Notes and Things

Intermission

Just a little warning I will be taking a break from Spirits & Angels. I feel like it's a good point between sections and instead will be posting a short story I've been working on. The Short story is going to be less 20,000 words and when it is done I'll get back to S & A.

Since the short story is almost done and I'll just be posting 3-4K chapters plus aprologue and epilogue. This will give me time to devolve further into the world of S&A.

After that I'm seriously considering early retirement from writing, but more on that later.


Chapter 13

Rambling
Thank you for the feedback on chapter 13, I was unsure about putting it up together but there was no good breaking point. Chapter 13 was tough because I had written up a new outline, originally Sofia wasn't going to leave but it felt like the right direction.

I think the two are going to start learning more about their relationship to each other. I will admit I did "lie" because I knew how Sofia really got pregnant, it was important for her to be in complete denial because waaay back in New Angel people think that all foster kids use drugs. . .

Shawna
I know I stole Winston but I really wanted the name of a place in North Carolina

Background
This chapter was different in that I heard "Why Georgia Why" and wanted to write a chapter for it way back since chapter 4. I knew it would involve someone on an empty highway (which is no where near what the song is about) with a destination.

I also hesitated with the back-and-forth but I loved the way SH did it that I thought I'd give it a try. Also I didn't want it to come off too linear.

Music
As, 'Perri' mentioned I used a lot of country music and that was intentional. Like I said I considered writing Sofia's time in NC by itself and wanted to use all country music to set a tone but It just didn't work out that way.

Miranda Lambert - I like her voice and recently saw her on a Wal Mart commerical.

Sober by Kelly Clarkson - That section was also written for this particular song. It worked well because the chapter takes place over 3 months.

Retrospective & Numerals
In my last post I mentioned I did something rather tricky and it was in IV. I was afraid of overdoing the retrospective. Here is how it went

1. Sofia is presently in the car with Tomas flashing back to Washington Square park
2. Sofia is in Washington Square park flashing back to arriving at Severine's that morning where she is flashing back to 2 months ago. Then it all folds up to her leaving Severine's and going back to the beginning of IV where she is in the park.

Did that make sense ?

As far as Numerals go, I threw them in there last minute to differentiate the past from the present.

Pictures
Sofia's first outfit is based on this picture (via Life Magazine) of Jackie O that is also the picture for XIII that was distorted, in another version (I don't have) you can see that she is barefoot.

Also I found this website where I may from time to time post picture of the chapter's outfits. Here are some things I could see Sofia wearing in this chapter.


What to expect . . .

I really have ta sense of what I want from the characters in this and the following chapters, Sometimes I feel like I introduce so many secondary characters but it's just an example of how I feel my life has been.

I think I have put a little more of myself and life in these next two chapters.

Thanks

- LL

A Little Gift

here is a link for my new project !

" I will say that it will reflect on some of my interest as a teenager including science fiction, horror, paranormal and whimsical fantasy fairytale"

q&A + 17Butterflies

Hi,

So, this has been a meticulous past few days, I'm really tailoring my outline. I thought I might start off with a little Q&A that might be helpful. (sorry formatting is a bitch)

• We all want to know, why the name Linda Leigh and how did you come up with it ?
• I don't know I really just like alliterations.
• What are some of your favorite writers ?
• Well, Shawna, of course and any post-feminist writers
• How would you describe your relationship with Shawna Harrison ?
• We are friends and each other's cheerleaders, I guess to some degree we are mind readers.
• What is your favorite alcoholic beverage ?
• Whiskey Sour
• Non-alcoholic beverage ?
• Grande Skinny Soy Vanilla Latte
• What is your ideal date ?
• With Johnny Depp, I know someone saw that coming W/ Mr. Leigh shopping for the fam at the big Whole Foods !
  
• What is your writing process ?
• Well, I write what I want to happen briefly in third person format and get inside everyone's head for example here is the part of what an outline for chapter 12 was like
• Tomas starts working a second job so he can get away from Maddie and Erick. He starts working mornings as a Janitor at a high school in either the city or in New Jersey. He wants to live simply and owns only the necessitates. He wants to get a divorce but gets to wrapped up in dating a teenage girl at the school.
• Then as I write it out I go full-stop then I listen to music to help me finish some parts ,while listening to" Big My Secret" the therapy sessions were created

What do you write on ? (Mac or PC ?!)

Mac

How do you come up with characters names ?

They names mostly have "cultural" meaning, Severine and Angeline have French aristocratic names, but Angeline's real name isn't Angeline she is a francophile and changed it, which leads to something else intersting. . . . . (hint, it's in chapter 13)

Sofia's name is irish, Tomas' (first and last) name comes from famous Eastern Europeans on Wikipedia, Gracelyn is a greek name, Maddie and Eric were chosen at random and Adam's name came from the bible. Dr. Lane's name comes from a teacher i had once

How do you feel about allegations you are cheating off Shawna Harrison and Joel Baker ? Many people say Tomas is a rip off of Harrison's Slate ?

I've never heard these allegations but I don't really see it, I may have to take a closer look, I can see the HIV, female SO and reluctance but their voices just feel different psyhcologically. I can say that I have never read any of Joseph's writings

Will you ever do a tour ?

No, I don't like traveling anymore.

Are you surprised by the amount of loyalty that exists between readers of books ?

No, people have a tendency to bond over common interest.

What can we expect from your new blog post ?

Soon, I'm 3,000 words into chapter 14

Would you ever change your name to Linda Leigh legally?

No, I like my name

---------------------------------

Now, this chapter is a big one it's over 10,000 words but I just didn't feel right separating, so pace yourself if you must. In this chapter I tried something that is like the equivalent of a Triple Axel in ice-skating (don't ask), it's very ambitious So, I need some honest opinions on this one.

I wasn't going to but it into Roman Numerals at first but it came out pretty even but if you wanted to ignore the numerals feel free, I just wanted to add some pictures !

I also did something with the music, I don't know if it's super obvious (yeah, more female artist !)



Songlist

I.

+1+ Why Gerogia Why - John Mayer

II.

-2- Bring Me Down - Miranda Lambert

III.

+3+ Sober - Kelly Clarkson

IV.

None

V.

None

VI.

-4- Never Say Never The Fray

-5- Love Your Memory - Miranda Lambert

VII.

None

VIII.

-6- Because of You Kelly Clarkson
-7- Jesus Take The Wheel - Carrie Underwood

IX.

+8+ So Close - Jon Maclaughlin (because I love this song)

X.

None

Here is the playlist :

and 17Butterflies



P.S

I found a new website to add something to the stories !

Push

Hello everyone

I'm going to come right up and say that there is no update today

I'm going to try and post more often even if it's not an update

Chapter 12

I mentioned something about chapter 12 having some realtion to UL and after I finished the chapter I realized that Brad and Tomas shared some of the same characteristics. I originally never envisioned Tomas to be sympathetic character from the very beginning, but I think it's hard to not want to empathize with him sometimes.

I will admit that I am concerned about the direction I am taking this story into but I am going to try and stick to my outline as much as possible.

I also didn't have a picture for chapter 12 and I wasn't going to put one but just so you know the man in the picture is Robert Pattinson.

Push

I called this post Push because I have been pushed by some people at Cobalt (Julie R.) to try something new, so I am working on a new little creation that is very different from anything else I've done so far.

I don't want to say to much about it except it will probably be a shorter story maybe 10-15 chapters or a set of vignettes. Right now it is in a BIG development stage and I will aslo say that it will refelct on some of my interst as a teenager including science fiction, horror, paranormal, whimsical and fantasy but in a romantic sort of way.

Next Update

I am a tinsy bit behind on my updates and want together at least 10,000 words done before I start posting. I would like to post chapter 13 in two parts but I'm not sure yet.

- LL

Dozen

Okay everyone so I think you all may have felt my apprehension about the last chapter but I feel a a little sad about letting this chapter go, I found some nice music as well. I don't really have much to say except people who read United Light might find this chapter. . . interesting.

Playlist (The songs are spaced out)

+1+ - Figured You Out - Nickleback

+2+ - Big My Secret - Michael Nyman

+3+ - How To Fight Loneliness - Wilco

+4+ - Tears and Rain - James Blunt

Distracted

I'm Back

*peeks out nervously*

I have no idea how to explain my terrible absence. It's been a mixture of writer's block and just a lot of things,but I have wonderful news ! I have so much material to work with that I don't plan to ever let things get out of hand like this again.

I took some of Shawna's advice and played some classical music and it all just clicked ! I also looked up some new songs I think I'm up to 75 and I have a few new favorites .

I have some few left over things from my last post soooo long ago.


1. I can honestly say that Mrs. Austin and Jane Austen was not at all intentional

2 Here is my songlist so far, if your curious

Now these next chapters I feel are very interesting I felt that it was more Novel-like than my previous writing, I don't know how to explain it. I'm really happy at how chapter 12 is turning out so you will see it soon.


Here we go with a playlist, once again there are numbers to correspond with each song if you feel so inclined.

+1+ - Fix You - Coldplay

+2+ - What Hurts The Most - Rascal Flatts

+3+ - Like A Star - Corrine Bailey Rae

+4+ - Umbrella - Marie Digby

Okay

Money, Politics and the Yankees

BackTracking

Chapter 10





Petal Brooke, NC



I made a little mistake but here goes. I decided to put Petal Brooke in the South and sucking a geography I thought Charleston was in North Carolina and that's how I got the Cat's name. When doing train research I realized that it was in South Carolina but I'd already written everything out to take place in North Carolina, So Charleston's name should be Charlotte or Raleigh.



Pictures



So one of the reasons I have been putting pictures at the bottom is because I know how smart you all are and I feel that they could be spoilers.



I have had the picture of the couple in the field since I started writing Spirits. I just kept it around and when I was done with Spirits I still wanted to use it I just didn't know when. I wanted Sofia & Tomas final conversation of the chapter to be in the Diner again but once they were in the car I thought about how there are sometimes flower fields by highways and that's how I came upon that scene. I cut it off becuase I didn't want to imply a reunion or consolidation



Wildflowers

Joseph, came up with a nice explanation of the wildflowers but in my mind it was Sofia's way of saying that she feels like her life is a waste, because people are going on and out of her life so quickly like cars on the highway



Jon Vs. John



Like my best friend I love Jon Maclaughlin and I have been holding on to Human and Beautiful Disaster for a while. I originally had Beautiful disaster for when Adam leaves but I liked Sideways better. I found Human before I knew it was on Scrubs ( I have two scrubs fans who comment, so) . I love this Beautiful Disaster much more than Kelly Clarkson's.



I know John Mayer's SDIABR sounds a lot like Waiting for the World to change but I took "Slow Dancing" to be a metaphor or euphemism.



If you care here are some bits I liken to the story



I. Beautiful Disaster



She never stays the same for long,

Assuming that she'll get it wrong.

Perfect only in her imperfection.



And she would change everything for happy ever after.

Caught in the in between of beautiful disaster.



II. Human



all these ups and downs,

they trip up our good intentions,

nobody said this was easy ride.



always fighting what we’re feeling,

hurt instead of healing,



Sofia's Pregnancy



So, I tilted with this idea for a while and I'm sure somewhere in a post I told someone in a comment that I wouldn't do it but since writing Emma's part in Chapter 1 it tugged at me and I put it in my notes.



Putting back up the fourth wall Sofia did not sleep with Adam. There was a part in Chapter 9 that was meant to be super-vague where Sofia is sitting on the bathroom floor after she has inseminating herself. I copy & pasted it here :

"I start to wipe my eyes surprised that there are no tears. I slid down the wall till I’m sitting on the bathroom floor trying to convince myself that I’m doing the right thing.

It’s odd being alone in the apartment again but at the same time it’s nice knowing I wouldn’t be bothered. I can’t help but to contemplate what comes next. If in the end I’ll be happy or scared

I guess only time will tell."

There are other super tiny hints that Sofia is pregnant:

• In chapter 9 she first uses the words "family "
• What little family I had fall apart.
• She drinks Masala Chai on the train which is known to help Nausea
• Toms notices that the ribbon on her sweater fits tighter
• In chapter 9 when Tomas tells her that she can do whatever she wants she replies with "it's never going to be like that" and "I've already done what I want"
• In chapter 9 when she tells Tomas that she has" nothing else that yours"
• Way back in Chapter 8 when Sofia and Tomas were having their flashbacks. Sofia was thinking about her mother to foreshadow her becoming pregnant and Tomas' flashback is foreshadowing him wanting to end his marriage.

HIV & Pregnancy

Because Tomas is HIV positive he has a very high chance of infecting Sofia or any child he would have. There are certain percentages of infecting or not infecting the fetus but it becomes an ethical dilemma and Sofia realized this.

In addition to all this

I wrote out the part where Sofia approaches a man about paying for his sperm, instead of the bathroom scene it was very short.

I also didn't mention this before but Dr. Amherst was a Gynecologist, I'm not sure if that means anything.

Missing Scenes

So, Shawna once asked me if I regretted anything and I truly hate most of Dear Angel. I don't like the ending or the middle and one of the reasons I didn't write the wedding scene is I didn't know how until now. I think part of this chapter was to remedy some of that.

+++

I think that's all the back tracking here is my extended music list.

1. Winter by Josh Radin

2. Waiting For My Real Life To Begin by Colin Hay

3. In The Sun By Joseph Author

4. Over My Head by The Fray

5. Always Midnight by Pat Monohan

6. Closer by Josh Radin

7. Gravity by John Mayer

8. Dreaming with a Broken Heart by John Mayer

9. These boots are made for walking - Jessica Simpsion

10. Stranger by Secondhand Serenade

11. Someday by Nickelback

12. Collide by Howie Day (Including Acoustic)

13. Everybody by The Backstreet Boys

14. Say by John Mayer

15 No Envy No Fear by Josh Radin

16. A song for you by Donny Hathaway

17. When Love Takes over - Kelly Rowland

18 Realize - Colbie Calliat

19. Honselty - Cary Brother

20. No Reason - Hoobastank

21. Sideways - Citzen Cope

22. Apologize - One Republic

23. I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab for A Cutie

24. Look After You - The Fray

25. How To Save A Life - The Fray

26. Gotta Get Through This - Daniel Bedingfield

27. Beautiful Disaster - Jon Mclaughlin

28. Human - Jon Mclaughlin

29. Slow Dancing In A Burning Room

30. To Build A Home - Cinematic Orchestra

I've been away

I can't believe I let it go this long without posting a blog post. Chapter 9 was pretty short and I'm not all together sure if there was something else I could have added to it. I try to make my chapters 5,000 words long and that one was around 3,500. I think the longest one was chapter 6 at almost 7,000.

Numbers aside I do have a 5,000+ word update for you and a few changes. I decided to only put +number+ when there is music associated with the chapter and the numbers don't start over.

I

+1+ Beautiful Disater - Jon Mclaughlin

+2+ To Build a Home - Cinematic Orchestra
II

+3+ Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer

III

+4+ Human - Jon Mclauglin (This is my song !)


I know lots' of Jon & John !

Here it is :

Wildflowers