That Time I Said I Wasn't Going To NaNo But Then Changed My Mind

I know, I know, I really need to work on a shorter blog post title. But honestly, it sums up what happened so perfectly I wouldn't change it if I could.

I really wasn't going to NaNo this year, especially with revisions draining my time, but then the idea came to me. The shiny bling-bling of a new story that keeps blinding your eyes. And, I'll confess, I can't resist anything shiny. So I gave in and am joining the NaNo ranks of 2012. What is my goal for this year? For those of you who weren't around last November, all I wanted was to get to 25,000 words, half of the NaNo goal. This year I'm going to shoot for 50,000. I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot of my new story, but I'll give you a hint- Pirates. If any of you are also going to NaNo it up, please let me know, I'm prernapickett over there. I hope all of you who are and aren't going to NaNo are successful with whatever goals you may be aiming for in the month of November. Here's a happy November to all of us!

Reviews: What I Can't Stand.

I enjoy reading reviews of the books I've read. It's quite interesting to read the difference perspectives people hold on one piece of work. Some reviewers get their point across very well, giving specifics as to why or why no they like a book, others just like to plain old bash it. As a writer (did I just say that out loud?) I respect anyone willing to put themselves out there and have their work be judged so harshly. You put so much of yourself into your work. You agonize over the plot, on how to make your characters stronger, how to make the story jump out of the pages. It's a hard job, and not everyone can (or should) do it. We all have a right to orn opinions, it's ours and no one should be able to take it away or keep us from sharing it. However, what I absolutely can't stand reading in a negative review is "I can't believe the love interest actually fell for the MC, she's so annoying" or "what's so great about her?" And "she's nothing special, why are two guys interested in her?"  Ummm...because that's who the story is about. I don't care how much you can't stand the MC, it's their story, that's why everything happening in the book centers around him/her, if he/she weren't there, none of the plot would take place. The story is about them, and at times it is them. Seriously, people, if you're going to write a review about how much you hate a character or book, at least give reasons that make sense. Then there's this "i figured out the plot within the first ten pages, why didn't the characters?" Because then the book would end after ten pages. I guess I'm just simply not as smart as you since I didn't solve the mystery. The point is the author wrote a story he/she loves about characters he/she cares about. We can't write to please everyone out there, or even one specific person. Criticism is a part of the biz, as they say, and it's going to happen. Haters gonna hate. (How many more cliches can I write?). But if you're going to write a review, be thoughtful and give examples of what you did or didn't like. Okay, so you hate the MC, what is it that gets to you? Honestly, as a writer I want to know so I don't make the same mistakes. And saying she's boring and stupid aren't reasons, what's so boring about her and how is she stupid? Anyway, that was my little tangent. I'm done. What about you guys, do you ever read review for books you liked or hated? What irks you about certain types of reviewers?

Five for Friday

1. Why isn't there a magic button that finishes revisions for you? I'm almost done with mine, but it seems to be taking forever. Even still, I'm glad to be able to fix up my manuscript. I just wish I had a bit more time to work on it during the day. If I had two solid hours just to write, holy crap I can't even imagine how much I would get done!

2. I am living in a house of sickness. My oldest missed five days of school. Yeah. The other three are also sick and slowly recovering. Do you know what that means? I'm next.

3. I finally watched the second season of Awkward. and still love it. Cannot wait for next season!!!

4. Finally ordering Halloween costumes this weekend. My oldest is going as Hulk and my younger little guy wants to be the Thing from Fantastic Four, which was kind of a difficult costume to find since it hasn't been popular since oh, I don't know, 2005. My 2yo daughter is going as a cheerleader and my baby girl is going to be a Kangaroo (my sis-in-law let me borrow the costume and it's way cute and warm).

5. It has been raining like crazy around here this week. We haven't had real rain since April and I love it! I miss all the rainstorms from back east, they were hardcore.

Okay, the timer on my microwave is beeping which means my kids mac and cheese is done. Have a great weekend everyone!

Comfort Reading

Whenever the leaves start to change and the chill in the wind starts picking up, I feel a need to pull out some of my favorites and re-read them. Maybe it's the shorter days with looming darkness that fill me with a need to wrap myself in a blanket by a fire and read something comforting.

I think it's the leaves that get to me.

 

 I firmly believe in rereading books you love. I do it every year during the fall. Some of my favorites include the Seven Waters trilogy by Juliet Marillier, Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion by Jane Austen, Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and Tithe by Holly Black. Reading these old favorites takes me back to when I first read them and make life seem simpler somehow, because although many things have changed since then, they haven't. What about you guys, are there any books you enjoy rereading for comfort? And do you find that the fall season holds that same sort of nostalgia for you that it does for me?

Contest Winner!!!

Sorry it took me til today to post the winner but we got back into town late last night and I've been in recovery mode. But I'm excited to announce the winner of Girl of Nightmares is....

Kirsten!!!!

 

Okay, Kristen, I'll e-mail you to get your info. Congrats!

Five for Friday

1. Today's the last day to enter the Girl of Nightmares contest. If you're interested click HERE.

2. I've been out of town since Wednesday visiting family and as much as I love seeing everyone, the hotel bed is doing a number on my back. I feel so old typing that.

3. Lots of revising got done this week. I'm 3/4 of the way done and had a breakthrough with a chapter I've been struggling with for a while. Such a relief.

4. Halloween is just around the corner and I have yet to get my butt in gear to get my kids their costumes. 6 yo wants to the Hulk while the 4 yo would like to be the Thing (the guy from Fantastic Four). My girls don't really care (especially my 6 month old) which makes it more difficult to find something for them. Should be interesting.

5. With the cold settled in and the air crisp with the smell fallen leaves I am starting to crave hot chocolate more and more. In fact, I might go make myself some right now.

Have an awesome weekend!

Reminder

Just a reminder that a chance to win a copy of Girl of Nightmares ends on Friday!!! Go HERE to check out the details.

Five for Friday

1. I've been organizing. It's intense. Now that the weather has finally turned, I felt it was time to put away summer things. Kid summer things, more specifically. Even though it exhausted me, I felt suprisingly good. It's nice to clean house.

2. Still plowing through revisions. The more I delve into my manuscript the more loose ends I realize I need to tie up. Definitely the down side of revising.

3. I'm still running the Girl of Nightmares contest. It's open til next Friday, so go enter!

4. Have you guys seen that Suburu commercial where the two little boys decide to wash the dad's car by themselves? Any of you not buying the dad's reaction? I honestly think I would burst into tears if my kids did that to my car.

5. I caught up on Once Upon A Time this week and I am so freaking excited about this season!!!! Seriously one of my favorite shows.

Have a great weekend!

Goals Goals Goals

Before I get to the post, just wanted to remind you guys that I'm running a contest! Click HERE if you're interested in winning a copy of Girl of Nightmares.

I've had a few goals set  this year. One of which was to start querying Fire and Ice before the end of 2012...that doesn't look like it's going to happen. But I'm actually at peace with it. Mainly because I know the work I'm putting into it is going to give me a greater chance of interest than if I sent it out now.

Usually when I can't check a goal off my list, I find it rather defeating. It's natural for us to be our number one critics. We're hard on ourselves because we know more than anyone else what we're capable of. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, a certain goal can't be attained within the allotted time you set for yourself. That's why I'm thinking I shouldn't set BIG goals, like querying, within a time frame.

There are other goals on my list I have accomplished that I'm pretty happy about, but there are a couple I'm putting on the back burner for now. What about you guys? Any goals you haven't been able to check off? How did you feel about it?

Contest Time!

Finally! I finished Girl of Nightmares this weekend! I was not disappointed.

Now it's time for one you lucky readers to win a copy of it! Here are the rules (they're super complicated so you might want to get your paper and pen ready to jot down some notes): 1. You must be a blog follower. 2. You must also leave a comment telling me of your favorite scary story/legend along with an e-mail address so I can contact you if you win. 3. Unfortunately I can't do an international contest...shipping fees are cray-cray, so contest is only open for US residents. (Sorry. I want to run an international one during the New Year so look out for that international people).

The winner will be chosen through an intricate process where I put all your names in a hat and draw one out. I know, it's super advanced. Contest will close Friday Oct. 12 at 11:59. That's all folks! Good luck!