Tag Archives: Born on a Blue Day

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

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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

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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

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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.

#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In 2013/08/28

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WRITING:

Oh, to juggle. Oh, to have multiple limbs to whip these babies up simultaneously.

Raise your hand if you’re in the middle of an awesome WIP and come up with one, nay, several new ideas.

*raises hand*

Meanwhile, I’m getting my short story submissions ready for the end of the month deadline. I’ll plan the rest of the month mapping out September’s writing goals.

And no. It never ends. 🙂

READING:

I’m reading Daniel Tammet’s Born on a Blue Day and it’s fascinating. Suddenly into anything and everything about how the brain works. I have at least half a dozen more non-fiction books on the subject that have joined my ever-growing TBR list.

NETWORKING:

August’s #wipmadness check-ins on Candilynn Fite’s blog wrapped on Monday. The #ROW80 check-ins continue. I’m looking into more writing challenges for September onwards.

LEARNING:

Bilbo Watson, miss ya, buddy. I haven’t had the chance to get you restrung  yet. Soon, my friend. Soon.

Anyone else doing Duolingo? Having a blast with Spanish and haven’t decided what other of their available languages I want to tackle next. Probably going to do the patriotic thing and revisit French. The learning continues.

See ya later, August. The -ber months are about to begin.

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Week in Review – 2013/08/19 – 2013/08/25

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WRITING:

Happy fun times with my WIP, Aaralyn’s Song, the YA Fantasy wherein I’m playing with POV shifts. AugNoWriMo has been such a success. One week to go and lots more experimentation to enjoy.

Also, I’m submitting some short pieces by the end of the month. More polishing and tweaking and off they go.

READING:

I started reading The Spark by Kristine Barnett awhile ago and I got to finishing it. Such a great book. It got me looking into other inspiring non-fiction. I’m reading Daniel Tammet’s Born on a Blue Day next.

NETWORKING:

I’m combing #wipmadness, #ROW80 and other threads to look for great blog posts and websites for my upcoming FRIDAY FORAGE series. I’m excited.

LEARNING:

SavvyAuthors‘ 2013 Summer Symposium blurred by so quickly. I downloaded all the lessons but it happened too fast for me to keep up with every single thread. Great stuff to dig through.

My Uke, Bilbo Watson, is still on the injured list but I’ll get that sorted this week.

In the meantime, I’ve reconnected with Duolingo. I’d like to think I can carry a conversation by the end of the year. I’ll eventually work on all the languages it has to offer. Best. Free. App. Ever!

 

August, we’re in the home stretch. 🙂