So sorry, I've just been busy editing my life...

I have a few random thoughts on writing (and life) today. I was sitting on my couch thinking about something I'd said to a friend that wasn't really a big deal, but maybe wasn't the best thing to say and wished I could 'edit' it out. It doesn't seem fair that my characters don't ever say awkward things unless I mean them to. I'd actually settle for something like in Facebook, where you can delete your comments. Can you imagine going over the transcript of your day, cringing at a particular moment, and then just hitting delete? :) 

And for my second random thought. As I read through an article in the Scholastic parenting magazine they give out at my son's preschool, I noticed that one of the authors had some initials at the end of her name that I didn't recognize. We all know what M.D., Ph.D., even D.D.S. mean, but Ed.D? I actually wonder if people just throw on initials at the end of their names, just in case people don't notice and automatically consider them smarter because they have initials. So I decided I'm going to start using something like R.A.A. (really awesome author) or maybe S.F.M. (super fantastic mom). I'm actually fairly certain that will help me get published.

Love, Ranee` S. Clark, B.B.E. (best blogger ever) 

:)

That's All I Have to Say...

...because I have no more words left. :D

(Wrote my 50,000th word at approx. 1:00pm November 30, 2010)

Monster Hunter

Hello, my name is Mae Nickson, Monster Hunter. I'm blogging for Ranee` today because she realized last Saturday that taking four days off in the middle of NanoWrimo and leaving herself only 3 days to write about 12,000 words was a bad idea. So she has no time for blogging right now as she is feverishly typing in an effort to finish a challenge she insisted earlier this month wasn't that hard. She assures me that she definitely intends to succeed and get 50,000 words before Tuesday night and that thanks to a colorful email conversation--and she means colorful quite literally, not that it contained cussing or inappropriate content--with Kristin P. she knows exactly where she's taking me to happily every after, at least I hope she does. I'd hate for her to kill me off right around 47k because she gave up hope! So rest assured that Ranee` will be back on December 1st and blogging as infrequently as usual. She just didn't want you to worry!
Love, Mae

Nano Wrimo 2010!!

So...*blushes*...I thought I had set my comments to notify me when people left them on my blog. And to be frank, I was feeling a bit sad that nobody felt moved enough by my blog to comment. Well, apparently I didn't check that box because as I was deleting the post about my son's birthday (if any of you were confused, I accidentally put it on the wrong blog. ;) I noticed several comments I had never seen before!

Deb asked me about NanoWrimo:

Can you guys believe I'm abandoning my editing responsibilities to just write during the entire month of November? I feel very irresponsible about it, but can't seem to help it. I need to write and not think about my major WIP for right now. And NanoWrimo seems daunting, but it's not! Okay, well, it is. But still fun. And as I told my sister, I promise the Nano Police will not come knocking at your door if you don't get 50,000 words. I managed to get 50k for two years now, although some of it has been truly horrendous writing. :) In fact, I have Nano to thank for what I consider my best novel so far. Let's have a flashback together--

I first discovered NanoWrimo in 2006 and decided pretty quickly it was about the coolest thing I'd ever discovered. You mean there are actually other writers out there who aren't published yet...weird. :D Well, unfortunately at the time my husband and I were both still in school and had a barely-year-old little boy! Although I started Nano, I barely got 20k and felt pretty discouraged because of the small amount of time I'd been able to spend on it. However, I actually finished the story I began that month. during the year to come.

In 2007 I didn't even attempt Nano. Only a month from graduating, I had far too many papers due to even pretend like I could write even 20 words a day on a novel, let alone the 1500 pace it takes to complete a novel in a month (and had I known about ANWA Write and BIAM then, I wouldn't have felt so sad about it!) Finally in 2008 I made time, despite having a six month old and a three year old. Because I still had ideas swimming in my head about the 1st Nano novel I had began, I decided to write a sort of sequel. Not only did I finish the 50k, but during the following year also wrote another sequel. I now had four novels (two finished, two partly written) for the series, but something felt wrong, so I went back and changed the entire perspective. Now two years later I'm in the final edit (gosh, hopefully!) of the totally revamped first book.

So, it goes without saying that I totally believe in Nano. Before I discovered ANWA, Nano taught me my first important lesson about writing and that is, keep writing no matter what. Even when you feel like the plot sucks, even when you read through what you have and think that there's never going to be a chance for it. Just. Finish. It. You'd be surprised what can happen. ;)

Chris Baty, expect a big check from me when I'm rich and famous.

P.S. Originally I titled this post "comments," but I changed it because I rambled about Nano. Kristin and Tracy--I love, love, LOVED your critique comments about your favorite books. I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

And now I'm off to change the settings so I get these comments in my email. ;)

Critique Mode

Over the past few years as I've become serious about my writing, I've learned a lot about how to write well. And since joining ANWA, I've critiqued a few manuscripts which has helped my own writing a lot! But sometimes when I put down a manuscript and pick up something to read for fun, my brain doesn't switch modes readily. So last night I started wondering how I would have commented on some classic stories and some of my favorites:

Brandon, I love "Fablehaven!" I really want to live there now! I have a couple comments on your narrative. It flows very smoothly but you need to show more than you tell. Also, you have too many speaker tags. Change them to actions to keep the readers engaged.

Jane, I'm a total sucker for a happy ending so I adored "Pride and Prejudice!" I love the witty voice! One thing--your sentences are very long and complicated at times. Try to keep it simple so readers don't get frustrated. Also, check out ssa.gov for naming. You have too many Toms, Janes, and Marys.

Charlotte, your novel was...interesting. I'm still not sure about it. I have a couple problems with the plot. If Mr. Rochester doesn't care about what people think, why doesn't he just divorce his mad wife? Perhaps he can still take care of her, but sever their marriage so he can marry Jane. Also, you often interrupt dialog for long, internal ramblings. Try to cut those down. They slow the action.

Charles, "Bleak House" is the second MS of yours that I've read and I have the same problem I had with the first. There are too many characters to keep track of. Although I do like "Bleak House" much better than "Great Expectations," your narrative is very slow. You may find readers putting your books down for months at a time if you don't pick it up a bit.

Stephanie, "Twilight" was sincerely addicting. I'm not the usual type to get into the whole vampire thing, but you've changed my outlook there. I did notice that you often use the same adjectives to describe Edward--marble, ice, chiseled...I know you've probably started to run out of ways to describe his "stone" figure, but consider just deleting them.

:) Have a good day!

Review: The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters

Re

The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner starts off almost Harry Potter style, i.e. far from where the main action will take place and with an intriguing hook. I downloaded the first few pages of The Journal of Curious Letters onto my Kindle for iPod to preview it. The first chapter instantly intrigued me, so when it came time to order my next batch of books from Amazon thanks to my Swagbucks giftcards, The Journal of Curious Letters made the list.

The first installment of Dashner's series follows the adventures of Atticus (Tick) Higginbottom as he attempts to decipher a series of clues from a mysterious author known only as "M.G." As Tick takes the plunge and decides to follow the clues to an unknown but allegedly courageous fate, disaster and danger follow him. With his father helping him on, The Journal of Curious Letters culminates in a daring mission and the feeling that many adventures will come!

First off, The Journal of Curious Letters is written in a witty style that I love. Dashner uses language well, although some of it is a little overdone--he too frequently uses phrases like "as if he'd just revealed a mystery recipe stolen from the Keebler elves." Still, he writes smoothly and the narrative flows well, for the most part.

Tick is an easily loved character. A sensible kid, self-ascribed nerd--and happy with it. He's got a great home life, which is always nice to read about in a good fantasy. Tick takes the bullying at his school with patience, but learns through the book that he doesn't have to take it and it doesn't mean fighting back. I throughly enjoyed watching Tick grow stronger and more confident. To my relief, Tick is a 13 year old, who acts and behaves like a 13 year old.

Dashner includes a whole cast of characters who are fascinating and very intriguing. Mothball (an abnormally tall, skinny woman from the 4th reality) and Rutger (an abnormally short, fat little man from the 11th reality) are very entertaining.

I adore the tidbit about Master George's command center being in the Bermuda Triangle! Maybe you can get there by sailing through the Rick Riordan's Sea of Monsters, and it's probably within visiting distance of Brandon Mull's "Shoreless Isle" from Fablehaven! (I am seriously considering remapping my heroine Finna's home to the Bermuda Triangle--seems like all the good fantasies allude to it! :)

Some criticisms:

Dashner uses far to many points of view for my taste. Though meant to give more 'camera angles' to the story, it often jolts and disrupts the narrative.

As mentioned above, the similes--though sometimes hilarious--are used too often, as is Mothball's Yoda-like speaking style.

Tick sometimes remains in the dark too long about concepts that the readers have already easily worked out. Mothball and Rutger often inadvertently reveal half-sentences about the meaning of the clues and the realities, which the reader understands quickly, but somehow leave Tick as simply confused. Since Tick is supposedly bordering on genius, this plot hiccup sometimes makes him a little less believable. In addition, although Tick's teacher unknowingly points Tick in the exactly right direction with discussions on Quantum Physics in his middle school class that should have cleared up Mothball and Rutger's half-spoken hints about the Realities, it still takes him the entire book to work out, and in the end Master George still has to explain to Tick most of what the readers have already worked out.

Overall, Dashner's The Journal of Curious Letters is an entertaining book--probably best for kids around 9-15, but still enjoyable for everyone.

The Versatile Blogger Award

Deb tells me I've won an award. It's called:

I actually call this tagging. :) But I'll play along because Deb rocks and helps me out a lot when I come to her whining with a writing dilemma. And I sincerely appreciate that she follows my blog and believes in me as a writer. Thanks, Deb! (check out her blog at http://debraerfert.blogspot.com/)

The Rules for The Versatile Blogger Award:
1. Thank and link back to the person that gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Pass the award to several bloggers that you think deserve it.
4. Lastly, contact all the bloggers that you’ve picked for the award.

Seven Things about Ranee` Clark:

1. I have two adorable boys, ages nearly 5 and 2 1/2 respectively. I know I'm lucky because most women at this stage of motherhood don't have time to write, but my boys are amazing. They love to play together--most the time, and when all is fairly quiet in the Clark household, I get to sit down and work at my writing during the day. And there is that wonderful time of day in our house called 'rest time,' two hours that I get to devote totally to writing. Ahhhh.

2. I love, adore, obsess over Jane Austen. I own every major motion picture made of her books (except Mansfield Park). I own all her published works, and even some of the unpublished works. I have a wonderful biography of her called "Becoming Jane Austen," and the movie based on that biography. Though the movie is highly unlikely, I still like "Becoming Jane," and my sister hates it because Jane Austen doesn't end up with James McAvoy...excuse me, Tom Lefroy. I'll admit, that's pretty disappointing for a girl--but she loves "P.S., I Love You," which I can't stand. (When is it EVER okay for Gerard Butler to die in the first thirty minutes of a movie!!) I hate that I'm not allowed to write like Austen--long, complicated yet very witty sentences; a lot of was, a lot of description--if I ever want to be published.

3. I graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelors in History. I love history. It is really just a lot of dry people who don't know how to tell the really great stories their talking about--but there is a LOT of inspiration there. I love to learn about World War II, the Resistance and Europe. I hate American West History and Wyoming History--which my husband informs me is really kind of stupid since I live in the American West and in Wyoming. Hmm. Sorry. :) I want to go back to school soon, but I'm torn whether to get a degree in English or a Masters in History--because I'd love to teach it.

4. My husband and I both plan on me being a best-selling author in the near future. We've made all the plans and even picked out some of the actors for the movie. I'm really leaning toward the kid who played Percy Jackson in the "Lighting Thief" as my hero, Liam Monroe. I think he'd be perfect. My husband is looking forward to quitting his job, and I'm looking forward to having a big office with a huge corner desk.

5. I am the oldest of eight children. My mom is amazing and really awesome. I actually love spending time with my brothers and sisters, contrary to my opinion prior to graduating from high school. My sisters (which include the amazing girls that married my brothers) are my best friends and I miss them terribly. When I'm a best-selling author and the movie is a blockbuster, I'm going to buy a ranch in Northern Wyoming and build houses for my whole family so we can be together all the time. :)

6. I like to sew. I've been saving up for a serger and once I get a few more gift certificates to Amazon through Swagbucks, I'm going to buy one! I'm very excited, especially since I found dollar-a-bolt fabric on my last trip to Walmart! I learned to sew from my handy mother--who sewed all my prom dresses and my AMAZING wedding dress, which we designed together. She's a wonder and she can do amazing things with a sewing machine.

7. According to my morning schedule, I'm supposed to be exercising right now--wait, actually, I think I should be on to cleaning the living room and kitchen by now--but of course, I'm not. I'm blogging. And after I'm done blogging I'll probably do three or four more things instead of exercising--or cleaning--and then I'll look up and it will be time to go get A.J. from school. :)

To the Bloggers I think should get the Versatile Blogger Award:

(I'll admit it, I don't follow a lot of blogs, and especially since I moved and got behind on my writing projects and other things, I haven't read very many blogs at all. So here are my favorite writing and regular blogs.)

Kristin Baker P. (I'm not even going to try to spell her last name, and since her author's name is Kristin Baker, it's no problem--although I really think she should use her last name because it's not one anyone is likely to forget, though searching for it on Amazon or in the library could be sorta difficult...) ANYWAY-Kristin a member of my ANWA chapter and we connected right away. Check out her blog at http://kristinbaker.blogspot.com

Joyce DiPastena has a lot of blogs with a lot of interesting things to look at. I like Quill to Quill because I love it when I can learn more about a character I've particularly loved!

Kristin Sanders married one of my favorite people in the world and then became one of my favorite people in the world. I LOVE to read her blog, because although she usually posts only a few sentences, she always has WONDERFUL insights to life! http://dksanders.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Guys! ;)

Missing Deadlines

...Well, not that I have any yet! But I set out as a professional blogger to try and update my writer's blog once a week. And isn't it common for dramatic, high-maintenance writers to consistently miss deadlines...? Don't worry! I have a lot of excuses as to why I haven't blogged for several weeks!

1) My husband got a new job and we moved. I spent two and a half weeks packing a four bedroom house and then another week unpacking and stuffing a four-bedroom house into a three bedroom house with no closet space...

2) I pushed blogging aside to catch up on my real writing work: editing, which I'm getting sick of. Hmmm. (No worries. NanoWrimo is right around the corner, which is a wonderful excuse to quit doing anything productive and write nonsense and garbage for thirty days--so long as you get 50k!)

3) Mockingjay.

But I will try and do better.

*snickers*

Blogging as a Writer

This past year I've grown up a lot as a writer, so I decided it was time for a real writer's blog. Of course I already have a family blog, but since I write there like I'm talking (no time to worry about punctuation or whether woo-hoo is a real word) I hesitate to allow anyone who writes for a living to read it. :) Besides, if I want my biography and made-for-TV-movie to be accurate, I'm going to have to provide source material...

I used to hold the secret that I was a writer very close, even though I've crafted stories since I could grasp a crayon. I'm not sure why, now. Most of my family knew, but none of my friends, especially in high school, knew for a long time. In fact, the first time I posted something about writing on Facebook (only a year or so ago) nearly everyone I grew up with commented "You're writing a novel?!?!"

Now, since my husband is quite convinced that my current WIP (psst, that's a acronym I learned from my ANWA sisters--Work in Progress) is going to be a best seller, he tells pretty much anyone that I'm a writer and that someday I'm going to make us rich. No use keeping it a secret.

Being a 'real' writer now can be a bit daunting for me, though. Letting my work be critiqued is like sitting back while someone points out the flaws of my children! But it definitely has some advantages, too! Thanks to Tracy, Terry, Bonnie, Deb and many others at ANWA, "Bloom" (that's my latest choice for a title) might actually have a chance. And I get to call the three hours that I write during nap-time 'work.' (I currently day-dream about 'working' at a massive, corner desk I saw in a furniture flyer a few months ago)

So, until this blog becomes the watering-hole for all my future adoring fans, I think it will be a great place to brag, complain, and show-off.

I hope you like it!