Dust It Off & BMM - Learned from WIP

Today is the last day for the Dust It Off hosted by Cortney Pearson and Theresa Paolo!

The third day, May 7th: Post what you learned from this WIP. You become a stronger, more rounded writer which each manuscript and we want to know what this particular work taught you.

I didn’t enter this Bloghop to win the prizes. In fact I probably shouldn’t win. First, I don’t have any type of query and don’t even have the desire to write one until I finish my WIP and have it polished. Second, I don’t have a full manuscript to critique. I wish I did but unfortunately I do not. And this is why I participated in the Bloghop in the first place – to dust Unsurvive off and get back to writing and finishing it.

Hmmm… what have I learned? I learned NOT to GIVE UP on myself so easily.
I learned to TRUST! You guys were so nice to take the time to stop by and read my Pitch and Excerpt. Then you wonderful bloggers had some great things to say and really made me feel like I can be more open and trustworthy with my WIP’s.

I learned to BELIEVE in my children. They had/have the best ideas for writing a book that will appeal to them and adults. This led me to think that I should probably change my YA Horror to MG Horror. The kids gave me tips on how I should change a scene, make it more appealing, and they even had great SCARY concepts they wanted to see added. Each one wanted have a kill by the end of the book… did you get that? They [my kids] wanted to have a kill. Yup, you guessed it; those are my kids in my WIP. Why did I put my kids in it? Well I received a great tip from a twitter pal who suggested, when I was having a hard even getting started, to replace my protags with my children. This will give my writing passion and have me feel it more. She was right. I have never had more desire for writing than I did after adding my kids to the story.

Lastly… I wanted to say THANK YOU! You were all so kind to stop by and say such nice things. It gives me the power and thirst to finish this WIP.

And this is what I have learned!

Mondays: May I tell you something about writing?
This can be anything writing-related. A post on craft. A post on your process. A snippet of your WIP, if you like to share. A book on craft that you want to recommend. Things you struggle with. Things you rock at. ANYTHING at all! 

The post above is for both Bloghops! There, how easy was that.

 Have a great Monday!

Dust It Off Bloghop- Excerpt YA Horror

Today is May 5th and other than it being Cinco de Mayo it's also the second part of the Dust It Off Bloghop hosted by Cortney Pearson and Theresa Paolo!


The second day, May 5th: Post your favorite excerpt (300-350 words)

It'a hard trying to put info into such a small excerpt so I just went with my gut and posted the beginning. We learn along the way (through out the WIP) what their ages are and their interests and what makes them strong and weak. If you would like to know the ages just ask in the comments I will be more then happy to share.

Hope you enjoy!

“Gabe, she’s getting heavy. Can you take her for a while?” Alexis has been carrying Lani since we passed on staying in house with the creeper.

It was too risky. He, well what appeared to be a man, wouldn’t have been my first kill but I didn’t have the strength to trap another sickling. I’m too tired myself and don’t have the energy to stand let alone kill.

“Why can’t we stop? My feet hurt.” Kylar whined.

“Yeah, I’ll take her,” I held out my arms, “and we can’t stop Kylar. It’s too dangerous. There’s a house up ahead. We’ll check it out.”

“I wish mom was here.” Alexis declared.

“Mommy?” Lani asked in her sweetest whisper.

“Alex! Sometimes I swear you’re dumber than a box of rocks.” Great, now I’m starting to sound like Mom and Dad. They always said Alexis was the smartest out of all of us cause she knew how to play dumb. But I don’t think she’s playing. “Sorry.” I hate telling her I’m sorry.

“It’s ok. I keep forgetting Lani doesn’t understand.”

“I don’t understand.” Kylar admitted.

“None of us do.” It was the truth. The only thing I remember from the other night is mom waking me up in a fuss and cramming us into the attic. Alexis was dazed and asking her usual twenty questions when mom shoved Lani into her arms, Kylar was following us like an obedient calf lead by his mother, and I was told to get the radio and the emergency kit. Emergency kit. Boy did I have a rude awakening. Literally.

Two days had passed being trapped in that forsaken hideaway and the only food we had were chocolate bars and they only lasted the first day. Dad never made it home from work and when mom lowered the ladder to check if the coast was clear, she immediately drew it closed. We were trapped. The house was swarming with creepers which are better than the runners.  They’re the worst.

“What was that?” Alex whispered slowly pulling Kylar closer to her.

“Shhh–”

“Doggie!” Lani squealed.

“RUN!”

Dust It Off and Blog Me MAYbe Bloghops

So where to begin...

Two bloghops...

How about we do the Dust It Off Bloghop first,

hosted by Theresa Paolo and Cortney Pearson.

The first day, May 3rd: We want you to post a 1-2 sentence pitch (Great way to practice pitches) about the shelved WIP.

I shelved this WIP cause I couldn't finish it. I was dealing with some tricky stuff. Do I or Don't I kill off someone. I'm using this WIP in hopes off jumpstarting my passion to finish it.

Title: Unsurvive
Genre: YA Horror
Length: goal 80,000

A thirteen year old boy’s only hope for survival is his grandparent's home, but with three younger siblings to care for and the living dead lurking around every corner, the trek there could be the last mistake they ever make.

Now the Blog Me MAYbe Thursdays: May I tell you something about someone else?

My closest friend of 13 years is my complete opposite when it comes to being girly. Of course I love being girly in the time of need; but do not love shoes or read love books, study fashion in NY, or design purses and shoes. She is very adventurous though. She loves sky-diving and travels everywhere. I love her for everything she is and she is my naughty counterpart. You wanna hear some great partying stories? We have them. How about that one time when - no, not appropriate. Or maybe that time when - no can't tell that one either.

Jaimie and I played 20 questions and here they are...

1.) Can you tell me again about the first time you remember meeting me?

Well I had just started dating your brother, and he said we were going to go to his sister's house. So we get there, and you are sitting there, hubby #1 and (his bestfriend) Gabe (I think) are playing a video game and we're just sitting on the couch hanging out. You were pregnant with baby #1 and you said Sorry we're not much fun. And then you were telling us some story about mice or rats in your apartment.

2.) What trip would you do with me again; going to Cedar Point or New York?

Definitely NYC. We had crap weather the whole weekend while you were there. I would like you to see the real New York where everyone is out. 

3.) What’s your favorite memory of us?

How the hell am I supposed to pick a favorite memory?? I have so many memories, they are all my favorites :) What's YOUR favorite memory of us?

4.) What would you do if you were made to celebrate your birthday on ONE day and ONE day only?

Well, this would never happen...but if for some crazy reason I had only one day to celebrate, I would get up early, go shopping for some birthday treats to myself, probably at least a pair of shoes, and an outfit or two. After that, I would have a nice lunch with Luke somewhere yummy, maybe Salvatori's (if you haven't tried it, you need to. It'll change your life), then we'd go home and have some amazing sex, shower, and then I'd start the long process of getting ready for my birthday party! We would meet up with everybody important to me for dinner and drinks maybe at club soda or baker street (because this is my fantasy and money is no object!) after that we would go to flashbacks where they would only play the awesome old music that make us dance and laugh and sing along to at the top of our lungs! After we closed the bar down, we would go to IHOP and eat lots of yummy food like hashbrowns and bacon! Then Luke would take me home and put me in bed. And that might just be the best birthday I've ever dreamt of. Keep this, it might the plan for next year :)

5.) If we were to get another tattoo together, but this time about us, what would it be? 

Maybe the Chinese symbol for sisters

Name only one thing from each category below that you would want if you were stranded on a deserted island

6.) Movie? 

Almost Famous. Weird that we'll have a tv and dvd player on a deserted island :)

7.) Book?

umm...since I'm trapped on a desert island, I probably want some light reading so I'll take something by Lauren Weisberger or Emily Giffin

8.) TV show?

New Girl! 

9.) Ethnicity of food i.e. Italian, Mexican, etc?

Mmm probably Italian.

10.) Mountain Dew or Beer?

Hmm...is it ice cold? Nothing tastes better on a hot deserted island than an ice cold beer. On the other hand...warm mountain dew is pretty nasty.

11.) Bikini or One Piece? And you can only have ONE swim suit.

Bikini. I would probably pick a comfy one, either my white plaid one or my teal striped boyshorts w/ teal top.

12.) Lip Gloss or Mascara?

Lip Gloss! I can't go anywhere without mascara, but if I'm on a desert island no one will see me, my lips will know they are dry.

13.) Sleeping Arrangements: Cot or Hammock?

Hammock! I love those things :)

14.) You can only take 5 things from your apartment; what would they be?

Hmmm...chapstick, my fav picture of Luke, sunscreen, kindle, and my phone. I originally had Rambo (her cat) on here, but he'd probably starve. I'd like to think my sister or Luke would think of him once they heard I was stranded and take care of him while I'm away.

15.) Would you exercise or relax? Probably relax at first, but depending on how long I'm stranded I would get bored, and start working out. 

About yourself

16.) What is the best part about waking up in the mornings?

I suppose I should say the best thing about waking up in the mornings is the fact that I'm waking up to enjoy another day, but honestly since I'm not a morning person, nothing seems good about waking up in the mornings. Unless it’s summer and I don't have to work, or Luke is in my bed :)

17.) What is the biggest accomplishment you’ve done in the past year?

I would say the fact that I'm in a real, grown up relationship, and I've taken steps to do what I really want to do with my life

18.) Something you haven’t done but want to in the future?

See my shoe designs in stores!

19.) Biggest regret if there is any? 

I wish I would've given New York more of a chance while I was there. Maybe stayed and did an internship, and gotten a job out there after school. Sometimes I wish I had, but then I wouldn't have met Luke, so mostly I'm glad things turned out like they did.

20.) Tell me something about yourself that I might not know.

Well, with the encouragement of Luke, I am contacting people and doing research and writing up a business plan to design my own shoes and bags! I'm very excited, though it's going to be a long, slow process.