Writing can take shape in many forms, and we tend to forget that one of the most popular and poetic is in lyrics. So to celebrate lyrical writing, my friend, Margaret Alexander, came up with this little meme here.

The rules:

1. Thank the person who tagged you and link back to their Lyric Quote post.
2. Go to your iTunes (or wherever you store your music) and find 3 different songs which have lyrics that describe your blog! The quotes should be short, one liners. They don’t have to be exact, just go with what feels right. Use A-Z Lyrics Universe or another similar lyric website to help you out with the exact words.
3. Write down the quotes. Be sure to cite the artist and the song name! Then go to recitethis.com and create a quote poster for each of the quotes. It’s free and super easy! If you find other quote generators, feel free to add them to the rules so other people can use them too!
4. Upload the posters to your blog post.
5. Include a copy of the rules in your blog post and link back to the original post (on Story Addict – addictivestory.wordpress.com).
6. Tag 3-10 people and send a message to each so they know they were tagged. If you’re tagged and don’t want to do the meme, tag someone else who can take your place so it keeps going.
7. Spread the word and hop in even if you weren’t tagged! You can also do the meme multiple times if you like.

First of all, thanks to Margaret for tagging me in this clever meme she created. My three lyric quote posters are as follows. I did two about my books and one about my blog. Thought that might be fun! You can guess which is which

Tagged: Ashley, Louise, Clare, Jess, and Rachel R

I’m so pleased to be able to be a stop on my CP, Margaret Alexander’s, blog tour for her fantasy story, Shadow’s of Penumbra, that she self published. I was even luckier to be able to interview her! Find out about her and her awesome urban fantasy thriller below:

Rachel: Thanks for doing this interview, Margaret!

Margaret: Thanks for having me! It’s kind of weird to be interviewed by your critique partner, who knows virtually everything about me (and my books), but I can only hope to return the favor one day.

Rachel: The pleasure is all mine! So, why don’t you start off by telling us about where you got the idea for Shadows?

Margaret: I’m not sure it was really one “idea” as it was a culmination of ideas from books and movies I read, just grabbing onto things I liked and putting a twist on them. Originally, I wanted to write a pure middle grade fantasy. Those were the days of Harry Potter. That idea left me when I entered high school and I kind of didn’t think about writing for a while since I wasn’t in a writing environment (my middle school promoted writing a lot more than my high school).

But I had a lot of prods to write novels. I had recently read His Dark Materials around that time and I started thinking about guardians, like the daemons in the books. I wondered if I had a supernatural protector what they would be like, what they’d look like, and how they could protect me. It came down to a spirit form of a guardian angel, sort of like a doppelganger that was a perfect version of me, and I eventually called these things Shadows. The rest sort of stemmed from there.

The story also has an apocalypse theme, the idea for which came later. I started to get interested in conspiracies around the time of high school and secret organizations seemed like something really fun to write about. I also like the idea of a dying prodigy leaving a secret to the world, kind of like in One Piece where the great pirate Gol D. Roger tells the world there’s a treasure out there that could make the one who finds it the next pirate king. I really loved that concept and it stuck with me. Like I said before, it’s the things we love that we take from.

Rachel: And what about the vices? That was a plot concept that really struck me. Why did you involve those in the end of the world plot?

Margaret: The Vices stemmed from the Seven Deadly Sins. I’m not sure why they inspired me, but they seemed like an interesting plot device (yes, pun). I think it was an fun way to categorize characters, by their sins, and I also wanted to have sort of a treasure hunt. I felt like giving them something to search and fight for would give meaning to the story and build dynamic between characters, especially with a competitive edge.

Rachel: How long did it take to write this book?

Margaret: You were there so you know, haha. But for those who don’t, one year for the first draft. Then many more years of writing sequel drafts and editing. I would say three years of self-editing at least.

Rachel: Are their other books in the series (as if i don’t know…)?

Margaret: Yeah, just keep pretending. It’s a series of five books. The cover for the second book has already been designed and I’m actually getting the second novel back from my editor this week. There’s still lots of work ahead, but I’m in love with my characters so it’s not something I’d ever want to give up.

Rachel: What’s your main character, Diane’s, drive throughout this series? Does she want the world to end or to save it?

Margaret: She’s the hero type so she naturally wants to do the right thing, but there are lots of nuances that make her doubt wanting to save the world. For one, her biggest desire is to live a normal life. And while saving the world would be the right thing to do, it comes in conflict with her finally having a chance to not deal with death and fighting. It’s definitely a big moral question for her. She’s pretty determined on getting the life she wants. It just might be a lot harder to get than she thinks.

Rachel: Have you written other stories?

Margaret: I wrote a few young adult short stories, one of which inspired a YA thriller titled THE EXECUTIONER AT THE INSTITUTE FOR EXTRAORDINARY CHILDREN. I’ve had mixed reactions to the title. Most are, “Woah, great title!” while others are, “What the heck?!” Haha. I love it, though. It’s a dark concept but very contemporary. The novel is currently signed with Crescent Moon Press.

Rachel: Wow, you’re on a roll! Tell us, what is your normal process for writing? Brainstorming, outlines, betas?

Margaret: I like to know the ending before I start writing, but with this series it was kind of a stab in the dark. I went where my heart told me to go, with a fuzzy outline of the general plot, and very detailed outlines of every chapter as I went along before I actually sat down to write them. I write in small bursts. It’s unusual for me to sit down and write an entire chapter or several chapters in one go, unless I already have many scenes pre-written. Writers are different, though, so they should go with what works for them. I’ve heard that’s a pretty effective way to write, though, since you put in 100% of your energy into every small scene you write.

After writing, I usually swap with my critique partner (that’s you!) and then do a few beta rounds. Then it’s off to the editor. Content editing typically takes a full month before the manuscript makes it back to me with detailed notes. I go through the notes page by page and make corrections, after which I return the manuscript for proofreading. Then it’s ebook and paperback formatting, with a few more rounds of final read throughs to catch last minute mistakes. It’s quite a process, but the process is my favorite part.

Rachel: Where can people buy / read Shadows of Penumbra?

Margaret: You can read sample chapters on the official website, and you can also get the book at a few retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. It’s also listed on Goodreads if you’d like to add it to your to-read list. There’s a few giveaways going on during the blog tour, so be sure to check them out if you’d like the chance to win a free copy!

Rachel: Great to know! Thank you so much for the interview and I encourage everyone reading to go on over and read Shadows of Penumbra

Margaret has always gone after creative, thought-provoking books with deep characters. When she didn’t find too many with that exact blend, she decided to try and write some of her own. She explored her creative side with a major in engineering and a minor in studio art, and traveled half-way across the globe, from Bulgaria to the tropics, and finally the California desert. Maybe that’s why her characters never sit still. She loves to read, illustrate, watch historical movies, ice skate, and dream, and has a high regard for culture, martial arts, and the French and Japanese languages. At the end of the day, there’s nothing she enjoys more than a good story.

Social Media Links:

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I’ll start by sharing a few of my fondest memories from my writerly life and then open up my blog for you to leave comments about your favorite memories!

My First Book- When I was 10 and in 4th grade, we were instructed to write a short book and then read it to a class of kindergarteners. You can read the full story here, but the short version is that I immediately fell in love with writing and knew that it was the something meaningful I wanted to do with my life.

Reading a Final Draft- I have written a total of 5 books (4 of which are a series) and each time I read the final draft, I can’t help but feel euphoric and in awe of what I was able to accomplish.

Twitter- Believe it or not, twitter is one of my great memories because that’s where I met such an amazing collection of talented writers and industry professionals. It has really opened doors for my writing career and allowed me to make some great friends!

Your turn! What are some of your favorite writing memories?

The 250- These initial words are indescribably important. They capture the reader’s attention and draw them in to read more of your opening. It also happens to be a common sample in contests.

End of Chapter One- Most people will give a novel at least one chapter to convince them about the story as a whole. The end of your first chapter should have an outstanding hook and create the burning desire to turn the page.

End of Chapter Three- If the reader was unsure of your story to start, this is an early marker for a big event to happen that should have them begging for more. This is also a common request amount for agents.

End of Chapter Five- At this stage, the reader is likely invested in your story so continue to show them the thrilling/mysterious/frightening/steamy nature of your novel. This is also a common request amount for agents.

Close of Act 1- Ending your first act (a good rule of thumb is 10 chapters per act) on a twist is a great way to switch things up for the reader and keep them guessing.

Midpoint- By the halfway mark, your characters should have endured quite a bit and the plot should be at its “lowest” point. By lowest I mean events should start building their way to the climax at this point.

Close of Act 2- Just like the end of Act 1, use this point in your story to introduce a major reveal without giving away the whole kit and caboodle.

Climax-The final showdown, the big shocker, the turning point—once you reach the climax of the novel, everything you’ve written before this should come together.

Close of Act 3- Given that this is the end of your last chapter, you’ll want to leave an impression, so make it count.

Which of these points do you find is the hardest to plot? The easiest?

Working with these other writers made it clear that there were different but distinct types of betas and CPs that you can encounter during this phase. So, I put them in a list:

The Cheerleader- This reader acknowledges your novel’s flaws, but they are encouraging and supportive of your capability to make it better.

The Nitpick- Just as the name suggests, the Nitpick seems to only find what’s wrong with your story, but their attentive eye can often spot plot holes you miss.

The Booster- No matter the state of your draft, this reader boosts your confidence by showering you with complements that are often the ones you deserve.

The Giver- When you run into snags or are not sure of what needs fixing, the Giver is an excellent reader to call upon because they love to suggest ideas.

The Joker- Generally providing level headed feedback, this reader tends to mask their dislikes with humor and alleviate any editing stress.

The Negative Nancy- As expected, people who fall under this category likely aren’t your target audience but their blunt feedback can be eye-opening.

While it’ obvious why a writer might like some of these over the others, I think it’s important to have them all review your work. They’re each useful in discovering different problems and successes in your novel that will ultimately help you revise your work into the best version possible.

What are some of the types of betas and CPs you’ve encountered?

Check it out and leave a comment with some of your favorite fantasy movies!

Once we arrived in the forest with people boxes where I was hatched, brother and I dig in to the dirt. The worms are plump and delicious this time of year. Once the sky gets hot, the worms dry up. Better to eat berries when the sky is hot. But for now, our meal is perfect. I even pecked out a few small ants from within the grass. What a treat! During the cold sky, I only ate seed. Hard seed.

Other new hatches from last season flutter over next to brother. His worms get stolen. He’s still learning. Too slow to eat. Eyeing the flock around us, I hop over to his wing. “Like this,” I say, plucking a worm and swallowing it whole in one sharp move. “Flap and sing if others try to steal worm.” But his voice is young too and he doesn’t like to sing. Says he sounds like a hatchling. Well, he is. But that will change soon. We eat our fill for the night and return to the new feather trees.

The forest below moves. Fuzzies are running up the trees and big worms slide through the dirt . Many other birds come back too. All colors. But the most are others of us. And the people smile when we arrive more and more each day. The best days are almost here. When water comes from the sky and the worms come out by themselves. Easy dinner those days. And the more plants that wake, the sooner we can build our nests. Best time of year. Yes, I love when the sky is warm and the trees have new feathers.

Regardless of all the market trends or popular genres that are getting the attention of publishers, agents, readers or whoever else, write what you love. If you love paranormal romance, keep penning those supernatural creatures. If you love dystopian, go for the gold. Don’t sky away because of gossip, rumors or assumptions of the industry. If it’s your passion, stick to it. Since it’s something you enjoy, you’ll know the ins and outs and that could give you an advantage whether you’re self publishing or seeking representation. Either way, keep writing what you love.

Secondly, love what you write. Whether it’s your first manuscript or tenth, be proud of it. If you don’t finish for whatever reason, be happy that you grew and learned as a writer from that exercise. Furthermore, don’t count yourself out, or assume you’re a terrible writer if your story gets mixed review. Not everyone loves every book ever written. Even bestsellers get mixed reviews. What matters is that you—the author—love your work. Given the time and effort you invested in the novel, you should love it. Even if it’s not your best, embrace it.

So stay strong, stay empowered and keep encouraging yourself to write what you love and love what you write.

Potential Spoilers Ahead!

How I Met Your Mother- The planning, foreshadowing and non-linear narrative made this show incredibly interesting. But at this point, HIMYM is suffering from running too long. A season or two ago, they set it up for the perfect ending. Everyone happy, Ted about to find the Mother, but then it got renewed. And renewed again. Now the writers are just coming up with silly, out of character material just to reach the finish line.

Glee- Showing the true plight of high school with edgier material helpfully padded by musical numbers and great solos brought me into this show. But the drama has become increasingly melodramatic, essentially turning Glee into an hour long PSA. Furthermore, by focusing so heavily on the old characters, they have made it difficult to attach to the new cast.

Revolution- Ok, this show had no glory to start in my opinion, just a clever concept. Regardless, it has moved the plot so quickly and suffered from excessive holes in the narrative that I struggle to maintain my belief in the world they’ve built. Moreover, after spending the whole first half of the season searching for Danny, they up and kill him? Pointless.

Once Upon a Time- The classic story retellings in this modern fairytale made Once an amazingly different kind of paranormal show in the thick of bland programming. Instead of calmly proceeding with the story and letting characters unfold, they jumped the shark and now they’re floundering around with what to do next.

A lot of these shows are challenged by poor planning and characterization. I find that these are common issues that plague a lot of stories and likely other television shows beyond the ones I mentioned. How are your favorite shows faring?

I believe stereotypes persist because a character’s personality must be relatable to a large percentage of people. As such, writers tend to stick with what is socially normal as these people are easy to connect with and visualize. And even if you don’t connect with everything about the character, there’s surely a point or two about them that you can understand. However, this doesn’t offer much variety. More often than not, these discrepancies revolve around the differences in sexes. How women should act and behave one way while men another. I would love to see more characters who break these gender types.

At the heart of it all, what should make the character believable is not their sex, but rather their actions and reactions to the story around them and how in sync that behavior is with their personality. If the character is timid and shy, they aren’t likely to go hunt down a killer but rather call the police, however if the character is headstrong and reckless, they might very well chase after the killer.

My point is there are several base personality types, but they can vary and change depending on the person and thus could essentially produce hundreds or thousands of combinations. What defines people and more specifically male and female characters is not so black and white.

Personally, I don’t think stereotypes are something writers should continue to encourage. I believe writers should showcase a variety of people, especially if they break social norms and challenge the reader to rethink their assumptions. If you’re still a little confused about my rant, here’s an example:

Jordan- A strong, confident individual who likes to take control of a situation and lead by example.

Alex- A soft-spoken, compassionate person who likes helping others and solving problems.

Now this is where you come in. These characters could be normal or abnormal depending on how you view them. So I’m wondering what you think. Which one of these people is a male character? Which one is a female character? And why? Could you imagine the genders being swapped?