April Camp Nano 2017 - Part 1

Today's Earworm: Heart Heart Head by Meg Myers
Today's Date: April 3, 2017

I have made a decision. A very serious decision to.

It's about Black Veiled Saviour, which is one of two books that I'm working on.

I have decided to just scrap the original story and start it anew. I have plans on using bits and pieces of the current chapters that I have, but I'm not going to continue the current story line.

I still need to work a few things out but to note I am keeping the characters used so far, and keeping their personalities. It's going to be interesting to rewrite this world.

But that'll wait for a bit of time. I'll survive. Really.

Now, something I wanted to talk about: Genres. I've noticed that there have been threads about Happily Ever After's (HEA) in romance and why it's a part of romance.

If you don't have a HEA it's not a romance damnit! We read romance for that. That is what makes romance romance.

People are trying to get rid of the need for HEA's and a few other things that make the romance genre what it is. Which is kind of stupid actually because then it's not romance.

Now mind you, romance has so many sub-genres that the sub-genres need sub-genres. It's that damn vast of a genre.

I personally write horror, comedy-horror, mystery, and sometimes Sci-fi, but I still work within the rules that sell those genres. Why?

Because that's what sells. It's been changed and perfected and honed over the years. A genre is set up a certain way because it works and yes, I'm playing with some cliches and some not so cliches and changing up my characters and introducing some new ideas...but...

I am still playing by the damn rules.

I write according to the beats that were set by authors that were around long before I was. I write my villains and I write my heros and I write my victims according to what sells.

And I do the same for my romances, rare as they are.

Stop trying to be edgy. Even the author of Twilight played by the rules set in her genre, as distasteful as I find the book. I grew up on Dracula, and Anne Rice okay.  Vampires do not sparkle and those wolves aren't werewolves. They're shifters.

But still, genre 'rules' are there for a reason. And that is because...

They fucking well sell! Learn what the guidelines are and figure out how to put your own damn spin on them. That's the idea behind writing. I swear.

Preparing for Camp 2017 - Part 3

Today's Earworm: Snuff by Slipknot
Today's Date: March 20, 2017

Okay, so this was supposed to go up yesterday but due to a long day going with my friend to a pain treatment and then a pill review (which isn't happening next month hopefully!).

So this is a day late but hey! I have gotten it out and up which is nice.

To tell you what I've been up to...not much actually. Why? Because I've been working up to a cold and damn it, it hit and hit hard yesterday. So I crashed out yesterday about 9:30PM and didn't crawl out of bed until about 1:30PM today. So yeah.

I'm catching up on things though and I really don't think that this blog is going to be very long since I don't have much to talk about this round since I was sleeping or dealing with the cold building up.

But! I do have a new book that I'm currently called my "Househunting turned into a murder mystery" kind of thing. Not sure as to what I'm going to do but it's probably going to be a rather interesting and long story. I'm already having fun with it so far and I might let it be a stand alone because I have no idea if I do want to use it as a second book to a main story line or not.

We'll have to see.

For now I'm going to go write and read and drink tea so I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week.

National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 5 And Final Thoughts

Today's Earworm: Now or Never by Age of Days ft.  Sal Costa and  Cody Hanson
Today's Date: December 5, 2016
Word Count Widget

NaNoWriMo Status: Won!
Total Words For This Month: 51,515

Final Thoughts: A quick note on all of the music chosen for the weekly earworm was chosen from my Spotify NaNoWriMo list (which is a permanent list and changes every so often because I go to it occasionally outside of November, April, and July). I can link you to the list, but you can also just look for the bands. They're all wonderful.

What to say? I have finished Nano nearly 8 days ago, and the final word count came out to be just over 51K! Not bad for all of the trouble that I had for this month.

After the first week and a half, I had to turn my attention to a couple of other stories that I was working on before Bad Dog. One of them is Ages Bk 1. I'm on chapter 33 out of 36, so I'm almost done with the draft zero. I know that there is going to be a lot of rewriting in it, but I want to let it set until about April or May before I print it out and start to do the rewriting on it.

Which will most likely be by hand. Which is going to be fun. Ugh right?

Right.

Now, as for the coming year, I do have a post about what I'm going to do for 2017 but for now I'm working on a few things for this month. I have started a new Christmas based story but I'll be working on actually work on building the damn plot before I start writing on it. Why? Because I want to have plot beyond just what I have.

I have apparently started working on Paranormal Romances (PNR).

Thank you, Jennifer Amriss. You helped to reopen that particular door to that genre. It's not a bad thing, trust me. But I'm quite happy with it.

I'll keep you updated on what is going on with each of the stories that I'm working on, I promise. :D

Keep a look out, starting January 31st, for a monthly update on word counts and what I've worked on for that month. And keep a look out on January 2nd for the blog post for what I'm doing during 2017!

Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Holidays and may your days be blessed and bright.

National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 4

Today's Earworm: I Did It For Love by Age of Days
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget


This week is kind of a blur so I don't have much to actually say so I'm going to just summarize this weeks information.

Nov 21: 3,244

Nov 22: 3,341

Nov 23: 0

Nov 24: 2,741

Nov 25 1,872

Nov 26: 0

Nov 27: 2,930

Total words so far: 48,783

So as you can see I am pretty much almost done. Since this is currently written around 3PM on Sunday, since I'm not going to be home most of Monday, I'll probably have claimed my words and my prize.

So swing by my NaNo Page and check out what I have going on! 

Next week I'll have an actual blog post but the last few days have not been kind to me. Ugh.

National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 3

Today's Earworm: Bombs Away by Age of Days
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget


And another week to deal with this shit. I am not feeling well, but this is about normal for me during colds.

Once more: word counts.

Nov 14: 0

Nov 15: 3,127

Nov 16: 1,591

Nov 17: 1,511

Nov 18: 1,449

Nov 19: 3,420

Nov 20: 307

Total words: 34,661

Day 14 included me running up to Gilbert with my friend for her pain treatment and becoming Casper the Ghost. Literally my cold came back and knocked me flat. She came out, still giggly off of the anesthesia and goes "You're white".

And I was. I was straight up white. With no pinkish undertone, which is normal for my skin tone.

Yeah, so. Day 14 got no words but me falling into bed about 6:30 to 7 PM and not getting out of bed until about 11:30 the next day. 

Day 15 was me playing catch up. I caught up.

Day 16  was okayish. I wrote some. Worked on some new ideas. Created a new story with the help of the lovely Jennifer Amriss. I now have a new M/M PNR on my plate. (PNR being Paranormal Romance)

Day 17 was another good day just to lounge around and write on things. So I did.

Day 18 was pretty good though for a while there it was like pulling teeth, but I got the words. Then I did some editing.

Day 19 was really good to me. 2 chapters and another bit of editing because the next day I got nothing.

Day 20 was a near zero count, but did get like 307 words on the new PNR story. Just no idea what to do with it or where to go with it so I'm kind of sitting here playing around with it.

But I'm still happy with the amount of words I have gotten so far.

National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 2

Today's Earworm: Too Late  by Dead by Sunrise
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget

So I'm liking the way last week's post ended up. I decided because I liked it, I'll keep it like this.

Let's start with the word counts again.

Nov 7: 1,478

Nov 8: 1,750

Nov 9: 3,305

Nov 10: 1,199

Nov 11: 2,015

Nov 12: 1,785

Nov 13: 1,763

Total words: 23,256

Day 7 was good. It worked well enough for me. I wrote another chapter in Bad Dog and made myself giggle. It was a lot of fun.

Day 8...well, if you were watching the shit going on there, yeah, you know how I'm feeling. Life is going to suck big time next year. Sighing so hard. But I did get words before I got up to the cluster fuck.

Day 9 was spent not doing much beyond writing and hiding from the world. My cold is not happy with me and I'm not happy with the world. It can fuck off for all I care. It was still a good day though.

I got two chapters typed up and saved, which makes me happy. 

Day 10, well I'm still sick on this day. I have added sneezing and coughing to my sore throat but I've been taking cold meds as needed and sipping good tea. I'm staying away from most social media so if I seem quiet that's why. I have issues and right now all off this stuff is making my issues have issues.

But still a good day of writing. I watched SHN Horror Network's "Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs playthrough" while writing. He doesn't do commentary while playing through his games and the videos themselves are usually all one video of the full playthrough, so it makes rather nice background noise.

Just...keep in mind the name. He does horror/thriller games. 

Day 11 was me laying around and puttering through a chapter. Which is about normal for when I'm sick.

Day 12 again was me laying around and puttering through a chapter. I felt like death warmed over but I got a long chapter and a good jump start on Day 13's count.

Day 13 was me writing a full chapter and preparing to head with my friend to an appointment today. So while you read this, I'm probably in Gilbert right about now, reading a book and ignoring people. Seriously. Just ignoring people.

But again, got a good jump on tomorrow's words while I wait for my IPod mini to charge up (the sucker takes 3 hours each time I kill the battery).

So far, I did pretty good this week on the word count and I'm very happy with this fact. 

National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 1

Today's EarWorm: Blood Red Roses by c21fx
Today's Day: November 7, 2016
Word Count Widget

So this time, I'm going to try something different. Instead of a kind of a daily thing put together in one blog, which I find kind of hard to deal with really, I'm just going to give you a summary of how I did and the what not.

Let's start with word count shall we?

November 1: 3,005

November 2: 760

November 3: 1,453

November 4: 1,604

November 5: 1,586

November 6: 1,478

Total: 9,882 words

So as you can see, I did pretty good on the 1st. I got my 3K starter and that's pretty much what has kept me afloat ever since. 

Why? Eh, I was feeling ew on the second and had a hell of a time focusing enough to write a new prologue for Bad Dog; day 3 had a new chapter and me crashing out hard early (like 8 in the evening early) and a shopping run with a friend; another shopping run and another chapter, hurrah; the fifth included me staying home, rewriting one chapter and writing a new chapter for something other than Bad Dog. 

Hey! All new words count damnit! I'm a rebel. That's what I'm saying to myself. 

To go a bit more in depth about what went on.

Day 1 was pretty good all things considered. It was enough to get all the words that I needed and then some. Then again, it's always easy enough to get a good set of words down on the first day. It's easy enough.

Day 2 was spent writing a new prologue on Bad Dog, getting things down and out because I had to introduce my Idiot Villain and figure out just what I need to figure out about him. Let's just say that by the end of the series, you'll find out that he's not the main villain of the entire series. He's just the one that you see.

Day 3, again, was spent writing a new chapter, but I also had to run to the store with my friend to pick up some of her things for the month. I got home lateish and crashed soon after.

Day 4 was spent going to get the last of the things that she needed and getting yet even more words. Nothing amazing. And I also planned out a couple more chapters Bad Dog which is nice. I figured out some more things about the structure of my story to.

Day 5 I lounged around. Wrote. Or tried to do so. Did a jigsaw puzzle on my jigsaw app. Or three. I wrote. Got a chapter on something else. Got a rewrite done for one of my stories. Mourned the fact that I don't have the money to print out one of my stories so I can tear it down to the very foundation of what it is. 

That's going to be...fun. I think. Maybe. Lots of work though.

Day 6 was just exhausting. Once more, I was shopping but this time I went food shopping for my household instead of helping my friend with her shopping. Which isn't any fun, trust me.

My hair hurt and that's saying something since hair doesn't feel.

But I got a good sized turkey (20+ lb bird) for about 89cents per pound so it was nice. It worked out in the good for me and my mom. I'm very happy with how things went in the long run.

And I barely squeaked in on my word count for the day even though it was a fight to the bitter end to get the words. Today, I hope to focus like nothing else and just WRITE.

I can hope yes? Yes.

I will see you next week with a fresh and new update! For now, enjoy life. Read a book. Treat yourself to a favorite snack. Watch a good movie. Enjoy life.

Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 5

Today's Earworm: Big Bad Wolf by Aesthetic Perfection
Today's Date: October 31, 2016
Widgets

What to write? I have no idea.

First: Happy Halloween, my little ghouls and ghosties! I hope that this year's Halloween is treating you well. :D

It's treating me okayish. I am getting over the colds (yay for flu shots messing with your system), and settling in for things to happen.

Unfortunately for me, I am also having to deal with people coming in to rip out my flooring and put new stuff down tomorrow. They were supposed to do it last Tuesday, or so we thought, but apparently not.

So I have to deal with that and promise to post pictures of that fun time process when I'm actually home. Which I'm going to have to be for most of the day outside of me running to the store with Tonya for the usual things on the 1st.

Hopefully we'll get that done kind of fast since we don't really have much to do so I'll be living off of massive amounts of coffee tomorrow. Fun. Right? Right.

But I'm not sure what to say since tomorrow it all starts and I will be busybusybusy for the first three days. This is going to be interesting, that's for sure.

Wish me luck, everyone! I'm going in!

Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 4

Today's Earworm: "Eyes" by Kings 810
Today's Date: October 24, 2016

I don't really know what to say. I'm exhausted is the first thing that comes to mind.

The second is that I'm on a binge watching all sorts of documentaries on things. Ghosts and spirits and the such.

Fueling the thoughts for Bad Dog. Which is good yet bad since I'm still fighting with myself in regards to working on it. I can't. Not until the first of November and it's a week away yet.

So I'm kind of sitting here. Sick. Exhausted. Binge watching documentaries. Working on Bad Dog. And trying not to toss people off a cliff.

I hate the build up towards the next round of Nano. I always end up twitchy and growling. And I've been very anti-person lately. Which is kind of surprising but yet not?

Okay, so let's me tell you what insanity has been going on and how it has been utterly *censors the line of curse words that would make a sailor sniff in proudness but comes down to messing* with my life.

1) My friend is currently trying something to help with her chronic pain issues. She doesn't do needles and since these are  about an inch long going into her back, she needs to be put under which means I have to go with her.

2) I lost my outline for my short piece set! I'm crying. I need to clean up some more and hope to find the bitch. I can hope yes?

3) As stated above, I have been very anti-person lately. I don't know why but it's starting to make me twitch. Which isn't good.

4) Depression has attacked me a bit but I'm working on getting through it.

5) The muses and will to write has been fluctuating.

I'm hoping though that by the time November comes around that I will be back on balanced ground again.

I'm hoping.

Anyways, I got thinking about if I've ever told you guys about my writing process...

And I don't think so! At least not in the last year. I've talked about my Plot Mountain (found here), but I don't think I've ever quite gone over what I do after that.

Well, let me explain that since I'm getting prepped for Nano in a week and the process after is just as important, if not more so in some cases, as the writing process.

Please remember, that what may work for me may not work for you. So experiment, learn, discover. Don't be afraid to find a new way if your current way just doesn't work for you.

Step 1: Write the First Draft

I went over this in my Plot Mountain Post all those months before. I write that first draft.

Step 2: Ignore the First Draft

Depending on the story and size that I wrote, I usually ignore that first draft from anywhere from a week to six months. Why? Because I want to forget what I wrote in that first draft so I can come back to it with fresh eyes.

Step 3: Reread (groan) over the first draft and make notes on changes like I'm a reader.

This is just what it says. After that time of forgetting the first draft, I stick the draft into a GDoc, make sure it's accessible on my tablet and sit in bed with pen and notebook to reread it while making notes.

I look at it like I'm a first reader (thus why I ignore it for so long) and I have to give this writer an honest critique. But then again, I'm meaner to myself and tend to rip the story apart in my notes.

I did this with my current M/M novella (which I'm in step 4 and 5 right now for it). It took me about 6 pages of legal pad paper; front to back; to write all the notes.

Step 4: Write out a new outline

This outline will include the old chapters and new chapters I want to insert.

For the old chapters, I tend to make notes on what I want to insert into them and if I want to split a chapter into two chapters instead of one.

For the new chapters, I make sure I know just how they would fit into it as I go along. This will be a long process because I'm going back and forth between the first draft and my notes to see just what I need to do.

This also includes about 5 different colored InkJoy pens so I can color code things.

Step 5: Start to fill in those chapters and write out the new chapters

AKA: Rewrite round 1.

Yep, time to rewrite. It's not fun. Nope. Not in the least. But I will do it! My page will bleed RED from this first round of rewrites.

Step 6: REWRITE!

This time I'm going from start to finish and literally rewriting each chapter to fix things such as tense, wording, some grammar (not really expected at the moment), characterization and making sure it all flows together.

It will take me anything from a month to four depending on length and how often I work on doing the rewrite.

Step 7: Rewriting AGAIN

Okay, this rewrite is pretty much a combination of step 3 and 5. I'm going to read through it after about a week of not touching it and making notes before inserting what I need.

It's pretty much a lighter version to help start to tighten things up.

Step 8: Actual editing

This is the step where I sit down and go through with grammar and punctuation in mind. I sit there and don't read like a writer or a reader (like above), but this time as an editor.

I had to train myself to stop from worrying about most editing bits during the last 7 steps. Thank you, NaNo for training that out of me.

This takes me about a week or two to finish from beginning to end. It's not that extensive.

Step 9: Send it to a first reader and get their opinion on the story.

I usually have someone in the background waiting to read my story and go over it, critique things and the such.

Step 10: Go over what they say and insert and maybe do some light rewriting.

Once I get that information back from them, I sit there and fiddle around with things, filling in holes or making it clear that a hole is there for a good reason for future books depending on what I'm working on.

Step 11: Repeat 9 and 10

Just that. I repeat 9 and 10 a few times (usually with more than one reader) and then I get to this step.

Step 12: Edit then send to editor/beta and forget about it.

This is where I wait for the editor to go over it, make their notes and tell me what I need to fix. I usually send it after I do another quick once over to catch anything.

Step 13: Fix what needs to be fixed.

I fix what needs to be fixed and once I get it to a point where I'm happy with it, where it reads well and looks good, it's done.

Yeah, 13 plus steps later (because sometimes there's a couple more rewrites and edits in there).

Now mind you, I figured this out over the course of my fanfiction writing career and I can tell you that yes, it works just as well for when it comes time to editing original worlds.

Again this may or may not work for you. If it works, great! I'm happy. If it doesn't or just parts works, that's all good! I'm happy you have discovered what works for you. As I have. We all have our own processes. 

This is just my process. 

So for now, I will see you next week with the start of Nano!

Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 3

Today's Earworm: 9909 by Danger Silent
Today's Date: October 17, 2016

So I've been thinking about what to write about this week's prepping. And really? I had no real idea what to write.

Then someone asked in one of my closed NaNo groups "What is ADHD/ADD like?"

I got thinking about that. I know that I've talked about it before on twitter and on facebook, but I myself have ADD. What is ADD?

Again, ADD/ADHD is Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

And it does just like it sounds: It's a disorder where a person finds it hard to focus. All of those "I have focus...SQUIRREL!" memes are a funny way of saying it, you guys. There's a good reason why I have thirty things going on at a time. And why I have a dozen projects going at once.

But really? What does this have to do with preparing for NaNo?

It actually has a lot to do with preparing for Nano. Did you know that most often than not, I have my blogs ready to be posted at least a week before hand? And I tend to fiddle around with what I'm posting for the following week. It's so I know for a fact that I have something ready to post.

Now, what does it feel like to have ADD/ADHD? Well, it's different for everyone.

For me, it's like a normal adult having too much sugar and caffeine in a short time. I'm bouncy and jittery. I can't focus without putting some effort into it. I have to have something going on in the background to help me keep that focus once I found it. Usually it's a movie or show or some kind of music.

I don't react to caffeine and sugar like someone who doesn't have ADD. Caffeine tends to help me focus, sometimes, if I'm really tired, wakes me up when I have it along with some sugar and food. Just to keep the balance in my body. I could drink coffee all day and still go to bed at a decent hour.

But when I can't sleep (and I often can't until I'm so tired I'm seeing double), it's not because of the caffeine or sugar. Hell, I've had issues sleeping when I was just buzzed enough on wine (really, really fruity good wine to, cause hey, I'm a picky woman about my wine) to feel that nice sort of sleepy. The reason why I can't sleep?

My mind is overworking again. It's not shutting up. And not even sleeping medications work all the time. They work sometimes and I can't take them too often otherwise my body gets kind of used to them, which kind of defeats the purpose of taking said sleeping medications. I've been drugged up on morphine before (back when I've had my gallbladder taken out mind you) and still been unable to fully rest.

And if you've ever had morphine, you know that you will be OUT once it truly hits your system. It hit and I was still laying there, counting tiles and trying to get my brain to shut up, please and thank you.

This is what I feel every day. All day. And it makes preparing for Nano a bit of a pain in the ass. I'm not joking you.

I literally have this down to a science now. I kind of have to since otherwise things get...messy.

Let's break it down.

Week 1:

- Shift through all of my DVD's (which I've expanded this year by 9, give or take 1) and make a pile for the coming month to rewatch.

- Start a playlist (on spotify this year) for NaNo. Start going through songs I like and adding it to playlist. I'm usually looking for a certain tone.

- Create or update the GDoc that I'm going to use. Do the same with the file and folder for the saved story.

Week 2:

- Panic just a touch. Just a little.

- Continue to build my playlist.

- Go through some more of the DVD's if I haven't finished it.

- Start making notes on the outline as I need to. Usually this means bouncing ideas off of one of my friends. It's kind like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Week 3:

- Panic a bit more.

- Continue to forever built my playlist. I swear. I need to build it up ever more.

- Make some more notes. This time, it's more like throwing lime slices at the wall to see what sticks. Citrusy, annoying, and a pain in the arse to clean up.

Week 4:

- Panic once more. Then drag myself out of the state of panic to discover there is a distinct lack of tea.

- Find money (somehow) to buy a thing or two of tea. Tea and coffee if I'm low on it. Usually I have enough tea to last me at least the first week until I can get to the store with new monies.

- Flail around a bit with my fellow Nanoer's in Forward Motion chat.

- Plot some more. Or rearrange the outline. Whatever I'm happening to do.

- Set up the NaNo blog outlines for the coming month. This means I set up my usual setup for the days.

IE:
Date
Word count for that day
Total Word Count for Nano
My thoughts on that day.

- Flail around some more.

- Maybe rearrange my DVD pile. Find a few extra to add to it.

- Arrange paper, pens and pencils. (Actually I've already done this, mostly, when I went through my pens. And if you follow me on Twitter, you saw those pictures).

This round, I have an extra post since Nano starts on a Tuesday this time, so that'll be loads of fun.

But that's pretty much what I do. And between all of that, I write. I write on other projects. I write e-mails. I write tweets. I write facebook posts. I write comments. I write.

All to prepare for everything to come.

So yeah, ADD has a lot to do with my prepping since I have to set up so much and combat the need to go "Ooh, shiny!" at random times. Which is never a good thing.

Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 2

Todays Earworm: "9 Crimes" by Damien Rice
Today's Date: October 10, 2016

So I'm sitting here and I decided to take a semi-rebel path and write on my Ex-Retail worker story. I still don't really have a name for the damn book much less a series name.

Should work on that soon yeah?

I really, really should.

Anyways, I have a couple chapters written already, setting up the world and the such, but I need to create a notebook with character information and all those lovely notes. I luckily have a green binder that will make my life that much easier. Awesome.

I have Alex and Brinda/Brianna (I keep fluctuating on her name dang it!) and I have some other characters who will be introduced as we go along, along with introducing the main plot line that will work through the series. There is a lot that will be going on and I just have 3 books to start with. Good lord.

Now for the Synopsis that I put up onto the Nanowrimo site (My page, the main page):

He had seen the worst of the worst!
He had dealt with couponers having melt downs in front of him.

He had done stocking during Black Friday.

He had worked a register during the Fourth when Barbie Moms came in to get their wine-in-a-box already three-sheets to the wind.
He had seen kids who run havoc all over the store while their parents just roll their eyes and toss in another candy bar into their baskets.

He had seen the worst of the worst.

A rampaging werewolf, a pissed off poltergeist and an idiot warlock with illusions of grandeur was nothing.

He had worked retail after all.

And there we go! There's that for book 1!

Now, I should be plotting shouldn't I? I should be. My writing friend is waiting for me to rewrite after all!

I did do a little plotting. Not a whole lot and more for book 2 then book 1 since I have a feeling I'm going to be plansting this thing (half plotting it out, half pantsing the thing), so it's okay.

I did swing by the Nano Artisan's forum and have been puttering around in there. I came across Kage of RLyis' forum post offering Avatars, Signature Banners, Characters, Calendars and Book Covers.

I managed to snag one. She did a lovely job. I actually also managed to name the story to thanks to Forward Motion Writers chat.

Cause who doesn't want to read a comedy-horror called Bad Dog?

That's right, Bad Dog. I'm making jokes all throughout this book. From start to finish.

Starting with the title.

But anyways, you should check her Forum Post out and ask her for one if her style makes you happy.

Here's my signature banner:

Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 1

Today's Earworm: "Bones" by In This Moment
Today's Date: October 3, 2016

National Novel Writing Month.

Man, what a kick. Has it really been a year already since the last round of Preparing blog posts?

I have checked the calendar. Yes. Yes it has.

Damn, how time FLIES when you're busy. But...that's for another blog post. A special blog post set to be written and posted on January 1, 2017.

I have a confession.

I have no idea what the hell I'm going to write. No idea. At all. Unless I somehow finish the detailed, pages long outline. Or I get further into the darn outline.

But if you were anywhere near my twitter on the 28th of September, then you heard about the cry of writerly anguish of water.

All.

Over.

My.

Note.

Book.

I screamed in writerly anguish and horror about 4 in the morning and had to rewrite three of the damn pages, front and back.

I cried.

So, some pictures of what I was able to save.

A semi far away picture of the basic outline that I'm building my detailed outline off of.

Luckily, it did get away with not being attacked. Hurrah!

Here's a close up pic of it. Yes, that's my handwriting and no, it's not as neat as it looks. 

It's the angle and the way that my writings come out.

And these are the pages that didn't make it. 

As you can see, my phone is holding the pages down but they were just to smeared and crinkled to be useful this coming November.

I was able to rewrite one page (the one with the least bit of writing there on the right).

But the others...wipeout man.

You see that red and white striped cup?

That's the culprit. Just tipped over when I went for water. 

I cried so hard when the darn thing fell over. And it was full. That's about 10 oz of pure liquid water. I was lucky.

This time.

But I may or may not be going into this with less chapters detailed out than planned if I do go with this story. 

Damnit.

Camp National Novel Writing Month July - 7/25 to 7/30 and Final Thoughts

Today's EarWorm: "Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots
Today's Date: August 1, 2016

July 25, 2016
Words Gained Today: 1,898
Total Words Today: 32,211
Thoughts and Notes:

So, wow. Today was good to me. Or at least mostly good to me. I got up kind of late (because I went to bed kind of late, so whoospies), and started to write. It took me some time and a lot of cursing, but I did get the words down! Which is awesome since I just have over 2K to write and I can easily do that in a couple of days.

So that's what I'm going to do in the morning. I'm going to write. I am also, hopefully, going to get a few more of my short pieces written down. Hopefully.

And figure out what my plans for the next few Monday blog posts are. Joy.

July 26, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:

7:06PM:

I have no idea what I'm going to say so I'll just list them off.

1: I have written another short piece for my future blog story bits. It's got big bold warnings at the top. Can't say I don't warn the shit out of you.

2: My back is full on "Fuck you, bitch" mode because I dared to sneeze. going to write a blog about being a spoonie and a writer. Not sure how that will turn out.

Might see it come next week. We'll see how it goes.

July 27, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: --
Thoughts and Notes:

See the 28th's post

July 28, 2016
Words Gained Today: 3,340
Total Words Today: 35,551
Thoughts and Notes:

I have made it over the hurdle of a muse not wanting to work with me. Please ignore the cursing muse. She has a large amount of hot chocolate, coffee and tea at her disposal along with several treats that she is allowed to have.

Now, what happened to me getting my word count done before the 27th as I usually do?

Well...my muse wanted to play with an interesting story subject that kind of formed from my Magical world. I have a duology/series (still trying to decide on what will happen past books 1 and 2 so it might just be a duology) that is very much a tumblr inspired series but with my own interesting twist. Well me and a fellow writer in the Forward Motion chat room got to talking about sexualities. I.E. asexuality, demisexuality, aromanticism, demi-romanticism, and so on.

Which sparked a rather interesting idea for a character who is an asexual witch who practices sex magic and how that would work for this character since they need the sex.

The rituals never said that the sex had to be fun while they were doing it after all. So it's going to be an interesting exercise in presenting this character without pissing everyone off. Because no, the sex in this book will not be for the fun of it between two characters. Rather it's for magical purposes.

It's like sacrificing an animal, fruits or other items to whoever they are calling to this character. It needs to be done for their magic to its job. Simple as that.

So I'm doing more research into asexuality.

Thus my muse wandered off to try to play with this idea. Luckily I got it under control and working on this last bit because I have a mini story (such stories are usually between 5 and 15 chapters in length) that is prodding at my brain so I'm going to go start that.

Get it out of my head for a while.

But I'm happy to have gotten my validation done and in and all that good shit! Hurrah me.


For July 29 and July 30th, please see my final Thoughts and Notes down below.


Final Thoughts and Notes:

What to say about this last month? Cause really? There isn't much TO say about it.

This month has been full of lots of ups and downs, both in my writing and in my personal life. I have been helping a friend get past the loss of the last family member that really cared for her while we wait for her therapy place to have another opening to get anti-depressants again. Which is hard enough to do when you're not doing good as it is, but this is just that much harder.

I've also been editing and fiddling around with a few videos that need to be posted but that does take time to do. Which kind of sucks but it happens.

I did get a story done, which is nice. Even though I wanted to get further into one of my stories, but that happens sometimes. For now though I'm doing a few days of rewriting to give my creative brain a bit of a rest.

I have been doing next to nothing but writing.

My head hurts and I'm exhausted. But this is normal.

Yes, I did get my verification in and I did get my goodies. Which makes me happy.

Now, mind you, I'm not normal when it comes to the amount of wins versus losses in that I have yet to lose a Camp or a Nano. I don't have much of a life outside of my writing okay? I really don't. Mostly due to the fact that I do have issues being around other humans and crowds, and getting around.

So to all those who have done this round, win or lose, congratulations on having joined us in this insanity that is Camp National Novel Writing Month.

See you in November for National Novel Writing Month!

Camp National Novel Writing Month July - 7/18 to 7/24

Today's EarWorm: "Wear Me Out" by Skylar Grry
Today's Date: July 25, 2016

July 18, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:

2:47AM:

I am exhausted. Drained. But I'm still up and working on a story. Which is about normal for me. I have gotten some words, so we'll see how I do with the rest of this rewrite on this long smutty smut.

Like 8 pages worth of smut okay? I'm on page 3. I'm sighing and whining so hard right now.

Just...*headdesks* Yeah.

July 19, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 21092
Thoughts and Notes:

I had an early morning appointment. I'm exhausted. I'm going to go to sleep now. Yes, without words. The next few months are going to drive me insane. *sighs*

July 20, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:

8:37PM:

Hmm, let's see. I have gotten a chapter written (hurrah) and it's time to move to write something naughty. It's liable to add minimum 2K to my word count. To be honest? I'm still exhausted so I might crash out early again and see if I can't get some sleep in. Then get up tomorrow and write.

But for now I'm going to write. Here I go!

July 21, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 22500
Thoughts and Notes:

See the 23ed edition.

July 22, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 22500
Thoughts and Notes:

See the 23ed Edition.

July 23, 2016
Words Gained Today: 3,377
Total Words Today:26,967
Thoughts and Notes:

9:04 PM

I am not even going to try to fill in what I was thinking during the last couple of days because most of the last two days was spent in a pain filled or drugged up filled daze. I'm sure those of you who follow my twitter account saw that yes, I was working on a chapter. But since it was kind of an erotic scene and I was in pain, it took me until today to get it down and out.

Which really kind of set me back. Luckily, it was over 2K and I was able to get it down. Right now I'm working my way through a rewrite that I started but had to stop because I needed more than just a couple hundred words. But that's about normal for me.

I'm still tired. Still in pain. And very much want it to be the 10th of August so I can hang out with my best friend and go see "Suicide Squad". But I'll continue to wait.

And watch horror movies from South Korea because I love their horror movies.

11PM

Had to re-add all my word counts and figure out what my final word count was. Which was actually in the 26K+ range, so that helped me out a lot.

I am so glad that I keep such detailed wordcount information. I really am.

July 24, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:

9:25PM

I am sitting here working on creating a series of drabbles and short pieces for Saturday postings. The first series is going to be called Just a Little Murder and it's actually spawning its own book series. The entire series (both book and short pieces) will be called Murder and Love (or Lust later on. We'll have to see how it goes in the long run.).

So be on the lookout for that. I have 16 short pieces that are currently ranging from 400 to 650 words a piece, and for the information post about what is going on with my short pieces and drabbles.

I'm actually really happy with how this world is coming together, but just remember, the Murder and Love/Lust series are pre-book, and just help fill in some information I'm thinking. That and giving me and you, the reader, a feel for the world.

But I also got a full chapter written. The drabbles alone gave me 1,677 words, but this newest chapter gave me another 1,671 words. So yay!

I'm going to go edit a few things, set up a few chapters for other things, plot the next set in the Murder and Love/Lust series, and maybe fiddle around with some rewriting since I'm now ahead in my word count.

We'll see.

Camp National Novel Writing Month July - 7/11 to 7/17

Today's EarWorm: James Michael - Learn to Hate you
Today's Date: July 18, 2016

July 11, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 11,727
Thoughts and Notes:

Well, I was writing but I was kind of foggy for most of the day due to the damn heat. But I did get some planning done! Which was nice.

July 12, 2016
Words Gained Today: 6,442
Total Words Today: 14,900
Thoughts and Notes:

5AM:

I got a chapter written and a chapter edited! I have 5 more chapters of this story to write and a brand new story idea to play with. This is...going to be fun since it's based on the song that is today's ear worm. Go listen. And I mean LISTEN to what he sings. I'll wait.

*waits*

All done? Spoke to you? Yeah, it spoke to me in a deep way that I now need to write something that will rip out a person's heart and puree it before filling a new mold and setting a new heart for them later in the story. It'll be fun.

For me.

Midnight: I got my words.

July 13, 2016
Words Gained Today: 1,453
Total Words Today: 16,353
Thoughts and Notes:

Wow, yeah, today was kind of a very slow day since I was just out of it. Not surprising at all since I got like 2 chapters and a rewrite done yesterday, but I did get my finished wordage today. That's always nice.

July 14, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 16,353
Thoughts and Notes:

Not really sure as to say what happened today beyond the fact that my muses were like rabbits on crack. They could not sit still.

I actually ended up planning out part of a mini-story, several one-shot stories, and some more of my various other stories. So there's that.

July 15, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:

2:34AM: It is after 2AM right now. I should be in bed. I am not. Instead, I am writing. My life people.

July 16, 2016
Words Gained Today: 2,059
Total Words Today: 19,209
Thoughts and Notes:

Not much to say about this. Got a long chapter done, and am going to bed at a decent hour. I'm exhausted.

July 17, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 19,209
Thoughts and Notes:

6:30PM

Haven't gotten any words, but have been going through #ShitAbledPeopleSay tag on twitter. I feel all of these! I swear. Gonna go add some of mine.

After Midnight:

I did get words, so no worries, but unfortunately for me, it was after midnight when I finished the chapter, so it's going on to Monday's word count, which doesn't hurt me since it just means I 'll have at least 2 chapters written on the day.

Camp National Novel Writing Month July - 7/4 to 7/10

Today's EarWorm: We the Kings "Phoenix Hearts"
Today's Date: July 11, 2016

July 4, 2016
Words Gained Today: 3239
Total Words Today: 7,133
Thoughts and Notes:

Mmm, what to say about today? It went surprisingly well. I got lots of words after midnight rolled around. Got two chapters down and introduced a more sexualized character then I normally do. It'll be a slow start for the most part, since I do have to kick a few characters around before we get to the meat of the story.

I also got some rewriting done which was nice. Now that it's after 4AM I'm going for more words and hopefully I'll get them done before I crash out. That is if I don't crash out in self defense from hallucinations. Tea and coffee will be my friends for this month. I swear.

July 5, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 7133
Thoughts and Notes:

Okay, so I got a few words in but nothing to add to my count. Why? Because I crashed out so hard when I finally went to bed. It was ridiculous. I try tomorrow.

July 6, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:

5PM:

Oh look, words! Yay for me! I got up at 6:30AM and it only took me until about 4PM to get the words. Why? Because I was exhausted and felt like dragging my feet mostly. Luckily I didn't have to shop today but I'll be doing so tomorrow. Which will be nice.

I hope.

Anyways, I'm going in for more words. Time to roll up those sleeves and get them!

July 7, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 8,558
Thoughts and Notes:

Today was just not a happy day since I had to go shopping. That left me drained and just so very tired.

July 8, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 8558
Thoughts and Notes:

It's nearly 8PM as I write this starter bit to today's section and I'm compulsively scratching at my skin. This tells me that my anxiety is high. It's not because of the fact that I'm doing Camp NaNo, it's because I'm not writing.

That is, I haven't gotten enough writing in for the last couple of days to really do me any kind of good to satisfy my hypergraphia. If you're new to my blog, hypergraphia is like a physical itch, a need to write. I can't just stop writing.

I end up with anxiety and scratching at my own skin. I've already scratched myself bloody a few times since this shit really kicked in, so I'm trying very hard not to do that now. I think that I will take a few minutes, shape my nails (and get rid of any rough edges) and take a hot bath while reading. After that, I will sit down, watch MrKravin on youtube (watching his play through of Until Dawn), write and I think...just ignore the world for a little while.

There is just so much hate going on that people who have all sorts of triggers for their anxiety are probably going through a lot of what I'm going through. We just want the hate to stop, to let us breath and be what we keep saying we are.

I'm not going to get into that because that's just not a pretty thought process and it's not what my blog is all about.

So I'm going to go play some Knights and Brides on Facebook, watch my twitter for interesting links to click that are rather random and have nothing to do with the outside world, take a hot bath, and watch some interesting play throughs while I write.

I'll keep you guys updated on what is going on.

July 9, 2016
Words Gained Today: 1619
Total Words Today: 10,177
Thoughts and Notes:

So I got words. After midnight. I was able to just cool off (since it's been pushing 109, 110 here again) and finish off that chapter. Tried to write after I woke up. Didn't work. Not all that well at least. So I read a lot, crash early, handwrite a chapter to my Superhero novel.

So once I type those words up I'll lay claim to those later this week. So that's nice.

July 10, 2016
Words Gained Today:1,550
Total Words Today: 11,727
Thoughts and Notes:

7:48PM

I am slowly getting words when a fellow spoonie comes up with "Some people have euphoria during migraines? I want."

Now mind you, euphoria during a migraine pretty much means you don't care you're hurting, you feel good emotionally and somewhat mentally while the pills are working. But the moment that migraine is gone and euphoria wanes, there's a crash.

I hate to break it to her, but that crash can be BRUTAL. I have, at least when I feel the migraine coming on. When I wake up to one, not so much because I'm well past that stage into "damn it, hospital here I come" stage by then.

But it's the crash that really can mess with someone. Cause you have all these lovely feelings/thoughts/whatever going through you and they die a horrible death once the migraine is gone. It's like a bad drug trip that started out wonderful okay?

It's not worth it and I've been fighting off sinus headaches for the last two days so I'm going to take some sinus pills and write.

10:45 PM

I got my words. Barely before I have to crash out, and I suspect hard, but I got them! Hurrah. Or something. Ugh.

Camp National Novel Writing Month July - 7/1 to 7/3

Today's EarWorm: Spells by Orgy
Today's Date: July 4, 2016

This one is kind of short since I just started Camp on Friday, and seeing as these things from from Monday to Sunday, this is the last 3 days.

So let's get started, shall we?

I had to work on figuring out what song was the best earworm, but that took me a bit. I finally decided on the above so I do hope that you enjoy.

July 1, 2016
Total Words: 3,894
Total So Far: 3,894
Thoughts and Notes:

So I kind of started rather late all things considered, about 10 in the morning, 3 hours after I got up. I was going to start at Midnight but about that time I got up from my nap with a migraine that was pounding in time with my heart beat. So I took pain killers (enough to drug me into sleep for about 6 and a half hours and leave me a bit fuzzy for the rest of the day), ate some toast, drank a bit of coffee, took a hot shower, and crashed. Crashed out hard.

Well worth it though.

But I did get two chapters on another story written, mostly because it was going to be one long chapter, but I had to split up one of my chapters into two which annoyed me. But hey, I'm not one to leave a long chapter in one piece unless it's sex. Then it stays put because I don't like to split up sex scenes.

I also got a chapter on another story rewritten, which made me happier. I'm going to go take a hot bath and depending on the time here, I will either be going to bed or writing another chapter. We'll see how it goes once I take my meds and relax a bit.

Because tomorrow? Long ass shopping trip. Very long ass shopping trip. Urgh.

July 2, 2016
Total Words: 0
Total So Far: 3,894
Thoughts and Notes:

I went shopping starting around 11 in the morning. I didn't get home until close to 5 that night. And that was with like ten minutes sitting down and eating actual food while figuring out money and budget. Yeah, it was not a fun day.

Haul video is going to be recorded and edited later on. For now I have words to do.

July 3, 2016
Total Words: 0
Total So Far: 5359
Thoughts and Notes:

Okay, so first of all, that total is AFTER midnight on the 4th, so on the 3ed I got no words, but that is my current count.

Let me tell you what, I suffered all day with sore shoulders and a building migraine until I took a damn pain killer and some muscle relaxants. It turned out to be a good thing. But it still took me nearly 3 hours to unwind enough to write the chapter and get the word count.

Which happened just before 2:50 AM in the bloody morning. It's a good thing I have a lot of tea and coffee right?

Yes.

This month is not happy so far. Here's hoping the rest of the month is.

Remember, you can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, CampNaNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo!

Preparing for Camp National Novel Writing Month July 2016 Pt 1 & Writers Advice

Today's Earworm: Mr. Uninvited by Bessech
Today's Date: June 6, 2016

Today was a day of shopping. Which wasn't happy making, but I got it done! Yes.

Anyways, as of right now, I am setting up to get ready for the next round of Camp National Novel Writing Month, which starts July 1st. Again, I'm going for like 35K for the round, but that's about normal since I usually average about 20 to 30K a month in my normal writing and rewriting work.

I have so much to work on that it's not funny. So I'll just go over what I have in the works that need to be done.

1) Untitled M/M pairing short story

This story is going to end up around 24 chapters in length, about 13 of those chapters are complete rewrites with a couple being split into two parts. It's an older story that I had finished, but after a couple years of letting it sit I decided that it needed a full on rewrite/fleshing out.

So if I do do this story, I'm going to have to write at least one chapter and one chapter rewrite as I come across them. I'll probably end up finishing it half-way through the month.

2) All You Need

Again, this is a full on rewrite/flesh out story that is a couple of years old and I have no idea how long it will be. I need to fill out the first half of the story yet, which means that it's going to be interesting. I have something like 5 chapters planned out so far? When I get to the main chunk of the story there's going to be another 10 chapters added, at least.

I'm still working on getting it planned out since I need to flesh out the world and the plot line yet.

3) Thread the Needle - Don't Look Bk 0

I actually got about 3 chapters into this story before steam just kind of tapered off. I'm working on building the world some more and building the outline but that's going to be interesting to do. That's for sure.

Especially since it's the entire basis for the rest of the Don't Look books.

4) Untitled Superhero Book - Through the Ages Bk 1

I'm somewhere in the 20's chapter for this story (since I don't have that file open right now and I'm not going to open it). I have about 37 chapters planned for this story so I might be able to finish it if I go with this story. We'll have to see how things go in the long run.

5) Random other short or almost done stories

I have a lot of these stories actually. A lot. Most of them are fanfiction but there are some originals, like the Forward Motion 2016 anthology submission that I'm working on. I just need to work it out.

As it is I think I'm going to use this time to think about my Butterfly Living world that I started oh so long ago. I swear that I need to rewrite that first book like nothing else. I might start playing with that idea here soon because that and the Crimson series are both eating my mind. Need to finish a few other stories first.

Fun times.

Time for some Advice from one writer to another:

Write. Every. Single. Day.

I can not tell you how many people who come to me and ask me how I get so many words done are always surprised when I simply say "I write every single day". They just sit there and go "No, way".

Yes way.

I get up. Turn my computer on. Go to the bathroom. Come back and log on (because dangit I am going to make idiots log on if they want at my stuff). Go get water/tea/breakfast. Come back. Say hi to my friends and writing cheerleading squad (who are made of the awesome), open a couple of files that I use to type up whatever I working on then. 

Make my tea. I usually let my tea steep while I'm doing the rest so I have my sugar and a spoon close at hand to sweeten as needed. I also take the time to start eating.

I then open up my Chrome, and for all the bs it puts me through, the GDocs are still my baby, wait for my tabs to open, and find the tab with my current file. 

I start to write.

And write.

And write some more.

I say hi to my friend who comes on. Tell her what file I'm in and go back to writing.

Or I'll be rewriting that day.

If I'm editing, I'm just usually editing my OpenOffice Writer file because I don't want to deal with the gdoc for whatever reason.

I'm doing something in regards to my writing. Anything! Every. Single. Day. 

Even those days that I have a migraine that takes down an elephant. Once I can see straight, sit up, and stare at paper or my tablet, I'm working on something. Usually plot points that my drugged up mind comes up with for later editing and figuring out how to make them possible.

It's not amazing. It's not a super power. It's good old fashioned hard work.

Ask any published writer who is serious about their work, and they'll tell you getting into the habit of doing something in regards to your writing takes practice. And time to get used to. But if you really want to see your name on a printed version of your book with some money coming in from sales, you Write. Every. Single. Day. 

I'm sorry to say but holidays are non-existent to most writers. We write. Be it on paper, phone, tablet or computer. We write.

To those who are just coming onto this and are horrified by this, go to the Camp NaNo website for the April or July, rounds of Camp, sign up, create your book, set your word count (minimum is 10K), and practice getting words every single day. I use these months as a way to finish off a few smaller projects (as shown above).

Or even join in the insanity that is National Novel Writing Month in November. Go to the NaNoWriMo website and sign up. Minimum word count? 50 thousand words in 30 days.

No, I'm not being paid to tell you to do this but my first Nano was back in 2009. I've won every single one that I've been a part of since. It taught me how to turn off my editors brain to get the words down and out. It also taught me how to write every day without fail. 

And I carried those lessons over into my writing career, just like every author and writer before me.

So again: Write. Every. Single. Day. And don't whine about it.

You're the one who chose to pick up writing as a career path. I get enough of that from the 12 to 18 year olds who come to me about writing advice. 

Until next week!

Peeking Into My Mind

Today's Ear Worm: Highwayman by Beseech
Today's Date: May 9, 2016

Forwarning: This is going to be slightly rambly because there has been a lot that has gone on in the last 9 plus days. But this is what I'm going through and what I'm thinking and what I'm planning so buckle in and read each section's title.

My Friend Tonya

The last couple of months have been extraordinarily busy for my friend. She has, like me, chronic pain, but unlike me she has found a good chronic pain specialist who has been sending her to get various tests done. Which is good for her.

But makes life a tad busy for all of us since some of those tests are to see how she reacts to epidurals steroid shots. What happens is she's put under so that they can take long ass needles and stick them on either side of her spine.

She did the last one of her spine shots on May 2nd and I was babysitting a mutt while exhausted and doing a younow stream. I'll talk about the stream later in this post, promise. But she has a few other shots to go yet and those will be happening on the 9th and later on the 26th of this month. 

She also lost her mother on Wednesday but we have been prepared for this for a long time. 7 Years and about 5 different types of cancer in those years will do that to someone who is having to watch. We knew that she wouldn't have long since the doctors couldn't unfortunately do a whole lot since through all of the other cancer's she became allergic to the chemotherapy and it was such an aggressive cancer this time.

She lasted a month at home with hospice care, dying with her husband by her side, holding her hand.

Tonya spent yesterday smoking her cigarettes and having an adult smoothie. Fruits, vanilla smirnoff vodka, and some juice okay? Adult smoothie.

So my friend isn't bad, but still it's been a stressful time for all of us since we do have to go with her to the appointments due to the fact that she is knocked out for the shots.

Camp National Novel Writing Month

Yep, that's right, I won April's round of Camp! I'm rather proud of myself really since it was such a fight to get the words out and down. I got about four chapters into Book 0 of the Don't Look series, the book called Thread the Needle. I have to work out what I want to continue to work on with it before I do anything with it thought so that's going to take time.

I did get some one-shots, gift fictions and a few other things done which was nice. 

But still it was so hard to get the words down, but I did get them.

Personal Life

My personal life is just kind of eh right now. I'm having to say no to people just to keep my sanity and of course jury duty decided to pop up. *rolls eyes* So now I'm having to go "I can't do jury duty because of this reason" and having to call them and all that good shit. I'm sighing and stressing. 

Not good for my health. 

Writing

My writing is actually going okayish. I'm getting words, which is nice, but I spent most of last week rewriting with very little actual writing because I was just so busy with everything else. 

I am focusing on Thread the Needle, figuring out what I want to do with it and how to go about doing it. I have the family and their names, have hinted at how the world is built (because it's historical but it's not at the same time), and have been thinking about how to mess around with that world.

I'm about 17 chapters through my first book of my superhero series, called Ages, and still have something like 19 more chapters to write before I put it to the side to sit and contemplate the second story for the series. It's now up to about 8 books in the series, but it's going to be interesting to write in the long run. 

I'm also working on book 1 of my Crimson series that is pretty much the rewritten version of my NaNo book from 2010 or there about. That's making me happy.

I'm also doing the next anthology for Forward Motion (2016 one, 2015 shall be out soon!) with the prompt "Open Roads". I need to write that so I can have time to rewrite and edit it actually. I'm planning on doing that sometime this month.

Younow Streaming

Yes! I stream on Younow.com. I'm called SunnyLewis on there and I've only done 1 or 2 so far. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get things going so we'll see how things do in the following months. I have decided that I will be doing a stream every week as long as I'm up to it, but I just need to figure out the best time to do so seeing as I live in Arizona and we have our own time zone. 

Can you see the rolling eyes? Yes? Good.

I'm thinking Sunday's around noon or 1PM will be best so we'll test that out for the next few months.

My Twitter account has the announcements of me online, along with my tumblr and facebook! So keep an eye out on that. :D

Well, that turned out less rambely then I thought it would be. Huh.

Anyways, if you have any topic that you would like to see come around, feel free to comment and suggest!

Also, on Connie's Random Thoughts on May 11th, she will be posting the interview with me! My first interview! Woot! I hope you guys enjoy and read it. :D

Camp National Novel Writing Month April 2016 - Days 25 to 30

Today's Ear Worm: Billy Talent "Pins and Needles"
Today's Date: May 2, 2016

April 25:
Word Count: 0
Total Word Count: 33,622
Thoughts for the Day:

I spent the day going up to Gilbert. I'm exhausted and just to tired to do anything but crash out hard for the day. Nights all.

April 26:
Word Count:
Total Word Count:
Thoughts for the Day:

I have officially validated my novel! Yay! I hit just over 35K words which made me very, very happy. I'll work on getting more words probably tomorrow.

I do need sleep though. Still getting over yesterday's trip.

April 27:
Word Count: 374
Total Word Count: --
Thoughts for the Day:

4:33PM

I actually started kind of late today but that's mostly because I was reading through Necia Pheonix's book and seeing how it read.

Two hours, 22 chapters, and a cliff hanger as I wait for more to come my way...and I'm hooked. *sighs*

I'm going to finish off another short story today since I need to get it done.

Midnight:

I got my rewriting done but that's about it. I started on actual words but only got about 200 in. That kind of sucked.

April 28:
Word Count: 2544
Total Word Count: --
Thoughts for the Day:

I did get those words done! One long as chapter that happily feel in about 2,544 words total, so that made me happy!

I also got a friend hooked on two of my stories. Which is fun. I cackled and teased her with ideas for future chapters. She pouted and demanded more.

Now I'm just rewriting an older story and getting that off of my plate (I'm still pretty damn far from the end actually), but it's slow going since it was well over 3K when I started editing it.

April 29:
Word Count:
Total Word Count:
Thoughts for the Day:

12:31AM:

I am still editing this monster of a chapter. Seriously.

I have no idea when I'll finish this but I've gone through two cups of coffee, a cup of tea, and half a huge bowl of popcorn so far working on this thing. And the entire collection of "Duff Until Dawn" which was like 6 half hour episodes. So about 3 hours.

So much detail to rewrite! This is killer man.

1:19AM:

3 hours, 3 cups of coffee, and a shit ton of squinting and I have gotten it done! *flops* I added well over 1K worth of words to it to, so that was surprising.

Really, really surprising.

I'm going to get ready for bed, crash out for a few hours. Get up at 11 to take a shower and wait for my friend to get her ass over here so we can go do things.

See you guys later!

April 30:
Word Count:
Total Word Count:
Thoughts for the Day:

I've been pretty much working on rewriting and putting down notes for one of my stories. I am still exhausted after yesterday. If you noticed, I didn't write anything yesterday because I was exhausted after all our shopping.

So rewriting and figuring out what to write tomorrow for the final thoughts on this April is pretty much what I'm doing today.

Fun times.

Final Thoughts on Camp National Novel Writing Month April 2016:

So this month was interesting. Seriously interesting since it was so busy outside of my writing.

I had days where I didn't have a single word put down and some days where I couldn't stop writing, which balanced everything out.

I got 3 chapters of "Thread the Needle" down but I need to plan a few more chapters out before I write on it some more. I want to get it done by maybe December, or at least the first draft.

I did get some fanfiction done and I'm working on finishing up a couple of other stories before I do anything since I have so much to finish.

And so little time.

I'm thinking that I will be doing the "Story-A-Day" thing on Forward Motion Writers, level 1 or 2 (which are light versions), and posting them here come June. So keep an eye out for those!

And maybe I can figure out a few of my stories, get a few other things done. Here's hoping.

But I think that I will make sure that July kisses my ass and I work on things during that month. Don't have much else to do after all.