Impulsive Blogs

Impulsive Blogs. . .

I try not to do impuslive blogs. . . I want to explain my previous blog. . . I have been really rushed with my to-do list which has gotten bigger, and I am been losing time. . . I have friend whom I haven’t seen in a while want to hang out, and trick or treat tonight. (We get to pass out candy and scare kids. . .)

Anyway, I get on wordpress to see who read my previous blogs, and I get this blog for a writng 12 month challenge. . . curious I click on the page. I’m sorry for my impulsiveness.

I clicked on the page and this is what it said:

“It’s absolutely FREE to take the Challenge. That’s right. For exactly $0*, you get: A personalized Challenge Dashboard to keep you on track. Your own Daily Success Journal to celebrate your progress. Access to the discussion forum and our growing community of writers”

Do not put free is big letters, but then once you sign in try to charge $9.95 per month (for the cheapest package.) It sounds like a scam. . . no to mention I haven’t heard any of your books, so why would trust to give my hard earned money to someone I have never heard of?

However I click on the next page and I get this. . .

“All this for just $9.95/month. Actually, normal price for everything I just mentioned is $348 a year, or $29/month. But right now I’m offering an introductory deal to the general public for a fraction of that: $9.95/month. So you could take your 7-day free trial and then pay 10 bucks or so every month. But I have an even better deal just for you. Since you are taking the 12-Month Author Challenge, I’m going to give you full site access for just $59 for the entire year (less than $5/month), but only if you sign up right now. Over 80% off—I’m practically giving this away!”

I think if they advertised their work more and were honest, then I would be more open into looking at it.

The thing when it comes to get my books finished. . . I am always up for a challenge, but only if people are honest about the challenge at the beginning. I feel like with this challenge if I don’t pay, it won’t happen.

Here is the link. . . if you want to pay and try the challenge, please let me know how you do. . .

http://www.dreamplaywrite.com/extended/features/wordpress/

Other than NaNoWriMo

Next to NaNoWriMo this year. . . I plan to edit my first vampire book Melzela, and help my fiancé with his writing project.

I also thought I would get this a shot. . . http://www.dreamplaywrite.com/challenge/vote/RebekahWolveire

Never mind, they said it was all free, but then they tried to charge ten bucks a month once you signed in. . . I thought they wanted to help writers. . . it just sounds like another money scheme to me.

 

Book Review: A World of Vampires Hooh-Strah-Dooh

A World of Vampires Hooh-Strah-Dooh

By Dani Hoots.

I really enjoyed this book. I really felt I could personally relate to this character. (Not just because she has a pain-in-the-neck brother either.) I liked her style, and her humor.

Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I just wanted to find out more and more.

As much as I couldn’t stand Brian, there is just something that pulls me to him. . . maybe is that other women are attracted to him.

My only complaint with a title like that it took almost through the half of the book to get there. However I really like Anne, so I guess it makes up for it.

It is bittersweet like a dark chocolate. . . it is just rich that you want to keep eating it. I felt that way with reading this tale.

I felt it was a mixture of “Pandora,” and “True Blood.” I would like to read if Anne has any more tales.

I would give this story 4 out of 5 pages.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“With how much Brian had given me, I could have gone all out, but that was never my taste. I liked simple clothes and that was that. Even now I just wear tanks and jeans and a coat if need be. I never understood fashion and why someone would pay so much for clothes they would only wear once.”

“Nobody can run in heels, I swore. He caught me in a matter of seconds. One can’t describe the fear that had taken over my thoughts, my body. I can tell you this much, I never wore heels again after that night.”

Dani Hoots. A World of Vampires Hooh-Strah-Dooh (Kindle Locations 303-305, 484-485).

Links

http://www.amazon.com/Dani-Hoots/e/B00IPWG0ZO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1414639013&sr=1-2-ent

https://www.facebook.com/DaniHootsAuthor

https://twitter.com/DaniHootsAuthor

http://danihoots.com/about.php

NaNoWriMo Boost

I hope that NaNoWriMo writer serious kick @$$ year (2014). I so sick of these negative people typing up these bitter, discouraging articles. (What happened to if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all?)

http://www.salon.com/2010/11/02/nanowrimo/ (By the way, this person has published a book, that has good and bad reviews. . . so can’t others pursue their dream of writing a book?)

http://www.wetasphalt.com/content/why-i-hate-national-novel-writing-month-and-why-you-should-too?page=2 (Creating a comic book is different, than creating a novel. . . I think both could should be done. 24Hourcomic, also has there for one day, and it’s a different day each year.)

http://www.humanities360.com/index.php/why-nanowrimo-is-a-waste-of-time-11073/ (I don’t think writing in NaNoWriMo will hurt writing. I think more one practices, the better one should get.)

However there are some things to keep in mind when writing a novel. . .

I was told that most publisher want a novel to be between 70,000 to 100,000 words. This means you’ll have to add more after your 50,000. (I just continued the first week of December or finish my book in January.) However an average novella is between 30,000 and 60,000 words, so keep that in mind.

Here are some links. . . (I know Wiki has got down to 40,000, but many publishers want more words.)

http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/wordcount.html

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/qa-from-blog-readers/how-long-is-a-novella-and-how-do-you-query-agents-for-them

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/book-length_n_1334636.html

http://litreactor.com/columns/ask-the-agent-your-novel-word-count-guide-and-more

http://allwritefictionadvice.blogspot.com/2012/05/chapter-novel-lengths.html

Then take a break. . . go on vacation/holiday, see people, smell the fresh air, take a shower, watch TV/ YouTube etc. If you try to edit when you just finished the story, you will miss piece/ grammar issues to your story.

If you can afford it, you can hire an editor. . . I have seen editors charge by the hours, but most of them charge by the word. . . it’s usually a penny or two per word which costs about $800-$1000 for an 80,000 word novel. You can also get beta readers or friends who have good eyes for grammar to edit for favors or whatever you want to bargain. (Beta readers are a few readers that you have read through your book to find anything that doesn’t fit. . . does a scene doesn’t work for the plot? Did you write out of character a few times? Etc. I have more blogs on beta readers. . Just look through this blog.)

After the right about of time. . . you feel refreshed, you should start to edit. I think it’s easier to focus on one chapter at a time. You can print them out and use a red pen. I would only start editing for one to two hours a day. It can be very draining.

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/editing-and-proofreading/

http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/16049/writing/why_should_you_edit_your_writing.html

http://writetodone.com/eight-simple-tips-for-editing-your-own-work/

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-steps-for-editing-your-own-writing

Now I agree with this article. . . http://articles.latimes.com/2012/nov/01/entertainment/la-et-national-novel-writing-month-advice-20121101 (The Internet, in which, you are on right now, is a huge distraction for NaNoWriMo.)

Internet, TV, talking people (especially those who want to talk to me), Texts, pets, video games/facebook games etc. . . They can all we distracting for me. I would write down what distracts you, and see how you can make time to avoid those things.

Links to help with distractions. . .

http://goinswriter.com/distraction-free-writing/

http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/Studyresources/Time/sta-distractions.aspx

http://www.howtogetfocused.com/chapters/8-things-everybody-ought-to-know-about-concentrating

Just remember NaNoWriMo is helping you get your first 50,000 words for your novella/novel. . . this is only a rough draft. It needs to be edited and rewritten many times over.

I am a local published playwright. . . I wrote a 20 page play that was nominated in a public read. . . by having my name on the program as writer of that play, she said it considered me published. I remember when my college professor wanted me to be in the play contest. . . She had me edit the place once, and then she read it again. I had to tweak another part and have her read it again. I think I did this twenty different times before it went on stage. Then we had tweak actions and dialogue so everyone was on the same page. The thing was the original play looked so different from the play that was presented on the stage. (I only made it through the first row, but my friend made it through the third row, and she had to rewrite and edit her play at least 50 times, she kept all of the different drafts.)

I wish everyone who is participating in NaNoWriMo best of luck. . . and all of you get to tell your story!

When Writing Has To Be F-U-N!

Wordbitches

For me, writing is almost always fun. Notice how I said, ‘almost’?

Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes I have to dig deep, plant my ass in the chair and get the words down because it’s my job.

It’s times like that when you need to make it fun.Which is wehre these little writing aids come in.

1) Written? Kitten!

This site is awesome because  you can set it to what every word count you want to be rewarded for and then…you start typing. When you hit your target a kitten appears. That’s right. A kitten! Thanks to blogging and Twitter friend, Amber West for turning me onto this one.

My random ramblings produced a kitten!

2) Write or Die

This one works on the theory that “A tangible consequence is more effective than an intangible reward.” And it’s great if you’re the kind of writer who works well with consequences, bad…

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The Good, The Bad, NaNoWriMo

I noticed that the longer that NaNoWriMo has been out . . . the more media it gets. . . the more inspire people want to write their stories. . . the more negative reviews seem to get. I’m sure if people are upset that they see writing tweets and blogs or if they miss their friends for a month.

Some say to try for one year, but don’t do more. . . well, I am on my fifth year. The challenge is addicting and not one year has ever been the same.

Some say that it doesn’t tell writers what to next, but if you research the site, they fellow sites that help with editting, publishing, and other contests for such writing. They also explain that once the 50,000+ words are written you might have to add and edit the work before it can be published.

Some say it’s wasted time and words. . . I will admit I do put at least 50 hours of editing on my novels, I would never say that NaNoWriMo is a waste of time.

Now to tell you what NaNoWriMo has done for me. . . (My very understanding fiance also helped. . . )

• To this day I have two books in the editting process. . . one I plan to release book 1 Melzela of my vampire series Crimson Shadows Collection around Dec 13^th my birthday.
• I have a murder thriller novella triology just three chapters away from being finished.
• In the four years I have participated in NaNoWriMo my projects have elimated around 450,000 words.
• I have learned how to edit.
• I have learned the difference between my writer and my editor.
• I have learned that word sprints are amazing.
• I have learned how to write in a busy day.
• I have learned how to make smaller goals to accomplish a bigger goal.
• I am planning to work on my second vampire book in November.
• This year alone I have written over 200,000 words.
• I know I can take on the challenge again and again.

So this is what I want to say. . . if you have a story to tell and you need a push. I would suggest trying NaNoWriMo at least once in your life.

Pieces of my Writing

Many have been asking about my book. . . I have a huge list of things to do and finish a few rewrites on my Melzela book is high on the list. . . I want to have that book out by Dec 13th my birthday.

However meanwhile you can read pieces of the book, and a few short stories I have on here.

Dark Confessions: Child of the Night

A Long Understanding

Part of the favorite chapter in Melzela

Everyone Should be able to freely play Videogames

I know this doesn’t have to do with writing, but if someone could threat gamers, what is to stop them from threatening writers too. I consider myself a blogger, so I felt I needed to get this out before I write/edit tonight.

Okay I am steaming. . .

My fiance has been trying to get me into gaming for years. I play Sims, Mortal Kombat, a little Sky Rim, Price is Right, and You don’t Know Jack. I’m ok at Modern Warfare 3, but I suck at Halo. I even play NFL football with my fiance sometimes. I love watching him play L.A. Noire, Silent Hill Series. He has been slowly getting me into Dead Island. Now I will admit I am not into all of his games, but a lot of guys would think it’s hot that chick is in gaming. (I’m also in DnD and Vampire Role-play, but that is another blog).

Anyway, there are a group of really insecure guys that have been threating women gamers, critics, and bloggers. . . Well, I have news for you boys. . . women are just as much in the gaming field as men. They have women writers, designers, voice actresses, programmers, those people that use the computer effects for movement, etc. There is no reason a woman cannot play, comment, or blog about gaming. I think deep down you are scared that one day will get beaten by a girl. You are probably the guy who beats the game in less than 24 hours and never really enjoys what it for anyway.

http://thinkprogress.org/culture/2014/10/23/3583347/felicia-day-gamergate/

http://thisfeliciaday.tumblr.com/post/100700417809/the-only-thing-i-have-to-say-about-gamer-gate

I do not think this right. I think that anyone should enjoy gaming and not be afraid to talk to their fellow gamers. As for those who have been threatening, I say “bring it on,” because you are stopping me from enjoying a video game!

Up to date word count

I’m about to participate in NaNoWriMo.org for the fifth year. (For those who do not know what it is it’s Nation Novel Writing Month. I have to write 50,000 words in 30 days, which averages 1667 words per day. My personal goal is 60,000. I also helping my fiancé with his writing project for NaNoWriMo.)

I have calculated my 2014 count up to date. . .

1. I’ve written 211 out 280 this year (2014). That is 75%.
2. Since January 1^st I have written 236,515 words to the day, including this blog.
3. My writings consists of lists, outlines, short stories, poems, pieces of my novels, blogs, rewrites etc
4. It’s averages 1112 words per day.
5. I need to write 1667 words per day each day in November for NaNoWriMo.org.

So I think I need to heal my migraine and write more.

October’s To-Do List

October To-Do List

1. Rewrite Melzela Chapter 1
2. Rewrite Mezela Chapter 2
3. Rewrite Melzela Chapter 5
4. Rewriter Melzela Chapter 7
5. ReEdit Melzela Chapter 7
6. Rewrite Melzela Chapter 11
7. Review flow of Melzela
8. Read through Melzela
9. Work on Format of Melzela
10. Organize notes for Book 2
11. Rewrite basic outline for Book 2
12. Read Chapter outline for Book 2
13. Finish Ending for Driving Lies
14. Work on magical Chest (Tom’s story)
15. Help Tom get some more ideas for NaNoWriMo
16. Work on blogs and practice on word count (I want at least a average of 1500 per day.)
17. Work on reward list for NaNoWriMo
18. Sign in to NaNoWriMo
19. Inspire and awake my muses
20. Filter all distractions
21. Read more