Friday Five: Random Thoughts

So for my first Friday Five I honestly can't think of anything to post. So I'm just going to list five random thoughts and things that have been happening lately.

1) Pitching contests are happening this week. After Sun Vs. Snow I told myself no contests, (except #Pitmad last month.). It's just too much stress and pressure. Granted querying is too, but it's less public than pitching contest. Sometimes I worry that I'm missing the opportunity. Oh well.

2) Camp NaNoWriMo: The first session of camp officially began, and I'm off to a good start. It's so easy to fall behind with these things, but with a good support group and the right motivation, I can do it.

3) The Weather. It's finally warming up in my area. I want to start wearing my dresses, but I don't have the appropriate shoes. It's too cold for flip flops!

4) Cadbury Mini Eggs = So good. I was at the grocery store the other day and I saw this tiny little bag, my first thought was "who is this going to feed?" I then looked behind me and low and behold there were the normal sized bags. It was a good day.

5) I miss reading, I've been half finishing books lately and it's kind of a bummer. When you go go long without reading, it's difficult to pick up in the middle. There's a heap of books on my dresser waiting to be read, and I plan on buying the sequels to Rebel Belle and Dorothy Must Die next week. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME.

Welp, those are my five random thoughts. Maybe next week they'll be less random.

Happy Reading!

New Beginnings

Recently, Jaime and Erin closed up shop on What's Up Wednesday. It was sad to see it go, but I completely understand  their decision. WUW was my only motivation to keep blogging regularly over the past couple years. Now that it's over, I have to wonder, where do I go from here? I'm not going anywhere, obviously, I still have a lot to accomplish.

That being said, new game plan. I'm going to try to post twice a week for the month a April to test the waters.  

Monday-Weekly Writing Update. No cute name yet. I'll basically give an update on what I'm working on and my goals for the week. (Kind of like WUW, but only for writing) Hopefully as time goes by, it becomes less formulaic and more natural. I'm just testing the waters.

Friday- Friday Five: I did this in the past where I list five good things that happened during the week or new favorite things. Now seems like a good time to bring this back.

At this point, we'll see how it goes and if I can keep up with it.

What I'm Working On: I have several things on my plate. But more importantly the April Session of Camp NaNoWriMo starts on Wednesday. I have the basic plot of my MS and my two main characters mapped out. It's those little plot details and minor characters I haven't really gotten to yet.

I'm really excited to this project because I have a personal connection to it. I've been avoiding working on this for a while, but it's time for this story to come out. I'm really excited. I like to describe it as Freaky Friday meets Sister, Sister. But that's all I'm going to say for now. ;)

Goal for the Week: Starting Wednesday, my goal is to write more than the 1667 word minimum every day in April. I try to stay two days ahead to prevent falling behind, but sometimes it doesn't work out. If I start out strong an push trough I know I can do it. I'm going to get crazy busy at work by the end of the month, so staying ahead will help.

Other News: I joined a cabin created by Natasha Raulerson, one fabulous lady I follow on Twitter. She co-hosts the webshow Whiskey, Wine and Writing on Youtube. She's been getting us pumped about this session of Camp. Hopefully with word wars and the support from my cabin, I can get through this in one piece.

Well, that's it for my writing for this week, How is everyone else doing? Who's doing camp or trying to finish a manuscript in April?

Happy Reading!

What's Up Wednesday 3/18/15

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme for readers and writers to give updates on what's happening in their lives. If you want to find out to find out more check out Jaime Morrow's blog and Erin Funk's blog to sign up.

What I'm Reading: Blargh, I need to actually read.

What I'm Writing:  I finally decided what I'm going to write for the April session of Camp NaNoWriMo. The story idea has been stuck in my head for years, but I never had the drive to start it. Now I've got a spark and I'm just going to roll with it. The challenge with this novel is that it's in duel first person POV.  It's new, but I'm up for it.

My goal this week is start a basic outline and character sheets.

What Works For Me:  Learning about my characters. Before I start writing, I fill up pages in notebooks with physical descriptions, personality, objective, like and dislikes. It helps me get the voice down pact for when it's time to actually start writing. Doing two POVs means two distinct voices so that's going to be fun.  


What Else I've Been Up To: MY BIRTHDAY IS IN 2 DAYS!!!

What's Up Wednesday 3/11/15

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme for readers and writers to give updates on what's happening in their lives. If you want to find out to find out more check out Jaime Morrow's blog and Erin Funk's blog to sign up.

What I'm Reading: I read Unethical and Foolproof by my Sun vs. Snow mentor Jenn Blackwood. My first time reading NA and it did not disappoint. I'm going to attempt to reread the Harry Potter books, but I haven't actually open it...

What I'm Writing:  I finished my revision this week finally. It's still very rough. I'm at that scary point where I'm not attached, but can't move forward without some outside critique and feedback. It's weird, because in the past I didn't share my work until I was completely happy with it at like draft #5. But it was harder for me to receive critiques. But this one is different, I'm letting my baby go. I guess I'm growing and learning as a writer.

It's also, #pitmad today. I told myself no more contest, but I thought why not? It's only a day. I learned how to schedule tweets, because I'll be at my internship all day. That will keep my mind busy.

I'm also participating in the April session of Camp NaNoWriMo. I have know idea what to write. I'll either try to complete my unfinished MS from November or finally start the story the that's been in my head for years. I'm not sure what to do yet.

My goal this week is just to take it easy and not stress out. Maybe start an outline for April.

What Works For Me:  Did you really think I had an answer to this one?

What Else I've Been Up To: Working hard. It's been snowing a lot and it's finally warming up, that means my birthday is near. It's in less than 2 weeks, and I'm excited. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but it's going to be great. Whoot.
Other than that I'm doing all right in the life department. I'm not complaining, yet.
Oh, I marathoned Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt last weekend. Soooo good. The theme has been stuck in my head for days.

Troll the respawn, Jeremy.

What's Up Wednesday 2/18/15

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme for readers and writers to give updates on what's happening in their lives. If you want to find out to find out more check out Jaime Morrow's blog and Erin Funk's blog to sign up.

What I'm Reading: A I'm getting back into The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige. I loved Dorothy Must Die, and these prequel novella's are holding me over until the next book.

What I'm Writing:  Plucking and plucking and plucking and plucking. I've been a little lazy so that doesn't help either.
Now that Sun vs. Snow is over, I dove right back into the slush with my shiny new query. Fingers crossed you guys.

What Works For Me: I'm just going to leave this blank...

What Else I've Been Up To: It's cold and gross out and as much as I would love snuggling up, I can't cuz I got responsibilities. Adulting is hard.
As much as I would like to tell you about exciting things happening in my life, I really can't. Not now anyway. If anything happens you will be the third to know (after my parent and Facebook)
What's up with you? How is your week going?

Happy Reading!

What's Up Wednesday 2/11/15

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme for readers and writers to give updates on what's happening in their lives. If you want to find out to find out more check out Jaime Morrow's blog and Erin Funk's blog to sign up.

What I'm Reading: A week flies by so fast doesn't it? Life happens you get busy and forget to pick up a book. I intend to finish Heir of Fire this week, but I left it at my internship and I won't be able to pick it up until later today.

What I'm Writing:  Plucking away at these revisions. Nothing special. I'm not at the place where I'm discovering something new about the story and characters. Bits and pieces yes, but there wasn't an ah-ha moment. The story needs to be torn apart, I'm not attached enough so that's good.
I need a critique partner or two. I've searching for one for a while. In the past I've tried, but it was a mixture of not clicking and bad timing. Hopefully I can find someone to work with and it will last.
Thankfully, I've had help, one of my closest friends reads for me. She helped me substantially with SoD edits and revisions.

What Works For Me: ????

What Else I've Been Up To: Sun vs Snow has kind of overshadowed my thoughts these past few weeks. It will be over soon. It's so stressful. I mean, it's one thing to query and pitch to agents privately. But this adds an extra layer of stress and pressure. No more contests after this. I'm going back in the slush where it's safe.
On the plus side of things, I've made some friends on twitter. It's great to have a support group. W all share a common goal, and I know one day we will.

What's up with you? How is your week going?

Happy Reading!

What's Up Wednesday 2/4/15

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme for readers and writers to give updates on what's happening in their lives. If you want to find out to find out more check out Jaime Morrow's blog and Erin Funk's blog to sign up.

What I'm Reading: I just bought Fairest by Marissa Meyer. IT WAS SO GOOD. I was concerned about reading a novel from the POV of the series' antagonist. I didn't want to like her, especially Marissa created a well rounded character, I understand her and her motives, but in the end, she is a villain, I want to see her defeated.  It's surprisingly short for a Lunar Chronicles book, I finished it on the bus.
I also have so many half started books that I need to dive into. I need a weekend devoted to reading.

What I'm Writing:  I made it into the Sun vs. Snow contest. I'm reppin' Team Sun and I'm so freaking excited. My awesome mentor Jen Blackwood and I have been emailing back and forth about my entry to make it perfect for the agent round next week.
This really gave me the boost of confidence I needed. Trying to break into this industry is so difficult, and at times the process gets to you. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's so subjective. All I can do is keep writing and growing. It only takes one yes.

What Works For Me: Blarg. Um actually writing?

What Else I've Been Up To: I've been keeping myself busy with work, the internship and writing.

What's up with you? How is your week going?

Happy Reading!