Quiet Obsessions - Installment 1

I'm an avid reader on Soompi, well, I was back in high school and have once again fallen in love with their Fanfics section which has some truly gifted writers. It has been nearly 2 years since I've posted on Soompi or read any recent stories as I have grown out of the "fan"fic stage. However, there are exceptions such as the non-celeb featuring stories which are amazingly well written.

Among some of my favorite writers like, Thao, dearskye, Moe, Aziraphale and kpopchild there are others who have captivated me in their stories such as HiroLovesMeia, a GUY no less, who is the author of Fists and Lipsticks, Fists and Lipsticks 2: The Silver Crescent, and my most current obsession: Vena Cava. It is an excellent read, though just 4 chapters in, you can just imagine what unique twists and turns Hiro has in store for us.

There must be something, some Grammy equivalent for these talented people who no doubt are the inspiration and aspirations of young writers on the forum. In this internet world, the above names and others are the cream of the crop, their works circulate just like books with readers from all over responding in the quickest of ways. This is a very intimate world despite what others believe. This kind of "fan"fiction/fiction(s) has created an outlet for lovers of asian pop and culture. It was my introduction to a world where you could write a story, post it online and get feedback.

I admit there are stories that fall through the cracks and it does take awhile to find a good story to read and then there's the chance that the author could lose inspiration in the middle of the story and the story is ended prematurely which is truly disappointing. Yet, even with those risks as a writer and a reader, this is a world I am very proud to say I am a part of. My writer's soul takes pleasure in the scanning for interesting titles to read as I anticipate updates and new chapters and comment etc.

For now though, I will list my most current obsessions (in no particular order):

1.) Vena Cava by HiroLovesMeia

2.) Welcome to the Underworld by Con.template

3.) Terra Firma by L-live

4.) A Drifter's Paradise by Thao

5.) Say You Love Me by Aziraphale

They are a wonder to read, their worlds let me dive into them as I experience in the most amazing of ways another reality. If there is a better way of escape, I do not know it. But I do know that within these stories, I have the possibility to explore worlds and meet people who do more than impact my life....these fictional characters along with their writers take me on some of the most amazing rides of my life.

I give lots of love, thanks and encouragement to all of these writers. You give me something reasonable to obsess about. :)

Finding Nerve & Getting Back to It

So, it's been a good while since I've posted anything on any particular subject especially concerning my year's goal to get a manuscript complete, but school has been top priority this semester. Textbooks are really over priced and they've caused a dent in my wallet. Although I am a great lover of English and writing, my classes this semester feel a bit dull. However, I am never out of optimism for leaks or rather spurts of some kind of inspiration/motivation. As of now, I am officially on a decent schedule for my classes as well as a writing schedule which I am very proud of.

Tips for aspiring writers: MAKE A WRITING SCHEDULE & STICK TO IT

The "stick to it" will probably be the hardest part, but I found when you make it a priority to write, and to keep an ear out for inspiring things throughout the day you really do have some great ammunition for whatever you are writing. I took what most of those writing sites suggested and walk around campus with a notebook in my bag, hands ready to write bits and pieces of interesting conversation or scenery or just things that interest me in general. It works like you wouldn't believe!

Still, the most important part about all of this is the beginning of my project(s). Chasing Wonderland is the title of this fictional/romance that I have been thinking about for the past few days. It has Asian (Korean) background and I post it on Soompi.com in their forums section. This is done purely for my entertainment and satisfaction. It's a challenge to work on my ability to write in First Person Point of View (p.o.v)which I hope will help me in the official name for my 2010 Manuscript Challenge: Deare Noir.

I've written quite a few things over the past few years and as I read them I realize that I am not very strong when it comes to first person p.o.v thus the exercise challenge. I am excited about Deare Noir though. It's title alone was the cause for this blog though my first blog was initially going to be just about my Manuscript Challenge, I figured why not have a blog for all my work? All of my frustrations? Doubts and high points in writing? Those are my "black" moments and that's when I stumbled upon the french word "noir" and immediately fell in love.

For some reason, the sound, the meaning of this word is fascinating to me. It's odd, isn't it? To love a word that means "black" but I truly believe that it's the dark moments in life that can bring you up and make you stronger. I'm in an odd writer's rut which I hope to get out of with this challenge and thank you to all my friends and family who have been so encouraging.

I'm getting back to what I love.

Ps: Thank you Bokheim Publishing for following this somewhat strange adventure. :)

Chasing Wonderland - Character(s)

Characters in order of Appearance:

please excuse the lack of detail; this is merely for reference

Kim Jin Ae - "The Epitome of Contradictions"

Protagonist

Korean

20 years old

Reddish/Brown Hair

Brown eyes

healthy light tan complexion/skin

5'4

116 lbs/52.6 kg

Andy Lee - "The Brother/Mother/Baker"

Korean

23 years old

Dark brown hair

Brown eyes

Tan

Z - "You never know what you have until it's gone. true statement."

Korean

24 years old

Brown hair

Brown eyes

Tan

Well built; muscular

Kim Taebin - "The Un-summable Sum"

Korean

25 years old

long brown hair

dark brown(black) eyes

Tan

Skinny

A Frustrated Writer

I am a writer. I was born to write. I breathe and eat and sleep words, similes, metaphors, hyperboles and all kinds of figurative language to find beauty in the art that I perform best in. I think for a writer, one of my biggest problems is getting Writer's Block which I swear needs to be a real disease. It's so annoying! How do you get over it? I don't know how other writers do it, but I'd love to find a way to keep inspiration flowing.

See, with this new year just beginning, I figured I'd start a blog about writing a novel. It's been my dream to be a YA (Young Adult) Novelist, it's been my dream to just get a book published, but aside from random rants, short mini stories, blurbs and poetry, I've never been able to pin a good plot. I've tried and I've tried but each trial ended in a terrible ending and I'm done with just playing around with this idea. I figured, why not let the wonderful people of the world wide web help me on this endeavor, you know.

So, starting today for the next 365 days, I am on a journey to finish my first manuscript ever for my first book. Whether or not I can get it published, well, we'll just have to see, but I hope that through this experiment I will find my voice in literature and find a meaning to my life. Think of this as a 20-year-old's way of transitioning into adult-hood. Writing has always been my escape, my hope, my first love...so maybe it'll help me grow some more into becoming the woman I'm meant to be.

It's gonna be a crazy mess, but that's life, right? One crazy mess right after the other. See you at the end of 365 days.

xoxo, beckie.