Month: July 2012

A Letter to My Pre – JuNoWriMo Self

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle14 Comments
In the tradition of “A Letter to my Younger Self”, I decided to writer a letter to my pre-JuNoWriMo self.  
Dear Writer in Training,
Congratulation. You did it.  You completed the first draft of your first novel.  I am so very proud of you.
Now I realize that when this month started you were all worried about if you would even be able to write a single page.  And, your brain was focused on getting 50,000 words no matter what, but I am happy to say you learned so many more lessons this month then you even thought possible.    The most important lesson will be that you are going to fall in love with writing.  So, be ready for it and enjoy the process.   
At the beginning, I don’t think you understood how the process of writing was going to make you feel both mentally and physically. It is not going to be easy and it will not be automatic, but over the course of the month you are going to get an idea of what being a writer is all about.  
You will have goals and deadlines and people depending on you and if you are open to that, you writing life is going to be very fulfilling.  
You will get an education in understanding the difference between the craft of writing and the business of writing.  Pay attention, it will be important someday.   
You will dare to put your writing out there for the world to see and you will get some feedback.  Just take in any and all criticism because you can always learn something.  Even if the criticism sounds harsh, suck it up.  It will only make you better.   
In addition, understand that your writing process is very much like your personality.  You are an organized and focused person, but you like to know the answers before the questions are even asked.  It is the lawyer in you.  But, be open for the surprise twist and turns that your characters are going to take.  It is a blast when your MC does something you didn’t expect them to do.  
And, while you may have thought writing was a lonely pursuit, you will be pleasantly surprised that over the course of the month, you will make some great writer friends who are supportive and want you to succeed.  Don’t take that for granted. 
I am really excited about the month you are going to have.  Although you need to get more rest and exercise, in the end your will achieve your goals and most important you will have finished what you have started.  
Enjoy the journey,
New Writer

If you knew then, what you know now, what would you have done different? 

My deepest and heart felt thanks to:

A.E. Howard, Becca J. Campbell, James Eggebeen, EM Castellan, Morgan Hyde, A.M. Schultz, Amanda Fanger, Charlotte Stevens, Juliana Haygert, Felicia Wetzig,  Wendy Lu, Angi Black,  and the other JuNoWriMo participants.  You are all awesome.

JuNoWriMo Host, Participant and Winner Interview – Becca J. Campbell

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

For the final interview in my JuNoWriMo Interview Series, please welcome Becca J. Campbell.  She, along with A.E. Howard, created JuNoWriMo.

Tell me a little about what you are writing for Junowrimo.
I’m writing a New Adult Urban Fantasy novel. Here’s the synopsis:
Eva has the curse of randomly disappearing, unable to be heard, seen, or felt in any way during her absences. During those episodes she can only watch the rest of the world pass her by. The worst was a period that lasted nearly ten years.
Now, indefinitely back to being visible, her ten year high school reunion is upon her, and though she isn’t looking forward to it, she has to go. It’s the only way to find the answer to her burning question, the one eating her up during those ten long years. But to find the answer she has to face the pain buried deep in her past. She has to face Kade.
Is this your first time doing this type of challenge?
Nope! I’ve won NaNoWriMo two years in a row, which is what spurred the whole idea of JuNoWriMo. J
What did you learn from the last challenge that is helping you with Junowrimo? 
From my previous NaNoWriMo experiences I’ve learned that I am a hard-and-fast planner. I require a full synopsis in outline form that directs me scene by scene through my novel. So I did as much prewriting as possible this time through. It really helped, too. I didn’t get stuck at all this year. I only skipped one scene that I was unsure of, and beyond that, I made it to my final chapter when I ended the month.
What is your typical weekly writing schedule like; time of day, # of words per day.
I usually write in the evening, sometimes also in the afternoons when my kids are having quiet time. I aimed to get ahead early on, approximately 3,000 words per day. I didn’t achieve that every day, but I was ahead of my quota the entire month. I met the 50K on day 23.
What was your final word count for the Challenge? 
Unfortunately, I got sick the last week of this month and haven’t been able to write, otherwise I would have finished my whole novel. I stopped at 54,624 words, though, and I’m happy with that. At least I won JuNoWriMo. I’ve got to accept what’s reasonable and what isn’t and though writing 75K in a calm month might be possible for me, this month was incredibly busy. Plus, I can’t write when I’m sick.
How did you and Anna decide to host JuNoWriMo?
I decided sometime around February or March that I wanted to write a novel NaNo-style in June because the timing worked out really well for me. But I thrive on the energy from other writers and I knew if I could get more people to do it with me I’d have a much better chance at success. So I tweeted about the idea, jokingly saying I was going to do “JuNoWriMo.” What I got was a handful of other excited writers saying they would do it with me. One of those was Anna, a creative lady who happened to know a ton about web design and have a lot of helpful ideas. So we partnered together for this creative adventure. It was a match made in heaven—our differences complement each other quite well.
What is the future of JuNoWriMo?
This month has been amazing! I’ve been astounded by the numbers of participants we rounded up in just a few short months. I can already feel a strong sense of community here and I absolutely love it. Because of all that (and because my June totally rocked—except for the getting sick part), we’re doing this thing again next year. Anna and I are on board, hoping this will be an annual deal you can count on to get you through your summer novel. We’re even scheduling the release of our future books around it so we are set to handle everything. In the meantime, tell your friends and neighbors, and spread the word. Next year it’s going to be even bigger and better! And if you really want to share the love, donate a buck or two. (http://junowrimo.com/about-us/donate/) We’ve donated many hours of our time and a ton of effort birthing this thing and helping you get that novel written. Thanks for joining us for the ride and I hope to see you next year!

Make sure to visit and connect with Becca.

Blog:  beccajcambell.com

Twitter:  @beccajcampbell

Click here to visit Becca’s Author Page on Facebook and Goodreads.

Am I Ruined for Life?

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle39 Comments

It is that time of the month, where I feel safe to reveal some of my insecurities for the world to see.  It is Insecure Writer’s Support Group Day!

My main concern for the month is that my first novel-writing experience has ruined me for the rest of my writing career.

In June, I finished a month-long writing challenge called JuNoWriMo.  With a goal of 50,000 words, I was able to write over 75,000 words.  I did what the challenge asked me to do; Just Write.  I really enjoyed writing this way.  It was my first novel.  But, it was a novel I had been thinking about for over 2 years.  I knew exactly how it was supposed to start and end.  I knew the main character inside and out.  I knew the setting backward and forward.   I knew the lesson my MC was supposed to learn by the end and she got there after going through several conflicts.  The issues in the beginning came to complete and sometimes funny conclusions at the end.  Dare I say it, the process was easy.

Don’t get me wrong, I woke up early to write. I stayed up late to write. I didn’t go out much and a couple of days I didn’t bath (Am I sharing too much?). But, in the grand scheme of things, I felt that the month went very smoothly.

I created a daily journal about my writing experience and there were only a couple of days that I would classify as me having a “moment”. Other than that, it was so much fun.

My concern is what if the next time it is not so easy.  No way it could be. I have another story idea, which I just thought about this month.  It is with two MC, but besides the broad story, I know nothing about them.  It is in familiar settings, but it will still take some research.  And, I have an idea of where it should start, but no idea of where it will end.

I am concerned that the process isn’t going to be so easy and will I be up for it.  I have given myself a month to outline and plan and then jumping right back into the writing fray with Camp Nanowrimo in August.

I would love it if my first experience was my writing process, but, I don’t think that is realistic.

Did my first novel-writing experience ruin me for life? 

JuNoWriMo Particpant Interview Felicia Wetzig

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

I am so excited to feature one of my favorite bloggers on the net and JuNoWriMo Winner, Felicia Wetzig. 

Tell me a little about what you are writing for Junowrimo. 

It’s a paranormal story, loosely based on a dream I had about a tiger with green eyes. A few weeks after the dream, the image was still vivid in my mind and I began to think about a person whose spirit could leave his/her body and become an animal. There are a lot of spirit based entities in my story (not in a religious sense), I’m using various shape-shifter legends and some Faerie legends.

Chloe’s a normal country girl who’s spent most of her life in the forest, but when a strange energy in the forest draws dangerous creatures to the area, her safe haven begins to fall apart. The only person who seems to be able to help her, a new student at her college named Keegan, shares the exact appearance of the ‘man’ who brutally attacked her. 

Is this your first time doing this type of challenge? 

Yep. 

How has it meet your expectations so far? 

It has been quite a ride. I was hesitant about getting involved. I wasn’t sure how it would really help or hinder the writing process, but in the end I’m glad I did. I would have never written 50,000 words in one month. My first project ended at about 100,000 and that took me more than 6 months. It’s been great having other people to push me along; the camaraderie was the best part.  It has also been a lesson in not thinking so much about every little thing and, instead, letting the words flow unedited. 

What was your writing schedule like this past week; time of day, # of words per day.

Oh boy…  I had a lot of catching up to do this week. The first week of the challenge I was ahead, but things (work mostly) got in the way. As of last Sunday, I was 16549 away from the finish line.  I wish I could say I have a consistent writing schedule but…

Sunday 4013

Monday 1600

Tuesday 854

Wednesday 715

Thursday 0

Friday 3190

Saturday 6349 (my biggest day for the month)

I crossed the finish line about 15 minutes before midnight. 

Did you do any planning for Junowrimo?  If so what type of planning and how are your plans working out so far? 

Not really. I’m not a big planner. I knew my two main characters, and I had a basic understanding of the paranormal rules I’d be following. Beyond that I don’t plot or create formal outlines. I just let the scenes happen and then I fill in missing points later. 

What is your word count as of June 30th?

At midnight I had 50,172 words, and still more work to do before it’s finished. 

For more information and to connect with Felicia visit her on her website,The Peasants Revolt, Twitter and Facebook.
Website: The Peasant Revolt – http://scotzig.com   Twitter: @Scotzig      Facebook:  Felicia Wetzig

My Weekly Update – Lovely, Loving, Love

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

Lovely

Last week I was beautiful.  Apparently, this week I am Lovely.  I have received the One Lovely Blog Award from not one but two of my favorite blogsperts (my made up word for blog experts).

Thank you so much to Vikki from The View Outside.  Vikki posts everyday and it is always interesting and entertaining.  I just love quality combined with quantity.

I also want to thank  Nicole from the The Madlab Post.  Nicole host the Monday Movie Meme.  I can’t wait to see what theme she comes up with each week to link movies.

The rules suggest that I share 7 items of interest about myself.  I am going to share 7 interesting facts about my JuNoWriMo WIP.

  1. The book takes place in China, New Orleans, New Jersey, New York, China, Texas & New Jersey again. 
  2. It is most definitely chick lit.
  3. It is funny.
  4. There is some very hot, seductive, spicy, rated PG-13 sex scenes in it an I blushed when I wrote it. 
  5. It is over 75,000 words long.
  6. There is an evil boss in the story.
  7. It has an ironic ending.

I have decided to give the award to my oh so Lovely JuNoWriMo Hosts:

Becca Campbell

A. E. Howard

And, my 13 Lovely New Followers below.

Loving

I am in a Loving kind of mood today.  I am loving that JuNoWriMo is done (I promise, I will stop talking about it after next Friday). I am loving the friends that I made through participating in this great challenge. I am loving that the first draft of my first novel is done and there is a lot of good content in there. I am really loving that I am not going to look at it again until September. I am loving that I have another novel idea in my head; can you say Camp Nanowrimo in August.

And, I am loving that I now feel like a writer.

For me, it was a Lovely Month!  How was yours? 

Love My New Followers

Next Week’s Schedule

Monday – JuNoWriMo participant Interview Felicia Wetzig
Tuesday – Insecure Writers Support Group Post
Thursday – JuNoWriMo participant Interview Becca Campbell
Friday – A Note to My Pre-JuNoWriMo Self
Sunday – My Weekly Update