It's honestly been crazy these past few weeks. I know it's because summer is coming to an end (I really don't want it to!), kids are going back to school, people are returning from vacation, etc. -- so things are picking up.
Progress has not stalled however!
Where am I now?
29k
I'm not sure if that's good or if I'm writing slowly, but it's impressive to me! Especially considering where I was not too long ago. :)
I'm going to start doing regular status updates--I'll probably try for a weekly post to recap word count, and any other intriguing tidbits that may happen in my not so intriguing life.
Alright, let's set a goal (since where would we be without them?):
GOAL #1:
60,000 words by the end of October 2009
Attainable? I think so. I just need to stay focused.
Wish me luck.
I'm bone tired right now--it's been a long day, but I'm going to go try and finish this chapter and get started on the next one. We are currently on Chapter 9.
Bye for now!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Status Update #1
I am up bright and early on Saturday morning and I am back up to 21k! :) I am taking a little break and I had to come and provide updates.
This is extremely exciting for me. I'm not entirely sure how long I'll be able to keep it - I suffer from constantcompulsiverevising-itis. Quite serious.
I've learned though. I used to actually DELETE (should that be a four letter word?) everything I had and start from scratch. You have no idea the hours I spent lamenting over lost words. As time goes by, it's hard to remember exactly what it was you wanted to say and how you wanted to say it. That's why we write it down! Now instead, I keep the old stuff, and merely start anew if necessary or do my favourite: REVISE.
I'm going to go re-read what I have and see if I like it. It's currently at six chapters. That little walk earlier in the week really helped me! I need to declutter my life and mind, figuratively speaking (maybe literally?). Where do I start?
Okay, I'm off - I need to make this a very productive day.
Bye for now!
This is extremely exciting for me. I'm not entirely sure how long I'll be able to keep it - I suffer from constantcompulsiverevising-itis. Quite serious.
I've learned though. I used to actually DELETE (should that be a four letter word?) everything I had and start from scratch. You have no idea the hours I spent lamenting over lost words. As time goes by, it's hard to remember exactly what it was you wanted to say and how you wanted to say it. That's why we write it down! Now instead, I keep the old stuff, and merely start anew if necessary or do my favourite: REVISE.
I'm going to go re-read what I have and see if I like it. It's currently at six chapters. That little walk earlier in the week really helped me! I need to declutter my life and mind, figuratively speaking (maybe literally?). Where do I start?
Okay, I'm off - I need to make this a very productive day.
Bye for now!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Grounds for Inspiration
I just got back from a long walk along the lake shore. Can I first mention that I've lived in an area backing the waterfront for over 6 years and I have never gone? How is that possible? It was amazing! I don't know what made me go today, but I am going every week from now on.
It was so calming and peaceful. I think everyone needs to take the time to do something like that - something that truly makes you feel at ease and in sync with the universe.
Although I was just a few short steps from "civilization" and reality as it is, I felt as though I was millions of miles away without a care in the world. Apparently lots of people have already discovered this - I'm late in the game, as usual.
Apart from some crazy killer dragon flies, it was perfect!
For the first time in a long time, I was able to just clear my mind, and it felt really good. I came home all excited and brimming with ideas for the novel. I'm going to go write them down before I lose them. I don't know how long this sense of euphoria will last, but I'm hoping for a while.
Bye for now!
It was so calming and peaceful. I think everyone needs to take the time to do something like that - something that truly makes you feel at ease and in sync with the universe.
Although I was just a few short steps from "civilization" and reality as it is, I felt as though I was millions of miles away without a care in the world. Apparently lots of people have already discovered this - I'm late in the game, as usual.
Apart from some crazy killer dragon flies, it was perfect!
For the first time in a long time, I was able to just clear my mind, and it felt really good. I came home all excited and brimming with ideas for the novel. I'm going to go write them down before I lose them. I don't know how long this sense of euphoria will last, but I'm hoping for a while.
Bye for now!
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Balancing Beam
Well, I haven't made a lot of progress since I last wrote. Actually, I can't say that - it's not entirely true. I made a bit -- in the sense that I managed to capture the whole outline for Book1 as well as start, and get halfway through the one for Book2.
You know, although I'm really enjoying writing, it's hard! I haven't actually sat down and just written anything in a while, and yes, it feels good, but I can't get past the jumbled thoughts. Plus, I keep getting distracted with work and life. I'm not sure how to balance all of this. I'm so tired every day when I get home, but I still manage to drag myself to the computer to try and get a few lines down.
I've set out an itinerary: I try to write everyday for at least 2 -3 hours. It varies though, depending on what time I get home from work or what needs to be done that day, what errands I have. It's like a never ending battle sometimes. I wonder if there will ever be a day when I can just write OR just relax. Or both. Wouldn't that be nice?
Do any of you experience this? What do you do to keep yourself on track?
Bye for now!
You know, although I'm really enjoying writing, it's hard! I haven't actually sat down and just written anything in a while, and yes, it feels good, but I can't get past the jumbled thoughts. Plus, I keep getting distracted with work and life. I'm not sure how to balance all of this. I'm so tired every day when I get home, but I still manage to drag myself to the computer to try and get a few lines down.
I've set out an itinerary: I try to write everyday for at least 2 -3 hours. It varies though, depending on what time I get home from work or what needs to be done that day, what errands I have. It's like a never ending battle sometimes. I wonder if there will ever be a day when I can just write OR just relax. Or both. Wouldn't that be nice?
Do any of you experience this? What do you do to keep yourself on track?
Bye for now!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Road Backwards
Do you know I've gone from 25k to 21k to 3k? Uhh, yes... it's seems a little like regression, don't you think? But it's a small bump, right?
Each time I re-read what I have, the more I don't like it. I know exactly what I want to say, how the story should be going, what will happen at the end--but it's all in my head. I can't seem to get it down onto the page the same way it is in my brain. It's just not flowing correctly. And it's frustrating the heck out of me!
So now, I've decided to try another tactic. I'm doing an outline. I hope I can still salvage some of the work I had before--it would be such a waste otherwise. Almost 60 pages down the drain. Aye.
Alright, I'm going to see how much writing I can get done today, I shall keep you posted.
Have any of you ever experienced this problem? How did you deal with it?
Adios for now.
Each time I re-read what I have, the more I don't like it. I know exactly what I want to say, how the story should be going, what will happen at the end--but it's all in my head. I can't seem to get it down onto the page the same way it is in my brain. It's just not flowing correctly. And it's frustrating the heck out of me!
So now, I've decided to try another tactic. I'm doing an outline. I hope I can still salvage some of the work I had before--it would be such a waste otherwise. Almost 60 pages down the drain. Aye.
Alright, I'm going to see how much writing I can get done today, I shall keep you posted.
Have any of you ever experienced this problem? How did you deal with it?
Adios for now.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The Novel: Checkpoints
Question #2:
Now that I have arrived and have stated my purpose, I thought I should divulge exactly what type of book I am writing:
Young Adult
I know, not really a big surprise considering the recent surge this genre is seeing, but I love it. I have been writing teen stories for as long as I can remember. They do tend to run along the romantic side, but hey--you need that teen angst in there. What YA would be complete without it? (In my opinion anyways)
Now, it will be a series because I don't think I can fit everything I want to say into one book. It would end up being one million pages.
So, on that note, very roughly, here is the main content I will be including in this blog about my journey:
1. Writing the Book
2. Revising/Editing the Book
3. Researching Agents/Market/Publishing Companies
4. Drafting a Query
5. Revising the Query
6. Sending out the Queries
7. Waiting/Biting my nails (proactively, of course!) -- *sidenote* can you bite your nails proactively?
In addition, I will be including any helpful hints or tips that I pick up along the way. I'm sure I will go back and revisit this list and add more to it, but for now, there we have it.
It's in no particular order either even though I've numbered it. These are just the things I want on there from the getgo. And also, lots of bits of randomness and life moments :D.
I am prone to thoughts of randomness. I may also jump around a bit on this blog--again, random things occur to me all the time, and you may just be the lucky (unfortunate?) ones who get to read about it.
Alrighty, I think that's it for today. It's late. Kind of. You know what I mean :)
Bye for now!
Now that I have arrived and have stated my purpose, I thought I should divulge exactly what type of book I am writing:
Young Adult
I know, not really a big surprise considering the recent surge this genre is seeing, but I love it. I have been writing teen stories for as long as I can remember. They do tend to run along the romantic side, but hey--you need that teen angst in there. What YA would be complete without it? (In my opinion anyways)
Now, it will be a series because I don't think I can fit everything I want to say into one book. It would end up being one million pages.
So, on that note, very roughly, here is the main content I will be including in this blog about my journey:
1. Writing the Book
2. Revising/Editing the Book
3. Researching Agents/Market/Publishing Companies
4. Drafting a Query
5. Revising the Query
6. Sending out the Queries
7. Waiting/Biting my nails (proactively, of course!) -- *sidenote* can you bite your nails proactively?
In addition, I will be including any helpful hints or tips that I pick up along the way. I'm sure I will go back and revisit this list and add more to it, but for now, there we have it.
It's in no particular order either even though I've numbered it. These are just the things I want on there from the getgo. And also, lots of bits of randomness and life moments :D.
I am prone to thoughts of randomness. I may also jump around a bit on this blog--again, random things occur to me all the time, and you may just be the lucky (unfortunate?) ones who get to read about it.
Alrighty, I think that's it for today. It's late. Kind of. You know what I mean :)
Bye for now!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Here's the Deal
Hello World... I have arrived. Well, not really, but the blog has arrived. And it's a start.
So I'm trying something new. I'm extremely bored, unhappy and ready to make some changes. I'm stuck in a dead end job, stuck in a rut, stuck in life... you get the point... basically I'm stuck.
What am I doing about it? I'm writing a book. I'm trying to do something I know I really enjoy. I can't really describe it, but I just feel good when I write. Okay, we're getting ahead of ourselves. First things first...
A little bit about me:
Well, I'm not exactly going to tell you anything really tangible about myself, not yet anyways--I'm very sorry. Before I completely lose you though, let me explain. You are going to get to know me, just not the visual details, I guess--you know... the boring stuff. So what you will be seeing is my joys, frustrations, heartaches, triumphs, basically my journey even if you're not seeing the person making it.
Why, you ask?
I am trying to write and publish my first novel, something that I have wanted to do my whole life. If it works out--that's amazing.... if it doesn't, well, the only person I would have disappointed is myself. Yes, I have an odd way of thinking, I know (hence the blog title..hehe... do you get it?)
I haven't told a single person what I'm attempting as yet (except my sister). It feels too personal, and I'm not too sure how it will go over. So for now, this will be my online journal.
To be completely honest though, I would love to be published, but right now, I'm trying to focus on finishing the thing. I've never, ever finished an entire novel before, bits and pieces here and there, tons of short stories, but not a whole book... so here's to hoping, and lots of hard work and determination. If I can finish it, that would be success in itself (well, for me anyways). But I know it's going to be a long, difficult road. Anything worthwhile always is.
Alrighty, enough for Post #1. I look forward to you guys joining me as I embark on this endeavor. It should be an exciting ride. I hope you enjoy reading :).
So I'm trying something new. I'm extremely bored, unhappy and ready to make some changes. I'm stuck in a dead end job, stuck in a rut, stuck in life... you get the point... basically I'm stuck.
What am I doing about it? I'm writing a book. I'm trying to do something I know I really enjoy. I can't really describe it, but I just feel good when I write. Okay, we're getting ahead of ourselves. First things first...
A little bit about me:
Well, I'm not exactly going to tell you anything really tangible about myself, not yet anyways--I'm very sorry. Before I completely lose you though, let me explain. You are going to get to know me, just not the visual details, I guess--you know... the boring stuff. So what you will be seeing is my joys, frustrations, heartaches, triumphs, basically my journey even if you're not seeing the person making it.
Why, you ask?
I am trying to write and publish my first novel, something that I have wanted to do my whole life. If it works out--that's amazing.... if it doesn't, well, the only person I would have disappointed is myself. Yes, I have an odd way of thinking, I know (hence the blog title..hehe... do you get it?)
I haven't told a single person what I'm attempting as yet (except my sister). It feels too personal, and I'm not too sure how it will go over. So for now, this will be my online journal.
To be completely honest though, I would love to be published, but right now, I'm trying to focus on finishing the thing. I've never, ever finished an entire novel before, bits and pieces here and there, tons of short stories, but not a whole book... so here's to hoping, and lots of hard work and determination. If I can finish it, that would be success in itself (well, for me anyways). But I know it's going to be a long, difficult road. Anything worthwhile always is.
Alrighty, enough for Post #1. I look forward to you guys joining me as I embark on this endeavor. It should be an exciting ride. I hope you enjoy reading :).
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