End of October, Tuesday Tally

EotF Status

letting it sit before draft 6

 

T.C. Status

word count: 2,230 (increase of 759 words)

 

This Month's Goals

• Finish uploading EotF...
• poetry chapbook outlined and Muse Conf...
• make progress on TC...
• spend at least two hours daily (M-F) on writing related activities

 

Goals for November

• Poem a Week
• submit a batch of poetry weekly
• mail off Blazing Princess again

 

Successful month goal wise. I'm hoping next month will be even more productive.

 

Last night was our first monthly chat for our poetry group from the Muse Conference. As a group goal, we're each writing or polishing one poem a week and going to share and comment on each others poems. My last online poetry group wasn't very active and fell apart. Hopefully this one will last longer, and I'll make some new friends.

On the Poetic Asides blog, Robert Lee Bower suggested an alternative for poets during NaNoWriMo. Rather than write a novel in a month, do a poem a day with the goal of a chapbook of poems by the end of the month. NaNoWriMo scares me. A Poem a Day (PAD) feels more reasonable. So, my official goal is one poem a week, but I'm unofficially going to attempt a poem a day (draft, not polished).

 

Working on my poetry and the other exercises during the Muse Conference resparked my creativity. I finally wrote some new content for Trinity Coven! It felt really good. I've been stuck in editing mode for too long.

Tuesday Tally: What I learned last week

EotF Update

total words to date: 94,627

pages: 417

chapters revised: 27/27 (draft 5)

 

T.C. Status

word count: 1471

 

This Months' Goals:

Finish uploading the recent version of EotF to WDC at one or two chapters a day, including the elusive chapter 26, by Oct 11

have a poetry chapbook outlined and other assignments ready for Muse Conf, which starts Oct 13

use latter part of month (20-31) to put all that aside and make progress on TC

to accomplish all of the above, spend at least two hours daily (at least M-F) on writing related activities

 

The Muse Online Writers Conference was a brain-load of information, and a boost in creativity. I didn't keep up with all the workshops I signed up for initially, but the forums will be open for another month so I can go in and copy any information I want to save. The workshops I put the most time in were both poetry related.

 

The Creative Block Buster for Poetry workshop had a one-hour chat every morning Monday through Friday in addition to the forum. The chats were very enlightening. We brainstormed, discussed, and learned techniques to free our stuck poems. I learned how to listen to my poetry. I workshopped two poems during the week, and am very happy with the end results for both. Lisa Gentile, the presenter, had a power outage and was not able to make the Friday chat. I think it was a blessing in disguise for the rest of us. We talked about what we had learned, and by the end of the hour we had decided to put together an anthology of poems improved by the course, and meet again for future chats. Essentially, we formed a Poetry Group. Yay! We'll be meeting once a month to chat. Very exciting.

 

The other one I focused on was How to Turn Your Poetry Into a Saleable Chapbook. Yes, a mouthful, but an educating one. With encouragement, I went with the dark theme. Even my husband had once commented that a lot of my writing had the thread of darker emotion. The title I chose is Chiaroscuro. What, exactly, is my chapbook about? Exploring the darkness, bringing the monsters of death and abuse into the light. Thanks to the workshop, I have a completed chapbook, all formatted, and the tools to either submit or self-publish. I traded in-depth critiques with another member. Thanks to her feedback, I'm polishing/tightening the individual poems. My acknowledgements section is rather bare, so here's the plan:

1. Polish poems (mostly tweaking, no major revamps; I'm not in the same place I was when I wrote them)
2. Submit the best to various markets.
3. Once I get some publishing credits, submit the chapbook as a whole to poetry chapbook publishers.

 

(warning: rambling thoughts ahead)

Another Authoress Secret Agent contest recently ended. I made changes after the last one, and submitted a revised opening. The general consensus this time - opening much improved. However, my ratio of yes/no hooked didn't really go up. Out of 11 comments, 3 were definitely hooked, 4 definitely not, 2 said it was improved but still not quite hooked, 1 would read on for the genre though not quite hooked, and 1 would need to read the blurb first. Due to the tightened opening, an issue appeared on this first page that used to come up on a later page (see comments on opening, or skip to agent comment below to name that issue). I had received a couple comments prior saying it might turn off readers, or be a tough sell, but now that an agent and a couple more readers have expressed the same thing... and my husband admitted to not liking it as well... Gosh, tough stuff.

 

The event in question shapes my MC and though nothing is ever shown (trauma occurring before story opens), it does trigger some events and conversations in the first five or so chapters. No one seems to be bothered by the physical abuse, just the other kind. My husband did make the point that the issue is probably more that it appears so soon in the book, before the reader has a chance to really care about the characters. A backfired attempt to create reader sympathy (more a side effect, as the issue isn't there just for reader sympathy, but for character shaping and those aforementioned event triggers). I don't want to narrow my audience too far, or kill my chances to get an agent or publisher, if it really is that big of an Issue. So, in my next read-through and revisions, I will see if it is plausible to take out the problematic content. *sigh* Much work ahead.

 

Analyzing the agent's comment:

I do like how this adds some backstory detail in without being obvious, but I'm just not feeling enchanted. I'm not a reader of this kind of YA, but what hooks me regardless is character. Work on making your characters deeper, even on first glance; if you're writing a fairy story, there's a temptation to mimic fairy tale language, and that keeps your characters flat. Add details that make them seem real and full of life. I also balked at the suggestion of sexual abuse ahead, it didn't seem to fit with the tone.

On a plus note, no one complained that my opening had "telling dialogue", instead I got complimented from the agent. One problem fixed at least. Another issue in that comment. She refers to it as YA. My story is not Young Adult. The MC does start out as a teenager, but that alone doesn't make a YA. Would the confusion be cleared up with merely the introductory query letter or back blurb? Most likely. The question is, does the opening voice imply YA? Any opinions on that matter are welcome.

 

... Well, that was quite an entry. Probably could have been broken into three parts. Kudos and thanks to all those who made it this far. Don't be shy about sharing your opinion on anything in this post. I need to hear it straight.

 

Additional question for any who might help: Today, whilst using Windows Live Writer to compose this post, pressing enter is frequently creating a bullet point rather than simply starting a new paragraph or line break. How do I make it stop?? I'm pretty sure all my list html is closed, yet it keeps spawning new ones... This post is a mess...

 

Going to take a nap while B is still at school.

I am a Mermaid

This one is pretty good! (picture and results, here)

 

You are a Mermaid, who sits on a rock in the sea, looking and watching all humanity with curiosity in your eyes. You have a two-sided personality - On one hand, you revel in your freedom and often prefer to live in your own private dreams and on the other hand, humanity intrigues you and you love watching on.

You are actually very kind at heart and, hating to see people hurt, you despise injustice. You probably have one or two special friends, who mean the world to you.

Also; you are probably quite political, wanting to see justice done in the world.

You are quite the dreamer, needing your freedom and personal space to dream your little dreams. You love to escape into a book or some good music and just drift away.

Some of your good points are that you are sensitive, compassionate and a freethinker. Your bad points are that you may come across as cool and aloof to others and probably have a tendency to depression.

You are the ultimate dreamer with a kind - yet troubled heart.

 

What are you?

 

Tuesday Tally - Muse Conf time

EotF Update

total words to date: 94,627

pages: 417

chapters revised: 27/27 (draft 5)

 

T.C. Status

word count: 1471

 

This Months' Goals:

Finish uploading the recent version of EotF to WDC at one or two chapters a day, including the elusive chapter 26, by Oct 11

have a poetry chapbook outlined and other assignments ready for Muse Conf, which starts Oct 13

use latter part of month (20-31) to put all that aside and make progress on TC

to accomplish all of the above, spend at least two hours daily (at least M-F) on writing related activities

 

See that beautiful completed draft five up there? Last Thursday I wasn't feeling well, but I had that deadline, and I got that scene done. Yes, it was hard. Is it any good? I don't know. No one else has read it yet. But it's done. Now I get to ignore it for the rest of the month.

 

Keeping busy with the Muse Conference this week. Learning some good stuff, writing new stuff for assignments, and getting help with some poetry I'm stuck on. I'll definitely be signing up again next year.

 

... P has been here less than five minutes and already the boys are fighting. B wants to play, and P is cranky and tired and just wants to veg. Of course, B doesn't accept that and tries to force P to play with him, which just makes everyone more cranky. Ten minutes until bus time...

 

Alright, I refuse to end on that negative note. One of the workshops this week is on compiling a chapbook. I shared the many topics I cover in my poetry, and my indecision on choosing a good theme. The presenter replied and essentially gave me permission (encouraged even) me to go with the dark theme. I have a lot of poetry that deals with death/abuse/pain/darker emotion. I have an idea for a title, now the next step is target markets. I can't exactly put a chapbook of dark poetry in a pet store or flower shop. Will have to brainstorm.

Fact or Crap

5,000 Questions... My answers so far...

 

 

Let's play fact or crap.
Is it a fact? Or is it crap?

 

Don't take my word for these. Just answering my initial theory, not looking up actual answers. If you're curious, look them up yourself.

481. The greenhouse effect is bad for your health. crap

482. There are about as many molecules of air in one breath as there are hairs on your head. crap

483. The Miss America pageant started out as a contest in which people decorated wheel chairs and one chair was judged the prettiest. crap

484. To remove a tattoo a physician can place a small balloon under the skin, which is inflated so that the tattooed skin gradually stretches. Then they cut the stretched skin away. crap

485. Cock fighting is a sexual sport. crap

486. It is the warmest time of the day during the hour that the sun is the highest in the sky. crap

487. Certain scientists specialize in studying cow farts. fact

488. The brilliant colors (reds, oranges, yellows) across the sky that we get from sunsets are caused mainly by pollution. crap

489. In Grimm's original fairy tale, Rapunzel is pregnant. crap

490. Dracula was the first movie about a vampire. crap

491. The inventors of Corn Flakes, the Kellogg brothers, ran a school for delinquent youth. crap (it was a sanitarium, actually)

492. "Kemo Sabe" means "soggy shrub" in Navajo. crap

493. Sir Thomas Crapper invented the toilet. crap

494. The Earl of Sandwich invented the Sandwich. fact

495. Some Chinese alchemists were trying to invent an immortality medicine and accidentally invented gunpowder instead. fact

496. The human body is made of about 99% water. crap

497. Bubble gum contains rubber. fact

498 This survey to the zero power = 0. crap

499. Most lipstick contains fish scales. crap

500. There are 86401 seconds in day. crap

Tuesday Tally

EotF Update

total words to date: 93,640

pages: 413

chapters revised: 26.5/27 (draft 5)

 

T.C. Status

word count: 1471

 

This Months' Goals:

Finish uploading the recent version of EotF to WDC at one or two chapters a day, including the elusive chapter 26, by Oct 11

have a poetry chapbook outlined and other assignments ready for Muse Conf, which starts Oct 13

print off and submit Blazing Princess to next market on the list *

use latter part of month (20-31) to put all that aside and make progress on TC

to accomplish all of the above, spend at least two hours daily (at least M-F) on writing related activities

 

* My sense kicked in and I realized I may learn something from the conference to help me improve Blazing Princess, so we're moving that goal to next month.

 

I'm glad my husband had to go into the office today instead of work from home this morning. Found out a car in the parking lot had been broken into - large rock thrown through the window, radio stolen. This used to be a great complex, high quality. Now the fire, this, and another incident in the news last week. Kids are doing graffiti by the mailboxes, and pulling planks from the fence so they can climb over into the field on the other side. I'm not liking the signs I see, and don't want to be here much longer. And now our rent is going up again, so we're really not saving much being here. We're hoping to negotiate for a six month lease at renewal. I want to move next summer. A few things have changed in our favor, and each year we have more savings for a deposit. Hopefully it will happen this time.

 

Edit: After thinking about it, the car break-in probably happened during the night, not this morning. But that doesn't make it feel any safer.

October Goal Plan

I finally have a deadline for finishing that scene that's been holding me back from draft five completion. I won an auction item for a full novel review, so I need to get that done and uploaded to WDC in the next week or so.

 

This month is also The Muse Online Writers Conference, of which I am signed up for. I have some handouts to finish reading, and some assignments and exercises to have ready in advance. So this is a big writing month.

 

My daily goals are very detailed and organized in Microsoft Excel. My overall goals for the month are as follows:

 

• Finish uploading the recent version of EotF to WDC at one or two chapters a day, including the elusive chapter 26, by Oct 11
• have a poetry chapbook outlined and other assignments ready for Muse Conf, which starts Oct 13
• print off and submit Blazing Princess to next market on the list
• use latter part of month (20-31) to put all that aside and make progress on TC
• to accomplish all of the above, spend at least two hours daily (at least M-F) on writing related activities

Early Christmas, mistakes, and the future

5,000 Questions... My answers so far...

 

471. What is one interesting fact you know? The twelve days of Christmas technically starts on Christmas Day and ends on January 5th. January 6th is Epiphany, the celebration of the Wise Men bringing gifts. For some it is a tradition to give gifts on all of the twelve days. The 12th day of Christmas, the last day of Christmas, is January 5th.

 

472. Do you talk to yourself? All the time.

Do you talk to your pets? I'm sure I would if I had one.

473. Do you believe that humankind has a future in space (will we live there some day)? We are living in space. We are not outside space. I don't know if we'll survive to explore and live on other planets.

474. Would you rather wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or more delicate outfits? Comfort is more important that dirt or delicacy. Since I'm not one for delicate outfits for that reason (not as comfy), I'll go with the former.

475. How do you 'live life to the fullest'? Don't let obstacles stop your dreams. Keep striving, be yourself, be happy.

476. Are you sloppy or a neat freak? sloppy

477. Would you rather have a trunk full of nickels or half a trunk full of dimes? half a trunk of dimes. dimes are smaller, so it would be more money with less actual coins to put in the coin machine.

478. What is the worst mistake you've ever made? Basing my self confidence off my relationships. I made plenty of mistakes during the HS/dating/relationships phase. I hurt a lot of people. I was so clueless and selfish.

479. Are you in good health? well, I'm not in bad health

480. Are you patriotic? yes, but not overbearingly so

wordle

 

The new trend seems to be Wordle. Rather than try to explain it, check out my examples below (click to see enlarged, on Wordle site).

 

using "The Blazing Princess":

 

using The Ballad of Eleuteria:

 

I think the concept would be a great way to showcase a character profile. I may have to try that out. It's almost a form of visual poetry. I love Wordle. Thank you to Authoress and Liana for sharing theirs.

 

Do you have a Wordle to share?

 

Upcoming entries: goals for October, more 5k Q, and music in games