Tag Archives: #middlegrademay

#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In 2013/06/19

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FINAL CHECK-IN FOR ROUND TWO

This was my first time doing #ROW80 and it was quite a ride.

APRIL:

Camp NaNoWriMo. Wrote the beginnings of a YA Fantasy Series. Book One turned into more of Book Two (more on that later.) Working titles are BOOK ONE: HAMELIN and BOOK TWO: THE CURSE OF BRIAR ROSE. I’m still stormin’ the brain for the Series Title.

Savvy Authors Boot Camp. Wrote contemporary fiction. Title: A LOVE LESS ORDINARY. Like the YA Fantasy Series, it’s the first time I tried writing in this genre.

Blogging A to Z Challenge. A month of firsts, I created this blog for the purpose of chronicling my progress. Then I discovered this challenge. It was interesting to keep this going while writing two stories at the same time.

#ROW80, Round Two. Yeah, so I figured with all that on my plate for April, I couldn’t say no to this awesome method of accountability. It certainly kept me on my toes.

MAY:

Last year I joined a lovely group of writers where we checked in with each other each Monday for pep talks, moral support, celebration and commiseration of our writing efforts. #wipmadness and two years of March Madness has kept my creative juices flowing and definitely served as a catalyst to my foray into the online writing community.

In May, one of my fellow WIPsters, Deb Marshall hosted #middlegrademay. I read ten books, though if you saw my TBR list, you wouldn’t have noticed the dent. Reading all the great MG books out there reminded me how important it is to be on both sides of the book, so to speak.

JUNE:

Reading books was a nice reprieve for my aching digits. So, I originally said I’d skip JuNoWriMo and just plan for July’s Camp NaNo and Savvy Author’s Boot Camp. It didn’t take too much arm pulling from fellow writers to get me all excited to write NOW, so I ended up doing the following (and am still in the midst thereof):

JuNoWriMo and Kiwi Writers SoCNoC. This time I decided to devote my words–and brain–to the Fractured Tales Series. Formerly known as Fractured Fairytales, the universe has since expanded to include other notables (and less notables) from lore, myths, legends, and other fictional worlds (that I can legally include). In April, my attempts to blend the stories of The Pied Piper and Sleeping Beauty turned too epic even by April’s standards.

I moved the Sleeping Beauty element (previously a subplot in Book One) to have it’s own focus for Book Two. The Pied Piper is my protagonist for the series and BOOK ONE: HAMELIN will serve as an origin story. Therefore, a complete overhaul was needed, characters rewritten, expanded, new angles, backstory, the gamut. It’s been a trip and I my brain’s churning out the scenes faster than my digits or dictation software can record them.

25,000 Words in 7 Days was an ambitious challenge. Made it just shy of 18,000 words but that was because there’s so much material to work with when you have a Fractured Tales Series. Once I got going on certain scenes, it took someone to nudge me from my spot for me to realize how long I’d been typing away. Unfortunately, this time around, I was only able to get two to three hours per night for writing. The rest went to The Keysmashing Tots. They kinda trump everything.

WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMER starts this Friday-GAH! Two days–June 21st and runs until September 21st. Meh. I shouldn’t really be surprised. Considering I want to get this series out of my brain by the end of the year, I’ll be participating in every variation of WriMo from now until New Year’s. It’s exciting to be this excited about something. You know what I’m talking about here.

Not to be outdone. Reading made a comeback with THE 48 HOUR BOOK CHALLENGE, June 7th to 9th, and continues with 30 Books in 90 Days starting June 23rd. Should keep me busy, yeah? When not with TKT, I should have a book (or ebook) in hand or should be writing one. How’s that for keeping me in the creative mindset? 🙂


Apologies if I’ve left something out. As you might have noticed, it’s been a busy 80 days. 🙂

I smile as Round Two draws to a close, mainly because I’ve been super productive. I’ve written close to 200,000 words and have read almost 3,000 words of other authors so far. Many, many more words to come: written, read, spoken, and otherwise. I’m already chuffed about my Round Three Goals post. The line-up is expected to be full of wordtastic opportunities. I look forward to Round Three and am grateful for a fabulous writing community that keeps me motivated to keep on keepin’ on.

See you in the next round.

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June Writing/Reading Goals

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Say hello to 2013, Part Two.

Half the year gone already? It’s unreal. To keep me grounded in the harsh reality of the quasi-masochistic writing life I’ve got some intense goals lined up for the month of June.

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WRITING:

1) JuNoWriMo. Like Camp NaNoWriMo but not in April or July. Go fig. I’ve written at length of how awesome WriMos are so this is self-explanatory–and exciting. I can’t believe it’s already Day 01 and I’m here gushing about it instead of writing my novel!

2) Kiwi Writers SoCNoC. Southern Cross Novel Challenge. Much like JuNoWriMo, which is much like Camp NaNoWriMo… well, you get the idea… I’m not a Kiwi but they’ve welcomed me into the fold just the same. The SoCNoC also has mini-challenges throughout the month such as 6K in a day or for those who can’t complete 50K in a month, they can do 25K. Considering the next challenge below, I don’t think this will be an issue.

3) 25,000 Words in 7 Days. June 10th to June 16th. Last time I nearly reached 100 pages in 7 Days. Since I’m doing triple-duty for my Fractured Fairy Tale Series this month, I’m sure this’ll be a cakewalk, right? Here’s to hoping.

4) WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMER. June 21st to September 21st. This will serve as a nice crossover into July’s Camp NaNoWriMo and yes, there’s a JulNoWriMo and an AugNoWriMo in my future. Go big or go home.

5) Just kidding. Do I really need any other writing challenges? Knowing me, I’d probably find some new challenge along the way and sign-up. I’ll keep ya posted.

READING:

So I wanted to continue the awesomeness that was #middlegrademay. Sadly, it is May no longer. The reading joy, however, continues.

1) 30 Books in 90 Days. I read ten for May, so this is possible… eeps. I came up with a list last night but it’s not set in stone. The first book I’ll be reading is DREAMLANDER by the fabulous K.M. Weiland. The second book is DOUBLE VISION by the equally fabulous F.T. Bradley. I suddenly have the urge to create a penname with initials.

2) 48 Hour Book Challenge. June 7th to June 9th. This challenge laughs in the face of 90 Days and orders me to read like mad for two days straight. And I say, bring it–well, maybe with some breaks and sleep and stuff.

Two’s good. We’re good here. Remember, I’m still writing in between the reading.

BLOGGING:

1) #ROW80. It’s the last month for the check-ins every Sunday and Wednesday. After that’s over, I’ll still have my week in review each Sunday, but this has been a great way to maintain accountability. I can share my woes of reading through all my words and others and together commiserate and celebrate the beauty of storytelling.

2) #wipmadness. We still have check-ins every Monday. Another group of wonderful people to help me keep accountable and sane in all things writerly.

BONUS:

For kicks, because, why not? I’m also making use of the treadmill while the Keysmashing Tots snooze. That’s until, of course, the weather improves. But since we live in Raincouver, treadmill it is. I say this looking out my window at a canvas of greys. For instance, there is gainsboro, light grey, silver, and dark grey, so far. But I digress. On the brighter side of grey, (every cloud has a gainsboro lining, it seems), this guarantees I have a minimum of thirty minutes everyday to devote to reading. Dontcha love multitasking?

Lastly, I’ve stopped using this wonderful app, but I might pick it up again. I love Duolingo and will continue with the Spanish lessons therein. I’d like to eventually learn all the languages they offer. Linguistics falls under the reading/writing scope and it’s also another fun way to fire up the synapses.

*phew* My fingers are tired from this post. I think I’ve got the second half of the year well in hand, yes?

Barring anything too crazy happening this month such as

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In the words of Joey Tribbiani, “How you doin’?”

#middlegrademay: A Fond Farewell

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Thought it would be nice to show the covers of all the highs and lows of my May reading. 🙂

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It’s was a cornucopia of interesting characters. If I had to pick a favorite from the bunch, I’d have to go with THE FALSE PRINCE. I was really taken from the first line. That’s not to say that it was all downhill from there. As you know from my previous posts, there were UPs as well as DOWNs. haha

Overall, it was a good experience and I can’t wait to do it again. I’m so eager, in fact, that I’m jumping right into another reading challenge this June. THE 48 HOUR BOOK CHALLENGE will keep me occupied. Of course, I’ll keep reading regardless of when and have so many titles on my TBR pile to choose from.

Thanks again to Deb for hosting #middlegrademay. It was great. I’m looking forward to the dynamic duo of you and Akoss for next year. My only regret is that we have to wait eleven more months for another dose.

Happy reading, MG Lovers!

#ROW80 Mid-Week Check-In 2013/05/29

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WRITING:

July’s Camp NaNoWriMo is a month away. I decided to forego the extra masochism and NOT do JunoWriMo as originally planned. More worldbuilding, character sketches and plot development prep for Camp. I’m excited because I want to write the darned thing already–no. I will NOT join in JuNoWriMo… hehe (I have three days to decide. Man, I need to join WA: Writers Anonymous). *sigh* Something tells me I’m going to be doing JunoWriMo in some way or another especially with the challenge I’m about to tell ya about below.

In the meantime, there’s also WRITE YOUR NOVEL THIS SUMMER where we write our novel from June 21st to September 21st. I’ll give my current book in the series a tweak here in there while prepping for Camp. I love me some multitasking!

READING:

A few days left in the #middlegrademay challenge has me scrambling to read a few more titles. I still can’t believe I read seven books this month. *pats self on back* I’ll try for a couple more. I’m currently reading THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING by Catherynne M. Valente and INKHEART by Cornelia Funke. I’m excited that I’ve been such a reading machine. I’d like to continue the joy.

I’m ashamed and slightly appalled that I’ve read more this month than I have all last year. I mean, self kudos for the May Reading Challenge but super tsk tsk for letting the mental workouts slide. Reading is just as important to a writer’s arsenal as the act of writing itself. One enhances the appreciation for the other. It’s a symbiotic relationship that needs constant TLC. To that end, I’m considering a couple of reading challenges in June and will continue reading regardless of genre throughout the year because it’s the right thing to do.

==> 48 Hour Book Challenge from June 7-9 during which I shall read/blog like mad.

==> 30 Books in 90 Days begins June 1st. It’s pretty self-explanatory. Seeing my progress this month, I think I can up the ante and also vary the genres to keep things fresh. Oh, and I’ll still read more than one book at a time. LOL

BLOGGING:

The #ROW80 updates continue. Check-ins twice a week and also there are #wipmadness check-ins every Monday. I’ll keep everyone posted (and myself accountable) of my progress and my roadblocks.

Clear skies ahead… even in Raincouver! SO. EXCITED.

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#middlegrademay Check-In Week 4

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Last check-in for the challenge already? Say it ain’t so!

This week, I dove into the world of SISTERS GRIMM with THE FAIRYTALE DETECTIVES by Michael Buckley and Peter Ferguson and SEPTIMUS HEAP with MAGYK by Angie Sage and Mark Zug.

Both offerings were not what I expected. Here’s the good, bad, and ugly of both.

THE FAIRYTALE DETECTIVES:

I sequestered myself during Camp NaNo to ensure no outside influence would affect the development of my fractured fairytale series. I even denied myself the weekly treat of Once Upon a Time and Grimm to the point that my PVR groans at me with disdain. I believe I have distanced myself enough to know how to approach my own work and feel it’s time to read other fairytale redos to see what works and what doesn’t. As this was a Middle Grade challenge, I decided on SISTERS GRIMM over CINDER by Marissa Meyer (but that’s on my TBR list). I wanted to enjoy this story more but I couldn’t do it. There are two protags in this one. Sisters Sabrina (aged eleven) and Daphne (aged seven). I suppose Daphne’s constant questions seem realistic enough but I don’t think that it gave them licence to just name drop fairy tale character names for the sake of doing so. I can’t begin to compare any fairytale mashup with my own, not to mention the fact that mine is a YA story, however, I’m hoping that readers will understand which characters are unfolding through context, dialogue and other interaction rather than just having a full-on announcement of their arrival in the story. Yikes. I didn’t mean to start with the bad right away.

Switching to good. I enjoyed Daphne, despite her questions. She came off as a genuine seven year-old. I also enjoyed Granny and Mr. Canis. I’m all for quirky supporting cast. I ended up relating to Daphne the most, which is fine as she falls within the MG parameters for a protag.

Now, here’s the ugly. Of course, this is completely subjective coming from the POV of a reader and not a writer. Have I been out of touch with the evolution of MG books? Sure we have precocious adolescents, mischievous, too, however, I was actually put off by the Sabrina character. I’m all for assertive female characters in any genre and age group literature has to offer but Sabrina went from assertive to arrogant to aggressive to downright abrasive faster than you can say Hufflepuff. I didn’t find it working within this category but if someone can direct me to other MG stories with similar characters please contribute to my edification. I’m completely flummoxed with Sabrina and unable to connect or sympathize with her despite the circumstances that most likely turned her into a curmudgeon-in-waiting. Sadly, I’m on the fence of whether or not I’d like to continue with these books. If I do, I’ll be reading a boatload of other stories before coming back to this series and that deserves a frowny face. –>  😦

Deep cleansing breaths.

MAGYK:

I disliked this story less. How’s that for starters?! The worldbuilding was a little smoother to digest. Good. There were heavy doses of infodumping in the “As you know…” sort of way. Bad. There were chunks of pedestrian prose but nothing to the point of making me hurl accusations of UGLY. So, that’s moving back to good, right? Please?

I wanted to like these stories and I know they are well received. Of course, that’s part of the game. It’s all subjective and I need to keep that in mind when it comes time that my books come under the literary microscope.

We still have a handful of days left in the month to keep chugging along. Next up, THE LOST HERO by Rick Riordan and/or THE RED PYRAMID by Rick Riordan. I liked PERCY JACKSON and didn’t mind Riordan’s contribution to THE 39 CLUES #1: MAP OF BONES. For some female protag love, I’ll try INKHEART by Cornelia Funke and/or CORALINE by Neil Gaiman. That should keep me busy for the week amongst other writerly duties.

I’m excited that I got back into reading what I love. Thank you, Deb, for making #middlegrademay a fun ride. I can’t believe I read five books this month. I’m hoping to read at least two more or all of the ones listed in the previous paragraph. Crazier things have happened.

Read on, Lit Lovers!