Update...

Just got out of the hospital after being admitted for "diminished breath sounds" and a BP reading of 204/101. They have me on blood pressure medication now, but it has to come down slowly or it could damage my heart. Sooo...its still dangerously high but not critically. My hubby refused to bring me my laptop while I was there because he wanted me to rest...so please forgive my absence. Despite all of his attempts I still got a lot of planning done and have half a notebook full of ideas on how to enhance my characters and plot when I actually get to writing. Still on track for my goal of a complete outline in my first 30, but not sure if I will make my word count. But that's ok, I have had a lot of unforseen obstacles placed in my way...and I am still halfway to my goal :). Hope all of you are doing well.... Happy Writing!

Forgive my absence...

Apparently chronic bronchitis, which I was diagnosed with when I was a teenager, is now considered COPD.On top of the chronic bronchitis, I also have the flu.  I need to heal and get this under control, so I probably won't be blogging much because I am going to be doped up on cold meds and sleeping....so I ask that you please forgive my absence. I will pick up my BIAM as soon as I can breath and my body doesn't ache constantly.

On the mend...

So today I felt 100 times better than I did yesterday and I decided it was time to get caught up. I have several characters in my book and got kind of stuck on their development for a few days. I still have not truly finished that part of my planning, but the last day I did anything besides character development was day 7. Then I went back to character development and then I got the plague. So today I realized I had a lot to do to catch up so I grabbed everything I needed and sat down to get 'er done. I also realized I am going to have to schedule my days around my family because they absolutely refuse to plan theirs around me. This just means I have to write when they aren't home or sleeping, because they can and will distract me and not feel guilty about it at all.

So it's almost 7 o'clock my time. The ungrateful brats are fed, their homework is done, and their friends are all leaving for the night and I am working on Day 10 on day 12. I will probably try to get through day 12 before I go to bed, but I'm not going to exhaust myself.  I want to be able to write during my "sweet spot". I also want to be available to my children and husband, therefore, from 4pm to 7pm I am going to have a no writing time zone. I have also decided to make sure I get at least 6 hours of sleep everynight, it keeps me and my muse well rested and I am less likely to catch silly colds and virus's that kick my proverbial hiney.

Most importantly I have learned I must take care of me, or my characters will fade away to the Island of Unfinished Novels, my children will destroy my clean home and break all kinds of rules, and my husband will be nagging at me to put the pen/pencil down and come cuddle (which I think I may do now before the nagging begins, lol points for me yay!)

Todays Activities...

Will be updated during my blogging time zone...that would be approximately 6 or 7 MST. Come back about 7 ish and my insights of the day will be here to view.

Still no cure for the plague... or rewrites

So yesterday I printed out the first 30 pages of my novel, grabbed my kleenex, my inhaler, and my blankie and settled into make notes. So I started out well, I made notes about what needs to be added what needs to be removed, what really doesn't need to be there, and all that good stuff. Now, I am stuck because I want to go back and fix all of that stuff now...I know I can't, I know I need to keep moving forward or I am going to remain in this perpetual cycle of writing and re-writing and never really getting anywhere, at least not fast. However, I can not drag my muse out of the re-write, she seems to be stuck there and holding the rest of the story hostage until I add more detail to my first scene, change the noun to a proper noun....you get the picture right? So between feeling like a jurassic park sized piece of dung because I am still suffering from the TAG plague, I am frustrated with my muse and whoever thought it was a good idea to let the editor out of the closet yesterday...oh that would be me. I should've just stuck with the character sheets....sigh.

Teenaged girls have the plague...

I am convinced that all teenaged girls have the plague. Maybe it is because I am the mother of four boys, but it seems as though everytime one of my boys gets a girlfriend I get sick. I swear they are plague carriers. It's this horrible head and chest crud that just leaves you curled up in a ball on the couch gasping for breath. Well, anyhow now that you have listened to me wheeze through a rant (if you could really hear me, you'd hear the wheeze lol) I will get to my point. I did nothing yesterday other than sleep, sip hot tea, and hudlle in my blanket on the couch. Feeling a bit better today, but this may be all the writing I get done today. Maybe I will work on some more of my minor charater sheets long hand, but my blanket is looking really good right now. Till tomorrow...

Interesting Turn of Events

So I have been working on my character development for the past couple of days. Now that I have begun working on my minor characters, I have realized that a lot of them will become major characters in future books in the series. In the process of doing all of this my current story is changing. Have you any of you experienced this odd phenomenon? As you worked on your character development, your story changed?
Now I understand that my story is very character driven but regardless, I am glad I haven't written too awful much. Also, most of the story changes take place later in the 2nd and 3rd act, but now they require some type of build up. Am I over thinking this?

Day 7 an Inner Editor's Alarm Clock

Seriously?!?!? The biggest obstacle that has plagued my WIP is my inability to keep my inner editor locked tightly in her closet. So along come day 6 and 7 and she says look but don't touch. Re-Read what I have wrote? Make note's but don't re-write? How the hell do I do that **Begins to pull small locks of hair from her head** This is my biggest challenge yet! Maybe if I print it out, I will be able to just read it to her through the door and she won't come flying through it kicking and screaming the whole way. Maybe then, I can just take notes and not re-write...omg...SERIOUSLY!?!?!?

It's ok...there, there..

I love The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon is my favorite character, but I think I may have taken on part of his personality. That part where he can do no wrong in his brain, that part where he can accomplish anything because he always has.The idea of an unattainable goal is foreign to him. I have always been a realistic goal setter, never been a big dreamer, and prefer to expect the worst, because then when something good happens, its exceptionally good news. But when it comes to my WIP, all of those basic personal attributes went out the window.

So now that I have beaten around this bush until the grass won't grow anymore, I will get to my point. When I started this, 75k words in 30 days seemed attainable, and once I get my planning done it will be. However, right now I need to reel in my line and aim for something more attainable and necessary for me to complete this book! Planning Planning Planning, I didn't do a bit of it prior to trying to get these words out of my head and onto paper, so I am going to step back and reset my goals to something more realistic, stop dreaming too big, and expect that craps going to happen that will keep me from attaining my new goal and I just need to embrace the times the crap is not flying. So here it is...

In this, my first 30 day BIAM project, is going to be about stepping back about 3 steps and planning this story. I can write it the following thirty days, and revise it in the 30 after that. So here is my new goal for this first 30 days:

At the end of January, I will complete my outline and  have a thorough plan drawn out for Echo's Journey. In addition, I will have written at least the first 35k words of my novel.

Wish me luck on My Journey to finish Echo's Journey...and then give me a kick in the pants so that I keep traveling it.

The toothpicks snapped

Ok it's 5:30 am, I am caught up on the exercises in the book at this point...well technically. I have done all the exercises for Day 1,2, 3 and 5 from the book. If I do 4 today (Character Sheets) and spend an hour doing the writing exercises from the group page, I will be all caught up and can get some good writing done before bedtime. Most of Act 1 is written already, but I have a few scenes I need to squeeze in. Oh lord! I have to wake the kids up for school in 45 minutes...hope my alarm wakes me...

Couldn't get ahead with an ass kickin' machine

I won't give up though...anyone got a patent for that ass kickin' machine. In the past if I got this far behind, I would just throw my hands in the air and say fuck it. But, this time I made a contract with myself and my muse and I intend to honor my commitment. I am frustrated, yes, but as the contract says, I will celebrate after the thirty days even if I only complete 75% of my goal! I definitely realize the importance of planning now, I did none prior to starting this book, I just jumped in feet first. But, enough with the wah baby sissy la la crying, here is my progress for today..or lack thereof. Today was totally a one step forward two steps back. I started out trying to do Day three's exercise but when I looked at my 10 Scenes, I was very disappointed, they provided no guidance. Plus, I realized the daily writing exercises are in addition to the exercises in the book and trying to get my word count in. So now I sit here at almost 2 in the morning, mainlining coffee and Muddy Buddy Chex mix, just now finishing Scene 10. I am not going to bed until I have at least caught up with day three. Then I will still only be one day behind. I count my blessings, because since I am working on a work in progress, I have a little room for play on my word count. I'll probably go back to sleep in the morning after I get the kids off to school, but hope to update you tomorrow evening with the words "All Caught Up!" Wish me luck!!!

Whack! ...That would be the Brick Wall of Life

Ugh! I got absolutely nothing done yesterday. Wait that's not true, I managed to write my book title in the At-a Glance worksheet and then my life blew up around me. Looks like double the work today, after my job interview of course...sigh life does have a way of sneaking up on you doesn't it! I will post again this evening and let you know where I am.

Day 2... Very Productive.

Oh yeah baby! 3266 words today! Granted some of them were already written, but some of the ones from yesterday were copy and paste jobs. I kind of feel like I am cheating, but I did tell everyone my first BIAM was to finish a work in progress, so it's not like I am lying or anything. Still, I feel like I need to be real honest because I know a lot of my partners on this journey are starting from scratch! Hat's off to all of you who are.

Today was very productive, but I had a LOT of distractions. But between yesterday and today I was able to draft up a new beginning that I think will be a better hook for the reader and introduces the idea of the antagonist. The funny thing is, I know its somebody at the orphanage, I just haven't chose who it's going to be yet! As I re-read what I have written, I'm thinking who the heck is trying to sabotage this poor child, and then I remember I have to answer that question...lol....could be any of them! I hope one will step forward and reveal themselves to me, but with that said, my craziness has sown through, so I think  I will get off this box for the day! See you all in the morning!

Krista

Close Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

Good Morning Dear Readers!

Well yesterday I managed to squeeze in 2480 words before midnight. Yes I know, I didn't reach my goal, and I know that's a really round number; but that is indeed what I came up with. Today I will be working on my day two exercises. This entails doing 10 scene cards, which based on the last tables I posted, do not seem to translate well to my blog. So you tell me? Do you want to see them? If not, I totally understand. Well, my "get your butt off the internet and get to writing" alarm just went off, so I am going to follow its advice! I will check back when my daily goals are met to see if your interested in my scene cards. Until then...have a happy and productive day!

Day One Exercises - Ouch! My Brain Hurts!!!

So I had a really hard time with the one-liner. The reason why is silly and the solution was simple, but it definitely opened my eyes to the breadth of the project I am embarking on. Here's the thing...I have this whole story in my head, but to get from point A to point B is going to require several books; so I have accepted and embraced the fact that this is going to have to be a series. The problem I was having is I was envisioning the entire series when I was trying to develop the one-liner. My husband, insightful introvert that he is, came into my office and said, "Oooh! What's wrong?"So I explained it and he helped me to narrow down what one line describes this first book. I had to figure out how I was going to end this first book, to do it, and that may change, but here is my one-liner:

Echo has never known a mother's love or a father's for that matter; now that she has it, will it all be torn away?

Does it make you want to read it? Do you have an idea of what my story is about? You see, this is why I haven't proceeded past chapter 6 in ten years. I worry too much about whether or not people "get it".

Ok...day one Exercise 2 and then I need to set to writing my 2500 words for today.

PLOT
Main Story Idea
Echo moves into Michael and Georgie’s home and begins to experience what it feels like to be a part of a family. However, there are many things in play that threaten to disrupt the happiness of the fledgling family.
Hook/Catalyst/Inciting Idea
The discovery that someone is trying to interfere with the adoption process and why?
Act 1 Turning Point
The guardian angel reveals her true identity to Georgie in a dream and guides her to the identity of the saboteur.
The Stakes
Whether or not Echo will get to stay with her new Mom and Dad.
Characters
Main Characters	Minor Characters
Echo Marie Smythe	Lynn (Jennifer’s Assistant)
Michael and Georgia Marie Wildeberry (This name will change.)	Natalie (Echo’s roommate at the orphanage)
Jennifer (Echo's primary therapist/caregiver)	Big Missy (Echo’s secret mentor)

SETTING
Setting	Props
The Vehicles	Booster seat, radio, windows
Michael and Georgie’s House	Everything in it with special attn. to doors and closets and the general décor.
The Orphanage	The common areas and Echo’s Dorm/Unit
The Mall	The food court and the smells of the food court, with some attn. to the stores.

In the Beginning...

...I already started procrastinating. Instead of moving into week one in my book, I have made a new background for my computer. I did this so that the moment I sit down at my computer and log in the first thing I see is my BIAM contract. It's beautiful, my husband is a magnificent artist. I also, have responded to everyone on the group page, checked my email and my facebook entirely too many times, not sure what I am expecting to find different....but anyhow, check out my new background and my contract, it's awesome! Thank You Hunny! Now...for week 1.