So, since this is a writer's blog, I thought I might want to actually have some posts about writing. ;)

I am currently suffering from the thing that is most dreaded in the writer's world, (Besides carpal tunnel syndrome) and that is Writer's Block.

I've hit 140,000 words on the first draft of my novel only to hit a wall that is seemingly a mile thick. Even after a five hours brainstorm session with my 'idea bouncer' Jessica, we didn't seem to be able to tunnel through it. I've explored many possible paths, but nothing seems to be able move the plot along naturally. I've even found the exact spot where the problem lies. To no avail. Now the waiting game begins until the correct step falls into my head.

Now, until that happens, I've decided to examine writer's block. Why is it that our brain suddenly stops? I've been working on this story for almost a year, so why do I lose the thread only a couple thousand words before the conclusion? It is definitely unexplainable.

I've been told many things: 'Writer's block doesn't exist', 'It's all a matter of willpower', and 'Your just procrastinating because you don't want to finish' (ha!). I don't believe any of these things, because I haven't written anything that benefits my plot in almost three weeks. Some theorists say that using writing prompts or starting on another story might help, but I can't motivate myself to do that...it feels like I'm almost abandoning my characters.

I don't think we'll ever figure writer's block out! What do you guys think? Leave a comment and tell me what you do to fix writers block!

CV

P.S. Don't forget to fan me on Facebook for exclusive updates! Click here.

Hello Readers!

I am so sorry that I haven't been online lately, but certain things, including my mother getting spine surgery this Friday, have kept me busy. But in order to make up for that, I'm going to post on the next THREE chapters of 'Wings' to make up for the time I've lost!

When we last saw Laurel she had the zit of a lifetime on her back. Now she wakes up Saturday morning, and the bump is gone. Gone! Not that something hasn't replaced it....

A huge flower is growing out of her back. You heard me -- Flower. Purple blue and white, its beautiful, and by no means painful...but honestly, how would you react if you woke up one morning and had a huge flower growing out of your back? *Freaking out!*

She decides to tell her science geek and blossoming romance buddy David. After *painfully* cutting off a piece of one of the petals and taking it to him, he determines that it is indeed a piece of plant. After much internal battling with herself, she tells him her secret. He is completely blindsided, but otherwise supportive.

This three chapter run concludes with a mysterious and slightly creepy visit from a realtor interested in buying a piece of the Sewell's property. The next day Laurel announces they are driving back to the property again, her mother is having second thoughts. She invites David, but he is unavailable. Something tells me a mystery more than just the mysterious wing like growths is shaping up. We'll have to wait and see!

P.S. Please comment and tell me what you think of the new layout!

CV

I need a good subject for another blog post besides my book reviews... Have any ideas? e-mail me at CharleeVale@post.com

Time for the 4th installment in my review of 'Wings' by Aprilynne Pike!

This chapter is the longest so far, a nice refresher. And it revolves around the bane of teenage existence: The Zit. Our heroine Laurel gets one on her back.

After some slightly awkward conversation about puberty and the things that come with it, we move on. (Thank God!)

Laurel heads over to David's house for a 'study' session. He happens to be outside when she gets there, mowing the lawn - with no shirt. Believe me when I say that the in-detail descriptions of how his muscles look are intended to make the female readers drool. (It almost worked. ;))

Laurel passes the biology test for which she has studied, but the bump on her back is getting bigger. I think its safe to say its not a zit. What is it? A tumor? A hunchback in the making? Laurel's preoccupation with what could be wrong with her causes some strain in her relationships, especially the one with David.

I can't help but notice the way Aprilynne continually describes stuff in regards to Laurel. Her entire being revolves around the natural. She feels the need to be outside whenever possible, especially when faced with school inside. She takes a walk every morning to enjoy the air. And now in this chapter the thought of swimming in salt water makes her sick. She claims that it feels like the salt 'seeped into her pores and made her exhausted for days afterward'. Is something up with her? Or is she just extremely weak and picky.

By the end of the chapter, the bump is now the size of a softball. That's HUGE! I would be freaking out too! I guess we'll find out what it is soon enough.

CV

Send your questions to CharleeVale@post.com

I have just bought the domain charleevale.com! It is not launched yet, but I'm working on it. I'm new to the whole website thing, so it might take a little bit, I have to do graphics and such. However, I wanted to share this good news with you all!

CV

I'm driving down the road, and all of a sudden I have to slam on my breaks for an SUV who has slowed down to the crawl equal to that of a centipede in front of me. Why?

SPEED BUMP!!!!!

These are things that I just don't understand. They are a waste of cement. Why would we put little bumps on the road that cause people to inch over them, only to have them speed up twice as fast on the other side? Does that sound like it prevents accidents to you? I don't think so.

Now, aside from being completely pointless, speed bumps give my quite a few laughs. I love it when I'm driving behind a Cadillac Escalade, and they slow down to two miles an hour to go over a speed bump. What are they afraid of? Scratching the paint? I kinda want to roll down my window and yell at them: "You shock absorbers are built to handle anything from Mount Everest to the Amazon! A six-inch high cement blob should be no problem!"

If my modified Ford Taurus(Which despite you skeptics, is awesome and has a V-8 Super High Output engine) can handle a speed bump at thirty MPH with barely a jostle, any SUV can.

Please tell me if you agree that these yellow semicircular blobs that cover the road are hazardous to peoples health. Not only from rear end crashes (Because the yuppies that own $100,000 cars are afraid of a bump) and from death by laughter from these same people.

CV

Don't forget to mail me your questions for me to write about!
CharleeVale@post.com

As I said in my post yesterday, I have been reading The Mortal Instruments Trilogy by Cassandra Clare. I finished the series today. I can easily say that these three books have made me more angry than any other book series I have read. I loved them.

If you are confused by this, let me explain. These books are each approximately 500 pages long. I read all three of them in four days. You do the math, that's a lot of pages. The books were beautifully written, and had a plot that drew you in. Clare also had the brilliance to have plot twists that frustrated you so much that you couldn't help but to continue reading, simply for your own peace of mind!

I enjoyed them, but again a word of caution before reading. If you do not like mythical creatures, do not read this series. As much as I have to laugh at this disclaimer, I am serious. I know that since Twilight most people are absolutely opposed to any book that contains mythical creatures. I was not aware that this series contained them at all, by the time I found out it was too late to turn back.

There is also some unsettling relationships that you must be prepared to handle if you prepared to handle. (The nature of which I won't say because that would ruin the story. :)) But all in all, they are beautifully written books with an extraordinarily complex plot. I encourage anyone who is up to the challenge to read them.














CV

P.S. Apparently my comments aren't working, so I am posting a reply to my post for one of my forum friends.

"I agree on all counts - except I think Twilight's issue wasn't supernatural creatures, it was the fact that it encourages borderline abusive relationships ("because he loves me soooo much").

But I loved Cassandra Clare's trilogy - couldn't put it down. And the relationships were pretty darn disturbing at times!

For something which is only PG coz of some good healthy piratical killings, follow my twitter story from August 1.

username: Louise_Curtis_
name: Felicity Bloomfield"

Ahh....back to blogging. I totally apologize to everyone for being so lazy! But life kind of swept me along these past couple of weeks. But, as well as another chapter of wings, I came back with reading suggestions! I've read three books in the time I've been gone.

First - Looking for Alaska by John Green
This book is awesome! It it an incredible portrait of the wild emotions that come with the teen years, especially when facing tragedy. There is quite a bit of language, and some more mature material, so if you don't think you can handle it, don't pick up this book. For everyone else, I encourage you to read this. You won't regret it.


I'm also just starting the third book of The Mortal Instruments trilogy (over the last two days I read City of Bones, and City of Ashes. Now I'm on City of Glass) I don't want to voice my opinions on them until I've finished the third book, but I imagine that will be pretty soon.

Now, enough with housekeeping - on to the third chapter of Wings!

Several weeks have passed and our innocent homeschooler is gradually adjusting to the public school life. (Having been homeschooled myself, I really don't know what this is like, but we all know its filled with drugs, sex, and violence. *Shock, horror!*) She know has friends which include the good looking david.

This is the day it happens. the awkward first date disguised with an offer of 'hanging out.' I did see this coming. Again I have to notice that there is a particular emphasis on plants. David offers her a walk in the woods, she enjoys walking in the rain, always chooses fruit to eat, etc. I'm hoping this will be explained in later chapters.

What I didn't see coming was that Laurel was a basket baby. She was left on her parents doorstep at approx. Age 3, with a full vocabulary and strange accent that has since disappeared. Hmmm...Russian import perhaps? She seems content with her lot in life, but I can't help but feel as if the mystery of her parentage will unfold further in the book.

The chapter closes with the promise of more romance in the future. I will keep you posted!

I want to finish this book by the timw I go back to college, So I will be attempting to post (chapter reviews or otherwise) much more often than I have been. Thanks for reading!

CV

P.S. Don't forget to fan me on facebook for exclusive updates and sneak peeks of my novel!
Click here to become a fan!