I still find this the most
frustrating no-no. Tamora Pierce was my favorite writer as a child, and I hated
that there was nothing else similar to her at the time. While this has shifted
significantly, I still see a barrier where fantasy is meant for boys, and they
like the adult section just fine, while paranormal fantasy is for girls and
they can find their sexy demons in YA.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Magic</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Thanks
a lot, Harry Potter. You might have opened up YA fantasy and helped to bring
out some of the best books I’ve ever read, but you completely ruined magic for
the rest of us. No one’s going to match your success, though many have tried,
and most agents can’t be bothered with it anymore. They see magic and it’s an
instant ‘yawn.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Paranormal romance</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Yeah,
I get it, sexy vampires are so over. Way too much out there, just look at the
shelves, yadda yadda yadda. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t still be done
in really fun and exciting ways. Such as, maybe the guy isn’t a vampire who’s
trying to be with the one he loves while fighting an uncontrollable urge to
kill her. What if it’s a werewolf, or demon, or... yeah, okay I see the point.
Overdone and completely predictable. I am properly ashamed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Retellings of fairytales</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Alright,
this one is a bit of a stretch for my story, but the original idea was loosely
based off a fairy tale. I also get why this is being frowned at right now, just
look at what’s out there. Two Snow White movies in one year, Once Upon a Time (TV),
Grim (TV), Cinder (book), Beastly (movie/book), Red (movie/book), and the list
could go on forever. This is made even worse when you think about the fact that
the story has already been done to death for hundreds of picture books before
these writers take the idea and make it their own. Still, I for one could stand
to see a couple more.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does this mean I should print off a copy of my book just so
I can crumple it up and eat it while crying about the fact that I’ll never do
anything interesting or creative? Well, maybe, but I’m not going to. I love my
book. I don’t write for trends, which also means I don’t write to avoid trends
either. I write the stories that are in my head, and sometimes they work, and
sometimes they don’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe this book won’t interest any agents or publishers, but
that’s not my ultimate goal, and I hope it never is. I am my audience, and my
only hope is that there are some other people out there that enjoy what I do as
much as me.</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-59554048488172171442012-05-25T11:05:00.000-07:002012-05-25T13:40:04.582-07:00Day jobs and moving forward<b>Don't quit your day job.</b><br />
<br />
Wise words that I've heard time and time again. As fun as writing is, it's never going to pay the bills. After all, every writer I know has had another job to supplement what little income they make from writing. However, most of the people who talk about how important it is to keep your day job, are also people who have good paying, enjoyable jobs. As much as they might want to have more time to write, they by no means dread going into work every day.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the advice for someone who has a part time, minimum wage job that not only doesn't pay the bills but makes the person miserable?</b><br />
<br />
I've been doing the same crummy job for nine months now, and have been talking about quitting for about eight. It was a temporary thing, and at first it really did help. I had enough hours to scrape by and it got me out of the house regularly. As the hours began to get cut (down to maybe 8 a week) and the atmosphere went from bad to worse, I realized I needed to get out.<br />
<br />
The thing that has held me there for so long is the complete lack of opportunities. For whatever reason, it's been impossible to find a different job. I have a BA in history and a diploma in graphic design. I should be able to find something, from secretary work to a junior design position, especially since I do have the experience. However, after <b>eleven years of working at seventeen jobs</b>, not counting freelance work, I've come to realize something. I'm not satisfied with a job that simply pays the bills. If I'm going to be doing something that takes up the majority of my time and energy ever day, I need it to be something that I love.<br />
<br />
After watching the commencement speech by<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAb-NYkseI"> Neil Gaiman</a>, I made a decision. In his speech he talks about how the most important thing you need to do, besides making good art, is to always be working toward your goal. If your offered a job that doesn't place you a little closer to your goal, then it really isn't the right thing for you to be doing. For a long time I wasn't sure what my goal was. I was in denial. It seems so blindingly obvious to me right now that I can't believe I couldn't see it before. I'm a writer. That's what I love. That's what I've always loved. There will always be other things that I'll enjoy doing for a time such as drawing and graphic design, but writing is always what I'll come back to.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>What does all of this mean?</b><br />
<br />
Well, despite all of the wise advice, I've made the move and quit my day job. It's time to move forward toward my goal. I am well aware of how hard it's going to be. I know that there's a good chance I won't be able to pay my bills. However, I can't continue letting that fear keep me from doing what I know I should be doing. While this isn't the right move for everyone, for me I know that it's the step I need to take.<br />
<br />
Now it's time to emerge myself in the terrifying and highly competitive world of freelance writing.<br />
<br />
It's time for everything to change.Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-91550887693372552362012-05-22T17:27:00.002-07:002012-05-22T17:28:25.571-07:00Week of Writing - Day Six<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c94JSWdmpTnOTyFYBYj3BRPrIj8xIyQdrEKTV_yph9MxAAqohNz5LoORiLaiGzvls_3OdLLf_WBpiKYwJb_9EBdeo5mtdKcVQIQsf2SfP8aTsnTEyo4ZSwfGaBjClfn2ecpKSF9C1Q/s1600/oops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c94JSWdmpTnOTyFYBYj3BRPrIj8xIyQdrEKTV_yph9MxAAqohNz5LoORiLaiGzvls_3OdLLf_WBpiKYwJb_9EBdeo5mtdKcVQIQsf2SfP8aTsnTEyo4ZSwfGaBjClfn2ecpKSF9C1Q/s320/oops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
First off, sorry I haven't been updating my progress with my week of writing a bit more. My bad. At least the reason is because I've been busy writing, not because I gave up.<br />
<br />
The writing stage of my three part plan became a bit more difficult than I anticipated when I realized that I needed another chapter before I could get to the ending. Therefore, what I thought was going to be about 9000 words turned out to be 12339 words.<br />
<br />
But guess what?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I DID IT!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68F7eSxdM35L8C_ibiEx_pQIF6ZkgFANakMGsNf8Lz26ycyedm7fOs_bxTiiTciyTcdwCJKDeBhNN8nJ8RsZT8WY9K61l83tBxbRGGMGG9YRLbFy6Doh8uo4lLi-z615CpYH5tTsatw/s1600/2thumbsup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68F7eSxdM35L8C_ibiEx_pQIF6ZkgFANakMGsNf8Lz26ycyedm7fOs_bxTiiTciyTcdwCJKDeBhNN8nJ8RsZT8WY9K61l83tBxbRGGMGG9YRLbFy6Doh8uo4lLi-z615CpYH5tTsatw/s320/2thumbsup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I just finished the second draft of my novel. And unlike the first draft, I'm feeling really confident about this one. Of course it needs work. Some of that work may be major, but I'm really happy with the characters and the plot. All that remains is fixing any holes and making it pretty. Not an easy thing to do, but I'm definitely a step in the right direction.<br />
<br />
I've been meaning to mention, since some people have asked, that this book is <b>not </b>a sequel to <i>Magic High</i>. I'm so sorry if that's what you were hoping for, but I'm really excited about this new book that I've been calling <i>The Box</i>. At some point I would love to revisit Tabetha's world, but I honestly think that you won't be disappointed by the new world and characters.<br />
<br />
It may have taken me twice as long as I was hoping, but I am so pleased with what I've accomplished in the past six days. I probably won't be able to make it to steps two or three in the next day or two as life is going to be a bit hectic, but never the less, this is the best early birthday present I could have ever given myself.<br />
<br />
And thank you so much for everyone who's been reading this and encouraging me along the road. There's still a way to go, but for now, I am one happy girl.Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-67886034691734953382012-05-19T16:46:00.003-07:002012-05-19T16:56:46.129-07:00Week of Writing - Day Three<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alright. I'll admit it. I’m a little behind on my <i>week of writing</i>. But
it’s still good. Still good. I can make a comeback.<br />
<br />
My overall goal is to get
around 9000 words written by tomorrow, which in theory will finish this draft
of my book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day one</b> I got about 2000 written. I’m really not a fast
writer, so overall, that was a pretty good day for me. Not as great as I was
hoping, but nothing to scoff at either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day two </b>was a little less successful. The entire day was
supposed to be dedicated to writing, since I knew today was going to be much
busier. And what did I do? Flop around on my couch whining about how hard it is
to write.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Poor me, I had to do something that I enjoy. I know, you all
feel such pity for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so the final result was only 1000 words, which brings <b>my
two day total to 3000 words</b>. Hmm, wasn’t that supposed to be what I’d write
each day? This leaves me with approximately 6000 words left to write by
tomorrow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I may be behind, but I’m definitely not out yet. I still
have time to finish my goal, especially since I wasn’t very clear if I had to
be done before May 24<sup>th</sup> or if I have that day as well. Very clever
of me to have left myself some wiggle room.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But enough updating. It’s time for me to get back into the story
and try and get those final chapters written.</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-81269134657276237092012-05-17T16:04:00.002-07:002012-05-17T16:04:54.335-07:00Week of Writing - Day One<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_mR7V_EFYclIRsL4vuI1wgHcLgL_s50foE3Sx_GMYlOMkEQnjiFz4ntzEa1iYEBY5dmVeMkwiUxCZUCd1pVP7V_RCKXGfXAf27kaxyE0imgUOi8zfbVYSzUv2gxmL3xCJBPj__K32g/s1600/thumbsup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_mR7V_EFYclIRsL4vuI1wgHcLgL_s50foE3Sx_GMYlOMkEQnjiFz4ntzEa1iYEBY5dmVeMkwiUxCZUCd1pVP7V_RCKXGfXAf27kaxyE0imgUOi8zfbVYSzUv2gxmL3xCJBPj__K32g/s320/thumbsup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ready to roll with just a little hint of the crazy in the eyes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love to give myself deadlines. I almost never meet these deadlines, but it's super fun to try. With that in mind, I have a new project for myself. I call it…<br /><br />
<h3>
<b>Finish Writing Your Book You Lazy Bum</b></h3>
<br />I know, awesome title, right? I've always been really good with titles. *cough*<br /><br />Anyway, the goal is to finish my novel to a point where I can send it to beta readers in exactly one week. Why May 24th? Well, there are two reasons. First, I believe it's possible for me to get the work done in that time while at the same time, it's not too far off that I can slack. Also, it's my BIRTHDAY! (Cash gifts only, 'kay thanks.)<br /><br />I know there are a lot of people who don't understand the big deal about birthdays, but I'm not one of them. I love them. A full day every year all about me? Uh, yes please. For me it's a lot like New Years. It's a time to look back on the last year of my life and think, what did I accomplish and what will I do next? I really want to be able to say that I finished writing a novel, especially since it was one year ago that I released <a href="http://christinaggaudet.blogspot.ca/p/books.html">Magic High</a>.<br /><br />And so, here's the plan. I have about four chapters left to write. My chapters run about 2300 words long. I also have two or three chapters that need major edits in order for them to work. Finally, I'll have a full read through of the novel and make any final edits so that the book, while not perfect, will be readable.<br /><br />
<h4>
<b>My timeline?</b></h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>Day One to Three: </i>Write the final pages. (About 3000 words a day)<br /><i>Day Four and Five: </i>Make major changes.<br /><i>Day Six and Seven:</i> Final edits.<br /><br />And just to make things a little more difficult for myself, I haven't been writing lately, so I'm really not used to sitting down and plunking out 1000 words a day let alone 3000.<br /><br />Am I crazy? Yes. Can I do it? I have no idea. But I do think that either way, by day seven, I'm going to look a whole lot like this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIjufEfi2gDNWT_1Gh_LSJgNPl_ftjW1EKwZ_nf0o4FBHFaaRGi9hmPh0NkFgmPXi8YtfDjWU8rI4s2Z8B9rD4XGEMyi_2XcbRZ8ZRbLBxUikjx9p92ruM4cF8bBn72m1tbg7r1Crpg/s1600/stressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIjufEfi2gDNWT_1Gh_LSJgNPl_ftjW1EKwZ_nf0o4FBHFaaRGi9hmPh0NkFgmPXi8YtfDjWU8rI4s2Z8B9rD4XGEMyi_2XcbRZ8ZRbLBxUikjx9p92ruM4cF8bBn72m1tbg7r1Crpg/s320/stressed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honestly, what am I getting myself into?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Wish me luck!Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-62842740873254515562012-04-27T16:52:00.001-07:002012-04-28T14:05:12.444-07:00Work Space - Final<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjXcs_WeSst0TpD62Fj95V7HjESzDu__ZPRmPKNjwnXtClfhTNBZAvBPTnKuy86OmiCVXWFoVi4Tgijl1-XKTZ3H6L5VXIH0lnj-kfdCGByaZstGwPfpAhEhB5ii0KV__-TvY2zJ2pg/s1600/fullroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjXcs_WeSst0TpD62Fj95V7HjESzDu__ZPRmPKNjwnXtClfhTNBZAvBPTnKuy86OmiCVXWFoVi4Tgijl1-XKTZ3H6L5VXIH0lnj-kfdCGByaZstGwPfpAhEhB5ii0KV__-TvY2zJ2pg/s400/fullroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
There have been many reasons why I never posted pictures of the final stage of my basement work room. The most important reason is that I've never felt like it was truly finished. It was usable, but I never felt comfortable in the room.<br />
<br />
Today I finally got myself into gear and rearranged all of the furniture. There are still some minor things I'd love to do, such as better organize my art supplies, and put up some art on the walls, but for now I'm happy with how the room feels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQqfoIqjDdwV_DwzQeReC9sClJ26FDJU5LKr4j2oaBW-x96t12f-ZsSy_haSG6y3LG9Wv0PPSlzJ1HeWT5fZ1TNomUFCHTGaePkUk6mUtZO5ERZ6_S7M1DuWbWRYtTWM-nmW-uZqQlw/s1600/window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQqfoIqjDdwV_DwzQeReC9sClJ26FDJU5LKr4j2oaBW-x96t12f-ZsSy_haSG6y3LG9Wv0PPSlzJ1HeWT5fZ1TNomUFCHTGaePkUk6mUtZO5ERZ6_S7M1DuWbWRYtTWM-nmW-uZqQlw/s320/window.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
A note on the colour of the walls. I know a few people were surprised that I went so dark, but there's a reason why I chose that colour. I've used that shade of blue or one similar for every self promotional logo and design I've ever done. If you're reading my blog from the actual site (christinaggaudet.blogspot.com) you'll see that it is also a very similar colour. It's been my favourite colour since I was a child and it's one that I always find both relaxing and inspiring.<br />
<br />
I'm feeling really great about this project, even though it took months longer to complete than I intended. Finally I have a place to get my work done, whether its drawing, painting, crafting, writing, designing, reading, or whatevering. After four years of living here, this place finally feels like home.<br />
<br />
Forget how the room used to look? Check out <a href="http://christinaggaudet.blogspot.ca/2012/01/work-space-day-one.html">day 1</a>, <a href="http://christinaggaudet.blogspot.ca/2012/01/day-two-of-my-room-makeover-was-pretty.html">day 3</a>, <a href="http://christinaggaudet.blogspot.ca/2012/01/work-space-day-four.html">day 4</a>, and <a href="http://christinaggaudet.blogspot.ca/2012/01/work-space-day-five.html">day 5</a> of the transformation.Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-21215916319598102732012-03-26T06:52:00.000-07:002012-03-26T06:52:53.372-07:00The dreaded writers block<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think every writers blog ever and then some have covered
this topic. And most of them have given great advice and suggestions on how to
beat writers block. If you’re looking for advice, honestly you’re in the wrong
place. But if you’ve ever experienced writers block and want a sympathetic ear,
I’m here for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writers block sucks. No matter what causes it, there’s no
denying that sitting at your computer and staring at the screen for hours can
really get you down. The longer you’re blocked, it seems, the harder it is to start
writing again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve spent days trying to write out the last 1000 words of
the chapter I’m working on. 1000 words, no problem, right? Apparently it’s
completely impossible. Unfortunately it’s not the kind of block that I can just
force myself through. The problem is that I have no idea what needs to happen
next, so I can’t even skip forward a bit and carry on. Getting myself to write
isn’t a problem, however, the story that I need to be working on is completely
stalled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had a self imposed deadline to finish this draft by the
end of the month. Apparently I don’t work well under pressure, even when that
pressures coming from no one but myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you suffered from writers block? What helped you get
over it?</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-91030198628173799782012-03-23T06:08:00.000-07:002012-03-23T06:08:51.149-07:00Review - Frostbite<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z8Wrv1Z-Ha1FJ6XGpmwsnrmIk1bSXZ1Bo-sFyGsfPSQVcCNr9kPUk2rDheVee6fyTeuyqZUhc5kr3BoYQC1fAS74cm4vxcPhCcqHKs5seAkHy2rY0kU9PXu_5xUQxM0eptiGjXGJSQ/s1600/books_frostbite_big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Z8Wrv1Z-Ha1FJ6XGpmwsnrmIk1bSXZ1Bo-sFyGsfPSQVcCNr9kPUk2rDheVee6fyTeuyqZUhc5kr3BoYQC1fAS74cm4vxcPhCcqHKs5seAkHy2rY0kU9PXu_5xUQxM0eptiGjXGJSQ/s320/books_frostbite_big.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Book Review</b></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frostbite – A Vampire Academy Book</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Richelle Mead</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Find this book at: </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Wide-Awake-Princess-E-Baker/dp/1599906589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331815815&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Wide-awake-Princess-E-D-Baker/9781599906584-item.html?ikwid=wide+awake+princess&ikwsec=Home">Indigo</a> | You're local bookstore </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Frostbite is the second book in the Vampire Academy series.
While I picked up the first book because I was in a vampire craze for a short
time, I chose to read this book much later because of how much I enjoyed
reading the first.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If this is the first
Vampire Academy book you’ve ever read, the prologue will help you understand
what’s happened so far in the series. If you’ve read the first book and have any
sort of memory of what happened, <i>skip the prologue</i>. Seriously, don’t waste your
time. I nearly set the book right back down while reading the over explanatory
and poorly written prologue. It was written from the point of view of the main
character, but it was too forced and ended up sounding nothing like the rest of
the book.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happily, the rest of the book holds none of the same
problems as the introduction and delivers a fast pace and engaging read.
Physically, the main character, Rose, is almost perfect with an amazing body
and drop dead good looks. She’s also stronger and faster than most other
people. However, her mental state and her lack of social graces when dealing
with people like her own mother—whom we get to meet in this book!—makes her
character both believable and likable.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The relationships are definitely the strongest part of this
series. While the hierarchy of vampires and the physical fighting are great,
it’s the relationships Rose has with her best friend, mother, boyfriend(s)
enemies and so on that makes me want to keep reading. Having a kickass main
character doesn’t hurt either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This book is highly recommended for people who love to read
about relationships, want a bit of romance, and enjoy the supernatural.</div>
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<br /></div>
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5/5</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /> </div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-84534464607490023922012-03-22T14:24:00.002-07:002012-03-22T14:24:37.128-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AQcQyQW8ePkVVqlHzwH4foSYXKgQp0AQIYZk-BWDqvi0QlCia24o1hLIrqpecnzHy5tMv7-VRJf32gATc1zjomUD5Xh7vvt1WR978ZAdb3eitP27C3LEvMDlSnK42asm2F5_GN63GQ/s1600/running+cover+colours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AQcQyQW8ePkVVqlHzwH4foSYXKgQp0AQIYZk-BWDqvi0QlCia24o1hLIrqpecnzHy5tMv7-VRJf32gATc1zjomUD5Xh7vvt1WR978ZAdb3eitP27C3LEvMDlSnK42asm2F5_GN63GQ/s200/running+cover+colours.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
It's march break in PEI this week! So, I've decided to make my ebook <i>Magic High</i> available for<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62879"> FREE</a> until Monday as a special treat. Please grab yourself a copy and let your friends know as well. If you like it, don't forget to say so on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-High-ebook/dp/B00538A22A/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_1">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11843324-magic-high">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62879">Smashwords</a> or anywhere else you'd like.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-29588301861421479752012-03-21T11:14:00.002-07:002012-03-23T08:38:30.091-07:00What’s this story about again?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmXHzzRGxX6rwXpyXg_FV4iIk2klDQ66GilSwxPumvkTuh2DBq5OFvwlVeNXd8fOnWKqh8_NO2rVYobSm-8JCvpuivkOhgRVyxXw7Rf6srCsDQtF4kRkpxhJ0uyPJsKFObCNgZrsZnA/s1600/confused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmXHzzRGxX6rwXpyXg_FV4iIk2klDQ66GilSwxPumvkTuh2DBq5OFvwlVeNXd8fOnWKqh8_NO2rVYobSm-8JCvpuivkOhgRVyxXw7Rf6srCsDQtF4kRkpxhJ0uyPJsKFObCNgZrsZnA/s200/confused.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.bizarrebytes.com/bizarre-headlines-in-the-news/confused/">Photo Credit</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know if anyone else deals with this problem, but I
always find that about three-quarters of the way through writing a book, I’ve
forgotten how the whole thing started. I more or less remember what has
happened, it’s the how that alludes me. At this point I start panicking that
the tone and characters of the story might have wildly changed and that what I
have now doesn’t even resemble what I started with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact that the book I’m writing is a rewrite where the
character and tone differs greatly from the original version doesn’t help. I
can’t remember which details come from which version and the character’s
differences have become all muddled in my head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is my solution? To read my own book, of course. The
best part is, at this stage, I’m not worried about doing much editing. In fact,
I’m not going to do any other than perhaps write down some notes for later.
That means there’s a chance I can actually enjoy reading my own story. Since my
memory’s so bad, I’ll probably even be surprised by some of the things I wrote.
I always know I’m on the right track when I laugh out loud at my own jokes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you ever forget what you’ve written? And if so, have you
ever been able to read and enjoy your own book without the pressure of making
it better?</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-41982638992659277682012-03-20T11:38:00.003-07:002012-03-20T11:38:59.446-07:00How Embarrassing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZKYJu3KzHxIgGAkqr-OwkpucfF1H72YdYK9H6rtckjv3sKyiE4rh56zxFOzc-9UYx6K3H4lU4yNu3Z5iqO47qUzylcVhyphenhyphengGqRo2S_SvRiK2PzQaupkB_qiD20T24b55rg-h-0weQEA/s1600/embarrassed+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZKYJu3KzHxIgGAkqr-OwkpucfF1H72YdYK9H6rtckjv3sKyiE4rh56zxFOzc-9UYx6K3H4lU4yNu3Z5iqO47qUzylcVhyphenhyphengGqRo2S_SvRiK2PzQaupkB_qiD20T24b55rg-h-0weQEA/s200/embarrassed+II.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tannerpemelton.blogspot.ca/2010/09/bonfire-talks-and-other-embarrassing.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no denying it, I’m a klutz. I drop things, I walk
into things, and I regularly hurt myself in ways most people don’t know is
possible. As a teenager, doing things such as falling up the stairs while walking
in front of one of my crushes and dropping a glass bottle of red soda all over
official yearbook files four minutes after having the principal sign them were
weekly events in my life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did I cry a lot? Heck yes. All the time. But I also laughed
at myself too. One thing that made me feel much better was the knowledge that other
people had the same problem of standing upright on flat surface as me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suppose that’s one of the reasons why I write about embarrassing
teen moments. Not only are they funny to read, but maybe someone out there will
feel a little bit better about their own embarrassing moment by reading about some
of the over the top things that happen to the characters in my books. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My embarrassment usually occurs from me falling down or
saying something without thinking. What makes you or your character embarrassed?</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-81386043717113890312012-03-19T09:15:00.000-07:002012-03-19T09:18:43.996-07:00Cut it out<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MNHh32rnFsrEIuBSgnF4osxD0WDfPR3RPoaU5hls8tH4728KJpMZtIJNjUBjy74Mu0iU2_ALvnr85aTlZG3x9BEs93IcRUAe8_01FhxCuglClieegE2qNE3qwiyZV3J3j0VogNFZuA/s1600/scissor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MNHh32rnFsrEIuBSgnF4osxD0WDfPR3RPoaU5hls8tH4728KJpMZtIJNjUBjy74Mu0iU2_ALvnr85aTlZG3x9BEs93IcRUAe8_01FhxCuglClieegE2qNE3qwiyZV3J3j0VogNFZuA/s200/scissor.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://collectingtokens.wordpress.com/2007/04/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Original Photo</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Link</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cry. Whimper. Whine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I don’t wanna delete that paragraph/chapter/section of
the book. It took me so long to write. There are some great moments in there.
The character development is amazing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are so many excuses as to why that piece of writing
should stay in the book. I know since I’ve used them all. But there’s a reason
that it has to go and that’s because <i>you know</i> it does. Otherwise, you wouldn’t
be having the argument with yourself in the first place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So instead of thinking about all of the reasons why it
should stay, remember why it needs to go. It doesn’t advance the plot. The
writing is not your best. Your characters actions are forced. Whatever
the reason, stop arguing with yourself and cut it out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can’t bring yourself to hit the delete button? I feel your
pain. Instead of hitting delete, why not try cutting instead. I keep a
separate file for all of my scenes that no longer work or that I wrote for another section of the story. That way at least all of my work doesn’t disappear in the
blink of an eye, and there’s always the chance that in the future I’ll be able
to fit in those bits.<br />
<br />
Do you have a file for those deleted gems? </div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-61989808317038413422012-03-16T05:54:00.000-07:002012-03-16T13:43:51.568-07:00Review - Wide Awake Princess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffamvPoKWw_Vr3RWijT8ralzp0Tj-HIZYwmS1GGG6Jk26vddaKKiOzhyphenhyphenkruUGu6Kgy6VI3Crl4CBRSdo9dwXuzgK625mWmWPZZVUMNt532-u9Zd5tt-P3_3OzX_4v_J3KI1wJHoPR0Q/s1600/wide+awake+princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffamvPoKWw_Vr3RWijT8ralzp0Tj-HIZYwmS1GGG6Jk26vddaKKiOzhyphenhyphenkruUGu6Kgy6VI3Crl4CBRSdo9dwXuzgK625mWmWPZZVUMNt532-u9Zd5tt-P3_3OzX_4v_J3KI1wJHoPR0Q/s320/wide+awake+princess.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Book Review</b></span><br />
<br />
The Wide Awake Princess<br />
By E. D. Baker<i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Find this book at: </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Wide-Awake-Princess-E-Baker/dp/1599906589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331815815&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Wide-awake-Princess-E-D-Baker/9781599906584-item.html?ikwid=wide+awake+princess&ikwsec=Home">Indigo</a> | You're local bookstore<br />
<br />
I picked this book up on a whim based entirely on it's cover. Although part of me really wanted to hate the style of illustration, I was drawn to it and knew instantly it was a book that I'd enjoy. The back blurb helped confirm that feeling when I read that it's a new take on an old fairy tale and there was going to be just a little romance and a whole lot of humour in there amongst all the action.<br />
<br />
The story is one that most everyone knows, a princess is cursed at birth to prick her finger and sleep for a hundred years until she's woken by true love's first kiss. What you might not know is that the princess has a little sister, Annie, who happens to be completely immune to all forms of magic, good and bad. When the spell is cast and the entire castle is put to sleep, it's up to Annie to find the right prince to break the spell.<br />
<br />
Non stop action fills each page as we're thrown from one fairy tale to another with ease, including elements from tales such as The Frog Prince, Hansel and Gretel, The Princess and the Pea and many others.<br />
<br />
There was so many things happening to Annie and her companion for her journey, Liam, that I occasionally wished for more time to breath within each stop in Annie's journey. As it was, we barely get a chance to imagine each setting of the story before we're pushed forward to the next location and fairy tale.<br />
<br />
The characters were mostly well developed despite the sometimes overwhelmingly large cast, but they were all outshone by the main character who's clever wit was very appealing.<br />
<br />
This was a very amusing and entertaining read that contained everything that it promised; action, humour, romance and a strong heroine. <br />
<br />
4/5 stars<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaLmJoOQ6-ybaQXjhyFxWO1VGFyMVNZaPHcvsBNROAc5NwQHCAF3gKI9rjmFsTjVRQpS_Od6hA9Xzo2LMEy0wVOwBNLquIkq1MJXVJZB8Eqk_CN9fwpLcP8Z747dAF3l1qt74oJZwEw/s1600/star.jpg" />Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-47671938989077494222012-03-15T05:41:00.000-07:002012-03-15T05:41:16.875-07:00Nothing to fear here<style>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyWk98xTXjpu2euHi0erwhScNrLGYPw4QSfKswbAeEK8urUxTpWhskMNgJhBj45-KYJpD5x0VhxnaxweIeHMhbw791kJscvnhXjDy95rUY3sYea6dS1MrOB-2Czaf_fLy4WPRyEKBGw/s1600/fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyWk98xTXjpu2euHi0erwhScNrLGYPw4QSfKswbAeEK8urUxTpWhskMNgJhBj45-KYJpD5x0VhxnaxweIeHMhbw791kJscvnhXjDy95rUY3sYea6dS1MrOB-2Czaf_fLy4WPRyEKBGw/s200/fear.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone has fears. For writing it’s one of the easiest ways
to develop your character. Give them a fear or two, and *poof* they’re more
rounded characters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever since I started writing novels, I dutifully gave each
character a random fear and maybe even have them deal with it at some point in
the story. However, I never really understood the fact that it’s not just the
fear itself that matters, but also how the character deals with that emotion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m terrified of spiders and heights (I know, I’m so
original) however; my reaction to encountering each fear is completely
different. If I come across a spider, or accidently touch one, I can usually
control that fear and calmly walk away. For heights, when the fear hits me, I
panic and usually can’t do anything but fall down to my knees—lying down’s even
better—and whimper. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone else might be equally afraid of the same thing and
deal with their fears completely differently. That reaction, not the fear
itself is what makes characters interesting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you spend time giving your characters specific fears? How
would they react when they’re forced to face those fears? How do you react when
facing your own fears?</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-75554026028384199162012-03-14T16:30:00.001-07:002012-03-14T16:34:06.567-07:00Edit vs Rewrite<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>A quick note to let you know that the price of my
ebook, </i><a href="http://christinaggaudet.blogspot.com/p/books.html">Magic High</a><i> has dropped to $0.99 on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-High-ebook/dp/B00538A22A/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AZC9TZ4UC9CFC&qid=1316350583&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62879">Smashwords</a>. Other
distributors should catch up with the price change soon. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9npkffid2Ky-3pmsDR7wMyQoTP6RcTmqvbkYuIPszjp1Ic_NGzqrEcKuNg-aA4EzxBzZsTedUU2NtHNYakPqjhXqXSQ9jeN8J6xCwBhk9ol8djRuEEk8zOXLgml8yxq8VMBgQHVC-TA/s1600/editing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9npkffid2Ky-3pmsDR7wMyQoTP6RcTmqvbkYuIPszjp1Ic_NGzqrEcKuNg-aA4EzxBzZsTedUU2NtHNYakPqjhXqXSQ9jeN8J6xCwBhk9ol8djRuEEk8zOXLgml8yxq8VMBgQHVC-TA/s320/editing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When I finished my first draft of my latest novel,
I sat back and thought, ‘Great! Done. Nothing left but edits.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Cue laughter*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I edited a few chapters, made minor changes in sentence
structure, fixed plot holes, checked for consistency, and all that fun stuff
that needs to be done before the book can be called complete. And then a couple
of people in my critique group mentioned that my main character was
very similar to Tabetha from <i>Magic High</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oops.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I realized, it’s impossible to change the personality
of the main character in any way without completely changing the entire story.
After all, the novel is written in first point perspective. I may as well have
decided to write the story from a completely different characters point of
view.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a lot of groaning and whining and arguments with
myself, I finally accepted the fact that the book will be better after a full
rewrite. And after all, the whole point of editing is to make the story as awesome as possible, right?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is always the fear that rewrites will never end. All I
have to do is look at my comic, <i><a href="http://christinadraws.blogspot.com/2011/10/return-to-never.html">Never</a></i> to see rewrites gone wrong. However, I'm
confident that this draft is much stronger than my first, and I’m hopeful that
once it’s complete, I’ll be able to move on to final edits and then copy edits.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*Fingers crossed*</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rewriting complete drafts is a part of my writing process,
but I know that not every author believes it’s necessary. How much editing do
you do? Have you ever rewritten so many times that you lost interest in the
story altogether? </div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-14425241251635069322012-01-17T18:57:00.000-08:002012-01-17T18:57:03.492-08:00Work Space - Day Five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZpFgoV_VHJ7djpYtJ88v0x9tVwRCPwbFvTTrqyzd5sl8v-ZF2Si_QgxjDU-GTvNC8tN-P2DREkca690QuM_1agI1y6doSwyA-WMJ9N9clEB5IbB_lKf6fmVacDwQCiSgelbXGoDSQQ/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZpFgoV_VHJ7djpYtJ88v0x9tVwRCPwbFvTTrqyzd5sl8v-ZF2Si_QgxjDU-GTvNC8tN-P2DREkca690QuM_1agI1y6doSwyA-WMJ9N9clEB5IbB_lKf6fmVacDwQCiSgelbXGoDSQQ/s320/IMG_0652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The walls are done! No more painting ever again, until I start the stairwell. Hopefully in the next day or two I'll be able to do the final reveal with everything set up and in place.<br />
<br />
I am exhausted. I don't know why I thought I could do this all on my own in a weekend. I think it's because they do it in those design shows and I wanted to prove that I could do it too. Never mind that they have a whole team of people working on everything.<br />
<br />
A couple of problems that I have with the basement right now is that there is not nearly enough light. This can be fixed with a floor lamp or two, but I probably won't be getting that for a while. Sad. Another thing is the stairwell.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHkdlbGK46QY427AwD_YoV87CyZGgqsgr0X9uw9G_cQOxzd2IUnmsJUsd3UE5JB7m6E6_7Ir_SbcrDaj26MdzEv1e07fXaaRtlhZx6NFRDHfafX-hjbTQPtqOAI-QZ4i13vyJkLduIg/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHkdlbGK46QY427AwD_YoV87CyZGgqsgr0X9uw9G_cQOxzd2IUnmsJUsd3UE5JB7m6E6_7Ir_SbcrDaj26MdzEv1e07fXaaRtlhZx6NFRDHfafX-hjbTQPtqOAI-QZ4i13vyJkLduIg/s320/IMG_0657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's not just the fact that it's not finished, but also it scares the crap out of me. Out of the corner of my eye I keep seeing that white blotch which is about the height a person's head and I think that someone is coming down the stairs. Never mind that not even a ninja could get down those stairs without them squeaking.<br />
<br />
Otherwise the whole experience has been a lot of fun. Exhausting and time consuming, but fun. Mark keeps talking about getting the other rooms of the house done, which would be nice, but I am not about to start any time soon. I'm just looking forward to enjoying my very own room to get some work done. Time for some much needed sleep.Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-87712675467718847862012-01-16T18:01:00.000-08:002012-01-16T18:01:33.028-08:00Work Space - Day Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KpUYTDyCP3qlrt4zHfpQoi9lXhDW66uH35sJYleHob-1dZH8O7mIvu_IWpP1Aywzmk3gOaixz8PjrYepk2NYT2O0YTiWkSiWG4hfIKAGPcfGYx5u3qvhHHiO6Czws8JUJc80xYw6UQ/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KpUYTDyCP3qlrt4zHfpQoi9lXhDW66uH35sJYleHob-1dZH8O7mIvu_IWpP1Aywzmk3gOaixz8PjrYepk2NYT2O0YTiWkSiWG4hfIKAGPcfGYx5u3qvhHHiO6Czws8JUJc80xYw6UQ/s320/IMG_0650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm really not one to miss a deadline, even a self imposed one, but this one I missed entirely. I managed to start painting today! I painted almost all day in fact, but you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at the room. My entire body hurts from crouching in awkward positions to try and paint so low. Hopefully tomorrow will go a little faster since it will be spent mostly on the upper half of the walls.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, not much to say about day four other than, ouch. Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-27358421279278860722012-01-15T12:45:00.000-08:002012-01-15T12:58:13.653-08:00Work Space - Day Three<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Day two of my room makeover was pretty uninspiring. We had people come look at the house, so I had to move everything that I moved yesterday back to where it was to make the room presentable. That felt a little counterproductive.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, despite that setback, I still managed to get some sanding done. There were still a couple of spots that were wet, so I wasn’t able to get it all sanded nor was I able to start painting the undercoat as I had originally planned. That means that at the end of the day yesterday, everything looked about the same as day one and I was feeling a little frustrated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIa3fbXGWLTrwDvqJOTVi5l5UTtMD5ehiTVeZ3-BCfNHk5-3EdhsV2dVPPJDFPsgrFDcDS9_qzczmIvhPrwwGB08SHKF6QAicJokyc9DsSqExfQQyuTGAcAhCk6cCcUSfjjBKzdbvBg/s1600/swatches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIa3fbXGWLTrwDvqJOTVi5l5UTtMD5ehiTVeZ3-BCfNHk5-3EdhsV2dVPPJDFPsgrFDcDS9_qzczmIvhPrwwGB08SHKF6QAicJokyc9DsSqExfQQyuTGAcAhCk6cCcUSfjjBKzdbvBg/s320/swatches.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, I did get some paint swatches. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for colours, so I brought home a bit of a variety. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Day three has brought about a lot better results. I spent the morning sanding everything down again and then washing all of the walls again. There seems to be a pattern to this madness.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After getting a good layer of dust and grim on myself, I realized that I needed to go get a pan for the paint, so I carefully changed my shirt so that I’d be more presentable and then went out. When I was in the line to leave the store, I realized that I hadn’t done anything to fix my hair, face or pants, and all were covered in a good layer of white dust. Thank goodness I changed my shirt, or I would have looked ridiculous!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujUwK5yB0vgK0V_EakZLgWlfnVB_YwYzsSEC_COQ__ColUooLYtbIEfLbE7eStETf_KiZGm-vfHMFy2Sk1mPlJP9ik9NeMtcKgu5k3KlkW1_GjZZ_-gOpK3KPs5zBY0zMP27Wfo61CQ/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujUwK5yB0vgK0V_EakZLgWlfnVB_YwYzsSEC_COQ__ColUooLYtbIEfLbE7eStETf_KiZGm-vfHMFy2Sk1mPlJP9ik9NeMtcKgu5k3KlkW1_GjZZ_-gOpK3KPs5zBY0zMP27Wfo61CQ/s320/IMG_0643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally I got my first layer of paint down. The walls are now white. Well, sort of. Two walls are cream since I accidently took three cans of paint from my father that are all different colours. Oops. But it’s only an undercoat anyway. Once I get the final colour on tomorrow (hopefully) it shouldn’t make a difference.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although there have been a few setbacks, I still have hope that I’ll finish tomorrow. Thanks so much everyone for your support! I can't wait to have you all over when I've finished.</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-45967414862498090062012-01-13T16:01:00.000-08:002012-01-13T16:01:13.853-08:00Work Space - Day One<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TuO9f6sS5gnY8j0SRX_QdUOhywNYkpxmdeyhowmzYtpN7GVp_6YPNZKAgainsF8oYPIQXauL-FB_PhvMwJioId80xL6vP0KCz9d5pznVxc0_0k5z0f8AqKZhYzZybNCXlsHc4w-HNg/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TuO9f6sS5gnY8j0SRX_QdUOhywNYkpxmdeyhowmzYtpN7GVp_6YPNZKAgainsF8oYPIQXauL-FB_PhvMwJioId80xL6vP0KCz9d5pznVxc0_0k5z0f8AqKZhYzZybNCXlsHc4w-HNg/s320/IMG_0629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">For some time now I’ve been in need of a workroom, space where I can work on designs, illustrations, and write without distractions. We have a finished (more or less) basement that hasn’t been getting any use lately since it’s kind of dirty and not very pleasant to be in. Today I made the decision to turn the room into my office space.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, I’m not very good at handy work. In fact, I kind of suck. However, I’ve decided to take on this project all on my own, mostly. However, since I also don’t own any equipment to do this kind of work, my first move was to ask my father for what I’d need to fix up the walls.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAdDY85KZIZ3K7YvC-y0YjpAH-jrW0JoZNwqfSCHZrHa-R10Sn-bv5oI6V62PH9vEGEi15xPTN-O3Q4VzeTHJI_tCXhpX2sO3-o7FkgEX0zrG0bWfdlh1Id2R9f_0RpcSJrLohWjuew/s1600/IMG_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAdDY85KZIZ3K7YvC-y0YjpAH-jrW0JoZNwqfSCHZrHa-R10Sn-bv5oI6V62PH9vEGEi15xPTN-O3Q4VzeTHJI_tCXhpX2sO3-o7FkgEX0zrG0bWfdlh1Id2R9f_0RpcSJrLohWjuew/s320/IMG_0633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And this is what he came up with. Yeah. That’s a lot more than I was expecting, and probably more than I will ever use during this project. However, I guess it’s better to be prepared, though while I was making the ten trips back and forth from my truck I didn’t really think so.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My goal is to have the entire room completed by Monday. So far I am about on par with my goal since I wanted to get the walls washed and any holes patched, and I managed to do both. It took me about 3.5 hours of solid work. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cleaning took about two of those hours. I don’t think those walls have ever been washed before, and since part of the space was once used as a kitchen, so you can imagine the scum I was cleaning off. I also had a lot of meetings with spiders who were not so pleased with my cleaning routine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzt3EN4Ku-HMT7xVVds5H6adPhOrGj_fp1y9FUHNSu9SyOUu-C0ZZUgpEuYwYwKmVMdpLlBs6ktBBh5MNVjpjBBSJJcLHUhGdaTB6oki5LOfetqP9YPHyvWDr8ZtG6PYacWhGKqG-7A/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzt3EN4Ku-HMT7xVVds5H6adPhOrGj_fp1y9FUHNSu9SyOUu-C0ZZUgpEuYwYwKmVMdpLlBs6ktBBh5MNVjpjBBSJJcLHUhGdaTB6oki5LOfetqP9YPHyvWDr8ZtG6PYacWhGKqG-7A/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, at the end of day one, the place looks pretty messy, but for the first time since we moved in, I’m starting to get a feel for the space down there. Ideas and layouts are brewing in my brain as I work and I can’t wait to finish my very own workroom.</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-83044762002782995572011-11-17T09:40:00.000-08:002011-11-17T09:40:13.637-08:00NaNoWriMo Guide to Survival<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><i>I hit the halfway point of my <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a> novel yesterday. I’m still a little behind the goal for today, but I thought I would take a short break and tell you how to go about writing 50,000 words in a month the Christina G Gaudet way (aka wrong).</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step One</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Go in with one idea and on Day 1 change your mind and go with something completely different. This way all of those pesky ideas that you’ve been working out in your brain become completely useless and you’ll be starting off completely blind.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Two</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t bother writing every day. Who wants to write an easy 1667 words a day when you could write 5000 words in one go every three days? It’s way more fun when you’re constantly well below that goal line on the NaNoGraph. If you were actually on par, you might not get to experience that feeling of panic every time you sit down to write.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Three</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Plots are for losers. They just slow down the story and make it difficult for the characters to stand around doing nothing for three chapters at a time. Besides if you just keep writing, eventually a plot will emerge on its own. Either that or you’ll dig yourself into a deep hole that no amount of character killing and blowing things up can get you out of.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Four</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Give every person in that crowded room your writing about a name and make sure that the reader needs to remember each one for later. Every Joe Blow is a main character in your story after all. Except that one guy. No one really cares about him.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Five</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Have that one guy that no one cares about completely take over the story. Hey, maybe people will learn to care about him. And if not, you can always kill him off later.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Six</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just when you think you know where you’re going with the story, take a break, have a shower, go to sleep, whatever. When you get back to writing, you’ll have completely forgotten what you were doing and will have to spend a half hour trying to think of the same idea all over again.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Seven</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Have a scene in your head which you’ve been working toward the entire story, and when you finally get there, completely change that scene so that it’s nothing like the awesomeness that you first envisioned. For example, if your two characters have been building to an amazing romantic scene, get them there and then have them fight. To the death. That’s a way better idea anyway.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <b>Step Eight</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Know how people always say you should know how your story ends before writing the beginning? Well, in reality they are just jealous of you’re genius. You don’t have to have any idea how the story ends. It’ll end when you stop typing after the words “the end.” Who cares if anything was resolved or if the characters grew in any way. That stuff is for sissies.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Nine</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Got a male main character? Make him sound and act like a girl, or vise-versa. You don’t want to fall into stereotypes after all. And you really don’t want people to be able to picture the character in their head as their reading. That would be too easy. Make them work to find out what your character is really like by using lots of contradictions and character traits that are never mentioned more than once.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Step Ten</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When you get to the half way point of your story, make sure that you destroy everything that you’ve built up to that point with a giant explosion. You don’t need an established setting or main character. Get rid of them all, it will be like starting the book all over again!</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-12468700401749320152011-11-02T00:41:00.000-07:002011-11-02T00:41:26.485-07:00NaNoWriMo 2011<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">This year I’ve decided to join the frenzy of National Novel Writing Month. I’ve been getting no where in edits for my latest book, not because making the edits is particularly difficult, but just because I’ve been making excuses to not sit down and do it. NaNoWriMo is all about just sitting down and doing it, no matter how crappy the writing might be, and I think that’s important for me right now. Otherwise I’ll end up going another month or two or three not writing or editing anything.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For NaNoWriMo, I’ve set aside the novel that I’m editing and starting fresh. When I was deciding whether or not to attempt this crazy goal of writing 50,000 words in a month, I came to the decision that yes I would, mostly because I saw it as a way to start the sequel to Magic High. Unfortunately when I finally sat down to write yesterday evening, after putting it off all day, I realized that I needed to work on something completely different. Magic High and my new book have a similar feel to them, so I need to try refreshing my brain by writing something completely different.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, I’ll admit, the story that I’m going to work on isn’t completely new. I got the idea from reading one of my old story ideas I had sitting around on my computer. I’m completely reworking it and may even combine a couple of story ideas into one, so I’m not going in completely blind, but it’s also an idea that I haven’t had fresh in my mind for years. It feels new even if it isn’t.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So let the frenzy begin! 1788 words written in day one and hopefully I’ll be able to keep up the pace. Want to follow my progress or become a writing buddy? I’ve joined the <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo.org</a> site in hopes of gaining a little more incentive to finish. My name on there is cggaudet so go ahead and make me a buddy. Good luck to all you fellow writers and see you at the end of the month.</div>Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7073718322910688691.post-67071502096830187932011-09-18T14:08:00.000-07:002011-09-18T14:08:04.793-07:00New Design and Release Party<span style="color: #ae509e;"></span><br />
Looky looky at the new website design. As the official release quickly approaches for <i>Magic High,</i> (October 8th) I figured it was time to put a little magic in the website.<br />
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Talking about the official release, you might notice that it's a little bit late. As in, the book has been available for sale since the end of May 2011, and I'm finally having a release party in October 2011. There are reasons for this, and they aren't just me being lazy. One of the main reasons it's taken so long is because I was informed that having a summer release would end badly. As in no one would show up. Another reason is that I really wanted to have a release with my friend <a href="http://www.crazyary.com/">Brenda Hickey</a> who just released her debut graphic novel <i>In the Air.</i> Since her book only just came back from the publisher in late August, there was no way we could do an earlier release together.<br />
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So what's happening at this release party? Well, I'm going to do a short reading from <i>Magic High</i> and Brenda is going to read some of <i>In the Air</i> while projecting the illustrations on the wall. We're going to have a draw for a copy of our books and best of all we are going to meet some potential fans. Assuming people come of course.<br />
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This will all be happening October 8th, at Timothy's World Coffee in Charlottetown, PE, from 1:30 to 3:30 or whenever we finish up. Not going to be anywhere near Charlottetown? That's alright! You can celebrate right along with us right here on my website. Hope to see you then!Christina G Gaudethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17972427409505941695noreply@blogger.com0