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!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us" Charles Dickens

The above mirrors my life this year alone. I wanted to crawl away and hide from everyone. I fought, with every ounce I had, not to. I had two beautiful daughters to stay strong for. I made myself get out of my comfort zone, and try to live  life the best I could. I knew if I didn't, I would fade away. Closing myself off from the world. Heartbreaking things happen, and though it's not what I wanted, it was definitely for the best. I was terrified of the changes taking place, and I didn't think that I was strong enough to come out in one piece on the other side. I didn't want there to be another side.

As I sit here writing this, I know I haven't completely made it over there yet, but now I want to go there. I want to see what's waiting for me. I have my days when I still get sad, and it hurts like hell, but other days, I'm pretty good. I am finding me out of all of this. I am taking risks that I would shy away from before, and the results may not always work out how I'd want, but at least I tried. It's scary, I won't lie, but oh, in the end, you feel alive! I'm trying to break free, and become the me that makes me happy. I'm listening to music again. I take pleasure in the little things. I am writing again, and I am enjoying it. I'm making myself get out there and make new friends. With that said, I have met some wonderful people lately, and reconnected to some long lost ones, and they really have no idea how much they have helped me by just being themselves.

As for my lovely daughters, I love them soooo very much. I want to make them proud of the person I am, the one I'm becoming. I'm not perfect, as well they know, but I do try to be better. They have been troopers through all of this. I just want you to know, that whatever life throws at you, you will find your way through it. If I did, you can. Life isn't always easy, but enjoy the ride, because it's the only one you have.

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~

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

I have been keeping up with my ROW80 writing goals of an hour a day, if not more. Obviously though, my blogging is suffering in the goal department. I will try to keep up, but blah, blah, blah. You know how life is, so I won't bother you with the mundane.

I have been dealing with issues of idea overload. Many hit me about the same time, and when I write, more come. I don't mind the ideas at all, I'm grateful for them, and I love them all. That seems to be the problem. When they come, I write them down, or record them in my phone as soon as possible. When I take note of them, I tend to start writing as the excitement takes over. The problem with all of these wonderful ideas is that they pull me away from my current wip, which causes me to loose focus and the rhythm that takes hold. I have to wonder how much this affects my current wip. I'm sure this happens to you, at least sometimes. What do you do to keep things in check.  Keep your current project moving, while noting your new ideas, because they are just as precious to you.

Well, I must check on my wips before I go to bed. So goodnight, and good luck with your writing. I hope the muse visits and watches over you as you write.


~S~

New Year, New Ways and A Round of Words in 80 Days

Blogging. I'm lousy at it. I forget that it sits here waiting for me. So, part of my goal will be to update my blog 3 times a week. Mon, Wed, and Frid. Even if it's just to say hello.


My schedule has been way to hectic as of late, and I just don't know if I'm coming or going some days. Yet writing is very important to me and I have to get it in, or I'll just go mad.  My "A Round of Words in 80 Days" Goal is as follows. I will write my wip for one hour a day, my secondary goal is to write 650 a day. So, there you have it.

I wish you all the best with your writing during the next 80 days, and beyond. Now off to figure out the lunky thing. Keep your fingers crossed. :)

~S~

November 1st is Here!

So, today is the day, and Nano is underway! It is about 8:30 pm and I have yet to write one single word. It's OK though. Today was crazy at work. The Doc I work for had back surgery this morning, but it was moved up due to complications. So, I had to scramble to find someone that can come in on such short notice. I have someone for most of this week, so we're good. Makes my life so much less stressful.

So, now that I'm home, I have changed into something comfy, have my area in order for the night. I have a delicious plate of lasagna that the kids cooked in front of me. Yes, it's from a box, but it's not fast food, and I didn't have to cook, I definitely can't complain. :) The kettle is on so I can have a nice cup of tea, PG Tips if curious, and after I post this, I'm going to make a playlist, light some candles, and write the rest of the night away. I can already hear their voices vividly in  my head, and they are ready to be set free! To all of you other Nano-ees, and writing fiends out there,
Good luck, and Happy Writing!
~s~

The madness is about to begin!

Well, it's that time of year again, and I'm not talking about Halloween or any of the other fast approaching holidays. I'm talking about NanoWrimo! National novel writing month is now here, and this will be my second year participating, and I am very excited! The goal is to write 50,000 words in thirty days. Now that may seem like a lot, but when you break it down, it's not so bad. As long as your creative juices continue to flow and you don't hit any brick walls along the way. It works out to about 1,667 words a day for 30 days, or about 12,500 a week for 4 weeks. Manageable, right? Sure. We can do this!

They say the idea is to just write and work on editing later. I for one, am unable to write that much without some editing, OK,  a lot, for me it just can't be done. They say that yes you'll be writing a lot of crap, but the main point is to write. Well, I for one, don't want to end the month with a bunch of time wasted on crap. So I plan on taking some steps to help prevent that. Yes, I do know that some crap is to be expected, and I'm OK with that. So, if your participating, plan, plan, plan. The goal of 50k in a month is a good training process, it gets you on a schedule and puts your writing on the forefront. It makes writing a priority in our crazy, hectic lives. It shows you your strengths and weaknesses in time management, as well as helps you find your best writing time of day or night.

 Last year I started with an idea, and that was about it besides a basic outline and some notes. This year, I am a little more organized, though late to the process. I bought Liquid Story Binder last year by Black Obelisk software. I used the thirty day free trial to begin with, so it took me through Nano without having to purchase anything. I love it! I will be honest, I wanted Scrivener, but it's for Mac only. So sad, but it will be available for PC users next year!! Plus, Nano winners will get an awesome discount! Pretty cool. I digress. Organization is definitely needed for most writing projects. Find the way that works with you and put it to good use. I have my idea and my characters. I also have my logline done, but it could do with a little tweaking. My synopsis needs to be re-worked to be the best that it can, but from where I was this time last year, I'm a lot better off. I have some work to do today before midnight comes calling, but I'll be OK.

There are a couple of non-writing things that need to be taken care of today as well. Normal household chores of course, but today will be a movie theater day! We don't go to the movies that often, because honestly, it's just to expensive, but this is a tradition. We will be watching Saw 7! Granted, I will be watching the gory parts behind closed eyes and covered ears, but what a hell of a ride! If you can get past the gore, the story line is pretty damn awesome!

Well, I'm signing out for now, but hope that you have a great Halloween!

~S~