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:
I got an email last night that allowed me to switch from the novella imprint to the suspense imprint for November’s Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. I appreciate how the editor gave me the option of switching imprints so I wouldn’t have to compromise the integrity of the story I want to write. I’m excited. 🙂
I’m also doubling up by entering this story for NaNoWriMo. The added accountability and online progress chart (that I’d be forced to enter each day before the cut-off) will help make November super productive.
READING:
Much of the same. My WIPs, writing reference, critiques, and beta reads. My TBR list is taking a back seat for the next few weeks, but that’s okay. It’s pretty much non stop.
NETWORKING:
Hopefully, I’ll be able to attend the in-person NaNo Write-Ins, weather and sniffles permitting. I hate drastic weather changes. I’ve got the online sprint partners via Twitter‘s #1k1hr. There’s also the online community at SavvyAuthors and the NaNo forums among many others. The world will be busy this November reaching those word counts.
LEARNING:
I’m tucking back into my treasure trove of already downloaded and purchased webinars to see what’s applicable for my WIP for November. That and my current fix of languages and genealogy should keep me busy.
=8=
It’s one thing to say that November is only two days away. But it’s crazy to think that November is already here. What are your big writing plans for November?
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?
WRITING:
I have not one but three possible ideas for Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. Going the novella route, one option is to write five to seven 10K novellas covering a day over the course of a week. I just need to keep in mind that each novella needs to be engaging and self-contained. To do this, I have story ideas that seemed disparate at first but now have the potential to link up in an overall story arc.
EDIT: Thought of a different idea while responding to comments. Perhaps I can tell the same story over the course of twenty-four hours (or a reasonable duration for a novella) but each novella is told from a different POVs. So excited. 🙂
READING:
As part of my Coursera class Fantasy and Science Fiction: The Human Mind, Our Modern World, I have a boatload to read. Here’s an author list so you get an idea: Grimm, Carroll, Stoker, Shelley, Hawthorne, Poe, Wells, Burroughs, Gilman, Bradbury, LeGuin, and Doctorow.
If you know them just by their last names, you know it’s epic. A feast for the eyeballs, to be sure. That there is plenty of Fantasy and Science Fiction to fill my cranium for the next little while.
Dare I dream that one day you will know the name dela Luna, as well? 🙂
NETWORKING:
I like the forums within the workshops as it lends to peer-teaching and interaction which is pretty neat. I enjoy the discourse and healthy debate over plenty of subjects. That is, of course, when the forums cooperate.
LEARNING:
Three languages. One me. Duolingo offers a lot for a free app. Gotta love free good stuff.
Udemy is offering classes on learning how to learn. It might sound kooky but I’m finding it enlightening. We’re taught what to learn in school but not how to learn it. These classes help you approach new topics and pretty much takes the formation of new thoughts and ideas from a completely new and fresh perspective.
Yeah, I’m a nerd, but learning just got more fun. Bonus? No exam pressure. That was probably the worst thing about my tenure in the educational realm.
Tomorrow, I’m going on a sisterly excursion to Toronto. Haven’t been back in almost twenty years. Seeing places of old that become new again has given me an idea for my next FRIDAY FORAGE post. Stay tuned.
WRITING:
I’m storming the brain for possible contingency plans for Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. Meanwhile I’ve come up with new ideas–too many–and have even distracted myself with some fangirl ideas. I came up with a fanfic story for a 13th Doctor, a girl!
Downside, I haven’t narrowed down my plethora of ideas. Upside, I have a plethora of ideas. haha
READING:
Finished a beta read and have to sink my teeth into book reviews and critiques. And also the many workshops I’m taking now and from before. Ugh. Any word on that speed reading course yet, people?
NETWORKING:
There’s a new check-in for #wipmadness and #ROW80 this week. Maybe I can tap other creative minds on upcoming project idea whittling.
LEARNING:
Thankfully, an area that is never lacking is my edification. Along with Spanish and French, I’ve now taken up German on Duolingo. Good thing, too, my sister’s joined up and is taking French and German, as well.
Udemy has taught me in the ways of time management, writing, and new ways of thinking. I love soaking in all the innovation.
At Savvy Authors I’m taking Character Development with Mary McCall and Putting the Suspense in Romantic Suspense with Dee Lloyd. They run through to the end of the month and I hope they’ll help sort out my current Entangled entanglement.
I have a class starting on Coursera tomorrow. It’s called Fantasy and Science Fiction: The Human Mind, Our Modern World. How awesome is it that universities all over the map offer free and intriguing courses? Score one for perpetual learning!
Busy week ahead including a little romp back east. It’s going to be weird returning to places I haven’t seen in half my life. Seriously.
Excited for the zaniness ahead. How goes it for you?
Textploits of the Writerly Persuasion 