Blog Experiment: Friday Five

To stick with my goal of blogging three times a week, I thought I might occassionally try doing a "Friday Five." Someone used to do this on a forum I belonged to and I always thought it was fun. I ask five random (or themed, if I'm feeling smart) questions and anyone can answer them. Let's see what happens. It's fun and it has a "let's get to know each other feel." I'll start out nice and simple for the first one. ;)

1. What's your favourite time of year and why?

2. Favourite book you've read in the last 6 months?

3. What's your dream vacation spot? (staying home counts)

4. Dragons or dragonslayers?

5. What movie do you most often quote?

My answers:

1. What's your favourite time of year and why?

My answer used to be summer, but now I love fall because of all the great conventions!!

2. Favourite book you've read in the last 6 months?

Ack, why did I ask this one? LOL. I read Kim Harrison's latest, I love all her stuff, but I think I'd have to say Pat Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear.

3. What's your dream vacation spot? (staying home counts)

The Cove at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Went there for a poker tournament, can't wait to go back.

4. Dragons or dragonslayers?

Dragons!!

5. What movie do you most often quote?

The Hangover

VCON 36

This weekend, September 30th to October 2nd, is VCON, Vancouver's premier science fiction and fantasy convention. I'm excited to be even more involved this year, with six panels, a book launch (for which I will be dressing up as a vampire and reading from Evolve 2!) and an official reading time slot all to myself! I'm on some interesting panels, I'm really looking forward to "Old School Vampires," "Strong in Body, Stronger in Mind," (the fitness for creative people panel I introduced last year), "Food in SF," and "Writing About Fighting."

VCON was the first convention I attended back in 2008 and they happened to have two author guests of honour that year, Kelley Armstrong and Patrick Rothfuss. I learned SO much from both of them and had such a great overall experience at the convention, it sparked my love of conventions where I have met some of my closest friends and writing partners.

If you happen to be in the Vancouver area, come join us! Here's a link to the VCON website. If you are going to be there, come visit me at the book launch on Friday night or stop in for my reading on Saturday! I will be giving out candies and chocolate. That's right. I'm not above giving out bribes to have people come listen to me read, though I might make us all go to the hotel gym after. (kidding!) I promise you a sugar high and lots of laughs. Hope to see you there!

Cat Shelter Trip

I belong to a fabulous group of people, called the Creative Geeks. We meet up to do crafty projects together and we decided to make cat blankets for Katie's Place cat shelter where one of our Geeks volunteers. A few of us headed out to the shelter with the blankets, donations and strict pacts between us that we wouldn't bring any cats home. No, I didn't bring any home, though I desperately wanted to!

Since I've committed to blogging three times a week, I thought I'd share the day with you. If you're a cat lover, I apologize in advance for the adorable shelter kitten pics. I'll warn you, you're going to want to go rescue them all!!

I made five blankets for this trip, here are the last three. My blanket tester was being a diva and didn't want her picture taken.



All blankets and donations ready to go! My mom gave me some old towels and cat food to take as well, I donated some of our old cats toys that certain cats turn their noses up at, some food and cleaning supplies. :)



Here's Margaret, our Geek connection at the shelter (she volunteers there!), one of the kitties and the organizer of the Creative Geeks, our Borg Queen, Serena.



This is kind of a long shot showing the different rooms for the cats and the set up they have.



I wanted to take pictures of every single cat but my memory card filled up while I was there because it's full of pictures of our cats. Figures. Here's the ones I did get.

This guy I just thought was gorgeous and as soon as I got close, he started purring. A lot of them did that and it makes me want to go back and pet them every day, poor little things.



Cat in a box!!!



One of the volunteers brought out a toy I'd brought and gave it to this little girl. She played with it and immediately claimed it. When I walked away, they were trying to see if she would give it up and she wouldn't!



They're definitely well fed there. This big boy came up to me and flopped right down for a belly rub and wasn't shy about enjoy it!

I

I didn't even find out the name of this guy or girl, but we definitely bonded.



Of all the cats, these were the ones that got to me the most. They have one room that's all cats with FIV (feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and FeLV (feline leukemia virus), meaning they probably don't have long to live. They were the sweetest, cuddliest bunch, who, according to one of the volunteers, always get along without any hissing or fighting. 



I sat down and the two of them each took a turn on my lap.



This guy was also super friendly inside. When I went out to the open air room to see the other FIV/FeLV cats, all three of them followed me out and stuck close. When I put my purse down, he curled right up against it. The black cat laid at my feet. If I didn't already have two cats, I wouldn't taken these three home to give them the best possible home for the time they had left.





This girl was out in the open part of the shelter with the volunteers on a big cushy chair. The reason? She has stomach cancer, so she was being spoiled. Margaret told us one person brought her chicken nuggets that day and that a couple of people were bringing her smoked salmon. Sounds like she'll continue to be spoiled until the last possible second.



I'm going to start making new blankets and I'm going to go back out to visit the cats as soon as I can. I hope I'll get to see my FIV and FeLV friends again.

Thanks for sharing this with me and if you get a chance, pop in to your local pet shelter! They always need help, donations and if you can't adopt a pet, they'd love someone to visit them. :)

Blog Challenge Accepted

I keep falling off the blogging wagon. I did pretty well there for awhile, blogging every time I worked out (I forget who on LJ suggested that, but thanks!) and I was successful with that for a long time. Then I went on some trips and the blog posts just fell away. I've been wanting to get back into it, I've done a few posts lately (have you noticed?!) and then I came across Julie Issac's Online Blog Challenge.

I LOVE A CHALLENGE!!


Julie is an award winning author, Content Creation Coach and the founder of the website WritingSpirit.com. She's on twitter as @WritingSpirit and hosts #WriteChat. The purpose is to make your blog "shine" by posting on a regular schedule for 100 days, beginning today and ending at the end of the year.



Julie tells us: "Blogging is an essential part of your platform. It helps you build an audience and connect with them, be seen as an expert and establish your credibility, test ideas and get feedback, create content that can be repurposed and gain visibility on the web, and above all, promote your books, brand, services, and other products."

From Julie's website:

Why S.H.I.N.E. Online? Because your blog is your home base, it's where people get to know you. In creating an online presence, your blog is your best opportunity to shine online! Every single blog post gives you another opportunity to S.H.I.N.E. To:

        Stand out
        Help
        Inspire
        Navigate
        Engage

I signed up and committed to blogging three times a week for the next 100 days. According to Julie's first blog today, three posts a week will be 42 posts. Forty-two posts! She encourages us to think about applying some structure to our 100 days of posts. I'm still thinking it over, but I think I'd like to try to do one post a week that's a "Tips from the Pros" topic, writing about the things I've learned from conventions, conferences and conversations with Professional authors. The other two times a week? I think I might just let myself be me, since that's what I'm best at, and blog about whatever I want to share that day. There's a mailing list for blog tips, articles and blog challenge updates to keep everyone on track.

So if you're like me and need a kick in the pants when it comes to blogging, why not join me? It's easy. Sign up here: http://blog.writingspirit.com/2011/09/2011-shine-online-blogging-challenge.html

Awesome New Artwork

I met Angela Melick at VCon several years ago and was immediately impressed with her artwork. I asked if she could do a picture for me, to use for promotional material. During the process, she did several sketches and I had to narrow it down to my favourite, which she would then complete. It was a tough decision, but I finally went with this one. Who doesn't love little baby dragons? I've used it on my website, as an avatar and for my business cards.

Angela is a busy woman and she doesn't usually do commission work, so I knew how lucky I was to get this piece. Knowing how busy she was, I didn't want to bother her, BUT, I really loved the other sketches she did. My second choice was also amazing and wanted it done as well. After some time went by, I contacted her again and begged her to do another one for me. She graciously agreed and I absolutely LOVE the results. I've been holding onto it and have decided it's time to unveil it to the world.

You can find Angela on twitter @angelamelick or at her website. (On a side note, Angela told me that looking at all the pictures I sent her to do the drawing, she started working out and lost weight! I love it when I can inspire people without shoving it down their throats.)

Here it is! This is my awesome new artwork by Angela Melick. Thanks Angela, you're amazing!

Cross Post - A Novel In Ninety Days

I posted this on my group blog, The Inkpunks and thought I would share it on my blog as well.

When I started my first novel in 2009, I emailed my mentor Diana Rowland and told her I was writing 1000 wds a day and was that enough? I remember her saying, “1000 words is good, but you might want to try for more.” That set me off on a new mission to write 1500 words a day, which often became 2000 words a day.

For my second novel, I started off with the goal of 1500 words a day, six days a week, treating it just like my training schedule when I was a professional fitness competitor. Six days a week, no options, no excuses, followed by a full day to rest and recover. I finished the first draft of that novel at a pretty quick pace, but wasn’t exactly sure how long it had taken.

When it came to writing the first draft of novel number three, I decided to keep track of how long it took. Am I sharing this with you to show off? A little, yes, but I also have unselfish reasons for posting it, the biggest being, if I can do this, ANYONE can do this. I’m no one special. I simply like to set goals and I get pissed off with myself when I don’t meet them, which keeps me driven and determined to reach that daily word count.

Keeping Track of Word Count

Just like in fitness, you need to find what works for you. What motivates you? What keeps you going? I use small rewards like getting to watch episodes of my favourite TV shows after I reach my word count goal. (and no, please don’t use food as a reward!) I have the PYR catalogue prominently displayed in my writing area. I have my mom waiting to read each new chapter of my first draft as I spit it out. I keep in touch with my writing friends who will kick my butt if I slack off and I have a mentor I want to make proud of me. These things keep me focused on churning out the words. It’s crucial that you find out what works for you and put those tools and tactics to use. Worry about future drafts after the first one is done.

Just like in fitness, there is NO quick fix solution. It’s about persistence, dedication and being able to forgive yourself when you slip up and miss a day, rather than spiralling into a funk that prevents you from picking yourself up and getting back at it.

I also remind myself that it’s okay for the first draft to suck, a lesson repeated by Mur Lafferty on her podcast I Should Be Writing that sticks with me. I also keep in mind the adage “you can’t edit what isn’t there.” There are many drafts and many hours of revisions ahead of me, but it’s a complete novel, beginning, middle and end and now I can fix it. Find what it takes for you to get it down and get it done.

Take a look at my ninety days. Take a close look! I wasn’t perfect, I messed up a lot, I had good days, bad days and terrible days, but I got there. You can too!

A Novel in Ninety Days

May 18            Day 1      1500 wds                     -excited

May 19            Day 2      1600 wds                    -hopeful

May 20            Day 3     1500 wds

May 21^st          Day 4     0 words                       At competition to run athlete meeting, judge

May 22^nd         Day 5    0 words                       At competition to run athlete meeting, judge

May 23^rd          Day 6    0 words                       At competition to run athlete meeting, judge

May 24^th          Day 7   1500 wds                    -getting back at it

May 25^th          Day 8    1600 wds

May 26^th          Day 9    1100 wds                    -fell a bit short

May 27^th          Day 10  1500 wds

May 28^th          Day 11   2006 wds                    -good day

May 29^th          Day 12  Scheduled Day Off

May 30^th          Day 13   1513 wds

June 1^st            Day 14    1571 wds

June 2^nd           Day 15    2300 wds

June 3^rd            Day 16   1142 wds                    -little off

June 4^th            Day 17   0 words                       At competition to run athlete meeting, judge

June 5^th            Day 18   0 words                       At competition to run athlete meeting, judge

June 6^th            Day 19   1100 wds                    -really struggled

June 7^th            Day 20  650 wds                      -still struggling

June 8^th            Day 21   0 wds                           -Canucks game

June 9^th            Day 22   0 wds                           -Canucks game

June 10^th          Day 23   1500 wds

June 11^th          Day 24    2015 wds

June 12^th          Day 25    1017 wds                    -whoops

June 13^th          Day 26    0 wds                            -Canucks game, also, laziness

June 14^th          Day 27    1586 wds

June 15^th          Day 28    1227 wds

June 16^th          Day 29    1600 wds                    -received rejection on full MS of last novel

June 17^th          Day 30    1019                            -still bummed, not sure where this is going

June 18^th          Day 31     0 wds                          *no explanation written down

June 19^th          Day 32     Scheduled Day Off

June 20^th          Day 33    1611 wds

June 21^st          Day 34     1589 wds

June 22^nd         Day 35     2082 wds

June 23^rd          Day 36    2057 wds

June 24^th          Day 37    2007 wds                    -at library with my mom

June 25^th          Day 38    1600 wds

June 26^th          Day 39    Scheduled Day Off

June 27^th          Day 40   1570 wds

June 28^th          Day 41    2074 wds

June 29^th          Day 42    1539 wds

June 30^th          Day 43   1891 wds

July 1^st             Day 44     1632 wds                    -Canada Day!

July 2^nd            Day 45   1080 wds                    -little burnt out??

July 3^rd             Day 46   Scheduled Day Off

July 4^th             Day 47   Re-plotted last 1/3 of novel

July 5^th             Day 48   1528 wds

July 6^th             Day 49   1717 wds                    -on plane to Vegas

July 7^th             Day 50   1028 wds                    -in Vegas

July 8^th             Day 51    1515 wds                    -in Vegas

July 9^th             Day 52    1568 wds                    -in Vegas

July 10^th           Day 53    1509 wds                  -in Vegas (Main event begins)

July 11^th           Day 54     Scheduled Day Off in Vegas

July 12^th           Day 55    1500 wds                    -at the Rio during Main Event

July 13^th           Day 56    1000 wds                    -on plane home from Vegas

July 14^th           Day 57    0 wds                          -BC Provincial Championships

July 15^th           Day 58    0 wds                          -BC Provincial Championships

July 16^th           Day 59   0 wds                          -BC Provincial Championships

July 17^th           Day 60   0 wds                          -recovering from trip/show

July 18^th           Day 61   0 wds                          -recovering from trip/show

July 19^th           Day 62   1550 wds                    -Yay! Back on track!

July 20^th           Day 63   2011 wds                    -better!

July 21^st           Day 64    2029 wds                    -knocking it out!

July 22^nd          Day 65  2003 wds                    -on plane to Saskatoon

July 23^rd           Day 66  0 wds                          -at National Championships with team BC

July 24^th           Day 67 2450 wds                    -1^st night of camping (cabin)

July 25^th           Day 68 2556 wds                    -2^nd day of camping

July 26^th           Day 69   1010 wds                    -trip home from Saskatchewan

July 27^th           Day 70   1027 wds                    -re-plotting, planning

July 28^th           Day 71   2003 wds                    -at 82, 369 wds (curious)

July 29^th           Day 72  Scheduled Day Off

July 30^th           Day 73 2178 wds                    -online Google hangout

July 31^st           Day 74   1023 wds                    -bad day

Aug 1^st            Day 75     1948 wds

Aug 2^nd            Day 76    1707 wds                    -online Google hangout

Aug 3^rd            Day 77      1116 wds                    -to the end! Going back for rewrites

Aug 4^th            Day 78      2 hrs                            Triage editing/fixing

Aug 5^th            Day 79      2 hrs                            Triage editing/fixing

Aug 6^th             Day 80      1.5 hrs                       Triage editing/fixing

Aug 7^th             Day 81      New “to do list” to fix/rewrite etc

Aug 8^th             Day 82       2 hrs                          Triage editing/fixing

Aug 9^th              Day 83     2 hrs                           Triage editing/fixing

Aug 10^th          Day 84       2 hrs                          Triage editing/fixing

Aug 11^th          Day 85        2 hrs                          Triage editing/fixing

Aug 12^th          Day 86      4 chapters                 Triage editing/fixing

Aug 13^th          Day 87     4.5 chapters              Triage editing/fixing

Aug 14^th          Day 88     1.5 chapters                 -little burned out

Aug 15^th          Day 89      3.5 chapters                 Triage editing/fixing

Aug 16^th          Day 90     4 chapters                    Triage editing/fixing

Total word count: 94, 111.

 

My Interview with Diana Rowland (@dianarowland)

 My Sound Bites podcast interview with my mentor and all around FABULOUS woman, Diana Rowland, is up on Bitten By Books. If you're a fan of urban fantasy, demon summoning or zombies, I recommend checking out Diana's books! We talk a lot about her new series which begins with "My Life as a White Trash Zomibe." There are three books currently out in her demon series with more to come, you can see all those and the back cover blurbs HERE.

If you're a writer, then you MUST listen to this interview. Writing advice on all aspects of the industry just flows out of Diana and it's a great opportunity to learn from a professional author!

Some people had trouble getting the player to work on the Bitten By Books site, so if that's the case for you, you can also listen to the interview using the DIRECT LINK HERE.

You can leave feedback for the episode on the Bitten By Books page in the comment section. :)