In One Week

In one week, I'm going to start with editing.  Editing the winners' projects, and editing Lost Ties (previously titled Sever).  Until then, I aim to get lots more written for LT's sequel, Revived Pasts.  (I still need better titles for these, but I have lots of time (if I ever plan to query (which isn't very likely)).)  I'll also be preparing for Camp NaNo in August.

Right now, RP is at approximately eight thousand words.  I hope to get it around twenty by next week.

When you have no internet, you can get a lot written.  And speaking of no internet, I plan on reading a book a day for the days I am off camping.  I probably won't actually read a whole book, but I will try to get at least two books read soon.

As I get more into reading, writing, and editing, I start to realize that I don't have that much time left until school starts.  Five weeks are left.  Two of those weeks will be spent away from home.  One week will be spent at my school's parking lot, preparing for the upcoming marching season.  So that leaves me with two weeks to spend my time.

And then I need to read more.

Yeah, this summer has been uneventful, and not.  I've completed a novel, and actually am writing the second in the same trilogy.  That's a first for me.  And I hope to win Camp NaNo within two to three weeks.  Probably two.

So, that's my writing update.  I hope to start posting writing tips and more book reviews.

For my writing challenge: I must write 12k in 7 days.  That's about 1.7k a day.  Achievable.

And now, to write!

Blogoversary?

Today is my blogoversary.  Kind of exciting, I guess, but I haven't really kept up with this blog enough.

This post will actually focus more on my WIPs.  Like how Sever has reached 30k.  I'm actually doing well with Camp NaNo, but not so much with Writing Hell.  And then I have another new idea.  But that isn't surprising, because I always seem to have a new idea.

Well ... be prepared for some reviews, because I'm almost done with the Need series by Carrie Jones, and I've also finished a few other books that I need to get to reviewing.  Yay for summer!

And that's really it.  I'm off to daydream about characters and maybe get to writing in the afternoon!

Camp NaNo and Writing Hell!

So, tomorrow not only starts the monthly Writing Hell hosted here, but also Camp NaNoWriMo.

But, I shall first say this: as of today, I have finished another year of high school and am now on summer break! Only one more night of driver's ed, then my first behind the wheel, and I get to write all day.

Tomorrow, I will begin my work on completing Sever.  I'll be starting Camp NaNo at 20033 words, and will hopefully be adding another 60k (the 60k will be for NaNo, not the 20k I'm starting with).  I'll also have 10k for The Girl of Eternal Fire, but that isn't as important.

And for Writing Hell, I don't know whether or not I want to include Sever, or the The Reborn idea.  This month, it'll be for ten days, and I plan to write 5k per day.  The Reborn will most likely be the choice then.

Lot's of writing for me this month!  I hope to get to editing Rush, Nightland, or Sever (if plan goes well) in July. I hope more of you guys join in on either Camp NaNo, or Writing Hell!

Well, I think that's all for today.  Go get some writing done! 

Camp NaNoWriMo?

This year, I'm going to be a part of the Camp NaNoWriMo in both June and August.  For the past two years, I've tried NaNoWriMo, but I get too busy and lazy that I just can't do it.  And it doesn't help that this year, I'll have two AP classes plus marching band plus all of my Honors classes.  So, unless I can slack of in Honors Spanish 3 (Spanish, for the past two years, has been my slack-off period), I may be able to do it.

Anyways, after that lovely rant...

Last year, I wrote a novel in three weeks time.  For those of you from inkpop, you may know my project, Rush (or Deception).  Well, this year, I plan to write another novel (or maybe to).  I plan on completing Sever, and if I can get to it, either edit Rush or work on my idea I'm currently calling RUT.

Oh! And I have the pitches for Sever.  Look:

Sora has spent the last six years toughening up after the disappearance of her older brothers. No matter what, she wants them back. When she hears word of her elder brother, now the Lord of the land of Cura, all of her training and courage is put to the test. She must travel across two unfamiliar lands in order to find her brother—all the while remaining undetected.

With the help of Eli, everything seems a little more possible. His past is filled with knowledge of the lands, and how to get around without being caught. A promise made in magic binds Eli in Sora’s debt until she finds her brother, assuring his help until the end.

But a revolution is starting in the land of Cura. The only chance Sora has at keeping her brother alive is if she can convince him to step down from power. It’s only a slight bump in the path to what she’s always wanted: her family whole again.

Even then, speaking to him doesn’t mean everything is closer to normal.

(I do not own the image used in the cover.)

So, now that I can update that one page...

For those of you who're going to participate in Camp NaNo, let me know! Maybe we can be cabin mates, or just message each other.

You can find me here.

Have a fun summer guys!  I've only got three more days left.  Oh, and those of you who're American: Happy Memorial Day and I hope you guys enjoy your three day weekend!

Ta-ta!

The Eighteenth is a Lovely Day

Today...

• I finally passed my permit test
• is exactly one month from my birthday
• was an early out at school
• means there's only one Friday left before school ends

There's only one full week of school left! And then I don't have too many more classes left for driver's ed.  Things are pretty much looking up now.  Though, I can't wait to not have to deal with people for a while.  Too emotionally stressful.

And summer means more writing and my birthday.  Speaking of writing, I should go do that right now...

Back From the Dead, Ye Come

First off, I want to say that it's rather weird that over 80% of my recent viewers are in Russia. Just a wee bit weird.

Last night, I had the urge to edit either one of my two completed first draft manuscripts, Nightland and Rush.  Of course, right after I had that thought, I decided to go clean out my desk, which resulted in a mess of my room.

Anyways, I decided to, first off, reformat Nightland so it was double spaced and in black font. Took a while, so now I can get to reading over that.  And the same goes for Rush, though I may save that for a few weeks longer.

And because all of the other pitches for Nightland are horrendous, I shall type a new one just for you:

Berlin has only ever visited Nightland in her dreams--or so she thought. Upon arriving in this land of dark, she's pulled off the streets and sent into hiding with friends she doesn't remember. Turns out, the evil ruler of the land is after her, for reasons no one knows.

She is quickly shepherded across the land, searching for an appropriate hiding place so she can learn the ways of the land. There isn't much time for her to learn anything as the ruler's minions scour the land, growing closer and closer to find her.

All Berlin wants is to go home and leave this mess behind, but in order to do that, she needs power doesn't have--yet.

Yeah, very lovely.  Nightland is a YA fantasy with aspects of romance at over 81k.  First novel I ever finished writing.  It was even finished one year ago, this month.  And needs a lot of work.

Now I shall be off to go make people (characters) nice and what not.

Writing Hell 5.7

Welcome to day 7! Hope you guys are reaching your goals.

Today, I have driver's ed. Not really looking forward to that, but I do plan to get some writing done during the videos, since that seems to take up a lot of the time.  Otherwise, I won't be getting a whole lot written today, either.

Sever
Starting word count: 12694
Ending word count: 13337

No excerpt today...

Writing Hell 5.6

Day 6! I still need to catch up, so ... yeah. When I'm finally on task, I'll let you guys know! Today also comes with a new idea, which is why my word count has not changed... But I shall save this idea for a month or so to see if I'll have anything finished by then.  And that's a maybe.

Sever
Starting word count: 12377
Ending word count: 12694

Now to get on task...

Writing Hell 5.5

Welcome to day 5!  Good news for me today: I may get my mom's car in about 6 months (when I start driving).  I think it's more likely than not.  So happy.  But, then I have to catch up on my word counts, so ... yeah, not so fun.  The same goes for driver's ed.



Sever
Starting word count: 11560
Ending word count: 12377

Excerpt:

“If I could send people with you, I would, but we don’t need to risk people noticing travelers from Vita. They don’t really like us,” he says. He takes a step back and smiles down at me. “Be careful, Sora. I’m expecting to be able to speak with you when you return.” He ruffles my hair, then takes a step back. “Good luck, and good night.”

With a nod, he takes a few backward steps, then turns and disappears into the forest. It only takes a few feet before he fully disappeared. Leaving me here, in the middle of the forest, to follow the rest of the path into the town.

I take a deep breath and plunge into the darkness, hoping the faint moonlight that appears every few feet will stay long enough for me to emerge in town safely.

Yeah, I'm not doing so good at catching up...

Writing Hell 5.2

Welcome to day 2 of Writing Hell.  Unfortunately for me, today also starts my first day of Driver's Ed.  I get to attend this lovely class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, for 2-4 or 5 hours (more hours on Saturdays).  Yeah, doesn't sound like any fun for me, so I planned on bringing my notebook with me so I could get some writing done.  It's what I used to do in a lot of my classes at school.

Oh, and there's a guy I've labeled 'Creep' there.  He kept looking at me during class.  Rather creepy.

Yeah, writing wise, today didn't go over very well. I wrote about 1000 words, which means I need to try and catch up in the next few days.  Hopefully I can write more tomorrow during school, and get some writing done before our concert.

Sever
Starting word count: 6907
Ending word count: 7859

Excerpt:
No excerpt today.

I hope your writing day went well!  Keep on track, guys, 'cause you know I won't.

Writing Hell 5.1

Welcome to the first day of Writing Hell!  I hope you all have gotten to writing, and have at least finished today's goal!  For the next few days, I hope to write 25k for my project Sever.  That means 2500 words per day for me.  (It's a good thing I don't get any homework!)

Sever
Starting word count: 4406
Ending word count:  6907

After I got home and started writing, it was, oh, around 4:30 I think.  And then I wrote.  Up until almost 10pm.  It took me that long to get 2500 words out, but I did it, and boy am I proud!  I just need to not get distracted by texting and Bubble Shooter and food and Pokemon (yes, I am now playing Pokemon on my Gameboy).  So, this is the first ever day that I successfully completed Writing Hell.

Excerpt:

I tense, and Brodrick pulls back. Squeezing my eyes shut, I calm myself down. It’s true, the fact that they left me was harsh enough, but with what Roth did… “Yes. They’re family. No matter what, I want them back.” I keep my eyes shut and lean against Brodrick’s solid form. “Wouldn’t you do the same thing?”

“I don’t know what I would do, even if I imagined it a thousand ways. It doesn’t mean it’ll happen that way,” he says, his voice calm and steady.

So, if you participated and posted for Writing Hell, please leave a comment!  I'd love to check out everyone's achievements of today.

Writing Hell: Get Ready!

 Tomorrow starts Writing Hell: a monthly event hosted here.  To be truthful, I have yet to successfully finish Writing Hell, considering the event at the beginning of the year that severely impacted my writing.  I was in a rut for months.

But now that I'm reading and writing regularly (more so than before), I thought I plan on succeeding in this Writing Hell!

If you'd like to participate, just let me know in a comment.  More info on Writing Hell is provided in the tab above, but if you're lazy (like me) and don't feel like checking it out, just look below.

Your Writing Hell post should consist of...

• Title of project
• List your goal for the 5-10 days
• Starting word count
• Ending word count
• Retelling of your struggle day, and any inspiration (if you want to reveal)
• (optional) Two paragraphs of your writing (or more, if you want)

This month's Writing Hell will last for 10 days.  I'd like it if you at least linked me to your blog and/or post of the first day of Writing Hell.  I'll make sure to include participants in every day's post.

And something new: If you post an excerpt, let me know if you'd like me to critique your work.

Link away, my friends!

Writing Hell 3.3

Well, yesterday I didn't write, so I believe that means there shouldn't be a post.

And today ... today, I have three ideas I think I'll work on.  And Enigma, of course, but we all know that that won't happen.


So, either I will plan a total of 3k, or actually get to writing...

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.

New Year's Resolution Updates?

I think I'll just start doing this on Sundays. Just to keep some regular posting.

So, as far as my resolutions go, I've read 0 books, have gotten 2 new ideas, finished writing 0 projects, edited 0 projects, and have been more social, and nicer to people. This first week has been very eventful, after my friend got into an accident and I witnessed someone crash his truck. I'm sure one to two hours every day will be dedicated to visiting my friend, because our families are very close and she's my best friend, so I don't think I'll be getting a whole lot done for a while. Tomorrow is the restart of school, and I've got to really pay attention in two classes to make sure my friend won't fall behind in those subjects.

*big sigh* The year as just begun.

And thus ends my first NYR update.

Writing Hell 1.2

Because I didn't write the whole 5k yesterday, I aim to write 6.1k to get back on task. I should be at 11k in OBLIVION by the end of the day.

I wish everyone good luck!

Excerpt from OBLIVION: to come

Starting word count: 4935
Ending word count: 6121 epic fail

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!

New Year's Resolution!

For 2011, my New Year's Resolution was to write three novels. I wrote two and a fourth. Or two and two sevenths, but I think the former sounds better.

This year, I plan on doing a few more things (which is probably silly, considering I'll be entering Junior year of high school) like...

• Complete three novels OR finish writing a series/trilogy (Nightland is a four-book series; Rush is the first in a trilogy)
• Edit one of my completed projects until I'm happy with it
• Read 100 books
• Be nicer to people

And those are my resolutions for 2012. I hope to get a jump start, considering how I have a whole week for break. Plus, I'll have a three day week in the middle of January. Then comes the two semester projects I'll receive... Oh what fun comes with this new year.

So, what are your New Year Resolutions?

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award?

So, last year I wanted to enter, but I didn't have a completed manuscript. This year, I have two (Nightland and Rush). The problem is not only deciding between the two, but they both need editing. One doesn't even have a second draft. The other's second draft is far from completion. So what will I do?

Work my butt off one the one without a second draft. I don't want to enter the other one just because I really really want to work on that one more. And it has been, oh, at least six months since I've gone through it.

The first thing I should do is probably read through and fix stuff. A lot of stuff, like the opening. It doesn't really have a good one. Good thing I've got over a month, and winter break starts in a week. I hope I have the time. The other thing will be the motivation.

And, another thing would be some peer critics. (I don't really know what to do to find people.) I have a feeling I'll have to resort to inkpoppers to get some critiques, which is the opposite of a plan of mine. *sigh*

If you don't know what the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award is, click here. And if anyone would like to work with me, I'd love to help out with your manuscripts! My critiques on inkpop are rather in-depth, and I won't be afraid to point out things, or help with grammar. Leave me a comment or shoot me an email if you're interest!

What are your opinions on the ABNA?