Being creative is hard work. It takes effort, commitment, time, dedication, and tenacity. I've seen artists become successful on a local level, but I also know how many years it took them to get there. Writing and editing are no different from other forms of art.
Writing for me comes naturally. My first drafts are messy, convoluted, and sometimes need a huge overhaul, because I do a little bit of outlining and a bunch of pantsing. I go into writing with vague ideas that end up getting fleshed out halfway through, which means I always have to go back. Rewrites are a big part of my writing process, and they are also more time consuming than writing.
There's something about re-reading the first words I've put down that makes me a bit disheartened. I think in my head, "This isn't good." I second guess myself and my art. It pushes me to the edge of wanting to give up, because the words didn't flow the way I wanted them to.
Rewriting is where I get stuck. It's the part of the process where I have to power through and just "do it." The only person holding me back is the inner editor inside me that dislikes (hate is too strong of a word) my first draft.
Drafts are not supposed to be this shiny, perfect thing that you can push out into the world. Drafts are for shaping and folding, mending into the story you want it to become. This part of the process should be fun (at least on some level). I have this novel in my hands that I created, and now I just have to make it better. I should look at this as enhancement, but I always struggle to get through.
All writers struggle with some part of the process, and despite the struggle, you should never give up.
Being creative takes time and dedication. You have to forgive yourself if it's not perfect, and then you have to work on making it better. I could throw this book aside and say, "Eh, I'll get to that later." But if I stop now, I'll lose momentum. I'll, essentially, give up.
What is your reason for powering through when you are struggling creatively?
Mine is the characters I create. I know they have a story worth sharing, which makes me want to finish what I've started. Even if the story is over, the characters never really leave me.
Showing posts with label am writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label am writing. Show all posts
Friday, January 12, 2018
Friday, January 5, 2018
New Year, New Planner
I'm a saver, not a spender, and as such, I hardly ever buy things for myself. Sure, sometimes I splurge with this "I really need this," but I have to justify it to myself, much like a child would a parent. I have to explain to myself how vitally important this item is.
One recent purchase was The Simple Elephant Planner. I tried doing the bullet journal thing last year, but I found the page set up to be tedious. I wanted my planner to look cool with awesome spreads, and I spent so much time making each calendar month look great, that I spent less time actually doing the items on my list.
This year, I decided to try The Simple Elephant, and so far so good. It's simple and goal-oriented. It has to list the five most important goals for you to do this year, and it comes with a few easy instruction guides to give you advice on how to set up your goals.
Mine are:
One recent purchase was The Simple Elephant Planner. I tried doing the bullet journal thing last year, but I found the page set up to be tedious. I wanted my planner to look cool with awesome spreads, and I spent so much time making each calendar month look great, that I spent less time actually doing the items on my list.
This year, I decided to try The Simple Elephant, and so far so good. It's simple and goal-oriented. It has to list the five most important goals for you to do this year, and it comes with a few easy instruction guides to give you advice on how to set up your goals.
Mine are:
- Shop Dissimulate to 50 Agents
- Publish two additional works
- Better Overall Health: Mental breaks, meditation, and lowering waist size
- Read 50 books
- Take a Vacation
Ideally, I won't reach 50 agents with Dissimulate, but since "get an agent" isn't a quantifiable goal, because it depends on the agents I shop to. So, I've decided on something more straightforward and gave myself a number to shop by the end of the year. Dissimulate has a lot in it though: a futuristic sci-fi theme, existential discussions, and a GLBT main character. This one will find a home.
I wrote most of it for NaNoWriMo, took December off to get Overwatch loot boxes (I'm a bit obsessed with opening shiny treasure boxes in that game), and I'm finishing up the book now. I'm at 64,000 words and approaching the end. My rough drafts always skimp on description, so the rewrite usually adds 10k in story and descriptions.
While it is only January 4, I feel really great about the simplicity of setting up this notebook. It breaks down overall goals into monthly goals, breaks down monthly goals into weekly ones. Then, it helps recap your week with successes as well as what can be done better.
Now, I know I have to have Dissimulate done by March for shopping. Now, I know once that's finished I can pursue the other two titles I wish to publish this year. I expect big things from myself in 2018, and you should expect big things from yourself, too.
What are your plans for the new year? Any big goals? What are you using to track your progress?
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
How I feel when I write a novel ...
Some people ask me: What is it like to be a writer? What does it feel like writing a novel?
Well, there's a lot of heart and soul that goes into writing a book. And sometimes, you lose yourself a little bit in the characters and the story and the drama.
So what does it feel like to write a novel? A little bit of everything. The proof is in the video.
Happy reading and writing!
Well, there's a lot of heart and soul that goes into writing a book. And sometimes, you lose yourself a little bit in the characters and the story and the drama.
So what does it feel like to write a novel? A little bit of everything. The proof is in the video.
Happy reading and writing!
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
An Existential Existence
I haven't updated in a really long time, and perhaps I am now due to an existential crisis about what it means to truly exist and be conscious and simply "be" because I watched a marathon of Westworld. It made me think about life in a slightly different way, and I suppose I was already starting to do this, but it reinforced this idea of never winning. As it stands, there's a strange peace in knowing there is no such thing as winning. This life that we're given may in fact be the only one we are ever privy to and may be the only one we get (beliefs aside for a moment).
But in knowing there is no winning, then what is the point? As Ed Harris's character explores in Westworld, why do we keep going through the daily monotony if there is no actual way to get ahead. There's small battles that lead up to small wars and then what? More battles? More wars?
If life is a cycle, what makes it worth continuing?
I turn inward to my creative self, the self that wants to keep producing, keep making despite all the hardships and consequences of trying to achieve a creative life in today's time. Though, I wonder, where did this wondrous desire to write come from? Sure, I've been inspired numerous times in my life, by my peers, my teachers, random strangers, my family. But where did it all start? And more importantly, why did it start?
The first story I ever wrote was about a haircut. A girl who hesitantly entrusts her best friend to give her a haircut, even though he has no professional experience. Now, my best friend when I was nine was not about to give me a haircut. My sister, up until that point, had been my only hairstylist. Why that story? Why that idea? Why any of it?
When I take a step back, I come to realize that I write because of the why. There isn't any grandiose reason I chose to become a writer. There wasn't a single light bulb that turned on one day and made me realize "this is my way of being." I write because I need to explore. I write because I ask these questions, questions many of us never find the answers to. While that might seem sad or depressing, I'm actually okay with it. Maybe these questions weren't meant to be answered. Maybe they were meant to be explored again and again.
That's the interesting thing about existing and searching for answers you may never find. Once you become okay with the search, accepting that the search may indeed be endless and you may never find the treasure trove perfect answer (42), then life becomes much more enjoyable, because you can become more focused on living in the moment.
With all that being said, what prompted this mass exploration of myself and writing and what makes life worth it? Well, I spent the last week in a tremendous amount of pain, so much so that I had to swallow my pride and ask for help. I hate feeling reliant on other people, even my wonderful partner in crime, because I have this idea of me being strong and independent. Fact is, my body gave up. Something happened, or maybe many things happened, and my back could no longer support my weight, a result of massive sciatica. I could barely stand up or sit without assistance. I went to the emergency room and still don't have answers as to what exactly happened to me.
The pain made me question why I do the things I do, why I pursue the things that make my life so financially hard (and therefore, make acquiring healthcare hard). Ultimately, the answer remains that I do what I do because I'm in search of answers. And it's the search that makes life intense, unique, fun, and difficult. But if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't choose another life path. I will always choose to explore, however difficult that may be.
Here's hoping all of you have a wonderful, happy, and healthy holiday season. I am going to be more active on the blog going forward, because this is something I've been missing.
But in knowing there is no winning, then what is the point? As Ed Harris's character explores in Westworld, why do we keep going through the daily monotony if there is no actual way to get ahead. There's small battles that lead up to small wars and then what? More battles? More wars?
If life is a cycle, what makes it worth continuing?
I turn inward to my creative self, the self that wants to keep producing, keep making despite all the hardships and consequences of trying to achieve a creative life in today's time. Though, I wonder, where did this wondrous desire to write come from? Sure, I've been inspired numerous times in my life, by my peers, my teachers, random strangers, my family. But where did it all start? And more importantly, why did it start?
The first story I ever wrote was about a haircut. A girl who hesitantly entrusts her best friend to give her a haircut, even though he has no professional experience. Now, my best friend when I was nine was not about to give me a haircut. My sister, up until that point, had been my only hairstylist. Why that story? Why that idea? Why any of it?
When I take a step back, I come to realize that I write because of the why. There isn't any grandiose reason I chose to become a writer. There wasn't a single light bulb that turned on one day and made me realize "this is my way of being." I write because I need to explore. I write because I ask these questions, questions many of us never find the answers to. While that might seem sad or depressing, I'm actually okay with it. Maybe these questions weren't meant to be answered. Maybe they were meant to be explored again and again.
That's the interesting thing about existing and searching for answers you may never find. Once you become okay with the search, accepting that the search may indeed be endless and you may never find the treasure trove perfect answer (42), then life becomes much more enjoyable, because you can become more focused on living in the moment.With all that being said, what prompted this mass exploration of myself and writing and what makes life worth it? Well, I spent the last week in a tremendous amount of pain, so much so that I had to swallow my pride and ask for help. I hate feeling reliant on other people, even my wonderful partner in crime, because I have this idea of me being strong and independent. Fact is, my body gave up. Something happened, or maybe many things happened, and my back could no longer support my weight, a result of massive sciatica. I could barely stand up or sit without assistance. I went to the emergency room and still don't have answers as to what exactly happened to me.
The pain made me question why I do the things I do, why I pursue the things that make my life so financially hard (and therefore, make acquiring healthcare hard). Ultimately, the answer remains that I do what I do because I'm in search of answers. And it's the search that makes life intense, unique, fun, and difficult. But if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't choose another life path. I will always choose to explore, however difficult that may be.
Here's hoping all of you have a wonderful, happy, and healthy holiday season. I am going to be more active on the blog going forward, because this is something I've been missing.
Friday, May 20, 2016
New Release: In a Blue Moon
Today, I am super excited to announce the release of In a Blue Moon (Blue Moon #1). This book has been in the making for quite some time. I got early feedback from readers telling me I should shop it prior to self-publishing. I've spent over two years querying agents and publishing houses.
At the end of the day, there are a lot of fairy tale retellings, and In a Blue Moon is hitting the market a bit too late for publishers to take interest. Therefore, it is hitting the shelves like all of my other books, independently.
This fairy tale retelling begins with the apocalypse. It's fun, adventurous, and has enough action to keep you turning the page. I couldn't wait to share it with everyone, and today's finally the day!When Effy stumbles down the rabbit hole, she discovers the wondrous fairy tale land of East Valley in chaos. Death and insanity reign after the release of the deadly blue moon curse. Teaming up with the only sane people left—Jack the giant killer, Hansel, and Cat from Cheshire—they traverse East Valley, desperately searching for an answer.
They know Effy’s the key to unraveling the curse, but everyone who remembers how to break the curse is… well, cursed. The murderous mob has Effy in their crosshairs. With Snow, Red, Rapunzel, Gretel, and Pinocchio on the group’s trail, Effy isn’t sure any of them will make it out alive.Excited? I sure as heck am. Effy's a strong female character who stays true to herself and her weird, quirky talents. Jack has an infectious sense of humor, and he grows on you.
Soon, Jack will have his own in between sequel, Greener on the Other Side (do you see the color idiom theme going on here?). The Blue Moon series will have numerous prequels with different character origin stories, so if you fall in love, chances are, you'll see their own book soon. One prequel and Jack's in between novella are currently in the works!
Pick up your copy today!
Paperback. --- Kindle. --- Smashwords.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
On Wattpad: The End Diary
I'm super excited to tell you guys about The End Diary being available on Wattpad. I'm updating it regularly, and already have five parts up for you to read and enjoy. I've been busy working behind the scenes, but it's only fair that my readers get something from me sooner rather than waiting any longer.Here's a little Q&A I put together regarding why you should check out The End Diary.
What is The End Diary?
The story is told from Megan P. Whitford's perspective (don't ask her what the "P" stands for, she'll never tell). It's a coming-of-age story where she realizes the truth matters more than life and death itself. Told in a memoir-style, The End Diary is her last chance to get the truth out about her and Carly Jacobs. It is a LGBT story, but focuses largely on Megan's outlook on life, which may not be a healthy one.
What should readers take away from The End Diary?
In today's society, people are so polarized with social issues and the way society should be run/viewed/etc. We have a lot of hate, and most of it comes from a line in the sand where we see life as us versus them. Megan sees her life in this way--her against the world.
I hope readers see how detrimental this outlook can be to... well, everyone. The End Diary also explores the idea of truth and perspective, as we all perceive the world differently. Her story has a lot of lessons in it, and this explanation only scratches the surface.
Why call this book "The End Diary"?
While Megan has feelings for Carly and there is a small (echoed: small) romance in The End Diary, that is not the core of the story. The core of the story is much deeper, drearier, and darker than a romance and first love. As Megan says in the very first chapter of The End Diary:
But I should preface this with a warning: this story probably doesn’t have a happy ending. If it does, on some level, I’ve failed. There shouldn’t be a knight in shining armor swinging in at the last second—or riding in? Is that a better visual? Whatever. He won’t ride in at the end of the story and say, “Hey, Megan, guess what? I’m saving you.” And boom, story’s over.It is called The End Diary because there is supposed to be a sense of finality and foreboding right from the get-go. Megan's character is strong enough to pull you into her story and life despite her accidental spoilers and hints (she chastises herself as a writer). She's unhappy and frustrated, but she is ready to let the world know the truth in her manifesto.
Be sure to check out The End Diary on Wattpad!
Friday, January 22, 2016
Success: The New Approach Works!
We're 22 days into January, and right on time, I finished all the chores in my chore box. Time to rinse and repeat, but since I'm trying to be more creative in all aspects of my life, I decided to do a quick photoshoot. The idea was to have a portrait with my head in the middle of an arch of things I've accomplished thus far.
Of course, Gerty had other plans. He said, "This looks like a good place to flop." Flop. Stretch. Roll. Lick paw. Look at the camera with a "What?" face.
I feel proud of myself for sticking to my plan and accomplishing a lot more than in previous months. I take one day at a time, and I do a little bit every day. This year has been a lesson in consistency, and so far, so good.
I'm 15% through editing The End Diary (read the first two chapters for free), I've started writing two new books (Ferals and Shrinking Violet (In a Blue Moon #.01)), and I've read four novels. I have a long way to go, but two of my books are in the last round of querying. This means, results of querying pending, I should have at least two more books out this year. The End Diary should be published this year as well. Lots to do, but I'm working every single day!
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Cat Life and Writing Updates
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| Morris - on hold! |
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| Twilight - adopted! |
But I love writing (editing and I are still fighting as all of you probably know). So here's the update you guys have been waiting for!
I completed In a Blue Moon and sent it off to beta readers for feedback. My mom did the proofreading edits with her retired English teacher skills, and she encouraged me to seek traditional publishing. So, I moved back the publication date to give myself enough time to shop for agents / publishers and see if I get any bites. If I don't get any bites, then In a Blue Moon will be released in late May of this year!
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| Princess Miko - adopted! |
I'm about 1/4 of the way through Conscious, so I am expecting to publish the first book in the series this year.
I would like to edit No Sugar Coating and Good Criminal Heart for publication this year as well, but I've been taking things a bit slower
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| My Munster Cat |
Anyway, that's the shenanigans! Let me know how you guys are doing! Hope you are reading loads of awesome books, watching good movies and shows, and enjoying time with friends and family!
And if you like purry friends, I hope you have one close by to cuddle! It is still winter, after all. Better use those warm blankets and drink plenty of cocoa, since spring is just around the corner.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Girl Nevermore and Other Projects Underway
Hello, bloggers! *waves* It has been awhile since I’ve updated, and… of course, I’ve gotten sucked back into my own little world again. Reality is a real thing, huh? But I miss being connected online, so here’s my attempt at giving a fun little update and getting back into the swing of things.
Recently, I’ve been juggling a lot. My fairytale retelling / apocalypse YA novel, In a Blue Moon, has 12,000 words written and completely edited. I’m working on it in a different process than before, doing each chapter as a draft then editing the chapter five times before moving onto the next chapter. It’s making for a very smooth read. Those 12,000 words? They are essentially finished, just need a final look over from my editor. Which means publishing this one will be a breeze.
However, with my YA Contemporary, Girl Nevermore, I am taking the usual approach, but revamped slightly. I’m drafting the whole thing out (26,000 words so far), and then I will edit each chapter five times before moving on to edit the next chapter. I’m trying to figure out which process I like better.
While In a Blue Moon is essentially “finished,” it also isn’t growing in word count very quickly, since I’m doing a lot of stops and starts. I think drafting then editing one part over and over will be the best way for me to continue. It should feel more like I’m writing the book once, editing the book “once,” and proofing the book once. We’ll see, but I’m hoping this is what I can trick myself into doing.
Both of these titles should be out in the next year. Drafting and editing have become a lot easier, since I’ve written so many books at this point, and since I’ve taken a few editing courses as a refresher (those helped).
On top of that, I’ve started an independent author collective with six other fantastic indie authors. I encourage you to check out our site, TheScriptors.com. I enjoy the books of every author on there, so they are worth checking out.
Tons of shenanigans in the making. Tons of things in the works. I’m excited that I’ve decided to walk the indie line, because it lets me write what I want when I want with nothing but my own self-imposed deadlines. While I’m still open to the idea of an agent / publisher sometime in the future, it’s not a high priority right now. I just want to write. Period.
I think that’s a good decision for now.
Recently, I’ve been juggling a lot. My fairytale retelling / apocalypse YA novel, In a Blue Moon, has 12,000 words written and completely edited. I’m working on it in a different process than before, doing each chapter as a draft then editing the chapter five times before moving onto the next chapter. It’s making for a very smooth read. Those 12,000 words? They are essentially finished, just need a final look over from my editor. Which means publishing this one will be a breeze.
However, with my YA Contemporary, Girl Nevermore, I am taking the usual approach, but revamped slightly. I’m drafting the whole thing out (26,000 words so far), and then I will edit each chapter five times before moving on to edit the next chapter. I’m trying to figure out which process I like better.
While In a Blue Moon is essentially “finished,” it also isn’t growing in word count very quickly, since I’m doing a lot of stops and starts. I think drafting then editing one part over and over will be the best way for me to continue. It should feel more like I’m writing the book once, editing the book “once,” and proofing the book once. We’ll see, but I’m hoping this is what I can trick myself into doing.
Both of these titles should be out in the next year. Drafting and editing have become a lot easier, since I’ve written so many books at this point, and since I’ve taken a few editing courses as a refresher (those helped).
On top of that, I’ve started an independent author collective with six other fantastic indie authors. I encourage you to check out our site, TheScriptors.com. I enjoy the books of every author on there, so they are worth checking out.
Tons of shenanigans in the making. Tons of things in the works. I’m excited that I’ve decided to walk the indie line, because it lets me write what I want when I want with nothing but my own self-imposed deadlines. While I’m still open to the idea of an agent / publisher sometime in the future, it’s not a high priority right now. I just want to write. Period.
I think that’s a good decision for now.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
A Different Approach
If you're a writer, you've probably heard the phrase, "Just write; editing comes later." It's very good advice, but I'm abandoning it for my latest endeavor. Before you gasp, I will say that I do not recommend this for new writers. New writers shouldn't second guess themselves every step of the way. New writers should write and practice writing. Editing can come later.
While I only have two works published, I'm not a new writer. I'm working on my eighth novel. None of my novels have been published, because I get hung up on the editing process. I'm so excited about writing the story, and I write my book in less than two months. Then I hit the wall.
My wall is editing. It's so giant that I can't see a way to climb it, let alone figure out how to get to the other side. So I've decided that my wall needs a door.
I am abandoning the really good advice that got me to seven novels in the first place. After writing a chapter, I'm going to edit it to make it the best chapter it can be. I'm crazy, right?
My new approach to writing:
Editing my own work has always been a headache and hangup for me. I like to reward myself for editing, so I end up playing a tons of video games when I could be writing.
My new reward system will be: "Once you finish editing this chapter, you get to write the next one."
Writing, something I love, will get me through editing, something I struggle with. I should mention, while I struggle with my own editing, I love editing for my clients.
I'll be sure to blog with an update of how this is working for me! So far, I really like this idea in theory... now to test it.
While I only have two works published, I'm not a new writer. I'm working on my eighth novel. None of my novels have been published, because I get hung up on the editing process. I'm so excited about writing the story, and I write my book in less than two months. Then I hit the wall.
My wall is editing. It's so giant that I can't see a way to climb it, let alone figure out how to get to the other side. So I've decided that my wall needs a door.
I am abandoning the really good advice that got me to seven novels in the first place. After writing a chapter, I'm going to edit it to make it the best chapter it can be. I'm crazy, right?
My new approach to writing:
- Outline the whole book. My outlines are super long. They have some choppy dialogue, description as it comes to me, random notes, and whatever pops in my head. I might have a 600 word outline for a 3,000 word chapter. My outlines, in essence, are the first draft of a story. It's easy to add and subtract things in this state because the writing doesn't have finesse yet. It's also allows me to developmentally review my book before I really start writing.
- Write a chapter. I need to slow down while I write and take time to imagine each scene. I'm especially having trouble with this piece, since world building is a massive part of my story. But the next step should also help with this.
- Edit the chapter. This will happen two to four times.
- First pass: Check the description and the character development. Are things unfolding the way they need to be? Is the pacing for this chapter good?
- Second pass: Grammar, sentence structure, tightening paragraphs. Is there a better way to say something? Are the emotions coming out okay?
- Third pass: Another line editing pass.
- Fourth pass: Proofreading / last minute fixes.
- Write the next chapter.
Editing my own work has always been a headache and hangup for me. I like to reward myself for editing, so I end up playing a tons of video games when I could be writing.
My new reward system will be: "Once you finish editing this chapter, you get to write the next one."
Writing, something I love, will get me through editing, something I struggle with. I should mention, while I struggle with my own editing, I love editing for my clients.
I'll be sure to blog with an update of how this is working for me! So far, I really like this idea in theory... now to test it.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
NaNoWriMo Day 21
I know, I totally don't publish consistently enough - but hey! Two a month is better than what I was doing before! Besides, it's NaNo time, so I can't really blame myself for not updating very much.
Last night, I reached 40,000 words in Hipstopia #2 (I really need to come up with a title for this). It's scary, because I have three chapters before the end of the book, which means, I need to average 3,333 words per chapter (else I need to go back and edit during NaNo and pray that I add words instead of taking them away).
I'm happy that I'm on track -- I wasn't aiming for some 60-70k book because I don't feel like this story needs it. There's a conflict, a few side stories to develop a rich sense of the characters, and then the conclusion. Besides, when I do my first draft read through, I usually add in 5-10k with things that I missed the first time around. While I'm drafting, my brain is constantly thinking of the next scene, which sometimes makes the scene I'm working on suffer. During the rewrite/reread, I don't have to worry about what comes next, since it's already written.
Anyone else have this problem? Do you have scenes that you know you have to rewrite because you "just weren't feeling them" at the time? Would love to hear from anyone who is participating in NaNo this year! Or writers in general :)
I'm aiming for a summer release date next year for Hipstopia #2. We'll see how this works.
And... public accountability note to self: I need to update my goal list for next year / this year.
Last night, I reached 40,000 words in Hipstopia #2 (I really need to come up with a title for this). It's scary, because I have three chapters before the end of the book, which means, I need to average 3,333 words per chapter (else I need to go back and edit during NaNo and pray that I add words instead of taking them away).
I'm happy that I'm on track -- I wasn't aiming for some 60-70k book because I don't feel like this story needs it. There's a conflict, a few side stories to develop a rich sense of the characters, and then the conclusion. Besides, when I do my first draft read through, I usually add in 5-10k with things that I missed the first time around. While I'm drafting, my brain is constantly thinking of the next scene, which sometimes makes the scene I'm working on suffer. During the rewrite/reread, I don't have to worry about what comes next, since it's already written.
Anyone else have this problem? Do you have scenes that you know you have to rewrite because you "just weren't feeling them" at the time? Would love to hear from anyone who is participating in NaNo this year! Or writers in general :)
I'm aiming for a summer release date next year for Hipstopia #2. We'll see how this works.
And... public accountability note to self: I need to update my goal list for next year / this year.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
NaNoWriMo 2013: Day Three
Has it really been four months since I last published? I fell out of blogging for a lot of reasons - mostly because I haven't had any really exciting news in awhile. Brief update time!
I started proof reading for some friends - and am going to attempt to make that a more lucrative thing outside of my day job (which is still Communication Editor - so consequently, proofing is right up my alley). I used to hate it, but now I'm realizing that because I'm so meticulous, I actually work well as a proofer.
My husband and I just decided we were going to start up Wine a Week Reviews again - seeing as how we got 300 pages views last month without posting anything for almost over a year. Crazy, right?!
And, what I think is the best yet, I started writing Hipstopia 2 (working title, I have no idea what I'll end up calling it). I wrote 10,000 words in the first two days of NaNo, and I'm definitely going to finish it this month. Once I finish writing it, I'll take a week off to proofread for another G+ friend, then start the editing process! I'm exciting, because I might have a much earlier release date than I originally anticipated.
Insider information: Hipstopia 2 is a duel narrative. It goes back and forth between Jason (Jay) and Murphy from the first book. Murphy's thought processes have been so incredibly fun to write because he is so out there - and dangerous. I think people will really get a kick out of hearing from the hero and the villain this time around!
That's all I got for now!
Shameless self promotion: you can get Hipstopia on Amazon paperback or kindle. You can also check out My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade on Amazon
, Smashwords, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble.
I started proof reading for some friends - and am going to attempt to make that a more lucrative thing outside of my day job (which is still Communication Editor - so consequently, proofing is right up my alley). I used to hate it, but now I'm realizing that because I'm so meticulous, I actually work well as a proofer.
My husband and I just decided we were going to start up Wine a Week Reviews again - seeing as how we got 300 pages views last month without posting anything for almost over a year. Crazy, right?!
And, what I think is the best yet, I started writing Hipstopia 2 (working title, I have no idea what I'll end up calling it). I wrote 10,000 words in the first two days of NaNo, and I'm definitely going to finish it this month. Once I finish writing it, I'll take a week off to proofread for another G+ friend, then start the editing process! I'm exciting, because I might have a much earlier release date than I originally anticipated.
Insider information: Hipstopia 2 is a duel narrative. It goes back and forth between Jason (Jay) and Murphy from the first book. Murphy's thought processes have been so incredibly fun to write because he is so out there - and dangerous. I think people will really get a kick out of hearing from the hero and the villain this time around!
That's all I got for now!
Shameless self promotion: you can get Hipstopia on Amazon paperback or kindle. You can also check out My Summer Vacation by Terrance Wade on Amazon
, Smashwords, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble.
Monday, May 20, 2013
July Book Release Announcement
Hey guys! I was interviewed over on Examiner - and I announced my upcoming project. Which means, I am super crazy excited to finally announce my super top secret project here!
I'm well on my way to having my novelette fully edited by the end of this month, which means it will get into the hands of beta readers on time, which means the release date will officially be sometime in July! I'll announce the date when we get closer. But for now, the project!
Why on earth did I write something with such a silly concept? I blame @courtney_s. My good friend Sarah pointed out a tweet by Courtney that said, "still waiting on a hipster dystopia YA because my god that would be chilling." I replied with, "We don't do this because it's right or wrong. We don't do this for justice. We do this because it's fashionable."
I know, I know, it was a joke, and I probably should have let it die. But I couldn't, I just couldn't. All of a sudden I had this Murphy character floating around in my brain, then came Jay, and... well, I had to tell the story.
It will be a little over 100 pages. It's a fun concept that came out of a silly tweet, but I took the writing seriously. It ended up being satirical with a little political commentary. It's definitely dystopian, and because it is so fast-paced, it might also appeal to people who love adventure stories.
As always, because my books cannot seem to live without it, it has just a little bit of romance.
I will reveal the cover in June - so stay tuned for that. I'll announce the release date as soon as I have it finalized. And I'll be running a giveaway once it's published for ebooks and (possibly) paperback copies of the book. Exciting things!!
Oh yeah, and between now and then? Try to stay fashionable ;)
I'm well on my way to having my novelette fully edited by the end of this month, which means it will get into the hands of beta readers on time, which means the release date will officially be sometime in July! I'll announce the date when we get closer. But for now, the project!
Hipstopia - YA Dystopian
It's been three years since Murphy led the Hipster uprising. For three years, Jay has been by his side. All that's about to change. It starts with the beautifully intense Prisoner Forty-Seven... and a loaded gun.
Why on earth did I write something with such a silly concept? I blame @courtney_s. My good friend Sarah pointed out a tweet by Courtney that said, "still waiting on a hipster dystopia YA because my god that would be chilling." I replied with, "We don't do this because it's right or wrong. We don't do this for justice. We do this because it's fashionable."
I know, I know, it was a joke, and I probably should have let it die. But I couldn't, I just couldn't. All of a sudden I had this Murphy character floating around in my brain, then came Jay, and... well, I had to tell the story.
It will be a little over 100 pages. It's a fun concept that came out of a silly tweet, but I took the writing seriously. It ended up being satirical with a little political commentary. It's definitely dystopian, and because it is so fast-paced, it might also appeal to people who love adventure stories.
As always, because my books cannot seem to live without it, it has just a little bit of romance.
I will reveal the cover in June - so stay tuned for that. I'll announce the release date as soon as I have it finalized. And I'll be running a giveaway once it's published for ebooks and (possibly) paperback copies of the book. Exciting things!!
Oh yeah, and between now and then? Try to stay fashionable ;)
Monday, April 15, 2013
Writing Over 20,000 Words in a Day
I wasn't sure I would ever get here. Honestly, when I started writing again, squeezing out six thousand words in a day burned me out.
But this weekend, I set a goal for 10,000 words during a 24-hour competition of word wars. After getting woken up by cats at 4:30 am, I started writing. I managed 1,600 before crawling back into bed (it was 5:00 am, could you blame me?). I woke up again at 7:30 am, a more appropriate time. I wrote. I didn't stop writing until my dearest husband made us breakfast - then I only stopped to eat.
By 4:00 pm, I finished my novelette, a semi-comedic dystopian. It stands at 19,380 words.
Since I hadn't broken 20,000, I switched gears and wrote a few more thousand for No Sugar Coating. My grand total of the day was 21,968 words.
A lot of people commented on my status updates and said I was a machine (okay, maybe I said that I was a machine). I kind of felt like it that day. My fingers kept writing in this weird autopilot. It was my writing and me, nothing else came into play.
It was a little bizarre to finish the entire novelette in one day, almost like I had watched a friend grow up in the span of nine hours.
I wanted to share some tips on how I made this possible.
Any of you have big writing goals planned? How do you approach a full day of writing?
Oh, and be on the lookout for upcoming news of my novelette. I plan on releasing it in July, but there will be plenty of sneak peeks and information before then!
But this weekend, I set a goal for 10,000 words during a 24-hour competition of word wars. After getting woken up by cats at 4:30 am, I started writing. I managed 1,600 before crawling back into bed (it was 5:00 am, could you blame me?). I woke up again at 7:30 am, a more appropriate time. I wrote. I didn't stop writing until my dearest husband made us breakfast - then I only stopped to eat.
By 4:00 pm, I finished my novelette, a semi-comedic dystopian. It stands at 19,380 words.
Since I hadn't broken 20,000, I switched gears and wrote a few more thousand for No Sugar Coating. My grand total of the day was 21,968 words.
A lot of people commented on my status updates and said I was a machine (okay, maybe I said that I was a machine). I kind of felt like it that day. My fingers kept writing in this weird autopilot. It was my writing and me, nothing else came into play.
It was a little bizarre to finish the entire novelette in one day, almost like I had watched a friend grow up in the span of nine hours.
I wanted to share some tips on how I made this possible.
- If you have a significant other, get him/her to support you for the day (like making food). You may owe them a few back rubs. If you don't have a partner in crime, be prepared with meals you can heat, eat, then resume writing.
- Outline, outline, outline. I'm usually write by the seat of my pants. A lot of writers do this, and I used to love doing it. But I've seen the light. Outlines can really save you from making weird little plot bunnies that don't end up going anywhere. They can also help you stay focused. I wrote 2,000 words in my outline. 2k for a 19k piece seems excessive, but my characters stayed on track.
- Read over your outline the night before. In fact, you should be thinking about your story almost constantly in the days leading up to this!
- Give yourself a reasonable goal. Pass it. Then keep writing. I started with 10k. Once I finished that and saw how early it was, I said, "I can do this." Set my next goal for 15k. Finished that, still had time. So 20k it was.
- Don't sweat the small stuff. You will have grammatical errors and probably a lot of typos. This is your rough draft. It does not have to be perfect. Can't think of the right word? Find a quick filler and keep going.
- Reward yourself. If you achieve your first goal, you should allow yourself to do something that you don't normally do or buy a little something for yourself. In my case, I bought more books. (ALL THE BOOKS).
Any of you have big writing goals planned? How do you approach a full day of writing?
Oh, and be on the lookout for upcoming news of my novelette. I plan on releasing it in July, but there will be plenty of sneak peeks and information before then!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Progress
I know editing is important, incredibly so. But when I'm editing, I feel like I'm stagnant. It's a frustrating feeling, especially when I have so many things to finish, polish, and improve.
Thankfully, this month brings a different tactic, since I'm determined to make progress with No Sugar Coating, I am writing a little bit every day. Editing is taking place in my downtime, but it's still happening. I have so much to do with Where We Collide before I can fully count it as "decent enough to query." It does stand much better than the original, so I'm happy in regards to that.
RUHE, however, is going to take a complete backseat. It was my first finished manuscript. Perhaps somewhere down the road, I'll take it out of the box and dust it off, when I feel like making a darker story, "going there" instead of easing off at the last moment. For now, I'm quite content to focus on my other two projects.
In other news, I've been reading, a lot. I've rediscovered the wonders of audiobooks. I know that sounds silly, but when I first listened to books on CD they were all kind of done in the same, drab narration. Now, they are punchy, have impact, and it's almost like watching a movie unfold.
The wonders of technology and the world we live in: I love it. I can listen to an audiobook, read a physical book at lunch, and take my ebooks anywhere I'd like. At this moment, I have three books in progress, one in each format. I think I'm honestly making up for lost time. So many days of my life were spent hating books because of my "required readings." But I wonder, now that I'm older and more in love with lyrical writing, if I would get more out of reading the classics now than I did then.
Maybe some day I'll revisit my old, required readings and see what I make of them. For now, I'm having too much fun getting lost in young adult literature, new and old.
Thankfully, this month brings a different tactic, since I'm determined to make progress with No Sugar Coating, I am writing a little bit every day. Editing is taking place in my downtime, but it's still happening. I have so much to do with Where We Collide before I can fully count it as "decent enough to query." It does stand much better than the original, so I'm happy in regards to that.
RUHE, however, is going to take a complete backseat. It was my first finished manuscript. Perhaps somewhere down the road, I'll take it out of the box and dust it off, when I feel like making a darker story, "going there" instead of easing off at the last moment. For now, I'm quite content to focus on my other two projects.
In other news, I've been reading, a lot. I've rediscovered the wonders of audiobooks. I know that sounds silly, but when I first listened to books on CD they were all kind of done in the same, drab narration. Now, they are punchy, have impact, and it's almost like watching a movie unfold.
The wonders of technology and the world we live in: I love it. I can listen to an audiobook, read a physical book at lunch, and take my ebooks anywhere I'd like. At this moment, I have three books in progress, one in each format. I think I'm honestly making up for lost time. So many days of my life were spent hating books because of my "required readings." But I wonder, now that I'm older and more in love with lyrical writing, if I would get more out of reading the classics now than I did then.
Maybe some day I'll revisit my old, required readings and see what I make of them. For now, I'm having too much fun getting lost in young adult literature, new and old.
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