Wanting to get to the library

Wow, this month is really cutting into my writing time.  I have been unable to get to the library.  There have been snow days (which I love because I get to hang out with my kids), cold days (sub-zero), and busy days.  This week though  I was stuck in bed for an entire day and not because I wanted to be there.  My joints hurt, I wasn't hungry, I hadn't the energy to do anything.  In fact it was so bad that the "voices in my head" had become silent.   Silent for two complete days.  It's kind of crazy, but I didn't like not having my brain thinking about a book I was working on.  We joke at home about me hearing voices.  I always have three or four stories that my brain is thinking about.  When I was asked about how I keep the stories separated I replied they're all very different.  It's like how I don't get my friends, kids, or peers' lives confused.   So they all have a different "voice"?  I again replied of course they do, and their own worlds with their own pasts and realities.  In good humor, I was told it isn't normal to hear voices in your head.  I laughed, of course.  Normal is boring.    However I must admit that I had not realized how normal it had become to constantly be thinking about the next character, the next twist, the next adventure until they weren't there.  The second day, I was still achy and not hungry, but not being able to brainstorm ideas was a horrible experience.  I was actually trying to jump start the thoughts, but to no avail.  A very unsettling moment for me.   The third day, I woke up both hungry and brainstorming!  I thought ahh, now this feels good.  My body wasn't up to going to the library, but at least my spirits were good.  And that is half the battle to feeling better.   With all this being said I still haven't done much of anything productive, but I'm not upset about that because the ideas are flowing.

You'll be happy to hear that the loudest ones are those surrounding the The Shadow Dragon book 3!  I really can't wait to pull all the details together so that I can share them with you.   I have five manuscripts in my backpack waiting to go to the library so that I can fix the revisions (so missing my computer right now) and keep moving on.  I have also handed Story13 off two of my editors.  My mom finished typing up my handwritten manuscript for story 14 (20,500 words), and I have read through it.  It needs a lot of work but for it being my first draft and having been handwritten (which as I think I've said already, is not fast enough for my creative mind) I am impressed with what is there.  I also had a thought for my Story 3 that may make it possible to e-publish, but I have to get to the library to see if it will work.  I have one section of that story almost finished (I read through it and made very few revisions/edits - yeah!)  Although I can't make that section a book one.  I mean I could - I was actually going to - but as a reader I wouldn't like it.  And if I wouldn't like it, then I'm definitely not going to try and sell anyone on it. 

Well that's what's been going on.  I hope to get back to the library soon and put in some serious hours on my stories and get things moving again.

What to do...

Okay so I  thought I had it all figured out.   Then I sat down and I don't know where I want to start.  What am I talking about?  My mother wanted to refresh her typing skills and offered to type up Story 14 for me.  I was a little reluctant because I need to learn to read and type.  However it was a really slow process that was not leaving me with a feeling of accomplishment.  Plus, I realized that with her typing it up for me, I would have time to work on another book.  I was very excited at the prospect.   Then I didn't know where to start.  I sat down and listed my books and was sad to see that out of 14 stories I had only published 4 of them.  (Reminder: When I say stories I mean story lines.  I have a total of 7 books published, but three of them belong to an already existing story line.)  I starred the published titles with a pout, feeling that I hadn't accomplished much.  4 of 14 seems rather dismal, which also made me feel that I finish nothing that I start.  That would not do.  I then put a line by the stories that are finished and ready to be edited.  That gave me three more stories.  Okay so now I'm half way.  7 of 14  Now those numbers are a little more reasonable.  Most of the incomplete stories are (by word count) almost novels, a couple are over 100,000 words already.  I also had to remind myself that it's not that the stories are a result of writers block, but it has been the lack of time to finish.  As you already know, once an idea grows in my mind I can only ignore it for so long before I have to write it.  I suppose this is when people who write outlines have an advantage over me.  Plus, I design and do my covers, minus three so far.  So before I came down to the library, I sat down and listed the Story #'s that I have written.  I included the Title(main characters when the story didn't have a title), how many books per title have been written (or are in the process of being written), and word count.  I must say that - in the almost 4years I've been writing - I am extremely impressed with myself.   Each story line is a completely different adventure.  A different place, a different time.  So far I think the only similarity is that each story is it is a sci-fi/fantasy adventure with a love story entwined into it.  Again, leaving me to marvel at just how amazing the mind really is.   Now, I'm going to get started on finishing one of those stories before I have to work on something else! 

"The Shadow Dragon" update (1/13/14)

Finished the first draft of The Shadow Dragon(book 3): Darkness.  I was so ecstatic when I finished, that I know I'm making the right decision with turning book three into book three and four.  Granted I have a lot of writing to get book 4 done now.  However the way the storyline keeps growing I don't foresee that to be a problem - especially since writing is my favorite part!  Plus by splitting what started as book three into two books I'll be able to get the book out sooner.  Woo Hoo!  I'm going to print off book three once I finish reading the book I'm currently reading.  For me, it's a good idea to hold off on reading the hard copy so that I can let the additions to the story simmer in my mind and grow.   I was going to dive into book four but I think that I'm going to hold off until I re-read book three.  Plus, story 14 is whispering to me again.  The problem with that is I have to type it up now.  I'm hoping that isn't going to be as big of a chore as I think it is.   Being self-taught with typing, I do not type what I'm reading (or anything else) nearly as quickly as I do when I just type a story from my mind.  It is truly fascinating how amazing the brain is. 

One last thing, I wanted to share this photo I took on one of my walks last week when Michigan was blessed with all that beautiful snow!

The winter's in Michigan can be so inspiring and absolutely breathtaking! 

"I had a dream so big and loud..."

I love the song I've posted below.  No, it didn't inspire a new book, but I've decided to make this my song for everyday (cause it's going to be a great year)!  I loved this song the moment I heard it.  I posted the lyrics beneath the song and the lines I've highlighted are the reasons that I love this song, then when I saw the group was called American Authors, I became more excited.  I know, it's coincidence.  However the words and the music sum up my writing experience and I knew I had to share it with you.

I had a dream so big and loud
I jumped so high I touched the clouds 

I stretched my hands out to the sky
We danced with monsters through the night

I'm never gonna look back
Woah, never gonna give it up
No, please don't wake me now

This is gonna be the best day of my life 

 

I howled at the moon with friends
And then the sun came crashing in
But all the possibilities
No limits just epiphanies

I'm never gonna look back
Woah, never gonna give it up
No, just don't wake me now

This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life

I hear it calling outside my window
I feel it in my soul
The stars were burning so bright
The sun was out 'til midnight
I say we lose control

This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life

This is gonna be, this is gonna be, this is gonna be
The best day of my life
Everything is looking up, everybody up now
This is gonna be the best day of my life
My life

Happy New Year (2014)

I am so excited for this year!   My writing goals are to publish at least three books and complete at least two more (I'm hoping to complete more than that, but I'll be happy with completing two).  I've already written the guts to another story (Story 14)  It still needs a lot of work, but I hand-wrote it since my computer is not going to be working again anytime soon - if ever again.  After I finish up The Shadow Dragon series, I'm going to type up Story 14 and begin the modifications.  There is so much going on in this book, I'm curious to to see how it turns out.  I have to admit that handwriting a story kinda of sucks.  It's slow and when I change my mind, the paper becomes very messy.  I will miss my computer, but I will not dwell on that.  I will do what needs to be done and keep on writing.   I've enjoyed the time hanging out with my kids over the last week and a half.  I have only made it to the library twice over the last two weeks, which, although it drove part of me absolutely insane (not being able to work on The Shadow Dragon series), the other part of me has loved every minute of being with my kids.  Although taking up the pen and writing Story 14 when they were not with me did help settle my mind a huge amount.  With lots to do and a cheery disposition I am looking forward to the new year.  Happy New Year!