Wannabe Writers #40

Wannabe Writers is a great online meme for those of us that are working to become "real" writers.  Every week Sarah posts a question on her website that you answer on hers, you sign up on the Mr. Linky, and then ask a question on your website.  A great way to get tips from other writers.

Where I am in the writing process:
Still a (mostly) unpaid author.  No payment for any fiction I've written.  I have an album review coming up for Frequency Magazine, and am waiting to see when my article for Existentialism.com will be published (check out the sidebar to find the links to anywhere I've been published). I have 10k into my untitled Lilith novel and about 5k of planning written for my NaNoWriMo novel, A Wind to the Gift.  (Click here to buddy me on NaNo)

My current problem:
Right now, probably because I'm just waiting for NaNo to get started I really don't have one.  I think I have just the right amount of planning done, and I've really had to make myself wait for Monday.  I guess just kinda anxious about finally getting around to it.

My question this week:
I know at some point I'll fall miserably behind on NaNo, so give me some hope and tell me: what's the most you've ever written in one day?

Also:
I'm experimenting with serial story writing with 3WW.  Check out Taking Liberty.

If you have a blog with 300 or fewer followers, I'd like you to join my Small Packages blogfest.  C'mon, you know you want to.

Wannabe Writers #39

Wannabe Writers is a great online meme for those of us that are working to become "real" writers.  Every week Sarah posts a question on her website that you answer on hers, you sign up on the Mr. Linky, and then ask a question on your website.  A great way to get tips from other writers.


Where I am in the writing process:
I've put aside my Lilith story for the moment to start gearing up for NaNoWriMo. I'm slowly starting to work out a story idea that I'm getting excited about.  I've been using the Snowflake method that I linked in a post earlier in the week, although I'm planning on skipping several of the steps that seem repetitive to me.

My current problem: 
Procrastination.  I'll do a day where I pound out 2400+ words of planning (character sketches, summaries, etc) and then won't type a single thing the next day.  It makes it a bit hard to focus sometimes.  I did however come up with what I think is a pretty cool title and signature for the forums on the NaNo site:

The artist that created the picture is Allan Donque, a really gifted photographer that has most of his stuff on Flickr Creative Commons licensed.

My question this week:
The Snowflake method has you creating a spreadsheet of every scene in your book, and then writing at least a paragraph about each scene.  The creator says you're likely to end up with a 50 page document.  That seems like overkill to me, and is one of the reasons I'm adapting the method for me. When do you feel that outlining/planning becomes too much?

Also:

Have you signed up for my Small Packages Blogfest yet?  I'm looking for blogs with 300 followers or less to take part in it.  Review the guidelines and topic for November and spread the word to others!

Wannabe Writers #38

Wannabe Writer is an online group for the un-published, aspiring writer.  For more information, check out Sarah's blog Confessions of the Un-Published.

Where I am in the writing process:
Still just the same old, same old.  I haven't published anything for Associated Content for a while, but I'm hoping to have some time and write a couple more quicky articles. 

I've just about given up on finding publishing sources online.  Every one I find that I think would be a good fit seems to fold or not pay.  I'm to the point where I don't mind some little things being published without pay (like my current Taking Liberty serial), but I really would like to get some more paying gigs.  I haven't heard back from the places that I submitted my stories to before, so this week I'm going to try and make time to go to the library and find the current Writer's Market.

I've actually started picking back my current WIP, I've written about 1000 words this week.  And I'm starting on my outline for my novel for NaNoWriMo, which starts up soon.

My current problem:
Getting back into the groove of writing again.  I know that I need to really start getting ramped up for WriMo.  So I'm trying to get my word count up over the next couple of weeks before I have to switch over to the new book.

My question this week:
Have any of you taken part in NaNoWriMo?  What tips or hints do you think would be useful?

Wannabe Writers #37

For more information about Wannabe Writers, click the thumbnail on the left.

Where I am in the writing process:
Still just publishing short pieces.  I did get word that another essay will be published on Existential.com in November or December, so I'm looking forward to that.  Still no real word about the two short stories I've submitted elsewhere.  I think I'm going to have to go old school and check out the library and the magazine section of Barnes and Nobel for some more leads.

On a sort-of writery note, I'm hosting my first blogfest on October 12th, designed for blogs with 150 followers or less.  I'm really excited, because I've already had 13 people sign up.  If you're interested check out my Small Packages page for more information.

My current problems:
Emotionally speaking it's been a tough month.  Some issues with family brought back some of the stronger emotions of my mom's passing.  Seeing some joys of other's lives made the lacking in mine the more painful.  It's made writing difficult.  Especially on the Lilith story that encapsulates so many of the issues of loss that I'm dealing with now.  My writing is theraputic, but it's hard to get up the energy to write some days.

My question of the week:
It's become a cliche that writers are "tortured souls" i.e. crazy or at least slightly neurotic.  How do you deal with the emotional issues that can form a block in your writing?

Wannabe Writer #34

Wannabe Writer is an online group for the un-published, aspiring writer.  For more information, check out Sarah's blog Confessions of the Un-Published.

Where I am in the Writing Process:
Still unpublished and waiting to hear about a couple of short stories I've submitted (but somehow I don't think either is going to pan out). I have a couple of new non-fiction pieces published since last time.  I'll put links at the bottom of the post.


My Current Problem:
The same as ever, getting the motivation to write and finding the time.  I'm on another short assignment (I work with a temp agency) that's a bit of a pain, so when I come home after hitting rush hour traffic, I just want to relax.  I think I might give writing on my lunch break a try, or maybe several short sessions during the day.

My Question this Week:
I feel like I really haven't done enough writing lately to have a question.  It's been about a month (at least) since I've worked on my novel.  So I guess my question is, what random tips do you have about writing?  Anything you're working on that you want to promote (blog-wise or other)?

If you're interested, here's the links to some of my recent articles:

Cee Lo Green--"F**k You" (Single review for Frequency Magazine)
The Three Best TV Shows You Never Watched

Trying to get my act into shape

So if you haven't noticed, I've been a bit absent from the bloggersphere lately.  I'm trying to remedy that, and I thought I might ask for some ideas.

I'm thinking about doing a theme for every day, that way if I don't have something to write about, I can have something to fall back on.  Here's my thoughts so far:

Monday: Random Monday Goodness--Links and videos of weird stuff I've run across lately.  Monday's are usually my toughest days to write.

Tuesday: I have absolutely no idea.

Wednesday: Three Word Wednesday. It's a pretty cool meme that I've been meaning of taking full advantage of, but just keep putting it off.  I was also thinking of highlighting my favorites from the last week.

Thursday: Another blank.

Friday: Fiction Friday?  I was wanting to have a day where I post part of something I've written or a flash fiction piece.  But I've noticed that I don't get a whole lot of response on those types of pieces.  What do you think?

Saturday: Wannabe Writer's Day.  If you've followed me for long at all, you know I probably stick to this more than anything.  It's a great support group for those of us wanting to get published.

Are there memes/themes that you use in your blogging?  Do you find them helpful or harmful?

Also, my husband has started his own meme, inspired by Wannabe Writers.  It's the Monday Weigh In.  We're looking to find a group of people who are also struggling with weight/health issues.  Check out his or my posting for this week.  It's a bit nerve-wracking, but very cathartic and helpful, too.

Wannabe Writer #32

Click for the origin of the meme.

Where I am in the writing process:
My fiction is still unpublished.  I haven't written any more on my Lilith novel.  It's been so long since I've looked at it that I need to re-read to get the feel of where I was.  I still haven't heard anything about the two stories I've submitted.  I think I'll have to go to the library and find a current Writer's Market for some magazine leads.  I'm not really having much luck in the online sector.

I have had three more articles published at Associated Content for a whopping $11!  I enjoy doing it (when I can come up with a topic), but sometimes it's kind of depressing to see how little upfront payment I get.  If you want to check them out:

Teaching High School Students to Make Healthy Choices
Educating Middle School Students about Healthy Living
Staying on Track: What to do when your child is home sick

My current problem:
Getting back in the habit of writing.  I was doing really well for a while, then all the visitors and vacations came along and blew my rhythm.  I've been having a hard time getting that rhythm back.

My question this week:
I'm torn between wanting to get published and wanting to get paid.  When trying to find places to publish my fiction, should I focus on places that will pay me or anyone that will take it?

Wannabe Writer #31 (Better late than never!)

Click for the origin

Where I am in the writing process:
I've gotten three articles published on Associated Content this week, so that feels good. I still haven't heard anything about the two short stories that I submitted. I haven't written any for a while on my novel, although I'm still interested in it.

My current problem:
Simply getting back in the habit of writing.  I know that summer is a busy season for everybody, but it's really thrown me off my game.  Now I need to focus on getting back in the swing of things.

My question this week:
In an effort to make some extra money and build my writing habit, I'm trying to write an article for Associated Content everyday.  My problem is that I'm starting to reach the bottom of my idea barrel.  Any hints for coming up with short non-fiction articles?

Wannabe Writer #26

Click for Origin of the Meme

Where I am in the writing process:
Still unpublished, but I've sent off two short stories for possible publication.  HOping to hear something positive soon.

My current problem:
Time.  Isn't it always?  Right now is prime visiting time from family members, and in a couple of weeks I'm going on vacation for a week.  I find little bits of time here and there, but not enough to keep up with 50k in 50 Days.

My question:
How do you make characters' motives clear without spelling it out for the reader?  I have a lot of mixed characters in my current WIP.  They aren't fully good or bad.  For example, one of my characters is Lucifer, and while he's evil, he does have moments where he's sweet or funny.  So how do I show his mixed motives without making it too boring for the reader?

Wannabe Writer #25

Click on the picture for the origin.

Where I am in the writing process: 
Well, I'm five days deep into the 50k in 50 day challenge (so far I'm at 5174 words).  I've also been blogging a lot more regularly, and I submitted a story for publication.  My Associated Content articles are generating pretty steady (if low) numbers every day. I'm starting to feel like an actual writer!


My current problem:
I finished my first chapter pretty quickly.  It was a lot of fun to write (although it made me realize I won't be able to let all my family read it if when it gets published).  The second chapter is going a lot more slowly.  A problem with my writing is I don't always give the setting justice.  My novel is set in New Orleans, a city I love and have visited often, and I want to make it seem real to others.  But I feel like I'm getting bogged down in describing the setting.  Also, I have the novel outlined, but only vaguely, with the big scenes.  The little scenes getting from one section to the other are pretty difficult.

This week's question:
How do you balance exposition and description with action?

Wannabe Writer #23

It's that time again!  Check out the origin of the meme here.

Where I am in the writing process:
I'm focusing more on accepting the fact that I am a writer.  My posting for Bloggerstock this month really made me think about how I see myself.  I'm coming to terms that I need to look at writing as my career and not just a hobby.

My current problem:
Making myself read my old work.  I've decided to expand on a story based on Lilith mythology.  I think I have the bones of a really good story there that I could even turn into a series with some tweaks.  But before I do that, I wanted to read what I had, kind of use it as an outline and go from there.  Going back and re-reading, I realize how awful my writing was!  It's full of cliches, telling instead of showing, and ridiculous deus ex machina (literally in my case).  I can actually only read a few pages and then have to give it a rest.

This week's question:
I signed up for Sarah's 50k in 50 days, and it starts in less than two weeks.  I want to have all my planning done before it starts so I can actually focus on writing.  So, how much planning should I put into it?  I'm starting to get the basic outline in my head, but should I also focus on doing character sketches?  Or should I focus on smaller projects before the starting gun goes off?

Wannabe Writer #22

Check out the origin of the meme here.

Where I am in the writing process:
Still unpublished in the fiction zone.  I'm up to 15 articles on my Associated Content account, but I've lost steam on that.  Non-fiction isn't where I want to be working, so it's hard to stay motivated.  I have an essay about losing my mom up on Existential.com. I think I'd like to write another article for the website, and I'm batting around ideas in my head for that.

My current problem:
Working up the guts to get started on a novel.  Years ago I wrote a story based on the Lilith myth that I'm seriously thinking of turning into a novel. I'd have to change up quite a bit, but I think it has some promise and could be turned into a series.  If you're interested here's part one and part two on my Writing.com account.

This week's question:
Now that I've settled on expanding my short story, how do I go about doing it?  I feel that my story is a bit rushed, so I could definitely expand on the flash backs, character development, etc., but I'm not sure it's enough to get it to full novel length.  Right now it's at about 8,000 words. What would you do to expand the story?  Do you find sub-plots to be a good use of space?