In Loving Memory of Rhona aka "Teacher" Warren

This poem was written by my mother Pat in loving memory of my dear Aunt and her sister who passed away a year ago today.

It has been a year since she left us

The father says no more fuss

She had given life her all

But it was in the next life her name was called.

Dear Father why did you leave us hanging

Waiting for the phone to start ringing

Because she never forgot to be in touch

Lots to say, it was never too much.

I am the one who makes the call

I am the one who knows it all

I am the one who knew her pain

I am the one who knew with me there was much to gain.

Dear Father, I won’t question your ways

You are the one with all the say

Thank you for the many years you gave us

We will just remember her with no fuss.

There is not a day that goes by that we don't think about you. We all know that you are in a better place, but it's still difficult accepting the fact that you are no longer here. We miss and love you immensely.

It's been a while

Hello my fellow followers and friends,

I know it's been a while since I've posted, and you're probably wondering how NaWriMo went this year and unfortunately I did complete the challenge. Believe me I'm completely bummed out about it, but again this thing call life and the trials and tribulations that comes with it has intervined, yet again.

Now even though I didn't hit the 50,000 word count that doesn't mean my novel hasn't been progressing, it's just been progressing a little slower than I would like. The good thing is 2010 is coming to an end and 2011 is about to begin, which means a time for change and a time to make some New Year resolutions. I bet you can't guess what one of my New Years resolution is? LOL!

This will probably be one of my last post until the New Year, but don't worry when I return I'll be coming back with a vengence!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

NaNoWriMo has begun

Well it’s day 6 of NaNoWriMo and I must admit I am really far behind in my word count. Last year this time I was almost at 10,000 words, but you know how it is everyday life and some unexpected circumstances has forced me to delay jumping on the band wagon as quickly as I would have liked, but I’m happy to say I’ve officially started and I’m making good head way.

One of the things that has made my writing go smoothly this year (even though I'm behind on my word count) was the help of creating a outline beforehand. Over the years when participating in NaNoWriMo I'm usually the kind of person that likes to free style write and go where the story takes me, but sometimes I go off in a totally different direction and I lose interest and push it aside. Not this time, this time I played it a little smarter. I used a writing tool called Storybook- it's free  and it helps you structure your novel. It stores information about your characters, scenes, locations, plots and so much more. It's like a big flow chart right at your fingertips. It's something that I found to be a great asset to helping me see where I want this story to go. It's a tool I would recommend to anyone...did I mention it's free!

This weekend has been dedicated to hitting at least 3000 words. It’s a big goal, but I’m determined to make it happen. I started the prologue of my novel “Unspoken Secrets” and it’s coming along very well. My heroine Courtney Jamieson is preparing for the biggest day of her life, her wedding day only she not as enthusiastic as she should be, but her groom can’t wait to finally make her his wife. Why you ask? Well that’s something you’ll have to wait and find out!

NaNoWriMo is getting closer. OMG!!!

With just a little over a week left before Nov 1st and still not having my plot completed yet, I'm under a lot of pressure. Am I freaking out? Not at all, this is the type of rush and intensity I enjoy in the writing world.
This weekend is a complete right off, because it's all about family, but come Monday it's a whole new ball game.

I just received the schedule for all the events that will be taking place during NaNoWriMo this year and I am hyped, it's great to see people who are in the same boat as you, working their butt off to accomplish their goal and come out on top. I'll be creating a schedule for myself and definately sticking too it, it's gonna be long, hard and tired, but I'm up for the challenge.

It's all about success and now is the "write time" to make it happen!

Enjoy the weekend!

Plotting Plotting Plotting!!!

In only 15 days I'll be working endless on accompolishing my goal of writing my very first novel in 30 days and I'm getting excited by the minute. I've been spending my time plotting and things are moving very nicely. My characters are coming together the hero and heroine- Noah and Courtney are definately going to be an interesting read. I'm still working on the minor characters, setting, subplots, and continuing to research on the little things. I must say I'm having the time of my life. Totally wish I could do this on a full time basis, who knows if my first attempt of writing a novel is a success I may just get my wish.

Gotta get back to work!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 
I wrote today's post as part of the WOW-Women on Writing Blanket Tour for
Healing with Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey by Diana M. Raab, MFA, RN
(www.dianaraab.com).  The book includes Diana's experiences, reflections,
poetry and journal entries, in addition to writing prompts for readers to
express their own personal stories. A survivor of both breast cancer and
multiple myeloma, Raab views journaling to be like a daily vitamin--in that
it heals, detoxifies and is essential for optimal health.
Diana, the author of eight books, spent 25 years as a medical and self-help
writer before turning to poetry and memoir. She teaches creative journaling
and memoir in UCLA Extension Writers' Program.
If you comment on today's post you'll be entered to win a copy of Healing
with Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey. To read Diana's post about breast
cancer and a list of other blogs participating in Diana's Blanket Tour visit
The Muffin.

In days of Pain

When upon your bed of pain you lay,

Not knowing exactly what to say

Think not why me,
Just look beyond and you will see.

No on can truly say,

What is in our path each day.

All that we can do, is question not why it is so.

My way is not your way,

So listen to what I have to say.

Relax and be comforted through your pain,

For you have so much to gain.

So fear not my sister,

Just let your prayer be heard in a whisper.

You will not be given more than you can bare,

Just remember how much we all cared.

Know always you are not alone,

There is a direct line you can phone.

Knowing that you can reach that man,

Tell him all you can.

So when upon your bed of pain you lay,

With so much to say.

Let not your heart be troubled,

Your reward has just been doubled.

This poem was written by my mother Pat as words of encouragement when my aunt was battling cancer. Unfortunately my beloved Aunt Rhona Warren aka "Teacher"  lost her battle on December 16, 2009. She was a beautiful daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a beautiful woman who was strong, independent, nurturing, funny, hardworking and so much more. She is missed every minute of the day especially by my Mom (sister) who in quiet times still cries for her. She is gone, but will never be forgotten.

National Novel Writing Month aka NaNoWriMo

November is one of my favorite months for one reason only: It's the National Novel Writing Month! The goal: To write 50,000 words in 30 days, that's pretty much a novel. The process is intense and fun at the same time. There are daily events where participants meet up either at the library, coffee shop, book stores, etc to get some writing done and talk about how things are going. I've been participation in NaNoWriMo for the last 4 years and I've been sucessful twice. Last year was a pretty bad year, I wasn't prepared and I slacked off a lot, not this year!

This year I will be prepared and I will reach my goal of 50,000 words and I can't wait!

Introducing the Hero & Herione...Courtney & Noah

It was a pretty close race but Courtney & Noah edged out Jade and Jackson to be the winning name for the Hero & Heroine of my upcoming novel.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your suggestions believe me it was a big help. Now to announce the grand prize winner of a $25 gift certificate to Indigo Books: Congratulations AUDREY.  Honorable mentions also go out to: Alison, Anthony, Andrea, Michelle, Julian and Marie. Each of you will receive a $15 gift certificate to Indigo Books.

Please when you get a chance email me at camelia.warren@sympatico.ca with your address in order to receive your prize.

Again, thank you all.

Name the Hero & Heroine Deadline Extended- Oct 2nd

This is a quick note that the deadline to submit your name choice for the Hero & Heroine has been extended until October 2nd (midnight). The winning name will be announced on October 4th

I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions, and for those of you who have not yet submitted your choice, don't worry there's still time left!

Good luck everyone!

Name the Hero & Heroine- Deadline September 30th!

Hey Everyone,
The deadline is quickly approaching to help me decided the name of my Hero and Heroine for my very first novel. Please make your vote by September 30th. The winning names will be announced on October 2nd.

Once again the names are:

Jackson & Jade

Sydney & Joshua

Skye & Brady

Jordan & Lucas

Courtney & Noah


Thanks and I can't wait to finally know the names of my leading man and lady!

Breaking Into Print- Assignment #7 Submitted

Please note a correction in my previous post I indicated that I was working on Assignment #6, but it's actually Assignment #7.

I'm happy to say that I have completed my assignment and sent it off to my instructor. The assignment was to submit a short story idea for publication to a magazine of my choice along with a query letter (my first by the way). I feel confident in the story idea I came up with and my query letter wasn't half bad.

Moving on to Assignment #8 where I'll write the actually story in 2,500 words. Wish me luck people, I'm so gonna need it!

Getting Started! Name the Hero & Heroine

For most of you the month of October is about Thanksgiving or Halloween, for me it’s all about prepping up for the National Novel Writing Month also known as NaNoWriMon! It's an event that happens every November. 30 days of hard core writing. Your goal: to write something, anything in 50,000 words.

I've been doing NaNoWriMon for 4 years now. I've completed it twice. This year, my goal is not only to reach the 50, 000 word count, but to also complete the first draft of my novel.

So far I’ve got the title, the plot, and the main characters, howwever, there's a problem: my characters have no names. That's where you wonderful people come in. I'm looking for assistance on choosing the names for my Hero and Heroine. I've complied a total of 10 names (5 guys, 5 girls) and paired them together. What I need from you is to choose which names you like best, and the most popular names will be my main characters.

The deadline is September 30th by midnight and the winning names will be announced on October 2nd!

Jackson & Jade
Sydney & Joshua
Skye & Brady
Jordan & Lucas
Courtney & Noah

Thanks everyone! Can't wait to see the results.

Breaking Into Print- Assignment #6

Breaking into Print is a correspondence writing course that I'm currently taking. The last couple of assignments I've submitted has been returned with pretty good reviews. Now it's time to try and write something that could be marketable. I chose to write fiction rather than non-fiction. What can I say, I have a huge imagination and I like the freedom it gives.

Assignment- I have to come up with a short story that is no more than 2,500 words. Now for me that's hard, how can you write a full story in 2,500 words? You'd be surprise how many people write amazing stories in 500 words, sometimes even less. I'll admit I've been struggling, but I'm proud to say that as of this afternoon during my 1 hour ride home I've come up with story. Now, I only hope I could keep it within the word restriction! I'm gonna need all the luck in the world.

Intro

My ultimate dream in life is to be an author. It was never about the money and being famous, but just to have a book with my name on it selling in a book store and having everyone enjoy what I write is good enough for me. Ever since I was in grade 7 I've had a creative mind. I wrote my first "book" Getting Even and I had the great pleasure of reading it in front of my class and the look on my fellow student's faces as I read this story was incredible. I never seen so many people so interested in something I did. The icing on the cake was winning the “Writer of the Year” trophy. I was so proud of myself.


I’ve struggled for years trying to make it into the writing world, going to writing conferences, taking courses, joining writing groups and still I never successfully fulfilled my dreams, I never wrote that novel that I believe I was destined to write, until now. I guess it’s true what the say better late than never!