I'm a Little Behind, Yes...

...but for good reason. 

I began a new novel a week or so ago, and though there's always that underlying, seemingly elusive this-is-the-book-I-can-feel-it-deep-down-inside kinda feeling with everything habitual writers write, I sorta wanna admit that I get that feeling with this one, too.  But I think it's pretty strong.  Maybe stronger than normal.  *sounds really stupid and realizes it* 
 
Funny thing is, I hadn't even been intending to start it when I did.  Heck, I didn't even plan on writing something new that day, or for a long while, for I already have a few WIPs (that I'm beginning to lose touch with--cue sad face)...but of course I only want to work on those projects that I'm most passionate about.  So I was mindlessly checking my email, laughing through some YouTube vids, and checking up on everything else--and suddenly, I was wrought with an itch to write.  So, naturally, I opened Microsoft Word and started something...and kept going...and going...and going.

And here I am, blogging about how awesome it is to have something I'm so excited to get going on!

I don't have a plot.  I don't have an ending.  I'm only a few pages in.  But it's started.  And I don't plan on stopping.

So, yes.  I'm incredibly excited to see where this project goes...or doesn't go (though I'm rooting for the former, of course!).

In other news (I believe I can safely say I'm a little behind on this one, too), I was checking up on Beth Revis's website and blog (Across the Universe is looking so enticing on my TBR pile right now...), which led me to her helpful things for writers page, and thus to Authoress's blog, a.k.a. Miss Snark's First Victim.  I think I'm falling in love.  It's a fantastic blog for aspiring authors where monthly "Secret Agent" contests are held, among other things, and where success stories are beginning to become abundant!  Go check it out, if you haven't already (which, considering there's already over 400 followers, I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't already been loyally following)!  You won't be disappointed.  And what more, but Authoress and I share somewhat of a common trait: we're both a little mysterious, and haven't fully given our true identities away (though she's an agented YA author, and may be revealing herself anytime now...). 

So, that's it for now.  Thank you for reading; I aim to be back soon!        

I sat down to write the other day and...

So, before I truly start my post, I'd just like to do a little introduction concerning what you are about to read. First and foremost, it's a response to fellow blogger Rachel Harrie's first Crusader challenge. :) (If you're totally lost, check out this here post. It'll give you the rundown on the Crusade, who we Crusaders are, and why you should definitely jump on board!)

Now, for this challenge. We as Crusaders simply had to start a post with "I sat down to write the other day and..." and finish it. Below is my response.

And right here is my warning that this is quite possibly the most bizarre/random response to it out of all the entries. But then again, you never quite know... :)

Enjoy!

I sat down to write the other day and...

...instead, got pelted in the head by a blunt object.

"What the...?"

I turned around and saw nothing, so, being the aspiring writer/cool blogger/elephant tamer that I am, I quickly returned to writing my latest blog post about me and my trip to Mars a few short weeks ago (you should totally go; who knew aliens were fans of roller coasters, Dippin' Dots ice cream, and quidditch?).

And that's when I was once more struck in the head...by seemingly the exact same blunt object.

"Who threw that?" I sourly shrieked, whirling about in my chair to discover...nobody. Whoops. Forgot that everyone had left a good while ago for the day.

And that's when I saw it. A large, mechanical beast that resembled a liger. A colossal, steel liger, that is!

I shot up from my chair and backed toward the wall. I looked to the floor and saw that the liger had been throwing gloriously red apples at my head. Yum...

No, wait. I'm supposed to be scared. Supposed to be confused. Should I talk to it? Ask what it's doing here? Or, maybe more importantly, ask how the heck it got into my house?

"Miles," the liger stated, "I'm bored."

So? What in the world should I do?

"Liger, I'm writing a new post for my blog," I responded, looking at the floor, at my feet. At the apples. Anything but those insanely captivating, mechanically created eyes.

The liger frowned, then clunked out of the room. I watched it meander toward the kitchen, knock over the fridge, eat the fridge (ugh, I had some Taco Bell saved in there), then cantankerously shoot up and out of the chimney...after practically destroying the entire house in the process, of course.

I stood there, curious as to how I didn't notice its entrance (the gaping hole in the wall across from where I had been sitting may have been a good indication, I've now realized). And then, feeling that inevitable twang of guilt, I scooped up two apples and quickly made my way toward the (not really there anymore) chimney.

"Liger?" I called. "Liger?"

The mechanical liger descended back down the chimney, licking its steel lips. I threw it the apple and plopped down on the ground. Liger followed suit.

Chewing on the delicious, crisp apple, I decided to ask it, "So, have a blog?"

Liger looked at me, then shook its head. "Nope." It took a small nibble from the apple.

I didn't know where to take the conversation. And then, it hit me. "You know, Ruby, my dog, is extremely lonely nowadays, what with the whole house being gone constantly and all." I knew in my heart this wasn't true, but I felt so bad for the thing.

Liger eyed me, swallowing the final remnants of its apple.

"You know, you could...stay here. As another pet of mine," I then stated. Gulping. Scared. What was I doing?

Liger leaped upward and came crashing back down to the floor. I swear, the whole house lifted into the air! And that's why I now have a pet liger (Ruby's got some tough competition!)

Now just imagine this in mechanical form. :)

Me, The Slacker

Yes, I admit, I've been slacking with the blog. And I apologize.

It's been quite some time since my last blog post, the one about "voice" in writing (which was met with quite a few amazingly nice comments; you guys all made me smile!). And now I find myself sitting here, realizing I should be updating my blog a little more than I have been since I began blogging seemingly yesterday.

Today, my post is going to be about my dog. :) I felt the need to introduce you all to her...

Her name's Ruby, and she's literally the best dog on the planet (well, maybe I'm a little biased; I'm pretty sure everyone says that about their respective pets)! :) She's a Bichon Frise and is five years old, being an October-born dog! She's SO cute, and is occasionally garbed in scarves (the picture may be a pretty good giveaway) and little bandanas.

Hmmm. What else? Well, for one, she thinks she's a human. Like, literally. She lays her head on the pillows of the couch and the bed when she sleeps (again, the picture is a pretty good reference) =D and always wants to go for a ride in the car. (Well, doesn't every dog like to do that???) ;)

Also, I've found that some dogs go terribly crazy during thunderstorms; not Ruby. She just trots around, totally oblivious to the fact that crazy, electric bolts of...um...craziness (my vocabulary's left my brain for some unexplainable reason; it's temporary, I'm certain) are shooting around in the sky. It's actually pretty funny. :)

So, I think that about wraps up the little section about Ruby. No, wait. One more thing (if you've gotten this far in this insanely pointless post)...

She's OBSESSED with her dog treats. Like, every-five-seconds-you-look-and-she's-back-again-begging-for-another obsessed. The vets have said she's a little overweight and to cut down on the treats, too. That's how obsessed she is. (How can I resist her dog face, though? You're right. I can't.) =]

What else, what else...

Oh, yeah. On srjohannes's blog Market My Words (one of my absolute favorite blogs EVER), srjohanness herself (aka Shelli), is hosting an agent contest with the fantastic Sarah LaPolla from Curtis Brown, Ltd. The contest won't be held until tomorrow at 9amEST, but you should still definitely check it out. (Hint hint: the contest involves a paragraph pitch of no more than four sentences.)

In short, an amazing oppurtunity that shouldn't, by any means, be missed! I'm entering, too! :) And don't worry if Sarah doesn't represent the book you're writing; Shelli constantly hosts agent contests with various agents, so you just need to keep checking to see which agent is up and, if you're lucky, it may be the agent for you!

So, I suppose that ends my slacking/apology/dog/writing post. Certainly more to come (I'm not leaving you guys when you constantly make my day)! =)

Until then, happy writing!