'Dark Horizons' and a little inspiration

Thursdays are my days off (at least until July 14; we just went through a shift bid), and one of my absolute favorite things in the whole wide world to do is sit out on the porch in the sunshine and read/write/draw. It relaxes me, plus I get to work on my sunburn suntan. I don't mind sweating because it makes me feel like I've accomplished something. (Now if I could just tell myself that every time I skip out on working out to lounge on the couch and type.) After tweaking some on Veiled Innocence, I was itching to get back to work on my outline for Dark Horizons. Which, for the record, is shaping up to be a very fun book. More action, more drama, more romance, more Sloane kicking a lot of ass.

Have I written anything on it yet? No, not "officially." I've scribbled out some scenes in my notebook. Per recommendation of a friend, I downloaded Scrivener and decided to give it a go with DH. And within minutes, was yearning to go back to my massive story-planner-notebook-thing. I don't know what it is about scratching things out by hand, but I feel better about plotting when it's done with a pen and paper. I like being able to flip forward or backward, ink in little sidenotes and "what if's," and rearrange pages or scenes just to see "how it reads." Not to mention there's also the satisfaction of ripping a page out and crumpling it in your fists. Muwhahaha! Take that characters and insignificant scenes!

*Ahem*

Diabolical machinisms aside, DH is shaping up nicely. As I said before, I'm trying to hold off on doing any serious writing on it until I know better what the outline looks like. I've told you guys before: I'm a "third draft's a charm" type of gal, and usually end up rewriting my books at least 3 times (VI was rewritten 4 times). Which tacks on more time and pushes my publication goal that much further out. In lieu of getting it out quicker, I'm restraining myself - and it is really hard not to dig right in, because as you guys know, I am not a patient woman - until I know exactly how everything is going to play out, detail by tiny detail. I promise I'll give you guys more updates when I have something ready to share (scenes, teasers, contests, puppy giveaways, etc.).

So something else happened to me today while I was on the porch. Since some wasps decided I needed help planning out my story, I shooed them away and came back inside. No sooner had I sat down on the couch when -

BAM! POW! KACHOW!

Another story idea pops in my head. It's usually like that; they just hit me from nowhere, practically pulling my hair and demanding I tell their story. Then I have to shove them back in line behind all the other characters (Sloane was pretty PO'ed), and tell them to wait their turn.

I always get really excited when I get a new idea, something I liken to "shiny, new toy" syndrome. So I hopped onto my laptop and sprinkled some ideas into a word document. I know how it's going to open... and that's about it. I know my MC's blonde, a band geek (WORD!), and a kickass superhero. I don't know what her name is yet, but I'll figure it out. For some reason, the name "Scarlet Avenger" popped into my head for her alter ego, but I don't know if that will stick or not. I do know I want this series to be fun, romantic, and a little lighter from my usual fare. (I know what you're thinking: What?! No cannibalistic dwarves, soul-sucking demons, or eat-your-face-off vampires?) Nope. There won't be any of that, although I am considering giving her telepathy and having her fall for a hot pyromaniac (no pun intended). ;)

So that was my day. Oh, and reading The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah. J. Maas while I anxiously await Throne of Glass to be released.

Back to the cubicle tomorrow. *cringe* Maybe this week I won't have to listen to a total stranger take a piss, or learn about more government conspiracies, like how I can download this special computer program and watch my boss be sucked into the computer before my very eyes! (No, I did not make that last bit up.)

How did your week go? Does anyone else have any interesting stories to tell?

xoxo,