Melissa:
Where on Earth did September go?!?! I'm at a loss that the month is even over.
I'm starting to realize I am terrible at multi-tasking. I can't write or brainstorm while doing all the things life brings at me. I also am one of those that likes to be involved in everything. When Kiddo has sports stuff, I like to be there to see it. Which cuts into the time I could be putting into writing or brainstorming or even re-writes. That seems to be one of my biggest downfalls with trying to get through stories, of any length.
That all being said, I'm sure you know how much I got through this month...nothing. *sigh* I know. I should be more organized. I should be better at this. But, well, I'm not.
I've had ideas bouncing around in my head, but the small things that have to happen to take my characters from one point of their lives to the next are what's tripping me up this time around.
I'm going to have to get my act together this month to get plans for NaNoWriMo! If I can do it with work and life this year. Here's keeping my fingers crossed.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
August Update
Melissa:
Sorry I'm late. It's been one heck of a ride in the month of August and into September here. With all the sports and family events (step-daughter got married), I've also been sick with a head cold.
I did get through the end of my steampunk story. Woot woot! I have it printed with notes to go through and make the adjustments, additions, and moving things around. Now to get through this part of it.
I sat down for a few hours and went through my notes and scraps of paper with small ideas on it. I tried piecing things together as they would fit. I found that the Urban Fantasy idea I've been wanting to work on for some time, needs to go back to the drawing board. The Dystopian idea I love is a world setting, not a story yet. And I have a man with troubles that's to be set in Science Fiction, but no world setting yet.
This is a beginning! It really is. Doesn't sound like much, believe me I have told myself that several times since sitting down with these ideas and doubts have crept in. But, every story starts somewhere. Right? Well this is it. Now to brainstorm and figure out what's happening.
At this point, as much as I'd love to do the Dystopian idea, I think I'm going with the SciFi story. I have the person and his dilemma he'll start in. I know what he wants and what *should* happen at the end of the story. It's just creating the world around him that he fights through. Oh don't get me wrong, he has lots of work to make him complete too, but I have a story to work with.
Sorry I'm late. It's been one heck of a ride in the month of August and into September here. With all the sports and family events (step-daughter got married), I've also been sick with a head cold.
I did get through the end of my steampunk story. Woot woot! I have it printed with notes to go through and make the adjustments, additions, and moving things around. Now to get through this part of it.
I sat down for a few hours and went through my notes and scraps of paper with small ideas on it. I tried piecing things together as they would fit. I found that the Urban Fantasy idea I've been wanting to work on for some time, needs to go back to the drawing board. The Dystopian idea I love is a world setting, not a story yet. And I have a man with troubles that's to be set in Science Fiction, but no world setting yet.
This is a beginning! It really is. Doesn't sound like much, believe me I have told myself that several times since sitting down with these ideas and doubts have crept in. But, every story starts somewhere. Right? Well this is it. Now to brainstorm and figure out what's happening.
At this point, as much as I'd love to do the Dystopian idea, I think I'm going with the SciFi story. I have the person and his dilemma he'll start in. I know what he wants and what *should* happen at the end of the story. It's just creating the world around him that he fights through. Oh don't get me wrong, he has lots of work to make him complete too, but I have a story to work with.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
July Update
Melissa:
So, I've put this post off long enough. I need to face the music.
Doing this post always makes me cringe. I hate that I can't reach my goals each month. And I feel as I've not written anything in ages. I'm in the vicious cycle of re-writes and life.
I, once again, did not get to the goal I wanted by the end of July. I planed on getting through the last 50 pages and printing it all out to work out the bigger kinks. I felt like I was on a roll and doing well. But in my defense, I need to take the pay jobs and at this point in life that's what is needed. I received a content editing jobs. At this time in my life the pay items come before the fun, and writing is fun for me now.
I'm done with the major part of the content editing job and have time to get back to the grind on my own words. I also got through my birthday weekend where I spent lots of time with friends and family.
So now it's serious time.
I'm working to get caught up with a few things so I can focus my time properly - writing and editing for pay.
I'm not going to give myself a huge goal. If I did that, I'd just disappoint myself again. *sigh* It's coming into school starting and football starting. Football is time consuming for the parent as it is for the kiddo. So my 'me time' is going to be cut once again. I'm good with this. I am accepting this. I'm owning it.
My goal is to get through these last pages. I really want to re-read and make the major changes while the story is fresh in my mind. But I also need to start plotting and figuring out the story for NaNoWriMo coming in November. I want to put time into mapping out what's to happen. For August I hope to finish the first round of re-writes and start into the next round of big changes and their affects through out the story, so it's consistent. Also, figure out what story in the jar I want to work on fleshing out for NaNoWriMo. Hmmm....
So, I've put this post off long enough. I need to face the music.
Doing this post always makes me cringe. I hate that I can't reach my goals each month. And I feel as I've not written anything in ages. I'm in the vicious cycle of re-writes and life.
I, once again, did not get to the goal I wanted by the end of July. I planed on getting through the last 50 pages and printing it all out to work out the bigger kinks. I felt like I was on a roll and doing well. But in my defense, I need to take the pay jobs and at this point in life that's what is needed. I received a content editing jobs. At this time in my life the pay items come before the fun, and writing is fun for me now.
I'm done with the major part of the content editing job and have time to get back to the grind on my own words. I also got through my birthday weekend where I spent lots of time with friends and family.
So now it's serious time.
I'm working to get caught up with a few things so I can focus my time properly - writing and editing for pay.
I'm not going to give myself a huge goal. If I did that, I'd just disappoint myself again. *sigh* It's coming into school starting and football starting. Football is time consuming for the parent as it is for the kiddo. So my 'me time' is going to be cut once again. I'm good with this. I am accepting this. I'm owning it.
My goal is to get through these last pages. I really want to re-read and make the major changes while the story is fresh in my mind. But I also need to start plotting and figuring out the story for NaNoWriMo coming in November. I want to put time into mapping out what's to happen. For August I hope to finish the first round of re-writes and start into the next round of big changes and their affects through out the story, so it's consistent. Also, figure out what story in the jar I want to work on fleshing out for NaNoWriMo. Hmmm....
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
June Update:
Melissa:
And I think I'm terrible at re-writes! I can't seem to get far with this stuff.
I've decided I need a better method of preparation before I start writing. Yes, I'm a pantser in what I've done. But after trying to put the mess back together (and feeling as I'm failing miserably) I have decided I need more of a line to follow when writing. *cringe* That is going to be a lot more work upfront but I think in the end, well worth it. I'm going to have to diagram the world mechanics and outline the story better.
I don't do outlines well, it's been something I've struggled with since I was in elementary school. My mind doesn't understand why someone would put words on the page if they were not important, so to me everything is important and should be in the outline. I took special classes to learn how to do outlines, and failed. I was found to be a lost cause at the whole process. I squeaked by that semester in English and moved on. This is why I don't do outlines. So, I'm going to have to find some sort of method that works for me that I can use.
I tried something different with my Christmas story a year and a half ago, and it seemed to work well for me. I used note cards and created a timeline of events that way. I'm going to have to try that in future writings.
So, for June what did I accomplish, other than learning I need a new method to my madness?
I have tried to stick to the every other day schedule of writing then blogging and other things. It's worked, for the most part. Life still interferes with many things, but I'm making it work. It's just not every other day as I'd hoped. But, I'm getting there.
I have 50 more pages to read and adjust. After this I can print and work out the bigger kinks that the story has. Then, I'll need a set of eyes to help me with things I know are wonky, I don't like, or need help seeing the light through. I know I was hoping for the end of July, but I don't know if that will happen. We'll see how much time I get to put into re-writes with work and life happening too.
Here's to another month full of words!
And I think I'm terrible at re-writes! I can't seem to get far with this stuff.
I've decided I need a better method of preparation before I start writing. Yes, I'm a pantser in what I've done. But after trying to put the mess back together (and feeling as I'm failing miserably) I have decided I need more of a line to follow when writing. *cringe* That is going to be a lot more work upfront but I think in the end, well worth it. I'm going to have to diagram the world mechanics and outline the story better.
I don't do outlines well, it's been something I've struggled with since I was in elementary school. My mind doesn't understand why someone would put words on the page if they were not important, so to me everything is important and should be in the outline. I took special classes to learn how to do outlines, and failed. I was found to be a lost cause at the whole process. I squeaked by that semester in English and moved on. This is why I don't do outlines. So, I'm going to have to find some sort of method that works for me that I can use.
I tried something different with my Christmas story a year and a half ago, and it seemed to work well for me. I used note cards and created a timeline of events that way. I'm going to have to try that in future writings.
So, for June what did I accomplish, other than learning I need a new method to my madness?
I have tried to stick to the every other day schedule of writing then blogging and other things. It's worked, for the most part. Life still interferes with many things, but I'm making it work. It's just not every other day as I'd hoped. But, I'm getting there.
I have 50 more pages to read and adjust. After this I can print and work out the bigger kinks that the story has. Then, I'll need a set of eyes to help me with things I know are wonky, I don't like, or need help seeing the light through. I know I was hoping for the end of July, but I don't know if that will happen. We'll see how much time I get to put into re-writes with work and life happening too.
Here's to another month full of words!
Friday, June 5, 2015
May Updates:
Melissa:
And where did May go!?!?
May was a quick month. It felt like it didn't even have 31 days in it. I did get to do some reading/re-writes on my current WIP, but nothing like I had hoped to accomplish.
As for the schedule... well, I didn't really stick to it as much as times and days. There are days that I did neither of blogging or writing because kiddo had a track meet or something going on with school and sports. Then there was Balticon and being down with a sinus infection (this one lingered as I'm still feeling the effects of it!). What I have done is if I blog one night, the next night I'm home I use for writing. And every evening about 9 o'clock is work time for my content editing clients.
So, we are into June now. And I'm determined to get through this WIP. My plan is to make small changes and adjust things. But others I'm making notes of what to add and where (if I know what section at that moment). I'll then print out the word document with all the changes to add in what I have noted so I can flip back and forth between pages. I'll then get on to Scrivener and make changes.
This is going to take time, so maybe by the end of July I'll have some chapters to send to a friend to read. Though it'll have to be someone that's kind and can walk me through what a mess I have.
That all being said, I don't have a word count to share as increasing. But I'm working to get back at the process and determined to get through this dreaded re-write process.
Onward we go! Words to be slashed and molded!
And where did May go!?!?
May was a quick month. It felt like it didn't even have 31 days in it. I did get to do some reading/re-writes on my current WIP, but nothing like I had hoped to accomplish.
As for the schedule... well, I didn't really stick to it as much as times and days. There are days that I did neither of blogging or writing because kiddo had a track meet or something going on with school and sports. Then there was Balticon and being down with a sinus infection (this one lingered as I'm still feeling the effects of it!). What I have done is if I blog one night, the next night I'm home I use for writing. And every evening about 9 o'clock is work time for my content editing clients.
So, we are into June now. And I'm determined to get through this WIP. My plan is to make small changes and adjust things. But others I'm making notes of what to add and where (if I know what section at that moment). I'll then print out the word document with all the changes to add in what I have noted so I can flip back and forth between pages. I'll then get on to Scrivener and make changes.
This is going to take time, so maybe by the end of July I'll have some chapters to send to a friend to read. Though it'll have to be someone that's kind and can walk me through what a mess I have.
That all being said, I don't have a word count to share as increasing. But I'm working to get back at the process and determined to get through this dreaded re-write process.
Onward we go! Words to be slashed and molded!
Friday, May 1, 2015
April Updates:
Melissa:
It's May 1st and I need to make some changes. I've done some thinking over the month of April.
First, I debated on if I really wanted to write. I've been stuck in the re-write process for far to long on a story to short for the time frame. Yes, I've started and stopped, that hasn't helped at all. Life has thrown some large hills in the road that I've decided I need to focus where I can get paid. And writing isn't going to pay at this time. I'm just to new at the process and I take to long to produce any work.
Second, time... I really think Father Time hates me some days. I know he sits there and laughs at me. Time has been an enemy for me for far to long. Kiddo has so much going on. We stay with him for all his sports events and have plans for lots of extra events and camps we will take and watch him at for months to come. He's getting to his last two years of high school and that comes with a lot to do if he wants to go to college and play football.
Third, I love content editing. I've had the great opportunity to work with several authors on their works. And recently, once again, I came through the process with and author who made magnificent changes to her scenes that will now make them pop off the page. God I love that part of the process. It's beautiful to watch it all come together and happen.
Then there's blogging. I so enjoy the community. I've been part of it for years now, I don't want to give it up.
All this and I work a full time day job that I can't really do any of these things at.
So my conclusion at the end of April... I want to write. I just have to accept it's going to be a rather slow process.
I've decided I'll schedule out my week and try to not get upset when I have to miss a night of the schedule. I have to shrug it off and be 'the day has passed, I can't get it back. Move on to today.'
The idea is to have time frames for my nights. I'll write on Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday 8-9pm. I'll blog on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8-9pm. Friday is family dinner night, it seems. ;) When I have content editing jobs I'll work on that nightly from 9-10. (All is give or take a few minutes.) I'm hoping to get exercising back in my schedule a few nights a week about 7pm. But if not exercising, I'll work on blog stuff or write earlier.
So, this is my *plan*. We'll see if I can make it happen.
Jackie:
Is still caught up in life's events. Hope to have her back with us soon.
It's May 1st and I need to make some changes. I've done some thinking over the month of April.
First, I debated on if I really wanted to write. I've been stuck in the re-write process for far to long on a story to short for the time frame. Yes, I've started and stopped, that hasn't helped at all. Life has thrown some large hills in the road that I've decided I need to focus where I can get paid. And writing isn't going to pay at this time. I'm just to new at the process and I take to long to produce any work.
Second, time... I really think Father Time hates me some days. I know he sits there and laughs at me. Time has been an enemy for me for far to long. Kiddo has so much going on. We stay with him for all his sports events and have plans for lots of extra events and camps we will take and watch him at for months to come. He's getting to his last two years of high school and that comes with a lot to do if he wants to go to college and play football.
Third, I love content editing. I've had the great opportunity to work with several authors on their works. And recently, once again, I came through the process with and author who made magnificent changes to her scenes that will now make them pop off the page. God I love that part of the process. It's beautiful to watch it all come together and happen.
Then there's blogging. I so enjoy the community. I've been part of it for years now, I don't want to give it up.
All this and I work a full time day job that I can't really do any of these things at.
So my conclusion at the end of April... I want to write. I just have to accept it's going to be a rather slow process.
I've decided I'll schedule out my week and try to not get upset when I have to miss a night of the schedule. I have to shrug it off and be 'the day has passed, I can't get it back. Move on to today.'
The idea is to have time frames for my nights. I'll write on Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday 8-9pm. I'll blog on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8-9pm. Friday is family dinner night, it seems. ;) When I have content editing jobs I'll work on that nightly from 9-10. (All is give or take a few minutes.) I'm hoping to get exercising back in my schedule a few nights a week about 7pm. But if not exercising, I'll work on blog stuff or write earlier.
So, this is my *plan*. We'll see if I can make it happen.
Jackie:
Is still caught up in life's events. Hope to have her back with us soon.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
March Update:
Melissa:
March has come to a close. In like a lion, out like a lamb? Well, maybe with the weather but for me it's more in like a lamb, out like a lion.
I did convert my Scrivener pages to Word and started reading from the beginning. I got through several thousand words in this fashon as well, adding lots of balloon comments on the side.
But then life happens.
I've been busy with Kiddo and his schedule for sports along with picking up an editing job for the month. At this point in my writing, I take the paying jobs over working on my own. The payment from the jobs help when the Universe likes to twist on me. Sick dog, dentist bills (which I thought they watched insurance for when they could do some proceedures. Ha!), and all else that comes with having a kid.
I'm really hoping to get caught up with a few reads and get back to my edits/re-writes. I seem to have created a schedule for myself in the evening for working on editing jobs, so I think I'll carry that through and work on my works when the editing jobs are done.
Then there's that moment when you think you wrote the story ALL WRONG. You realize you could have written it a different way and maybe, just maybe, that way was the right way... Yeah, I had that revelation at the end of March. I could have written Jackie in this story completely different, and I just realized it. *sigh* Now what? I keep trudging on with what I have and hope it's the right story. I do know there is need for character growth for Jackie in what I have planned for the future, so it just might work out in the end. ;)
As for March, some work got done and I know it's steps in the right direction. Here's hoping I can get a few thousand more words read and re-written in April.
Jackie:
It's Melissa again. Jackie is still crazy busy with life happening so she's not able to post this month. I'm hoping she'll be back to a calm (or as calm as life can be) schedule once again soon. Thinking of you Jackie!
March has come to a close. In like a lion, out like a lamb? Well, maybe with the weather but for me it's more in like a lamb, out like a lion.
I did convert my Scrivener pages to Word and started reading from the beginning. I got through several thousand words in this fashon as well, adding lots of balloon comments on the side.
But then life happens.
I've been busy with Kiddo and his schedule for sports along with picking up an editing job for the month. At this point in my writing, I take the paying jobs over working on my own. The payment from the jobs help when the Universe likes to twist on me. Sick dog, dentist bills (which I thought they watched insurance for when they could do some proceedures. Ha!), and all else that comes with having a kid.
I'm really hoping to get caught up with a few reads and get back to my edits/re-writes. I seem to have created a schedule for myself in the evening for working on editing jobs, so I think I'll carry that through and work on my works when the editing jobs are done.
Then there's that moment when you think you wrote the story ALL WRONG. You realize you could have written it a different way and maybe, just maybe, that way was the right way... Yeah, I had that revelation at the end of March. I could have written Jackie in this story completely different, and I just realized it. *sigh* Now what? I keep trudging on with what I have and hope it's the right story. I do know there is need for character growth for Jackie in what I have planned for the future, so it just might work out in the end. ;)
As for March, some work got done and I know it's steps in the right direction. Here's hoping I can get a few thousand more words read and re-written in April.
Jackie:
It's Melissa again. Jackie is still crazy busy with life happening so she's not able to post this month. I'm hoping she'll be back to a calm (or as calm as life can be) schedule once again soon. Thinking of you Jackie!
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