Week in Review – 2013/04/01 – 2013/04/07

Posted on 2013/04/07 by Tonette dela Luna

Seven days into my write-a-palooza and I’m pleased as punch. While I don’t know what that means exactly, I for one, am happy at the response to my blogged and Twitterisms. It gives me courage to continue spilling forth my inner monologue to those willing to read. To all of you, my heartfelt thanks.

Some stats per my goals for this writerly journey. The deets can be found here and here.

Camp NaNoWriMo April, 2013 – Current word count, not including Sunday’s totals = 16, 217

Savvy Authors April Boot Camp – Current word count not including Sunday’s totals = 14, 141

Blogging A to Z Challenge – A through F posted

Round of Words in 80 Days – Checked in last Wednesday and this post serves as the Sunday Check in.

Not too shabby, considering some snafus with lost work, busy schedules with the family, oh, and life, in general.

Renewed goals would be to try and double my word counts by next Sunday. I also want to get a head start on writing my alphabet posts for the week. One of my workshops has us doing some characterization exercises, plotting, etc., so I’m trying to do double-duty where I can or apply it to an existing project so there aren’t too many hats in the ring, as it were.

One of my short stories is being primed in a workshop that aims to have it published on Smashwords and Amazon. I didn’t think that was to be my first published piece, but I’m proud of it just the same. I’m sure many authors have their pet projects that were meant to be the inaugural story in their writing careers. I hope to one day revisit those works and apply the skills I have acquired over the years that have made me a better writer. Who knows, those stories might see beyond my own imaginings and come out to play. Anything’s possible. After all, I did join a humor contest at the start of March which ended up with three of my pieces being published on a website. I might as well get used to my work being out there for public consumption.

April’s been a great month so far and it’s not even halfway through. How are everyone’s writing goals progressing so far? Are there any additions? Any amendments? Any hair-pulling and commiseration that you wish to share? I’m happy to ‘listen’ and read.

Cheers to a great first week and I hope that the next one is just as splendiferous.

A to Z Challenge 2013 – F is for…

Posted on 2013/04/06 by Tonette dela Luna

~ FRAGGLE ROCK ~

Roger Ebert and Jane Henson. Two names familiar to this child of the 80’s. They will be remembered for their contributions to the artistic community. I watched ‘Siskel & Ebert’ several years sooner than I probably should have. I gained an appreciation for the moving picture around the same time I knew I was going to be a writer someday. I’m a huge fan of movies and I owe a great deal of that to their show.

In honor of our theme letter and as a nod to another creative influence in my life, Jane Henson, today I think about a time when imaginations ran wild and all you had to to was walk over to your television and turn it on (or for those of us who got lucky and had a clicker. Remember those? Yay for old school retro tech.)

The words to this song echo the push and pull, the ebb and flow of my writing process this month. There’s time for fun, but there’s also time to get down to work. A week into my write-a-palooza, I hope to maintain such a balance so as to avoid burn out and to ensure that, above all else, I enjoy the writing journey as much as the end result.

Dance your cares away

*clap clap*

Worry’s for another day
Let the music play

*clap clap*

Down at Fraggle Rock

Work your cares away
Dancing’s for another day

Let the Fraggles play

Dance your cares away

*clap clap*

Worry’s for another day
Let the music play

*clap clap*

Down at Fraggle Rock

Are you a ‘child at heart’? What bits of nostalgia do you keep close as you travel along your writing journey? Are you a work hard, play harder type of person, or do you stick to extremes? Let’s not forget to have fun in all that we do. Writing’s good for soul. You should enjoy it. Maybe even dance your cares away. *clap clap*

=8=

Today’s theme is brought to you by the letter

A to Z Challenge 2013 – E is for…

Posted on 2013/04/05 by Tonette dela Luna

~ EMPOWERMENT ~

Some strong language and themes present, but a must see. Just lower the volume if the kiddies are about. Viewer discretion advised.

This post is not meant to be a feminist rant. I believe Katie Makkai showed, with commanding eloquence, the need to break free from the stereotypes that have become the norm in society. We are not and should not be defined by anyone but ourselves. Every person, regardless of age, race, social standing, sexual orientation, or religion has a right to empowerment.

As writers, it is our duty to use our words wisely. Words have power. We have a unique platform and wide-reaching audience. Rather than try to fit into a worn and outdated mold, we have the ability to break it. We can see to it that our message, as writers, reaches every person to remind them who they are in this world.

What are your thoughts on the video? What does empowerment mean to you as a writer and as a person?

=8=

Today’s theme is brought to you by the letter

A to Z Challenge 2013 – D is for…

Posted on 2013/04/04 by Tonette dela Luna

~ DEADLINE ~

(via shawn_the_juggalo & jblaze66)

Writers often work long hours to meet a deadline. *cough* NaNoWriMo *ahem* Camp NaNoWriMo. Perhaps, it’s a self-imposed deadline or one set by your boss, editor, publisher, or others. Regardless of the type of deadline, do you feel that it helps your writing or hinders it?

Sometimes, we tend to lose ourselves in the writing process. We churn out the words like a

(via jobugjeepers)

When that happens, I take a step back from the project and reassess the situation.

1) What do I hope to gain with the completion of this project?

2) What’s more important, quality or quantity?

3) Does this piece have the right voice?

4) If I were a reader, what would it take to hook me?

5) Could I approach this from a different perspective?

These are just a handful of questions I’d ask myself to make sure I’m not hammering out senseless drivel. As with any story, every word counts. Every chapter, scene, and moment has their purpose to drive the story forward, to compel the reader to turn the page. When we keep that in mind, it makes us reconsider how much pressure we put on ourselves to come up with the final product.

No one I know likes the pressure of a deadline. However, I find it a necessary tool to keep me on my toes and to ensure that I’m mindful of the message I’m trying to convey. A perfect example of this are my recent writing Sprints over in the Savvy Authors Chat room and on Twitter. A group of writers come together and write for an hour, posting our word counts in the end. While it’s not the same as a project deadline, the motivation is the same. I want to get as much out before time’s up. While I’m typing away, I’m also asking myself questions to make sure that what I’m writing has direction. The sense of accomplishment at the end of the hour does wonders for the writing process, as a whole. Sometimes the pressure, if we work with it and not against it, is a good thing.

I try not to think about the looming deadline ahead. Rather, I do my best to stay motivated and imagine typing those final words, and in doing so, find myself more confident, focused, and eager to begin

(via MichelleGregg61)

How about you? Do deadlines pressure or motivate you and your writing process?

=8=

Today’s theme is brought to you by the letter

A to Z Challenge 2013 – C is for…

Posted on 2013/04/03 by Tonette dela Luna

BETCHA THOUGHT I’D SAY COOKIE, HUH?

Alas, cookie lovers around the world (along with a certain blue monster) must join me and

~ CARPE DIEM ~

For those who haven’t seen this glorious movie, I urge you to do so. P.S. I got all misty eyed just watching clips of it on YouTube. *le sigh*

SEIZE THE DAY.

We’re fortunate to live in an era where we can communicate our message on a global scale. It’s a great time to be a writer. The fact that I can branch out and ‘meet’ new people on a daily basis from all around the world through a blog amazes me. What better reason to challenge myself into writing two stories in April, to blog about various topics throughout the month, to push my creative envelope. There’s so much we can accomplish in a day and there are so many opportunities out there. What’s stopping us from reaching our goals?

(via senorgif)

Sometimes, we’ve just got to seize the day–and take the plunge.

It’s the thought of finality that drives me to create. I want to leave this world knowing I made some sort of artistic impression. I want to contribute to the constantly evolving methods of creative communication. That’s why I’m a writer. That’s why I love the artform. What motivates you to shout, CARPE DIEM?

=8=

Today’s theme is brought to you by the letter