Monday, July 15, 2013

Thinking About it Totally Counts

Silk & Scandal

By Cassandra Dean
So. Um. I haven’t been doing that much writing. Bad, bad Cassandra. *hangs head in shame*

However, don’t fret, it’s okay! I’ve been thinking a lot about writing. It counts, right? Right??

Well, of course it does! Authors never stops thinking about their stories. We constantly develop, rewrite, brainstorm and workshop. I know I think about my stories constantly, when I’m driving, in the shower, during really boring office meetings. Constantly I’m reworking, creating, problem solving and planning the next story. It’s pretty busy in my head, at any given time. :D

This constant thinking is one of the joys, and also one of the burdens, of being a writer. It’s a joy because you never not have something to think about, but it’s a burden because you never switch off. Thinking, thinking, thinking, always thinking. It can be exhausting, but extremely rewarding.

The time away from writing, where you’re just thinking about things, is extremely beneficial as well. You need that time to let the story bubble away in your brain. Your subconscious never lets go of the story, and you can find a problem that had been stumping you for days suddenly is completely solved, fully formed in your brain.

Of course, with all this thinking, I need to switch off for a bit, and what better way to switch off than watching TV and movies?

Watching TV and movies is just as good as thinking about it. In some ways, it’s even better. Seeing other people’s style, how they solve problems, helps you develop your own skills. Are you stuck on a particular character? Maybe aspects of the sidekick from a comedy show you watch can help. Don’t know what to do in a situation? Maybe the way the heroine solved the problem in the drama you watch will help. In any event, it never hurts to see how someone else does it, even if it just solidifies you wouldn’t do it that way.

Want to give it a try? Just look off pensively into the distance and it’s bound to hit you :D Not working? Well, to get the ball rolling, here’s a few questions that may help:

   *  What are my characters motivations?

   *  Does it make sense for that event to occur in the plot? Do I need to add a scene or a conflict/beef up a scene or a conflict/delete a scene or a conflict in order for that event to make more sense?

   *  Do I really need that giant squid? (Answer: Of course. Every story needs a giant squid.)

So thinking about it totally counts! And, of course, I’ll get to writing soon...


Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were friends. Over the wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.

All things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored and alone, she falls into scandal. Mired in his studies of the law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever their ties.

But now Lady Nicola is back…and she won’t let him ignore her.


Available NOW
Amazon: US | UK | Canada

Cassandra grew up daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures.

Fairy tales, Famous Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion was born.

So, once upon a time, after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.

The love affair exists to this very day.

Cassandra lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

You can find Cassandra at:

CassandraDean.com ~ Cassandra and Lucy ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

2 comments:

Jessica E. Subject said...

Thinking about writing totally counts, so long as you don't forget everything you've been thinking about. LOL I get some really good ideas for stories, or a great line, and I have to write them down before they get buried under a heap of other thoughts. Watching TV doesn't work for me. If I'm not working while watching, I'll fall asleep. But reading gives me ideas (sometimes it's what not to do), and gets the creative juices flowing, too. Congrats on your new release! Love your stories, Cassandra!! :)

Cassandra Dean said...

It's funny where your ideas come from, isn't it? Reading gives me notions as well, especially if I don't agree with the direction of the story. And I agree with writing things down, you always forget if you don't!
Thanks so much for your lovely words, I'm so glad you enjoy the stories :D