Update on Luminosity

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.

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?

The Road of Your Dreams vs. The Road of Practicality

For some reason, as I was skimming through facebook working this morning a memory hit me. And since I needed something to write about anyway, I decided to share it with you. I think it's important. Especially if you are now where I was then.

The memory flashed in my mind of me sitting in vocational class way, way... way... back when I was in High School. Let's just not worry about how far back it was. Not so far I can't still remember what happened. Okay?

Anyway, I was sitting in this class watching a video (yes, they had them back then) of possible careers we could venture into. Careers that would keep us from flipping burgers, or in my case, spinning pizzas.

What I really, really wanted to do was go to college. But I'd grown up in a single-parent welfare family. College was out of the question. I was a senior and knew I needed to figure something out and quick.
So I sat there, watching the lady talk about various careers that only required a technical school to get a license. A career would be better than jumping out there into the hodgepodge of low paying jobs available to high schoolers. 

With chin propped on my fist, I remember thinking, "What am I meant to do? How will I support myself when I'm done here?"

And on the screen flashed Cosmetologist. My head snapped up, as a bubbling excitement sizzled in my chest. I had a cousin who went into that field. I remembered how excited she'd been after passing her test and getting her license. We'd all celebrated with her as she painted our nails, fixed hair and laughed. A lot of laughter. Last I'd heard, she'd stuck with it and enjoyed her works.

A reassuring peace settled on me. It wasn't what I really wanted for my life, but I knew it was the first step of getting out on my own. I could have a career. That was a start.

From there, one thing led to another. I didn't stay a hairstylist for too long. Perhaps six years or so, before I felt my path making another turn toward a different occupation.

Oh, and the college dream? I got that. When the time was perfect. And just when I thought it would never happen, God made a way. I attended. I came out owing a miniscule loan. The majority was paid for by grants. How about that? And I now have a degree that I use... well with my writing and when I help people. My degree is in rehabilitation counseling which gives me the knowledge needed to help people overcome obstacles and live the best life they can.

Something I can use on a daily basis.
Despite the many paths, I've used the knowledge gained in my writing.

Illuminated is all about finding the road that will lead you to your life dreams. The next book will be about using the talents you've been given to make the world a better place. That's the basic premise behind a story filled with dragons, centaurs, a quest and finding love. Oh, and so much more.

I don't know if what I'm doing is my final path. Perhaps eventually the road will turn again and head in another direction. My story is far from over.

So is yours. Don't worry if the path you're on isn't really your life dream. Keep asking the Dream-giver for direction. Keep following the open paths He lays out for you. You'll get there. I did.

Sometimes, we start with the practical roads before we can step into our real dreams. Don't lose heart. Just keep walking.

Are You up for the Journey?

I Challenge You To A... Chapter Book Challenge for March

 Not a duel. Not a race, either. But sorta. More like a grab your pen and paper, or keyboard or whatever instrument you use and let's get WRITING! 

I've taken up the Chapter Book Challenge!!

That's right folks. In one of my many facebook groups, I came across a Chapter Book Challenge for the month of March. This is a group of children's and YA writers, all of who are wanting to get their books written and know that traveling in a group is often safest.

Here's a cute video to prove my point:

 

So, I've joined forces with some other writers, who all have one goal in mind.... to write... duh.

My Big Goal: To travel into distant... Ooph!! Sorry wrong train of thought. 

My real goal is to finish rewrites to book 2- which today is titled: Luminosity. (Yes, I know it keeps changing. But I promise I will have it nailed down by time I order my next book cover.) For real. 

I had partially written this story a few years back, but never finished it. Now, I have to add in Tarek's storyline, and some other new developments. So basically, I'm having to rewrite the whole thing. Which is fine. I write better now than I did then. For the most part. Ha!

The timing is perfect. I've been floundering along in my rewrites. And though there's been some other things going on, when I do sit down to write, I meander in my thoughts, read facebook post, tweet... stuff, and once even cleaned off my desk. Yeah, it was that bad. 

But now I'm determined. And I'm out of Girl Scout cookies, so it's time to get serious about this thing. 

I have my story board. I have my outline. I have some writing buddies to push, prod and possibly kick my butt if that's needed. I don't have to make this journey alone. I've joined up with those participating in the Chapter Book Challenge for March 2013.

Safety In Numbers

Which brings me to another point that goes along with Alyra's story in Illuminated: Book One of The White Road Chronicles.  When Alyra did have to travel alone, she just did it. Sometimes, we have to keep our feet moving no matter what our circumstances. But it's so much more fun to travel with others. Sure, at first Alyra and Jerin didn't get along, but over time, their common goal overcame their personality differences. And by time they were nearing their destination, being in a group provided the strength needed to face the hardships.

So, when faced with traveling your road alone, keep your eyes open for others who are heading the same direction, with a common goal in mind. See if you can walk along with them. There is so many benefits to being part of a community. 

I'm a writer. This is a lonely profession. But I've been blessed with finding others who are heading in the same direction I am. We are all different kinds of writers. All with different stories. All with different methods of writing those stories. I may not like the kinds of stories the others are writing, or the methods they use to write those stores. However, I can draw from our commonalities, learn, and be encouraged to keep going. 

As General Marcel told Jerin and Alyra, "So you head for the same destination, though for different purposes. You will find harmony in accepting both the sameness and differences between you. Where one lacks, the other may have abundance. Look to each others strengths and be humble in weaknesses." 

And that is how to travel with others. Accept the differences. Look for each person's strength. And be humble in weaknesses.

And most of all... keep writing!!