WRITING:
Three days in and I’m enjoying NaNoWriMo & Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors, so far.
It feels good to finally get those scenes I’ve been running through my head onto the screen. I’m definitely continuing my non-linear approach to drafting but I’ll continue checking my outline to make sure I don’t go off on a tangent I can’t rescue myself from later. Plot holes can only be filled so much.
WRITING:
Although it was in the final stretch of the month that I learned of the news, I was able to get switched to a more appropriate imprint for November’s Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. I’ll be writing this novel for NaNoWriMo, as well. That will be the writing in the ‘fresh words department.’
WRITING:
So, I did a beat sheet for my upcoming WIP in this year’s Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. As I wrote in the forums, it seemed like I wrote out palpitations more than beats considering how much detail I put in. I’m not sure how the editors will view it considering my fellow writers wrote maybe a handful of lines for each beat. I think might turned into more of a synopsis, which is also okay because I need to practice doing those, as well.
On the upside of the brainstorms? Found a twist that even I didn’t see coming. My original baddie is no longer the baddie and I’m excited to get writing those scenes already. November’s just around the corner and yet my fingers are itching to get going.
READING:
Aside from the aforementioned reference and workshop lectures, I’ll definitely be reading my work for the next several weeks. However, as tempting as it might be, I’ll keep from editing as I write. That’s a big no-no.
NETWORKING:
The physical NaNo Write-Ins in the coming weeks will hopefully keep me motivated and should be good fun. The online teams for Entangled Smackdown will also have continuous support. I’m sure to look for online sprint partners via Twitter‘s #1k1hr. Should be fun.
LEARNING:
I’m eyeballs deep in languages and genealogy when not working on my WIPs. I’m thinking of contacting my grandmother–91 years young–whom I met up with in Toronto. We’d caught up on recent events in our respective lives, but I’d like to go back in time with her in hopes of learning more about my heritage. Yes, I’m still brimming with nostalgia. My love for genealogy is not going away any time soon.
How goes the last bit of October for you?
Last Quarter of 2013: Are you Ready?
( via freimaurer32 )
To borrow a phrase from one of my favorite shows, here’s THE ROAD SO FAR:
WRITING:
This year, I came up with four new stories: Hamelin, The Curse of Briar Rose (a reframing of the story premise morphed it into Aaralyn’s Song), all YA Fantasy, A Love Less Ordinary, a contemporary (possibly Women’s Fiction), and a boatload of new story ideas.
I did the Blogging A to Z Challenge in April, along with Camp NaNoWriMo, SavvyAuthors Boot Camp.
I also participated in JuNoWriMo, July’s Camp NaNoWriMo, JulNoWriMo, and AugNoWriMo.
Just when I thought I was WriMo’d out, I spent September revising Imprint, a Spec Fiction Thriller.
All this writing was just for my WIP. I also had various workshop assignment, as well, as my blog posts along with my FRIDAY FORAGE series.
READING:
I think I’ve read close to thirty-five books this year. Lately, the focus has been on writing reference or anything to do with how the brain works.
Outside of actual books, I’ve been eyeballs-deep in critiques, beta reads, and book reviews. I suppose all the strain on the eyes was to make up for the exhaustion on the digits from the writing.
For those who don’t know, I’ve been dealing with a fractured thumb and seasonal allergies. The allergy shot regimen has made all the aforementioned tasks an interesting challenge.
NETWORKING:
The writing community continues to grow and now that I’m a mod at SavvyAuthors and the WFWA Forums, the reach seems to be boundless.
LEARNING:
I’ve expanded my horizons with Udemy, and Duolingo. More learning experiences are coming up this month with Coursera. Gotta keep the brain active. 🙂
All that plus some mad ukelele playing and I’m all set.
=8=
OCTOBER WRITING:
Major prep needed for my upcoming November challenge with Entangled Smackdown. It was supposed to be a Thriller but since that imprint isn’t included in the challenge, I think I’ll write for the novella imprint. Problem is, what word count will I focus on? The imprint requires 10K-15K words but the challenge is 50K. Do I write multiple novellas? Good thing I have a month to plan. This time, actually plan. No matter how many times I have the intent to plan for a WriMo, something happens and I end up outlining in a forty-eight hour window.
I’ll still work on my other WIPs, old and not-as-old. The writing never stops.
OCTOBER READING:
The reading tasks haven’t changed. In fact, they’ve increased. All good stuff, however. I’m keeping an open mind–and still looking for a speed reading course.
OCTOBER NETWORKING:
Modding and communicating with the writing world continues. Accountability keeps us moving forward and that’s what it’s all about.
OCTOBER LEARNING:
More brain boosts with Udemy, Coursera, Duolingo. I’m on Level 10 in Spanish and Level 7 in French. I’m adding German to the mix, just because. With the other learning opportunities, I’m learning about writing, time management, fitness, and everything in between. It’s an exciting time and fortuitous to have the internet. There’s no limit to attaining knowledge and bettering ourselves.
=8=
The last three months of this highly productive year are about to roll on. I’m excited to see what happens next.
Care to join me?
( via 00_jack_00 )
WRITING:
Limping the digits through the progression of my Spec Fic Thriller Imprint and more work on my YA Fantasy Aaralyn’s Song.
Since NaNoWriMo is just a handful of weeks away, I must get cracking. I’m doubling up and doing the Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. They also have SavvyAuthors NaNo Bootcamp. Had a ball last year. This time around I’ll focus on one story for all three events this November. I’ve narrowed the story idea down to two. I hope to have it ironed out by the first week of October.
READING:
Classes, beta reads, critiques, my WIPs. It never ends. If anyone can recommend an effective speed reading course, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! 😉
NETWORKING:
I’m modding another chat this Wednesday. I look forward to learning the ropes some more. The research for the FRIDAY FORAGE series continues. Busy, busy, busy.
LEARNING:
I’m still on Level 9 in Spanish and Level 6 in French on Duolingo. Big lessons but learning lots. It keeps my noodle active and my sanity in check–I hope. haha
The first workshop held by the WFWA starts tomorrow. It’s called Writing the Middle. Looking forward to ensuring I can write my way out of anything during the progression of a story.
More classes are coming through Coursera, another great online resource I’ve discovered. More on those classes as they draw near.
Happy fun times with Bilbo Watson. Calluses are coming back even if the visions sucky and the thumb’s messed up. Play on.
Writing, Reading, Learning, Playing. I’ve been a busy girl.
Textploits of the Writerly Persuasion 