Chick Lit Goddess

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Redefined Dreams

Preparing for NaNoWriMo

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Like I announced on my LAST POST I will be participating in National Novel Writing Month.  I have a little over a month to prepare for this monthlong journey and I’m already panicking with preparation, so I’ve decided to make a list on what I need to do:

  • GET ALL THE NECESSARY ITEMS: Notepads for scratching down notes: legal-sized is best because it allows you more space to get creative.  Get a Mobile File Folding Cart.  This filing cabinet if wonderful!  It’s light and very portable.  (If all goes well I am planning on beginning my filing system soon).  Get a mini-notebook to keep with you at all times so if an idea pops in your mind all you have to do is write it down.  File Jackets have saved my life as far as keeping things organized.  These large folders are big enough (depending on if you get the large size) to put your legal-sized notepad in.  Of course you’ll need pens, but you will need an eraser.  Since I’m in the editing process, you will need an eraser, on you love.  HERE is a link to the eraser that I have.  Sticky Notes are my favorite item to use when writing, editing or jotting down reminders about your characters to place on your computer screen.  Write an outline for your novel.  If you’re like me, you probably are beginning to wonder what to write.  Using an outline will prevent you for completely stressing out and might help writer’s block stay away…or postpone his visit until you write your next book.
  • MAKE GOALS: Writing 50,000 words seems like a lot, but it averages to be around 1,650 words a day.  It doesn’t seem that bad once you see the number, right?  I’m not saying that there won’t be days when you can’t even write 500 because there will, and that’s okay.  You can create a writing schedule for yourself, similar to a To Do List.  Say you write 500 words a day at the least and if you don’t make it, make it up during the weekends.  Don’t worry, you can do it!
  • GET A SUPPORT GROUP: Having a friend or a writing support group during the month of November, can be a wonderful thing.  If you’re up for it, have them read what you’ve written and talk things over.  If you bounce thought between each other, most of the time you’ll be lucky enough to get a burst of inspiration.
  • PUMP YOURSELF UP: Get excited!  If you’ve never taken part in NaNoWriMo before but have always wanted to write a novel, this is your chance.  You can do it!  If you have, then remember how it felt when you finished writing your first book.
  • WAIT FOR IT TO BE 12:00:01 ON NOVEMBER 1st of 2011: Now that you’re ready, all you have to do is wait for time to pass.  Remember to breathe to calm your nerves.  It’s important to not stress before you get going.
  • WRITE: It’s time to start writing and by then end of the month, you’ll be able to say, “I wrote a book in a month!”

It’s That Time Again

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In just over a month National Novel Writing Month starts and I’m ready…I think!  While I was interested in it last year, I was more focused on finishing my first book.  Since I finished it in March and am in the editing process, I’m itching to get back to writing!  While some of you know I have started writing another book “Somewhere Down In Texas,” I have another story that I want to write even more.  That’s why I plan on participating in NaNoWriMo in November, 100%!  I’m very excited about it because it serve me new challenges!  In the beginning of October I will be taking a six-week Memoir class from Gotham Writers’ Workshop.  A week later starts my Mystery class also to be taken from GWW, though this course is ten weeks.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m horribly nervous and anxious about these challenges, but I’m also very excited!  I can’t remember when I’ve had so much going on at one time!  (Not to forget that birthdays, a girl weekend and Thanksgiving will be somewhere in between…imagine me pulling my hair out right now).

I hope to get through this with flying colors thanks to green tea, visits to the library, support from friends and family and of course wine!  Please know that if you don’t see me blogging as much don’t worry, I will be back once November is over with.

So, who’s going to join me during the National Novel Writing Month?

Fun Friday

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I know that I haven’t been writing my usual “Fun Friday” blogs, but I have to share this with you, only because I consider writing and editing FUN!

Two days ago I went to the library to work on finishing up my editing to turn in to my editor.  I literally sat there and started at my computer and didn’t do a darn thing the whole hour and a half that I was there.  I left the library on the verge of tears, feeling very overwhelmed and unaccomplished.  It wasn’t a good day.

Today I woke up and was ready to tackle what I needed to get done — finish the edits and turn them in!  I arrived at the library and began to work.  After about two hours, I needed a break and pulled myself away from my computer and picked up a book that was sitting on the shelf staring right at me.  It’s called Seven Pleasures: Essays on Ordinary Happiness by Willard Spiegelman.  There are seven chapters which are titled the following: Reading, Walking, Looking, Dancing, Listening, Swimming and Writing.  I read the chapter on writing and I was truly inspired to continue working to make my dreams come true, especially thanks to the following quotes:

Revision is another word for patience

Whom do you dream of when you write?  To whom are you speaking?  Who is your “you?”

“Only armatures say that they write for their own amusement.  Writing is not an amusing occupation.  It is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill and childbirth.” Edna Ferber

Like virtue, writing must ultimately be its own reward.

A writer must only sit and begin.

What is written without effort is read without pleasure.

We must accept our false starts and our full wastebaskets as the conditions for our modest successes.

The writer’s satisfaction comes not from without but from within.

Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.

I hope these quotes inspire you as much as they for me.  I have been lost and feeling a little tired, but after reading the wonderful chapter by Spiegelman, I am fired up and recharged!  I can’t wait to see what next week holds for me on this journey of being a writer!

It’s Fun Friday

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Instead of my typical Fun Friday blog I’ve decided to write about something that is fun to me — writing my second book!

Since I’ve been editing and am feeling comfortable with the work I’m doing, I decided that it’s time to pick up with the characters in my second book, Somewhere Down In Texas.  Earlier this week I read through what I had written in December and was pleasantly surprised that there were only a few changes that I wanted to make.  Once I got to a point where I could begin writing again I felt rejuvenated and refreshed.  It was a new beginning, and my characters are coming alive and the storyline is coming together beautifully!

Since writing my first book I’ve learned a lot about writing, the (sometimes) grueling process of sitting at the computer and forming words into sentences, but of all the things I’ve learned, I’ve learned the most about myself and who I am.  I am a writer and there’s nothing that I’d rather be.

What Your Family Thinks About Your Writing and Another Note

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I spent half of this holiday weekend with my family — aunts, uncles and cousins.  While some had seen my book that my husband had published for me (read about it HERE), some of them hadn’t, but when I showed it to them, each one of them was amazed at my talent.  Hearing their cheers and compliments made me feel amazing, it were as if I were famous, and one of my aunts even wants a signed copy!

During the long drive home and even as I write this, their praises gave me motivation to continue on my writing journey and finish editing my first and keep writing my 2nd book!  I’m wondering, what does your family think about your writing?

On another note, I really thought that I could get some good work done, but that didn’t happen.  Between listening to my mom and brother chat away, I was way too distracted to do anything.  Unfortunately, I didn’t do any work that night at the hotel.  Saturday, I woke up and I was hoping to get a lot of work done, but again, that didn’t happen and I was beginning to feel frustrated, very frustrated.  I woke up early on Sunday morning and edited a few pages.  Just as I was beginning to get into it and feel like I was getting somewhere, everyone decided to slowly wake up, which meant it was time to put my computer and notes from my editor away.  We left a few hours later and again, I didn’t work in the car.  The whole way home, my mind was saying, “Just get me home, I’ve got work to do!”  By the time I got home and showered, it was time for dinner and my mother-in-law came over and again, I got nothing done.  Today, on Memorial Day, I wish that I could say that I worked, but I didn’t.  There was just way too much to do.  Now that it’s the end of the day, I’m willing myself to make time to work during laundry, the cat crying, dishes piling up and a much-needed workout for myself…and TOMORROW IS THE DAY!