Hemingway App. Review

I recently purchased the Hemingway App for $9.99 after coming across some good things about it on Pinterest. You can use the online version for free, but are able to purchase and download a version ont0 you computer. Those who purchase are guaranteed the latest version of the app and free upgrades in the future.

The app is rather self explanatory. You cut and paste in a section of your writing and the app will analyze it for you. It will automatically tell you the approximate grade level that you are writing at and give you a word count. The app looks at five different areas:

1) Sentences that are hard to read are highlighted in yellow

2) Sentences that are very hard to read are highlighted in red

3) Phrases with simpler alternatives are highlighted in light purple

4) Adverbs are light blue

5) The passive voice is light green

The last two categories try to eliminate the use of adverbs and the passive voice, but give you a number based on the size of the passage, like you have 5 out of 6 “recommended” adverbs. Depending on your writing style and content these last two points can be more or less helpful.

I found that many of my sentences were “very hard to read” and so I tried breaking them up and rearranging my thoughts. This worked to some extent, though in many cases I could only take them from red to yellow, “the hard to read” category. I was usually under on my passive voice and cut out enough adverbs to satisfy the app and myself.

I wish the app had more grammar functions, though it does allow you to replace some words with similar versions, it took the overall reading level of my excerpt from grade 9 to 6. I was not happy and not entirely sure what I did to make the change so I couldn’t undo it.

My only real problem with the app is with the size of the excerpt you can cut and paste. If the word count is too high it will slow down the app so much that it almost glitches. I ended up contacting the creatures to ask about fixing it and they said that all I could do was feed in smaller pieces to edit.  Breaking your writing up is no big hassle in a cut and paste environment, I would have just liked to plug in a whole chapter instead of having to cut it up into so many paragraphs. I found that highlighting the section that I was copying into the app was the best way of keeping track of where I was. I would just copy the editing version from the app and paste it back into my document, deleting the old highlighted section.

I have used different editing software in the past. While word doc provides some very good review and reference features for writers we need a bit more help. Grammarly is an add-on for word doc that I found very helpful, the only problem is that it can be rather expensive with a monthly or yearly subscription, the later being the cheaper route. Unfortunately, I was only able to afford one month at the time and used it to diligently edit several in progress rough drafts and fine-tune one manuscript.

I recommend trying the free version online and if you feel the need to purchase it is a more than reasonable price.

Try it now at www.hemingwayapp.com!

To my fellow writers, God bless and Write On!!!

Adulting: I didn't sign up for this!

“Adulting.” I have been using this phrase for a while now, but have only recently learned a bit of its origins. Supposedly the term was created by my generation to describe the feeling of being an adult in a time where twenty year olds to us who are thirty-something have remarkably little experience with what previous generations would describe as adult responsibilities. We’ve created this new wannabe verb for something we should have been doing all along.

“I didn’t sign up for this.” At some time in our young lives we begin to envision ourselves as adults. The closer we get to that magical threshold the wiser we believes ourselves to be. We suddenly know how the rest of our lives will play out. The coming years are no mystery to us, and at some point, sooner for some than others, reality comes crashing in. There are responsibilities that high school algebra and college English didn’t prepare us for. Looking back, some subjects should have been added in to our curriculum, perhaps as elective material, but practical and necessary they would have been. Life 101. Where are the courses on how to cook a meal for two in fewer than thirty minuets, or how to budget for groceries on a poor student income? Where is the study of balancing checkbooks, or better yet, how to reduce and stay out of debt? No one told me about property taxes, home maintenance or medical debt while I took out endless student loans. Somehow the responsibilities of cleaning my room and taking out the trash just don’t prepare you for the truth of it all.

Sometimes I look around and feel as if the world is somehow ahead of me. It is as if my generation as a whole, well at least fifty percent of it, has reached that golden land of adulthood that I am only now glimpsing at such a late age. (The other half has been Adulting... sporadically, still stuck at home letting previous generations take care of them.) It’s enough to make one want to throw in the towel.

And yet, I am still striving for that imaginary figure I saw long ago, the me that was a successful adult living comfortably in the style I would wish to be accustomed.

Truthfully, it’s not so bad. I suppose my path in life is far from the norm. For too long I was sheltered from life by my grandparents who loved me dearly, and when the bubble burst I fell hard. I went from being a “kept” grandchild to suddenly caring for a sick grandparent and having to make all the decisions and manage the finances on my own. It was a sink or swim moment, and truthfully, I almost went under. The Lord has pulled us through, that’s for sure. From the mess I made of our finances to learning my limits and how far I could push them, the first twenty-five years of my life really didn’t prepare me for where I am now. I’ve learned a lot, and have a ways to go yet in overcoming my unrealistic expectations.

To turn this to a happier note and what got me thinking about all of this, I got a job! I signed up with a temp agency as nothing that I was doing on my own was getting any interest, and within a month I had my first “real” job. By “real” I mean something that pays over minimum wages. I am so happy to be working and paying bills that I could sing and dance as I delete debt from my budget spreadsheet. Unfortunately, writing has fallen to the way side. I guess my time management skills are still not up to par. I am tired and get home to help my sister who is now caring for my grandmother on her own, full time. By the end of the day I’m lucky to scribble down a few notes about characters or revision. In fact I’ve been meaning to write a new post for over a month and am only getting to it right now. Yet, I shouldn’t complain. Thank God for answered prayers!!

So I am starting to get a handle on working a full time job, my 9-5. Hopefully in the coming weeks I will be able to fine tune my routine and make time for writing and relaxing after work.

I am trying to work on Lost Lady and Lost Prince (I am no long happy with this title) but I am having trouble finding the motivation. I suppose I will have to ‘Just do it,’ as the slogan goes.  Once I start I find I can get into the words pretty quickly.

Well, enough about me and now some questions for you! Are you an Adult or Adulting? Are you like me and trying to improve yourself and reach some mental icon of what you’re suppose to look like at this stage of your life? Or are you happy as you are, secure in yourself?

Some people might argue that it’s human nature to want to change something about ourselves. I am no exception. What areas do you want to improve on, in writing or in life? Do you have any goals that you’ve recently reached? Please let me know, and tell me if you celebrated and how! Did you reward yourself at small increments or with a big finale?

To my readers and you writers out there, Write On!

Writing, Life and Other Plans

Let’s talk about…

Life in general…

I have a temping job, thank the lord. He answered our prayers. We really needed the extra income. We have some large expenses coming up, like needing to smog and tag our vehicles and the job will more than cover that cost. AMEN!! I hope I may even have a few extra dollars to see how marketing works out, but more about that later.

I am sick with whatever super bug is going around and I seem to be getting marginally better while still trying to cough up my kidneys, but it’s been over a week. I am done with being sick. Especially considering, I was sick with something similar a little over a month ago. Antibiotics and over the counter cough meds are my new favorite food. Seriously, I’ve been popping cough drops like candy, and I can barely tolerate the things.

Writing…

On the creative front, nothing is happening. Between my Gram going back into the hospital several times in March and April, to this new job and being sick, I have done little than open my word doc. I did manage to make a personal goal for Lost Lady. I got to part two of my outline which is about three-fourths of the way done with the manuscript. Lost Prince (working title) is still where it was in December. I might have it done by the time NaNoWriMo rolls around again. I’ve been batting around some ideas for other stories and even another series. I have to say that I was a little discouraged with how everything was going( or not going as it were), but I am not writing for other people. I am doing this for me. So I look at my inspiration wall and think “keep calm and carry on.” I love the memes of this stuff!

Back to the marketing comment from earlier… I am hoping to spend about fifty dollar, a large sum to my budget, and try out the marketing arena of Amazon/Createspace publishing which is who I have published my novels through. The way I understand it, is that I set the amount I am willing to pay and then different websites and agencies will bid to run a banner with my info on it. I thought fifty dollars was a decent sum to see if it will drum up sales for my work. I plan to do this at the end of this month and will get back to you with the outcome. I am also thinking about putting my novels on sale for a week (probably in the beginning of June), and hoping that someone will buy them and share them with friends. I have yet to have someone review my work and leave comments. I am hoping that the sale will help both accounts.

More than money, I would like some feedback; feedback not from friends or family. I suppose what I really want is validation, but I don’t see me getting that from other people. I feel in the world of literature or even my genre of choice, my writing is average, but I know that the more I write the better I can become.

I want to be a good writer, I want to tell my stories and I don’t care that they are not literary masterpieces. I just want to do the best I can and present it like, “Here! I’ve made this!” I am meeting my goals and doing what I love. It can’t get better than that!

Comment…

Please leave me a comment, if you have read my book please review it! I would love to have some feed back or start a discussion with you!

As ever, Write On my comrades, Write On!!

Sorry, I forgot this!

Here is the screen capture of my Character sheet for A Lost Lady, that I meant to add to the last post.
It's rather basic but comes in super handy. I use Excel to do a lot of stuff, like building a database of names that I like and might one day use in my writing. Plus more mundane things like bills and even making my own calendars and to-do lists.

 

I've tried using note cards to keep track of characters, but it took to long to find what I was looking for. I had a tendency of making them, storing them somewhere, and never using them again. I like that I have everything in one doc and can change something with the click of a button. 

10 Things I need to have on hand when I write (and a big Writing Milestone!)

I am tooting my own horn right now, but I am working on a draft for my novel, A Lost Lady, and I have reached One Hundred and One Thousand words (101,000 looks so much better spelled out right?) and 115 pages of New Times Roman 10 point font. I looked down at my word could and did a little dance. I imagine that I have a least another 50,000 words until the end of the novel. It will officially be my longest work yet. I have a hard time believing I have come so far.

I get in a grove and just start going.  It helps that I have a rough outline of certain scenes to keep me on track. Thank you note cards! I even outline the last scene in more detail as it is rather pivotal to the development of my characters romantic relationship.

Here are ten things I need to get the writing rolling.

1) Quiet. I know that a lot of people like to listen to music while writing, and occasionally I will, but I get distracted by a song I like and stop to sing along. Once out of my own headspace it can be hard to get back to the point of writing nirvana.

2) Water. Any beverage will do but more often than not it is water. Ice water being the most preferable. Having something on hand helps went I hit a bump, I can take a drink, think a moment and switch gears. Super refreshing!

3) A dictionary/thesaurus. I pinterest things like lists with the title of "100 ways to say look." Weather it is the Merriam-Webster website or a traditional quick reference paperback I usually have both on hand. Recently I realized that Word Doc has a dictionary as well as a thesaurus and that has saved me a lot of back and forth, but truthfully, no one can beat Merriam-Webster. Not even close!

4) My Notes! From scribbled ideas on a piece of scratch paper to my 3x4 inch note cards outlining my story arch I keep them handy in case I need a refresher on what happens next.

5) Character list. This isn't grouped into the notes section because I have a tendency to look at it a lot more than anything else. Mostly to remember how is related to home and how to spell their names. In a medieval-esque novel it is hard to remember everyone in the novel and who they are and where they are from. Seriously, why did I need so many characters? Not that I'm not attached to each one, but I lose track of whose who all the time. Without the master list I would be lost. I try to keep it brief. Attached is a screen capture of the excel doc. It's just a very brief list with basic physical descriptions, age, a blurb about who they are and what they did or didn't do, and in most cases one word that I thought best describes them.  

6) Chap stick. Technically mine is not that brand but an Orange Blossom Honey lip balm by The Naked Bee. I think I nabbed this from my sister and refused to give it back, but I find that I feel calmer when I put it on and am less likely to chew on my bottom lip when frustrated.

7) A foot rest. Currently I am using the paper shredder I store under my desk as a foot rest but I've found that it is a just the right height for me and no, I don't worry about harming it. Though now that I said that I will probably start to worry about that.

8) Light. I have a fan with a light on it and  hate it on unless I am cleaning my room. Instead I have a clamp light from IKEA that moved to be my desk light. I don't have enough room on my desk for a traditional light so the clamp works wonders. I had to replace the energy saving with a low watt traditional bulb because it took too long to get to full strength.

9) Gum or a snack of some kind. I like sweet mint gum and mints but more of a subtle flavor than the bad breath eradicating things my sister favors. Gum is better than any other snack as I won't consume large quantities mindlessly as I sit in front of my computer screen. Plus, chewing helps relieve some of my frustration when things are really going as planned.

10) Motivation, usually in the form of a picture or saying. It hangs just above my screen so that when I lean back and put my feet up I see it clearly. I have a sentimental card my sister gave me. A cute picture, a fortune from a cookie and a few other things I've tacked or taped up to keep me inspired.  I don't know where I found this quote, or how Napoleon Hill is, but he said "What the mind can conceive, it can achieve." I wrote it down on a sticky note and placed it were I could see it. Even if I don't read it every day, even if I don't really see it. It is still a bright spot at my computer.

So here is my question to you. What keeps you motivated to write through writer's block, computer backups and emotional breakdowns? Are you like me and find a happy escape in writing? Maybe what you put on digital paper is something cathartic, but what keeps you going when the words won't come willingly?

Looking around I realize two things. While I surround myself with stuff, the real motivation comes from within and no amount of sticky notes and knick-knack life hacks are going to make things perfect. Secondly, I really need to clean off my desk! It's time to take a cleaning break.

To those of you who read this, please comment if only to say hi. I really would like to hear from you. Even if it is to suggest I do something different.

As ever, Write On!

The Beast of the Ruin

Here is the final Cover for the first book in The Chronicles of Odde series, The Beast of the Ruin. Once again I have Melanie to thank for her fantastic work. Book One is available on Amazon, in paperback or for your Kindle.

The title was changed from My Dark Prince to The Beast of the Ruin, upon my sister's suggestion that the original title wasn't in line with the feel of the book. I agreed and so here it is.

I hope you enjoy the novel as much as I enjoyed writing it!

New Cover!

     Here is the new cover for Ties of Fate: The Lost Continent. The first book I wrote and published. The artwork is thanks to my talented sister, Melanie, and her amazing Photoshop skills. It's on sale now at www.amazon.com in print or as an eBook.

Check out Melanie Brown and her novel, At First Sight: A Persephone Waters novel, also available in paperback or Kindle version.

Beginning Again

     So the first month of 2016 is almost over. It's been a bit stressful with my grandmother going back into the hospital for a few days after almost six months without an ER visit. I pray we can do at least another six months before her next one, if not longer. My sister and  I are rather tired after such ordeals, and I have to remember that it's emotionally stressful stuff even though I really didn't do anything while Gram was in the hospital.

     I said I was going to do a post about my goals for 2016. So here it is. Nothing like a sick family member to make you think about what you want to do, or not do. I recently took some time to sit down and talk with two of my closest friends to make a list of goals for 2016. Here is the gist of that conversation.

 

     Health is a big one and something I am constantly struggling with. I do not get sick often but I am very overweight and not very motivated to change. it's not that I don't want to change. I have dreamed about a slimmer me for years, but taking steps to make that happen, well, let's just say I am not very good with the follow through. So I am trying to be and eat healthier; 1) by cutting out fast food. 2) not buying sweets or sugary products (this is hard because sugar sneaks into a lot of "healthy" things) because I have NO self control with such things, though we do not buy candy and cookies very often at all these days, not so much as in my childhood. 3) exercising more, by trying for two miles 2 times a week and 1 mile two times a week, and anything over that is gravy. 4) Portioning and food tracking as well as Meal planning, which helps to see what you are eating and using what is already in your pantry, which brings me to my theme for this year, Use what you have.

     I have a lot. If you have read previous posts your would know that I have tubs full of stuff that I haven't seen in years. Using what I have means taking stock of everything and planning how I can use it in my home, or sell it and use the money to help pay off some of our growing debt. I have tons of craft supplies, some of which I plan to sell off outright and others stuff I plan to make and sell on Etsy. I already have a shop, MirrorImageStudios. I just need to focus on getting things up for sale.

     Organization is really big this time of year. I subscribe to a few websites like Organize 365 by Liza Woodruff, that gives weekly posts and podcasts on how to organize your home and any number of free printables for those of us who like to track what we accomplish. My family has donated thousands of dollars worth of stuff over the years, and I especially, get a sense of satisfaction when items get a new life and a new home instead of going into the trash. I plan to start organizing the house, starting with the kitchen in a few days. I already have a list and my printables ready. Cleaning things out also gives me the opportunity to deep clean some areas that really need it.

     Along with organization goes a chore list and keeping the house clean on a daily basis. It's hard when you are stuck at home 24/7. Most people don't have a messy house because they are rarely home. (Oh, for that luxury!) I have to admit that sometimes I become blind to certain things, and my goal this year is to keep the house and garage clean so that those unexpected visitors don't catch us unawares.

     On a personal level, I want to Love God more, and owe the fact that He loves me. I have problems with feeling loveable. I am aware of them, which they say is the first step, but I want to work on my own self-image and feeling like I am making a consistent effort to be more like God has made me. For me this means setting aside time to pray and read my bible that isn't tacking Him on the end of my day as an afterthought or an 'oh, I gotta do that before I go to bed' sort of thing. I need to trust Him, and spend more time with the Word.

     I also want to write daily. I have several projects that I am working on; two novels that I am writing that are almost finished, plus artwork for The Chronicles of Odde series. In certain areas of my life I am a perfectionist, which doesn't make a lot of sense because I know that they will never be perfect and at some point I have to stop and let it go. My writing and art are such areas. I have so many ideas but not the time and skills to execute them. I am learning to build my skill set, and that patience goes a long way towards having a successful outcome.

     My biggest challenge is not giving up, especially when life gives me curveballs and I fall off the wagon or wonder off the path. I need to focus my efforts, and not put too much on my plate a one time. I have lots of ideas and the key is doing a little bit every day.

     Are there any things you are excited about doing this year? Any goals that you are struggling with but determined to see through? I know I have a lot on my lists, yes, I wrote lists. Please comment and share your thoughts and any advise.

     As always, I hope you are blessed and remember that all great journeys begin with the first step. Write On, my fellow travelers! Write On!

Planning and Setting Goals

It's that time of year again. Time to plan and dream and get out your organizational supplies. Time to write on our calendars and make lists, scour the internet for exercise plans and low carb menus. I love this time of year!! Not for the influx of self-help propaganda but for the limitless possibilities and hope that a new year can represent.

I know your probably have a list of things you want to change and accomplish this year, whether you wrote them down on New Year's Eve or like me, are still trying to figure out exactly what is truly important to you, it is wonderful that you have goals. The hard part is making a plan to see them through. Someone said that a goal without a plan is just a dream, and that makes a lot of scenes to me, because how can we reach them if we don't have any idea how to get there. In the age of instant access, we are lucky in one respect. We can find almost anything we need on the internet with the click of a button.

I am still trying to find my footing of this new year. Usually I have a planner that I print out from a variety of websites, that helps me keep track of the endless lists that I am always creating for myself. This year I am behind. Usually I print out my planner before the year even begins, customizing it to my specifications and popping it in a binder. I have the pieces just not an idea of how I want them to fit together. My hesitation is mostly due to the fact that I often have the best of intentions, but little follow through with using my planner. The first couple of months are great, and then somewhere around April I just stop using it, with no real reason to explain why. But I am a firm believer in the expression, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." So this time I am putting a little more thought into it, reevaluating what I have and only printing out the items that I need, making sure to use what I have.

What are your goals for the year? I will write another post with some of goals later... but I wonder how many people write down their resolutions for the new years? Do you keep them? Do you give up or quite? Do you revisit and revise your list throughout the year? Do you plan for long term? Or maybe you have monthly goals?  Please share, I am interested to hear about your success, or why you think could didn't follow through.

I can say that I have one goal already this year. I am going to work in more blog posts. Trying for two a month, or if I feel ambitious, one a week and this time I am scheduling them in! To my fellow writers and reads, I hope you have a blessed year. And as ever, Write On!

Formatting Frenzy

Another Post so soon?!?! I know... I had to add this in! I have been working on formatting most of the day. I am using CreateSpace to finish The Beast of the Ruin and get it ready for sale, both paperback and Kindle editions. (My sister is finishing up some book covers for me and is still working on the maps for this series, so I plan to update it at a later time.) While formatting the novel, I remembered that there was a way to add in chapter headings that were visible while scrolling through the pages. This feature also allows you to add in a table of contents that will update its own page numbers. No more hunting for chapter headings!!

Thanks to a video on YouTube from Chester Tugwell titled "Word 2013 Chapter Numbering & Page Number with Chapter Number" I was able to figure it all out. While I haven't finished the video or watched anything else from this YouTuber I am sincerely grateful to him for making this so easy. THANK YOU!!

Formatting is a bear on good days, but when I find short cuts like this, that will make things easier in the long run, it really improves my mood.

Do you have any formatting hacks? Any quick tips? How about pet-peeves? I know I do... comment and share your Word Doc Wisdom!!

TTFN!!

Write On, my Friends, Write On!!

Giving Thanks

There is much to be grateful for in my house this Christmas season. My Grandmother's health is improving each day and I look forward to the time when she will no longer need assistance with everyday activities. I know she will never be as independent as she once was, but she will be able to take care of herself. I am sure she is looking forward to that day much more than I am, as she is tired of her granddaughters making all the decisions for her.

I am grateful to friends and family for their prayers and support. We could not have gotten by without you.

I am thankful for this time with my grandmother though it has been very difficult and frustrating at times. I know that she would not be here if not for my sister and I stepping in on several occasions.

I am looking forward to getting out of debt. We are now taking active steps to limit our spending and help pay off the mountains of debt we have accumulated since my grandmother became ill. I would like to say that it is mostly medical bills, but I know there was a lot we should have done that we didn't. We were living as if we had the money we used to and that was not the case. If anyone is listening , all I want for Christmas is to be debt free, or at least to pay off a few of the smaller credit cards. I am tired of stressing over finances.

On a different note, I am almost ready to launch The Beast of the Ruin. My sister is reworking the cover along with a new cover for Ties of Fate. I am still working on Lost Lady, The Lost Prince, and now on an older work called The Captain's Ghost. I know it sounds weird but instead of taking a break, I usually switch gears from one story to another whenever I hit a block. I have dozens of stories I have almost finished from years ago. I just dust off a manuscript, read what I have and then start writing. I hope one day I will have a number of completed works under my belt. I feel this method works best for me because if I stopped writing for a bit, it could be months before I picked it back up again. At least this way I might work an hour on one draft and then an hour on another. Eventually they will come to fruition.

My GoFundMe account hasn't garnered a lot of attention. That's okay, I think I will lower the amount of it anyway. I had grand ideas, but what I need right now is funds to market my novel. If they don't know it's there, how can they buy it? Right? My sister and my friends and family have graciously been my test subjects... I mean test readers, editors and critics for many years. With their opinions and my sister's Photoshop ninja skills I have saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in publishing my own work.

I find that in many ways it is a group effort. I am so thankful that they are willing to lend me their time and skills. Their strengths help to strengthen me, and I return the favors whenever I can.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season, and are blessed with all that you need.

To my fellow writers who have finished NaNoWriMo, whether you met the 50,000 word mark or even your own smaller goals, remember that you have started something great! Keep going, keep dreaming. WRITE ON!

NaNoWriMo and the Writer that Time Forgot

We are in the swing of National Novel Writing Month, Welcome November!!! Not only do we have Thanksgiving to look forward to, but the abundance of creative activity adding to the written collective. It is amazing to see how many people are taking part and how far they have come in such a short time. It's only the 17th for crying out loud...

NaNoWriMo's official website has an amazing assortment of helpful tools and advice for their participants from famous authors to NaNoWriMo champions. I wish I had the time to check it all out. I've noticed that once I get started on something that time flies by and I look up to realize I've been at it for hours. I get lost in the world I am building and don't come up for air unless some outside necessity makes itself know. Truthfully, sometimes coming back to the real world is a jolt, as I am my protagonist, and my heroine is just another reflection of me.

On another note, I have switched books for my novel, instead continuing to work on Lost Lady for this month, though I have started on the Knave and the Rose. The reason for the switch was that I realized that out of all of my outlines for the Chronicles of Odde series(Nine Books), The Knave and the Rose was the book that I had the least idea about. It made sense to change gears and focus on something else while I let the plot unfold a bit more in my head. Along those lines I am editing what I have on book two, The Lost Prince. I am about 3/4ths of the way done on that novel which was my last NaNoWriMo project. Still have some plot bunnies to work out there. Editing will help me get my thoughts in order before moving forward.  

Since the weather has finally made a turn and a chill is in the air, you would expect that I sit down to my computer with a cup of hot coco or even coffee, though I am not a coffee drinker. Hot tea of any variety sounds lovely as I write this, but no, I am an iced tea girl. Sweet Tea or Regular I drink it year round, and find nothing more enjoyable than a good iced tea. Many fast food chains make it easy to pick up a good drink while I'm out and about, but there are also some places that I never return too. There iced tea tastes as if it were some powdered monstrosity sold by the barrel. A good Iced tea is my reward for going out and getting stuff done! I only mention it here, because I have two iced tea cups sitting at my elbow, and I wonder if other people have a beverage of choice, or maybe a snack food that helps their creative flow.

While editing I like to print out copies of my work, usually Via Staples. My reward points came in and they have a good coupon this month on presentations. I like my draft double-sided spiral bound with had vinyl covers, and this time I added tabbed pages that tell my were each chapter is for easy reference. The extra page will also give me some space for notes as I decided to forgo double spacing and did single space to save money. We'll see how it goes...

 Printing is also a time that I back up my drafts. I usually send emails to friends and tell them to save my drafts. They are most obliging. I would burn cds of my files but I have noticed that I never really keep track of them. The cds get relegated to a bin, and then eventually end up in my shed were I store all of the stuff that is too good to be donated or thrown away. I have commented on this tendency before and will not do so again, but realizing this about myself, having the copies out in the cloud or internet seems a much better idea.

I have no advice that is unique or extremely motivating to give to my fellow writers other than to quote the famous Nike add, "Just do it!"

I wish you all the best of luck, and inspiration in all its forms and fancies. Write On!

New Ideas and Moving Forward

I am still here! I have been working on Lost Lady for some time. It is the novel that I am most motivated to work on so that is where my focus has been. My goal is to get the first draft completed, or at least very close to completion by the end of this month. There were some days off, and some days of hard writing where I knocked it out of the park!! I am extremely happy with my progress. I need to save my draft's more often. I am very familiar with the tragedy of computer errors.

I am using a method I don't usually do for this novel. I made plot cards. Each scene that I had a distinct plan for I put on a blank 3x5 index card and then I put them in order. As I write I move the cards from my to-do pile, to my done pile. I like this a bit better than a traditional outline because I have a brief idea of the scene already in front of me and I don't have to shuffle between word docs which causes me to lose my place and my  train of thought.

I'm also gearing up for NaNoWriMo. Mostly I am trying to get some of The Chronicles of Odde stuff panned out. I know a lot about the first few books, and some things about of the end ones, since I brain-stormed them rather recently, but the middle ones, starting with my next NaNoWriMo project, The Knave and the Rose, is still very vague.  I think I will start with more plot cards. I have a 150 word description that I uploaded to the NaNoWriMo website, but little more than that.

Here is the series blurb if you were interested:

The Chronicles of Odde tell of the Great Convergence. It is a time when the doors to another world are open.

Pulled from their mundane lives, these young woman are called to a new world full of magic and the unknown: The Kingdoms of  Odde. Here they must fend for themselves, and if they are brave enough and clever enough, an extraordinary destiny awaits.

Not too bad, but kind of vague. I still like it.

So on other fronts, my sister is working her way through the FINAL edit of The Beast of the Ruin. I just hope I gave her the most recent edit, and not some earlier edition. I hate to think of her running through all of that for nothing. She has also said that she will update the cover on that novel and my one officially published work, Ties of Fate: The Lost Continent.

Cover design is hard, but my sister makes it look easy with her Photoshop skills. The hardest part right now is trying to come up with an idea that we love, and not settling for something we like. The original cover for Ties of Fate is missing, so she made me a new one, which is in the same vein, but we both agree that it is not as good as the first. Now, we think that the idea of a sailing ship, while relevant to the book, is not exactly where we want to be for a young adult novel. The book is not so much about ships as a young princess's voyage. While very beautifully done, we think that there are some better ideas out there that will appeal more to my audience, and hopefully promote sales.

Question: Do you have an idea of the cover while your write? Do you look at popular novels and get ideas for you own  cover? Are there any tricks you use to choose your cover design?

 

Well, that's all for today, my friends! Write On!

What's on My Mind

If I were a rich  girl, nanananananaah! That's a lyric from a Gwen Stefani song, if you didn't know. It is rather ridiculous, the things that are taking up my time lately. For instance, I was thinking about all the things I would do if I won the lottery, or Publisher's Clearing House. I made a list. I made a list back when I was about 16, and truth be told, it hasn't changed much though I seem to want less stuff. Not that I would want a big party and blow all the money... No. I am rather frugal and practical. I would probably blow a large portion on books and movies. I do love both of those.

I'd like to think I would be very generous with my time and money, and I would probably buy a lot of things for other people, but not so for myself. Sigh. I'd be rather stingy. Anyway...

I have been working on real things as well. I am writing Lost Lady. Some parts I love, some parts are okay, and others didn't turn out quite like I had imagined them. Not that they are bad, only that they need some work. Then again, I am a perfectionist, though I am keenly aware of my own limitations.  I do believe my writing is getting better. I'm not sure if its "good," though some people have enjoyed reading my work. I can't say that they aren't more than a little biased.

I am thinking of a plot for my next NaNoWriMo project, the next book in the Chronicles of Odde Series. It's called The Knave and the Rose. I know that I should probably finish the last one before beginning something new, but I distract myself with new projects and that often helps when I am stuck on something else. If only writing would make money, some of my RL problems would be answered!

The reality now is that I need a job. Not want, or would like, but NEED. We are sinking further in debt, and I don't know how we can get out. Other people have stay at home jobs and are getting stuff done with some side income. How does that work? Where can I sign up? Stuff like that never seems to work for me. Am I looking in the wrong places? Obviously!

Being an adult really sucks some times. More often than not I want to go back to nap time, story time, and went someone else would cut the crusts off my sandwiches. What happened to all the plans and dreams I had? Not just in my childhood, but just out of high school, when the future was full of possibilities.  What happened to the promise of the open road, the blank page? Are they still there? Perhaps it's because I've come to see a lot of things as chores, or things I want but can't do because of arbitrary reasons. Maybe they are all still there, waiting for me to see them again, in the light of possibility. With Hope.

I'm rambling again. This post isn't really what I had planned, but I don't feel like making a new one, so here you go internet. Have at thee!

Good Luck, Good Night, and Write ON!

Long Time No See

Long time no see, readers! Yet again I have fallen off the wagon, broken my promise to myself and let this blog go unwritten day after day, after day. I'd like to say I have some really good excuses. And I do! I'd like to say that RL is so busy right now that I just didn't have the time, and who would know the difference, but in truth, I am lazy.

I've spent a week binging on romantic Korean dramas. I've spent countless hours on Pinterest and Facebook. I've had family come to visit and done a mad dash deep clean of my house to prove that I am a responsible adult, if only for the week that they are here.

I'd like to say that I have been working diligently on my writing, i.e. plotting, outlining, doodling at least, but that would be a lie. Just look at the statements above.

My sister, on the other hand, has obviously been reading the updates from NaNoWriMo and has started to get her notes together, to organize her random pieces of paper and prepare for November. I looked at her and felt a twinge. I am not sure if it is pride, envy, or laughter. Her writing style and methods are so far from my own that I wouldn't know where to begin. She is organized, in depth and well read on the topics she is including in her novel, a paranormal detective series. I am so proud of her, and yes, more than a little jealous. I love her bunches, but she seriously kicks my butt in this category.

My stories come out of my head and require little to no research, while my twin has spent countless hours reading about police procedures, FBI protocols, and medical practices. I would be surprised if she wasn't on some government list after everything that she's been looking up on the internet. She has completed book one and is currently outlining books two and three. I, on the other hand, have been ignoring my to-do lists and sleeping... a lot.

As anyone who reads this blog would know, I am currently taking care of my grandmother who had been ill and bedridden for over a year now. My sister and I take care of her; we are a team... Though unfortunately, not paid for our endeavors, we are living off my grandmothers income.. or should I say mooching. For someone with no job, and an extraordinary amount of free time on their hands, I get very little done; other than making a mess that is.

Depression set in a while ago, and while I am not in fear of my life, I am in fear of the future. I am in debt, tied to my home, with no income of my own except for a few part-time jobs. And writing stories that no one seems to want to read. I fear I am a failure at life. My 31st birthday is quickly approaching and I have very little to show for it. I have to constantly remind myself that there is still more to do, still more to my life. I am a day-dream, always have been and always will be. That skill has helped me imagine the worlds I write about, but I sometimes fear that my secret escape is eating up too much of my life.

Anyway, I seem to be turning this blog into my personal diary, which isn't what I intended it for whoever cathartic I might find the experience.

With this post I am starting something new. I am changing focus, kicking it into gear, and trying to reorganize my life, by organizing my days. Step one is to make goals. Step two, start making changes, step three is building habits, and after that who knows.

Wish me luck, Pray that everything goes well! And I will do the same for whoever is reading this post.

I know things get in the way, that we get side tracked and for one reason or another, getting back on the wagon seems too hard, but it's not impossible. I seem to spent more time trying to get back to my goals then actually working towards them, but I keep trying and that is what really matters. Small steps, little changes, and one more push! That's really all it takes.

To my fellow writers, to my readers, whoever you are, God Bless and Write On!

It isn't what it seems...

A lot has happened recently. Other than myself getting in the way of my own plans, there has also been some exciting developments.

Most of June was spent editing and formatting my novel, Ties of Fate: The Lost Continent. The crunch was due to the fact, as some of you may know, that I had a coupon for two free paperback editions of my book thanks to Createspace and NaNoWriMo. My sister had to make a new cover for the novel since her previous version was m.i.a. As you can guess, I got it done. Not only did I get my books, but my novel is now available in e-book at the Kindle store and in paperback format on amazon.com. Huzzah!

I took a few days off and then finished my full edit of The Beast of the Ruin. (Yes, I'm bragging about it...) It is now in my sister's court for a read through and to update the cover since I changed the title from My Dark Prince. It was her idea so she can't complain! I also started back up on another story, whose working title is Lost Lady. I am very motivated to complete this project, though in all honesty, I should be working on book two of the Chronicles of Odde: The Lost Prince.

I am not really liking the Lost Prince as a title. It is better than its previous incarnation: She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not. Melli brought up the fact that some of my titles were a little too modern and didn't really fit with my genre. I agreed and tried to revamp the outlines. I have eight books in this series so far, most have very brief outlines, some plot points and character sheets but little more than a title. The book has sort of taken a different direction than what I had planned. I am not sure who my heroine will end up with. I guess I will have to finish the book to find out.

on another note, the publishing process was more difficult than I expected, but not in the areas I thought I would have trouble. Formatting my novel was a beast. I had to make it a pdf to save my special fonts, but every time I noticed something was off, I had to change it and save if again as a different pdf; I think I ended up with four in all. My map didn't want to fit in the novel after my sister tricked it out for me. My cover was too large in size, for the 40 MB max. We had to rescale it three times. I swear that if there are any errors I don't want to know. Okay, that's a lie. I hate spelling errors, so I'll just have to have someone else read it, mark the errors and then reload it all again.

The process of getting my book out there was remarkably easy (and free), especially with my sister's help with the cover and what not. The hard part, the part that actually costs money, is the marketing. While my book is available, no one is buying it because they don't know it is there. Unfortunately I don't have the funds to market it at the moment. My GoFundMe starter has stalled. My family and friends still haven't purchased the book, which makes me sad.. but I'll get over it!

So my question for today is: How do you come up with your titles? Do you wait until a novel is finished? Do you take it from some part of your book that speaks to you? Are you like me, and you title your work right out of the gate and then change it when needed?

Well, that's it for now. To my fellow writers, don't give up! I know it's long and hard process, and sometimes being a published author isn't exactly what you expected, but it's a huge accomplishment. Don't let anything dim that!! And remember...Write on!!

Thank the Lord! It is Finished!... Okay almost finished!

Thank You LORD!!

I have just completed the process of turning my word doc into a kindle book, which is now ready to be purchased at www.amazon.com. Ties of Fate: The Lost Continent is here! I am so excited!! I feel as if I am smiling like an idiot. Not that this isn't a big accomplishment for me, but seriously, get it together girl!

I am still reviewing the printed version, which I hope to have up for sale in a few days. I ordered a proof so I can double check the formatting. Digital reviews are great, but they aren't the same as holding it in my hands.

The process was a lot harder than I thought. Formatting documents and  files sizes aside, I was surprised at how much goes into royalties, taxes, and the what not. I guess I forgot about all that. For something that is almost free to publish, it takes a lot of time and effort to get it out there.

I am currently on Go Fund Me, under Amelia M. Brown: Publishing My First Book. Technically, Ties of Fate is my very first book, but not the one for my Go fund Me account. Ties of Fate has been sitting on the back burning, getting worked on sporadically for almost 15 years. What I am working on now is something more recent. I am trying to get the start to my series, The Chronicles of Ode published. Book One: The Beast of The Ruin is undergoing some serious editing. I had a proof printed, but I wasn't quite done with my editing, so the formatting of the novel was a little off. I hope, with the help of GO Fund Me, to be able to afford to get The Beast of the Ruin out to bookstores, and have it professionally marketed. I am taking care of my grandmother and not able to leave the house very often. I am hoping that this will also provide us with some much needed income.

Thank the Lord that is done! One thing I can mark off my bucket list!

To My fellow writers, it is a long and slow process, but it is worth it! Write ON!!

Formatting: the Bane of My Existence

     Formatting. It is the bane of my existence! Not just paragraph alignment and page numbers, it's so much more than that. From your body font to the space between your chapter headings to the first line of your first paragraph, formatting is literally cover to cover. Fonts and style have to match from chapter to chapter and it's so very easy to mess stuff up, especially with multiple drafts and converting your work from one size to another. As a artist there are so many options that it boggles the mind to think of them all. The question is, what do I want my novel to look like? It is amazing how generalized my ideas are. I want my book to look "professional," to fit into my genre and to be "trendy," especially where my cover is concerned. None of that tells me what font my title should be in, or how far down my chapter title should be on the page or how big my name should be on the cover. I almost want to pull out my hair or scream. I think I'll settle for an Aleve, or two (liquid gel, extra strength of course).
    I have a draft that I have been working on for years and it never behaves as I change the size of the paper I am working with. Taking my standard 8x11 and trying to refit it to a paperback 4x6 produces problems. Every time! I finally found a way to delete all preexisting formatting, but now I have to start from scratch and I already have a headache.
     The Problem you ask? Several pages had paragraphs that were disappearing in to nothingness as if text wrap had suddenly stopped working on my word doc. I have no idea how that happened, so now I am starting over. The annoying thing is that I am not sure about this book size. The publisher provided a template for the size and I am thinking about going bigger. I seriously hope I will not have to do this again.

There is only one thing I hate more than formatting and that is having to re-type something because the file is lost or corrupted. I have learned my lesson there. Save often and store well. I send drafts to my self, my friends and family in case something happens and my work is lost forever.

Do you have any formatting horror stories? Some problems? Some advice? Please share! I'm always up for learning something new.

To my fellow writers, as ever, WRITE ON!

Word A Day

     My word today was askance (courtesy of Merriam-Webster via my inbox). I like this word, because as soon as I read it I had a mini movie playing in my head. I could clearly see the main male character looking at my heroine out of the corner of his eye. It was a kind of hungry look. The image was very clear and lasted only a moment, but even now I can still see it though it is not as clear as it once was. I thought in that moment, I must use this word in my novel. Today! Right now!
     As a writer we often forget how important words are, mostly because we are wading through them by the hundreds in a day or even an hour. Meaning carries weight with experience. We each bring our own interpretations to the work, even as a writer we are building worlds from our own vast imaginations and limited experience. And sometimes we can become stuck on finding just the right word, searching through dictionaries, thesauruses and coming up short. How many times have I looked for a word that was on the tip of my tongue and only found a pale comparison? Too many. There was a time when words were new, and every one I learned was like a gold star beside my name.
     I remember learning to read in my early teens, that is not to say that I couldn't read at all, I just did it very poorly and I hated it because I was so bad at it. Eight grade was when I found my love for reading and devoured book after book. I started my own dictionary. As I read there were words that I didn't understand, or wasn't sure if I was getting the meaning right with the context and so I would look them up and write down the definitions. After a while I had to write down less and less words until I no longer needed to look something up. I am not a walking dictionary, but in daily life and reading I can say with confidence that I am a very proficient reader and yet some words still strike me.
     I know some one may think it's silly, but I have a few favorite words. Pugnacious which is an adjective and means to show a willingness or desire to fight or argue (definitions thanks to Merriam-Webster Online dictionary, www.m-w.com). My family doesn't swear, like ever, and so my favorite swear word is Fustian. While the definition dose not conjure the meaning I have for the word, I enjoy a Victorian blue-stocking sort of heroine that often utters this phrase under her breath. (I'' leave you to look up the definition for yourself!)
    So what is your favorite word? Is it old-fashioned? Modern slang? Something you read or something you heard? What does it mean to you?

Good Night my fellow writers and WRITE ON!

Tools of the Trade

     Sure, a pad of paper and a pen (or pencil) is all you really need to be a writer but in this day and age there is so much more to play with. I've talked in the past about some of the things I use to help me write. Well, these items include things you might not think about as tools, like file folders, labels, or poly zip envelopes (pictured below). Some might use shoeboxes or vanilla envelopes to organize paper, but I have just spent a lot of time and a bit of money organizing my household files and my story files. (And I am impressed with the outcome!)
     A few months ago I bought a large, four drawer metal filing cabinet at a thrift store for about $10. With some hard word and creativity, I cleaned it up, painted it and stuck some wall decals and new handles on it and it looks brand new, better really. I don't have enough files to fill all the drawers so I use some for storage. They hold extra supplies and what not. I found some cool project files at the dollar store that you can write down the description of what you are working on, start and stop dates, etc. I like color coding, though I admit that I am still working on it. Five colors never seem to be enough. Perhaps my categories are too detailed...?
     One of my most useful purchases are the clear poly zip envelopes from staples. They are just zip bags made of heavy plastic with colorful zippers. I use them to coral the papers I am currently working on in my "story basket." The basket is a medium sized plastic bin from Big Lots that I use to keep all of my paperwork in, including the printed spiral bound drafts that I am working on. Inside is also the envelops which contain my brainstorms; things like illustrations, blueprints of buildings, timelines, maps, character sheets, and outlines. I've labeled them with name tag stickers, the cheep 99 cent store kind. I can just peel off the sticker and re-label or put a new one over the top. I've had to purchase more envelopes as I started a new story and need somewhere to stash my notes. It's organized chaos and I love it.

Envelopes range in price from 1.99-5.99. The ones that I bought were 3.99 and just plain envelopes but they have some with pockets on the outside for notecards and smaller pieces of paper. They have expandable ones and smaller sizes, almost a half or a third of the standard letter size, for who knows what. They were all very cool.

Do you have any tools or tricks of the trade? Anything you've found or made work for you? With pinterest and the web you can find thousands of craft ideas for people on a budget or if you just want to glam out your everyday items.

That's all for tonight! To all my readers: Write On!