Deadlines & Sapphire Dubois #3 Update

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has written to me, and asked about the third installment in the Sapphire Dubois series. Although patience is a virtue, it's also undeniably boring, so I'm eternally grateful for yours.

We're sill working on the titled, but the third book is coming soon! Yay!
I just finished my second deadline, which means, I only have one more to go before Sapphire #3 is off to the presses. I still have quite a bit of work ahead of me, but I'm so excited to get to share the new story with all of you shortly.

Although the final weeks before the last deadline is the most stressful step in the process, I feel have learned to enjoy the mayhem now. Around this time, my home lay in chaos, I lose anywhere from 5-10 pounds, my dog is overdue for a haircut, my "normal" job suffers due to my lack of focus, and there are literally pages of manuscript EVERYWHERE. I found page 134 in my purse yesterday. No clue how it ended up there.


For the past week, I haven't slept more than four hours a night, and somehow, I didn't feel tired. I felt superhuman and focus on what needed to be done. I felt fab as I finally printed and bubble wrapped the manuscript--I'm still not sure why I felt the need to secure paper. I buckled her up, and drove her to the UPS store. She was, after all, going to my agent, aka: her secondary mother who has shared custody.

Then, as I signed the shipping doc and stood there listening to the UPS guy's detailed story about his Comic-Con costume, I crashed. I don't even recall driving home.
All I remember is walking through the door and pouring myself a captain and coke to celebrate with. I set it down for a second to get comfy on the couch, then...

I woke up a few hours later, feeling rested. My flat captain and coke tasted like...well, shit honestly, but it didn't matter. I was taking my moment and choosing to enjoy it.

Now, I get a few days before the cycle starts over. Though I often plan to just chill and catch up with friends on these days, I can already feel my fingers itch to work on Project X--my next, and first book outside of the Sapphire series.

For those of you who have asked about the possibility of a Silencing Sapphire book club on Wattpad, good news is on the way :)

Xoxo,
Mia

It's All in the Name

All major and minor characters have names (said Captain Obvious).

But what many don't know, is that specifically chosen names can effect how the reader perceives the characters--consciously or subconsciously.

Famous Characters and their Names' Hidden Meanings

Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collin's The Hunger Games Series.

Katniss, as described in the books, is named after a plant that's called Arrowhead or Sagittaria. It shares a name with the Zodiac constellation that is also referred to as The Archer. Fitting, considering our heroine's talent.

 

 

 

The main character from Disney's The Lion King is Simba. In Swahili the name literally means Lion.
I might name my next character Human, just to make sure people don't confuse her with a Water Buffalo.

The antagonist from George Lucas's Star Wars is Darth Vader. Darth means Dark and Vader, Father. Had Luke known that the name of the enemy meant Dark Father, he may not have been as surprised at the delivery of the famous line.

Harry Potter's archenemy is Lord Voldemort, a man with obvious good-looks and a breathing problem. His deep desire for immortality is displayed in his name. Vol de mort in French, means Flight of Death.


For the Sapphire Dubois book series, I often use names to show how the characters relate to each other. For example...


STALKING SAPPHIRE

Sapphire Dubois is a Beverly Hills heiress who hunts and traps serial killers. I chose the name because it was different and wildly un-liked. I wanted to use the name to empower the view she has of her rich society. She dislikes her own name which represents the life she was born into, but does not want.

My main male character--and Sapphire's love interest--Aston Ridder, has a name people can't get right. He, in turn, dislikes his first name because it has caused him grief over the years.
His last name, Ridder, is a manipulation of "Riddare" the Swedish word for Knight. A foreshadowing to the fact that he often shows up to rescue Sapphire.

So, why did I opt for both of my main characters to have the same issues with their names?
Through their common problem, the reader gets a subconscious message that Aston and Sapphire belong together and that their similarities bind them, without me ever having to say it.

Other times, I use the names to show what function a character has to my main character.




For instance, lacking a proper parental figure in her life, Sapphire goes to a priest, her confidant, to get advice and guidance.
                                                                                                              
The priest's name is Father O'Riley.
At first glance it describes his job, but my reason was always to display his role as a father figure in Sapphire's life.

There are a million different ways to use names: hidden meanings, on-the-nose, foreshadowing, symbolically, metaphorically...

As the evidence above states, I'm far from the first writer to do this, and I can guarantee I won't be the last.

Xoxo,
Mia

Last Day at the Office

Then

It seems like it was only months ago that I moved my desk into my very first office, the room meant only for writing. Perhaps it seems it was only months ago, because it was, in fact, only months ago.

After five short months at the house, my husband and I are now being pushed out by our persistent, and non-paying, tenant of death, known to others as the Arizona Scorpion—ugly little bastards with poisonous, sometimes deadly, tails.

Thinking back, we should have moved out the day we realized there was a problem, but due to the fabulousness of the rest of the house—the five burner stove, two offices, a soaking tub—it was easier to hope we could pull through.

Admittedly, the stove’s fancy fifth burner was never used—four is quite enough—and the soak tub was only used as a shower. But I still wasn’t willing to leave my new office which screamed of creative endeavors, and untold literary journeys.

Up and till this house my “office” has been in several un-office-like spaces. Often living rooms, sometimes bedrooms, various coffee shops, the bathroom once. Though, I can’t for the life of me remember why I chose the John for that day. Point is, this office, this space, belonged to me and my books, and I had a hard time letting it go. I knew if I left the house, its new tenant mightn’t be pleased if I dropped by to use the office every day.

Alas, after five months of scorpion hunting, checking the dog’s kennel, my shoes, bed, and underwear for scorpions—yes, underwear. I prefer my privates private and scorpion free—I finally realized, all good things must come to an end. Especially when infested with scorpions.

Now

It is with great sorrow that I spend my last day at this office, before my husband and I move into our new, scorpion-free, two bedroom apartment where we will “share” the office. We’ll be “sharing”  for two days, until I find him way too annoying—as husbands often are—and volunteer to move my desk into the living room, kitchen, or possibly the John.

Farewell words to my office: Thanks for the time I got with you. Hope the new tenant spills less coffee on your carpet. Though, considering the carpet is coffee colored, I never saw a problem with it.

Farewell words to the scorpions: Enjoy my house, you fu**ers.

Xoxo,

Mia

Killing and Resurrecting Your Darlings

As I entered the stage of rewrites with Sapphire Dubois #3, the expression Killing Your Darlings came to mind. English author Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch was the first to say it a century ago, though I think he actually said 'murder your darlings'. The expression has since become widely used not only by authors, but in many professions that involve editing. I, for one, first learned the term in film school.

So what does Killing Your Darlings truly mean?
It means to cut a scene, piece, sentence, or dialogue which you personally hold dear, but which doesn't move the story.

I've killed plenty of darlings through out the Sapphire series. Silencing Sapphire left more figurative bloody body parts behind than I can count. Most of them were scenes I felt were important to the characters, but did not fit in with the movement or slowed down the plot too much.
This is sometimes traumatic, but it's part of the job, and there's nothing you can do to change it...

unless...

You're writing a series.

The upside of a series as opposed to a stand alone, is the opportunity to give mouth-to-mouth and revive an old dead darling when you get to the next book. I never truly delete a scene; I keep all Has-Beens for each book in a separate file together. Partly to make it easier to track them, partly because I imagine the poor rejects will feel less sad and lonely if they're surrounded by other rejects.

When going through the editing process with my agent for Silencing Sapphire, we spent a lot of time discussing a scene which held significance to the characters, but was unrelated to the plot. After much debate, it ended up being humanely put down.
As I was writing Sapphire #3, I found that the old deleted scene from Silencing Sapphire, fit perfectly with the plot movement of the new book. All I needed was CPR lessons and possibly a crash cart.

But before you grab the defibrillator and yell "Clear!" beware and ask yourself one question: When you raise the dead, do they come back the same?

For the scenes you've deleted months ago, but still think about and still have that gut feeling about, I say yes, go ahead and give it your all to resurrect them.

As for the rest of the rejected Darlings, well...
if Mary Shelley and several Zombie movies have taught us one thing, it's that some things are better left dead.

Xoxo,
Mia

6 Things to do when Attacked or Abducted

There are a lot of benefits to being a writer. One of the most important ones for me, is the ability to  place knowledge in another mind.
My character, Sapphire Dubois--Beverly Hills heiress/Martial Arts fighting vigilante--may seem like the epitome of fiction at first glance. However, I always try to implement real life self-defense techniques, along with other useful information, in each of the Sapphire books.

If you ever find yourself being attacked or abducted, here are a few tips and techniques that could help save your life. (Some of the techniques below are from Stalking Sapphire, Silencing Sapphire, and the upcoming third book in the series.)

6 Things to do when Attacked or Abducted

1. Do Not Panic.

To not panic and to think rationally feels impossible when someone is grabbing or attacking you, possibly with a weapon. However, to breathe deeply and to stay calm so that you can strategize and take in the event and all its information, could actually give you an advantage over your opponent.
If you are being taken by someone who is intending to kill you, their actions are often based on emotion which clouds the logical mind.
If you need to create an ultra capable alter-ego, or pretend that you are your favorite hero/heroine to calm yourself, then do so.

2. Throat Punch.

For females dealing with a bigger, stronger, male offender, know he has weaknesses too. The throat, especially the trachea, is extremely sensitive.

If you are ever in severe danger a hard punch to the trachea can stop your opponents breath and even cause him to choke to death. Never do this to anyone if you aren't absolutely certain your life is in danger.


3. Head-butts.

You can head-butt your opponent from the from or the back. If he is behind you, holding your arms, or chest, launch your head backwards as fast and hard as you can.
If the opponents is in front of you, aim your forehead to the bridge of their nose as hard as possible. Not only can this cause a broken nose, but also cause their eyes to tear up, giving you the advantage.


4. Escaping the Trunk

If you are taken and placed in the trunk of a car, know that all cars manufactured after 2002 have a trunk release lever inside the trunk.
If the car you are placed is an older than 2002, look for what you can use inside the trunk. Jacks, screwdrivers, and tool kits tucked with the spare tire can be used as weapons.


5. Anything is a Weapon.

Whether you're being taken, or have already been abducted, know that even the most mundane room can have weapons in it. You could use something as small as a pen to defend yourself. Look around for things that are sharp or hard, then use your imagination and the element of surprise against your opponent. Example: if you're held by chains, you can use the chains to wrap them around your opponents neck. Do not be afraid to hurt them, odds are they're already planning on hurting you.


6. Survival

We, humans, are genetically engineered to survive. The Fight or Flight response from our ancestors, who lived in much more perilous times, is still inside us.
You are stronger and smarter than you think!













Xoxo,
Mia

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

Meet The Author

Just like so many other authors and writers out there, I have spent the past few years living split lives; having two personalities, if you will. In one life, I'm Mia Thompson, Author. In the other, I'm nameless and merely one of many employees who works eight hours a day, then picks up their modest paycheck every two weeks.

The general public may not realize how many of the authors they see on book shelves are still nurses, accountants, store clerks, and waiters. For most of us, writing is our passion, and work, only something we do to feed our needy bodies, pay our pesky bills, and afford clothes other than the PJ's we wear in front of the computer.

I often feel I'm living two secret lives. At my day job, creativity is not welcomed. The rules and orders we are given aren't meant to be bent or questioned, but followed to a T. Me, and the girls I work with, are not expected to be talented, intelligent, or to know the difference between who and whom. We are simply there to be friendly and fun while we execute Corporate's will.

I hardly ever mention to my customers that I'm an author. When I do, it seems to confuse them. Perhaps it's because they feel I don't look like an author (whatever an author is supposed to look like?) or perhaps, it's because I'm working and not sitting in front of a desk with a quill in my hand, quoting Whitman. Often they look at me as if I have ruined they way they see the world: a place where nurses are nurses, accountants are accountants, and the guy who picks up your trash will never be the one to write the next Great American Novel. Because of this, I find it easier to pretend that during nine-to-five, the author doesn't exist at all.
What our costumers and clients rarely know, is that while we scan your groceries, drawn your blood, calculate your receipts, and wipe the crumbs off your table, we are miles away. We are actually adventurers, spies, warriors, aliens, and kings of places you've never heard.

Meanwhile, at my other job, which I like to refer to as my career: My mind and my creativity are my most prized possessions. The title Author, automatically comes with a stamp of authority (whether you feel it's accurate or not.) You are the brand. Without you, the writer, there is only a blank page.
So, just like I don't mention that I'm a writer at work, I don't mention what I actually do for a living, as an author. In every blog, tweet, and interview, I shy away from the subject. Why? Because I don't want to ruin any possible image the reader may have of me and my books.
What the reader rarely knows (with the exception of NY best sellers) is the author they love, might be the very same person who sacks their groceries, draws their blood, and picks up their trash.

Living these two lives: the worker, the author, is much like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...minus Hyde's tendencies of beating people to death, of course. In each of the two personalities hides another. Behind Dr. Jekyll's smile, there is a creature with a deeper will waiting to get out. Within Mr. Hyde's wildness, there is a calm, presentable, man waiting for his turn to come out and be social.

Perhaps, a comfort, to me and my kind (author-who-are-yet-to-live-off-their-writing) is that one personality, could not live without the other at this moment in our lives.
Perhaps without the mindless jobs which pay our pesky bills and feed our needy bodies, we would not have the same ability to dream ourselves away at will.
   

Xoxo,
Mia

The Rough Draft

At 11am this morning, I finished the rough draft of Sapphire #3.

Comparison: A completed, published novel is a nicely put together plate of food: the meat, the potatoes, the vegetables, and the sauce are strategically placed together so that each individual taste and fragrance complements the other.

The Rough Draft means I have peeled the potatoes, marinated the meat, chopped the vegetables, and made a roux for the sauce.

Either way you look at it, it's all food, but it'll taste like crap if you eat it raw.

After the Rough Draft is completed, the real work starts. I spend very little time on my rough draft compared to the rewrites. The first thing I learn when I arrived at my first day of screenwriting class was Writing is Rewriting. Well, technically, the first thing I learn was: Don't be late for class. But, the understanding of Writing is Rewriting was such a valuable lesson that whenever I dig into my second, third, or fourth draft these days, I still hear my old teacher's words in my head.

Of course, just because I have the knowledge, doesn't mean the journey I'm about to set on will be any easier. Ahead of me lay months of questioning every word, storyline, and character movement. There will be at least 132 times where I'll feel like I will puke if I have to read the manuscript one more time. And, despite the serious effort of waving my hands in front of my eyes and breathing into a paper bag, I will break down and cry like a baby at least once...but probably more.

There will be jovial times where I finally nail a scene after months of trying, and times where I wish I would've became a podiatrist instead of a writer, because not even a foot can stink as bad as whatever I just wrote.


Comparison:

My brain before rewrites.

My brain during rewrites















Of course, there are upsides to rewriting as well. First: because of the struggles, the crying, and eventually the breakthroughs, I believe rewriting is what makes you grow the most as a writer.

Secondly: my brain tastes delicious cooked sunny side up and with a side of bacon.

Xoxo,
Mia