The Siren Song

There I was zipping along in my car...I mean driving the speed limit...on my way to the craft store for Scrubby Yarn when a song playing on the radio caught my attention. I turned it up. Images popped into my head. A story began taking shape. The song ended and I knew I'd have to track it down. There was story being born from it. I didn't know if the idea would expand, but I had to find out.

Fortunately, I was able to find it on iTunes. I listened to it and images came into my mind. I replayed it, over and over. A more concrete plot took shape. The heroine introduced herself to me, along with the reluctant hero. He wasn't sure he was the right match for this story. But that was the basis of the story--the relationship between them--he thought he was too flawed, too imperfect for her while the heroine believed the hero's flaw was also his strength. The reason for his beliefs is what has really gripped my imagination.

I'm still editing Altered to Death so it'll be a month before I can start working on the book. And to think it was a song, and not my angsting and over thinking, that has determined my next story. I do believe it'll be a book length project but I'm going to see where the words take me.

My Favorite Crafting Tool Might Surprise You

Because it isn't glue or a ruler or a craft knife.

It's Google.

When I'm trying to make something--anything!--I've found that googling that item is sure to improve my results.

1. Tutorials -- You can find tutorials on almost any subject these days. YouTube has tons of them, but there are also written directions galore. I even downloaded a free book on amigurumi, the Japanese art of  knitting or crocheting small stuffed toys with an emphasis on cute. Here it is: http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/10/what-is-amigurumi/

2. Freebies -- All sorts of cool artwork is available for personal use. Miniaturists love "printies," the word we use for printable items. Here's just one example:

You can find a ton of these on my Pinterest page at http://www.Pinterest.com/joannaslan

3. Tools -- Did you know that you can find graph paper on the Internet and print it out? Go to Formville.om

4. Patterns -- I love making my own patterns. Here are two good sites: https://www.stitchfiddle.com/en/chart/new  (for charting knitting, cross-stitch, etc.) and http://www.auntannie.com/BoxesBags/  and my all-time favorite http://www.templatemaker.nl/

5. Images -- Often all I need is a really good image, preferably a 360-degree view. That's where Google images prove invaluable. Looking at various photos/pictures of a heart, I constructed one to put in this dome. Then I switched and looked at brains. Next I checked out Venus Fly Trap plants and mortar and pestle combinations. Here's what I created...

Okay, your turn. What would you like to see me make for my dollhouse? What cool tools have you found on the Internet?

Top left, heart; top, right, gargoyle/imp; second row, right, cow skull; second row, left, Venus Fly Traps and moss; third row, far right, mortar and pestle; third row, middle, brain; and third row, left, plaque. 

Grant Yourself Permission

Without a doubt, the most common questions I'm asked are:

1. How long does it take you to write a book? That depends on the book. Anywhere from a month for a first draft or 18 months or "I wish I knew because I've been working on this idea for years."

2. Have you always wanted to be a writer or did you just one day decide this is what you wanted to do? Always. As a kid, I stapled papers together, wrote on them, and called them "my book."

3. Do you outline? Are you a planner or a pantser (a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer)? A little of both. I start with a scene or the opening chapters. I work on them to get the voice and the mood. From there I begin to take notes, do exercises, and complete an outline. That is usually modified as the book goes on.

4. What's your average day like? Do you write every day? I try to. I'm not as dedicated to a schedule as I should be. My family comes first. However, even if I'm not working on a book, I generally work on something--blog post, prepping for interviews, editing--every day.

5. Is this your day job? I'm lucky that right now this is my primary job. That said, I still do the laundry, make dinner, and clean my house.

6. How did you know if your book would sell? I didn't. But I wanted to write that particular story, so I did. Afterwards, I felt pretty confident someone would enjoy reading it. But, there are no guarantees in this business. I've seen people with contracts whose books haven't seen the light of day.

7. Where do you get your ideas? I have a big bucket next to my desk. Whenever I need an idea, I reach in and pull one out.

Seriously...my ideas come from all over. Some of them percolate for years. I've been noodling one around, and liking it a lot, but I couldn't get past a certain hurdle. Then I talked with Jeri Westerson while we were at Murder in the Magic City. I told her my idea, I told her the hurdle and she laughed. "Hey, it's fiction. Go for it. I love that idea."

Once in a while, all we really need is PERMISSION. We don't need answers to questions. We don't need expert opinions. We just need a green light. And too often, we look to other people to give us that "go ahead." That's a shame because we give away our power.

When Jeri laughed and gave me permission, I flashed back to a similar conversation with my friend Rosemary Laurey. "It's fiction. You make the rules," Rosemary said.

Hmmm. In that big bucket of fish, I spot a live one!