Middle of July

CampNaNoWriMo July edition is half over and I have already reached my goals. The sad thing is that it'll all get archived and forgotten, probably for years. It sucks, I hate it but at least I got words down. With that said I have come up with a novella series and I'm working on it. This series will out of my norm cause it's not about shifters but non-sparkly vampires. They will be fast paced and of course have naughty-naughty scenes. I might even self-publish these before I do anything else. Yes, I haven't published anything yet, truth be told only 1 person has read my works. Though it is understandable with my anxiety and OCD (obsessive compulsion disorder). I hyper-ventilate just thinking about someone reading my stuff.
So far the main characters are named; banana, orange and plum. I haven't found a name that fits their personality yet.

SO, with all that said, why do I write?

Well, I started out writing for my daughter and to keep me busy without a job or internet. Kiddo-2 read Twilight in kindergarten. By the time she was in 2nd grade there were almost no books she could read that didn't have sex in it. I wrote and wrote for over a year and ended up with over 180k words. Once I started reading more I found a new genre to write and with a lot of sex. I've gone back over my 1st work and it'll take tons of editing. Too many main characters and their situations. I just haven't found a way to split it up since it all happens at the same time and I love my characters.
My adult characters are keeping me fairly sane and it's the reason why I am still writing. Like I've said before writing is a thing therapists suggest for certain things. For  me, it helps. I have met others it doesn't work.

Update on Kids

Kiddo-2 is spending time with grandma and hasn't been too bad. She calls every day and we talk. We have agreed she has to  spend a weekend home this month and she chose the last one of course. I talked to her supposed-ex-boy-friend and jumped his shit for what he did while kiddo-2 was hiding. She is going to therapy and talking to the behavioral therapist as well. She really wants to come home and be the girl I knew before this last November.

Kiddo-1 has just begun to kiss my butt. After over a month he decides he needs his mommy. Yep, I knew it was coming. He has apologized for causing trouble and of course he needed help buying food. Yes, I've helped him a tiny bit but nowhere near as much as I did before everything happened.  I have split feelings about him being in my life. I love him, there is no question in that. I just don't know if I can trust him. I'll make an effort to keep him in my life as long as he continues on his current choice. He has admitted that his un-medicated bipolar played a part in the whole situation. This was something I already knew but for him to admit it was a huge step. He has set up an appointment for the end of the month to get back on meds. I'm not holding my breath that he'll take the pills but I can hope.

Disability- Money-Bills

My disability claim should be going to court in the next couple of months. I know I'll end up getting it but it is stressful. I check my e-mail several times a day hoping that my attorney has sent me a date for court. I wish it had already been approved since the system messed up my paperwork for state assistance for the 3rd time in the last 18 months. I usually get the money on the 1st of every month but for July I haven't received anything yet and won't until the 24th. Luckily my ex-MIL helped out with bills. I'll pay her back when I get the money. I'm hoping soon this crap will be done with and I won't have to worry about the paperwork every 3 months.

Neighbors

This apartment complex sucks ass. I have an anxiety attack every time I have to take out my trash or check the mail. I have been waiting until dark to do either. Though this last week I sat outside with 1 neighbor and her kids... well kiddo-1 was out there too. Staying inside cause of idiots isn't healthy but soon I'll be able to afford a different place. I try and go over to one neighbors once a week for a bit and have kept to it for 5 weeks.

I am not a doctor or therapist, seek a medical professional if you have thoughts of suicide, homicide, or any other health issues. My words should not replace a professional's advice.

Hi Ho Hi Ho- Back to Writing I Go

An update on my health....I am cancer free and can wait 1 year rather than 6 months for paps & mammograms. If you don't get regular check-ups and cancer screenings PLEASE do! They can save your life.

Writing is a distraction and coping tool for my bipolar and anxiety. Writing places in my world and it's less stressful there. Though it can be stressful if you are struggling with the plots, characters and many other things. Over the last week I have noticed a change in my behavior and moods. They have been better.
I have jumped back into my writing. I started 'Love of Nessa' (might change title) this last week. I have been writing every day and a few of them I wrote over 1500 words when my goal is 500.
I'm trying out Scapple, a mind mapping program. Never really plotted my stories and I doubt I'm using it the way I should. Instead of plotting the stories I'm plotting character bios and relationships. I tried plotting on it and I don't know if I like it yet. Maybe. Here are tow pictures of my mapping...

Character Mapping

Plot Mapping

Today, before I write with @FriNightWrites I am updating my Scrivener with the characters. It might take some time but I have a few hours. Here's a picture of it so far...

Scrivener for 'Love Of Nessa'

I now have to find character inspiration pictures on Pinterest and the web. That's my goal, to have all characters' picture done.

As you can see I'm doing better and writing is the key to keeping it that way. 

Here's a look at 'Love Of Nessa':

Nessa is a meek uneducated female wolf shifter. She is handed over to mate an Alpha and it scares her. Through the first few chapters she struggles with her new role and fights it some of the time. Her mate has his own struggles... An Alpha that shares a property line starts sabotaging the pack and will end up starting a war (something that hasn't happened in over three centuries).

That's all I got so far.

Writer's Stuck?!?!?!

Behind is not where I wanted to be. I wanted over 35k words written for NaNoWriMo and I'm stuck at 21k. Though I am ahead of the 1667 words daily, it is frustrating. I know The storyline, my characters changed it a bit but nothing I can't handle.

So, why did I refuse to write for 3 days? I thought it was because my Main character decided to switch the man she would end up with. That had worked itself out the first night I didn't write. I wrote for 13 hours with #WriteClub at @FriNightWrites Thursday and then stopped.
Maybe an overload? I wrote so much in that time I might have fried some neurons.

Maybe my normal November depression is hitting? Yeah, i miss my mom but it's not as bad this year, at least I don't think it is. It's for her that I participate in NaNoWriMo. Her love for reading was more than anyone I know. She would have a book in her hands 24/7 if she could have. There was on in her purse, one in the car, one by her bed and of course one in her hand. SHe could read, watch TV and eat all at once. I've never mastered that nor do I think I will. SO, All in all I don't think it's depression.

With 20 days left I believe I can make it to 50k plus more, hopefully. I'm not very optimistic. Never have been never will be.

On a good note, I met an author that wants to read my dribble when it's done. Not going to hold my breath to hear it's good.. I know it sucks but I write it any way. Why, you ask. Hmm... good question.
I guess to leave the real world behind and hide within mine. I have total control over it (for the most part) and Nothing bad happens to me.

I guess that's all for now. I'm hoping to get back here before the end of the month.

Getting Myself Ready!

I haven't been writing much as of lately. This is not a good thing. I should be writing daily. So, with this I have zero links in my Write Chain Challenge. That makes me a bit discouraged. I had made it to link 58 and then broke it.

They may be cute but dangerous!

As I have just under 38.5 hours until NaNoWriMo starts, I am trying not the be anxious over it. I finished last year and I will this year. Though the plotbunnies are trying to get me started early. They have been running over the plots and the emotions of certain scenes. For those who don't know what plotbunnies are are cute but they are the ideas that keep sidetracking one from the plot or the things you talk to when you look like you're talking to yourself. Or a story idea that refuses to go away until its written. They are great at stressing you out and driving you insane at times. Outsiders (non-writers) tend to think you are schizophrenic; that is not the case though.

Scrivener all set up.

As preparing for NaNoWriMo, I have found that a character is not going to be easy to control in my writing. She is independant and mouthy. Why did I create her like that? Well, she is bound to make it very interesting. My Scrivener is up and ready for my NaNoWriMo WIP. My

Timeline all ready to go.

Aeon Timeline is ready to go and set for this novel. The time line was easier than Scrivener since all I did was make another arc. Yeah I know; the arcs are for the changes in a single story. I use them to separate the sequels in my series. I helps me more that using it normal.

With the 3 writathons going on between @GetWordies and @FriNightWrites I should be at 35k by the 15th. If not finished to 50k. 3 weekends of writing will definitely get me passed 30k.

Holiday plans:
If I hit 40k by the20th I will have Turkey day on the 30th. Otherwise it will be December 6th. My family is spares and not that into holidays other than Solstices and Samhain.

If you notice, I have completed my Reading Challenge ahead of schedule. 40 books this year. That will give me time to get all the writing done.

GOOD LUCK with NaNoWriMo folks. 

NaNoPrep Moving Along

With less than a week to go, I have most of my prep done for NaNoWriMo. Here's what's completed:

• Plots determined
• Twists (if characters let it happen that way)
• Characters 
• Character relationships (though they may change my mind)
• Places described and arranged  
• Title and title to the series (at least I think)
• Started writing 2000 word daily
• Aeon timeline set up
• Scrivener set up
• Calendar set and marked for all the writathons
• Word count meters setup 

This week has been good and hoping that this next week I need to get more done. I have most of my housework (Fall Cleaning) done. That is always a must before November and NaNoWriMo gives me that extra push.
SO, here is what has been done in my house:

• Scrubbed all floors on hands and knees
• Cleaned washer 
• Removed all lint from dryer vent
• Washed every dish in the house with soapy bleach water
• Wiped out cupboards
• Scrubbed & disinfected bathroom
• Vacuumed all carpet twice
• Washed rugs, curtains and bedding (I do bedding every other week though)
• Wiped all light switches and door knobs with Clorox wipes
• Dusted everything (picture frames included)
• Cleaned frig and freezer (inside & out)
• Cleaned microwave and oven
• Cleaned inside windows
• Re-arranged the living room for winter

There! See I have been very busy. Now on the 3rd I'll do my monthly grocery shopping and then prepare freezer meals for the month. Oh! And make NaNo snacks. @GetWordies has tons of meals, freezer meals and snackies on their blog and on Pinterest.  With 25 meals prepped and ready my kids can just toss them in the microwave, crockpot, or slap together a salad or sandmich. I think freezer meals were invented for NaNoWriMo. 

Kids will get their rooms done in the next few days so the whole house will be done before the 1st!

As for writing, I started what was to be an adult novella. It seems to be turning into a YA that will link with the series I'm working on. Don't know how that happened but it did. That one will be call 'Sara' I think. Maybe "Sara's Coming of Age". I guess I'll figure it out later.

My Writing Schedule ???

Many ask how do you plan when you write?

Well that all depends on the day and my mood. I am a participant of WriteChainChallenege so I make myself write at least 1500 wordies a day. I have managed for the last 53 days to do so. Here's my schedule (changes made when kiddos involved)

Monday - Thursday during 9am and 3pm for at least 2 hours. At night I write while cooking and cleaning up after dinner.
Fridays I write from 1pm-2am with a few breaks for food and dishes This is for FriNightWrites on Twitter
Saturdays I write any where from 9am-3am for a minimum of 6 hours. In the mornings I do #TalesAndTea with The Sprint Shack on Twitter.
Sundays it all depends on when my kiddos get home. usually I write around noon for a few hours (like 8).

Remember I have two kids and they interfere a lot with my scheduled writing times. Friday my son came home from school early because of a migraine. No problem he went to his room and slept for a bit, so no stopping is needed. Then I have to figure out which laptop I am gonna use, my daughter's or son's. If neither then I HAVE to use my desktop. Using my desktop isn't as inspiring as writing in the kitchen for some reason.

Most of the time I do word sprints for 30 minutes with friends and fellow writers on Twitter. They keep my grove going and when my writing groups aren't running sprints I do. Example, I ran six 30 minute sprints today and had several join in. I always use the hashtag #getwordies because that's our goal, to get words written.

Yeah I am on Twitter most of the day doing sprints. Like I said before, they keep me writing and during the breaks I get dishes, laundry and other things done in the kitchen. I even cook while sprinting now. Though finding TweetDeck was the best thing in the world since Scrivener.

No matter what wordies are written everyday. I wrote only 2540 words today but I created several supporting characters for this 'Dalara' and they may end up with one of their own in the future. Already planning on one for sure.

So, my writer friends and followers, if you need motivation to keep you on track find me on Twitter @jesdeh2o or search #getwordies to see if I'm running sprints! Or you can always ask if I can. I am more than willing to help out my fellow writers.

What Are They Doing?

My characters are not cooperating with me. 

The last few days my MC (main character) and her bestie have decided they don't want to do what I want. This point in the novel is hard enough to write. Now with them ticking me off it just makes it harder. Dalara's bestie is having issues with not wanting to be in this part and I need her here. It's almost as if she wants to be the MC now and I can't have that. I have had this issue before but she is stubborn. I am hoping by Friday she will start cooperating. I need wordies. 

I am going to word sprint with my lovelies over at @TheSprintShack on Twitter today, or at least try. Friday will be an all day and night sprint fest with @FriNightWrites for #writeclub. For those who are unfamiliar with either one check out their blogs. The Sprint Shack and FriNightWrites. The sprints are hosted by fellow writers. We write for a set time and see how many wordies we can get out of our fingers. 

I want this novel done and ready for my beta readers before April 1st. Camp NaNoWriMo begins then and I want to start the next novel in the series. I was thinking it would be Dalara's pack-mate but it might have to be her bestie instead. Which that is all fine and dandy with me. I know part of her story already and have tons of notes and research done. 

Camp NaNoWriMo is like NaNoWriMo I did in November; 50k words in a month. I won in November and I want to in April and July for Camp NaNoWriMo too. That's where the sprinting comes in handy. On a good sprint I have forced out 900+ wordies in 30 minutes. I wouldn't be able to live without my lovelies on Twitter. They keep me going with encouragement and ideas when I get stuck like I am now. 

Don't forget Friday I will be posting about another favorite author of mine. 

1st Week of December!

As I sit here and wait for the 5th I am thinking back over what I accomplished in November. Though it is the hardest month of  the year for me, I wrote 3/4 of a novel hitting over 50k words. I won NaNoWriMo! I never thought I could do it, but with the support of @TheSprintShack, @WriteChain, @FriNightWrites and many others within them, it would take forever to list all that helped and are still helping me. Always pushing me to sprint and get those words out of my head and on the computer screen. You guys *ROCK*.
As I have not completed my NaNo novel, I have begun finishing up the PREQUEL to it.  It is a shorter process after doing 50k+ in 30days. I am so glad I took the challenge and if I hadn't won, it still would have been awesome.

With winning I get to purchase Scrivener from Literature and Latte at 50% off on the 5th. Along with AEON Timeline. Both helped me so much I would never had made it without their NaNo Trials. With Scrivener I had everything from places, character bios, and relationships all in one place. I didn't have to open another program. Aeon Timeline allowed me to track the timing of each event and I never forgot what day it was in my novel.

There are tons of tools for writers and these are the only ones I have tried and I don't think I will try anything else. This is it for me. Each writer has their own way of doing things and Scrivener and Aeon Timeline is what I need.

With all that said I will definitely be participating next year in NaNoWriMo! I only wish I could make a financial donation this year. If you wish to help out the non-profit organization of NaNoWriMo please do so on their website (Link is above). Thanks!