This week I delved into Nora Roberts MacKade Brothers series on my Nook. She always put me in the mood for writing. I love her writing. She has a way about it and does it so smoothly. I discovered her books back in 2007 during National Novel Writing Month and have been hooked ever since. Her characters and stories draw me back time and again and every time I reread one of her series, I discover something new. And you are left with that feeling of warmth, strength, being a part of something. Don't know how to explain it. She's the master and in striving to write on that par, if I end up writing half as well as she does, well then I'll have something to be proud of. If that makes any sense.
This week I also read Changeling Moon (released June 1st) and Changeling Dream (released June 28th) by Dani Harper. Her debut paranormal series about werewolves. Both well done and will be reviewing soon. The third book in the series, Changeling Dawn won't be coming out until Jan 2012.
Plodding steadily along with my writing. Some days I think I should have a certain number of words to write and report, but then again, since I'm handwriting everything....hard to do. Setting a certain time frame seems to work better. I will write for half an hour. Doesn't seem like much does it? I get the feeling I'm behind the 8 ball and will never catch up. I should be doing more but with everything else, how going to accomplish that not quite sure yet. Our summer break is coming up in a couple weeks, so will be definitely be revising my goals.
Never know from one day to the next, whether the words are going to flow or be like pulling teeth. My internal editor has been playing havoc with me lately and I spent the past few day, writing and rewriting one scene before realizing the first take was the best and it'll all probably change when I get around to editing it. Then I had insight into what preceded the scene and who was involved. Now I'm thinking need to go back and write that scene, then this one will make more sense. Hmmm!
My goals for this week are simple:
1) complete morning pages
2) Write for at least half and hour or 2 pages front and back which ever comes first.
3) Sponsor duties - will be coming around and encouraging with my pom poms.
Check out how everybody else is doing here.
Here's an interesting, thought provoking question for you. Would you give up the internet for 1 million dollars?
Honestly, I couldn't. My husband's answer - in a heartbeat. What about you?
Sounds like you did a great job like this week! And I definitely feel you on the word count thing. I'm keeping a weekly word count right now, but in the past I've hand-written stories, and I LOVE love writing that way.
ReplyDeleteit's peaceful, calming, gets your eyes away from a screen, and because your brain works faster than your hand, it's generally a more thoughtful process, where you've written several versions of the sentence in your head before you've even gotten to that period. I love writing that way, and I encourage everyone to try hand-writing a story at least once!
I also love the Internet question, and the video was great. (I particularly liked the message that maybe we're all a little bit rich.) Personally, I don't think I could give up the Internet for a million dollars. Maybe a billion.
I just do too much stuff on the Internet. I use Facebook to keep in touch with my college and hometown friends. I use Skype to keep in touch with my family. I NEED my school's website to keep in touch with my graduate program, as currently schools do everything on Blackboard. I don't have a television, so I use Hulu and Netflix to watch television. I use Google to answer weird questions that come up. And I use blogs in place of magazines and/or newspapers. And then, of course, ROW 80 to keep myself accountable for writing goals!
The Internet pretty much IS my life. I don't think I could survive without it.
For a million dollars I would definitely give up the internet, though I would probably mail out little newsletters about my reading! :-) Good luck on your writing goals.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great video! I think I could give it up and divert my interests elsewhere. BUT I wouldn't want to give it up. I feel like I've gained so much from it that it would be worth that for me.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals this week and hang in there till summer break!
Glad to hear that I'm not the only one who doesn't focus on word count. I just make sure to write everyday and I know the numbers will be there :)
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I've never read Nora Roberts? Are you shocked? I do have the Three Sisters Island trilogy which came highly recommended to me by my sister and Sheila at Book Journey. I'll get around to reading them someday!
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. You're handwriting your novel? I have been trying to decide if I should do that or use the computer. Are you planning on word processing it in sections after you've written them? That's my dilemma. I've always thought that I would hand write it, but when I think about all the work of transcribing it, I think "ugh!"
Seriously, I could really use a million dollars, but I don't think I could give up the internet for it!
Great week for you! I've never read Nora Roberts, either. I suppose I should.
ReplyDeleteWow for your handwriting your novel. That's a tough thing to do with all the technology out there, but I can see your thinking. I tend to do my best planning when I've just got a pen and paper.
Giving up the Internet for a million? I don't think I could do it. Too much of a junkie!
I had no idea that you were handwriting all your stuff, and that, to me, is pretty darn impressive! I hope that this week brings you further along in your goals and that you get plenty of writing done. I admire you for your ability to stick to it and get so much done. Mt writing muse left the building several years ago, and I haven't seen her since!
ReplyDelete@lisey Know what you mean. Almost everything I do is on the internet.
ReplyDelete@Vasilly. My hubby said he would, but then use other people's computers. Don't think he thought it out.
@Lauren - isn't it amazing, how the internet has turned into a tool that we can't live without.
@Claudia - exactly
@Michelle Oh, the Three Sister is one of her best trilogies in my opinion. Love the characters and reread it 2 times. In regards to handwriting, I started out trying to type up in the evening what I wrote in the morning. Then I got behind with typing. Would stop writing for a couple days to catch up with typing which wasn't great for finishing, plus too tempting to edit. Decided would just write it out all and wait til done to transcribe it. So going to set goal to type up certain amount per day, and use that time to do first edit. Yes, it is a lot more work, but if I take it in baby steps rather than thinking gotta type the whole thing up at once, it's less daunting.
@Stacy - I used to do all writing on the computer, but then starting doing a bit of handwriting here and there. Discovered the words flowed so much better and I could do it anywhere.
@Zibilee - Thanks, Doll. Hope your muse eventually comes back.
I got a little off track with my writing recently. Joining ROW80 has made a huge difference though. I set small goals so that I wouldn't get overwhelmed. And I actually passed up all the goals. It's given me courage for the weeks to come. :D
ReplyDeletehand writing your novel - wow I am seriously impressed!!
ReplyDeletegive up the machine there isn't enough money in the world to entice me - what would I spend it on anyway - I have everything i want
(list of wants does decrease with age I never believed it when young but tis true - stop yelling at your oldies when they say they dont want any thing or well just maybe a pair of gardening gloves!!! 0)
the machine allows me to continue my travels and exploration of new / exciting /friendly /social / has given me the chance to publish books to find new ones to read - nah the world does not possess enough wealth for me to give it up
all the best for this week
@sonia - baby steps will get you there. Good job.
ReplyDelete@Alberta - Yep, I know. As I get older, find I don't need much. Understand my parents more.
Nah, I enjoy the internet :-) I want more $$!
ReplyDeleteI like that idea - of setting a writing time rather than words. Glad it's working for you!
Well, how long would I have to give it up for??? LOL!! probably not!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week and keep going for your goals!!