Progress Report

Howdy Everyone

Have another small update. I have comments on writing over at my other blog, http://itsinthebookde.blogspot.com that discusses a decision I made with my own writing. But the other reason to post this is the epic giveaway.

2 books have been sent from Book Depository.
2 books purchased for the Local Bookstore packages.
Candy bought for candy winners.

So, I'm getting closer to getting everyone their prizes. Yay!

As for this blog, I am making plans. Once I get work all squared away, calmed down, and such, I have a few topics planned. There will be Middle Grade week. I have some posts to do about my internship and I have some general topics about writing (like one about Focus). So, there should be more content than updates coming in the future.


'Til then, Keep Writing.

Another Update

Wow, things have been busy. I have been neglecting my blogs a little and I feel bad. Since I started working at two different jobs, I have days where I work for 16 hours. Once I get used to the schedule, hopefully I will find more time for reading, writing and blogging.

The good news is, I will be able to get everyone's prizes out soon from the Epic giveaway. It's nice to not be broke. :-)

So, this blog will seem neglected for a little longer but I'm going to work on posting once a week.

July Novel Writing Challenge

Yes, there is another month long challenge and I am taking part in this one too.

JulNoWriMo

This is a challenge very much like NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) though not quite as globally epic yet. It's a month long challenge with the goal of ending the month having written 50,000 words. Except, the July challenge doesn't have to be a new story and it doesn't even have to be done on a single story. If someone wants to work on 3 already started novels *cough*ME*cough* then that is perfectly acceptable. (Yes. I have even more than three novels started, but I only plan to work on 3 for July.)

I learned about this event back about oh, June 11th. Yeah, not a lot of time to prepare but one of my group members on WDC in a group I run called NaNoWriMo Plus asked if we were going to do anything. After a few hours research I figured why not. Course that was when I had one minimal job instead of two with lots of hours but oh well.

I decided to run an event in my group and set it up. And at least 10 people on Writing.com have expressed interest, which is cool. So, despite short notice and new jobs I'm leading a group in writing 50,000 words during July. Can't wait to get writing.

Web site: http://julnowrimo.com/


Anyone else taking part in JulNoWriMo?
Did you know about it before?
What are your writing goals for July?

Life Lesson #1 Patience

(Look! Isn't it cute?)

What I learned while catching baby possums in the house and how it relates to writing:

Patience


Yes, many people will say that patience is useful in this writing industry and I am one of them. There is always something that will make writers (and others) wait. And it's not easy, but we have to face the existence of nerves and the battle where patience is the weapon.

What does that have to do with baby possums (or opossums since it's spelled that way but I like using possum as the spelling) one might ask. Here is the story part:

We have little possums running around our house. At first we thought it was one that had gotten in from a little spot that hadn't quite been closed up yet. I caught it and let it go outside the house and the next day, there it is again. So, I did that three times; the third time was at 4 am, then that afternoon there was a baby possum in the house. I've caught two and used a carrier to drive them miles away from the house to let them go but we still have at least one little one in the house that I'm trying to catch. They are sneaky little things and quick to hide. I catch them with my hands, which isn't always easy and the real trick is... patience.

In order to catch the little creatures, I've had to spend time waiting, not making too much noise, for them to come out of hiding. A few times I would almost catch one so that I had to sit back and wait even longer for it to get the courage to come out again. Waiting is a part of patience that many writers face.




Writing often means waiting. Waiting for the idea to strike. Waiting for certain details like names and titles to become just write. And the big ones: waiting for responses after submissions. Distractions help a little but one can't completely forget as the submission out is always on the mind's screen, even when tucked away. 


I haven't submitted any novels yet, but I have submitted a few stories and poems. Waiting to see what the editor/publisher/etc have to say and if the letter will be a rejection or acceptance isn't easy. This is where being a multi-tasking writer helps a little. There are always projects that are waiting to be finished, so when I have a novel submission out I'll still be focused more on the other 10 projects wanting my attention instead of waiting anxiously by the inbox. I like to think I will be patient when I'm submitting novels, but only time will tell.


Part of what makes the waiting easier when it comes to catching little possums is the result. It makes my mom happy because she doesn't like having those types of animals in the house and it keeps the animals alive since the other option involves stepdad and a gun. I like that I can at least let them go into some place that could be a better home for them. Results are key because they make the effort worth it.




What about you?
Are you patient?
Caught anything interesting lately? (lol)

Without Internet

Does more writing get done when the Internet access is limited? Is the Internet too distracting to get writing done?


I've heard many people say that it is best to go without Internet or to turn it off in order to get some writing done but I was never one that could turn it off. Even during NaNoWriMo, I keep the Internet on and use twitter to do word dashes. So, it's very unusual for me to not have Internet. Except for right now.

I'm spending a lot of time over at my Grandmother's house and she doesn't have Internet anymore. So, when I am there, I don't have Internet to distract me from writing. But have I written?

Not really. I'm spending time with Grandma and by the time I go downstairs, I am tired. I know I need to make time to write and I think I'm going to do that tonight but so far, not having Internet doesn't always mean the writing will be easier. It comes down to priorities and putting the time into getting novels done.


Does it help you to not have access to Internet?

Update

Hi everyone. I know it has been a little while before I posted on the blog, so here is a quick update.

1. The Epic Giveaway - I haven't forgotten the wonderful winners. Getting sick caused a slight problem and now I have a trip to DC. But after I get back, it's after pay day too, I'll be able to get all the prizes and send them out. Thanks for the patience everyone.

2. DC - I will be gone for about 5 days. Technically we are leaving Tuesday night for the city the airport is located in, but I'll still be online before we leave. I had to negotiate with my mom to get online time during this little "vacation" (stepsister is getting married, thus our reason for going to DC). So, I will have a little time to blog but I won't be on much.

3. Writing - Trying to make my writing goals but the being sick interrupted things. I hadn't written in over a week but I finally started chapter 23 of the YA novel rewrite. I am still determined to getting it finished asap. Next I'm going to rewrite/edit Standing Ground and get back to writing Angel/Demon, "dystopian" YA and maybe the epic fantasy. Yay for writing!

4. Blogging - It's a bit weird. After the epic blogging A to Z challenge, to go to posting barely anything. The month was tough so I'm glad to have the break, though I didn't intend it to be this long. Stupid sickness. I am going to try and blog once a week now. And I have fun things coming up, including a middle grade week. So, hope you all stay following and look forward to the future content of this blog as I continue to keep posting when I can.

5. Polls - I'm going to occasionally ask questions in little polls on the sidebar of this blog. First poll is going to be about comment responses from me. The more that take part in these polls, the better I can run things. Hope they help at least.

Okay. That is all.

:-D

Epic Winners Announced

(image source)

Yay!

It took effort but I finally can announce all of the winners from the Epic 2 year 2 blog giveaway. Woot! I will email all of the winners. Prizes may take a little time pending funds. I hope everyone enjoyed the giveaway and thank you to all who entered. Congratulations to all of the winners.


Picture Book Critique by Megan K. Bickel
Virginia

Chapter/Query/Synopsis Critique by J.C. Martin

Juliana Brandt

2 Chapter Critique by Donna Hole

J.D. Brown

1-3 Chapter Critique by Loralie

Susan Kane

3 Chapter Critique by Me

Tessa Conte

Seanathan

Journal Package

Kristie Cook

Ann Carbine Best

Giggle, Laugh, Cry

Small Bookstore Support (Books)

Ebilly Fishy

Juliana Brandt

Book Depository (Books)

Vicky B.

Sarah Perry

Sophia Richardson

Pragya

Movie Theater Candy

Ashelynn Sanford

J.D. Brown

Mixed Candy

KimberlyFDR

Special Treats

Ebilly Fishy

Congratulations Everyone.