An Interview and a new Critique Partner

I'm a few days late on updating my weekly blog, but better late than never, right? I've been busy writing away for the past week and trying to get through some very important scenes. Unfortunately, I've been suffering from a serious case of brain-farts. I'll sit down to write, have the scene plotted out, and then....*crickets*. Nothing happens. It's like I can't find my voice, and its REALLY annoying.

Luckily, I was able to write Interview #2 (featuring Caleb) which will be débuting on Carol's Prints, a blog by author Carolina Valdez Miller, sometime this week! Caleb's interview will be featured in a series called Totally Sane Interviews with Vampires, Hobbits, and Talking Toads, a series where authors interview their characters. These interviews are hilarious and very insightful into the minds of writers, the latter of which may not be a good thing...

I'm so excited to be one of the writers featured of Carol's blog! I can't wait to see Caleb's interview up on the Web. 

To see Interview #1, featuring Kate, click here.

Another huge plus this week is that I found a new (or old, depending on how you look at it) Critique Partner! I've been wanting a CP for a while now but I'm so picky about my work that I have been hesitant in really looking for one. Luckily for me, my MC Kate has a mind of her own and was determined to be a little crazier than I had originally intended. Because of a traumatic event, I'd been toying with the idea of giving her PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for those of you who don't know). Originally I had decided against it because I didn't want her to seem weak--especially to herself--and I was afraid PTSD might do just that. But, like I said, Kate has a mind of her own. PTSD doesn't change much in the story but it does take us to some other places.

Obviously, I needed to do some research on the disorder to make sure I got it right. So, instead of reading websites, I e-mailed my cousin Kelly--who just happens to have a degree in Psychology! We got to talking and she's going to be my new CP. I trust her with this job for several reasons, one being the fact that she used to critique my stories when we were young. But, more importantly, we talk books all the time, and she knows what I like and what don't. Kelly knows me and--most of the time--where my mind is headed even before I do! She isn't a writer, but an AVID reader and I'm so very grateful to have her critiquing my work. Thanks, Kel, for all your help!

I've been sidetracked from the Immortal Series today by a story that's pummeled its way to the front of my mind and is demanding to be written. Forced to comply (because to resist would only result in torture) I've started the beginnings of Dream Waker. 

Dream Waker is a short story, though, I don't know if I'd even call it that. I'm actually more comfortable calling it a "tale". It's short (obviously) and a bit of a thinker--and totally implausible. Still, its a story worth writing and one that has a pretty clear message. Once it's finished, I'll post in up on my blog for all to see.