Ingrid Díaz — Official Site of Author Ingrid Díaz

5 Lists of 4 Things

4 notebooks I use the most

1. (first from the top) I have no idea what to call this notebook, so on the inside I wrote, “This notebook is a lot of things and does not wish to be labeled.” I use this notebook as a kind of sketchbook, but it’s also where I write down my favorite quotes. Or write out random thoughts that don’t really fit anywhere else. It’s also where I stick all of those post-its that I write random things on.

2. I wrote about logbooks before. I got the idea from Austin Kleon, whose post on the subject is a lot more interesting than mine. It’s essentially a daily list of things about that day. I am terrible at keeping journals, but I’ve been fairly successful at keeping logbooks. You’ll notice that this one says “2011/2013” and that’s because I stopped writing in it at some point in 2011, and in 2012, I got one of those Moleskine daily planners and used that one as a logbook (though I utterly failed at maintaining it for very long that year). And then I picked this one back up back in February, and have been more or less consistent with it.

3. This TBSOL notebook is actually the second TBSOL notebook I have because I filled the last one up. There are four tabs to this notebook: outlines & notes, possibly include, future scenes (outlined), and to type up. Outlines & notes is essentially just that. As I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I’m awful at outlines, and have to force myself to do them (because they really do help). In ‘possibly include’ I have a lot of random scenes or conversations that came to me at some point or another but that I’m not certain will make it into the book. In “future scenes (outlined)” I have scenes that I came to me, and I know will make it into the book, but won’t happen until much later. And in “to type up” I have the current scenes/chapters that I’m in the process of writing. I find it easier sometimes to write things out first, especially with scenes that are giving me trouble.

4. The YA Project notebook is in its infancy, but here is where I’m putting together all the building blocks of the YA series I’ll be writing after TBSOL. The other day, for example, I started working on a secret code the girls will use to communicate with – which was a lot of fun. See if you can decipher this message: 9QN01YQ // V1 // VJQ // DQVM // VQMY.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on March 18, 2013

Of Life & Randomness

Some thoughts on life, Pinterest and Lost Girl (not at the same time)

For my birthday, I wanted to write a list of 33 things I’ve learned in 33 years, because 33 seems like an age that would grant access to a bottomless well of wisdom and knowledge (it doesn’t). I could probably come up with 33 things off the top of my head, like “you shouldn’t get attached to anything on the internet,” or “being kind might get your heart stomped on, but odds are you’ll regret it less than being cruel.” I could make a list like that, but I think I’ll wait until I turn 40. Certainly then I’ll be wise and all-knowing, or at least think that I am.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on March 15, 2013

Writing

Creative process: Character building for my new YA series

I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my own creative processes (because I often think I don’t have one) until someone asks me how I go about doing certain things, and then I feel like a dummy because I don’t have an answer prepared. Writers should know what they’re doing, right? So I’m told. Anyway, this has been happening more and more often, so I thought it was time that I organize my thoughts on the matter – or at least attempt to – so that next time someone asks about my “writing process,” I can be like, “Oh! I wrote about that. Here’s a link!”

So, we’ll start with character building.

My next project after TBSOL is going to be a young adult series that revolves around four high school girls who belong to a secret vigilante group. You can read a very rough draft of the first chapter – here.

So, here’s how I’ve gone about creating my four girls.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on March 13, 2013

Writing

Remember When I used to Blog About Things?

I’ve been writing, that’s my excuse. I was reading over my LiveJournal from a billion years ago (give or take), and I realized I used to be a person who shared a lot of nonsense about myself. So that’s what I’ve got today: nonsense.

Yesterday, I shared chapters 43 and 44 of TBSOL FV with my lovely beta team, after two weeks of writing.

Chapter 44 was rough. I have no idea why it gave me so much trouble other than I was in my head the whole time. I was worried. I was scared that I’d let people down. That even after rewriting it, it would not be good enough. I don’t think I’ve worked on a chapter that much since….ever.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on January 26, 2013

Writing

Writing TBSOL FV (A Few Words About The Process)

I’ve been working pretty much non-stop the past few weeks, trying to get my next novel finished. I’m not done yet, and I’ve got lots left to write, but sometimes it’s good to take a step back.

I’ve spent the past couple of days brainstorming and planning and outlining, which does not come naturally to me. I envy writers who can create outlines and plan out entire stories, and then zoom through the writing process, having already done so much of the work ahead of time. I can’t do that, even though I try and try and try again.

In the past, I’d sit at my computer and go, “Eh, I have no idea what comes next, but here I am typing anyway.” And words would pour out, and that’s how I wrote A&V, and the first few chapters of Rayne, and the entirety of TBSOL v1 and v2. And this method worked. It usually got me from point A to point B and from Chapter One to The End. But the finished product never felt like The Best I Could Do.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on January 12, 2013

Rizzoli & Isles

Rizzoli & Isles Subtexty Recap 3.13 "Virtual Love"

In this week’s episode, our crime du jour stars a guy in a yellow poncho. I have one just like that from when I went to Disney. I used to wear it whenever I cooked up meth in my parents’ garage. Oh, did I say meth? I meant smores. I’m not even sure what meth is because I only saw one episode of Breaking Bad and all I learned is that sometimes you end up pantless in the desert.

Anyway, this dude is wearing a poncho and I think he’s making instant soup. His secret ingredient looks like vodka. Perhaps he’s practicing for Iron Chef: LOLWTF. “And your secret ingredient is … GAP jeans!” A la cuisine!

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on December 13, 2012

Writing

“The Next Big Thing ” – Blog Hop 2012

As part of The Next Big Thing Blog Hop, I was tagged by Ann McMan in her post last week.

The purpose of this hop is to introduce readers to writers and works that might be unfamiliar. This includes new releases or Works in Progress (WIP). This is week 25 of the hop.

According to the rules of the hop, I will be answering some questions (the same ones for every other blog hopper) about either my newest release or my WIP and then at the bottom of the post I’ve listed authors who will do the same thing in their blogs next Wednesday, December 19th.

What is the working title of your book?

My novel is called The Blind Side of Love, but I’m pushing to call it The Blind Side of Spacegoat Abductions because then I can use this cool book cover I made up:

Screen Shot 2012 03 14 at 8 39 29 PM

But unfortunately the book isn’t really about spacegoats or abductions, so maybe I’ll have to save it for the sequel. continue reading…

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on December 12, 2012

Rizzoli & Isles

Rizzoli & Isles Subtexty Recap: 3.12 “Love The Way You Lie”

This week on Rizzoli On Isles, a bestselling author finishes a book, finishes a drink, and then finishes his life.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on December 5, 2012

Rizzoli & Isles

Rizzoli & Isles Subtexty Recap 3.11 "Class Action Satisfaction"

And we’re finally back with our favorite non-gay (but still totally gay) non-couple (who’s still totally married): Rizzoli & Isles. It’s been too long.

When last we left things, Jane and Maura had a baby. Or was it Tommy who had a baby? Or was it Jane’s father who had a baby? I’m not sure. Someone had a baby and then abandoned it, and left it for Jane and Maura to raise. Or for Tommy to raise. Or for Mama Rizzoli to raise. I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure there was a baby.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on November 28, 2012

Books

‘Aftermath’ By Ann McMan–A Sort-of Book Review (with Drawings)

When Ann McMan offered to send me a free copy of Aftermath and asked if I’d review it, my first thought was, ‘But I was about to buy it anyway’ and my second thought was, ‘Then again, free stuff is way better than not-free stuff.’ And my third thought was, ‘Ann McMan wants me to review her book!’ That’s like getting invited to sit at the cool kids’ table!

But then I told her I didn’t really do reviews, because I’m not very good at doing things that normal people do. “But,” I said, “I can do something like a review.” And she was like, “Okay!” and I was like, “Great!” And I’m pretty sure neither of us knew what I meant by that.

So this is my sort-of review of Aftermath, which is actually not like a review at all. In fact, I don’t know what this is, but it will include drawings of things that may or may not be relevant.

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Written by Ingrid Díaz on November 27, 2012