Snow and sickness on Valentine’s Day
Snuggled with two 70-pound dogs on our (thankfully) new and soft couches, I guess you could say my Valentines Day wasn’t typical.
No strength to cook a fine meal, no groceries at all, even.
But I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…Valentines Day shouldn’t be limited to once a year. Every day, every week, every month should be dedicated to making the most of your relationship.
Still, spending the week sick wasn’t what I expected.
Then, throw in some strange, hail-like snow and it’s an unforgettable night to be sure.
Things don’t always go a you plan. It’s part of life.
That’s really all I have in me today…back to snuggling with my darlings…
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“And now, the end is near…”
“And now, the end is near, and so I face, the final curtain…”
- Sinatra “My Way”
I’m referring to my latest manuscript, of course.
(not a cover - just me messing around in my graphic programs)
This project that I started for November’s Novel Writing Month has been a roller coaster of sorts – It is a book I began back in high school and have rewritten four times and re-edited another twenty times in between.
Having been so invested in this story and with a long and complicated history, there were times the two of us just didn’t get along. There were moments I contemplated re-writing the whole thing all over again.
But we worked out our differences. We came to compromises without sacrificing the heart of the story.
I’m thrilled and looking forward to typing “the end” – as much as I really don’t want the process to end.
Tell me about a book you read and/or wrote that you didn’t want to end.
Image credit: iStock Photo
Read MoreBlog & Pinboard featured on Author Media
Pinterest for authors has been a hot topic these days, and the well respected Author Media group posted 3 Ways Authors can use Pinterest Guilt-Free.
I’m also honored they used my blog and my pinboards as an example!
Go to Author Media (add them to your Google Reader if you haven’t already) and check out the latest Pinterest post!
Read MoreRunning your dream with a partner
For 2012, I’ve planned on training running a couple 5K races. For no other reason than to motivate myself to exercise more regularly. During the summer, I commuted home on my bicycle, which kept me in good shape and in a good frame of mind. (“Discipline begets discipline.” – Jon Acuff, Quitter)
Part of my “training” has been recruiting people in far better shape than I to use as extra motivation. I’ve asked them to run the 5Ks with me or help me train. Sure, I’m happy to go running with you – even though you’ve played soccer and ran your whole life… (insert my painful whimper.)
But a lovely thing has happened. Even though we’re four weeks into 2012 and my training has been less frequent but still consistent, I’ve risen beyond my own expectations. Having people who hold you accountable, who run alongside you, matter.
This past weekend, I did my first real “trail run” with friend and personal trainer, Julie. (I use the word “run” lightly…It’s more of a jog/walk/limp combination.) Julie is spectacular as an encourager and she both went at my pace but pushed me. She offered helpful stretches and stories from her own running and triathlon experiences. Knowing you’re not alone and hearing where others started is powerful while you’re in the struggle between “is this really worth it?” and “I don’t really need to push myself this hard…”
Push yourself. Go after your dream, whatever it is. Have someone to cheerlead and encourage you. Rely on those with more experience and knowledge.
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A few more thoughts on Pinterest
I wrote an overview of Pinterest and it’s potential for businesses, writers and the every-day Joe. But after using it for a while more and discussing it with other authors, social media gurus and friends, I have some more thoughts:
1. For authors, Pinterest needs to be a tool to reach new audiences.
Among writers groups, we can get sucked in to promoting our work to each other. And only each other. Writers hopefully aren’t your target audience if you’re writing science fiction. They are a part of it, sure. But you need to go out and seek other science fiction readers! When you first started reading your favorite genre, did you find it through a writing group that the author belonged to? No, you had a friend recommend the book, perhaps.
So writers need to be out there, immersed in their audience. Marketing to their audience.
The same goes to businesses!
2. When I say I use the “Boards” to plot and brainstorm for my novels, I’m not posting and pinning super-relevant details. I’m pinning whatever image inspires me.
No, we don’t want to “give away” the plot to the novel we’ve spent ten years developing. But if you’re working on a tough scene and need a little visual organization, going to the history boards can help spur you on!
3. You can really tell a lot about people by what they “pin.”
I mean this in a good way. I’ve learned new things about people I’ve known and started following on Pinterest and I love it! We’re visual by nature. First impressions are usually appearances and it is hard to shake those.
On the other hand, Pinterest is completely public and there aren’t any privacy settings. That said, I hope people remember their digital cork-boards shouldn’t be the same as what might be pinned in a private office. Digital information is forever and your digital resume will follow you for years to come. I have not seen an instance among the pinners I follow, but I throw this caution out there.
If you want an invite, leave a comment below and I’ll send you one! Feel free to explore my boards and get a feel for the site. Maybe it’s your cup of tea, maybe it isn’t.
Read MoreThings I’ve learned in editing my NaNoWriMo Novel…
1. Coming up with good character names in the midst of cranking out 50,000 words in 30 days is not my strongest suit.
My fabulous critique partners were commenting on some of my lesser characters and when I said their names aloud, I just closed my eyes and shook my head. I’d named two of my characters Hans and Leah. (Cue the Star Wars theme music.) How had that even happened? I’m not really sure, and granted “Leah” isn’t exactly “Leia…” Time for me to use that magic “find + replace” feature.
2. If I took out all of the “he nodded” or “she nodded” in the manuscript, I’m pretty sure I’d be a far cry from having reached 50,000 words.
Everyone has pet phrases, sure. But somehow, with this manuscript, my characters were doing so much nodding, I’m sure they’re going to need a chiropractor.
3. Sometimes, leaving “blanks” where I need to finish research and come back to fill in means more work later on. A lot more work.
Needless to say, I’ve had to rework the plot a few times, re-edit the whole manuscript to align details, and I might rethink this strategy in the coming NaNoWriMo. Granted, with this story, there are a lot of little details that aren’t easily discovered, considering the foreign setting for the first half. It is also based on a true story and I wanted to honor the real tale while adding my own twists. It’s all working itself out – slowly, but surely.
4. Once you lose the NaNoWriMo momentum, it is hard to get it back.
This year, I’m focusing on discipline and setting up better daily routines. Because I have so many things I want to accomplish, this is just a reality. While I’ve succeeded so far in some areas, my writing hasn’t maintained the same level of discipline. I’m working on that. Deadlines for critique groups are my saving grace.
5. Thank goodness for revision and editing.
I cringe at the thought of my rough drafts ever being seen by anyone aside from me or a select writing partner. If anyone ever stumbles upon my rough drafts after my death and feels so inclined to publish said drafts, don’t. I’ll come and haunt you in your sleep.
I saw a quote the other day about every good novel you’ve enjoyed is a result of that writer cutting mercilessly – and it is true. Writing is more about careful revision than anything else.
Anyone else editing their NaNoWriMo novel? Or any manuscript? Do you discover something new about your writing every time you go through the process?
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