Hello everyone and welcome back once again to this last actual week of November! This is a really ridiculous week for a lot of people so I hope it's being nice to you all. I am trying to work out how to do all of my Christmas shopping by doing as little...going out into the world and actually shopping in person as I actually can because that will solve a lot of the lack of actual time to do that problem that I have. However I know there are some of you out there are still working on finishing up your stories for NaNoWriMo, so let's talk about that and not about my stress for holiday shopping!
We are getting down to the wire, which I'm sure just made all of your blood pressures spike a little and I'm sorry. The good news though is that it means you're almost done! If you've managed to get this far without having to deal with any of that pesky pain or anything either it means you have done better than I have and you deserve a cookie (or more food than anyone should ever eat, but you'll get that tomorrow). The thing is that if you are finishing up your story in the 50,000 words, it also means your brain is about to become a huge jerk and we need to prepare for that, mostly because it's likely already started.
So remember how I mentioned because that the brain likes habits? Well over the last month you've started a new one and the brain likes it, and it also realizes that you are coming to the end of it, and it does not want that to happen, so it is going to try and sabotage you everywhere. Again, because it's a jerk. I'm not talking about reminding you about all of the Holiday crazy that has probably already started (though that is part of it) I'm talking about sewing the seeds of doubt and all that stuff that will try and make you not actually finish it.
Your brain is a jerk, and you need to keep going. If you are doing the 1667 words a day quota that means you have only a little bit more to go. It is a wonderful feeling to accomplish the full 50,000 words and you are so very close. If you think you can get more done, then do that too! Go for it, your brain wants to keep the habit going that's all it's doing and it will put up roadblocks in order to keep it up, even if it means you get to 49,9992 by the end of the day on the 30th. You can win, just keep going. It is a fun month and you can't just focus on all of the stress of everything else because then you'll never want to do it again.
Thanks again everyone for stopping by today. I hope this week is and will see you all well. Whether or not there will be a post on Friday will determine how Thursday night goes. If I am up all night again like I was tonight I don't think there will be one because I don't know if there will be enough time for me to wake up enough to find a story to review, but we'll see. I really feel bad about being a slacker, but I do think the time off has been good for my hands. If anything Friday is the 29th, so happy shopping, happy almost end of month, and happy NaNoWriMo! You all deserve it!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
11/25/2013 Magnificent Monday! - NaNoWrMo Edition!
Hello everyone and welcome! I'm terribly sorry for the lack of communication regarding the whole lot of nothing that happened on Friday. I was still enjoying the fact that I had finished up my writing Thursday and had come to the realization of what that meant for everything I had been working on, and also I seriously felt what finishing Thursday morning had done. It was like working out way too much but not actually feeling it until the next day. I have spent the whole weekend trying to get that to calm down and have been partially successful, so I apologize, but oh man am I still excited!
I do hope that everyone who is still working on their stories for NaNoWriMo is having a lot of fun with them. You are almost done and that means this week is your home stretch, and that this week is also going to be the one that is going to throw the most non-writer's block related curve balls at you, especially if you live in the US, due to holidays and shopping in order to prepare for them. The day before Thanksgiving is a ridiculous day for shopping for groceries (guess what I get to do after work on Wednesday?) and the day after is the absolutely nuts day some people decide it's ok to kill each other for things they didn't want to kill each other over a week ago. These days not to mention the day of Thanksgiving are going to be a serious roadblock in regards to your writing, but don't fret I'm sure you can do it!
If you are done with the 50,000 are you able to "validate" your novel now on the NaNoWriMo website. That's basically where you copy and paste what you wrote and their little computer will actually agree that the 50,000 words are legit and not just 'kitty' written a bunch of times. I assume...it might actually accept kitty, I have no idea. I've gotten mine done though and pre-ordered my t-shirt! Yay stuff!!
As for my moment of excited self promotion and somewhat uncontrollable gloating or bragging and I really don't want it to come off as me trying to rub stuff in people's faces, but I am ridiculously excited about what it means to be done with the writing portion of 'Through the Broken Mirror'. It means that the first trilogy is done for the whole series. My, what will end up being a 6-book series, is halfway to being written (I won't say done because, haha....editing) but it is halfway written and in my computer. Technically it's more than half because 'Daughter of the Shackled King' is now being edited too, but one full trilogy has been done and it seriously just blows my mind just how many pages that really is. I am appreciative of all the support that I have gotten from friends and family and am thankful to their patience in the future while I get the rest completed. We're halfway there, just got to get the rest done!
For putting up with me this month and all of the others, I want to give a token of my gratitude, 'The Light Rises' is on sale for the rest of the year using coupon UM87K which will make it 75% off! Please tell everyone you can so they can all get the discount! Have a great start to the week and I'll be back on Wednesday!
I do hope that everyone who is still working on their stories for NaNoWriMo is having a lot of fun with them. You are almost done and that means this week is your home stretch, and that this week is also going to be the one that is going to throw the most non-writer's block related curve balls at you, especially if you live in the US, due to holidays and shopping in order to prepare for them. The day before Thanksgiving is a ridiculous day for shopping for groceries (guess what I get to do after work on Wednesday?) and the day after is the absolutely nuts day some people decide it's ok to kill each other for things they didn't want to kill each other over a week ago. These days not to mention the day of Thanksgiving are going to be a serious roadblock in regards to your writing, but don't fret I'm sure you can do it!
If you are done with the 50,000 are you able to "validate" your novel now on the NaNoWriMo website. That's basically where you copy and paste what you wrote and their little computer will actually agree that the 50,000 words are legit and not just 'kitty' written a bunch of times. I assume...it might actually accept kitty, I have no idea. I've gotten mine done though and pre-ordered my t-shirt! Yay stuff!!
As for my moment of excited self promotion and somewhat uncontrollable gloating or bragging and I really don't want it to come off as me trying to rub stuff in people's faces, but I am ridiculously excited about what it means to be done with the writing portion of 'Through the Broken Mirror'. It means that the first trilogy is done for the whole series. My, what will end up being a 6-book series, is halfway to being written (I won't say done because, haha....editing) but it is halfway written and in my computer. Technically it's more than half because 'Daughter of the Shackled King' is now being edited too, but one full trilogy has been done and it seriously just blows my mind just how many pages that really is. I am appreciative of all the support that I have gotten from friends and family and am thankful to their patience in the future while I get the rest completed. We're halfway there, just got to get the rest done!
For putting up with me this month and all of the others, I want to give a token of my gratitude, 'The Light Rises' is on sale for the rest of the year using coupon UM87K which will make it 75% off! Please tell everyone you can so they can all get the discount! Have a great start to the week and I'll be back on Wednesday!
Monday, November 18, 2013
11/18/2013 Magnificent Monday - NaNoWriMo Edition!
Good morning everyone and welcome back! I hope the weekend saw you all well. I took the time to relax a bit after last week's rush to get everything ready for Friday while at the same time getting my writing done. Luckily I managed to get everything together, but still, man that was tough at times let me tell you.
The craft fair went well. I ended up doing a bit better than I did last time, which is promising. Hopefully that means that I'll be even more prepared the next time around too. I have a few prints to touch up and once those are delivered I'll be all done. It was a fun experience, but I am really happy that it only happens a couple times a year. It is exhausting on a social level for me and I just need the time to calm down afterward.
NaNoWriMo is going right along too. I am currently in the homestretch to get to 50,000 words. I'm not sure if the story will be finished within that span, but I figure it won't be long after that if it isn't so I might just take a bit of extra time at my own pace to finish things up if I need to. I am to the really dramatic parts though, so that's kind of fun to finally get them down. Right now my word count is at 40,948, and according to their little ticker thingy I should be done by the 21st which is cool because I'd love to have a Friday to just relax and not feel rushed, especially right before the holiday hits. I am really happy with how this story is turning out too, it feels very solid, at least from what I can remember of it having read it before to get read and adding to it now. I think the character's reactions are all very realistic for what's happening, and I think the ending will be satisfying to all of the future and potential readers out there.
Couple things I wanted to give a heads up about. I just remembered I have an appointment Wednesday morning, so that post will not be happening, my apologies there. Also, for the craft fair I made a coupon for 'The Light Rises' so if you want to get it for 75% off, feel free to use coupon UM87K through Smashwords. It's good until the end of the year too! So that'll get you through all of the holidays if you want to use it as a gift for someone.
For now, I'll let you all enjoy the start of your week. I hope it's a great one. I'll try to look forward to my appointment with all of the enthusiasm that anyone would for a doctor's appointment. I hope everyone's NaNoWriMo progress is going well too, I'd love to know how everyone's doing. Let me know and have a great week!
The craft fair went well. I ended up doing a bit better than I did last time, which is promising. Hopefully that means that I'll be even more prepared the next time around too. I have a few prints to touch up and once those are delivered I'll be all done. It was a fun experience, but I am really happy that it only happens a couple times a year. It is exhausting on a social level for me and I just need the time to calm down afterward.
NaNoWriMo is going right along too. I am currently in the homestretch to get to 50,000 words. I'm not sure if the story will be finished within that span, but I figure it won't be long after that if it isn't so I might just take a bit of extra time at my own pace to finish things up if I need to. I am to the really dramatic parts though, so that's kind of fun to finally get them down. Right now my word count is at 40,948, and according to their little ticker thingy I should be done by the 21st which is cool because I'd love to have a Friday to just relax and not feel rushed, especially right before the holiday hits. I am really happy with how this story is turning out too, it feels very solid, at least from what I can remember of it having read it before to get read and adding to it now. I think the character's reactions are all very realistic for what's happening, and I think the ending will be satisfying to all of the future and potential readers out there.
Couple things I wanted to give a heads up about. I just remembered I have an appointment Wednesday morning, so that post will not be happening, my apologies there. Also, for the craft fair I made a coupon for 'The Light Rises' so if you want to get it for 75% off, feel free to use coupon UM87K through Smashwords. It's good until the end of the year too! So that'll get you through all of the holidays if you want to use it as a gift for someone.
For now, I'll let you all enjoy the start of your week. I hope it's a great one. I'll try to look forward to my appointment with all of the enthusiasm that anyone would for a doctor's appointment. I hope everyone's NaNoWriMo progress is going well too, I'd love to know how everyone's doing. Let me know and have a great week!
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
11/13/2013 Writing Wednesday - NaNoWriMo Edition!
Hello everyone and welcome back. We're on the official second full week of NaNoWriMo and I hope it's going smoothly for everyone. I am looking at breaking the ridiculous number of 30,000 words today and watching my hands fall off and beat me to death because of it. Not because of any particular damage, but mostly because that is just a crazy thing to be at. I am having a lot of fun this year, partially because of how dramatic this story is, and also I think because it means once I get to the end of what will end of up being this story's epilogue it will signify the end of the first trilogy and that is super exciting.
While thinking about the fact we're in week two, we've already mentioned how this is where people start drifting away mostly due to them getting over the initial running-start that is week one, generally this happens due to a bout of writer's block. I mentioned how the best way to get around this is by taking a little break just to let your brain rest for a bit, since it is super working overtime right now. Looking ahead to week think the are other potential villains you must face along with the dreaded writer's block.
Life is a jerk, and it is going to want your full attention next week. The reason for that is that is' drawing ever-closer to the actual start of the dreaded (what? you don't fear it and feel the chill of winter down your neck? weird!) holiday season. Yes it's true that Thanksgiving isn't until the end of the month, but that doesn't mean the stress doesn't start with it. The general panic of where people are supposed to be and/or go usually starts about a week or two beforehand and that includes what to make, what to buy, and who do you need to stab with a basting fork to get it. Some families even like to break things up so they are all-inclusive and will have more than one dinner, which means more days you will need to spend planning. Not to mention early holiday shopping, or even family coming into town. All of these are potential real-life and legitimate distractions for your writing.
I'm not saying to be a complete jerk and wall off your family, because that would be terrible. I'm just saying to do your best to make time for all of it, if you can. Remember NaNoWriMo if something that you are doing for you, it's not a real contest, and you have the whole month to do it. The other thing is that if you explain to your friends and family what you're doing, and let them know that you need at least a couple hours or maybe even an hour a day to write about 1700 words (if you're going to minimum word count) they are likely to support and understand. Sure there may be days when that isn't an option, but no one says you can't double-up one day. It's nowhere in the rules. If there were the case then I wouldn't be able to finish early.
The important part about week three is that with life starting to show its crazy head to you, not to stress over everything. NaNoWriMo is meant to be fun and wonderful, not something that you have to feel is a chore or some kind of obligation like everything else. It's something to enjoy and share in the accomplishment with a lot of other people. Also seriously, tell your family what you're doing. They might look at you like you just spoke to them in some kind of foreign language (like mine), but they'll be excited for you and will be understanding if you are a little rushed.
Thanks everyone for stopping by again. I'll be back on Monday and let you all know how the craft fair goes on Friday. I am absolutely terrified about it. I have jewelry to sell and I am so scared about of how small some of the bracelets are. At least they are stretchy. Anyway, have a great rest of your week and I'd love to hear how your NaNoWriMo progress is doing!
While thinking about the fact we're in week two, we've already mentioned how this is where people start drifting away mostly due to them getting over the initial running-start that is week one, generally this happens due to a bout of writer's block. I mentioned how the best way to get around this is by taking a little break just to let your brain rest for a bit, since it is super working overtime right now. Looking ahead to week think the are other potential villains you must face along with the dreaded writer's block.
Life is a jerk, and it is going to want your full attention next week. The reason for that is that is' drawing ever-closer to the actual start of the dreaded (what? you don't fear it and feel the chill of winter down your neck? weird!) holiday season. Yes it's true that Thanksgiving isn't until the end of the month, but that doesn't mean the stress doesn't start with it. The general panic of where people are supposed to be and/or go usually starts about a week or two beforehand and that includes what to make, what to buy, and who do you need to stab with a basting fork to get it. Some families even like to break things up so they are all-inclusive and will have more than one dinner, which means more days you will need to spend planning. Not to mention early holiday shopping, or even family coming into town. All of these are potential real-life and legitimate distractions for your writing.
I'm not saying to be a complete jerk and wall off your family, because that would be terrible. I'm just saying to do your best to make time for all of it, if you can. Remember NaNoWriMo if something that you are doing for you, it's not a real contest, and you have the whole month to do it. The other thing is that if you explain to your friends and family what you're doing, and let them know that you need at least a couple hours or maybe even an hour a day to write about 1700 words (if you're going to minimum word count) they are likely to support and understand. Sure there may be days when that isn't an option, but no one says you can't double-up one day. It's nowhere in the rules. If there were the case then I wouldn't be able to finish early.
The important part about week three is that with life starting to show its crazy head to you, not to stress over everything. NaNoWriMo is meant to be fun and wonderful, not something that you have to feel is a chore or some kind of obligation like everything else. It's something to enjoy and share in the accomplishment with a lot of other people. Also seriously, tell your family what you're doing. They might look at you like you just spoke to them in some kind of foreign language (like mine), but they'll be excited for you and will be understanding if you are a little rushed.
Thanks everyone for stopping by again. I'll be back on Monday and let you all know how the craft fair goes on Friday. I am absolutely terrified about it. I have jewelry to sell and I am so scared about of how small some of the bracelets are. At least they are stretchy. Anyway, have a great rest of your week and I'd love to hear how your NaNoWriMo progress is doing!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
11/6/2013 Writing Wednesday - NaNoWriMo Edition
Welcome back everyone and happy November! I hope you are all have lots of fun! We are only on the 6th day but so far things are going well. Today I will be breaking 13,000 words, which is just a crazy thing to think about something to do in less than a week but is will be happening today. Also my hands haven't fallen off yet, so let's have a really careful round of applause for that!
So one of the fun things about the start of NaNoWriMo is that everything for your story is relatively fresh and new in your head. It's coming into next week when you are going to start seeing people float away from their word quotas, which means you need to start latching into them before that happens.
The thing that will start happening next week is that those walls of writer's block are going to start happening a little more frequently. See, NaNo is super fun, but part of the issue with writing in such a rush of time is that sometimes the ideas are jerks and have problems letting themselves be formed before its time to be put on paper. Week two is when the frustrations really start and that's when the first wave of people start throwing up their hands and giving up. I cannot stress enough how much this is supposed to be fun, so if you are getting frustrated just go take a break for a bit and come back to it.
Also, those times of writers block are going to happen during NaNoWriMo, they happen to all of us and while they are irritating they aren't something that will be there forever. They are a symbol that your brain just needs a little bit of a break to work everything out, which is normal. It's like a conversation I had with a buddy of mine the other day; when it gets to the point in your studies when you've highlighted the whole page, it's time to turn on Netflix. Just like studying though you need to come back to your writing eventually though, so if you do decide to watch something on Netflix, don't decide to binge watch an entire nine season series of something, watch like a documentary or whatever, but come back and get back to working on your word quota. Your brain will appreciate it.
Thanks everyone for stopping by today! I hope you are having as much fun so far this month as I am. As I mentioned on Monday, I think I am going to need to forgo my Friday post, at least for a bit until I get things wrapped up this month. I appreciate your understanding while I try not to completely destroy my wrists this year. I'll see you all next Wednesday (ha! Monday's a holiday!) so have a great rest of this one and start to your next week!
So one of the fun things about the start of NaNoWriMo is that everything for your story is relatively fresh and new in your head. It's coming into next week when you are going to start seeing people float away from their word quotas, which means you need to start latching into them before that happens.
The thing that will start happening next week is that those walls of writer's block are going to start happening a little more frequently. See, NaNo is super fun, but part of the issue with writing in such a rush of time is that sometimes the ideas are jerks and have problems letting themselves be formed before its time to be put on paper. Week two is when the frustrations really start and that's when the first wave of people start throwing up their hands and giving up. I cannot stress enough how much this is supposed to be fun, so if you are getting frustrated just go take a break for a bit and come back to it.
Also, those times of writers block are going to happen during NaNoWriMo, they happen to all of us and while they are irritating they aren't something that will be there forever. They are a symbol that your brain just needs a little bit of a break to work everything out, which is normal. It's like a conversation I had with a buddy of mine the other day; when it gets to the point in your studies when you've highlighted the whole page, it's time to turn on Netflix. Just like studying though you need to come back to your writing eventually though, so if you do decide to watch something on Netflix, don't decide to binge watch an entire nine season series of something, watch like a documentary or whatever, but come back and get back to working on your word quota. Your brain will appreciate it.
Thanks everyone for stopping by today! I hope you are having as much fun so far this month as I am. As I mentioned on Monday, I think I am going to need to forgo my Friday post, at least for a bit until I get things wrapped up this month. I appreciate your understanding while I try not to completely destroy my wrists this year. I'll see you all next Wednesday (ha! Monday's a holiday!) so have a great rest of this one and start to your next week!
Monday, November 4, 2013
11/04/2013 Magnificent Monday - NaNoWriMo Edition!
Hello everyone and welcome back! I hope the weekend was nice to all of out, and to everyone that got an hour back with the time manipulation that is daylight savings time, yay for sleep! Also yay for not actually knowing what time it was all day despite looking directly at a clock all day long! This is why I don't deal with time manipulation people!
I really think not having a post on Monday to get a jump-start on NaNoWriMo was a good idea, as much as I'm sad that I wasn't able to do a review, having the time to get the word quota done in a safe amount of time for me was necessary. I am actually considering keeping that up, at least until I get to 50,000 words and no longer need to worry. Luckily that will only be for a couple weeks more, so I will appreciate the understanding, it's just that Friday's are enough of a rush as it is, I don't want to make them even more of one by adding in more stuff to do in the morning.
Speaking of word count, currently I am almost to 7000, I am quote pleased with that total. It was also nice to get to a scene that I have been working out for quite literally years, work out all the little kinks with it, and get it to finally be on a piece of digital paper. I am really excited to see it in action, well you all know what I mean. Currently my actual word count is 6893, and that is before doing anything this morning, mostly because I don't know if I'll have time to do anything before I need to run out the door for work. Where is everyone else at so far? I'd love to see what everyone's word total's are, and if you haven't done so yet, go update with nanowrimo.org too.
Thanks everyone for stopping by today. This is always a really fun month for everyone and never forget that part; it's supposed to be fun. Other parts of November are supposed to be stressful (holidays and shopping and/or cooking for said holidays) but not this, so if it starts stressing you out, take a step back and calm down for a moment. I'll be back on Wednesday and I really look forward to seeing how everyone's doing! Have a great start to the week!
I really think not having a post on Monday to get a jump-start on NaNoWriMo was a good idea, as much as I'm sad that I wasn't able to do a review, having the time to get the word quota done in a safe amount of time for me was necessary. I am actually considering keeping that up, at least until I get to 50,000 words and no longer need to worry. Luckily that will only be for a couple weeks more, so I will appreciate the understanding, it's just that Friday's are enough of a rush as it is, I don't want to make them even more of one by adding in more stuff to do in the morning.
Speaking of word count, currently I am almost to 7000, I am quote pleased with that total. It was also nice to get to a scene that I have been working out for quite literally years, work out all the little kinks with it, and get it to finally be on a piece of digital paper. I am really excited to see it in action, well you all know what I mean. Currently my actual word count is 6893, and that is before doing anything this morning, mostly because I don't know if I'll have time to do anything before I need to run out the door for work. Where is everyone else at so far? I'd love to see what everyone's word total's are, and if you haven't done so yet, go update with nanowrimo.org too.
Thanks everyone for stopping by today. This is always a really fun month for everyone and never forget that part; it's supposed to be fun. Other parts of November are supposed to be stressful (holidays and shopping and/or cooking for said holidays) but not this, so if it starts stressing you out, take a step back and calm down for a moment. I'll be back on Wednesday and I really look forward to seeing how everyone's doing! Have a great start to the week!
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