Writing Advise: Trouble Editing?

I ran into a problem. I don't like editing. I never have, though. For the past couple of years, I really haven't been able to touch my book. I feel like I've been neglecting it since Sophomore year. I didn't read it my second or third year of college. My Sophomore year I tried to write my third book Cannon. Needless to say, I did write it--400 pages worth...that I'm COMPLETELY rewriting...not yet, but at some point.

You guys know over the summer I presented my query and asked for help. I got so many wonderful responses and help and finally think I have a query I love. I just need agents to love it too. Also, while rewriting my query, I rewrote the first five chapters of my book. I love that too, now. I still feel tired of my book though.

I say that. I say, "I hate you!"
But my friend said, "You say you hate it, but you really don't."

And I don't. I think the reason I'm so stressed about whether or not I like my book is because I want it to be perfect, but I haven't been able to read it in forever, and I don't know if I have the motivation for that.

I asked my professor about this. (Her name is Honoree Jeffers, you can google her and read her poetry. She's wonderful). She said put it aside for 2 years. She warned me I wouldn't like her advise.

I agree with her. I think I should put it aside, problem is, I feel like I have put it aside for 2 years. lol. She said work on something new. Which I have been doing recently. However, school and writing is very hard to balance.

She also, however, gave more advise on writing and school. She said get up earlier because you're still in that 'dream-like' state and your thoughts will flow faster. She also said get up around the same time to do this.

I need to try this and be dedicated to it.

What about everyone else? Have you guys found you have trouble editing? What do you think the reason is for?

Today I found something amazing!

Well, in my opinion, it was amazing.

Blind/Deaf Shelter Dogs

Go ahead and click on the link! I was so happy I did! See, this really hits home with me because my boyfriend's parents are deaf. I've seen the way people react to deaf people, they either think they're rude, or they aren't as smart as the hearing, when nothing in their lifestyle is different except the fact that they cannot hear.

Sometimes, I think it would be better to be deaf--I think this lifestyle makes you more patient, more caring, more accepting of others. I also have this incredible fascination with sign language, I wish I knew it well. I'm not very good yet, but I hope I will be someday! Deaf communities are really amazing, too and so close-knit! It's like a family.

Anyways, the point is, these doggies and kitties are exactly that--doggies and kitties. They are the same as any other dog. Deaf doggies and kitties can learn sign language too--just like babies can learn sign language and communicate with you before they speak. I think that's amazing, don't you?

My boyfriend and I are going to check into adopting a deaf dog or cat. I'm very excited to have this opportunity! I hope you guys will share this link, or at least think differently about these perfectly beautiful, wonderful animals. I think this is a wonderful organization, and until today, though I know of the deaf community, I hadn't considered how endangering deafness could be to an animal. It really isn't fair for them to lose their life just because they have to communicate differently.

Ideas and Blog Award!!

Let's see, what to begin with first...

The lovely Charlotte from Charlotte On The Web (so clever!) gave me a wonderful, very sweet (literally) blog award!

*NomNom*

So, I think we're all kinda 'ehhh...' on the things about me thing by now, so I'm gonna ask my character, Leaf Tinavin some questions...(he can be grumpy).

Me: So, seven questions for the Elf!

Leaf: *Annoyed stare*

Me: You're not one for hiding how you feel, are you...anyways....Let's see. What kind of Elf are you?

Leaf: In the Orient there aren't any particular race of Elves. We're all just that--Elves. Once, a long time ago, there were difference races of Elves, but at this point, we're a dying race. We stay on our island and don't usually bother with the world. If you really wanted an answer, I'd have to say I was descended from a line of water elves...hence my occupation.

Me: Which is piracy, but you are also a Prince. How do you handle both extremes?

Leaf: My occupation as a pirate has helped my race out immensely. I'd tell you how, but you probably don't want to ruin the ending of your book.

Me: Right. Well...what's your favorite weapon and why?

Leaf: It all depends on who I'm fighting. I've saved a lot of lives with my bow, and it works pretty well at sea, however, there is nothing like a good sword fight.

Me: Cool! So, between you and me, in a match between Barren and Cove, who would win?

Leaf: That's difficult. They'd probably tire each other out...I'd say they'd both lose.

Me: You're a real friend, you know that? That's not a question BTW!

Leaf: You're cheating.

Me: *ignoring the Elf while scanning my list of questions* I've always wondered what your favorite color was. You always wear green.

Leaf: I like green. Green is good.

Me: Helpful...helpful stuff. Okay, If you could live in any castle in The Orient, where would you live?

Leaf: My own in Aurum. I did not fight a war just to leave it vacant.

Me: But you're always sailing, you leave it vacant all the time!

Leaf: That's not by choice! The sea calls me. You wouldn't understand.

Me: Try me!

Leaf: You know what piracy is like? It's not about the plunder, treasure, taking lives--that's...that's what  people want to see...and they started to view us as criminals. It's about adventure, it's a passion, a love for the sea that's unending. We are born with this, and to ignore it is to go mad...

Me: *unsure of what to do now that Leaf had his moment*


That probably wasn't seven questions, but Leaf get's impatient! *crosses arms*.

Now, I'll pass this sweet thing on to 5 new followers!

Shain Brown
Julius Cicero (epic name!!)
Krystal Wade
Blaire Kensley
Michelle Moloney-King

Check out these wonderful blogs! Please. lol.

Now, I've decided to begin this thing called Inspiration Mondays, basically it will be a collage of quotes, photos, videos, whatever is inspiring to me (and hopefully to you). I'm very excited to begin this! And I think we all need a little extra boost on Mondays as it is. I hope you'll stop by and see them!

Warning: This Is A Depressing Post

One thing I have realized is that I am not good at writing tips. If I even so much as THINK about how to write or the technical aspects of writing, I cannot do it.

That's how I feel anyway.

Why do I say this about  myself? Well, when I came to college I decided to major in English Writing. Why? If you major in Professional Writing at the University of Oklahoma (I don't know if this is the case for all colleges), you have to go through the college of journalism...and well, I wasn't prepared for that so I didn't even try. Also, no one really likes fantasy authors...though I find they are always the ones who hit it big! Anyways. I am an English Writing major...what does that mean? It means mostly that I have to focus my skills on Scholarly Writing.

: / SAD FACE!

Keep in mind, this is my fourth year at this major. The first semester went well. Perfect! I was the only kid who knew what Pathos, Logos, and Ethos was. Yay me. Next semester I took what's called Expository Writing. It's supposed to be focused on an area of interest so you don't lose interest. Right. I took Modern Monsters. I had a wonderful teacher...but I had to focus on how to write and then I couldn't write anymore. Writing became SO diffcult to me because suddenly I was faced with questions about my writing, told things weren't quite good enough, and I lost all hope.

Then I realized it's all subjective and it's probably harder to be an English Major than any other major. At least in Math you either have the answer or you don't. Everything I do is based completely on what my Prof likes. I've gone to 3 Profs for info on Grad School, they all tell me it's pointless to major in Creative Writing since I'm a fantasy writer. I've been told I shouldn't go into English Education because I'm not scholarly.

Yeah. I'm feeling the love.

I just wanna scream 'I'm a good writer!!!...........I think..."

At the end of the day, I don't know anymore. I look at my book and think 'You were great once' I remember editing it and laughing at the cunning humor of my characters. I was so passionately in love with my novel, nothing could keep me away from it. Now I'm almost afraid of it. I keep rereading my query, wanting it to be perfect, but I don't know what perfect is...I think that's subjective too.

Inspiration Meme

http://www.melodywatson.com

I have decided to start something. Idk what it is? A meme, I suppose! Therefore I will dub this the Inspiration Meme!

When I hit 100 Followers, I wanted to do something fun. I just couldn't quite think of what it was. Now I have. I ALWAYS talk about inspiring things, or rather, things that inspire me and hope in some way I can inspire all of you!

Here are the rules:

1. Acknowledge who tagged you on your blog.
2. List 5 things that inspire you. It can be pictures, a video, anything! :D
3. I'm thinking the limit can range from 1-10. So tag within this range, anyone who inspires you! We want to spread this creativity and inspiration, don't we? YES!!!
4. And of course, tell those wonderful inspiring people who they are!

So, here are my 5 inspiring things:

1. My Daddy. :)

My Daddy has full faith in me. He believes in everything I do. 

2. A Fine Frenzy - Blow Away 

I recently found this and I loved it! So now I just listen to it over and over again. lol. 

3. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien 

I could never forget what inspired me to write. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Ring finally game me something I wanted to write--Fantasy. 

4. Travel 

Did you know before going to Ireland, I didn't exactly know how to write about the ocean? I swam in this water. It was SOOO cold! But so worth it. 

5. My Followers. :) 

All of you make me so happy. And you motivate me beyond belief to do what I love. I couldn't ask for more! 

Now, I will tag peeps!! 

Anita

Cherie

Derek 

Kellianne Sweeney

Michelle

Yay!! I can't wait to see what inspires everyone!! 

The Monster Inside Me

It is so strange to begin a new book--away from characters I've been with for like.....seven years. Not even kidding. You all know about my lovely pirates. Well, you know about one book Cutlass. The others you'll not really know much about until I find an agent/get published and such--but they are called Flintlock and Cannon. I have been in the swashbuckling world for so long, I began to think all I could write was pirates, politics, and sea-faring adventure. I considered writing a fourth book...fearing to leave my pirates.

Then this idea comes along out of nowhere and hits me. And all these characters are talking and carrying on in my head and the only thing I can do to keep them quite is write what they're saying, but this is a SAD story. I mean, my characters have been through some tough stuff, but never this. It calls into questions sooo many morals.

You see, Sia's entire race has basically been decimated. She was saved, only to live a vengeful life killing any type of Blood Elf crossing her path--I mean NO mercy! I was so shocked--no mercy for woman or child. She's angry, I understand. She's alone, she's hurt, she's psychologically scarred...but is she right? I mean...I pretty much know what's going to happen, but as I go along with this character, hearing her story and seeing her choices, I know there's an ounce of humanity, but I can't believe she's manifested within my mind.

She's the main character, but she's a savior, but a villain -- I can tell the challenge for her will be how she's going to change. It will have to be a slow process. I can't say that I will be a challenge for me to write it--though it seems so--but I know somehow it's gonna work out, Sia's story will develop beautifully because she's telling it, not me.

I really haven't found anyone who looks like her yet...still on the search! But once I find someone, I'll post a picture. Although, I think Tamzin Merchant comes pretty close except brown hair!

Ciao, Ashley

Most Random Blog Post Ever!

First - Blogger's changed and it's weird!!

Secondly, most of you noticed, but I got a haircut! I really like it, I have K.V. Briar hair. lol.

And I look older, I feel. 

Okay, now it's story time. 

My roommate, a fabulous fashionable woman, and lover of all things cute, was away in New York. When she came back, the apartment was pretty much decorated. We were in need of a few things...like a toaster. One evening after school, I walk into the kitchen and this is what I see. 

Yes, a hello kitty toaster. Yes, it is cute. Not my taste, really, but hey...
Well, I decided I'd live with the toaster for a little while. Well, one day I went to make toast and when they popped up they weren't really toasted. (Aladdin doesn't like black spots on his toast), so I put the toast down a second time.

HELLO KITTY'S FACE WAS ON THE TOAST!!

Aladdin didn't seem to believe me, so he did this:

BTW - he set off the fire alarm. 

As you can see, there is hello kitty's face!!

I learned a valuable lesson--this is how they put Jesus's face on toast! They simply have a Jesus toaster. 

Ahaha. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my revelation. lol.

Later I'll be posting about this new book I'm writing.

Ciao, Ashley