Why I Should Join IPCA

IPCA (The International Paranormal Containment Agency) needs me. Seriously. Why, you might ask? Because I have found a new strand of paranormals that is far more powerful and frightful than any other breed out there!

For instance, it has two bi-colored eyes, a mouthful of teeth and will literally eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Beware. The markings on it's fur coat indicate that it is from a far-away land. A land that is filled with cold climates and vast snow storms. Unfortunately, they have started to migrate across the world at an alarming rate. With no glamours to hide their unusual nature it can't be long before the majority population of "normals" discover their frightening presence. This breed must be contained before it is too late (not to mention the fact that if we enlist them we'll have a new source for transportation along with their many attributes towards nabbing strange creatures).

Some things to look for:
As said above, bi-colored eyes (usually one brown and one blue).
Two rows of sharp teeth.
Takes on a canine appearance, but is really a patience-eating, poop machine.
Occasionally howls/yowls. Usually during the hours of limited slumber.
Likes to be let out to use the bathroom 10 times a day or more. As said, POOP MACHINE.
Sometimes pretends to be cute. Don't let it fool you.
Has thick coat of fur and black snout.
Sharp claws.
Likes to jump on people and pant in excitement.
Will eat anything, including fireworks, raisinets, batteries, and a few splinters off of the leg of one's favorite chair.

If you see one of these:




Please report the paranormal directly to me. At this time I am still petitioning IPCA about the dangers that this breed of paranormals presents. Again, beware.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, and would like to find out, you're going to have to wait until the book Paranormalcy by Kiersten White comes out on August 31. If you can't wait that long (like me, heh :D), here's a few contests that are giving away an advanced reader's copy:
Kiersten Writes -This is the author's blog! :D

The Publication Follies of Alexandra Shostak -This is Alexandra Shostak's blog!

Babbling Flow -And this is Sara McClung's blog!

7 ARC Giveaway!

Babbling Flow, a blog by Sara McClung, is giving away 7, that's right, SEVEN amazing ARCs! Want a chance at 'em? Check out the contest! The books include:

The Clockwork Angel
Firelight
Halo
Torment
Personal Demons
Paranormalcy
The Replacement

Are you as stoked as I am? The link is in my sidebar, but I'll make it easy for you :D
Babbling Flow

Good luck everyone! :D

Enter Daytime Sandman

The mind is a complex and beautiful thing. It's where all of those ideas pop up. The little ones and the great, big ones. Have you ever just let it wander? I know that my nickname is 'spacey katie' for a reason. I've been known for my glazed-over eyes and random thoughts. It's especially entertaining with music in the background.

Sometimes, your mind just needs a chance to dream. I know that I constantly dream. Dreaming is one of my greatest hobbies. It brings peace and passion together in such great force that the only thing I can do is write. Write about the love and freedom I feel in my dreams.

Another tip for writers:
Put down the pen, pencil, step away from the keyboard. Take a moment to dream about your story.

That's all I got today.

Outline

I don't know about you- but I like my sleep. I just happen to like coffee too though. Why can't ANYTHING be simple? :)

There are so many different ways to write a book. One of the questions I asked you about, oh I don't know SEVERAL weeks ago, was whether or not you were a plotter, or one of those fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writers. I do believe that there is a type of writer that can be both though. I'm probably one of them, though not a very good one when it comes to choosing the ladder.

During the last week of June, I finished outlining my novel. "Finished" is a very fragile word though and I don't like using it, because truly, when is a writer's outline every TRULY finished? Never.

I used the afore-mentioned handbook that I purchased from Amazon "The Author's Outline..." by Abra Ebner. It helped me IMMENSELY! You have no idea. I'm the kind of writer that's not used to planning every step of my book out. Hence, why I have not been able to actually finish a book perhaps? I believe so. But the truth is, you can outline, write three chapters, fifty pages, have a whole WORLD full of ideas inside that pretty little head of yours and STILL not be able to get it out on paper...

Writer's block is a b*tch.

I think, since we've discussed "doubts" in the previous post and all that THAT entails, you can understand where I'm coming from and why my words are NOT. Pesky little issues that writing deals with, I tell you. But I am trying. And I will keep trying. I think one must set their own deadline in order to truly get it over with. I have so many dreams concerning the literary world with my book in it, and I need to get them realized.

Excuses can be a problem as well. You see, for the past ten days I have had my best friend visit me all the way from Boise, Idaho. Now THAT is a very viable excuse for my lack of writing in all areas (*cough* blog included *cough*) and therefore, I think that I can get away with June's lack of a fourth post :)

I love writing. And I dream of a completed book. Soon hopefully. I give myself one year to have at LEAST one fully written, possibly un-edited manuscript!

And with that goal being written, I will continue discussing outlines. I get so easily steered off course with these posts...

Outlines. Outlining. It is no easy task. I forced myself to finish outlining my novel, because let's face it, it is LONG overdue. So, the steps that I took (using my nifty little handbook- thank you, Abra) were first characters and their descriptions (including their goals in the story), THEN the setting/stage for the story (whether it was real or imaginary- plot that all out), and of course the plot (including whether or not one had several points of view or just the main character's). Inside the plot section there came to be a planning of chapters. This takes the longest (or at least it did for me). It was weird when I was finished outlining. I have this whole skeleton of a story laid out before me and I have to liven it up with all that words can spice? It was more daunting than relieving. Maybe, I just scare easily, but... at least part one of the journey is complete! Now it is writing :) Back to it then!