With only five days (including today) remaining of NaNoWriMo, I'm in the downward spiral of the rewrite. Essentially, I'm reaching the first chunk of falling action. Because Unity kind of has a couple of falling actions.
Anyway, I'm trying to take one day at a time. I won't deny that I feel super-dee-duper stressed, but I've gotta come up with a way to handle it better. Freaking out obviously won't help. So I'm gonna try to take each day as it comes. I tend to look into the future and try to have things planned out as best I can, and I'm pretty prone to freaking out when things go awry.
Once NaNo is over, I think I'll be able to breathe easier. At least for a short bit. I've got a full plate in the next month, what with the giveaway, craft show and writer's conference. But, at the end of December I've got a trip to Florida for some Disney World and a wedding. If that doesn't scream vacation, I don't know what does.
It'll be a nice reprieve to get away - far away - from everything. That's my reward I'm working toward. I'll work my 35+ hour weeks and write and edit and perfect as best I can and survive. And, Lord willing, I'll have some fun along the way.
To all you Wrimos out there, good luck! These last few days are the most stressful, I'm sure, but you can pull through! It's a rewarding experience, so don't give up yet. Even if you're far from the goal of 50,000 words, keep trying. Every step you take toward finishing your novel is a step forward, so everything counts, no matter how long it takes you. Keep pressing on and keep your chin up. You are equipped to write the story you're telling and you can do this.
Happy adventuring everyone!
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "Sleep" by Polyphony and Stephen Layton
Monday, November 26, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Curse My Short Attention Span!
I had such high hopes for this evening.
First off, I'm sick (again?! Why does this keep happening?!). And not just like, "*cough cough* now I'm all better" sort of sick. I'm losing my voice. One of my managers kept making fun of my inability to speak today and a few of my coworkers were laughing at how I could totally do a Batman impression just by talking. Then I made my brother nearly die of laughter when I tried to go falsetto and basically squeaked like a chipmunk.
Anyway, because of this, I'm lethargic. All I wanted to do today was watch Stargate and let my brain ooze. I can't do that. I'm a little behind on my writing and I still have around 30,000 words left to hammer out of Unity. Assuming Unity is around 120,000 words long when it's all said and done. That's just my rough estimate. It might wind up being more or less. Whatever. So long as the story's told properly.
Due to my lack of discipline today, I pretty much have had no control over my normally steadfast ability to just sit down and write. I kid you not. I've just spent two hours playing around in Photoshop trying to make up a mock cover of Unity.
'Cause I have time for this.
NOT. I have an event coming up in like, two weeks to promote Genesis (at my old elementary school no less!), the giveaway on Goodreads ends in a few days, and I have the Writer's Conference in New York to prepare for. And I want to finish the Unity rewrite. AND I'm getting a hankering for trying to nail down more histories for Zero Point.
Sometimes, I think I try to tackle too much at any given time.
As though this all isn't crazy enough, today's Thanksgiving. Which means tomorrow is Black Friday. Which means Christmas is in like, doomsday looming distance. Goodness gracious, what kind of pill have I decided I'll swallow? One of my friends was right, I am an overachiever. But only in this area of my life.
I wonder what that says about me...
Thankfulness:
I'm incredibly thankful for a myriad of things. My family, my friends, my job, my creativity, my story, my characters, my God who controls all things and holds them all in His hands, my freedom (however long it may last), my car, and a trillion other things. I'm grateful for the fact that I can celebrate my Savior's birth and that I can have the financial ability to buy my family members and friends something nice. I'm blessed to know that there are people who love me, albeit far away, but they love me none the less. That somewhere out there, regardless of where I go and what I do, I can always return home and have someone who understands who I am and what I feel. I'm so far beyond thankful for the chance I have to give my characters life, to tell their story, and to pursue my dreams AND have the support of friends and family behind it. Not everyone is so lucky and somehow, God gifted me a bunch of different people who provide nonstop encouragement in all I do.
Be thankful everyone. And have a happy adventure this Thanksgiving.
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: Music from Disney's Robin Hood playing over and over in my head. Don't ask me why. It just is.
P.S. - I feel like I need to explain why it takes me months to read easy books. It's cause I only read when I'm at work. When I'm home, I'm writing or creating. I love reading, I really do. I have a bookcase that proves that. But I don't give myself the free time to dive into a story. I did it with Hunger Games and was sorely disappointed. So I think now, I'm super wary to devote prime writing time to someone else's story. Although Lawhead's Hood has been good so far.
First off, I'm sick (again?! Why does this keep happening?!). And not just like, "*cough cough* now I'm all better" sort of sick. I'm losing my voice. One of my managers kept making fun of my inability to speak today and a few of my coworkers were laughing at how I could totally do a Batman impression just by talking. Then I made my brother nearly die of laughter when I tried to go falsetto and basically squeaked like a chipmunk.
Anyway, because of this, I'm lethargic. All I wanted to do today was watch Stargate and let my brain ooze. I can't do that. I'm a little behind on my writing and I still have around 30,000 words left to hammer out of Unity. Assuming Unity is around 120,000 words long when it's all said and done. That's just my rough estimate. It might wind up being more or less. Whatever. So long as the story's told properly.
Due to my lack of discipline today, I pretty much have had no control over my normally steadfast ability to just sit down and write. I kid you not. I've just spent two hours playing around in Photoshop trying to make up a mock cover of Unity.
'Cause I have time for this.
NOT. I have an event coming up in like, two weeks to promote Genesis (at my old elementary school no less!), the giveaway on Goodreads ends in a few days, and I have the Writer's Conference in New York to prepare for. And I want to finish the Unity rewrite. AND I'm getting a hankering for trying to nail down more histories for Zero Point.
Sometimes, I think I try to tackle too much at any given time.
As though this all isn't crazy enough, today's Thanksgiving. Which means tomorrow is Black Friday. Which means Christmas is in like, doomsday looming distance. Goodness gracious, what kind of pill have I decided I'll swallow? One of my friends was right, I am an overachiever. But only in this area of my life.
I wonder what that says about me...
Thankfulness:
I'm incredibly thankful for a myriad of things. My family, my friends, my job, my creativity, my story, my characters, my God who controls all things and holds them all in His hands, my freedom (however long it may last), my car, and a trillion other things. I'm grateful for the fact that I can celebrate my Savior's birth and that I can have the financial ability to buy my family members and friends something nice. I'm blessed to know that there are people who love me, albeit far away, but they love me none the less. That somewhere out there, regardless of where I go and what I do, I can always return home and have someone who understands who I am and what I feel. I'm so far beyond thankful for the chance I have to give my characters life, to tell their story, and to pursue my dreams AND have the support of friends and family behind it. Not everyone is so lucky and somehow, God gifted me a bunch of different people who provide nonstop encouragement in all I do.
Be thankful everyone. And have a happy adventure this Thanksgiving.
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: Music from Disney's Robin Hood playing over and over in my head. Don't ask me why. It just is.
P.S. - I feel like I need to explain why it takes me months to read easy books. It's cause I only read when I'm at work. When I'm home, I'm writing or creating. I love reading, I really do. I have a bookcase that proves that. But I don't give myself the free time to dive into a story. I did it with Hunger Games and was sorely disappointed. So I think now, I'm super wary to devote prime writing time to someone else's story. Although Lawhead's Hood has been good so far.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Holy Validation Batman!
About a week ago, I was telling my mom how discouraged I was regarding my book. I guess I need to check Goodreads more often.
Not only did some random person rate it (with 4 outta 5 stars!), but over 200 people entered into the giveaway of 5 copies and over 100 people want to read the book. I'm excited. It's a stupid thing to get excited over, I suppose, but it shifted me straight into the tippy top of my happiness radar.
See, for me, just knowing that somewhere out there, someone read it and enjoyed it makes me happy. And knowing that they read it of their own volition and then chose to rate it toward the higher end of the scale is even better. I can't even describe it properly. I'm shivering with excitement.
It definitely didn't hurt matters that as I was looking at this, "Promise" by Thomas Bergersen came on my iPod. I kid you not, this song is one of my absolute favorites. I could listen to it on repeat for days and never get sick of it. Whenever it comes on, I get so inspired to write and do great things, even if I'm not capable of them.
Well, that's all. I really just wanted to sort of spew my excitement, and it's like, 2am. Normal people are sleeping now.
Not me!
Happy adventuring everyone :)
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "Proud Nation" by Immediate Music
Not only did some random person rate it (with 4 outta 5 stars!), but over 200 people entered into the giveaway of 5 copies and over 100 people want to read the book. I'm excited. It's a stupid thing to get excited over, I suppose, but it shifted me straight into the tippy top of my happiness radar.
See, for me, just knowing that somewhere out there, someone read it and enjoyed it makes me happy. And knowing that they read it of their own volition and then chose to rate it toward the higher end of the scale is even better. I can't even describe it properly. I'm shivering with excitement.
It definitely didn't hurt matters that as I was looking at this, "Promise" by Thomas Bergersen came on my iPod. I kid you not, this song is one of my absolute favorites. I could listen to it on repeat for days and never get sick of it. Whenever it comes on, I get so inspired to write and do great things, even if I'm not capable of them.
Well, that's all. I really just wanted to sort of spew my excitement, and it's like, 2am. Normal people are sleeping now.
Not me!
Happy adventuring everyone :)
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "Proud Nation" by Immediate Music
Friday, November 16, 2012
Limbo
I'm in this strange in between of life.
See, I really don't want to make a career of working in retail. I could do it, but I really don't want to. For a myriad of reasons. The hours, the lack of weekends off, feeling stuck in this time-warp of never ending stuff that must be done to appease the higher ups (even though it's tedious). Now that last one I understand will happen everywhere. That'd be fine and good if I could just figure out what to do.
On one hand, I really don't mind working at Staples. I like my coworkers, they seem to tolerate me (despite the fact that I'm very obviously an outcast due to my Christian beliefs), and I bring home a somewhat respectable paycheck every week. I can go to church every Sunday and tend to have Fridays off. It's a pain to get a weekend off, but eventually I get to see my friends up north (and the few down south) again.
But it really isn't what I want to be doing. Is that so bad? I feel as though it is. Like I'm not being content with where I am. Now here's where I struggle: I'm frustrated with where I am because there are so many other things I'd rather be doing. Things I think would help a myriad of people far more than me trying to make copies every day and not get yelled at or reprimanded or treated like a 2 year old for doing one thing wrong.
I think that's what bothers me the most. These stupid little things that people nit pick on. Never do they cause a cataclysm of destruction. Never do they really hang up the well oiled machine. But somehow I'm still berated like I hit the button of doom. Treated like a child, I'm scoffed at as though it's okay - like I won't care that I'm being trampled across and ridiculed.
I'm twenty-four. I have a four year degree and I think, a pretty good head on my shoulders. I don't get everything right - I admit when I screw up and I admit when things don't get done due to my inability. Doesn't this entitle me to a little respect? That's all I really want. Respect. And I feel like, sometimes, I just don't get it where I am.
Sometimes, I feel like that doll thrown into the corner again. It's not to anyone's fault. It's probably my own doing. I don't know how to relate to people, I guess. I'm the odd one out and I don't know how to change that without completely destroying my spiritual life.
How do I change my approach without the sheer destruction of who and what I am? Or is this a losing battle? Can my one little light of attempted goodness really help someone? How am I to know?
I guess this is life. Move ahead and look for the doors that open. And I guess when none open, start searching for the window.
Happy adventuring.
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "For the Beauty of the Earth" by Barlowgirl
See, I really don't want to make a career of working in retail. I could do it, but I really don't want to. For a myriad of reasons. The hours, the lack of weekends off, feeling stuck in this time-warp of never ending stuff that must be done to appease the higher ups (even though it's tedious). Now that last one I understand will happen everywhere. That'd be fine and good if I could just figure out what to do.
On one hand, I really don't mind working at Staples. I like my coworkers, they seem to tolerate me (despite the fact that I'm very obviously an outcast due to my Christian beliefs), and I bring home a somewhat respectable paycheck every week. I can go to church every Sunday and tend to have Fridays off. It's a pain to get a weekend off, but eventually I get to see my friends up north (and the few down south) again.
But it really isn't what I want to be doing. Is that so bad? I feel as though it is. Like I'm not being content with where I am. Now here's where I struggle: I'm frustrated with where I am because there are so many other things I'd rather be doing. Things I think would help a myriad of people far more than me trying to make copies every day and not get yelled at or reprimanded or treated like a 2 year old for doing one thing wrong.
I think that's what bothers me the most. These stupid little things that people nit pick on. Never do they cause a cataclysm of destruction. Never do they really hang up the well oiled machine. But somehow I'm still berated like I hit the button of doom. Treated like a child, I'm scoffed at as though it's okay - like I won't care that I'm being trampled across and ridiculed.
I'm twenty-four. I have a four year degree and I think, a pretty good head on my shoulders. I don't get everything right - I admit when I screw up and I admit when things don't get done due to my inability. Doesn't this entitle me to a little respect? That's all I really want. Respect. And I feel like, sometimes, I just don't get it where I am.
Sometimes, I feel like that doll thrown into the corner again. It's not to anyone's fault. It's probably my own doing. I don't know how to relate to people, I guess. I'm the odd one out and I don't know how to change that without completely destroying my spiritual life.
How do I change my approach without the sheer destruction of who and what I am? Or is this a losing battle? Can my one little light of attempted goodness really help someone? How am I to know?
I guess this is life. Move ahead and look for the doors that open. And I guess when none open, start searching for the window.
Happy adventuring.
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "For the Beauty of the Earth" by Barlowgirl
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Halfway There
Well, as I think you can see, I've fulfilled the NaNoWriMo challenge. Woohoo! Another certificate to add to my growing collection :) And for those who are wondering; yes. I do frame them and hang them. It's an achievement after all!
Even though I've accomplished Nano, I'm only halfway through the book. I just cracked the two chapters past that point in the story. I knew that Unity was going to be long. As my brother said, "Her second book is basically The Council of Elrond."
That's a fair assessment.
So I have my work cut out for me. Unity, I feel, is going to be the book that I write and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite and scrap and rewrite. It's a hodgepodge book. A lot needs to happen in a short amount of time and even more is thrown at the audience during this time period. It's a lot for a general reader to take in. I might be asking too much of my readers. But, well, if I can follow it, I imagine anyone can. Though, I've had over ten years to meddle in this story and these characters.
To be fair, I've really only known the other Human-Borns well for about two years. Up till then, they've just been floating enigmas.
Well fellow Wrimos, I wish you all luck! Keep plugging away through whatever obstacles come your way and persevere. It'll be worth it in the end to have that manuscript finished. Trust me, I know! Keep pushing on and never give up. I believe in you!
Happy adventuring everyone.
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "Throne of Divinity" by City of the Fallen
Even though I've accomplished Nano, I'm only halfway through the book. I just cracked the two chapters past that point in the story. I knew that Unity was going to be long. As my brother said, "Her second book is basically The Council of Elrond."
That's a fair assessment.
So I have my work cut out for me. Unity, I feel, is going to be the book that I write and rewrite and rewrite and rewrite and scrap and rewrite. It's a hodgepodge book. A lot needs to happen in a short amount of time and even more is thrown at the audience during this time period. It's a lot for a general reader to take in. I might be asking too much of my readers. But, well, if I can follow it, I imagine anyone can. Though, I've had over ten years to meddle in this story and these characters.
To be fair, I've really only known the other Human-Borns well for about two years. Up till then, they've just been floating enigmas.
Well fellow Wrimos, I wish you all luck! Keep plugging away through whatever obstacles come your way and persevere. It'll be worth it in the end to have that manuscript finished. Trust me, I know! Keep pushing on and never give up. I believe in you!
Happy adventuring everyone.
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "Throne of Divinity" by City of the Fallen
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Breather
I'm taking a brief respite from writing to...write a blog.
This is a different kind of writing. Like stream of consciousness.
7 days into Nano and I'm over the halfway mark for the month's goal. (And honestly, I'm sitting on a 3 chapter buffer of at least another 10k words just in case I don't get a day to write). I'm pleased with the pace I've been taking. The rewrite is going well and I finally tackled the major hurdle of the book. I stalled for a day because I still had no clue what was going on. Then I threw caution to the wind and said, "That's what editing's for!"
So here I sit. I just hammered out 4k in about 2 1/2, 3 hours. I have about three more hours until I'm calling it bed time, so I have the potential to get a nice chunk of the rewrite done tonight. Which would be a pleasant change. It helped that I got off work at two. I'm near dead tired, but thankfully the story keeps my mind reeling regardless of my sleep-deprivation.
How are things going with my fellow Wrimos? Everyone plowing along through their stories and having a blast? I sure hope so. The challenge behind NaNoWriMo is daunting, but incredibly fulfilling. Keep pressing on my fellow writers! There is much more of November left. Don't let the weather fool you!
For those that don't know, it's currently snowing outside. If I wasn't in writing mode, I'd totally be listening to Christmas music.
Happy writing!
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "New World Order" by City of the Fallen
This is a different kind of writing. Like stream of consciousness.
7 days into Nano and I'm over the halfway mark for the month's goal. (And honestly, I'm sitting on a 3 chapter buffer of at least another 10k words just in case I don't get a day to write). I'm pleased with the pace I've been taking. The rewrite is going well and I finally tackled the major hurdle of the book. I stalled for a day because I still had no clue what was going on. Then I threw caution to the wind and said, "That's what editing's for!"
So here I sit. I just hammered out 4k in about 2 1/2, 3 hours. I have about three more hours until I'm calling it bed time, so I have the potential to get a nice chunk of the rewrite done tonight. Which would be a pleasant change. It helped that I got off work at two. I'm near dead tired, but thankfully the story keeps my mind reeling regardless of my sleep-deprivation.
How are things going with my fellow Wrimos? Everyone plowing along through their stories and having a blast? I sure hope so. The challenge behind NaNoWriMo is daunting, but incredibly fulfilling. Keep pressing on my fellow writers! There is much more of November left. Don't let the weather fool you!
For those that don't know, it's currently snowing outside. If I wasn't in writing mode, I'd totally be listening to Christmas music.
Happy writing!
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "New World Order" by City of the Fallen
Friday, November 2, 2012
Outside the Comfort Zone
So today I was checking my emails (because I have like, four), and discovered I've been accepted to register for a writer's conference in New York City. It's a pretty hardcore one. It's basically four days of me sitting in front of editors and pitching my book.
When I applied for the registration (that's how selective this is: I had to apply to be allowed to register), I didn't expect to make the cut. For one reason or another, I thought I wouldn't be good enough. Either my age or inexperience or whatever was going to limit me in the mind of whomever was choosing the participants this year.
I'm freaked out of my mind! Because I didn't expect to make the cut, I didn't prepare at all. I have about a month, but still. This is the kind of nervousness that chews at my insides and makes me quiver when no one's looking. This isn't where you go to get praise or to get a pat on the back. This sort of conference is where you go and have editors of high end houses sit down and say, "Why should I back your book?"
Now I'm busy mapping out my money and seeing if I can spare $600 for the four day excursion. It's in mid December too, so getting the time off of work will be...tricky. I'll probably have to sacrifice a lot to get the time off, especially since I need a huge chunk of Christmas off 'cause my family's going to Florida.
I have a lot of praying to do to determine if this is the right step to take. I have a few days to figure this out and determine if I can swing the conference. A part of me really wants to do this. The scared child part of me wants to run away screaming.
But I guess this is how it is. I need to have confidence in my book and in my characters. Being published through an actual house (HOLY WOW), would be amazing. I mean...who knows what might happen.
Sometimes, I feel like my life is the one scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Indy needs to step into the unknown (literally), before he can find the Holy Grail. This is one of those times where I have no clue if there's a rock ledge to stand on, but I guess I'll step out anyway.
The beauty is, even if I fall, God will catch me. That's always a comfort. Kinda makes me wonder why I shouldn't just take the step. Can't lose anything, right?
Happy adventuring everyone!
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "Ascencia" by Jo Blankenburg
P.S. - You would think I had been searching for the Holy Grail this afternoon. All I wanted was my Chocolate Mocha coffee made by Gevalia. And every store I went to that had power carried every other variety they made, but not mine! I had to settle on something that cost like, four dollars more than I was expecting to spend. This Godiva Chocolate Truffle had better be worth it.
When I applied for the registration (that's how selective this is: I had to apply to be allowed to register), I didn't expect to make the cut. For one reason or another, I thought I wouldn't be good enough. Either my age or inexperience or whatever was going to limit me in the mind of whomever was choosing the participants this year.
I'm freaked out of my mind! Because I didn't expect to make the cut, I didn't prepare at all. I have about a month, but still. This is the kind of nervousness that chews at my insides and makes me quiver when no one's looking. This isn't where you go to get praise or to get a pat on the back. This sort of conference is where you go and have editors of high end houses sit down and say, "Why should I back your book?"
Now I'm busy mapping out my money and seeing if I can spare $600 for the four day excursion. It's in mid December too, so getting the time off of work will be...tricky. I'll probably have to sacrifice a lot to get the time off, especially since I need a huge chunk of Christmas off 'cause my family's going to Florida.
I have a lot of praying to do to determine if this is the right step to take. I have a few days to figure this out and determine if I can swing the conference. A part of me really wants to do this. The scared child part of me wants to run away screaming.
But I guess this is how it is. I need to have confidence in my book and in my characters. Being published through an actual house (HOLY WOW), would be amazing. I mean...who knows what might happen.
Sometimes, I feel like my life is the one scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Indy needs to step into the unknown (literally), before he can find the Holy Grail. This is one of those times where I have no clue if there's a rock ledge to stand on, but I guess I'll step out anyway.
The beauty is, even if I fall, God will catch me. That's always a comfort. Kinda makes me wonder why I shouldn't just take the step. Can't lose anything, right?
Happy adventuring everyone!
Currently [re]Writing: Unity
Currently Reading: Hood by Stephen Lawhead
Currently Listening to: "Ascencia" by Jo Blankenburg
P.S. - You would think I had been searching for the Holy Grail this afternoon. All I wanted was my Chocolate Mocha coffee made by Gevalia. And every store I went to that had power carried every other variety they made, but not mine! I had to settle on something that cost like, four dollars more than I was expecting to spend. This Godiva Chocolate Truffle had better be worth it.
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