Month: February 2015

What’s up Wednesday: I have a YouTube Channel

.Reading time 3 minutes.

Castle Button (Final)What’s Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, allowing us to touch base with blog friends and let them know what’s up. Should you wish to join us, you will find the link widget at the bottom of Jaime or Erin’s blog.

What I’m Reading

I am nearing the end of a read through for my CP on her manuscript, Wishes to Nowhere. I love this book so much! The plot unfolds beautifully and the characters are the perfect amount of quirky to make them feel truly original.

I am also doing the #RubyRedReread and plan to tweet some this week. I have struggle with time management lately because I have been stupid busy. So, hoping to remedy that soon.

What I’m Writing

Mostly, fiddling with WiPs. I have a few ideas that I want to develop, but right now I am not feeling certain about any of them. I just began a revision on my Screenplay, and hope to have a new draft of that within the next few weeks. It’s been slow going on writing lately because I have so many other things vying for my attention. My husband has been sick, and bad weather meant school was cancelled, so I also just haven’t had as much time. But Sam is back in school and my husband is on the mend, so I hope to get back to my routine.

What Works for Me

Crying. Being mad about things not going well and not pretending to be okay. Being scared things will never change and not pretending to not be scared. Exploring ideas without committing. Feeling committed to the book I am querying and forcing myself to believe someone else will commit as well. Generally, cutting the bull shit you guys.

What Else Is New

I started a YouTube channel with my sister-in-law, Stephanie. Our blog Books, Booze & Bitches explains the motivation and gives you some insight into the kind of content we will share.

Hint: Fandoms and Comic Con will be heavily featured.

Our first video posted today! I am so excited to do this thing, and hope you guys are excited to watch! If you are interested, please visit our channel. ❤

What’s up with you this week?

Writer Recharge: I sucked this week, but I’m on YouTube

.Reading time 2 minutes.

WriterRecharge 2015

It’s February, which means it’s time for Writer Recharge!

Once again hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren, Writer Recharge is your chance for a four-week jump start in the middle of a cold, dreary winter. Set goals for yourself, check in once a week, and connect with other recharging writers.

Here’s how I did on my goals last week!

Write/Revise —

This week I sucked it up on my writing goals. I was out of town until Friday assisting Lindsay Cummings on a book tour and making a YouTube video with her about it. I did manage a little over 1000 words, but that is all.

Read —

I read another 50 pages on my CPs MS. That is my focus this week. That is my primary focus.

Self —

I walked by a gym at the hotel we were staying in. Everyday. Everyday I asked Lindsay if she wanted to work out. She did not. Neither did I. We did watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban twice while planning our Harry Potter Tag video. I drank a lot of tea, for my health.

Connect —

I would say that my entire week was connecting. I met readers and aspiring young writers. I learned about the author life in a very real and sometimes emotional way. I was super impressed by my friend for the time and effort she gives (freely) to these kids.

Fun —

  • My sister-in-law and I got badges to one day of San Diego Comic Con. We then had to follow through with our commitment to begin a YouTube channel should we succeed. Check out our blog Books, Booze & Bitches for more info and stay tuned for our first video — airing Wednesday!
  • While you wait, you can watch Lindsay and I discuss Harry Potter in a very ridiculous way:

Good luck this week on meeting goals!

Writer Recharge

.Reading time 2 minutes.

WriterRecharge 2015

It’s February, which means it’s time for Writer Recharge!

Once again hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren, Writer Recharge is your chance for a four-week jump start in the middle of a cold, dreary winter. Set goals for yourself, check in once a week, and connect with other recharging writers.

Here’s how I did on my goals last week!

Write/Revise —

  • Again, didn’t do 500 words a day, but did mange just over 2000 words total. So. Success. 🙂
  • I began the terrifying process of cutting scenes from my screenplay. This stage of revision always makes feel anxious. Hold me.
  • I sent my PILOT outline to my screenwriter friend, and before I finish the script, I’d like to hear back from her.

Read —

  • Read on my CP manuscripts. My goals this week is to have notes on one my the end of the week!
  • Haven’t had a lot of other reading time this week. But I’m bout 25 pages into Ruby Red for the reread. LOVE this book so much. #GwynnieandGideonForever

Self —

  • I went to the gym Tuesday and Thursday, and walked everyday — even the days I worked out! YAY

Connect —

  • Participated in a couple Twitter writing parties!

Fun —

For Galentines Day (February 13th) two of my sister-in-laws and I ordered pizza, popped champagne, ate cheesecake, participated in Lady Talk, and watched two episodes of Supernatural. It was epic girl time.

Good luck this week on meeting goals, and having fun while doing it!

Writer Recharge

.Reading time 2 minutes.

WriterRecharge 2015

It’s February, which means it’s time for Writer Recharge!

Once again hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren, Writer Recharge is your chance for a four-week jump start in the middle of a cold, dreary winter. Set goals for yourself, check in once a week, and connect with other recharging writers.

Here’s how I did on my goals last week!

Write/Revise:

  • Wrote almost everyday, and surpassed my 500 word goal each day. Total Word Count: 4,434
  • Didn’t work on my screenplay revision last week– that’s on the schedule for this week!
  • Finished my Pilot Script outline and wrote three script pages. VERY EXCITED about this project!

Read: 

I need to rework my reading goals for the month.

I have two CP reads that showed up in my inbox, so I am giving this priority.

Also, I am participating in a reread in the Ruby Red Trilogy this spring. Check out the details here and join in!

Self:

Exercise three times in the week.

  • I went to the gym Tuesday and Thursday, and I took my dogs on three brisk, long walks. Success!

Connect:

  • Didn’t do my pay it forward shipment yet, but soon.
  • Participated in a couple Twitter writing parties, hope to do more this week!

Fun:

Haven’t started Supernatural yet, but that is on the books for this week as well.

Good luck on all your goals this week! We got this!

Ruby Red Reread

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RubyRedReread2015.2

I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the Ruby Red Trilogy by Sara Biren and her relentless love of the series. I was also fortunate to have other writer friends (Tracey and Jaime!) that loved the series and kept it at the forefront of my TBR list.

Then I was introduced to the German produced film titled Rubinrot starring these lovelies.

rubinrot

And the obsession grew.

There is something particularly wonderful about this German published, International Best Seller that can bring you from the funk of winter, the grumbles of work or other strife and responsibilities, and to make you feel inherently hopeful about the future.

So, in the doldrums of winter, we hatched a plan to reread the series and let it carry us safely into spring.

If you haven’t already discovered these fabulous books, now is a great chance to do so in the company of friends. Feel free to join in!

Starting tomorrow, reread (or read!) Ruby Red through the month of February. Tweet with the hashtag #RubyRedReread all your reactions (but try to keep them spoiler free), swoons, feels, frustrations — anything!

In March we will read Sapphire Blue, and in April we will read Emerald Green.

I hope you guys are as excited as we (clearly) are. It’s going to be EPIC.

Winter Writer Recharge 2015

.Reading time 4 minutes.

WriterRecharge 2015

It’s February, which means it’s time for Writer Recharge! I REALLY needs this, this year — like bad!

Once again hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Liz Parker, Elodie Nowodazkij, and Sara Biren, Writer Recharge is your chance for a four-week jump start in the middle of a cold, dreary winter. Set goals for yourself, check in once a week, and connect with other recharging writers.

This year, the hosts have come up with a few categories you might want to consider when making your goals. You can choose a goal (or goals) for one or some or all:

  • WRITE/REVISE – Choose writing goals for the month.
  • READ/REREAD – Read a book that’s been on your TBR forever or reread something that had a great impact on you.
  • STRETCH – Do something outside your comfort zone, from reading a genre you typically avoid to trying a new food or rock climbing when you’re afraid of heights – that kind of thing.
  • SELF – Do something good for your mind or your body.
  • CONNECT – Find a way to make a difference in someone’s life. Make a connection, via social media or in person. Initiate twitter writing parties, have a real-life write-in with writers in your town, or offer to critique or beta read someone’s work.
  • FUN – Make a goal to do something super fun and exciting that you can look forward to

How Writer Recharge works:

  • First week of February: Post your goals for the month on your blog, website, or Twitter. Use the hashtag #WriterRecharge. Link your blog post on Sara’s post.
  • Every Monday in February: Update your progress via your blog or twitter. Link your blog posts on our Monday posts.
  • Throughout the month: Use the hashtag to connect with other writers, have writing parties, and cheer one another on!
  • Friday, February 27: Post your final update via your blog or twitter.
  • Anyone who uses the hashtag or links their blog posts will be entered to win a fabulous prize package at the end of the month.

My Goals for Writer Recharge:

Write/Revise:

  • Write at least 500 words everyday on my WiP.
  • Finish the revision outline for my screenplay and begin work on it.
  • Finish the first draft of the TV pilot I am working on

Read: 

  • Read two non-fiction books
  • Read two YA or Adult fiction books

Self:

Work out three times a week. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy but it needs to happen. My plan is Tuesday and Thursday to go to my gym, and then choose one other day to do something physical that makes me sweat at least a little.

Connect:

  • I am participating in a pay it forward initiative (from Facebook). I want to send out my gifts for one of the people that signed up for mine!
  • Participate in some Twitter writing parties!

Fun:

I have been trying to start Supernatural viewing parties with my sister-in-laws. Not the current season, but starting from episode one. I am a Supernatural newbie, and I think this needs to change. So. I want to set aside one day a week to spend time watching it with my sisters. This is about more than the show — it’s about spending time with two of my favorite people ever!