Well, I didn't get nearly as far as I *could* have, because I didn't push myself. I did, however, manage a solid synopsis and a few chapters in that are just as solid.
I'll take that over NaNo schlock any day.
The biggest reason I didn't get as much done? My boyfriend is in the country, so I've got some other priorities right now. :) He's been going around meeting my family, and seeing America for the first time. It's been quite an experience. One that I'm sure will come in handy with writing some day - it's not often you get to see a country through another person's eyes.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Oops
I somehow skipped two months. How embarrassing!
I'm participating in NaNoWriMo this year, only my emphasis will be on a solid, well-written first draft first, and the 50k wordcount second. I might not get the wordcount, but what I have will be worth finishing. And that's important to me, as I'll be working on the sequel to my last novel.
Synopsis cleanup is this week. Next week - writing commences!
I'm participating in NaNoWriMo this year, only my emphasis will be on a solid, well-written first draft first, and the 50k wordcount second. I might not get the wordcount, but what I have will be worth finishing. And that's important to me, as I'll be working on the sequel to my last novel.
Synopsis cleanup is this week. Next week - writing commences!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Obligatory Monthly Post
...just so you know I'm alive! >:D
I have revived from a nasty kidney infection, and have started working on my novel revisions again. The work comes in fits and starts, but Things Are Getting Done.
I have revived from a nasty kidney infection, and have started working on my novel revisions again. The work comes in fits and starts, but Things Are Getting Done.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A Journey
I picked up the old pages, spattered with blood red revision ink - my favorite color to edit with because even if my eyes get tired, as I can easily distinguish red from black print. I looked over the changes I'd made, the different drafts - first large changes, then smaller as I refined my story. All of the ups and downs of this past year, rough as it was, remain fresh in my memory, but now there isn't as much hurt. There's space.
I've been looking at it as I started this novel two years ago, and I need to stop being lazy. Perhaps the real problem with me is I should have realized I only started this novel two years ago, and it just needs a few more months to be polished, shined up, and sent it off to it's first day at school.
And my friend was right - I push myself hard, and I need to give myself a break. Sometimes we all stumble, and I certainly had every reason to this past year. Yet I've still retained my love for reading and writing. I still need it, the same way I need nutritious food and love.
Writing sometimes can be pumped out. But it's also something that comes from the heart, and sometimes, when crises hit, we have to let ourselves bleed a little bit off-stage instead of letting it flow into and poison our published works.
I fixed my first full chapter this past week. I'm ready to finish the rest.
I've been looking at it as I started this novel two years ago, and I need to stop being lazy. Perhaps the real problem with me is I should have realized I only started this novel two years ago, and it just needs a few more months to be polished, shined up, and sent it off to it's first day at school.
And my friend was right - I push myself hard, and I need to give myself a break. Sometimes we all stumble, and I certainly had every reason to this past year. Yet I've still retained my love for reading and writing. I still need it, the same way I need nutritious food and love.
Writing sometimes can be pumped out. But it's also something that comes from the heart, and sometimes, when crises hit, we have to let ourselves bleed a little bit off-stage instead of letting it flow into and poison our published works.
I fixed my first full chapter this past week. I'm ready to finish the rest.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
2011 MINOTAUR BOOKS/ MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA FIRST CRIME NOVEL
COMPETITION
Sponsored by St. Martin's Minotaur and Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
NO ENTRY FEE
The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, who has never been the author of a published novel (authors of self-published works may enter, as long as the manuscript submitted is not the self-published work) and is not under contract with a publisher for publication of a novel. Only one manuscript entry is permitted per writer. All manuscripts must be original, previously unpublished works of book length (no less than 220 typewritten pages or 60,000 words) written in the English language by the entrants.
Murder or another serious crime or crimes is at the heart of the story. If a winner is selected, Minotaur Books will offer to enter into its standard form author's agreement with the entrant for publication of the winning manuscript. After execution of the standard form author's agreement by both parties, the winner will receive an advance against future royalties of $10,000. Deadline November 13, 2010.
NOTE: Always a nice contest. Only one winner, but man what a prize. With no entry fee, why not try?
DOUBLE NOTE: I tell people to keep writing in the summer, but gracious . . . it's so darn hard! The outdoors just calls my name so loud I can hardly think straight.
Can I make the deadline?
COMPETITION
Sponsored by St. Martin's Minotaur and Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
The Competition is open to any writer, regardless of nationality, who has never been the author of a published novel (authors of self-published works may enter, as long as the manuscript submitted is not the self-published work) and is not under contract with a publisher for publication of a novel. Only one manuscript entry is permitted per writer. All manuscripts must be original, previously unpublished works of book length (no less than 220 typewritten pages or 60,000 words) written in the English language by the entrants.
Murder or another serious crime or crimes is at the heart of the story. If a winner is selected, Minotaur Books will offer to enter into its standard form author's agreement with the entrant for publication of the winning manuscript. After execution of the standard form author's agreement by both parties, the winner will receive an advance against future royalties of $10,000. Deadline November 13, 2010.
NOTE: Always a nice contest. Only one winner, but man what a prize. With no entry fee, why not try?
DOUBLE NOTE: I tell people to keep writing in the summer, but gracious . . . it's so darn hard! The outdoors just calls my name so loud I can hardly think straight.
Can I make the deadline?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Short Story Published
An anthology, "Arcane Whispers, Volume 2" has released. My short story, "A Taxing Fixation," was selected as part of the anthology. If you're interested in purchasing a copy, here is the publisher's website.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I Don't Wanna
Don't you hate how it takes 30 days to make a habit, but one week of lazy, grumpy "I don't wanna's" to totally destroy it?
This can apply to anything - exercise, writing, our eating habits... the trudge uphill is so much harder than the roll downwards. It's such a pain, it's no wonder 1/3rd of all Americans are obese.
But then, I think about the things I tell myself I don't want to, and it's such a small, stupid things to complain to myself over, that it gives me the push to do them, even when I'd rather take the convenient option.
Yesterday, I really didn't want to go to the gym. I wanted to lie down, mope a little, and heck, eat some doritos. I don't have any doritos, and lying down was fruitless, so I hauled my complaining, whining butt to the gym. And even though I didn't do as well as I normally do, I didn't meet or exceed my usual end goals, I did the most important one - I finished. Sometimes, all it takes is that reminder from finishing to remind us we're doing it all for a reason.
And I don't really want those Doritos anymore, either.
This can apply to anything - exercise, writing, our eating habits... the trudge uphill is so much harder than the roll downwards. It's such a pain, it's no wonder 1/3rd of all Americans are obese.
But then, I think about the things I tell myself I don't want to, and it's such a small, stupid things to complain to myself over, that it gives me the push to do them, even when I'd rather take the convenient option.
Yesterday, I really didn't want to go to the gym. I wanted to lie down, mope a little, and heck, eat some doritos. I don't have any doritos, and lying down was fruitless, so I hauled my complaining, whining butt to the gym. And even though I didn't do as well as I normally do, I didn't meet or exceed my usual end goals, I did the most important one - I finished. Sometimes, all it takes is that reminder from finishing to remind us we're doing it all for a reason.
And I don't really want those Doritos anymore, either.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Dedication
I know, it's been awhile since I posted here. I've been dealing with some personal issues, and combined with my usual daily life, has left no time for blogging. And for that, I apologize. I will do my best to resume a motley handful of posts a month from here on out.
One of the reasons I've been so quiet is I sent a partial out last month, and my creative brain has been focused on shaping up the rear end of this novel, and starting the next one in the series. I also took a break as I moved into a new place.
Now that I'm fairly well settled into my new routine, which involves working out at the gym and eating better, the writing is making its way back in. But let's face it - as much as we write about writing in these blogs, sometimes we just need to write about life. I mean, that's what we as writers do - explain life through the lenses of our books. And if we can get people to understand what makes us passionate, what makes us view a particular slice of life the way we do and get them to sympathize, then we have succeeded as writers.
I have learned more about some areas of life than I cared to in the past few months. However, the raw emotions that go along with life changes are necessary. They remind us that we're human, that we all share a common bond. And it reminds me, as a writer, why I choose to portray life through fiction.
Meanwhile, I've got so much life left to live, so many stories to tell, and things to experience, that I can't wait to have every moment of life. And, I hope, some of those experiences will trickle their way into my writings and touch some reader somewhere.
One of the reasons I've been so quiet is I sent a partial out last month, and my creative brain has been focused on shaping up the rear end of this novel, and starting the next one in the series. I also took a break as I moved into a new place.
Now that I'm fairly well settled into my new routine, which involves working out at the gym and eating better, the writing is making its way back in. But let's face it - as much as we write about writing in these blogs, sometimes we just need to write about life. I mean, that's what we as writers do - explain life through the lenses of our books. And if we can get people to understand what makes us passionate, what makes us view a particular slice of life the way we do and get them to sympathize, then we have succeeded as writers.
I have learned more about some areas of life than I cared to in the past few months. However, the raw emotions that go along with life changes are necessary. They remind us that we're human, that we all share a common bond. And it reminds me, as a writer, why I choose to portray life through fiction.
Meanwhile, I've got so much life left to live, so many stories to tell, and things to experience, that I can't wait to have every moment of life. And, I hope, some of those experiences will trickle their way into my writings and touch some reader somewhere.
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