Back to reality

I was on vacation last week. The beach. Soft sand, ocean rumbling, sea gulls making weird calls and dive bombing people for french fries, the smell of fried food, and the light cool sea breeze. Can you feel it? I'm sort of still there in my head. It takes me a while to get back into the groove, but I have to snap out of it, I've got a lot of work to do.

Revisions. Now, don't go running. I know it can be a scary word, but I'm trying to push away the fear and look at it with a set of optimistic eyes. It's one of those things where you take a deep breath and dive in. I feel like I've been working on them forever, but really it's only been a few weeks for baby number 2. I got a great critique earlier in the week and it really put things in perspective on what I need to do to this baby. You know, one of those a-ha moments. It gave me a push really on where I need to be and made me really believe in this story. Of course, this will require the following things.

Focus. Another one of those words. More like easier said than done. With a few piles of laundry, dust on all hard surfaces that now have faces drawn into them and cat hair all over the carpet (creating tumble weeds), it's easy to lose sight. Not to mention, two small kiddos needing something every five minutes. Frustration can build causing writers block and totally ruining the mood. I'm trying to get back to "the schedule" that allows me some sort of writing time.

Determination. It's burning so hot I may breathe fire soon. I can't believe after an awesomely (yes, I said awesomely) helpful critique how much hotter the fire could burn. I never knew I could want something so badly and how hard I'm willing to work for it.

So, I have a goal to finish my first round of revisions by next week. Hopefully. I want to get started on any plot revisions soon.

I also read an incredible book on my vacation. Cracked by K. M. Walton. It's not due out until March 2012. I will give my review closer to the release date, but let's just say it's really, really good. Awesome. Fantastic. Okay, I'll stop. You will love it. Yes, I will be doing some promo of this as the birth of this baby comes closer. Stay tuned.

How was your weekend?

What are your goals?

Have you read any good books lately?

Have a great day!

Characters go crazy

I'm almost finished my first draft of my second WiP. I have to say this one has been a little challenging and I'm sure revisions will be the biggest challenge of them all. I'm having trouble understanding where on earth this story is going. I do have a loose outline, but as of right now these characters must be drunk, because its so far from what I expected.

Since I write out of order, I keep plopping all around the story. It's strange, but feels right for me. The only problem is it takes forever. Plus, I have a huge fear of how crappy it will be when I'm done (another reason why I think I'm having a hard time). I love my beginning and end, and maybe some middle parts, but I'm not liking where I'm at. How do you continue?

I've been told to write straight through don't stop. It will be horrible and crappy, but that's what revisions are for. I just don't want my revisions to take another year.

This story has flown by, but I'm worried it's just words I'm going to cut, to re-write, re-write, re-write in the end. I've done that to my first one and that took 2 years to get it to where it is now and I still need to revise it.

Argh. I need some advice. I not a hardcore plotter. I know that because things change so much when I write.

I want to finish this since I'm at 40K (hoping to have 50-60K by the end), but need to keep my focus on it. I also have been wanting to just take a break and go back to revise my first on. I've been told no, keep going, finish, then go back.

Help. Any focus advice?

Have a great day!

Bad critiques and Writing the Next Line.

Well, today is quick and easy.  I want to thank Crystal for the Sweet Blogger award.  She is the sweetest--go check out her blog. 

Mark your calenders--I will host another Writing the Next Line on May 12th. I have work related duties and will be M.I.A. for a few days. When I return, I will post the story in full.

Flirt Blogfest hosted by Critique This on May 16th.

I also wanted to answer a question that was asked by Alexandra Shostak in yesterday's comments.
Go and check out her blog after you read this one. ;)

She asked, "Have you ever had a really BAD critique?" If you mean BAD as in curl  myself into a ball in a dark room and cry my eyes out, YES.

I don't want to sound like I'm some super woman who doesn't react. I do. Everytime I post something that I have written or send my WiP to anyone to critique (including CPs) my stomach gets all knotty and sick. My mind usually gives me the lecture on doubt. You know the one where it tells you that you are not a good writer, you're never going to get anywhere, what are you thinking, etc.  I have to get over it though. My design experience has helped me with this--criticism. It has toughen me a little.

That's not to say that I don't get a stinging feeling in my gut when there is a bunch of red on the page. Tears do well up and sometimes fall and I go curl up on the couch eating a bunch of chocolate along with ice cream. I feel that I have to chalk it up to learning and making my WiP the best it can be. I also turn it into motivation to prove that I can. My life has some regret and I don't want anymore of it especially if I love to do it. It makes me happy when I can create something from my heart.

The other thing is I don't have a lot of time to focus on the negative. If I do, my family will suffer. I have two young ones at home and it's hard enough to keep up with them.  If I'm depressed they are super bad. Again, this does happen now and again but not as much as it used to. I'm a natural pessimist so I can fall into the depression trap real easy. I need to try and focus on all the happy I can.

I have my moments of utter doubt and I vent on the negativity that comes my way.  I'll post about it and you wonderful folks will make me feel better. So thanks for that!

You may want to ask me this question again when I start to query because patience is not my strengh.  He He. ;)

So, have you had a BAD critique?

How do you handle criticism?

Have a great day!

Catching up.

I didn't know that Easter was a week and a half away. I really thought there was another week in there. So today I'm keeping it simple because I really need to catch up.  I received a wonderful award from Nicole Ducleroir, and a cute award from Kimberly Franklin. You guys are too kind, I didn't know that there were so many awards out there. I'll post on the awards another day along with my boyfriend book. ;)

Nicole said I must have cloned myself to take care of my errands, house, kids, etc. No, I didn't and I think I'm starting to feel my craziness take hold. I think I'm starting to burnout. I've been running like a freight train and my mind is starting to loose focus. Even my posts are falling short as my tired brain tries to think.

I like to be busy constantly-- it keeps me going.  When my mind becomes bored then my characters take over which is fine but when I have to do other things it's distracting. It's very hard for me to relax so I tend to over extend myself.  Now, I need to focus. I tend to put my eggs in too many different baskets and that gets me into trouble. I must slow down.
I'm going to try and take tomorrow off--completely --no blogging except for The Beta Club. It's crazy and I'm not sure if I will be able to stay away.  I love reading your posts everyday so keep up the good work but
I need to catch up on house items, kids, critiques and my baby (she needs my full attention as I revise).

How about you--

Do you tend to over extend yourself?

How do you slow down?

What are your tricks to juggling all your demands?


I looked at all those cute little faces over in the follower box (I want to call this something else, not followers, but I will go with it for now) and I can't believe I am that interesting to so many people.  I am flattered.
That number keeps growing and that is fantastic so I will also be thinking of a great contest! Stay tuned.

I will only be gone one day so don't forget about me.

In the mean time, here is a preview of the boyfriend book:

Photos removed.

Don't worry they're not all pretty boys.  You'll have to wait and see ;)  Have a great day!