Nanowrimo Over, but the Writing Continues

I "WON" NANOWRIMO. I had lost almost two full weeks of writing due to editing a short story, family, and Thanksgiving. It took me until the very end to get it done, but that's what I did, with mere minutes to spare. The story wasn't completed just because NANO was though, so I had more writing to do. As well as some major editing. Sigh... I will say this though, I did edit some during Nano. :/ I know, I know, you're not supposed to, but my first Nano story was such a pita to work with afterwards, I couldn't let that happen again. Especially now when I'm making writing a priority in my new life.

My story, Evidence of Lies, is now for the most part done. I'm contemplating adding one or two more chapters, because something major happens to my main character after the story ends. When my sister in law read the story, that was one of the first things she commented on. She wanted it to happen, and I had not even hinted to her that it would. I'm pretty sure I need to add it. Realizing as I type that for me it's OK, because I know, but to a reader, they are left kind of hanging in that regard. I have been there as a reader, and it's very annoying. I guess I'll be off to get that worked out.

Brief Synopsis Of Evidence of Lies

When your happily ever after becomes a never ending nightmare you do what you can to wake up from it. After paying the ultimate price, Aubrianna begins to rebuild her life, and almost a year later the nightmare returns full force in ways she could never have expected.

I had a lot of fun with this one. Love triangles, affairs, murder, and framing an innocent person! It really is a lot of fun to kill characters off. Who new? :) 

Writing Tools

I just downloaded the 10 day free trial of MasterWriter. Going to play around with it while editing a few of my completed projects. I will let you know what I think. It looks pretty awesome!

Have a great Sunday all!

ROW80 01/26/2011 Check In

What a day, what a day. Is it 7pm yet...nope. I'm ready to leave this day job behind for the day, if not ever, lol!

I haven't written or worked on my wip yet today, but I will tonight. Every things in order, and ready to go. This week, I have been playing with setting, and doing research. Yesterday, I think , I began looking up hi-rise condos, expensive ones. Let me just say, "WOW"! I am drooling over these luxury homes in the sky. What views, and all of those windows. (I wouldn't want to be the one cleaning those things though!) One baby was 10 million, on the 29th (top) floor, The whole 29th floor. Sweet!

I downloaded the Goodreads app for my droid today. It's not free like the Iphone app, but $0.99 wont break me...yet. I also purchased the Deck of Cardz series by Jean Holloway today and should be getting them soon, and I can't wait!

I hope that you all have been able to keep up with your goals, and was able to get some quality work done. I look forward to checking your blogs. Have a great night, and I will see you soon.

~S~

Book Club, Goodreads and other news.

I'm in a really good mood today. I joined the Bloggers Unite Book Club. (Blog Here and Goodreads Group Here) Since I started at the end of the month, I will begin reading the February selection of Deuces Wild by Jean Holloway. It's book three in the Deck of Cardz series, so you know what that means. I need to read book one and two, and that turns into a bookstore spree! Yay, baby! I also have to buy a copy of The Second Virgin Birth by Tommy Taylor.   You can pick up a copy from Amazon.  Hopefully I can snag them this weekend, but it may have to wait until next week. :(

I also joined the 2011 Reading Challenge on Goodreads. My goal is to read 100 books this year, if not more. The Bloggers Unite Book Club and The Stephen King Library will definitely help towards this goal. Then of course,  I have loads of books waiting on my TBR list, and hopefully I will knock some of those out this year. I have some e-books waiting for me to read, but I have to admit, It's not the same. One reason might be that I have the apps on my phone, and not on a Kindle, or other eReader. I will eventually have to get one, just not sure which kind. Which one do you use?

Well, I must close this little post for the night. It's late and I'm tired, but what else is new? I will post tomorrow for the ROW80 check in, so I will see you then. I hope that you had a wonderful day and a peaceful night. Until tomorrow, good night.

~S~

01/19 Row 80 , Project Updates, and Writing Aptitude Tests

I have some writing accomplished, but mostly working on my character sketches. I am using the First Draft in 30 Days method, and I'm not sure if I like it just yet. It's different from how I usually work, but her methods do sound reasonable and proficient, so I will carry on. Anyway, as to my ROW80 goals, I have worked for over an hour a day, so it counts, just not in words.

I have found my Heroins look a like! She is the beautiful Orla Brady, and she's the one. Now, just to find my hero.

Writing aptitude tests.
I received one in the email yesterday, again. This time I looked at it and I sent of for it, and info on the course. It can't hurt to check them out.  Do you think these are all just scams? When I get more info, I will share it here and we'll see what everyone thinks.

Anyway, good luck with your writing, I hope you are all granted the quiet time you need to slip away into your own worlds.  Check out other ROW80 participants progress. 

Row80 Update and Reading News

So, today I didn't actually get any writing done, but I did go over First Draft in 30 Days. I printed up the worksheets, as well as getting  Liquid Story Binder in tune. I can't wait to get started. It may be just what I need. Tomorrow, or maybe after this post, I will write, and write, and write! I hope everyone is able to fulfill there goals. Remember that you can always tweak them if necessary. Keep up the great work. :)

I have some new reading materials that came in. First, my Writers Digest came in! It's great coming home and finding sitting on my kitchen table waiting for me. Interview with Nicholas Sparks made the cover, and I look forward to reading it. I love his works, but I don't like that he doesn't embrace the romance aspect of his books. Hell, even Stephen King is a member of the RWA.

Speaking of The King, I joined The Stephen King Library last week, and received my first shipment of books on Saturday. I just finished his book On Writing, and I have never loved a book so much in my life. He stays honest throughout, and I felt that I was able to get to know him, at least on some level. I will take his advice to heart, and will read that book over and over.

Back to the delivery. :) The first in the series is Full Dark, No Stars, and I'm reading that one now. It's a compilation, and I'm still on the first story, and woh!! I had the option to add on a book for $4.99, so naturally I had no choice but to do so. I chose Under the Dome. I can't wait to begin.

Well, I have checked in and updated. (I at least accomplished that goal!) I think that I will just wait until tomorrow to write, for I can't keep from yawning. Have a wonderful night.

~S~

Something New!

Hi! I hope all of you ROW80 peeps are staying on course and keeping up a nice balance between writing and life. Yesterday, rather late last night, I posted an update. I asked a question about ideas and current wips. Today, while awake and somewhat coherent, I will ask again.

How do you keep track of your never ending ideas, while keeping your current wip a priority?

With that question in mind, I'm going to implement something new. A few months back, I bought a copy of First Draft in 30 Days by Karen Weisner in digital form from Writers Digest. (I already own the second book in softcover) I glanced over it today, and have decided to use her techniques ans see how it goes. Now this may not help with the idea overload, but just maybe, it will help me keep current wips in check, and not loose momentum. I'll keep you updated.

Well, back to the lovely day job for now. Stressful situations abound today, soooo don't want to have to deal with them. Life. :)

~S~