In which we learn that I stole a car

“Any man who knows all the answers most likely misunderstood the questions.”
--Anonymous

I think I’m kind of insulting myself with that quote…

Hey, everyone! I’m back with another Q&A session. Ready?

Dominique asked: If the entire world were coming to an end and you were about to morph into space with your best friend to save both of your lives and you could only bring one thing with you, what would it be and why?

I’m going to answer this one a little tricksy. I can leave with my best friend (who just so happens to be the hubby) and take one thing with me—so I’m going to send my hubby, replace myself with one of my sons and have my other son be the “one thing” to take with me. Or not with me, as it were. I’d stay behind and watch the three most important things to me escape their doom. And I’d call it a good deal. =]

C.K. Bryant asked: What one decision did you make, right or wrong, that you wish you knew the results or consequences of before you made it?

Hands down: taking *cough* my older sister’s car and wrecking it. Sorry Sneck. =P (Yeah, I only had a learner’s permit at the time. Truthfully, I was lucky to have lived—and I don’t mean because of the wreck. ;)

M. Gray asked: What books and movies have influenced your writing the most?

The first books that come to mind as influencing my writing the most are The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, Dragonsong by Anne McCaffery, and The Dark Horse series by Mary H. Herbert. These books, combined, gave me the inspiration to write my first book at 14. I revisit them every year and remember that first, tiny glow in my heart. It never fails to reignite my passion. It is a tragedy to me that I will never get to tell Mr. Jordan, in person, what his books did for me. (And in case you can’t tell, my genre is totally fantasy.)

As for movies, I’m inspired by movies that make me think or that have great character appeal. I tend to like the darker, grittier characters but I love all kinds of movies.

And the last Q of the day is from Windy A., who asked: When are we having lunch?

When you feel better, my friend. =D

That’s it for today. If you have any questions you’d like to ask me, feel free to do so in the comments (or you can email me to the address listed in the sidebar). My question of the day for you is stolen from Mary:

What Movies/Books inspire you?

All my best,
L.T.

I’m a Free Prisoner

“Madness need not all be breakdown. It may also be break-through. It is potential liberation and renewal as well as enslavement and existential death.”
--R.D. Laing

I suppose this last week could be considered madness of a sort. Unplugged from the blogosphere, facebook, twitter, and everything except email—and that sparingly. Madness for certain, yes?

I am inclined to hope for the “break-through” part. I’m also inclined to think I’m a bit enslaved, too. ;) Either way, I’ve paid a lot of attention to my Word Processing program this week and several pencils have been worn down to nubs. My poor husband was a bit enslaved also, forced to talk story structure with me until the wee hours of the morning. I’d claim that I’ll never put him through it again but the man’s a genius. Genius. I’m mining that vein of gold until he kicks me out. (Don’t do that, baby. I love you.)

You should know that I did miss you all, quite a lot, and those first few days were an exercise in my self-restraint. I’m actually proud that I had any! I’m glad to be back, happy to “see” all of you again. I can’t deny that Unplugged Week was good for me and I may participate in it again.

In the mean time, I’d like to know how you all are. Tell me about your last week, your efforts, your successes. Fill me in.

All my best,

L.T.

P.S. I’m going to work on being more structured around here. When I work out the details, I’ll let you know. Take care, everyone!

Pulling the Plug

"Writing is physical work. It's sweaty work. You just can't will yourself to become a good writer. You really have to work at it."
--Will Haygood

I'm going dark. Well, for a week. I'm participating in unplugged week and when I mean unplugged, I just mean unplugged from the internet. If I unplug my lappy, I won't get any work done. ;) Sadly, this means I will not be blogging or visiting your lovely blogs. I'll miss you. But I am resigned. The WIP(s) need some attention. They were starting to think about inviting some other Muse to amuse them and I can't have that.

See you all next week!

--L.T.

WIPs and Me

“The only reason for being professional writer is that you just can’t help it.”
--Leo Rosten

So this next one is both a question and not-a-question from Kim of Temporary Insanity (who you simply must follow if you’re not already. Kim is one of my favorite people on the planet. Nuff said. Or not. I could talk about her all day.)

Kim said, I have to confess to a burning desire to know more specifics about your WIP (Work In Progress) but no worries if that’s private for now.

Well, I have to confess that it’s quite flattering that anyone would feel a “burning desire” to know anything about me, let alone my WIP! *blush* Seriously, can you see why I adore this girl?

Another confession here. (Wow, it’s a reveal-all day!) I know I haven’t been very forthcoming about my WIPs on my blog. It really doesn’t stem from a wicked paranoia about idea thievery (though it does and has happened to people I quite care for) but comes from that part of me that asks, “Does anyone really want to know or will I get that glazed-over dull sheen that happens so often when I talk about my writing?”

Although I think Kim would listen with rapt attention if I chose to talk about the polarity of water and oil and how it’s the only thing from my high school chemistry class that I still use on a frequent basis, her question did make me wonder if I’m a bit too miserly about my WIPs.

So in an effort to de-Scroogify, I’ll shed a little light on what I’m up to. Feel free to duck out now if the urge to yawn is coming upon you. I have more ideas than I know what to do with but I’ve narrowed down my options (yes, I have to force myself) to just three.

1. Blood Oath: This is a fantasy story that’s been written a couple of times. However, I took an unplanned slice of it to a conference on what I can only call a divinely inspired whim and an author that I quite admire finally gave me the permission to write this story the way it was meant to. Unfortunately, that meant an enormous overhaul with more outlining and plotting than I have heretofore delved. This has taken a lot of time but I’m now happily writing the story I always wanted to write but was never brave enough to do before now.

2. Unnamed Steampunk. This baby was a dream that came to me the night before NanoWriMo. It was one of those rare dreams where I got to watch my entire novel like a movie. Kevin Spacey was the villain and man did he rock. Kudos, Kevin. Can’t thank ya enough.

3. Model’s Club. My first foray into the world of contemporary YA. I know—bizarre. This one also came from a dream I had and I hated waking up from it. Really. When you’re a size 3 with great hair and legs, you don’t ever want to wake up to the reality of me. And I’ll never get to be that tall. =P

Still with me? Anyone still awake? ;)  Kim also asked me: What things transport your to your “happy place?” Sights, sounds, smells…

Music really transports me. It can change the tide of an entire day. Particular modes of transport: Nessun Dorma sung by Pavarotti, Consider the Lilies by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I Will Show You Love by Kendall Payne, and Your Song sung by Ewan McGregor on the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack.

As for sights and sounds, I’ll stick with rain. God is in the rain.

Tell me what you’re working on. What takes you to your happy places?

Thanks to Kim for the great questions and see you guys soon!

--L.T.