Writing Update #4 - February Begins

February Goals

• Word Count Goal: 00,000/85,000 
• Finished 1st drafts: 0/1 
• Books Read: 0/1
• Blog Posts (Every Friday): 1/4 
• Genre Stretch Challenge: 0,000/2,501

Today is the start of a new month and that means a start of a new novel. I'll still be working on Sea Foam as I go to try to finish it but I'm going to start writing Nested again.  This is going to be a different version of it though. After reading through my NaNo novel for '12, I realized that this novel was in the wrong genre. While there was nothing wrong with my storyline or my characters, there was something wrong with the setting. So, I went through and changed it. Now, I'm really looking forward to writing this novel from start to finish (hopefully).

I have yet to get started on anything. I was working on my novel that I'm typing out on my cell phone. It's not really a novel I guess...it's more of a story for children. There is one little boy in particular that I'm aiming this towards because he has such a hard time finding something that he likes and I'm going to write him something that he will like...I know this kid well enough to write a novel for him. The first book is called The Abandoned City...well, it is for now. Titles on my novels change drastically as I write.

There are a few new things I'm trying this month. The Genre Stretch Challenge being one of them. Another things I'm going to do is get  back into this writing tournament that I abandoned a long time ago. It's on deviantArt and in one of the groups I'm in...I think it's the Writer's Guild. I participated in it once and I loved it. I'm still surprised that I got as far as I did in the tournament. My friend deserves the thanks for getting me back into that. She is the one who inspired me to join again...and I'm really nervous about it (like always).

Well, I think that's all for now. I'm going to start writing and hopefully get at least 3,500 words in today, if not more.

Have a wonderful day.

Cylee

Writing Day!

I woke up a bit late but today is going to be my day of writing. I'm behind, like usual, but with good reason. I've been busy with actual work. I had orders and I've been working on something else. I have been planning my novel for February. It's a rewrite of the novel I wrote in November, Nested. This is going to be much different though. I'm changing the genre. After putting much thought into it, Cyberpunk was not the best choice for Nested but it was worth a shot.

For now, I'm going to continue writing Sea Foam. That is the only thing I'll be doing...and maybe a little grocery shopping but I need food.

I'm starting today at 57,969 words.

Writing Update #2

January Goals

• Word Count Goal: 44,621/85,000 
• Finished 1st drafts: 0/1 
• Books Read: 6/3 
• Blog Posts (Every Friday): 3/4 

 I'm getting further into Sea Foam but I have a feeling that this novel won't be finished by the end of the month if I don't pick up the pace. I need some sort of encouragement to help me get by. I've been stressed out lately.

*Rant Warning*

My sister is bothering the shit out of me. She's constantly badgering me about money...all of the time. I've never had an issue when it comes to money. She's just in so much debt that she's taking it out on me. I also think I spoiled her for far too long. My sister had gotten used to me paying for rent or making sure we were up on everything but after I quit my good paying job and started this part time job, she's been getting on my ass about everything.

Every time we talk, it's about money or ways we can make more money. Part of the reason why I don't follow through with the plans is because of her constant nagging. I hate nagging. It's one thing if it's my boss doing it but it's a whole different story when it's my sister.

...I'll cut my rant short. Let's just say, that my novel Doormat Syndrome (Temp title) is all about all the things I had gone through from when I was about 15 years old until now. The Doormat Syndrome has faded a bit after quitting my other job but it seems to have made my sister really pissed off.

I just can't bring myself to care. Is that awful? I'm not sure anymore. I know I'm done letting people walk all over me.

*End of Rant*

Anyway, back to my writing progress. I've been doing really well. I did some plotting today for another story, just to get it out of my system and I'm thinking about doing a little more outlining for my novel novel. It took a turn but it should be a good turn. I can work around it.

I have to get started on the blog post for the WriYe Blogging Circle. I'll probably write it tonight just so I can avoid my sister and the annoying sighs she gives me whenever I don't respond the way she wants me to.

Goodness, my head hurts. Maybe some music will help with that.

Writing Update #1

January Goals

• Word Count Goal: 21,153/85,000 
• Finished 1st drafts: 0/1 
• Books Read: 6/3 
• Blog Posts (Every Friday): 2/4 

 I just updated my progress meters and I will probably have to do it again tonight before I go to sleep because I'm still writing. Everything is going well with writing. Like I said yesterday, I'm behind. Instead of doing 10k days, I'm cutting it in half to 5k days. It will be easier and I think I'll be able to keep focused until I write 5k.

My novel Sea Foam (temp title) is coming along nicely. I'm actually rather pleased with what I have. There will be some scenes that I'll need to rewrite but I don't think I'll have to go through a huge rewrite like before. Definitely an improvement. Now, I just need to get to the point where my characters meet...It will have to be soon. Probably in the next chapter. I have no idea. I'm going to have to journal to get my muse out of hiding.

I also started two other novels. These ones I probably will work on slowly throughout the year. Doormat Syndrome is a novel that is for my own amusement...kind of. It's based on a lot of real life experiences I had between being a nanny and my dysfunctional family. It's not really a fun-loving story as much as it is a depressing story. My MC is just like me. Doormat Syndrome sucks, just so you know. I had it for some time but I'm getting better since I quit my job. Portland is my last step.

My Untitled novel is that damn romance novel I'm writing for the BOYB challenge on the WriYe forums. I'm taking my dear sweet time with this novel...partically because I have no idea what I'm doing with this. I have some things planned out but not much. I'm trying to create a decent plot for it...I'll probably have to journal about that too.

Hmm...what else. My next blog post will probably be for the WriYe Blogging Circle I joined. I'm just making a note of it here because I'll forget about it. I know I will.

I think my blog needs renovating. I'll probably work on making the headers and icons and whatnot but it won't be finished until later...I wish I paid attention in my AP Comp Sci class. I would have been able to make my blog look just the way I want.

For now, I'll leave you with some music. I was debating on Parachute but I settled on Keane because this song is stuck in my head.

Going About It Wrong

I was having issues with my novel this week, which isn't surprising at all. This novel has been giving my a hard time for awhile. I have a feeling that perfectionism is part of my problem but my other big problem was that I was focusing on the wrong side of the story. I focused on the poison when I should have been focusing on the other minor detail that I knew was a fairly big part of the novel.

After staring at a blank screen for an hour, I decided to write down my thoughts on my novel. This is part of my journaling that I do on occasion except...a lot less organized. I type out everything that should happen in the novel and somethings I want to happen in the novel until my muse starts to take over. I have a 6 page document on everything that had gone through my head.

Now, writing isn't such a struggle but I'm going to hold off on writing my novel until January rolls around. I'm going to be doing some planning instead.

Oh and the novel name changed to Sea Foam. It might change again but I can see it staying that way. Now I just need to change my cover art.

This song is probably my favorite by fun. I like a lot of their songs but this one is the one that sold me and the best part was...it was free on Amazon. Notice my pattern with music? Usually, it's free. I'm so cheap.