#1. Read comparable books. I know some authors actually do the opposite in order to avoid sounding too much like the author or copying any of their ideas. I don’t worry about that. I think I’m too selfish with my own ideas, and I’ve written enough to have developed my own voice. (I’m writing in first person point of view, speaking of voice). I’ve been reading lots of teen books, starting many just to see what they’re like. I have a stack of about a dozen of them, many bestsellers, many from big name authors.

#2. Watch comparable movies and television shows. I’m starting to go through the classic John Hughes films. I still have yet to see any teen movies that rival them. Pretty In Pink was the first I rewatched. (That movie sums up my high school experience in so many ways). I’m going to watch Sixteen Candles soon. Now these are quite different in terms of tone and story than my story. But still, they’re helping remind me of my high school experience along with getting me in the zone of this world. I’m also rewatching Twin Peaks–this show actually fits my series better than those teen movies (but sorry, no log lady!!).

#3. Creating the usual playlist. If you see the list of soundtracks that I’m writing to a few posts ago, you’ll get an idea of the tone of my series. These are helping get me in the mood for writing.

#4. Put up a new bulletin board. I have a couple of cork boards in my office where I put notes, photos, ideas, and other related things whenever I’m working on a story.

#5. Track word count. I’ve shared how I do this in the past. I’m always keeping track of my progress. My due date is September 1. I’m making good progress, already having finished a third of the story. Tracking the word count helps me know how I’m doing.

#6. Thinking about the story morning, noon, and night. This is the work that goes unnoticed and unseen (except maybe by my wife who might notice I’m there but not quite there). I’m working on a story even when I’m not physically typing or taking notes. It’s always with me like a shadow. I never seem to get rid of it until I finish the story. A lot of these shadows follow me. That can be a good thing, and a not so good thing.

Progress on book one is going well. I’ll share a little on tone sometime later. I feel that the tone is the most important thing for this book. I’m trying for sweet teen love and spooky teen horror. Interesting, huh?