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iphone

Staying Positive, Motivated & Inspired

by Corinne on February 23, 2010

One of the biggest challenges of being a writer (for me) is patience. Sometimes impatience can be poisonous to my creativity and excitement because I’m focused on the little things rather than the big picture. Here is a list of some tools and strategies I use to stay positive and keep the muse happy…

1. I just found two iPhone Apps that I adore! Check out Happytapper’s Vision Board and Gratitude Journal. They’ve already helped me focus more on my major goals and remember the simple and daily parts of life that bring me joy.

2. Every few months, I visit breathe books for a 1/2 hour session with Aurora. Aurora is a psychic. Some people may not be open to doing this, but it always puts my mind at ease and fills me with enthusiasm for the future. I’ve been fascinated by psychics since I was very young. My friends and I used to spend nights huddled around a Ouija board. We would seek out psychics, learn about Tarot cards, and try to perform Past Life Regressions. These experiences have found their way into my writing and I still believe that there is more to life that what our five senses tell us.

3. This American Life is packed with characters just waiting to be brought to the page (check out the iPhone App!). As I listen more to this program, I realize the power of radio. I’ve listened to episode #199: “House on Loon Lake” twice (once with the hubs). The story is creepy, poignant, and mysterious- all things that I work to bring to my novels.

The great thing about this world is that these resources are endless if you want to find them. What’s inspiring you right now?

Tagged as: Breathe Books, inspiration, iphone, novel, psychic, tarot, Writing & Editing

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Patience

by Corinne on November 17, 2009

Teeto

A week ago, I picked up the first complete printed copy of my manuscript at Kinkos. I stopped myself as soon as I started to feel silly for getting a thrill from the moment. Why shouldn’t I get a kick out of holding the first printed copy in my hands? It was one of those “I couldn’t stop smiling if I tried” moments.

This weekend, I treated myself to revising in bed with my secretary, Thomas. As you can see, Thomas had the weekend off and was enjoying it by sleeping in. I did not sleep very much, but I was excited to finish up the latest round of revisions. It was delightful to read the manuscript from start to finish and mark it up with pen and paper. There’s something about editing on paper that works much better for me. Plus no computer equals no email, twitter, or Facebook (although I did have my iPhone at my side at all times, let’s be reasonable).

My wise writer friends and beloved bloggers say time and time again, it’s a LONG process from idea to bookshelf and you don’t know if you’ll get there. EVER! Right now, my manuscript is about five years old (in people years). She’s going to her first day of school and it’s kind of scary and kind of exciting. Later, she’ll go to Middle School, the worst place ever created. I’m sure that I’ll cringe and want to go to the library to eat my lunch (I did that a lot) many times during this round of revisions. I would continue with this analogy, but you get the point. Maybe I’m being too hard on myself, maybe I’m not, but that’s another thing about creative writing, you lose perspective.

I went to my writer’s group last night and it was fantastic. Writer’s group is a great place to regain perspective. The comment that made me the happiest was that people wanted to read more! Phew. There were also questions and suggestions that will strengthen my book in the future. For now, I’m in a funny place. I’m using this time to take a break from my work-in-progress and think about other stories I might like to tell. I’m filling up new notebooks and talking nonstop with Steve about the next adventure we might take (he’s the other half of my brain).

Thank god for green juice (to make up for massive amounts of coffee), D3 (to combat a lack of sunshine), and yoga (circulation anyone?) or I may have turned into a vampire. Speaking of which, anyone going to New Moon? Yes, I did buy my tickets in advance. And no, I’m not ashamed.

Tagged as: editing, Green Juice, iphone, novel, Steve, Yoga

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Porta Plotty

by Corinne on October 15, 2009

plot

Since I’m using every other possible way to procrastinate editing/writing, I might as well blog. Figuring out the plot is becoming more and more of a challenge as I near the end of my manuscript. Since I’m away from Charm City this week, I had to bring my post-its with me. Thank god for those tiny pieces of yellow paper. With a Sharpie in hand, I went to work editing the outline last night. So much has changed over the past three months! This weekend, Steve and I have a date to nail down the plot so that I can wrap up these revisions!

Luckily, the closer I am to the end of the book, the easier it is to work with the material. I can’t believe I started this project eight months ago. I’m happy to report that I’m working on revisions for the last third. On Monday, I’ll face my writing group. I just re-joined and I’m so excited to jump back in! Many of the members I met at my first meeting (three years ago) should be there. They taught me so much!

In other un-newsworthy news, I just read A Touch Of Dead by Charlaine Harris. I thought I had read everything Sookie Stackhouse related, but I was wrong. It was a welcome companion playing on my iPhone during my drive to Woodstock. I’ve never been a big fan of short stories, but since each one was connected to the characters and plots from other SS books, I was happy as a clam. Once again, I can’t stop thinking in a southern accent.

Although this is random, I had to include this photo. Last weekend, I was in a wedding and this was hanging in the background during the ceremony. It was perfect…

balloon

Tagged as: charlaine harris, editing, iphone, marriage, novel, plot, sookie stackhouse, Steve, Writing & Editing

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Road Trip Writing

by Corinne on July 18, 2009

This has been one of the most entertaining road trips of my traveling career. There is something I love about gathering books, journals, music, and most recently, Apple gadgets for long trips in the car.

Of course it’s a different story when I’m the driver, but luckily my husband doesn’t mind driving most of the way. Today’s trip has included catching up on my google reader, working on the second draft of my novel, and exploring my new love, my iPhone.

My second draft feels more like a first draft in the respect that I’m re-writing most of it. On the other hand, I don’t feel like I am walking down a dark tunnel anymore. I’m walking with a flashlight now and I’m not alone anymore. My characters have taken on a life of their own and I feel like we’re writing together. I realize now more than ever that it’s going to be a long journey, but an amazing one.

Almost to Letchworth!

Tagged as: iphone, novel, road trip, Rochester NY, Writing & Editing

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Testing my iphone app

by Corinne on July 17, 2009

Just picked up my iPhone and I am officially addicted. I can blog from anywhere! This is going to take my internet dependency to a whole new level and I like it. We’re driving to Rochester tomorrow morning. I know what I’ll be doing. My poor husband. Here he is with Sweet Pea in my first iPhone photo…

Tagged as: iphone

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