The truth about Falling for Hadie

I'm going to be straight with you. I haven't talked much about Falling for Hadie since it released--mainly because I've been trying to recover from it, but also because I didn't want to get overly emotional about it. Eventually, I realised that sometimes it's okay to be a little emotional.

That's why I want to put this out there because it's been running through my mind a lot the last couple of days: Falling for Hadie means so much to me. It means the world to me. I didn't realise how much this book meant to me until two days ago.

I cry every time someone sends me a message telling me how much they loved it, or when they say that it is one of their favourite books or that Hadie and Lincoln are their favourite characters, or today when I was on Goodreads and I saw someone had made a quiz for the book! Yes, I cried because someone made a freaking quiz! I have no words. I am not a crier, but you guys make me cry.

Life is not easy, but we have to carry on and keep living. I wrote this book because I know that sometimes in life you go through extremely difficult situations. And, you know what the worst part is? The worst part is that life doesn't stop just because you experienced devastation. Life keeps going. And the traumatic event that we experienced is already in the past, and it's a past that we have to move on from.

In a way, I guess the worst part about life is also the best part. It's the best part because regardless of loss, death, and grief, there is still life, birth, and love for us to experience. There are still things to look forward to. There is still a chance to live and to breathe and to learn. Your life doesn't have to end just because someone else's did.

We don't have to forget, but we have to keep on living. Falling for Hadie is based on reality. I didn't lose the love of my life, but I lost someone I loved. The characters in this story--Mrs. Bracks, Becky, Kance--are people I have met in my life. Mrs. Bracks and Becky aren't figments of my imagination; they really did react that way in the exact same situation.

I am still young--I'm only 22--but I have been through things that I will never forget. I have experienced things that have broken me down. I have struggled and given up hope.

But Falling for Hadie isn't about losing hope; it's about finding hope, even when you feel like there's nothing left to live for anymore. It's about finding hope even when you think no one cares about you and that you're all alone. It's about finding hope even when you've been through something that has torn your life apart.

Hold onto that hope--a dream, a reality, a loved one--and never let it go.

"The difficult things we go through are the things that make us stronger."

Here's a final truth: I cry uncontrollably each and every time I read Lincoln's letter. Without fail.

<3

Good news & bad news

Guys, guys, I have some bad news and good news for you. The bad news is that I will not be releasing my Paranormal novel RUNAWAY MORTAL in May as planned. I am so sorry about this and I can't even begin to tell you how upset this makes me. 

RUNAWAY MORTAL is a project I started in February 2011 and I love it to bits; I can't express how much I love the story and the characters. However, I have a lot of rewrites to do for it before it even gets close to what I want it to be. There is no way I would EVER compromise the quality of the work for the sake of getting something out there by a deadline. I would never do that to my readers. I don't see how I can get it done by the deadline without it dragging into June or July. If that happens WRONG SIDE OF TOWN will be majorly delayed. Now, I know there are waaaay more people waiting for WRONG SIDE OF TOWN than there are for RUNAWAY MORTAL. I mean, the readers wanting to read RUNAWAY MORTAL are just as important (trust me, I love you guys!) but there are a lot more readers to disappoint if WRONG SIDE OF TOWN is delayed, say, until October. I will work on RUNAWAY MORTAL at a later time and I would still like to get it done by the end of the year (I love Katerina too much to stay out of her head for too long) if all goes well, but for now the release date is uncertain. I promise I will have an update on this matter when I am closer to finishing rewrites. 

So what does that mean for WRONG SIDE OF TOWN? Well, it means that it will probably be released sooner! I won't set a date, I won't even promise anything, but the good news is that I am off to work on Vincent and Estella's story in the next couple of days. I truly am sorry about this and feel free to get angry at me for disappointing you. I hope we can still be friends. ♥

First round of revisions is complete for Falling For Hadie!!

Okay, so that's a very long title but the point is...YAY! It took me a really long time to get the first round of revisions done for Falling For Hadie, mainly due to the fact that I had a LOT of re-writes to do. The first third of the book was all about writing in new chapters and making sure that everything made sense.

Then something crazy happened. Okay, well not "crazy happened"...just that I'm a little crazy. My critique partners know by now how impulsive and spontaneous I can be, so this probably won't surprise them a whole lot but...yeah, so on the 23rd of February at 1 am in the morning I finished editing Falling For Hadie (the first round of edits, mind you) and I very well intended to do another round of edits before sending it off to my crit partners, except...I was feeling kinda hyper and in that hyper-ness I sent Falling for Hadie off to my crit partners. Whooooops!

When I woke up later that morning, I was face palming (ie. slapping) myself for doing something so impulsive and ridiculous! Sorry in advance to Erica and Michelle for the amount of errors they are going to find! I swear, I was going to do another round of edits...I was just in a "mood". *cough* Yeah, having a book out and being an "author" hasn't made me any less crazy.

Sorry this post was very rambly...I'm not sure what I'm saying half the time. Oh, I did want to say...I AM SO SORRY TO EVERYONE! I know I said Falling For Hadie would release in February, but that will definitely not happen. I will try for an early March release if edits are done by then.

January and February were weird months for me and I had (and still do) something personal going on which I shan't discuss here, but it just kept me distracted for an entire month. I have never been so unfocused before. Personal things are very annoying and it's incredible how one day and one moment can change your perception of things.

Anyway, I am very apologetic to you all and I will definitely let you know when Falling For Hadie will release. In the mean time, I'm going to be posting teasers from Falling For Hadie that I posted on my Facebook just in case some of you missed them.

<3

Whispers of a secret project

So, secret project? Yes, you heard right! I have an entire writing schedule planned out, but sometimes I am hit with certain ideas that I have to, have to, HAVE TO work on. So, when Runaway Mortal is released in April, I will start working on this secret project.

What is this secret project about? 
All I can say is that it will be a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel about a girl named Jessica or Genevieve or Gwendolyn who meets a guy at a bar and things don't exactly go as expected. It will be a fun read, I promise!

Does this "secret project" have a title?
It's working title is I Just Met You. That could change or it could stay the same.

Why are you being so vague about it?
Because I won't start working on it until next year and that's still a long way away. Maybe I'll start writing and realise that something's not working. I promise I will talk more about it in the new year.

If anyone has any comments, suggestions, questions or answers, send me an email!

<3

Transitioning period

So, guys, my debut novel will be coming out in the next couple of months and I've been writing like crazy. I mean it. I'm on the third week of writing my current WIP and I'm already on 40, 000 words. Like I said: crazy. This is coming from the person who took nine months to write one book. And I'm still doing edits for that book nearly a year later. Sigh.

Anyway, my current WIP is titled WITH ME. As you can see, I've made a special tab for it and I'll add more info on it when I have news and a cover. At the moment, I'm focused on getting it finished by next week and handing it over to my trusty crit partners so they can add their amazingness to it.

Since, I've been focusing on my writing lately, my blog has been neglected. I miss my bloggy, but I do need to push myself in order to get my work done too. So, in the next few months my blog is going to transition from a book blog into an author blog. I'll still post up reviews and interviews but it won't be as often. I want to use this blog as a platform to talk about my writing and my books.

Also, I'm working on an exciting side project with a few other writers/authors/bloggers so I can't wait to share that with you all!

Have an amazing day! I'll be around to some of your blogs to say "Hi" soon!

In which I try to make a comeback

Hey everyone! *waves*

I hope you're all well! I've been absent from my blog for about two months now because next month I'm getting married to my boyfriend of six years and, well, pulling off a wedding in three months was a lot harder than I expected.

The last two months I have not only neglected my blog, I have also failed to read very many books and haven't worked on my WIP at all. *chews fingernails*

Well, I'm going to try a lot harder to post, work on my story and read. I'm going to start with a small goal of doing one post a week, reading one book a week and editing one chapter a week.

I have a couple of book reviews lined up, a post on why I love being a book blogger, an interview with the awesome Michelle Flick and a guest post by the amazing Mia Hayson.

Hope everyone's been well!

Writing is not for the faint hearted

And here I though that nothing could get me down. I mean, I have pretty thick skin but sometimes I just want to curl up into a ball with a huge tub of ice cream and cry. Yes, I said cry. What 21-year-old wants to cry over edits? Me, that’s who.

No one is mean to me, not in the slightest. Everyone who has critiqued my work so far has been kind, considerate and VERY helpful. Honestly, their insight is priceless. I appreciate everyone for taking out time from their busy lives to help me improve my work. It’s ridiculous how kind people can be.

Still, I open up a file and see the amount of things I need to change, and I want to cry. I want to bawl like a baby and never stop. I want my mummy to come and comfort me. I want to eat a lot of things that are high in sugar, and I never want to look at that darn manuscript ever again.

But I do. Why? I’m not entirely sure. Maybe it’s because my MC is telling me to get my butt into gear. Maybe it’s because deep down I want to be a successful writer one day and I know I can get through this. Taking another look at that list of edits, I realise that I can do this. I will do this.

Sure it isn’t easy. It never gets any easier. The first draft is hard, revising is hard, editing is hard, having other people look at your work is hard. Example: “Oh, fudge! I totally used that word wrong and they noticed. Now they’re going to think I’m the stupidest person alive. Why didn’t I read it through one more time?”

Every part of being a writer is hard, but we still do it. Everyone has their own reasons and each reason is important because when you’re down in the dumps, that reason is what will motivate you to work harder. That reason is what will make you lock yourself in your room and get those edits done so your book gets better.

Remember that reason next time you start doubting yourself. (Most importantly, remember that reason next time you consider eating a whole tub of ice cream to comfort yourself.)

What are your reasons for wanting to be a writer that help you get through the tough times?

Guest Post: Nadja Notariani

Fellow writers, you are in luck because the fabulous Nadja Notariani has stopped by my blog today to do a guest post!
I want to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule (she is currently getting ready to release her third novel, The Third Fate) to talk to us about writing. I'll let her get to it!
__________________________________________________________________

writ·ing

n.

1. The act of one who writes.

2. Written form: Put it in writing.

3. Handwriting; penmanship.

4. Something written, especially:

a. Meaningful letters or characters that constitute readable matter.

b. A written work, especially a literary composition.

5. The occupation or style of a writer.

6. Writings (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Bible The third of the three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures, composed of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles. See Table at Bible.

writing [ˈraɪtɪŋ]

n

1. (Linguistics / Letters of the Alphabet (Foreign)) a group of letters or symbols written or marked on a surface as a means of communicating ideas by making each symbol stand for an idea, concept, or thing (see ideogram), by using each symbol to represent a set of sounds grouped into syllables (syllabic writing), or by regarding each symbol as corresponding roughly or exactly to each of the sounds in the language (alphabetic writing)

2. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) short for handwriting

3. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) anything expressed in letters, esp a literary composition

4. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) the work of a writer

5. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) literary style, art, or practice

6. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) written form give it to me in writing

7. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) (modifier) related to or used in writing writing ink

writing on the wall a sign or signs of approaching disaster

[sense 8: allusion to Daniel 5:5]

Writing.

So many emotions conjured with that single word. In some, it inspires dread, sweaty palms, palpitations. In others, it awakens the joy of exploration, the release of expressing freely, expertly. Some authors claim writing a necessity, an embedded need which must be granted release. Not so, for me. Writing is something I enjoy, a pleasure indulged.

Warning! Harsh truth ahead...

The act of writing is but one step in the marathon of crafting your novel. Enjoyable as this step may be, it is neither the first, nor the last in this wonderful, liberating, frustrating, drawn-out, satisfying process we call writing. You are probably wondering why I'm raining on the parades of eager storytellers everywhere, but I insist; I'm not. I am offering a safety net, of sorts, for when the process becomes overwhelming. Proper preparation is half the battle...

Insert disclaimer ...I'm sure there are those gifted few who 'wing-it' and find success dropping into their laps with a thud of satisfactory glee. It happens. The rest of us will have to mire through, taking the war on increasing word counts, plot decisions, adding tension, cutting unnecessary words, or finding the perfect adjective just as a battalion of soldiers must advance one hill at a time. It's a messy business. There are word casualties.

During the journey of creating, you'll laugh, you'll scream, you'll rant, you'll thrill. You'll make it. Believe it. But do yourself a huge favor first....Prepare.

When did you first know you wanted to write a novel?

I've always wanted to, but I didn't actually begin until I was 39 years old. Really. And I wish I knew then what I know now. (I'll probably say this same thing again in a year or two and think back on my naivete and lack of knowledge at this point in my writing career with a wistful smile...) So, if any of what I'm about to share helps even one writer...I'll be a happy Nadja.

Well Begun Is Half Done... (Has Mary Poppins ever been wrong?)

* Take the necessary time to plot and plan. K.M. Weiland's book, Outlining Your Novel, is a wonderful resource that I highly recommend. Keep a notebook, a file on your computer, sticky-notes, whatever works for you, tracking all the details of your story. Trust me...You'll be sooo glad you did when you think, 'Now where did I have those characters meet? Was it _____ or ______? Was she wearing green or blue? Did I name that servant/neighbor/teacher Betty or Angie?' Having to go back through chapters and search for some minute detail is a real pain. Believe me...I've been that girl.

* Make a character profile packet on each major character. Rebecca Sinclair over at Eclectics has a fine example of a thorough 'vetting' of your hero/heroine, your protagonist, your side-kick. Have some fun with it! Crafting personality is so important to the likability/emotional availability of your characters. Add quirks, habits, likes/dislikes, mannerisms, and humor to your peeps. Readers will thank you.

* Find an HONEST, but POSITIVE group of writers/friends/readers and surround yourself. I need honest feedback as a writer. It's not always what I want to hear, but needful if I'm to craft the best novel I can. However, negativity is an entirely different matter. Mojo stealing, inspiration swiping, and confidence busting, this irksome trait is one I recommend you distance yourself from.

* Start shopping for a cover designer early. There's more to a cover than the image(s). You'll need a clear idea of what your characters look like, your setting's details, and a blurb written for your designer to create the best cover he/she can. Create a folder to store images you like during the build-up. Don't limit yourself to a couple, a setting. Think details! Text colors, fonts, unification between the different elements you want to showcase in your cover. Whether we agree or disagree, the fact is, an unattractive cover can inhibit sales even if a jewel of a story resides underneath.

* Seek out beta readers. Take your time. Read writing samples if they are a fellow author, and don't be afraid to ask questions. No matter how you respect someone, if they don't enjoy the genre you are writing in, they aren't the beta reader for you. Also, beta for fellow writers. Even if you don't have the confidence to line edit, you can offer ideas and thoughts on storyline, pacing, flow of dialogue, etc. It will help your writing, training your eye and ear to discern what you like - and don't within writing style, aid you in identifying plot holes/weaknesses, and sense where a story lacks that special something that Wows readers.

I had the fine opportunity to beta for a writer I didn't know well last summer - and it was incredibly satisfying. That main character is still in my heart - dark and humorously wretched as she was. While not my favored genre, I went into the challenge with an open mind. I offered honest opinions - commenting on the things I loved as well as those I didn't. It was an extremely positive experience, and promoted growth in me as a writer.

* If you aren't a grammar queen, hire an editor. Look at local universities, or ask around at fellow writers' blogs. Someone is sure to make a recommendation. Request references and/or samples of their work if they are unknown to you. A true professional won't be offended. Better to find and eradicate those errors before your publish date!

* Set goals. Break your work into tasks.

A) Loose plot details

B) Character development

C) Research

D) Outline

E) Chapter Content

F) The Writing

G) Cover/Blurb

The above is a quick breakdown to illustrate my point. Now, allow yourself so many weeks per task. Set those goals. Post them on your blog and ask your friends to hold you accountable. Push yourself. If you struggle with motivation, joining a group may be a good idea for you. Checking-In with A Round Of Words In 80 Days is a fabulous tool which encourages scheduled and regular posting, re-assessment of goals, and honest evaluation of progress. It also offers us community with fellow writers, encouragement, and opportunities to learn about upcoming classes, great new craft books, and 'exponential reading power' - (Fellow bloggers will link to interesting articles, highlighting those 'gems' we might otherwise have missed out on).

* Celebrate along the way. Wrote the first chapter? Celebrate.

Named your characters?

Completed that daunting outline?

Nailed a scene that had been giving you fits?

Captured an elusive emotion in smart dialogue?

Found that perfect image for your hero?

Celebrate. Share your joy. It encourages others.

* Relax.
Achieve at your own pace. Push, but don't get anxious. Strive, but don't compare yourself with others. Dig deep. Skipping/skimping steps may get you to the finish line more quickly, but is that your true goal? Your heart's desire? Or is it crafting the best possible novel you can?

With hard work, dedication, persistance, and faith, you can craft your novel. Here's to success! ~ Nadja
____________________________________________________________________

Nadja Notariani (1971- Current)

Nadja Notariani was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania. Her upbringing included very diverse environments, affording wide and varied richness of ethnic and religious tradition. Raised in both an Italian/Mediterranean American home and a traditional German household, Nadja gleaned the unique benefits of viewing the world through two widely different lenses.

Nadja currently resides in Northeastern Pennsylvania and published two novels in 2011, Claiming The Prize and Her Dark Baron. The Third Fate, a paranormal romance is due out in spring, 2012.
The author can be found at her website, on facebook, or through email, and enjoys hearing from readers.

You can find Nadja at her home on the web at nadjanotariani.blogspot.com.

Why are you REALLY a writer?

Why do writers write?

Is it because there is an intangible world out there that we have to tell everyone else about? Is it because we know these really cool people in our head that we want other people to meet? Or is it so we can spend time on social networking sites complaining about anyone who doesn't like our vision?

Let's face it. Revisions and countless rejection letters should have toughened us up by now. We should have skin as thick as a rhino's.

So, why are there authors out there - and I mean authors with fabulous agents and amazing book deals - who continue to attack reviewers that leave negative reviews? A bad review isn't going to stop readers from buying your books. You know what is? An author with a bad attitude who acts like a troll. Yeah, I said it. Troll.

Look at Stephenie Meyer. Do you think she was never upset about a bad review? Be honest, how many negative reviews have you read of Twilight? I bet Harry Potter has its share of bad reviews too. Authors get them every day but not every author uses their platform to bash reviewers.

Of course it's going to hurt. Of course we're going to have a soul-wrenching feeling as someone tears our book apart. We have spent countless days, months and years on this. We have cried, become caffeine-addicted hermits and lost sleep over it. A reviewer can't simply come along and say whatever they like.

Well, yeah, they kind of can.

Reviews are objective but when an author, or anyone associated with them, gets involved and starts criticising a reviewer then things get personal. Very personal. People get hurt and authors look like they're the bad guys.

The point I'm trying to make is not everyone is going to love you. Not everyone is going to love your book but someone will love your book.

If the negative is getting you down, draw from the positive. Remind yourself why you are doing this. I bet the first, second or even third reason won't be because you're trying to impress someone else. Get your loved ones to remind you how awesome your book is.

Most importantly, remind yourself how awesome your book is.

My Goals for 2012!

Okay, so I realise I was a bit slow to put up this post and, honestly, I wasn't going to. Then I got thinking (there's trouble right there) and it occurred to me that I should put up a post about what I would like to achieve or work towards achieving in 2012.

2012 is the year that I want to make things happen. I want to be very focused this year. I want to learn to be a better person. I want to enjoy myself more. I want to travel somewhere I haven't been before. I want to reconnect with old friends.

Writing

• Have a polished manuscript of Runaway Mortal (May/June)
• Begin first draft of Broken Angel RM#2 (Feb/March)
• Send out queries for Runaway Mortal (June/July)
• Outline Cursed Demon RM#3 (August)
• Finish first draft of Last Summer (Sep/Oct)
• Begin first draft of Siren Song (Nov/Dec)

Reading, Authors & Blogging

• Read 100 books this year
• Support more self-published authors
• Re-design blog - new title, banner
• Post book reviews twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Sunday do a writing related post.
• Host more giveaways

Life in General

• Travel to a place I haven't been before
• Do something regularly that I haven't done before - yoga, martial arts, indoor rock climbing
• Catch up with old friends
• Do the Harbour Bridge climb

Those are my goals for the year. What about you guys?

What I Learned From My First Draft

As I began writing my first draft for Runaway Mortal, I was very unhappy.

Why? Because starting a new WIP meant that I had to put away my other WIP, an Adult Urban Fantasy titled Siren Song.

So, why didn’t I just keep writing what made me happy? Because I am a moron.

My goal was to complete a Young Adult manuscript by the end of 2011 and Siren Song was not Young Adult. Reluctantly, I began a new WIP, Runaway Mortal, and I wrote at a snail-like pace. I constantly complained to my fiancé about how Runaway Mortal was nowhere near as good as Siren Song and that I would never be able to come up with an idea that I liked as much.

Meanwhile, the word count of Runaway Mortal grew but it lacked that “special something” that Siren Song had. I blamed this on the story. I blamed it on the characters. I blamed it on the idea.

Honestly, I should have been blaming myself.

If I had, I would have realised earlier on that the problem was me. I was sabotaging myself. I wasn’t in love with my story. I wasn’t in love with my characters, and because of this my story was bland. I may as well not have written it, that’s how horrible it had become.

I made a split second decision to can Runaway Mortal and work on Siren Song, but something stopped me. It suddenly dawned on me that I was putting myself down. I didn’t believe that I could come up with a story concept as good as Siren Song. What was I trying to tell myself? Why did I want to be a writer if I couldn’t learn to start new projects with enthusiasm?

So, I stayed with Runaway Mortal and I really worked hard on it. I wrote more in 2 months than I had written in 7. That reality amazed me. I really had been sabotaging myself. I pushed through and finished my first draft and you know what happened after that? I could NOT stop thinking about Runaway Mortal. I started writing scenes for it, began a new first chapter and did world building. I couldn’t stay away.

I guess what I am trying to say is be happy with what you are writing. Lose yourself in your world and your characters. Don’t write something that frustrates you, write what you love.

And love it. Really, really love it.

Even with broken keys, I still did it!

I would now like to direct everyone to look at the right side of the page. To the far right. See that word count bar? 100% complete!

Guys, I completed my first draft! I cannot describe how amazing it feels to have a complete novel! Not that it is ready to be seen by human eyes other than mine - it still has a long way to go!

I was somewhat hindered this week by the loss of my keyboard keys (See picture) so I was really upset by that. My laptop is only a year old, which in technology world is more like a decade, and it hasn't suffered any injuries until now. To be honest, it was sort of, kind of my fault...

See, I was curious as to how a key fit onto the laptop so I removed the 'J' key to take a look. Unfortunately, I couldn't put it back on so I took off the 'K' to try and copy how that went back on. The 'K' went on but I still couldn't do the 'J' so I took off the 'H'. Somehow, in the process, the 'G' and 'K' came off too. Guys, please don't laugh at me, but I never realised until now how much I use 'H'. *sad face* Okay, you can laugh now.

Aside from that self-induced disaster, I managed to complete my WIP! On Monday and Tuesday, I wrote 4586 words and by Tuesday 10:15 pm, I had completed my story. What really amazes me is how much I actually wrote for this round of ROW80:

49215 words

My productivity was at its highest and I actually know why. It's because I wrote chapter outlines. Once I started outlining chapters ahead of time, it kept me on a path. Sometimes I changed things up but, for the majority of it, chapter outlines truly helped me churn out 2000-3500 words a day.

I also have to thank all the lovely ROW80 participants this round! You guys kept encouraging me and were so kind even when I had a bad week. I couldn't have done it without you! A special thank you to Nadja Notariani who said something to me in October which made me want to join up for this round of ROW. I can't remember exactly what she said but if she hadn't, I wouldn't have a complete manuscript today. Also, I must mention my friend, Michelle Flick, who has been so supportive of me throughout this entire process. I hope all of you have someone you can go to when you begin doubting yourself.

I will begin revisions after the holiday season so if any of you have any advice for me, please share!

Finally, here is Part Three of a writer's attribute which I found in THE AUTHOR'S CRAFT by Arnold Bennett. If you didn't see my previous posts, here is Part One and Part Two.

"...The other one important attribute in the equipment of the novelist - the attribute indeed which indeed by itself practically suffices, and whose absence renders futile all the rest - is fitness of mind. A great novelist must have great qualities of mind. His mind must be sympathetic, quickly responsive, courageous, honest, humorous, tender, just, merciful. He must be able to conceive the ideal without losing sight of the fact that it is a human world we live in. Above all, his mind must be permeated and controlled by common sense. His mind, in a word, must have the quality of being noble. Unless his mind is all this, he will never, at the ultimate bar, be reckoned supreme."

Second last check in for ROW80& Writing Advice Part II

Last week I talked about the first attribute of a writer that is taken for granted, as mentioned in THE AUTHOR'S CRAFT by Arnold Bennett. Part One was about the sense of beauty that writer's see in their work and how we wouldn't write something we are repelled by. This week, I take a look at the second attribute.

"The other attribute which may be taken for granted in the novelist, as in every artist, is passionate intensity of vision. Unless the vision is passionately intense the artist will not be moved to transmit it. He will not be inconvenienced by it; and the motive to pass it on will thus not exist. Every fine emotion produced in the reader has been, and must have been, previously felt by the writer, but in a far greater degree."

I believe that last line is an incredibly important one. As writers, we must emote with every scene that we write and every character that we give life to because if we don't, then how can we expect our readers to do the same? If a scene isn't working, if a character doesn't feel right, we need to realise that it will not work for the reader either.

Wednesday will be my final update for ROW and I will post Part III of  a writer's attribute. It's hard to believe ROW ends in three days. I didn't do too well with my goals this week. A week ago, if you had asked me, I would've told you that my story would be done by this Sunday. Unfortunately, I was very busy this week and didn't manage to get it done.

Monday - 1465

Tuesday - 1400

Wednesday - 837

Thursday - 0

Friday - 0

Saturday - 0

Sunday - 571

Total - 4273

I really want to get the story done by the Wednesday check in. I only have a chapter and a half to write so I really hope I can push through and finish my first draft!

Good luck to everyone for the next few days!

ROW80 Update & Some Writing Advice

Since I am drawing closer to the end of my WIP, I have started to read books on writing. I guess, instead of reading in the genre that I write in, I want to read books that I can relate to as a writer.

As I find advice in these books, I'm going to post it up for everyone to see. Maybe you will find something that inspires or helps you. This week I will be quoting from THE AUTHOR'S CRAFT by Arnold Bennett. The passage below defines the first attribute of a writer.

"In considering the equipment of the novelist there are two attributes which may always be taken for granted. The first is the sense of beauty - indispensable to the creative artist. Every creative artist has it, in his degree. He is an artist because he has it. An artist works under the stress of instinct. No man's instincts can draw him towards material which repels him - the fact is obvious. Obviously, whatever kind of life the novelist writes about, he has been charmed and seduced by it, he is under its spell - that is, he has seen beauty in it. He could have no other reason for writing about it."

It's funny how I never looked at it that way, but I can completely relate to what he is saying. I will post Part Two next week.

I have been working hard on my story this week. I'm finding it a lot easier to write  2000 words in a day which is great for me because I am so impatient to finish this novel. I think my characters are impatient too!

Monday - 672
Tuesday - 0
Wednesday - 2183
Thursday - 375
Friday - 0
Saturday - 1073
Sunday - 2263

Total - 6566
Catch up - 2856

I can't believe ROW is almost at an end. I would really love to get my story finished by then. I only have three chapters left to write. I really want to get them done this week, but we'll see how I go.

Hope everyone has a great week!

ROW80 Check in for Sunday

Hey everyone! Hope you're all well. This is going to be a short, uneventful post from me. I've been feeling unwell this past week and don't have much energy.

The weather has been so horrible in Sydney this week, it's hard to believe that it's summer here, but it's great reading weather. I love curling up on the sofa under a blanket with a book.

This week, I manged to write over 3000 words in one day again! I kind of wish I'd kept up the momentum though. I was so busy towards the end of the week that I didn't get as much done as I'd wanted, but I'm not disappointed. I need to tackle the final 10 000 words of my manuscript and then...bring on revisions!

Here is a breakdown of my words for the week:

Monday - 273
Tuesday - 1055
Wednesday - 3409
Thursday - 572
Friday - 0
Saturday - 0
Sunday - 0

Total - 5309
Catch up - 5422

I really wished I had pushed myself over the weekend but it's silly to regret that now. I really want to push through and get 7000 words done this week, but I'll be happy even if I get 4000 words done.

I hope everyone has a great week!

ROW80 Update!

Oh. My. Gosh. Guys, I did it! *jumps up and down ecstatically* I managed to write 2000 words today!

But, you know what's even better?

I didn't stop at 2000. I kept going and I got to 3145. I wrote over THREE THOUSAND words today!

You know what else?

I actually enjoyed it! I didn't feel like it was a chore. I was loving my plot and my characters, and I had fun! I kept writing because I was enjoying myself so much that I didn't want to stop.

I think it's moments like these that are really important. Writing because you love to. No other reason.

Sorry for the lack of coherent post. I was actually going to post something interesting along with my ROW post but I was too darn excited.

So, here's a breakdown of my goals. You can see that I didn't have a great start to the week but Saturday and Sunday I really stepped it up.

Monday - 834
Tuesday - 198
Wednesday - 748
Thursday - 283
Friday - 0
Saturday - 1602
Sunday - 3145

Total - 6810
Catch up - 6731

My goal for the week is to write 4000 words and to catch up on the words that I'm behind on.

I hope everyone had a great week! Happy writing!

What Kind of Journey Are Your Characters On?

Yesterday, I cleaned up my spare room because I didn't have enough space for all my books. I bought two new bookshelves and basically had to reorganise the entire room. While I was digging away in a box, as I do, I found some notes from a few years ago when I went to a university lecture on Shakespeare's, The Tempest. As I read over them, I thought that it had some great advice regarding plot and character.

For your benefit, here are a few things that stood out to me:

1. There are different "journeys" that your character can take in your story.
- Physical Displacement - Going somewhere strange and destabilising
- Personal or Moral Growth - People benefiting and understanding how their life could be better, and improving themselves as a result.
- Circular Journey - The sense that all one does in life is about understanding oneself.

2. Characters
- It is important to know who the central character is and what is important to them.
- The central character must have their world disturbed.
- The antagonist should be pulling against the central idea and the struggle strengthens the main idea.

3. Audience
 - The reader must suspend their belief in order to go on a journey. The premise must be believable and engaging. The reader should have gained something as a result.
- Universal themes are appealing (love, relationships, friendship, etc).
- Using contemporary themes makes your story more relatable.

My story falls into the personal growth category. My MC, not to mention several other characters, goes through experiences which make a change in her life. She grows as a person, and this affects a lot of people around her.

Do you know what kind of journey your characters are on?

New Blog Schedule and a New Author Blog Hop!

I have decided to shake up my blogging schedule a bit. Apart from my routine Sunday ROW posts (because ROW is awesome) I will now be catching up on all the books that I have read but failed to review. My plan is to post at least one book review a week, either on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Upcoming reviews:

DIVERGENT - Veronica Roth

UGLIES - Scott Westerfeld

DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE - Laini Taylor

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD - Kendare Blake

I will also try and do more author interviews because authors are awesome!

My equally awesome friend, Michelle, over at Oh! For the LOVE of BOOKS! is co-hosting a New Author Blog Hop. If you are an author who would like to promote your book, or if you are a reader who has recently read a great book that you would like to feature on your blog, then what are you waiting for? Head on over there and sign up!

Michelle, a few other bloggers, and I are in the middle of something exciting. Stay tuned!

Live Blog! Read about me doing exciting things like waking up, sitting and blinking

Hey everyone! I borrowed the idea from Amber who did this over on her blog last week. Apart from being very entertaining, I thought it would also help me figure out why I don't write more during the day. Like almost everything I do, I didn't think this through very well, so this isn't really an average day for me...(or maybe it is since I have so many days like this now?)

Amber wrote an amazing 7200 words when she did this but I'm not so  ambitious. I want to get 2000 done at the least. I need to hit my goals for ROW80 this week!

6:50 am: Woke up before the alarm went off (which is a huge feat considering I only had 5 hours sleep). Groan about going to work, then realise I don't work anymore. Roll over to continue sleeping, then suddenly remember I have an early doctor's appointment.

7:20 am: Still putting off getting out of bed. Finally head to the bathroom to have a shower, barely registering what is going on.

7:50 am: Pour myself a bowl of cereal, then remember I have to get a blood test done after the seeing the doctor which requires me to fast. I'm so hungry!

7:57 am: Attend to my three dogs and three cats. They're all so cute!

8:48 am: Left home. On my way to the doctor now. Guess I'll have to start writing when I get back.

0/2000 words


11:07 am: Spent an hour and a half talking with the doctor. Minus $300. Went and got my blood test done.

12:20 pm: Stopped for lunch. Subway = yum! Now it's shopping time!

1:07 pm: The copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone which I ordered finally came in at the bookstore so I picked that up. So excited to read it, but disappointed that it's not the awesome US cover.

2:53 pm: Shopping was exhausting. It's SO hot today! My house is so nice and cool *sigh of relief*

3:24 pm: Ok, ok, I'm going to write now! I still have so many words to do!

0/2000 words


3:43 pm: Became distracted by my fiance playing God of War (which I love!). Helped him kick some Minotaur butt.

4:26 pm: Went back to writing, feeling satisfied that I figured out the mystery of the Rings of Pandora while my fiance tried to deny my involvement in this achievement.

4:50 pm: Once again, my fiance requires my assistance in figuring out a puzzle in God of War. I happily oblige on the condition that I if I figure out the puzzle, I will be given credit for it. And a candy bar. I want a candy bar. He grudgingly accepts.

5:15 pm: Mystery solved and Aphrodite has her necklace. Oh, how I roll my eyes at the inaccurate interpretation of Greek mythology in this video game series, but I still love it! Back to writing!

178/2000 words


6:00 pm: It's six on the dot and time for my daily exercise and walkies for the dogs. Off to the park, be back in an hour or so!

7:18 pm: Home again! It's dinner time for all the animals!

7:49 pm: Back to writing I go. I'm a quarter of the way there! I want to have over 1000 words in an hour before dinner. Update then!

580/2000 words


9:07 pm: So, I've done 1200 words now! Yay! I actually can write a lot in an hour. I need to do this a lot more. I'm somewhat hungry now, so it's dinner time. 800 more and I'll hit my goal for the day, but I'm so tired, I just want to veg out in front of the TV. Stay tuned...

1200/2000 words


10:07 pm: ....And I am done for the day. I'm off to bed for an early night's sleep. Yes, I consider this early. I didn't get the 2000 words done, but I went over my 770 word goal for ROW so I'm happy about that. I don't think I can ever write 2000 words in one day, but I'm going to try again...maybe tomorrow?

Is it weird that I'm head banging to a Britney Spears song as I write this?

Er hem...*clears throat*

In somewhat keeping to the theme of this blog post, I have a question for all the writers. Does music help you write? Does it give you ideas, or inspire you? Do you listen to music as you write, or do you listen to music prior to writing scenes? Please share!

Personally, I tend to get distracted if there's music on while I'm writing but I do have a playlist of songs that I like to listen to while I'm outlining or plotting scenes. What I love the most about music is if I can find something in particular that really goes with the tone of my story...I get very excited and this is when I get great ideas.

(Song changes to E.T. by Katy Perry. Gosh, what's up with my shuffle today? Ok, so maybe I secretly have a crush on this song. Yes, I have crushes on songs)

This week I managed to write 2950 words which is alright, but I really need to step it up and focus on hitting my goals each week. My word debt is building up....eek!

How did everyone else go this week?