I've found a new writing tool! Zoho has a suite of Office applications plus more, all online, all secure (hopefully), all can be kept private unless you want to share bits. For me, this means I can keep my outline, chapters, and info online as well as on hard drive. That means no more wishing I had my notebook or folder or memory stick. I don't even need to be on my own computer! Today I tried to start writing with the Zoho Writer application but ended up revamping the most recent storyline I started, tweaking it as an outline so that I have a better idea of where I'm going (and am not so intimidated by that big blank white space).

A co-worker introduced me to wordle, which has become one of my favorite toys. It makes a word cloud that visualizes the word frequency in a passage you copy to the wordle site. You can experiment with different layouts, colors, and fonts until you find the image that makes you most content. This seems like a good tool to use in writing; it could allow you to see what the dominant words (and the ideas linked to them) are in a chapter or scene.

Usually when I'm looking for a character's face to inspire me, I go to the Casablanca modeling sites. This can leave something to be desired, as all of the faces there tend toward the idealized end of modern beauty standards. This morning, however, I ran across a site called Ugly Models. Very good for everyday people and if you need to visualize tough guys, unusual looks, or warrior-types. Don't be put off by the name.

I just started PLEASURE UNBOUND by Larissa Ione. Even though the story idea is a new one for me, it felt oddly familiar for some reason. Then I realized why--there's a pattern common to the supernatural romance series that are so popular right now. They all have this list of necessary heroes:
1. The reluctant ruler/leader
2. The peacemaker
3. The techie/intellectual
4. The lover
5. The tortured (literally) outsider
6. The tough female loner
7. The cynic

Have I forgotten anyone?