So it's Day 3 of NaNoWriMo and I officially started. Due to work and attending meetings for my business I couldn't start on November 1st like most people. So I took 2 days off work to focus on catching up.
Honestly I was struggling with figuring out what I was going to write. I did mention in my last post that I was going to finally write Unspoken Secrets, but a few days ago I was struggling and I almost changed my mind planning to go with another story in my head. I guess this is what happens when you don't have an outline. For two days I was going nuts and finally this morning when I woke and got ready write I decided to seek a little help. I called my cousin Adrian and gave him a brief run down of both stories and which one he would be intereted in reading and as I was explaining "Unspoken Secrets" to him I could hear the interest in his voice. I could feel him hanging on the edge of his seat wondering what the end was going to be like and it was right then and there I knew the story I was meant to write.
And so it begins. I completed the prolouge, and I'm currently on the 3rd chapter. Total word count: 7,024 all in one day. My goal is to try to write at least 3,000 words a day, so I've made up for the two days I missed! Yeah baby!!!
I'm off again tomorrow. Planning on getting up bright and early and getting down to business. I hope it will be another successful day! Courtney and Noah are slowly, but surely coming to life...oh and Ethan, I can't forget about Ethan.
Until the next post!
About Me
- Warren & B 4 Life
- Alison and I aka “Warren & B” have been friends for over 16 years. It was a friendship like no other. It was one filled with trust, respect and love. No matter what we had each other’s back and supported one another. In March of 2012 my best B passed away suddenly and my whole world changed. My best friend, my support system, my life was gone just like that. For those who know me, you know that writing is my passion. My ultimate dream is to be a publish Author. B was one of my biggest supporters; she was always pushing me to write that book, I never did. But I will now in honor of her. RIP Alison aka B…this is all for you girlfriend!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! NaNoWriMo
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! (I'm singing by the way) and no it's not back to school, or Christmas...although that's just around the corner. It's the National Novel Writing Month aka "NaNoWriMo"
This is what I consider my most wonderful time of the year! Why? Because I get to attempt to write a novel in 30 day.
Have I done this before? Yes I have. I've been doing it for 5 years finished twice!
Have I done anything with the story I've completed? Not a damn thing, but you know what I'm okay with that. The story was good, but not great. Now I'm more focused and I believe that I have a great story in mind and it's ready to come out.
The story? Unspoken Secrets...ya that's the one...the story I should have done last year, but unfortunately never got the chance to do. I put it away for a year and focused on my writing course that I've been taken, working on my short story assignments....I have an assignment that is due this Sunday and I'm almost finished. I'll be getting that out of the way and dedicating myself to this story, which will be filled with suspense, romance, and betrayal.
I have my characters....Courtney & Noah. They are finally going to come to life and I can't wait to introduce you all to them. I'm going to be honest with everyone I didn't do a full outline, I mean hell, I tried, I really did, but I wasn't feeling it. I'm all about winging it! I know, I know...it's a risk, but that's what this challenge is all about taking risks and as of November 1st I'm going to put it all down on paper and let the magic flow.
Is that smart? Hell if I know, but I'm doing it anyways, damit! Never forget when it's all over I could go back rewrite and polish my baby up to get it ready for the world.
Throughout this month I can almost guarantee that there will be highs and lows and I'm pretty sure you're gonna hear all about it, but at the end of the day when I reach my goal of 50,000 words...and I WILL. It will be all worth it!
Just 4 more days and counting...Man I can't wait!!!
This is what I consider my most wonderful time of the year! Why? Because I get to attempt to write a novel in 30 day.
Have I done this before? Yes I have. I've been doing it for 5 years finished twice!
Have I done anything with the story I've completed? Not a damn thing, but you know what I'm okay with that. The story was good, but not great. Now I'm more focused and I believe that I have a great story in mind and it's ready to come out.
The story? Unspoken Secrets...ya that's the one...the story I should have done last year, but unfortunately never got the chance to do. I put it away for a year and focused on my writing course that I've been taken, working on my short story assignments....I have an assignment that is due this Sunday and I'm almost finished. I'll be getting that out of the way and dedicating myself to this story, which will be filled with suspense, romance, and betrayal.
I have my characters....Courtney & Noah. They are finally going to come to life and I can't wait to introduce you all to them. I'm going to be honest with everyone I didn't do a full outline, I mean hell, I tried, I really did, but I wasn't feeling it. I'm all about winging it! I know, I know...it's a risk, but that's what this challenge is all about taking risks and as of November 1st I'm going to put it all down on paper and let the magic flow.
Is that smart? Hell if I know, but I'm doing it anyways, damit! Never forget when it's all over I could go back rewrite and polish my baby up to get it ready for the world.
Throughout this month I can almost guarantee that there will be highs and lows and I'm pretty sure you're gonna hear all about it, but at the end of the day when I reach my goal of 50,000 words...and I WILL. It will be all worth it!
Just 4 more days and counting...Man I can't wait!!!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
God Knows- In Memory of Gretel Warren
God has a way of doing his thing
And its just because he can.
We have a way of not understanding,
For we refuse to be strong.
God gives and he taketh,
So as it is written in his words.
For he alone knows our sorrow,
And with loves gives us strength for tomorrow.
Three years ago he said you had to leave,
Dear Lord give us a little more time please?
My dear children this I must do,
For I love her so.
Here we are today thinking how much you were loved,
You will always be one of Mom's special dove.
Know always you will be in our hearts,
Even death can't keep us apart.
Dedicated to Claire and Family from all of us. We miss you Aunt Gretie. Gone but not forgotten.
Written by "Papats"
And its just because he can.
We have a way of not understanding,
For we refuse to be strong.
God gives and he taketh,
So as it is written in his words.
For he alone knows our sorrow,
And with loves gives us strength for tomorrow.
Three years ago he said you had to leave,
Dear Lord give us a little more time please?
My dear children this I must do,
For I love her so.
Here we are today thinking how much you were loved,
You will always be one of Mom's special dove.
Know always you will be in our hearts,
Even death can't keep us apart.
Dedicated to Claire and Family from all of us. We miss you Aunt Gretie. Gone but not forgotten.
Written by "Papats"
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Birthday Queen
It was a day I will never forget. My brithday. I'm not sure about many people, but me I take my birthday seriously. Its my day, a day where I should be pampered, where all the attention should be focused on. I mean it only happens once a year right? So I have the right to wanna be Queen for a day.
This birthday was nothing different I was Queen for the day and I was looking forward to a night of salsa dancing with friends. The guest list was big and I was excited. Let me take that back, now don't get me wrong I was excited, but I was also a little sad, because of all my friends that were coming out to celebrate my special day there was one special person that wasn't gonna be there. We had been talking for a bit, I won't say we were dating, but we had a great friendship developing with the potential of it going further and I wanted him to be there, but unfortunately for me being in Mexico and sipping on pina colda was a lot more fun. Now of course it wasn't my place to have a hissy fit and even if it were my place it wasn't in my DNA to put up one. So I let it go. This year the Queen would be without her King.
I dressed in a black fitted dress, sexy stiletto heels and worn my hair down with a part in the middle, not much of a girl who loves make up it was simple eye shadow and lipstick. I must say I looked hot!
The club was packed and merengue music filled the air, all my friends were there which was awesome and filling me up with liquor which was even much better! I was on the dance floor shaking what my mama gave me and having the time of my life, but still a part of me felt empty my guy wasn't here.
Suddenly out of nowhere the smell of Swiss Army cologne filled my nostrils.
"Damn" I said to myself. "I must be really missing him." I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder I turned around quickly and right before my eyes was the sexist man I had ever seen in my life. His skin was rich brown chocolate, with designer glasses giving him that professor look. He was clean shaven and had a smile to die for. He was dressed in a black dress pants, with a black shirt and the hottest suede jacket. Denzel Washington had nothing on him.
"Surprise!" he said with a grin. I had to do a double take making sure the liquor wasn't playing tricks on me. I could feel my heart start to accelerate, and I started to feel a little warm I was in desperate need for a drink to quench my thirst and cool my body down. But there was no way in hell I was moving and besides I didn't to let on how happy I was to see him. I needed to play it cool or at least try to."Happy birthday, Babe." he was cool calm and collected. I jumped into his arms like it was no body's business and kissed him all over. Forget about keeping it cool, I could blame it on the alcohol later.
"I thought you're flight wasn't getting in until tomorrow morning?"
"That's what I told you."
"So you mean..."
"I had every intention of celebrating your birthday with and what better gift than to suprise you!"
I was surprised alright and also very taken aback and it was right there I knew that this man wasn't going to only be my friend, but this Queen finally had found her King.
I wrote today's post as part of the WOW-Women on Writing Blanket Tour for
Letter from Home by Kristina McMorris (www.kristinamcmorris.com). This debut
novel is the story of three young women during World War II and the identity
misunderstandings they and the men in their lives have. Ask yourself: Can a
soldier fall in love with a woman through letters? and What happens if the
woman writing the letters is different from the woman he met the might
before he shipped out, the woman he thought was writing the letters? Is it
still love or just a lie?
Like many authors, Kristina has had a wild selection of "real jobs"
everything from wedding planner to actress to publicist. She finally added
novelist to the list after Kristina got a peek at the letters her
grandfather wrote to his sweetheart(a.k.a. Grandma Jean)while he was serving
in the Navy during World War II. That got her wondering how much two people
could truly know each other just from letter writing and became the nugget
of her novel.
In honor of her grandparents, and all the other families kept apart by
military service, Kristina is donating a portion of her book's profits to
United Through Reading, a nonprofit organization that video records deployed
U.S. military personnel reading bedtime stories to their children. You can
learn more about the program at http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/
If you comment on today's post on this blog or any of the others
particpating in Everybody's Talking About Surprises, you'll be entered to
win a special surprise prize! It includes an personalized copy of Letters
from Home, a Big Band CD, Victory Garden seeds, and more. To read
Kristina's post about surprises and a list of other blogs participating in
Everybody's Talking about Surprises visit The Muffin.(we'll forward you the
link to the listing on the Muffin)
Letter from Home by Kristina McMorris (www.kristinamcmorris.com). This debut
novel is the story of three young women during World War II and the identity
misunderstandings they and the men in their lives have. Ask yourself: Can a
soldier fall in love with a woman through letters? and What happens if the
woman writing the letters is different from the woman he met the might
before he shipped out, the woman he thought was writing the letters? Is it
still love or just a lie?
Like many authors, Kristina has had a wild selection of "real jobs"
everything from wedding planner to actress to publicist. She finally added
novelist to the list after Kristina got a peek at the letters her
grandfather wrote to his sweetheart(a.k.a. Grandma Jean)while he was serving
in the Navy during World War II. That got her wondering how much two people
could truly know each other just from letter writing and became the nugget
of her novel.
In honor of her grandparents, and all the other families kept apart by
military service, Kristina is donating a portion of her book's profits to
United Through Reading, a nonprofit organization that video records deployed
U.S. military personnel reading bedtime stories to their children. You can
learn more about the program at http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/
If you comment on today's post on this blog or any of the others
particpating in Everybody's Talking About Surprises, you'll be entered to
win a special surprise prize! It includes an personalized copy of Letters
from Home, a Big Band CD, Victory Garden seeds, and more. To read
Kristina's post about surprises and a list of other blogs participating in
Everybody's Talking about Surprises visit The Muffin.(we'll forward you the
link to the listing on the Muffin)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Letting a story go...for now
I am going nuts! For about the last month I've been trying to write this short story for my writing assignment and everytime I think I got it, I realize I don't. It took me God knows how long just to figure out how I wanted to begin and now that I have the beginning I can't seem to grasp the middle. I do have the end, but the middle is the meat of the story and without it it's just two pieces of bread with nothing in between!
I'm at the point where I feel that at this time I need to put this one aside and think about writing something else. Does it make me feel like a failure? Most def! I hate backing down from a story that's giving me such a challenge, but I think for my own sanity right now it's the best thing for me to do. Maybe this is not the story I'm suppose to be submitting at this time and I'm alright with that for now.
My deadline to hand in my assignment is March 21st. That's 10 days away and I have to start all over again. Do I think I could make it happen? I guess we'll just have to see :) Wish me luck folks!
I'll keep you posted.
I'm at the point where I feel that at this time I need to put this one aside and think about writing something else. Does it make me feel like a failure? Most def! I hate backing down from a story that's giving me such a challenge, but I think for my own sanity right now it's the best thing for me to do. Maybe this is not the story I'm suppose to be submitting at this time and I'm alright with that for now.
My deadline to hand in my assignment is March 21st. That's 10 days away and I have to start all over again. Do I think I could make it happen? I guess we'll just have to see :) Wish me luck folks!
I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Bringing a story back to life
Ever since I was in grade 6 I wanted to be a writer. The very first story I wrote was called 10 to Midnight, I stole the title from a Charles Benson movie with the same name. It was good; at least that's what I thought at the time. Now not so much. Recently, I came across some of my old stories, a lot of them were written when I was in high school, and honestly I have to say I was impressed. I’m not going to say it would be a best seller, but it shows I got a little bit of skills…
Almost two years ago I started a novel called “By the Touch of his Hands” it’s of course a romantic suspense I actually wrote it for a writer’s group I was apart of. Unfortunately the group dismantled and I completely forgot about it. I was doing some spring cleaning of my memory stick and came across it and started to read it and I couldn’t believe how good it was. I wrote 3 chapters, and I was hooked from Chapter 1. Needless to say I’ve made the decision to bring this story back to life. I haven’t started working on it, but I will very soon. I’ll let you all know how it goes.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The First Sentence
Why is it that every time I have a story idea I always struggle with the "first sentence". Even though I know the start, most of the middle and the end, that pesky first sentence always wants to do battle with me. Is it because there is so much riding on it? I mean come on, if I can't grab a publisher’s attention to read my story after the first sentence how am I going to get my work published?
I'm currently in the process of writing another short story called "The Best Friend" and seriously I've been struggling with the first sentence for the last three days. It took me almost a week to figure out how I wanted to start the damn thing after my first attempt was a complete flop, and now here I am excited about how I want it to begin, but yet I can’t find that catchy first sentence..
I've gone as far as to Google "story starters" just to give me that boost, and still nothing. I know eventually it will come to me, whether on my way to work, at work, at home, in my dreams or just from talking to my "I think I'm a writer" boyfriend. I just hope it’s soon or I’ll just have to start with “It was a dark and stormy night…”
I'm currently in the process of writing another short story called "The Best Friend" and seriously I've been struggling with the first sentence for the last three days. It took me almost a week to figure out how I wanted to start the damn thing after my first attempt was a complete flop, and now here I am excited about how I want it to begin, but yet I can’t find that catchy first sentence..
I've gone as far as to Google "story starters" just to give me that boost, and still nothing. I know eventually it will come to me, whether on my way to work, at work, at home, in my dreams or just from talking to my "I think I'm a writer" boyfriend. I just hope it’s soon or I’ll just have to start with “It was a dark and stormy night…”
Saturday, February 5, 2011
My writing update
Well I gotta say I've been a very busy girl. This week I started my Freelance Writing course and completed my first lesson. I started working on my next writing assignment I've decided to call "The Best Friend" and no it's not your typical best friends between two girls it's a lot better...at least I hope. I'm also in the process of rewriting my previous short story "The Choice". It's going to be my first short story I'm going to try to publish...oh my God did I just say that???
I've also started reading again. Reading has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a young girl. I was always known as the book worm of the family, because my head was always in some kind of a book.
My favorite genre? Hands down suspense and now romantic suspense, of course it is considering that's the genre my first novel falls under. Just yesterday I walked into Chapters to pick up a book that I had ordered a few weeks ago and ended up coming out with 4 more. I haven't book shopped in a long time, but in the last month I've purchased a total of 8 books.
I'm currently reading "Silent Killer" by one of my favorite authors Beverly Barton. So far it's got me on the edge of my seat, but that's all you're going to hear for now. You'll just have to wait for the full review on Kcee's Reading Pleasure.
I've also started reading again. Reading has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a young girl. I was always known as the book worm of the family, because my head was always in some kind of a book.
My favorite genre? Hands down suspense and now romantic suspense, of course it is considering that's the genre my first novel falls under. Just yesterday I walked into Chapters to pick up a book that I had ordered a few weeks ago and ended up coming out with 4 more. I haven't book shopped in a long time, but in the last month I've purchased a total of 8 books.
I'm currently reading "Silent Killer" by one of my favorite authors Beverly Barton. So far it's got me on the edge of my seat, but that's all you're going to hear for now. You'll just have to wait for the full review on Kcee's Reading Pleasure.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Happy New Year everyone!
Ya, I know I'm almost a month late, but better late than never right! I hope that 2011 is being good to all of you. I must say for myself things have been going well.
Now I'm sure the burning question everyone wants to know is have I been writing? The answer to that question is yes I have and I'm loving it. Here are the things I've done so far:
Ya, I know I'm almost a month late, but better late than never right! I hope that 2011 is being good to all of you. I must say for myself things have been going well.
Now I'm sure the burning question everyone wants to know is have I been writing? The answer to that question is yes I have and I'm loving it. Here are the things I've done so far:
- I've been working on my writing assigments for my correspondence writing course with Long Ridge Writers Group and that's been going well. I just received some really good feedback from my instructor for my short story I completed called "The Choice". I'm currently in the process of revision and getting it ready to submit for publication. This will be my first attempt at submitting a piece of my work to the public and I'm nervous and excited as hell.
- I also start working on my novel "Unspoken Secrets" I've completed the Prologue and Chapter 1. My characters Courtney and Noah has come to life so quickly I can't wait to see where they take me.
- On Monday January 31st I'll be starting my 10 week Freelance Writing Course with WOW! Women on Writing. This is course I've been so looking forward to taking.
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