#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In 2013/09/11

Posted on 2013/09/11 by Tonette dela Luna

WRITING:

Over at SavvyAuthors I’m in the midst of Revision Hell. Workshop name aside, I’m actually having fun reading my Spec Fic Thriller Imprint again after all this time. So far, I’ve done surface edits for 95 pages. That means, I’ve fixed typos and minor structural issues.

Per the RH rules, there is a difference between edits and revisions. Revisions are more detailed, such as rewriting entire passages, writing POV shifts, that sort of thing. I revised seven pages.

They also have a thing called BICHOK which means But in Chair, Hands on Keyboard. I did three hours in the morning and three and a half hours at night.

We’re in teams so all these numbers are totalled up and we compete to see who can get through RH with the most points. It’s a fun way to keep accountable and motivate other writers. Everything I’m learning in these classes is works wonders for my other projects, including my YA Fantasy Aaralyn’s Song.

READING:

I’m beta reading, critiquing, and reviewing this month. Those take priority over my personal TBR list. But it’s all good stuff. I’ve paused Daniel Tammet’s Born on a Blue Day but will get back to it as soon as I’ve done the reading that has a deadline.

NETWORKING:

I’m a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. What I like about this group is that it’s a community of writers that write about a woman’s emotional journey regardless of genre, so it’s not confined to romance. I’ve nothing against romance. In fact, I’m trying to write stories with romantic elements, but I appreciate how the group’s definition of Women’s Fiction has expanded to accommodate other writing styles.

On Monday, the WFWA launched its shiny new website and we’re hoping to have a great line-up of workshops. I’m a forum moderator for the Aspiring Author, Debut Author, Craft, Marketing, and Business of Writing boards. Lots of activity since we launched. So much fun.

LEARNING:

Duolingo!! I’m on Level 9 in Spanish and Level 5 in French. The higher the level the more lessons there are. I was hoping to crack Level 10 by this update, but I’ll get there soon. 🙂

And my beloved Bilbo has returned safe and strung. While dealing with my allergy shot regimen and how it’s messing with my vision, I can close my eyes and jam. Which is what I did with the Sisterhood over the weekend. I like to squeeze in at least twenty minutes a day and it helps me unwind from everything else.

Hope everyone’s in a creative buzz (despite how hot the weather’s been lately. At least in these parts!) and enjoy the rest of the week!

Week in Review – 2013/09/02 – 2013/09/08

Posted on 2013/09/08 by Tonette dela Luna

WRITING:

WIPs and workshops for my YA Fantasy Aaralyn’s Song, my Spec Fic Thriller Imprint and possibly my Urban Fantasy short story Lady in the Lake. Redrafts, revisions, and critiques. Busy, busy. Along with the workshop assignments to get my brain chugging along, I haven’t had much time for brainstorming new story ideas. That’s okay. I’ve got a full plate.

READING:

Still behind on my reading Daniel Tammet’s Born on a Blue Day. I’d like to say it’s primarily to do with all the stuff mentioned above, however, the allergy-shot regimen I’m currently enduring is making the eyes less functional. Well, that’s not entirely true. The eyes are fine. It’s just all the skin around them, including the eyelids that like to seal up nice and tight as I build a tolerance to the allergen. Fortunately, I also have Tammet’s book in audio form. I should give that a whirl again.

NETWORKING:

I think the first FRIDAY FORAGE post went well. I’m already planning several ideas at the same time but need to narrow it down. I like the number five, but I might do three at a time if the posts get too long. The number of finds isn’t as important as what I want to share. We’ll see how it goes.

LEARNING:

First off, I’m glad to report that Bilbo is back safe and fully-strung. So happy to be playing the Uke again. Good thing, too. My calluses were starting to soften. Can’t have that!

Duolingo is great. I’m on Level 9 in Spanish and Level 4 in French. I tend to put in some time right before bed. Perhaps I’ll start having multilingual dreams or dreams with subtitles. 🙂 I think, if all goes well, I’ll start another language in October. Why not, right?

Don’t mean to bring up mundane topics such as the weather but it’s been wonky in my neck of the woods. It’s as though Summer’s fighting to stay but Autumn is taking a stand and giving her the ole heave-ho. Hope everyone’s doing well in their writerly worlds.

#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In 2013/09/04

Posted on 2013/09/04 by Tonette dela Luna

WRITING:

The WIP work continues. Aside from my YA Fantasy Aaralyn’s Song, I have my Spec Fic Thriller Imprint to work on for my critique and revision workshops this month. Good stuff. Nice to revisit characters I haven’t thought about in some time. A happy reunion. 🙂

READING:

Meanwhile, I got caught up with all my workshops and writing that I’ve fallen behind in my reading. I’m still reading Daniel Tammet’s Born on a Blue Day. I’m also reading up on blogs and articles for my FRIDAY FORAGE series that starts this week. Squee.

NETWORKING:

September’s #wipmadness check-in started this past Monday on Kim Baccellia‘s blog.

We’re nearing the end of this round of #ROW80. Great progress throughout the community.

I’ve some more prep work to do for the official first FRIDAY FORAGE post. I think I’ve decided on a theme. It’s timely with NaNoWriMo just around the corner.

LEARNING:

So far, I’m on Level 9 in Spanish and Level 3 in French. Duolingo is quite enjoyable and makes learning the languages via other sources, including Udemy, fun fun fun. I think I might be multilingual by the New Year!

Egads! I’m already thinking about 2014. I gotta slow this train down.

September Writing/Reading Goals

Posted on 2013/09/01 by Tonette dela Luna

#ROW80 August Review & September Planning

( via Ronelvn17 )

At the beginning of August, I had a string of goals listed. They can be found here. Today, I’m going to review the month’s goals and create new goals (or continuous ones) for September. Lots of stuff over the Summer. This Autumn will be a blast.

AUGUST WRITING:

1) WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMER and AugNoWriMo were a success. I brought a new spin to the first 50 pages of my WIP, Aaralyn’s Song. I’m excited to see how the new version of my revamped revision–yep, you read that right–plays out as I continue with it this month.

2) I submitted my two short story pieces today. I planned on doing that last week, but August got away from me. The feedback helped me strengthen the narrative and tighten up the work overall. Pretty pleased with how they turned out.

3) I have a novella that I want to work on for a SavvyAuthors critique workshop as well as their upcoming Revision Hell. I was pleased with the piece a few years back and got good feedback on it, as well. It will be nice to revisit the work with fresh eyes and polish that baby up nice and shiny.

SEPTEMBER WRITING:

1) Continue with Aaralyn’s Song. The POV shifts are working, so far. When the draft is complete I’ll have it critiqued to see how beta readers like the POV shifts. I want to get it right and know that POV shifts can either work or really not. I trust in the writing community. We love helping each other become better writers.

2) My novella, Imprint, will undergo vigorous critique and revisions this month via workshops mentioned above. Looking forward to getting that one out into the world.

3) I’m always coming up with new story ideas. This month, I’ll continue to map out ideas while focusing on my top two projects.

READING:

Between June 23rd and August 23rd, I read 14 books. Given my schedule, that’s not a bad turn out. I’m continuing with my foray into non-fiction: anything about how the brain works along with writing reference. There are just too many books to read and not enough time. I’m strongly considering taking a speed reading course but wonder if it takes away from enjoying the stories themselves.

I have NetGalley ARCs and a few boatloads of books, digital and paper, to go through. The reading and love of reading continues.

NETWORKING:

Our September host for #wipmadness is Kim Baccelia. The #ROW80 check-ins will continue each Sunday and Wednesday. Looking forward more accountability. Between the check-ins and this blog, I’m staying focused and on on point. 🙂

My FRIDAY FORAGE Series kicks off this coming Friday, September 6th. Can’t wait to dive in.

LEARNING:

Udemy has brought me all sorts of great learning material from novel writing, time management, languages, fitness and music. I enjoy the lessons and keep an eye out for those massive sales. Some courses are in the triple digits. For those, I wait for the 75% or 90% sales. While I have to wait a bit longer, the classes are worth it and the discounts are great.

I’m chugging along, too, with Duolingo. I’m on Level 8 in Spanish and will start French this month. I’ll give it a week and if learning them at the same time isn’t too convoluted, I’ll give it a whirl. Anyone out there who’s doing Duolingo, hit me up! Languages and my buddy Bilbo are keeping the creative juices flowing. Love it.

I’ve definitely dialled back on the workshop enrolment. Heck, I’m still going through downloaded lessons of workshops long since over. There’s simply not enough time to learn everything at once. I get that. However, it’s also hard to wait a full year before a workshop you know will help your WIP comes again.

I’m hoping I can catch up some more this long weekend. When I’m back on track, I aim to stay on top of the new workshops. There’s so much great stuff out there. I’m grateful for such a great learning community both online and off.

I’m ready for September. Is September ready for me?

FRIDAY FORAGE – 2013/08/30

Posted on 2013/08/30 by Tonette dela Luna

The Dawn of the -BER Months

As August draws to a close, we step into the last quarter of 2013. Let’s think about that for a sec. While I marvelled at how some stores were stocking Halloween candy yesterday, my sister told me that Costco had Christmas decorations already on sale. Where has the time gone?

I played catch up this week on all things writerly. I have the rest of the month–less than 36 hours–to map out my September goals which include the official launch of my FRIDAY FORAGE series. I think I’ll call it the FF Five and have links for five creative items, blogs, articles, or websites. I don’t want to limit myself to writing finds. I’ve discovered how beneficial non-writing experiences has had on my writing life. Anything I find that inspires me I’ll share in hopes that it will inspire you, as well. Haven’t decided yet if I want to have themes. We’ll see how it goes.

Now that eight months have blurred by, how have you gotten on with your goals? I’ve reached goals, made new ones, had setbacks, defied odds, cried, wrote, panicked, laughed, and kept chugging along.

I’d like to stick to my goals–more on that in Sunday’s post–but I don’t want to completely shut out new ideas. And boy, they just keep coming. As the seasons change–the last couple of days felt quite Autumnal–I’ve found that my writing process changes, too.

Once upon a time, I used to interpret that change as indifference or impatience, resulting in shelved manuscripts. My writing experience this year, through this blog and networking with others in the writing community, has taught me to breathe through my writing. I let things develop organically now. When I put a WIP aside, it doesn’t mean I’ve given up. Often times, I’m more energized and excited to return to a project once I’ve had time away from it. Much like reconnecting with an old friend.

I’ve made several new friends this year. The characters and worlds I’ve created are dear to me. While I’ve accomplished many goals I set for myself in 2013, many others morphed into new goals or had to be reassessed. I don’t consider these changes as limitations, but rather an acceptance of what needs to be done at a certain point in time. In an ideal world, I’d just write all day without another thought, but as we all know, life gets in the way. I’m learning to balance things out more in order to appreciate my efforts in all areas of my life, writing or otherwise.

I’m tired, exhilarated, scared, excited, and optimistic of what’s been done and what’s to come. I hope that I continue to be inspired in the days ahead.

Adiós, August. September, I’m coming for ya.