I've been a busy girl.
So-- here's my (semi)-lame excuses on why I haven't blogged in two... maybe three weeks.
1. I chipped a tooth and had to work a bunch of extra substitute jobs to earn enough money to get it fixed. Even with insurance, I'm still left with a hefty bill.
2. I came across a word tracker to help me keep up with my progress. Thing is, the word tracker was one from NaNoWriMo. If you've never heard of NaNoWriMo, that's the HOLY COW I MUST BE CRAZY challenge thousands, if not more, writers take in November to write 50,000 words in a month.
Guess what? I have found that I
can write 50,000 words in a month and once finished a novel for kids during one of these challenges. So, I set my goal for 60,000 words for the month (since the word tracker only worked for a month) and attempted to get my book's rewrites finished in that month.
Guess what? I kind of did it.
Kind of meaning, I only have four scenes left to write, but I don't want to write them until I've gone back and done the edits on the other chapters. I like to keep things unfinished so I don't get into the mind frame that I'm finished with this and get tired of it.
It's a mental thing... that's all I can say.
3. And Guess What-else? When attempting to write 60,000 words in a month, while working two or three days a week all day, plus still working my night job at the book store... some things get forgotten: such as getting out of my pjs, eating, being out in the sun.
Has anyone seen my dog? Didn't I have a teenager hanging around here at one time or another?
Ha, kidding. sorta.
Anyway, so yeah, I've been busy.
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| I found this on facebook or somewhere and it's on my desktop to keep me inspired. lol |
Here's the good news! Yes, I actually have some.
If my estimates are correct... stop rolling your eyes, I can do this!
If my estimates are correct, Book Two:
Luminosity should be variable by the end of July.
(yes, that's the final, for real, not gonna change my mind again, title of the next book. For really real.)
I've set a goal to finish my edits by the end of June, before I go off for a week anniversary get-a-way.
TWENTY-FIVE years, baby!! They should like give out awards and hold a celebration for those who make it this many years. You know?
(focus, focus! Cut me a break, I've been mad-writing for the past month and that does things to people. lol.)
Anyway, after I do my edits, I'll give the story over to a couple of beta readers. I'm still on the look out for an editor... which I'm confident I'll find someone. Of course, then I have to fix the mistakes. Hopefully, I'll catch more this time than my first time.
I feel more confident about how to load the books, what I want for my cover and all that. I've climbed that big mountain of first print and now walk confidently toward my destination.
If only I had a map. Oh well.
And now that I'm out of my writing frenzy and back in Reality, I have more blog post to work on. A house to clan up. A dog and kid to find.
(kidding.)
I'm working on Jerin's bio and will have that out soon.
So keep checking back. When I have the book cover done I'll start sharing more about what happens in Book Two. I'm pleased with how it turned out.
I've come to the conclusion that this story has a will and mind of its own. I've also come to the conclusion that I don't have just four books in this series, but even more. So for those of you who like Alburnium, Alyra, and her friends, they have several stories in the making and just might be around awhile longer than I anticipated.
In
Illuminated, Book One- Jerin takes a lot of time to draw out a map of where they will be going and how long it should take, and all the places they can stop. About halfway though their journey, he's crumpled up the map and shoved it down into the bottom of his pack.
This is often the way of our best laid plans. Which is why I love this scripture so much:
Proverbs 16:9-
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
This is simply life. We try to grab hold and make things work our way, but if we're walking God's path, he has his own plans. So, better to relax and enjoy the ride, is what I say.
Like Jerin, I plotted out this book, and I will still use my scenes and plot notes, just not the way I intended. This is and always will be God's book. I've prayed often asking for his direction and guidance while writing. He has a plan for this. And if that means I have to keep changing my plans, then so be it.
I'll never lose with him as my guide.
Are you up for a new journey? Or perhaps... a quest?
