Happy Leap Day!

Today is a kinda sad day. It is the last day inkpop will be around, and I was only 9 days away from my 2 year anniversary!  Ah well, I guess I'll have to live.

But I think, at the moment, my writing's taken a big hit. I've always wanted to receive a review from HC, which was a pretty strong motivation to get things done, but now it's just like ... two more years until it is recommended that I can query (darn me for being so young, and agents wanting 17+ older query-ies if that's even a word). So, for now, I'll just try to finish my current works and see about

• editing them
• finishing a series
• and creating a writing/critique circle. You know, in published books, the author's always thanking a handful of people who helped critique the work? I wanna be in one of those. :o

And, I have no clue if I'll let people read my projects again. A handful of people who I email a lot, yes, but I don't know what else I'll do. (Speaking of which, I should email my friends the first chapter of Enigma  (Smolder rewrite)...)

Now I shall get to writing and help my mother make dinner. Happy Leap Day, and I hope all of you inkpoppers go far with your writing (same to everyone, too)! (And inkpoppers who need/want to contact me, I'm on wattpad.)

Quick little pop in.

I'm still not completely back, but I might be.  My friend who has been in the hospital for a month should be going home tomorrow, or a tad bit later, meaning I can bring my laptop and have wi-fi when I go visit.

Which means I should get some more writing done, especially when I completely forgot about Writing Hell this month. I think I'll start that this Friday, so we Americans have a three day weekend to get some writing done.

Reading-wise, I've read two books, and am reading five, I believe.
Writing-wise, well, that's not a whole lot. I've come up with two new dystopian ideas, and am rewriting Smolder, which is now titled Paradox.

And I hope to get back into the blogging swing soon.

Until this Thursday/Friday, I'm retreating back into my little Hell Hole that is my new social life.

Writing Hell 1.1 2012

Because this is 2012, we will count this as week one, day one of Writing Hell.

Today, I started writing at midnight. Nice way to start the new year: already writing! A few days ago, I started writing what I'm calling OBLIVION. I hope to finish this within a few months, along with SMOLDER (because I'm horrible with sticking to a single project).

Excerpt from OBLIVION:

Quickly, I think of something to say, hoping it will redeem me. “But those people are rewarded with the fact that they helped someone else,” I cry. From the glare he gives me, I’m not saying what he wants to hear. “I mean, shouldn’t the evil people receive more attention because of their actions?” My voice grows weaker as I continue speak.

In all honesty, I’ve never paid attention to do-gooders. It isn’t like most good deeds change people’s lives dramatically, unlike how every little crime committed leaves a mark on the victim’s soul.

“You still have a lot to learn. Now go home, Dice,” he says, and then turns to leave.

I refuse to leave this building now, not when I should be a Keeper already. “But I deserve—”

Before I can finish, he turns. His red eyes flash and his hand comes up, striking my face. My cheek stings, tears well up, but I just stand there, staring up at him. All emotions have disappeared from his eyes, making them the fiery pits that they truly are.

“Go home,” he repeats, his voice softer now.

Starting word count: 1061
Ending word count: 4935 (So close, yet so far! I just have to write a little over six thousand words tomorrow.)

I wish everyone at SPG-United to Write good luck on their writing goals!

Woohoo! I'm an epic failure!

As you know, I should be nearing 50,000 words tomorrow in Smolder. So let's say that I'm really past 18,000 words right now.

Yeah, real big difference there. For the majority of the weekend, I was watching Yu Yu Hakusho. And I'll end up watching Sailor Moon and Rurouni Kenshin in the upcoming weeks. Anime seems like really like me during the winter; last year, my friend got me to watch almost all of the DeathNote series. But ... yeah, I didn't finish it.

Let's see if I can get this writing done! On Thursday, I have community service because of my history class. On Friday, I have to play for the football game, because we've made it to championships for the first time in the history of my school. And we're undefeated. So, I must suffer in 30 degree weather (I'm a Californian used to 90-100 degree weather, of course I'm going to die!) and then thaw out at home that night.

At least I don't have homework. Not with finals coming up. I just need to pull up my history grade a little to maintain straight A's. (Yeah, I'm a nerd, too.)

So, those of you who're participating in Writing Hell: Are you failing as badly as I am, or have you stayed on track?

Writing Hell 1.1

First day of the first week of Writing Hell.

How many of you have met your 2.5-5k goal yet? I for sure haven't! I've been at school, reading and doing school like things. And tonight, I can't write much, because I have a wonderful Christmas Parade to march in. Oh the joys of being in my high school's marching band.

So, Writing Hell participants, here's how posts will go (I meant to do this yesterday, but Yu Yu Hakusho distracted me):

Make a post for your first day of Writing Hell. It will contain your starting word count (example: Starting word count: 100) and beneath that, your ending word count (at the end of the day, or the next day, fill it in; follow previous example) and then you could post an excerpt. I will most likely be doing this tomorrow, and will be catching up on my 5k goal over the weekend.

For now, I will post the summary, as I don't have a whole lot of time to get stuff done.


Starting word count: 15535
Ending word count: 15535

And the summary:

Having to actually save something is the last thing on Milo’s mind. Being a demigod is a close second. Yet now she’s forced to take on these two foreign paths in hopes of keeping some sort of world order. But Milo couldn’t care less about things that don’t involve her.

Levin refuses to let her go down the wrong path. As her Guardian, he guides her as best he can. He’s able to solve many of her mistakes, until she upsets Them—the ones who granted mortals the chances for immortality in the first places. Milo should listen to them no matter what, unless she wants to lose the powers that come with being a demigod.

When it comes to change, Milo’s chances of staying a demigod smolder to dust.

I hope to near completion for Smolder by the end of these ten days.

So, how's your Writing Hell going? If you're participating, feel free to leave a comment with your day's excerpt. I'd love to check it out!

Have I mentioned I have a new idea?

Well, two actually, but only one of them has pitches and more than one chapter written. Do you know what inspired it? Some commercial where a sword goes crashing into the room. I think it might've been a video game commercial, but I don't really remember.

The story's current title is Smolder, but it is most likely going to change, because I don't like it. And here are the  pitches (I, personally, think they're getting better):

It all started with a sword. Crashing through the roof.
Not a nice way to wake up in the middle of the night.

Having to actually save something is the last thing on Milo’s mind. Being a demigod is a close second. Yet now she’s forced to take on these two foreign paths in hopes of keeping some sort of world order. But Milo couldn’t care less about things that don’t involve her.

Levin refuses to let her go down the wrong path. As her Guardian, he guides her as best he can. He’s able to solve many of her mistakes, until she upsets Them—the ones who granted mortals the chances for immortality in the first places. Milo should listen to them no matter what, unless she wants to lose the powers that come with being a demigod.

When it comes to change, Milo’s chances of staying a demigod smolder to dust.

I plan to post it on inkpop next month, on the 21st. And as soon as I have a decent pitch for my latest idea, I'll post it here. This is also one of two/three projects I plan to write for Writing Hell (more info about this will be posted on Wednesday).

Reading update: Currently on page 68 of The Night Circus and loving it!

How's your reading/writing coming along?

You poor little thing

It's been a while, if you hadn't noticed. But school, band, and writing have all overcome me. Kind of.

On Monday, I have an essay on Macbeth due. On Saturday, I'm going to be out of town for our last marching competition. And then I'm trying to get lots of writing done for Rush and my new idea, Smolder.

But, come Monday, I won't have to be at school until the regular time, and will start posting Writing Tips. The book I just finished and the book I'm currently reading have sparked a series of tips that I believe will help aspiring authors.

And that's my little update. See y'all on Monday!