Well, this sucks.
I said in my last post that today was the day I got to look at my manuscript again. I was really excited and pumped for it!!
... Until I woke up this morning with an upset stomach. So, now I'm just sitting here, listening to some good ol' Christian rock (7eventh Time Down- Really cool band) while waiting for my stomach to settle. Ordinarily, I would just work on my story anyway and have my stomach churn. However, I'm scheduled to pick up my grandmother from the airport this afternoon and need to be able to drive for an hour to get there and about an hour back! So, upset stomach's not allowed.
Okay, so, not much else to say, other than I hope you guys out there on the Interwebs aren't feeling this terrible and are making progress today on your own projects!
Ugh, don't need this today...
-C
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Restrictions and Parties
I've been soooo busy lately!! So, apparently, my want to write on here diminished since my first post, so I'm determined to keep it up this time!!
I've learned two things since my last post I'd like to share:
About two weeks ago, I finished the first book in a series I started last year. If you've ever finished a book like I did (9k in the last day), the excitement can last a while until you shut down. Not to mention if you're as serious as I am about publishing it, you could have little to no patience!
Luckily for me, I have an awesome mentor who has helped me get through not looking at it for two weeks. Can you imagine that? The constant agony of not being able to send out queries to agents or edit it for two whole weeks?! I'm the kind of person who rereads everything everyday even if I am not writing anything for it!! Well, I got through it, and tomorrow I can look at my manuscript with fresh eyes. It does come in handy to get away from it for a while. I didn't think it would be as easy as it was (though it wasn't easy, just easier than I thought), but going up to Canada for a weekend in the middle was great without having to worry about my stories or writing! It's also kinda funny to see my uncle and family drinking and going crazy on the grassy dance floor of my cousin's graduation party! xD
My advice to all writers at this stage: TAKE. A. BREAK. It really helps to clear your mind so you can do a better job polishing your own manuscript. That doesn't mean don't write at all either. Work on another project, a school paper, or poetry.
... Oh, and the second thing? When you go to a party with a eight year old kid, DON'T mention the word alcohol. Because then they will not leave you alone until you explain why their mommy or daddy can't drive them back to the hotel after having a bunch of Canadian beers.
Happy writing!
-C
I've learned two things since my last post I'd like to share:
About two weeks ago, I finished the first book in a series I started last year. If you've ever finished a book like I did (9k in the last day), the excitement can last a while until you shut down. Not to mention if you're as serious as I am about publishing it, you could have little to no patience!
Luckily for me, I have an awesome mentor who has helped me get through not looking at it for two weeks. Can you imagine that? The constant agony of not being able to send out queries to agents or edit it for two whole weeks?! I'm the kind of person who rereads everything everyday even if I am not writing anything for it!! Well, I got through it, and tomorrow I can look at my manuscript with fresh eyes. It does come in handy to get away from it for a while. I didn't think it would be as easy as it was (though it wasn't easy, just easier than I thought), but going up to Canada for a weekend in the middle was great without having to worry about my stories or writing! It's also kinda funny to see my uncle and family drinking and going crazy on the grassy dance floor of my cousin's graduation party! xD
My advice to all writers at this stage: TAKE. A. BREAK. It really helps to clear your mind so you can do a better job polishing your own manuscript. That doesn't mean don't write at all either. Work on another project, a school paper, or poetry.
... Oh, and the second thing? When you go to a party with a eight year old kid, DON'T mention the word alcohol. Because then they will not leave you alone until you explain why their mommy or daddy can't drive them back to the hotel after having a bunch of Canadian beers.
Happy writing!
-C
Monday, June 25, 2012
Well, I procrastinated. Again. Let's just say I actually created this blog a few month ago, and now I'm finally writing posts for it! Funny how easy it is to procrastinate something you need to do.
Speaking of, isn't writer's block a distant cousin of procrastinating? Think about it. Both make you put off something that needs to be done, and then you panic and rush when you get to your 'deadline'. Sound similar yet?
As a full-time college student, I completely understand procrastination. And, being an aspiring author, I also understand the stress and complications of writer's block. While it may not be voluntary, writer's block procrastinates your writing. Once you get in the real business of publishing, you can't let writer's block risk it all! Here's my advice for teaching writer's block who's boss:
1) Take a break. Walk away from it for a while. What would you do in the meantime? Go on a small stay-cation. Grab lunch with a friend. Work on another bit of writing. Read that book that you've been... ahem, procrastinating. These help to clear your mind so you can look at your work with fresh eyes. (Also a good technique when you get around to editing!)
2) YOUTUBE. I know this isn't a normal piece of advice, but I find it's easier for me to write with sound in the background (As long as it's not my mother belting out songs at the top of her lungs). Now, this doesn't work for everyone, but you should at least try. Here's what you do: Go on Youtube.com and search for your favorite song. Put it on a playlist. Then, look at the recommendations and pick a song that catches your eye. Put on same playlist. Repeat. Soon, you'll have a rockin' playlist. Either listen to all them (even shuffle it if you like) before writing or while you're brainstorming. Music is a big inspiration. Even if the lyrics don't pertain, the beat and rhythm might create ideas your next biggest work.
3) Just write! It doesn't matter if it's junk or just plain terrible, you'll still be writing, and who knows? Maybe you'll think of an idea to push writer's block out to sea.
Try those out and see if they help. Sometimes, just like procrastination, you just need to tell writer's block to "Hit the road, Jack!"
Speaking of which... I have a novel to write. See ya!
Speaking of, isn't writer's block a distant cousin of procrastinating? Think about it. Both make you put off something that needs to be done, and then you panic and rush when you get to your 'deadline'. Sound similar yet?
As a full-time college student, I completely understand procrastination. And, being an aspiring author, I also understand the stress and complications of writer's block. While it may not be voluntary, writer's block procrastinates your writing. Once you get in the real business of publishing, you can't let writer's block risk it all! Here's my advice for teaching writer's block who's boss:
1) Take a break. Walk away from it for a while. What would you do in the meantime? Go on a small stay-cation. Grab lunch with a friend. Work on another bit of writing. Read that book that you've been... ahem, procrastinating. These help to clear your mind so you can look at your work with fresh eyes. (Also a good technique when you get around to editing!)
2) YOUTUBE. I know this isn't a normal piece of advice, but I find it's easier for me to write with sound in the background (As long as it's not my mother belting out songs at the top of her lungs). Now, this doesn't work for everyone, but you should at least try. Here's what you do: Go on Youtube.com and search for your favorite song. Put it on a playlist. Then, look at the recommendations and pick a song that catches your eye. Put on same playlist. Repeat. Soon, you'll have a rockin' playlist. Either listen to all them (even shuffle it if you like) before writing or while you're brainstorming. Music is a big inspiration. Even if the lyrics don't pertain, the beat and rhythm might create ideas your next biggest work.
3) Just write! It doesn't matter if it's junk or just plain terrible, you'll still be writing, and who knows? Maybe you'll think of an idea to push writer's block out to sea.
Try those out and see if they help. Sometimes, just like procrastination, you just need to tell writer's block to "Hit the road, Jack!"
Speaking of which... I have a novel to write. See ya!
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