August 31, 2011

Scene Writing Tips

Hi guys,

I just checked out my newest blog follower's own blog and I have to say, I am in love! She has some excellent tips for any aspiring Author. She is currently working on a Romantic Suspense Novel and is also a manuscript editor, writing coach, copyeditor and proofreader.

Check out the link below and I am sure you will follow her blog. I am certain you will all love it!

*Lynnette Labelle* @Chatterbox Chitchat: Scene Writing Tips - Part 2

Xoxo

August 29, 2011

Life goes on- Thank God!

Hi Guys!

I am so happy to be feeling better and being able to, once again, take my life back into my own hands. It has been the second time, as I previously said on the “Sick of being Sick” blog (http://bit.ly/oEIaBi ), that I get these incredible and nasty migraines. I have NEVER and I do mean NEVER been one to get sick, so it has been really challenging when you are left with nothing to do but agonize in bed for days on end. However, I seem to be better now – although the computer screen does make my eyes hurt a bit (dizzy), which means my 20/20 sight may not be so perfect anymore.. Vision appointment to be made soon along with a new Neurologist appt. I have heard marvelous things about him so I am crossing my fingers!

When I began feeling sick I was overcome, literally, by a new idea for a story. The waking minutes and hours I spent every day I plotted this story until I had it pretty much all set up, waiting for it to be written. Since the computer screen would make me sick, I started taking notes.


First, I made an outline with the chapters. I gave them all names so I will later on know what I was supposed to write.

Then, I assigned three pages to every chapter and wrote ideas, phrases the MC would say, feelings that needed to be expressed, etc.

And now, I am ready to write it all more in depth. This little system seems to work quite well I will say. I obviously haven’t started writing yet, but I already KNOW all that I need to know.. all there is left to write it neatly and for it to actually make sense.

I am pretty sure I will go back and do this for my already WIP (Work in Progress- for all you non writers) and even though I only have one chapter left to write, I will go back and most likely re-write some of it. It is the first full book I have written, EVER, so it is bound to have mistakes. I am excited to see what else I can uncover and add to “Feathermore” and make it even better than I believe it to already be.

What system do you use to write? Do you just get an idea and go from there? Do you outline? How do you outline? I have zero education in Literature and anything related to writing. I am solely basing it all on my imagination and love for books. All of your help will be greatly appreciated!
If you haven’t already, check out the Prologue, or may end up being Chapter 1 for “Feathermore” here: http://bit.ly/oRYakw

Thank you guys for your continuous support with my blog, through Twitter(@luceduceswing) and with my #amwriting :)

Luvs you all!

XOXO

August 24, 2011

Sick of being sick.. ugh

Hi-Yo!!!

If any of you listen to Elvis Duran and the morning show you will know what my greeting means. If you have never heard of them.. well you must! http://www.elvisduran.com
I know I know.. I have been MIA for quite a while now. I have been in what seems to me like my death bed. Since last Saturday I have been experiencing pounding headaches, nausea and the occasional dizzy spell (which, if physically possible, I would have loved to punch last night.) The Dr. Appointment has been scheduled for tomorrow morning and hopefully we will put all of this to rest. I am just so sick of being sick. I love taking care of my kids and being well to drop them off or pick them up.. This sucks!
It is with utterly effort I am writing at the moment. Glimpses at my phone or anything that makes my eyes strain make it all worse. So here lies my question: How do authors write when they are sick beyond belief? I have had plenty of time to think and dream and have come up with amazing new stories as well as new ideas to add to my almost done book.. but I can barely look at the screen (most of what I am writing is with my eyes closed. I know, I am so talented)



I have also seen on my twitter feed (@luceduceswing) many people I follow are sick as well, but in my case, unfortunately it is the second time the same symptoms disable me. The first time lasting for over a month.

So how do you guys work through it all? Do you just carry on and endure the pain?

Please leave a comment as I am intrigued by other writer’s methods!
Hope everyone has a great day and I cannot wait to be ME again!

Xoxo,
Lucy

August 17, 2011

Fun Questionnaire

Someone emailed me this and decided to share with you all! Feel free to copy and paste onto your own blog or as a comment with your own answers :)

Let's get started:

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

No, but I almost was and it was a really ugly name. So i got lucky!



WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED AND WHY?

Not a full blown cry, but i teared up while watching Transformers with my kids when Optimus Prime goes down.. And on 9/11 during Mass and watching all the coverage on T.V.


DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

Depends, I have my good days.



WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Salami! :) Or Boars Head Honey Rosted Ham or Proscuitto


DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

I do. 2: a girl (7) and a boy (3)


IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Hell Yeah! I dont want to brag, but i am a pretty damn good friend. I always give and I am always there when needed- the only problem is people take advantage and don't return the favors.



DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT?

Oh I sure do.



DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

yes. What kind of question is this..? I am sure everyone was just dying to know!

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Not in a million years.



WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Hmmm, I guess Frosted Flakes (Tiger cereal as my kids call it)


DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

I am ashamed to say I do not



DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Yeah, strong headed if thats what you meant ;)


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Argentine Dulce de Leche, Banana Split and Chocolate



WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE ?

Physically: Their eyes.
Otherwise, I like to read people. See how they move and talk. I am good at seeing through the bullshit.


RED OR PINK?

Pink (even though I am using Red on this blog haha)


WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

I trust people too easily and my FAT TOE man! I hate it...


WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST ?

My grandma, sister and nieces/nephews


WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

blue jeans and no shoes

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE ?

Turtle Brownie I just made.. ahhhhh, hits the spot!


WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

the dryer and X-MEN in the background


IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Purple or Black- though the smart answer would be White.. so no one uses me!


FAVORITE SMELLS?

Japanese Cherry Blossom from Body Works and my mom's night cleansing and moisturizing lotions.. Makes me feel like a little girl again!


WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

*checking* My mom


FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Ice Hockey and Football


HAIR COLOR?

Dark Brown

EYE COLOR?

Light Brown


DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

No. 20/20 baby


FAVORITE FOOD?

Anything that has chocolate or is fattening.. Pizza, Pasta, Red Meat, my hubs chicken marsala..


SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Can I say both? or at least mix them together.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

The King's Speech


WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

white with writting in Pink and Purple

SUMMER OR WINTER?

I love Fall, but i guess it will do with Winter (at least Florida winter!)


HUGS OR KISSES?

Depends..


FAVORITE DESSERT?

Right now.. Double Caramen Magnum Ice Cream. I also love my homemade rice pudding, chocolate mousse and strawberries and cream.


WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

"The Hollow" by Jessica Verday.


WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

Dont have one, i have a laptop


WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?

Nothing. Read.


FAVORITE SOUND?

Thunder, rain and my kids laughter


ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Rolling Stones


WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

USA. And since being in the U.S and living in Florida.. Las Vegas baby!


DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

Hopefuly it will be writing! ::wink::


WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Argentina


Now you all know me a little bit better :)

XOXO

August 16, 2011

My worst enemy

Hi Guys!

Daughter started school and luckily she loved the new school, hope this keeps up! I met with the teacher this morning, as I had never met her before, and I left feeling like I needed to take some etiquette class or something. Everyone is so proper and Catholic.. and there I walk in donning black skinny jeans, a black TWILIGHT t-shirt and my black Adidas..Totally not their style.
Ms. Fox did seem nice and hopefully all will go great!

I gotta say, I started writing my book the last week of June and ever since i have been staying until the wee hours of the night writing and then, whenever possible sleeping in. Going to bed now at 1am and waking up at 6 is no fun. Yesterday i took it in stride and was a ball of energy, today not so much. I am a grouch. After dropping of the kid in school we went to the gym, by we i mean hubby and 3yo son (who LOVES to go play at the daycare there as he gets to play basketball). I passed out as soon as i got back in the truck from talking to the teacher and at the gym i was a zombie. I had Dubstep station on Pandora at full blast but my energy was like my phone battery, in the low 30s. Now i am finally home and ready to tackle some writing.. although the bed is calling my name quite loudly.

This brings me to my actual post, geez, i can really get sidetracked. If you follow me on twitter (@luceduceswing) you might have read last night about chapter 26. Shy of 6,000 words and i had to delete it all. I didnt though, delete it that is. I simply copied it and saved it in a new doc. It is very frustrating when you change a MINIMAL detail and BAM! you have to re write everything! I am sure with time i will get used to it and it wont be so much work to fix it, but for now.. the Delete button is my worst enemy.




Have you had any stories like this one? What have you had to erase and why?

Well kiddos, i am really debating if it is writing time or sleepy time. Decisions, decisions, decisions..

Muah!

August 13, 2011

Improve your writing

I, for starter, am doing everything I will talk about below. That I am succeeding? Well, that may be a different story. I have no training in writing, nor have I taken any classes other than ENC1101 (Composition I) in college about six years ago and it has all since then been forgotten.
When I began writing my book it was incredibly hard. Sure one thinks "It's only writing! How hard could it be?" Well, very hard, let me tell you!
You may have an idea in your head and you will start writing it, but it doesn't come through the way you expected it and you are not happy with it. You will probably re-write it a good amount of times before you are mildly satisfied and can move on.
Other times you will stare at the page or blank word document and will wonder where the heck to start. What are you trying to bring across? It has happened to me where NOTHING I write pleases me. But I did read from one of the Authors I like to not think about it too much, and just... write. Whatever comes to your head just type it, even if it looks something like this: "Don't want to get up and cook, Poop what to do? Kids stop fighting let’s all be nice I need to clean." Yup, it's a mixture of my thoughts and no grammar correction, JUST WRITE. Once you start implementing this, it will slowly but surely become easier to let go and let it flow out of your mind. When I began writing I was so concerned on my spelling and my grammar. Was that comma in the right place (most of the times it wasn't). Now, I am not a pro at all of this, but I am just passing down some of the tips that have helped me writing the 65,389 words I already have for my book.




Let me just write a list of things that have helped me, how is that? Ok, here we go:

1. WRITE EVERY SINGLE DAY! (I cannot stress this enough. Even if it is a shopping list, what you have done during the day, what caught your eye if you were out and about? Anything, it will help to make it easier later on)

2. Don't go crazy over grammar and spelling. Once you are all done with what you wanted to write, THEN go back and edit and re check everything.

3. Read, and read widely. You have to read as much as you possibly can in your genre as well as those you may not like so much. It will open your mind to new ideas and different styles of writing.

4. B.I.C - If you haven't seen my first post ever, it means Butt In Chair. Sit down and write, it is the only way to get it done. Minimize your distractions (trust me I haven’t mastered this one yet. Its summer break and I have my kids with me 24/7, so i attempt to write during the day at times and other times, i stay until 4am trying to get it done)

5. Find a comfortable spot where you can write. I sometimes seat in the couch and my butt goes numb in less than an hour, my back hurts... yes, comfortable spot a must! Right now I am happily typing from bed.. ahhhhh!

6. Keep pen and paper next to your bed. A lot of times you will wake up with an idea or a dream that was nothing short of amazing and tell yourself you will write it in the morning. Well don't. You will most likely not remember it or won't remember those all important details about it. So keep that pen and paper handy and just scribble it down. I am not saying write a whole page, but just what it was, how it made you feel, any details of the setting you may remember, etc.

Well guys, I sure hope this is helpful! Please add to the list if you have other tips :) You are always welcome to leave comments!

Have a wonderful day!

XOXO

August 12, 2011

Prologue- not

Ok, so I really want to share more with you all about my book BUT, i cant really give the details out yet. Gotta keep it under wraps, you know? So, being the nice person I am, I wrote a little bit more of what could go in the prologue, following what i had already posted.
Below, you will find the regular prologue and in bold is what would come next. If you wanna take a jab at what it is all about, knock yourself out :)

Hope you enjoy it!

"I knew what was happening even if I didn’t know the reason why. I was falling, it was unmistakable. Surely I must have hoped loud enough they had actually heard me, but what did this mean? The air moved around me with great velocity but as I glanced around me, instead everything moved with such delicacy.
What ever would I do once I arrived? Will I even remember this past life? I closed my eyes and resigned myself to the feeling of peace the wind beneath brought to me. Soon enough it will all be over.


I finally reached the ground. The descent had left me feeling such pleasure, I wanted to fall some more, but this was where I had to be. A wave of energy spread back and forth across my skin as each cell began its transformation. This was how I was being born. I opened my eyes momentarily and glanced around at the colorful world. The trees stood tall, casting shadows like great carpets unrolled from their bases. The sky was above me, like a dome closed over a music box I was carefully placed in. I had never seen anything more beautiful, or had I? I shook my head, as if the haziness would be cleared into focus again. What was happening to me? In fact, where was I?
I took a few steps trying to balance myself on a fallen tree trunk. I wasn’t used to walking on these feet. I looked down wiggling the toes. With a smile I realized it was going to be an exciting ride.
"



Again, the part in BOLD letters doesn't go in the book, i just simply made it up to give you all another taste of it :)
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

XOXO

August 11, 2011

Good Reads

Hey everyone, I went ahead and signed up for Good Reads, so you can now check some of my read books and i will be adding more soon as well as reviews.
The weather is crap today, I got one kid in bed sick and the other suprisingly subdued- hence loads of time on the computer. Although I should really get onto writing the book more than anything. Anyways, check it out. Click on the banner below:




Lucy's books


Evermore
Blue Moon
Shadowland
Dark Flame
Night Star
Everlasting
Hush, Hush
Crescendo
Fallen
Torment
Passion
Twilight
Eclipse
New Moon
Breaking Dawn
The Da Vinci Code
Angels & Demons
Digital Fortress
Marked
Betrayed



Lucy Swing's favorite books »


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Hope you all have a wonderful day!

XOXO

August 8, 2011

What lurks in the Darkness

I took a little break from writing for the book and just decided to write whatever came to my mind, and after revising once, this is what I produced.

“The echoing of my own screams were deafening. Couldn’t he hear it? We once were so connected, two bodies sharing the same soul. I tried to take a step forward, my arms stretched. The darkness had finally enveloped itself around me. The pain felt it could easily shatter every ounce of my being if I gave in to it completely. The agony was piercing, but I wouldn’t allow it to claim me, not when I knew he was out there. I knew he was seeking, but would he find me in time?

I tried to feel my way around but all there was was the blackness. Infinite darkness; the same that had once been my life, before he had come along and erased every trace of it off of my mind. But now, here I was. There was no escaping it this time, but I still clung to the hope he would find a way. He must. I just had to hold on, just a little bit more, before it swallowed me whole.”
©Lucy Swing
©Feathermore4life

What do you all think? Who knows- maybe one day I will make this an actual story!
Well, it is 4:12am and I need some sleep.. Kids will most likely be up by 7:30..

Have a good night!

Check out my books on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/profile/lucyswing

August 7, 2011

Invisible Messenger

Sunday Funday, after a day of shopping at the mall, i am finally sitting in the couch- my book ready to be finished and my blog, my new little baby, ready for an update.
My good friend, Mike, who is also helping me with said book, emailed me the following a couple nights ago and i felt like i should share. He is amazingly brilliant and a great poet.

Please let him know what you think :)


a pane of glass peers silently forever
but the wind carries with it devils
they steal the power of this invisible messenger
and leave behind a blind shattered pile


below is a new canyon
its edges corroded with time
and everywhere there are slight changes
we are carried away into new skies


if there was ever a moment
when the slightest betrayal was seen
of the monumental truth of what holds us
then all sorrows would drown in the sea


so we dream, and we think we realize
that the images are just simply to be dreamed
but when there are evidences of our footsteps
we will see them again in the end

©Michael Perez
©Feathermore4life

Check out my books on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/profile/lucyswing

August 6, 2011

Barney Stinson

Barney Stinson

First it was “Friends”- my all-time favorite TV show. After I cried for a whole day and a half when it was over, I never thought I would love any other TV show as much, then came “How I Met your Mother.” And with it, it brought the awesomeness that is Barney Stinson. I am totally in love with this character and often being found quoting him, so I will dedicate this blog to the Legen- wait for it- Dary man of the hour, Mr Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris if you will)




Top 7 Quotes:

1. “Think of me like Yoda, but instead of being little and green I wear suits and I'm awesome. I'm your bro—I'm Broda!”

2. “Okay, pep talk! You can do this, but to be more accurate, you probably can't. You're way out of practice and she's way too hot for you. So, remember, it's not about scoring. It's about believing you can do it, even though you probably can't. Go get 'em, tiger!”

3. “It's gonna be legend-... wait for it... and I hope you're not lactose intolerant because the second half of that word is DAIRY!” ------ I absolutely LOVE this quote!!!!

4. “Jesus waited threedays to come back to life. It was perfect! If he had only waited one day, a lot of people wouldn't have even heard he died. They'd be all, "Hey Jesus, what up?" and Jesus would probably be like, "What up? I died yesterday!" and they'd be all, "Uh, you look pretty alive to me, dude..." and then Jesus would have to explain how he was resurrected, and how it was a miracle, and the dude'd be like "Uhh okay, whatever you say, bro..." And he's not gonna come back on a Saturday. Everybody's busy, doing chores, workin' the loom, trimmin' the beard, NO. He waited the perfect number of days, three. Plus it's Sunday, so everyone's in church already, and they're all in there like "Oh no, Jesus is dead", and then BAM! He bursts in the back door, runnin' up the aisle, everyone's totally psyched, and FYI, that's when he invented the high five. That's why we wait three days to call a woman, because that's how long Jesus wants us to wait.... True story.”

5. “In my body, where the shame gland should be, there is a second awesome gland. True story.”

6. “God, it's me, Barney. What up? I know we don't talk much, but I know a lot of girls call out your name because of me.”

7. “Attention, Canada! My name is Barney Stinson, and your country needs to A, get better money, it's like you want us to make fun of you; and B, stop letting women like Robin Scherbatsky get away, because she is going back to America, where I plan to plant my flag on her, if you know what I mean, and you probably don't.”

And I cannot forget my Marshall’s favorite quote of all time

“"Here’s the thing Barney, I’m snuggly, you’re not. Who wouldn’t want to snuggle up to this business on a Sunday morning? Wrapped up in a comforter and it’s raining outside and there’s muffins warming in the over… I’m cuddly bitch, deal with it."”


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August 5, 2011

I shouldn't do this

I know I REALLY should not do this, but I am excited to hear from everyone what you think of the draft of my prologue.

Here it goes:

"I knew what was happening even if I didn’t know the reason why. I was falling. It was unmistakable. Surely I must have hoped loud enough they had actually heard me, but what did this mean? The air moved around me with great velocity but as I glanced around me, instead, everything moved with such delicacy.
What ever would I do once I arrived? Will I even remember this past life? I closed my eyes and resigned myself to the feeling of peace the wind beneath brought to me. Soon enough it will all be over."


©Lucy Swing/ Feathermore4life

::Bites nuckle::

A little tease to get everyone wondering, let me know what you guys think!

You can also follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/luceduceswing

Have a great day y'all!

August 4, 2011

The Howling

My eyes are stinging as I have been on the laptop for the majority of the day. First of, I would love to send a shout out to Rachel Thompson, aka @RachelintheOC, for such a great webinar today. If you haven't yet, go and follow her on twitter. She is the Author of "A walk in the Snark." Find the link to the left of the page if you would like to read it!

I was doing some last minute writing and jamming to Pandora when one of my favorite songs started playing. I thought i would share it with you all, I know, I am so nice!

Below is the official music video for Within Temptation - The Howling



And since we are already here, please find Within Temptation's - Angels. Another one i love!



Hope you all have a great night!

Xoxo,

Lucy

Random Thoughts

Hi world!

Becca Fitzpatrick just tweeted me, so I am featuring her with both her books (which i love and have on my bookcase in front of me.) You can click on them to purchase!



This morning was brutal. I stayed up until past three in the morning writing last night and had to leave my characters in a very hot and heavy embrace :) I am finally getting my fix of caffeine- after i attempted to be good and eat some kiwis and strawberries for breakfast, but if you know me you know that is just not me. So i followed with turtle brownie i had made and now my sweet coffee.

Some super random that have crossed my head since i woke up:

"Kids!!! get in here!" I yelled after my seven and three year old to come into the dining room. The walk out of their rooms to find me on top of a chair pointing at something on the floor. My daughter looks at it and then turns to me, "Ma, its just a worm."
"Well kill it!" I say back to her, until it hits me- i am acting like a moron. I grabbed the vacuum (as i CANNOT touch bugs, even with napkins or what not) and vacuumed it up. My daughter rolled her eyes, giggled and went back to playing with her Little Pet Shops.

------------

If you are going to be fixing up your house or are considering getting new floors, listen to my advice: DO NOT GET DARK WOOD FLOOR! They look absolutely gorgeous, but are a pain in the butt to clean- take my word for it! Every tiny piece of dust or dirt is extremely visible.

------------

What are your thoughts (Authors) on sex in Y.A. Novels? Any advice you could share? Some Do's and Don'ts?

Well, this was fun, but it is time for me to get back to my characters!

Hope everyone has an amazing day.

Xoxo,
Lucy

August 2, 2011

Kids



Hi!!

Does the apple ever fall far from the tree? I didnt think so. As i sit quietly on the couch and all that fills the air is the clicking on the laptop, my daughter kneals on the floor and writes her own story on her little notebook about Rapunzel. She keeps turning back at me and asking about spelling and excitedly tells me she already has eleven lines filled with words. Every once in a while makes me read it out loud to make sure it makes sense and then gets back to writing.
"Mommy, have you writen as much as i have?" And she shows me her notebook.
I look over at my laptop screen and look at the page number i am on, 140.
It is amazing how everything we do rubs off on them. I have already told my husband, Erin make a great writer one day. She has the craziest dreams and stories to tell ever. One dream consisted of vampires, sharks, fairies and giants. A 7 year old mind is full of great things, i may need to start writing it all down. For future reference, of couse.

Here she is busy at work.


What a wonderful day i am having today and i only hope, you are too!

Thanks for reading!

August 1, 2011

What to do when-

Hi everyone,

I was finally able to spend a whole weekend at the beach (no rain included this time). However, i am totally sunburnt- which i hate as much as i hate spiders! But anyways, i laid out, swam in the ocean and had enough time to almost finish a 700 page book, so here lies my dilemma:

What do you do when you wrote a book and then , leisurely read someone else's, and a lot of the stuff you wrote is in their book?? I got so aggravated and feel like i need to change my book because i made sure to not have anything that resembles anyone elses book. For all Editors, Agents and Publishers: what would you do if a book resembled the details of another, already published, one? Me no likey this.

Today is time for some school supply shopping for my kiddies and hopefully a long writing session in the afternoon or late night.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

PS, you can leave a comment, i promise i wont bite!

Lucy

Hardcovers coming soon!

 You read that right! Hardcover copies will be available for all four books soon!  However, I am starting with the latest release - A DARK L...