I wish I could say that my not working on my novel writing in March at all was a glorified April Fools Joke, but this unfortunate (not) happening is very much real. And in all honesty, I’ve just been too busy. But I’ve used that excuse too many times at this point. It’s a... Continue Reading →
Get Your Priorities Straight (Novel Writing: Month 14, Chapter 14)
Novel writing in February didn’t go quite like I anticipated it. Between it being a short month and being incredibly busy with work and life requirements, the month got away from me, and it was March before I even knew what was happening! I did make a bit of progress on the chapter at... Continue Reading →
How To Know You’ve Set Too Many Goals
So it’s a new year! And just like in 2014, I’ve continued my Novel Writing Journey. My goal for 2015 is a little different than last year’s because I’m not limiting myself to one chapter per month but rather setting out to finish the first (very rough) draft of the novel. I’m afraid of this... Continue Reading →
One Year of Novel Writing: Month 12, Chapter 12
Twelve months, twelve chapters, and I DID IT! I wrote every month! I finished all twelve chapters! I came out of 2014 with twelve more chapters in my book than I had in 2013 or the years previous, and that is an incredibly great feeling to have. I’m really proud of myself for making a... Continue Reading →
Novel Writing: Month 11, Chapter 11 – Disappointment
November was a month of disappointments. I’m still not finished with Chapter 11. In fact, for the majority of November I didn’t even write very much! (So much for “Let’s write every day in November!” Ha!) I wrote a half-page the first week of November. And managed another full page somewhere in the sparing times... Continue Reading →
Finding My “Drive” to Write: Novel Writing Month 10, Chapter 10
Month ten!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! I didn’t finish. I know! Tragedy! Disaster! Horror! Failure! But by the time I wrote this blog I had finished. It took me two extras days of writing, but it is done! And I think it turned out to be a pretty decent chapter. I’m still kind of stuck in this... Continue Reading →
Novel Writing: Month 9, Chapter 9 – Does Having An Outline Help?
BAM!!! Another month done! If you remember from last month’s blog post, my goal for September was to write a little in my novel every day. And now, you’re probably wondering if I accomplished this goal? Well… Yes! And…no. I started off really well. September 1st was Labor Day and filled with family fun... Continue Reading →
Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle and the Magic of Virginian Nature
At first I didn't want to read Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Cycle because it seemed too different and strange from the Wolves of Mercy Falls Series, and I loved Shiver and it's sequels so much that I think I was afraid that nothing would be able to compare. However, once I began reading The... Continue Reading →
Is Writing Every Day Beneficial? (Novel Writing: Month 8, Chapter 8)
Well, writing chapter eight for my novel didn’t exactly go as planned. Or even as hoped. Although again I did finish! (Hallelujah!) It’s just that I’m finding it hard to devote as much time as I want to writing. I imagine this is the problem that most amateur writers have. Writing takes creativity. And... Continue Reading →
On Dealing With Writer’s Block (Novel Writing: Month 7, Chapter 7)
July was a harder month to write in than I expected. I don’t know if the process is just getting stagnant and monotonous or if I was simply busier this month and therefore couldn’t devote as much time to writing. I did finish the chapter though! Even if for a little while I thought... Continue Reading →