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Monthly Archives: March 2015
Camp NaNoWriMo Eve April 2015
Hello again… So glad that it’s almost time for Camp NaNoWriMo to start. I’ve been busy preparing for it, sigh.
Now that I’m pretty much ready to write I thought I’d take a minute to post about what my expectations are for Camp NaNoWriMo this coming month.
My new writer’s bible. Made by Jonel Imutan/Jonelifish. Her shop is on Etsy. 😀
I’d like to get at least three fourths of the way through the novel, maybe even finish it. It’ll be a rough draft and a piece of shit, but it will be finished or almost finished. I am excited about it, to say the least. I’ve got my writer’s bible and the main points plotted out, much of the character and setting “stuff” done, and other than a few minor tweaks here or there I should be good to go.
Are you participating?
Hope to see you there!
Outlining as a Plotster
Over the past few years, especially, I’ve struggled with outlining. I was a pantser, a discovery writer. As a writer who writes by the seat of her pants, I found myself lost in the middle, that dreaded swampy middle was literally bogging me down. I realized I needed help. I needed to change things up. So I tried to become a plotter. I tried to write a detailed outline.
I succeeded in writing a detailed outline, but when I finished that outline I felt like I’d been drained of all creativity. I sat down to write the novel and my imagination was dehydrated. I had lost every bit of inspiration and motivation. I felt like I’d written the book just writing the outline. It took every bit of joy right out of it. So that kind of detailed outlining didn’t work for me either.
After several NaNoWriMo’s (November’s and Camp’s), I realized I was a plotster. Somewhere in between a pantser (who writes by the seat of their pants) and a plotter (who writes using a detailed outline). It wasn’t until I was reading the book Plot Perfect that I learned that the type of outlining that works for me is called loose outlining. Ah… I technical term for it.
I needed a way to make the outlining process work for me. I’m more of a character driven writer. I figure out my basic plot points (using the 7 point story structure method: Hook, Turning Point/Plot Point 1, Pinch Point , Midpoint, Pinch Point 2, Turning Point/Plot Point 2, Resolution). With this method you have more than just your action/plot listed, you also have your character arc, and your subplots listed. I find that I am able to write 1 or 2 sentences under each category and roll from there. So far, I’m over 3/4 of the way finished with this outline and I find it so much easier–for me, anyway, than plotting out the whole thing–40-60 scenes  that will occur over 20-40 chapters.  I’ve broken it down and on average my novel should be anywhere from 90-100K long, which means that if I have 30 chapters then each day I’ll need to write approximately 1667 words each day to reach the midpoint, but if I want to finish my novel then I’ll need to double that amount–3334 words per day for Camp NaNoWriMo to finish my book. That probably isn’t going to happen. As much I love to write, and as wonderful as it is on days when I write anywhere from 3000-6000 words, there are days when I’m lucky to write 500 words,but if I push myself I can at least make it to the midpoint of my novel so that I can use May as my finish the second half, take June off, and then edit in July’s Camp NaNo.
It’s not just about Camp NaNo though, this is more about using Camp NaNo to help me get this off the ground, to help get rid of the white page and accomplish one of my many goals for this year. Writing is like driving a car: when you’re first learning how to drive you are aware of every single nuance–from the other cars, the noises, the lights, the sounds, the feel of the seatbelt against your chest, the feel of the steering wheel in your hands–are your hands at ten and two or at three and nine–and don’t forget to check your mirrors. But the more you drive the less you pay attention to those nuances and the more you are just driving. You forget about the way the seatbelt feels, where your hands are on the steering wheel, and you just automatically put your hands where they’re most comfortable and you’ve automatically locked your seatbelt before you put your vehicle in drive or reverse. Driving becomes an almost automatic/learned behavior, something you don’t have to think about to do. I’m hoping that writing, at least some of the core things like outlining, creating tension and conflict, arranging my scenes and sequels, etc will just become learned behavior. I’m hoping that I’ll find the method that works for me and my actual writing process will become second nature, like how pantsing my novel felt–before I got stuck in the swampy middle.
My leather TN to use as my Writer’s bible came in…
Have you ever seen something that was so you, or knew it could be since you could customize it, that you had to have it? I saw Jonel Imutan’s work and knew I had to have one of her TN’s (Traveler’s Notebooks) to use as my Writer’s bible. I prefer the A5 size and knew I wanted the colors red, purple, and a splash of blue. And I wanted a “writerly” theme.
My new writer’s bible. Made by Jonel Imutan/Jonelifish. Her shop is on Etsy. 😀
I searched on YT and IG and went to her website and for 2 months debated over it. I searched and contacted several other makes of TN’s, and there was one other artist that I seriously considered but she was in the UK and the shipping charges brought the total amount to more than what I wanted (could) spend. I finally decided on Jonel and we talked about what I wanted–I officially ordered it on January 23rd and received it today. It was well worth the wait. She’s an artist and my TN was custom made and I knew it wouldn’t be an overnight thing.It was well worth the wait–I’d have waited longer if that was what it took. They are that amazing–in person the colors are even more vibrant (I wanted to show that so I went outside and took a few pictures), and the smell of the leather is amazing–delicious. My whole writing room smells the leather.
But that’s not all…I made a video about my unboxing…
Big Giveaway!!!
She’s having another great giveaway… I won her last one and it was amazing. I loved everything. It’s always nice to get some happy mail. 😀 You should really check out her blog, especially if you’re into journaling and travelers notebooks.
My little blog has reached 100 followers and so we are having our next giveaway.  Because I’m a baby blog jus
t starting out I can’t give away Instagram Cameras and TN Covers…but one day….I just love giving stuff away.  This giveaway will consist of this Nomadic Flap Type Pencil Case in Red, crammed with pens, pencils, stickers, washi, and other assorted surprises for all your portable TN needs.  How do you enter?  You need to be following my blog and my Instagram both and you will be automatically entered…that’s it!  The drawing of one random follower will be Sunday, March 29.  I’m looking forward to giving it all away!  Thank you for following my blog and sharing my passion for TN’s.  (Photo is from JetPens where I purchased the pencil case)
A Day in the Life of a Writer/Harsh Reality Challenge
A fellow blogger posted a challenge–Harsh Reality Challenge, and I decided to take him up on it.
As a writer, blogger, vlogger, journaler, domestic goddess, and coffee addict I am aware of how glamourous many people believe a writer’s life should be, but isn’t.–it’s actually cluttered, chaotic, monotonous in some ways, and yet I love it.
I spend most of my time in here (my writing/creative room):
My desk
When I’m not in there I’m in here doing things like laundry, dishes, or cooking–most of which is done during my writing breaks.
On the occasions when I venture forth into the outside world here is my immediate environment:
Dogwoods across the street from me… Lovely view.
On the way to town…
One of my favorite stops
A little more from where I live:
The construction that’s been going on for over a year now on one of the major roads that leads to “Walmart,” “Starbucks,” “Michaels,” “TJMaxx” and “Lowes”… I’ll be so glad when they’re finished.
The sky across from Starbucks. (South Carolina).. November 2014…
And what I do during the day Various pictures of me writing over the past 3 years:
Reading my work
Ah… Coffee and writing
Camp NaNo
I’ll get back to writing, first I need coffee
Writing over the road…
Burgess Taylor: Coffee and Writing: #NaNoWriMo
Writing
Writing over the road with Mr. Rockstar
Okay… I know I should be writing instead of looking over there…
A little more of what I do during the day:
My laundry…
My ever progressing plot board.
So now you’ve seen what my life is like on a typical day… Not very glamorous I know, but I love my life.
There are a few great things here: Like Swan Lake
More of the Lake
Flower and lake
View of the Lake
My daughter and grandson
Sculpter
Flower
Boat Tour
Mr. Rockstar at Swan Lake
So now you’ve had a taste of what it’s like around here…
Thought the pictures would be better than my rambling on about a day in my life in South Carolina
Coffee chat about writing and characters
Are you participating in April’s Camp NaNoWriMo? I am and I’ve been working towards having everything prepared by the end of this month so I’m ready. My goal this year is to finish my novel, from beginning to end–no matter what–and have it run through at least 1 round of edits. In order to that I have to get on the ball, and NaNoWriMo helps me do that, whether or not it’s Camp or November, I’ll be participating in all of the above this year. And I’m holding myself accountable for this by vlogging about it.
BTW, my 6 weeks check up is next week and hopefully I’ll get the all clear and I’ll be able to start walking so I can begin my “lose weight” goal. Yep, this year I’m working on a novel, trying to lose weight, and trying to quit smoking… Along with a number of DIY home projects.
Hope y’all have a great one.
A little bit about why I journal and how it has helped me
I’ve been journaling (keeping a diary) since elementary school. My first journal was a pink diary with a cute little lock and key. I loved it. I remember writing in it with such joy. I practiced my penmanship, I would draw/doodle, but mostly I wrote. That little pink diary has long since disappeared, but the sentiment behind it has not.
My desk with various journals, my FF, TN… Can you tell I am a creative clutter kind of person? LOL!
Throughout the years I’ve used composition notebooks, various types of journals and notebooks, the computer, but I’ve learned that journaling on the computer (unless you count blogging) isn’t my cup of coffee. I prefer pen and paper. Recently, I’ve become somewhat addicted to what are called “Traveler’s Notebooks,” a drawing/illustrative type journaling method that is done in a Hobonichi, and my Productive Luddite Really Big Notebook. The Traveler’s Notebook that I purchased will eventually look a bit like an Indiana Jones styled TN and has a variety of notebooks in it that I either use for notes, and/or writing, to-do lists, drawing, etc, and I carry it around with me in my purse; the TN that I am waiting on that is colorful will be my “Writer’s bible,” and the Hobonichi that I draw/paint/write/scrapbook/smashbook in is used for journaling prompts, drawing, and whatever else comes to mind. Having multiple journals is not new to me.
I used to (and still have lying around) multiple Moleskin notebooks, journals, and regular notebooks that I used for various purposes, but combining those notebooks into a leather sort of bound system is new to me. It’s such a wonderful idea. Staying organized is something I struggle with. I use an A5 Filofax for my home/house/life organization. I don’t often take it with me, but on occasion (when I go to the DR or when I’m out paying bills), but my new TN stays with me all the time–it fits in most of my larger purses. I love it. (Oh, the wonderful smell of real leather.)
I’ve actually posted a video (or three) about journaling. I have to say that journaling with the addition of art (drawing, painting, coloring, etc) has really helped me with my depression and anxiety, as well as helping me with my ADHD as far as focusing goes.
The Winner of the Big Giveaway….
I’m so excited. I just got my first TN a little over a week ago and now I’ve won a giveaway. This couldn’t have come at a better time and I can’t wait to receive it–I’ll make sure I post pics. Once again, thank you so much for your generosity.
Congratulations Burgess Taylor on winning my first giveaway!  Please message me with mailing instructions for your goodies! I am nearing 100 followers and as soon as I hit that we will have another fantastic giveaway…a JetPens Nomadic pencil case in red, filled to the brim with supplies for your Notebook…pens, pencils, stickers, clips, all the essentials to keep your Notebook looking cool.
Burgess Taylor 