Authorus Copy-ous Cat-icus.

I try really hard to read well written novels to soak up the goodness. When I come across one I don't think is well written, I think through what bothers me and make a mental note. I'm learning and I'm soaking it up trying not to give myself a complex about all the great work out there.

But, the other day a character trait popped up in my own protagonist that I had read recently in another novel. Randomly. And some part of my brain jumped up and down and said - Yes! this is good. It wasn't at all how my character should be acting.

Source

Oh. My. God. I did not just do that.
Holy crapola, I did. 

Thankfully, I realized it and shuddered while deleting the whole darn scene.

I've immersed myself in the YA book world almost exclusively (although the adult novel slips in now and then), because when I read adult work, my protag's voice drifts. It takes me a few thousand words to find it. But, now I'm afraid that by reading other YA work while I'm writing, I might be unconsciously incorporating ideas I've read elsewhere in my own book. Just call me Authorus Copy-ous Cat-icus.

So, I considered cutting myself off from books while I'm writing. Like Lady Gaga without the egg. And the costumes and the bajillion dollars. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I clearly can't read adult novels, and now I can't read teen ones either? What about TV? Should I stop watching Vampire Diaries - or heaven forbid - One Tree Hill? That sucks! Not One Tree Hill (don't judge), but the fact that I wouldn't get my story fix from anything but my own addled brain.

And then I started reading this writing craft book and realized that my problem might not be that I read while I'm writing. (Hallelujah). My problem is that WHAT I'm writing isn't fully formed enough for me to write it without dumping in a whole bunch of other crap. My characters aren't fully formed, and their journey (otherwise known as THE PLOT), is still up in the air for me. I'll confess, I'm a little lost in my novel. I think my pantster ways have finally gotten the better of me.

I'm on the right track now and working to get all the soft spots in my novel firmed up. I'm also pleased to report that I won't be going through story withdrawl anytime soon.

What I'm wondering is, has this happened to you? Do you find your story drifting into another author's territory without even realizing it? Do you read while you write? Is it the same genre?

Hello?

Hi folks.

I took quite a break. I mean, I wasn't planning to, but then I did. And it felt good. 

What have you been up to? I've been:

Vacationing (Yes!) This my beach view on the island of St. John.

Watching Netflix too muchI made the mistake of watching one episode of One Tree Hill - Two months and eight seasons later I'm waiting for the final season to magically appear.

Reading/Absorbing/Wallowing in my lack of greatness

Eating The menu said my chicken came with Baby Carrots...

PROCRASTINATING

 Meet Francis the Frog

 

Plotting/Revising/Writing

(No, my second book isn't done YET. But it will be. Soon. I swear. No really.)

I participated in a super fun writing contest while I was out, made it to the final six and then crashed and burned. It was really fun though. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 I started my own writers group on meetup and then promptly found the writer's group of my dreams two months later, but that's a blog post all by itself.

Starting June 1st I'll be working through the book The 90 Day Novel by Alan Watt. I'm planning to post about my progress regularly. Anyone up to work through the book as well? I've got one buddy signed up. Who else is in?

I'll be around to check out your blogs and learn all about what's hot (Fifty Shades of Grey?) and what's not (also Fifty Shades of Grey? Someone needs to explain this to me) these days, but in the meantime, keep writing!

I'm on a pretty hard reading kick. Tell me what you are lovin' right now so I can share the joy.

Beeeeep!

You've reached Kari Marie's blog.

I'm out of town taking a much needed vacation.

Beloved husband and I will be frolicking in the waves on St. Thomas, shopping on St. Maartin and basking in the sun in the Bahamas. Then, I'll drag Beloved Husband around Walt Disney World, so I can relive my youth while spinning my guts out on teacups and laughing wickedly with Jack Sparrow and the other Pirates of the Caribbean.

Please leave a message or stop back after Jan 20. I will return your visit as soon as possible.

Beeeep!

IWSG: Just keep swimming

It's IWSG time again.

This post is a part of the Insecure Writers Support Group started by Alex Cavanaugh. Please stop by and check out the other participants as well as Alex's Blog.

I'm pushing boundaries this month - in my work and in my life. I managed to shrug off my introverted tendencies long enough to set up a Meetup Group for writers in my area. Now that I've gone and done it, I'm terrified.

What if I fail miserably at being a group leader?
What if I they hate me?
What if I trip and fall and land on my face while carrying a tray of food? (oh, it's happened before)
What the hell made me think I could/should do this?
What if no one shows up?
What if they are reading this right now and have decided I'm too lame?

What. If. 

I recently watched an interview with George Lucas (by Oprah). He reminded me of the old saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Guys like Lucas and everyone else who has ever done anything that other people thought was undo-able, unattainable, or down right nuts, have one thing in common: they aren't afraid to fail (and when they do, they don't let it stop them from pursuing the next thing).


Lucas had a vision. JK Rowling had a vision. Even though their visions took years to come to fruition, they kept at it.

So, my encouragement for this month is try something new. Write about it. Get out from behind the computer and live a little.

And remember to always:

Just keep swimming.

And just because it's Monday and we all need a laugh:

No questions today. Have a great week!