Putting Realities in the Back Seat

I'm working on a new story. I'm two chapters in and it's in that tender chrysalis stage, where it could blossom into something beautiful, or it could erupt into a cloud of fairy glitter. That's what chrysalises do, right? Something like that.

I've found that the best way to sidestep glitter eruptions is to write from a place of possibilities - which generally means having to get Little Kid Kelly involved in the process. This isn't to say that I don't still believe in all sorts of possibilities, but the whole being an adult process can sometimes get me a bit distracted by realities.

This doesn't work for me when I'm writing. Keeping track of word counts and making goals for the same is helpful, but if I'm writing to that goal rather than to the story, I never get as much done. Basically, I need to get my grown up mind to take the back seat - letting the little kid mind run rampant through this new world discovering whatever she can.

Sometimes, this requires a push. And for this, I generally turn to childhood favorites - books, TV, or movies. Those fictional worlds that first made my developing brain explode in wonder. It doesn't matter if these things are no longer my favorite in their category, what's important is the reminder of feeling like absolutely anything is possible.

Here are some of my go-tos when I need reentry into the world of Possibilities:

This series was a staple of my childhood - the books that I was most likely to smuggle under my coat so I could sneak off and get some reading in at roller skating parties. And the books that left me with a never-to-be-fully-extinguished (but-thankfully-so-far-resisted) urge to wander through deserted construction sites in the hopes of meeting a kindly alien looking to gift me with powers.

Nothing gets my brain working like a dance party, and no song gets me back in my younger mind set like this one. This may or may not be because my sister, friends and I learned the dance to this...I can neither confirm nor deny. One thing I can say without reservation - I wish I could rock a turtle neck like these ladies.

There are very few rough scenes that can't be figured out over a pile of Legos. Something about working with your hands while your mind wanders...it gets the job done. Particularly, if what your hands are working on is building a Lego Hogwarts.

Chewandswallow remains one of my ideal vacation spots.

via GIPHY

My childhood was a revolving door of the original movies and extended universe books. I don't know that there will ever be another fictional world that so opens my mind to the beauty of never-ending possibilities.


So, what inspires you when you need to get creative?

Letters From My 5th Grade Journal

Hello my long neglected friends!

I'm so excited to be back on the blog. Way back when I last posted I mentioned the craziness of the upcoming summer season here, but I had every intention of at least posting occasionally during that time. Silly, silly Past Kelly and her outlandish goals.

But it's fall now, and as I've mentioned in the past, winter is my favorite time for writing and revising, which makes it very convenient that fall is when I feel my most creative. All my best researching and outlining gets done as the weather gets gloomier. My guess is that its all the season's ghosts clamoring to have their stories told...or something like that. Regardless, the old brain's a-percolating, which is always exciting.

Recently, during one of my customary where-did-I-put-that-thing-I-suddenly-can't-live-without searches, I came across my old fifth grade journal. I gave it a quick once over and decided that in this chilly weather/warm brain season, what better way to start my writing sessions than with a quick trip back to the early days....

Things learned: As the story goes on characters shouldn't always love the same things they loved in the beginning. Life happens. Things lose their shine. However, characters shouldn't turn their back on all their original interests. Some loves are forever.

Case in point: I no longer have an affection, or even patience, for soccer. The Best Friend Formerly Known As Roomie can attest to this. Hocus Pocus, on the other hand, still rocks.

20 Questions with AJ Fallon

Hello, all!

Sorry for the radio silence last week. I was in deep mind meld with my current WIP's characters as I finished up my latest revision. But, we all made it through, so...celebration!

For me, part of keeping in touch with the characters, is doing occasional interviews outside the narrative. This way I know I'm paying attention to how they're approaching their lives and issues.

Today, I'm sharing one of my rounds of 20 Questions with my MC, sixteen-year-old AJ Fallon:

1. What is your real, birth name?

Ahnah Jane Fallon, after both my grandmothers. But nobody but my sister calls me Ahnah. It’s AJ.

2. What’s your family like?

Mom, dad, brother, sister. I don’t really remember the first three that well. They disappeared when I was eight. It’s mostly just little images and feelings and crap. And those might actually be more from what my sister tells me than actual memories. Now, my sister – Ri – she’s the best and most annoying person I know. And a hell of a lot chattier than your average person in a coma. My aunt Gael’s pretty kick ass. The Bisharas are family now too. And the Delgados. And…You know what? Let’s just say my family’s suprisingly extensive.

3. Who was your best friend when you were growing up?

Other than Ri? Deepti. We’re not friends now.

4. Who’s your best friend now? What’s she like?

Ri and Muna. They’re both crazy smart. Ri would help everyone in the world if she could, only taking the ocassional break to watch really bad dance movie sequels. She keeps me on the right track. Muna’s the most genuinely nice person ever and is totally going to run a museum some day or be on Broadway or rule the world. Something along those lines. 

5. What one word best describes you?

I’m guessing you haven’t been talking with my old classmates, because otherwise you’d know the go-to is “crazy.” But, they’re a bunch of idiots. I’d go with “determined.”

6. What’s on your dresser right now?

Chapstick, head bands, picture of my family at my parents ice cream shop from the year they disappeared, pictures of me and Muna stuck on the dresser mirror, couple boxes of granola bars, three nickles, eleven pennies.

7. Are you ticklish?

If you’re cool with getting punched in the face, you’re welcome to try and find out.

8. What’s your favorite song?

Favorites are stupid. I like a bunch of music. I run to “Fire” by Delta Rae a lot.

9. What one act in your past are you most ashamed of?

I've cut my own bangs a few times. Oh, and none of your business.

10. What would you like it to say on your tombstone?

I have a t-shirt that says “World’s Okayest Sister.” I could rock that to the grave. Really anything from my t-shirts would be cool with me.

11. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Bus driver. I liked to people watch.

12. Do you have a job now?

Yeah, I work weekends and some nights over at Haven – the only Otherworlder bar in the city. Waiting tables. Playing music. Polishing the never ending freaking bannisters. That sort of stuff. I also do maintenance for the apartments on the Walk. Otherworlders feel the same way about technology that humans feel about magic – 100% suspicious. One of their toasters break and it’s like a national disaster.

13. What impression do you make on people when they first meet you?

Poor.

14. How about after they’ve known you for a while?

Poor adjacent. I’m told my sixth impression is just great, though.

15. What embarrasses you?

After you totally lose it in front of your 2^nd grade class, screaming things at your invisible sister, and scaring all your friends away, your embarassment tolerance kind of changes. So, not much.

16. What do you like to do when you’re alone?

I’m never alone.

17. Are you lying to yourself about something?

If I won’t tell me the truth, why would I tell you?

18. What are you most afraid of?

The answer to that question. Oooh, and mascots. If I can’t see your face, I don’t trust you.

19. Do you think the future is hopeful?

I think I’m going to make it hopeful, whether it is or isn’t.

20. Do you have a secret?

Only boring people say no to that. I try not to be boring.

How do the rest of you writers out there check in with your characters?