Not much more than driving or work happened today, I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. So today was just about making progress across the country.
Author Archives: Spencer Marie
Yours Sincerely, Lost Completely
Hello from the road! I spent most of the day in the car, and we have checked off two more states! I’ve got lots of great pictures for you today. I also had some progress on the book! So let’s talk about that.
I am working on the first pain point for tegan and Emerson. I got about 500 words written in the car today on my phone and on my laptop. The fight us going to plant some very small seeds of doubt in Tegaen head. They recover and spend a few more years together, but I really want to explore that feeling of being able to trace the demise of a relationship. It hard making two folks you like and enjoy together fight. I don’t get the folks who like to torture the people they create. I am rooting for all these kids, even when they are shitty and do shitty things. You root for the little hurt people inside them to get better. So it was kinda rough. I’m hoping to get some more words at the hotel.
My Arms Miss You My Hands Miss You.
Hello from eastern Oregon/Western Idaho.
Mostly photos today because I had to work this morning and writing was pretty slow and uneventful. (More punch up and transitional scenes)
Hoping to hit a coffee shop tomorrow and get a few pages of this scene in my head, it’s like rapidly getting out of hand and I need to get it out of my brain before it overbakes.
You already hurt my feelings three times. In the way only you could.
I feel like every writer has to learn how to deal with how their emotions affect their writing. But when all I write is about emotions feels impossible. When I am sad or hurt, it is hard to put that aside. I got some transitional stuff written, just snippets and punch up on some scenes. just under 1600 words. not bad, not off track, not the day or the writing day I wanted. I wanted to sit down and write this scene I had in my head with Emerson and Tegean, but I was too tender, too exposed today. My mind wandered too much. The hows and why are a thousand questions I have but will never ask.
I thought a lot about why I am writing this story today and why I want to write romance novels in general. I think it is because there is more to emotions, love, and sex than fluffy fantasy where nothing actually shitty happens and every relationship ends in a happy ever after. Don’t come for me. I love those books too, but I just think that when the genre is as broad as romance, we should explore more sides of it. And maybe at the end of the day, romance readers come to the books to get away from the absolute hellscape that modern romance can be.
I think there is something sexy about people realizing what they want, especially when those wants are not the traditional ideals we are taught about love. All of the romance books I’ve ever attempted to write have a kink. Lots of them have multiple partners throughout the book, or threesomes or polyamory. I think that even within the romance community, there can be some prudish tendencies. I think that novels are a great and safe way for folks to engage in something that may pique their interest but they don’t feel they could ask for, or even know how to ask for. Or in some instances, they didn’t know it existed. They can also serve as great little dirty secrets that you have with yourself, that make you feel sexier at the end of the day. I would like to write books that deal with these topics and have an emotional plot that drives them. The last thing I want is for them to be seen as literary porn. Not that there is anything wrong with porn. It’s great, but there’s not a lot of emotional connection in it. But I think that these kinkier relationships really deserve the care and emotional connection that comes with these acts in real life, not just the weirdly abusive version we’ve seen in some mainstream novels (yes, that is 50 shades of gray shade).
So the writing I wanted didn’t happen, but a lot of thoughts about why I am doing this did. Reflecting on why you create what you create is an important part of the process for me. I think it can be seen as a navel-gazing way to procrastinate. Maybe. I probably needed a reason to procrastinate today, to not bring forth my hurt and longing and sadness into this dream world I am creating. I did spend some more time at The Stacks in North Portland. I really think that place is perfect for writing. I love being surrounded by books and the smell of bacon.
I’ll see you tomorrow
❤ Spencer
You Wonder How I’m Doing, Well, Here’s A Cluer
Hello!
I didn’t start writing until late today, but I still managed to write a good 1667 words. The scene I wrote today featured Tegan and Nick reconnecting, and it’s clear that Nick is bothered by the public nature of Tegan and Emerson’s relationship. He’s being petty and a little mean, and Tegan is surprised at how much she pushes back. She’s grown up a lot in his absence and is no longer the shy, quiet girl he ghosted after winter break.
I’m preparing for the road trip and feeling nervous. There will be a lot of driving and emotions involved, but I’m trying to stay positive about it! I’m excited to write blog posts from various places across the country. That should be fun! I had to run around and get all my medication. The adderall shortage means that I spend a lot of time calling pharmacies to see who can fill my prescription. I hope that one day the DEA will stop treating people who need stimulants to function like criminals.
See you tomorrow.
❤ Spencer
This Is No, There Is No Modern Romance
Hello,
Well the first real stumble day came. I had a lot of work to do today. I only hit 1100 words today. It’s fine it happens, I’m gonna pluck away at it a bit more before bed but. I just really was focused elsewhere today. And that is ok. I did write some today. It was a Tegan and Nick scene from early in the book, and I feel like after writing Emerson for a stretch Nick is easier and I really can see him clearer. So that is a win even if I don’t hit the goal.
I went to coffee shop but I had to do work. I know I am feeling stress cause the road trip is coming and I just want to be in a good spot before that starts.
See you tomorrow
❤ Spencer
You might as well be the devil, Oh keeping me out past three
The days just keep flying by this month. I honestly do not know how we are on the 10th day of camp. I am just shocked. There have been harder days, but really, this time I feel so much happier and freer writing than at any other point I have tried. I think a lot of this is because I love this story. I love the way it pushes boundaries in the genre. I love how spicy it is. I love both of the men in it. It doesn’t feel like work or a chore to get up and write this book, even after a long day at work. I hope this feeling keeps going with the travel I will be doing. I am still pretty “meh” about this road trip. I’ve done everything I can to make it as fun as possible, but it’s just not fun going to a place that makes me feel so uncomfortable.
Today was pretty fun. I went to an old favorite coffee shop, Wildflower, over on SE Division for a little bit. I picked up my first piece for my bedroom. I really want to make it art deco and dark glam. This piece really sets the tone. I am torn on whether I should repaint the gold parts with silver or just refresh the gold. Part of me wants to do silver, but gold seems to be more common in vintage vanity accessories, so I am torn. Either way, it needs some love but is really in great condition for being almost 70 years old. I am excited to make a glamorous and nice space to do my makeup and hair every morning.
I went and got a sandwich at the Devil Dill and walked around SE Belmont a bit. It was a rainy but fun afternoon and a nice break from work and my novel. Tomorrow is super busy, but I am really feeling great about everything.
See you tomorrow
❤ Spencer
And I know you have a heavy heart I can feel it when we kiss
Hello from rainy Portland. This weekend has been typical of spring weather. It’s been perfect weather to hang out in coffee shops and write. I checked out yet another one, Futura Coffeehouse. It was nicely laid out and had many plugs, but I forgot my charger and didn’t charge my computer. Oops! So I did a bunch of handwriting for my novel today. I wrote about 700 words. It was fun to write by hand. I didn’t enjoy transcribing it when I got home, but it was fun while I was doing it. I think I may do more of it in the future if I know I will have transcription time.
The book is moving along well. I wrote another very spicy scene with a lot of boundary testing for Tegan, and Emerson is going to make the dom-loving girls absolutely crazy. While it will get revisions, it feels less like a set of stage blocking than other spicy scenes in the book. There are some scenes that I can very clearly see, and there are others that I need to build slowly over revision. I think with this one, it is the second encounter I’ve written for these two and one that is further down their relationship. That makes it a little less awkward. I always feel a little weird in that first time characters hook up. They are a little awkward with each other, so it usually works.
Hope you had a restful weekend.
Spencer
Windows swung right open, autumn air Jacket ’round my shoulders is yours
Hello,
Today’s writing was a bit challenging. I didn’t do enough research on Paris, so I had to stop and research as I went. I don’t love writing this way; it makes my brain a little crazy. But I ended the day with 1737 words. Not bad. I am still working on the Tegean and Emerson part of the book. Maybe it’s because I long to be in Paris and can’t wait for my trip this fall. Anyway, I think I’ll probably finish their whole relationship before moving back to Nick. The spicy scenes between the two are so very different. It is one of the biggest challenges in this book. So I want to get all of Emerson’s scenes in the bag before I move on to Nick.
Part of what I love about NaNoWriMo is the excuse it gives me to try out new coffee shops. Today, I went to The Stacks in North Portland. I really liked it. I can see myself making the trek over there a few days a week to work in this space. They also have a writer’s night on Tuesday nights that I am going to try to attend after my road trip.
Hope you have a great rest of your weekend.
Spencer
12ozbeehouse 