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| >> Book >> Writing >> ID #1607140 |   |
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At age 41, I am embarking on the journey of my life, becoming a first-time published author. I say becoming, because I fully intend to and believe it will happen. It is when one truly believes they can do anything, that they are driven onward to success.
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| 5. Today is the First Day of NaNoWriMo | ID #674169 |
| Posted: 11-1-2009 @ 12:08 pm EST | |
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Yes, this is November 1st, the first day of the challenge--National Novel Writing Month. |
| 4. Where Have I Been? | ID #673639 |
| Posted: 10-28-2009 @ 1:18 pm EDT Edited: 10-28-2009 @ 1:26 pm EDT | |
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Having decided at the last minute to join National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), I have been quite busy preparing. I am very serious about the novel I'm going to write and have been doing research for a while. After making the decision to go for it--I had to step up my research. Wow! I have been very busy and lost four days to troubleshooting computer issues. For the last week I have been playing catch-up with my research. NaNoWriMo is exactly what I needed to move forward with the novel. I'm excited about the story I'm going to be writing and that will certainly help me in this challenge. Writing an entire novel in thirty days is no picnic. I'm positive I can do it! I have read and taken to heart some good advice regarding the NaNoWriMo challenge: 1. Don't edit while writing... just keep typing away. 2. Having a simple 10 to 13 point outline (one page). 3. Consider playing background music to increase creativity. 4. Create excitement when the story starts to bore you. 5. Follow this: http://abundance-blog.marelisa-online.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-how-to-write-a-no... 6. Use these: http://nicolehumphrey.net/blog/great-tips-to-help-create-specifics-in-your-novel... 7. If it's boring to me... it's boring to my audience. 8. Write one scene at a time (beg, mid, end) 9. Use this tool: http://www.seventhsanctum.com/index-writ.php 10. Tell all sides of the story ... this will work well with my story. 11. Don't fall into stereotyping. 12. Use this tool: http://www.tweetgrid.com 13. When stuck, increase my simple outline with some scenes, then details. 14. When bored, consider throwing in a quircky character (works for my story) With these and other great tips for National Novel Writing Month, I should be able to stay on track and complete the challenge.  |
| 3. It's Tough to Refrain from Defending Yourself | ID #671860 |
| Posted: 10-15-2009 @ 12:38 pm EDT Edited: 10-28-2009 @ 1:29 pm EDT | |
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I recently got a review of Death Awaits You Here, My Dear. This is what the reviewer had to say (among other helpful things) "Machete’s are more knife like than sword like. At 20 to 24 inches, there are definitely a tweener. I’ve never seen a shiny one or a curved one. In the warehouse seen of Hotel Rwanda, brand new machete’s were dull colored. They are a, primarily, a utility blade made out of lower grade metal. A scimitar or a Talwar(sp) better fit to your description. The PTSD soldier/father might of picked one up on his last tour of duty. A forceful strike to the head would cleave the head in two. To decapitate, the strike would cut laterally through the neck. The rest of Stephanie’s murder in the dream sequence went well. A strength in your story is the murderer’s haunting refrain." It was bugging me, so I did a search online for "Can a machete decapitate?" and I found several real life and fiction references to decapitating with a machete--including big name movies that are revered as mainstays in our horror community. Thank goodness! I was hoping to not have to change to another weapon. I could put something in my story about the killer owning a sharpening tool. I did read one article that talks about anything, including a shovel, can be sharpened enough to decapitate. I hope you weren't offended by my topic today, if you can call it that. I apologize if you were. |
| 2. Nothing Gets Achieved Without Action | ID #671446 |
| Posted: 10-12-2009 @ 2:47 pm EDT Edited: 10-28-2009 @ 1:29 pm EDT | |
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I have been learning how to navigate through Writing.com and about all it has to offer, while trying to be a model community member. I've been entering contests:
I've written a short story: (still a work in progress)
I've written a children's book: (still a work in progress)
I've been reviewing other people's work:
And, I've been looking into further education, through this site, to enhance my knowledge of the world of writing and improve my writing abilities:
I realize, that in order to develop into a beloved, well-read writer/author, I need to take the steps necessary. --Educate, practice, read, review other people's work, and more practice. ************* Slight Rant: I'm beginning to think the contest evaluators don't like me.  ************* OK, back to business. I have accumulated enough gift points that I can at least afford to make payments toward attending Writing Academy, available through Writing.com. I've taken the time to give it serious consideration and have decided it would be in my best interest --possibly saving people from having to review my work in such detail.  Finally, today I am working on my Death Awaits You Here, My Dear short story, using all of the terrific input I have received. |
| 1. Open to Critical Reviews | ID #671226 |
| Posted: 10-10-2009 @ 7:06 pm EDT Edited: 10-28-2009 @ 1:30 pm EDT | |
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 WJ Stams    I just had the most exciting review of my first horror short story, "Death Awaits You Here, My Dear." Accepting critiques on written work is not for the faint of heart. And, I try to keep the end result in mind at all times. In addition, I believe that no one's work is ever perfect, and can always be improved. When I illicit reviews for my work, I hope to get thorough, detailed feedback about what I am doing wrong or areas in which I lack skill. No one person's time or effort will be wasted on me as I am willing to grow and write to the reader and for the reader. I will take into full consideration each and every element of my writing that has received both good and bad comments. About my journey to date: I am not disappointed, for I have happened upon some fantastic resources and people. Being a member of Writers.com is by far, the best decision I've made. I got started writing again, after 23 years of neglecting my passion for it. It was because I decided to write a couple of books for my daughter, now 8, that I got that "high" again. Even better, 23 years has offered me a great deal more wisdom. My writing is now much better than it was those many years ago, due to life experience. Last week I decided to try my hand at writing a horror story based on a true nightmare I had when I was in my mid-teens. "Death Awaits You Here, My Dear"  [18+] I wrote it in one night and developed it into a workable piece of proverbial molding clay within two days.I received a wonderfully thorough review of it by two Writing.Com members, with an average rating of 3 stars. Because of their expended time and effort, I will have a wonderful masterpiece - hopefully by next week. Here's the best part - I discovered a passion for writing in the Horror Genre. In fact, I have rediscovered my passion for writing, period. For that I am grateful. I leave you, today, with this fact: I have several areas to work on regarding my writing technique. But, I have and unending devotion to do so. |
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