Tag: dream

Getting the Ball Rolling Again

I do apologize for being MIA since the holidays. The truth is, I’ve written very little. I did work on refining my book from NaNoWriMo and I actually went for it and had it published. It is imperfect, but I’m okay with that. The mistakes are mine. I whole-heartedly love the story I came up with and if people want to criticize the occasional missed letter or duplicate word, then that is their prerogative. If someone is looking for a new story to enjoy, then mine could be a fine addition to their bookshelf.

I’ve been dealing with a lack of drive lately. I think in part it is due to my pregnancy, I find that most days I barely have the energy to move around the house. The rest, I’m not sure. I’ve always been able to visualize my story, hear my characters’ conversations before I write them, but for a while there was nothing. I would try to imagine a scene, and I wouldn’t be able to do it. My story that I’m currently working on is very important to me, and I have been writing it for years. In February, I finally found the perfect way to write my opening chapters. Chapter 1 and 2 I had no problem with, but 3 was when I lost my vision. I am happy to say that it has finally begun coming back. I see where the characters are meant to go.

I’m not participating in camp NaNoWriMo, although, I wish I would have made that commitment. I did however come up with a new concept for a story. I had a very vivid dream a couple weeks ago, and I knew this would be a new story for me. It is different then what I’ve written in the past, but it will still be centered around a female heroine. I’m excited about where this story could go. Writing a story off a dream isn’t always easy, as I’m sure you’re aware, the moment you wake up you forget much of what you dreamt. The story is full of plot holes and things that were never explained, but I’ve been able to begin developing a story around anyways.

I hope you’ll follow me once again as I continue my journey to becoming a great writer.

 

For those who are interested, my book is available here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the%2050%20deaths%20of%20annabelle%20joy

If you would be so kind to leave a review of my work, I would be happy to do the same in turn for you.

 

– Christina

Post NaNoWriMo – Time to publish?

Hey all,

I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving.

For those of you who were competing in NaNoWriMo 2013, congratulations! According to the email I received there was well over 300,000 participants this year and a mere ~41,000 crossed the 50,000 word finish line. I am congratulating not only the victors, but the participants as well. I think just committing to writing in any fashion is something that you should be proud of. Of course, it is not my opinion that matters, but I’m sure even just doing a little bit of writing reminded you why you like to write in the first place, and I think that is important.

I am personally excited about my NaNo prizes that I will have access to on the 5th. What I’m looking forward to the most is holding one of the two paperback copies of my book that I will receive. I think I’ll even buy a shadow box for it and mount it on my wall, THAT is how proud of myself I am.

I just finished the rough edit of my book. I was surprised that I was actually very happy with how it turned out, storyline-wise. I wrote it intentionally to only be a 50,000 word story and so I thought it flowed quite nicely. So far, those who have read it for me have shared my sentiments… for that reason I did not go back and re-write. I plan to actually start searching for a literary agent with the story as I have it now, and I hope that it will eventually lead me to a publishing deal. I have considered self-publishing… there are many great offers that come with participating in NaNoWriMo… however because I am such a new author, I believe that I would rather have a strong publishing house behind me to promote my book then to attempt to do it myself. 

I didn’t get a cover design for my book, and I’m a little sad about that. I did create one for myself on powerpoint using pictures I got off of Google. I thought the cover looked nice, but according to my Mom it comes off as more “creepy” than romantic. I attempted to create a romantic cover, but layering people in a way they were not originally intended just does not look good. My only other alternative was to rent a Grim Reaper costume and find a beautiful couple to take a picture of for the cover… I must just suck it up and pay the $150 for a professional cover, but we shall see.

Did anyone else compete in NaNoWriMo? How did your journey go?

Embracing the new

I began NaNoWriMo (Nano…) the very same day I finished the first draft to a completely separate book. I don’t think I will ever do that again. I love the idea of Nano and I’m off to a great start. The problem is that for the past several months my brain has been hardwired to think about my other story. When I close my eyes or hear a song on the radio , I’m supposed to visualize my current characters and their different struggles. But now, I have to actively force myself to think about my current story.

I don’t believe that I am uninspired, I think my story has great potential. I am just obsessed with my previous story. So how do I let go and embrace the new? I haven’t found an exact process yet, but I am starting by focusing on the big scenes. You know, the ones that would be in the movie trailer. These are the scenes that get me pumped up to write. I’m not going to write those scenes out of order, but at least it gets me thinking about the right characters. 

Yesterday I finally found the face of my main male character. I descried him completely wrong for the image I found… but looking the picture, I knew that is who I meant to describe. That was also motivational.

I’m nearly complete with 2 of 20 chapters for my Nano story, and the progress tracker says that I should be done November 28th, and that gives me some time to edit!

So, to my fellow writers out there. If you have started a new project closely after finishing another… what has helped you to switch gears and mind sets?

Here’s wishing everyone a surprisingly good Monday! Take care.