I’m thinking of doing a minor change in my blog scheduling here. For the most part, I try to keep on top of all my “segments”, but anyone who runs a blog knows that it’s easier said than done. Especially when life is getting in the way. On top of that, I’m not sure what is interesting or not, so I’m going to open up the floor for suggestions and questions.
What would you like to see here?
I’m mostly asking because I’m running out of ideas. I don’t want to neglect my blog though while I try to come up with ideas. If anyone wants to stop by as a guest, shoot me a message.
My blog has been a little all over the place these past few weeks. I think the only thing I’ve been able to manage consistently is my Tuesday Tales submissions. There has been a lot going on in my life in general lately, so I’ve been keeping a little quiet again. Working too hard as usual. One of these days I’m sure I will write something insightful again.
Today I am going to get the contest winners chosen and hopefully announced, so please be patient while I get all of that together. Then I will start writing up a synopsis and a query letter. Exciting, let me tell you! Hopefully I’ll be able to tack a third book series on to my other two that are already being published. I’m also going to work on some reading and writing in general.
I wish I had something more interesting to share, but I figured an update would at least be appreciated for everyone who is curious about the ‘what’s next’. July is writing sequels. August is a new book release. By the end of the year, my goal is to have a total of five books available. Ambitious, I know. All of this lull time will be worth it though. You’ll see.
Okay, so I have about four weeks of “Wreck This!” to share with you on my phone. Unfortunately I’m not on my computer so I’m having so issues with getting things loaded up and all of this other technological mumbo jumbo. I’m going to post it tomorrow, along with my “Why I Love” response. Keep your eyes peeled!
What else? I’m writing up a storm still, and I still haven’t forgotten about my “if it fits in a box I’m going to ship it” contest. I told myself I would do it as a reward for finishing Dragons 2. Well, now I’m going to run the contest July 1st regardless of if I’m finished or not. Why? Because I think you all have been waiting for long enough. It’ll probably be one of those cliche’ “Follower” things, but we’ll see. I’ll try to keep it as basic as possible for everyone. Then I’ll let you all in on the multitude of goodies going into said box o’ goodies. Here’s a hint: dragons and chocolate. It’s going to be good.
This is a very on the fly progress report. I have a lot of writing to do today and a some what limited window of opportunity to do it in. I need lots of luck and kudos today, or I doubt I’ll survive it. I can do this! I’ll be checking in with you again soon.
The title says it all. I’m stuck. I’m in a spot in the dragons sequel where I know what I want to have happen, I’m just having a hard time getting there. I’m disappointed in myself. The end is so close, I can see the finish line. My characters are there and they’re jumping and cheering me on and I’m essentially laying in the middle of the road going: I can’t do this anymore. Every so often one of them will come out and give me water and a pep talk. I get a few more feet and then collapse again.
I don’t know what’s going on in my brain at the moment. Part of my lack of motivation is due to my lack of a good quiet solid time where I can work effectively. Toddlers are draining, especially extroverted ones who like to have lots and lots of attention. Though, I had progress the other day when I got him to sit quietly in a chair and “write” his own story on a piece of paper with a pen. Sure it was only scribbles, but that’s not the point. He’s following in my footsteps. ;) He also wants to type like mommy of course. I’ve also got a plan in place to wake up earlier, so I can maximize on my quiet time in the daylight hours. My brain is much more alive in the mornings/afternoons than it is at night right before I go to bed. Hopefully, this will help my juices. My other projects haven’t been suffering anywhere near as much as Dragons has.
The other part of my lacking motivation is just how I’m feeling in general. Lately, I’ve been rather overwhelmed by my own emotions, and the dragons project is getting the short straw because of it. There’s no particular reason as to why I feel this way. Home things I suppose, but those are slowly being dealt with and I’ve given myself a few new things to get me charged up again.
1) I can’t finish a book if I don’t sit and write it.
2) I can’t be successful in what I do if I don’t take the time to do it.
3) I need to finish for myself and for the people who are on the edge of their seats.
4) I need to reprioritize my time.
The last one is huge. I kind of have been easily distracted away from my tasks and making excuses. My husband flat out said: you need to use your time more responsibly and I think he’s right. Thus part of why I’m going to try and start getting up earlier. I did however have a great gaming session where I essentially had a night to myself and killed some things. Major stress relief right there. The baby was taken into another room so I wasn’t on his beck and call for a change and ever since then I’ve been feeling a million times better. I’m also not working Hell Day at work anymore, so that’s a load of stress off of me too (yeah whoever thought it a good idea to bombard a coffee shop with $2 any drinks, any size, and UNDERSTAFF the workers is an idiot).
I have some time to get working now, and since I’m all caught up with my other writing tasks (sans Wreck This, but that’s my fault so I’ll do TWO next week), I can go back to dragons. My goal is to finish this by June. I might have to put up my monthly “To Do List” so I can keep better track of my goals. I have my year goal, but I should probably do my monthly ones as well. Keep your eyes peeled for a page.
Wish me luck. I need to write about how ____ was prophesied to have a ____ who will be the _____ of the _____! (censored for spoilers. )
Those of you who have been following my twitter may or may not have noticed something I’ve been referring to as Team Introv3rsion. I’m sure a lot of you are confused as to what this even means.
Every Monday I’ll be posting my response to a challenge for the reality show “Escape”. Okay, so it’s a fake reality TV show, that takes place over six different blogs every week. That’s right, six blogs, five writers.
We have our host blog (written collaboratively): http://escapeshow.blogspot.com
Team Promethiad (by Brea Essex): http://promithiad.blogspot.com
The Blacklist Heroes (by Kay Herrmann: http://blacklistheroes.blogspot.com.
Team Gremlin (by ZT Burian: http://teamgremlin.blogspot.com
and Team Introv3rsion (by J.F. Jenkins): introv3rsion.blogspot.com
Each week we get a challenge. We the writer have to interpret the challenge and send our characters on a crazy adventure in order to complete it. The prize? Our characters freedom. Reader’s can vote and take part in the story as well by deciding on who’s response they enjoyed the most, who their favorite characters are, and giving us challenge ideas!
So hop on over to the host blog and drop some comments and suggestions and vote in our polls. Oh and spread the word. This project is oodles of fun, and we’d love to see it really take off. We may be adding more people in once “Season Two” rolls around.
For the past week or so I’ve felt like I’ve been hit by a bus, but a teething two-year-old will do that to you I think. His cold has spread to everyone in the house now, and he’s demanding to sleep in the ‘big bed’ which means I get little to no sleep. Not to sound like a whiner or anything. It just means I’ve had little to no energy to work, but I’m still forcing myself to do something so I don’t get so far behind I freak out. I’m not quite at that point, but I’m getting there.
Which no, it may not seem like a ton of work, but writing at least eight chapters, editing and then submitting in a week is going to be nuts. Still, I’m excited to dive back into writing strongly like this. Especially on Dragons and the new blog exclusive story.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should head on over to my website for Team Introv3rsion. They’re participating on a ‘reality show’ called “Escape!”. The host Chance Cagney has a blog to explain the whole deal better, but this is a chance for you all to do some interactive reading and follow an epic writing journey that spans across seven blogs. That’s right. Seven talented individuals are participating in this adventure, so be sure to follow the appropriate blogs and keep up! I’m sure I’ll be posting more about this soon. For now though, I need to go back to my to-do list and get some stuff done! You better believe I’ll be keeping you posted.
Until then, check out my other blog exclusive story that’s here on this blog. The writing prompts!
So recently, I purchased a book called “Wreck This Journal” on recommendation from a good friend of mine. I started the book, and I’m taking pictures, so Wednesdays I’m devoting to sharing the progress!
Here’s week one (I’ll post multiple challenges, but most of them will probably only be ONE challenge a week, depending on what it is).
Here’s the cover!
And there’s the “If Lost” page. You can see how this is going to be fun. Obviously I’ve protected all private information. Anyone else who gets this book, should send me your adventures! I might feature them.
Tuesday’s I’ve set aside to write about whatever I wanna, lol. This day may change to a new day though depending on what’s going on with the exclusive blog story in the works right now. I’m in the collaboration stage with a few wonderful authors. This is going to be exciting on so many levels.
Anyway, back on topic. Tuesday is my “write whatever I want” day at the moment, and today I’m going to probably be all over the place with topics and things going on. I guess this is going to be kind of like a progress report of sorts. I had planned on writing a post about some of the things I’ve been reading lately, but I’m still letting my mind simmer in my latest reading adventures. I finished a few books on tape recently, and am now reading The Dark Tower by Stephen King. So far so good, but I didn’t expect less, lol. Once I’ve collected my thoughts, I’ll write about these books more.
Most of my time has been spent plotting and thinking about the Dragons sequel in the works. I’m close to the end. Around seven chapters close. Much like the first dragons book, these chapters are fairly short, as that’s just the style of how the story demands to be written. This story is taking on a lot of interesting turns. I’m still trying to decide how I feel about a lot of them, lol. I need my lovely beta to give them a nice look through, then I need to go through and do some adding and changing and editing. Then it’s time for submission and the waiting game – again.
If all goes according to plan, it will be out late summer, early fall of this year. I’m still waiting for a release date and other information in regards to my other book. It’s amazing how time is just flying by.
When I’m done writing this book, you better believe there is going to be a huge party going down. A huge party that will be in the form of a contest. I’ve finally got the details figured out and everything. Now, everyone hope the baby cooperates with me today so I can get a lot of stuff done!
I’ve been sitting and trying to organize myself as summer approaches. I feel like summer time is always so much different than winter even though I’m not in school, nor is my kid in school, and I technically don’t have a that different of a schedule. But I feel different, and so I make changes. Probably because it helps keep things interesting for me or something.
So here’s what I’m thinking is going to happen. You ready? I think it’ll be fun! However, this is subject to change, and I don’t think it’ll be full swing/figured out until June. I still don’t know if my blog story is going to be weekly or bi-weekly just yet. Me and my collaborator are still working out the details. But here’s a teaser with some starting dates. I’m going to try segueing into posting something every day just so I don’t overwhelm myself.
Monday: It’s like the amazing race….
Tuesday: Story Prompt – weekly series “Coffee Talk”
Wednesday: Wreck this (this is a surprise but it’ll make sense soon!) (5/18)
Thursday: Dream Log!
Friday: Something!
Saturday: I’ll be posting something from my “archive” every Saturday. I’m going to start with Dragons Saga stuff, and go from there. (5/21)
Today an anthology of wedding stories titled “Matrimonial Mayhem” being released from AstraeaPress. All of the proceeds are going to benefit the victims of the tornadoes in the Southern United States. One of those stories was written by yours truly. It’s a snippet of the Dragon’s Saga. I won’t spoil too much of it, but let’s just say there’s a rather unique sort of proposal. To go along with that theme, I’ve decided to write up a blog about…unique proposals. Enjoy the cute and the bizarre!
One lucky commenter to all of the blogs in this blog hop will win a e-copy of my YA Romance/Fantasy novel Legend of the Oceina Dragon! And much, much, MORE! This is running through Sunday, May 15th!
I absolutely love this video. I think if you’re going to watch one video on this post, this would be it. It is by far the most romantic thing I have ever seen!
Here is Kim Bowman’s story:
“My husband, Tony, spent roughly $5 in one of those bubble gum style machines to get me a ring. We had just ate dinner and I was sitting in a recliner in his living room.
He knelt in front of me and ask, “Do you love me?”
”Yes, of course I love you.”
He pulled his hand from behind his back and dropped the plastic bubble holding the play ring in my lap. “Enough to marry me and spend the rest of your life with me?”
How could I say no to that! He told me later that he wanted us to pick out our rings together. I love my wedding rings, but I wouldn’t take a million dollars for the plastic one that he proposed with:)”
From weddinator.icanhascheezburger.com
From Oddee.com: Graciela Asturias, a 27-year-old architect from Manhattan, got a very unique birthday present when her now fiancé proposed to her a thousand feet above the ground while floating in an airplane cabin.
To celebrate Asturias’ birthday, the couple boarded a specially designed Boeing 727 aircraft that creates the experience of microgravity during four-five minute plunges as it flies up and down between 24,000 and 35,000 feet, allowing the passengers to experience a near zero gravity effect. While Alex and Graciela were floating in the cabin, Alex popped the question. Alex was a bit worried that while in zero G, the ring might float away but luckily everything worked out. Graciela not only received a great birthday presentbut they experienced an amazing proposal, a love so strong, unbound by gravity itself.
The couple plan on spending their ten year anniversary in orbit.
This is definitely mind blowing.
My personal proposal story is a bit quirky. My now husband was coming to pick me up to go out for some lunch. He had set the ring box on the passenger seat and promptly sat right on top of it.
“You’re sitting on something.” He tells me.
“I know.” I reply. I pull out the box and stare it, and I’m pretty sure I know what’s going on here.
“You’re supposed to open it.”
“I know.” And I do so, put on the ring, and we drive off for lunch. Nearly twenty minutes pass before he finally asked me the question.
One of these days I’m sure I will write something insightful again.
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