Just downed a bowl of soup. Feeling a little better, but the sniffles are still there. Think I gave it to my wife (Sorry, luv.).
During my NyQuil stupor, I put the Mall Demons Prelude manuscript on my Kindle. Just a test run to see what it would look like on the e-reader. It has shown me where I need to change a few things. Once it was on my Kindle my kids were eager to read it. Yay for dad!
Now, the purpose of this post: I signed up as a member over at WoMen's Literary Cafe. I have been following the tweets for months and the NyQuil told me it was time to join. I gotta widget badge thingy here on my blog (right sidebar). So if you're curious, go check it out. The site looks great. Anything that has writers working together and connects writers with readers is a great thing.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
First Line To Mall Demons Prelude
First of all, I've been on Dayquil/Nyquil for the past two days. Woo-hoo! Da room is spinning!!
So since I'm in the perfect state for writing, I worked out my prelude to Book One of my Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series. In the next week, I plan to release it as a Kindle Single in advance of the release of "The Chosen Must Fall: Book One of the Mall Demons Series."
I'm collecting quite a bit of feedback from my beta readers. One of the areas that drew the most criticism was in the characterization of some of my characters. So I added a few paragraphs in the beginning to address some of the criticisms.
As for my first line, here's what it is... so far:
So since I'm in the perfect state for writing, I worked out my prelude to Book One of my Mall Demons Urban Fantasy Series. In the next week, I plan to release it as a Kindle Single in advance of the release of "The Chosen Must Fall: Book One of the Mall Demons Series."
I'm collecting quite a bit of feedback from my beta readers. One of the areas that drew the most criticism was in the characterization of some of my characters. So I added a few paragraphs in the beginning to address some of the criticisms.
As for my first line, here's what it is... so far:
Esperanza would not have smiled and waved goodbye to her husband if she had seen the two red-eyed demons hovering behind him.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Link With Quotes From Stephen King et al To Inspire Writers
Catching up with my Web trolling now that NanoWriMo is over. I found this Writer's Digest post with 90 quotes to inspire writers. The quotes themselves focus on writing advice offered by bestselling writers like Stephen King, Tom Clancy and John Grisham.
So check it out.
Also, speaking of writing advice... I have added a writing store bar at the top of my blog. Here I've listed many of the writing books and resources I or others I know have found useful in their writing endeavors.
So check it out.
Also, speaking of writing advice... I have added a writing store bar at the top of my blog. Here I've listed many of the writing books and resources I or others I know have found useful in their writing endeavors.
NaNoWriMo's Over, Now What?
Now what?
The past two days I have been afk (away from the keyboard). But, here we go again. Time to get back to the business of writing, blogging, networking, etc., etc. Oh, and since I was feverishly hacking away at the 50,000-word novel draft in November, I did not read much. So, December will be my time to catch up in that department.
I just filled my Kindle with several story collections and books that should keep me busy reading for awhile. More on that later, but let me just say, I love my Kindle. If you don't have one, it's a great addition for book lovers. I do not foresee myself ever getting rid of my hard and softcover books, but digital is a great way of carrying an entire library with you anywhere you go.
You can check out my Amazon Store link to the left of the blog if you're interested in buying a Kindle. I went with the basic $79 version. Speaking of reading, I think I'll do some of that now.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Cruising to the NaNoWriMo Finish Line
Another challenge done.
Some of you are still feverishly typing away trying to get to that 50,000 word finish line as National Novel Writing Month comes to a close. That was me last year. I was probably around 15,000 words from the finish this time last year. STRESS!!!
So, if you're there.... I feel your pain. But, this year, I did a far better job of managing my writing time and balancing my life. I strolled towards 50,000 words at about 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 28. What that meant was that last night I got a good night's sleep for the first time in November.
It felt really good not having 100 thoughts rushing through my head related to plot, character development, setting, pacing, etc., etc.
Still not done? Keep writing. You can do it. The pay off will be awesome. It was a wonderful night's rest. Even before that, I knew in the morning I would meet my goal that evening. So, work was a breeze. I dressed up in a suit jacket, strolled around campus with a smile.
People asked why I was dressed up. I smiled and said, "I'm done with my novel!" Even the subway ride home was enjoyable. I just sank back into my seat with a nearly complete feeling of satiation.
Good times. OK, I'm gonna go back to basking in the afterglow.
Some of you are still feverishly typing away trying to get to that 50,000 word finish line as National Novel Writing Month comes to a close. That was me last year. I was probably around 15,000 words from the finish this time last year. STRESS!!!
So, if you're there.... I feel your pain. But, this year, I did a far better job of managing my writing time and balancing my life. I strolled towards 50,000 words at about 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 28. What that meant was that last night I got a good night's sleep for the first time in November.
It felt really good not having 100 thoughts rushing through my head related to plot, character development, setting, pacing, etc., etc.
Still not done? Keep writing. You can do it. The pay off will be awesome. It was a wonderful night's rest. Even before that, I knew in the morning I would meet my goal that evening. So, work was a breeze. I dressed up in a suit jacket, strolled around campus with a smile.
People asked why I was dressed up. I smiled and said, "I'm done with my novel!" Even the subway ride home was enjoyable. I just sank back into my seat with a nearly complete feeling of satiation.
Good times. OK, I'm gonna go back to basking in the afterglow.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Finishing My NaNoWriMo Novel
If all goes well, I will finish my NaNoWriMo novel by Friday - five days ahead of schedule. The month has flown by. 50,000 words in 30 days. Time goes quickly.
It will be nice to take a little break from this book. Once I am done, I will return to Book One of the Mall Demons Series. Eight more chapters to write and it'll be ready for formatting.
I also want to get back to some flash fiction. But, I don't want to make too many plans. I still have 14,000 words to write for NaNoWriMo. Back to work.
It will be nice to take a little break from this book. Once I am done, I will return to Book One of the Mall Demons Series. Eight more chapters to write and it'll be ready for formatting.
I also want to get back to some flash fiction. But, I don't want to make too many plans. I still have 14,000 words to write for NaNoWriMo. Back to work.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
How I Caught Up With My NaNoWriMo Word Count 10 Minutes At A Time
That's right. 10 minutes. 10 is a powerful number. Yesterday it helped me write more than 6,500 words to catch up with my NaNoWriMo novel. Now I'm ahead.
If you're behind and want to make up for lost time, you should try this. But only try it if you also want to have a life in the process. You know, like take a walk around the neighborhood, go out for lunch, spend time with the kids, watch your favorite shows, take a nap, or go to a dinner party with friends. If you want to do all that and write 6,500 in a day, then keep reading.
So, that list of activities above... I did that on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. I did that and, yes, wrote more than 6,500 words. It was a methodical effort on my part that started in the morning when I set a goal: I will catch up with my word count and write 6,500 words today.
My plan was simple. I numbered a piece of paper from 1-20. I also put that goal: 6,500 on the top of the page. Then I set my WriteMonkey timer to 10 minutes and typed words as fast as my fingers could fly. That first 10 minutes netted me only about 200 words.
No biggie. I helped the kids get out the door, walked them to the bus stop, waved goodbye, then returned to my computer for Round 2. That second 10 minutes got me about 350 words. I paused, had a cup of coffee. I helped my wife make a batch of scones. Then Round 3. I was flying. I hit more than 600 words. Each time I wrote my word count on the paper next to the numbers 1, 2, 3.
After each 10-minute freewrite/speedwrite session, I took a break. I took a nap. Woke up for another session: 400 words. Read the newspaper; then 450 words. Ate lunch with my wife and watched an episode of Lie To Me; then, 400 more words.
Eventually, the kids came home. We watched some Military Channel show; then 390 words. We watched two episodes of Deadliest Warrior. After each episode, I squeezed in another 10-minute session: 425 words, 400 words.
I think you get the picture. By midnight, my last 10-minute session put me over the top. Ten minutes at a time, I wrote 6,751 words and still had fun with the family, attended a dinner party with friends, etc.
So, if you've never tried it, give it a shot. It worked for me. Let me know how it goes. Oh, an important rule. During those 10 minutes you write as fast as you can without editing, without stopping. Just write. Don't even worry if the right words don't come out. Just write.
Have fun!
If you're behind and want to make up for lost time, you should try this. But only try it if you also want to have a life in the process. You know, like take a walk around the neighborhood, go out for lunch, spend time with the kids, watch your favorite shows, take a nap, or go to a dinner party with friends. If you want to do all that and write 6,500 in a day, then keep reading.
So, that list of activities above... I did that on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. I did that and, yes, wrote more than 6,500 words. It was a methodical effort on my part that started in the morning when I set a goal: I will catch up with my word count and write 6,500 words today.
My plan was simple. I numbered a piece of paper from 1-20. I also put that goal: 6,500 on the top of the page. Then I set my WriteMonkey timer to 10 minutes and typed words as fast as my fingers could fly. That first 10 minutes netted me only about 200 words.
No biggie. I helped the kids get out the door, walked them to the bus stop, waved goodbye, then returned to my computer for Round 2. That second 10 minutes got me about 350 words. I paused, had a cup of coffee. I helped my wife make a batch of scones. Then Round 3. I was flying. I hit more than 600 words. Each time I wrote my word count on the paper next to the numbers 1, 2, 3.
After each 10-minute freewrite/speedwrite session, I took a break. I took a nap. Woke up for another session: 400 words. Read the newspaper; then 450 words. Ate lunch with my wife and watched an episode of Lie To Me; then, 400 more words.
Eventually, the kids came home. We watched some Military Channel show; then 390 words. We watched two episodes of Deadliest Warrior. After each episode, I squeezed in another 10-minute session: 425 words, 400 words.
I think you get the picture. By midnight, my last 10-minute session put me over the top. Ten minutes at a time, I wrote 6,751 words and still had fun with the family, attended a dinner party with friends, etc.
So, if you've never tried it, give it a shot. It worked for me. Let me know how it goes. Oh, an important rule. During those 10 minutes you write as fast as you can without editing, without stopping. Just write. Don't even worry if the right words don't come out. Just write.
Have fun!
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