Birth of a Novel 2012 - Objection Completion #4

I fail. Well, depending on your definition of "fail." I didn't complete any of my set goals this week. However, that's not to say that I didn't do anything. In fact, I feel like I did quite a lot.

I put my "shelving" binders together for ROYALLY BURNED; FOREVER, FROG; and AFTER AUSTIN. I even made a whole video about it (seen at the bottom of this post).

I finished labeling all of my posts so my blog is "perfect." Everything is in order and my brain is completely at ease.

School is in order and I feel as if I'm ready for my semester tests. I'll be getting my PSAT results any day now!

Even though I did all of these things and I'm proud to have accomplished them, I still feel kind of guilty about not completing my goals. The whole time I was working on all of these other things, the worry about not doing what I said I would niggled at me. And I didn't like it.

So. I've reached a decision.

I already planned on stopping Birth of a Novel at the beginning of the new year since I have a new goal setting system I want to try. Now though, I think this is a better stopping point.

The rest of December is for friends and family and fun. I have my best friends' birthday party to go to this weekend. Then Christmas. Then laziness because I won't be in school. ;) I don't want to be worrying about specific goals, especially since I have a habit of setting them too high. I want to enjoy the season.

I leave you with this, my last Birth of a Novel wrap-up.

Last week's goals:
1. Reach 37k on OBJECTION before I go to bed on Sunday. Didn't get to at all.
2. Reach 40k on OBJECTION by next week's BoaN post. I did actually make some progress on OBJECTION. Yesterday I managed to get to 32,393 words.
3. I will do jumping jacks for the duration of three minutes every day. I am proud to report that I completed my three minutes on Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Wednesday.

This is the song I do my jumping jacks to.

This is my shelving vlog.

Letting Your Brain Babies Go

I started writing my first "real novel" when I was in third grade. My mother had put one of my birthday presents in her closet and forgotten about it. It was a journal. Upon discovering it two months later, she gave it to me.

Thus, it began.

This must have been around the time I was into ERAGON because I determined to write about a dragon. Her name was Diamond and she was black, hence the title BLACK DIAMOND. I dove into it without any real thought, being eight years old. I worked on it periodically now and then and slowly a bit of a plot and other dragon characters started to appear.

Years went by and I started it over about four or five times, never finishing a full draft. The "novel" evolved. Eventually, my story gained human characters.

In seventh grade, I started writing poetry and spending time on the Neopets writer forum. There I learned about NaNoWriMo.

Thus, other things began.

I finished my first draft of THE LULLABY, reveled in this first time accomplishment, then went back to my old story, now entitled RUBIES AND SILVER. I had begun to put at least some thought into my stories by then and the idea occurred to me that I could somehow connect the two novels. Later I, luckily, vetoed this idea.

More time passed and I started rewriting THE LULLABY and contemplating THINKING OF YOU. My friend of old had fallen to the wayside and this worried me. I went to great lengths to revive it, reworking major parts of the story, though keeping the same characters and main conflict. It became ROYALLY BURNED. You may remember me mentioning it.

You may also remember that I've never really, really done anything with it. Sure, I planned out a whole continent and attempted to start drafting, but that's not much, not enough. ROYALLY BURNED doesn't grasp me like my newer stories, doesn't hold the same appeal. I'm essentially beating a dead horse.

But... I'm scared to let go of my very first characters. In a way, I still love them, still smile when I occasionally think about those long-ago-written scenes.

However, it's time to let it go.

And not just ROYALLY BURNED. There are two other ideas I'm shelving, at least for the near future: FOREVER, FROG and AFTER AUSTIN.

You may remember when I started the first draft for FOREVER, FROG and failed miserably. I don't know if I've ever mentioned AFTER AUSTIN in a post, but it's been up on my Projects page. They're intended to be verse companion novels.

There are a few reasons I'm dropping them.

First, as with ROYALLY BURNED, they're just not speaking to me. They haven't in a long time. I never fleshed them out, especially AUSTIN, and that might be the source of it. However, I have too many other stories to focus on at the moment to try.

Second, I don't know if I can write a verse novel. I can write poetry, and I can write novels so I don't see why I couldn't write a combination of them. Something just feels off about it. I normally wouldn't let the challenge stop me, it's always an adventure to step out of your comfort zone, but that's a project I would need to focus all of my attention on, and I just can't do that right now.

Most importantly, I'm not ready to write about these subject matters, mainly child kidnapping/molestation and rape. I don't know why I ever thought I could tackle them. They're too big for me, especially at this stage in my life. I've been thinking perhaps I could work these stories in a different angle, away from these topics, but again, that would take time I don't have right now. Maybe in a year or two.

To make a clean break with these stories, I'm going to go through all of my writing files and find the bits and pieces that relate to them. Then I'm going to buy some grey binders, just as these novels are now displayed in grey on my Projects page, and fill them with those odds and ends. Then I'll put them away, up in my closet, though I may never completely forget about them.

Have you ever had to shelve a project, temporarily or otherwise?

A More Specific Beginning

Beginnings are one of my favorite things. The beginning of a week (Sunday, people, Sunday), the beginning of a month, and especially the beginning of a year. And today happens to be all three of those. Why do I like beginnings so much? I'm explained it before so I won't waste words.

"...everything is suddenly fresh, like everything has been wiped clean and I can just start over. It also sort of feels like a jumping off point."

-A Hopeful Beginning (January 1, 2011)

Of course, beginnings lead to endings (right after middles) lead to beginnings. And seeing as the post quoted above was a beginning and this post is a beginning, an ending had to occur in there somewhere. The ending of 2011. With that ending comes the fact that the year to accomplish the resolutions I expressed last New Year's is over. Before I move on to 2012, I would like to wrap up all things 2011.

I will be using the same format I used at my Midway Point report.

1. I will write everyday. I didn't do this. I didn't even build up to doing this. However, I have greatly improved my writing habits. With The Chrysalis Experiment I have managed to write every week excluding a few in the summer. With NaPoWriMo and NaNoWriMo I wrote everyday in April and November. And with Camp NaNoWriMo I wrote the majority of days in August. B
2. I will write a blog post or in my journal every day. I'm just going to give up on the journal. I've never been able to keep a steady one going and I hate what comes out when I write in them. Journaling just isn't for me. Blogging is more my style and, while I haven't done it everyday, I have erected a schedule for every third day (even if I kind of fell of the wagon the last month or so). Also, I have 169 posts for this year, just shy of a post every two days. B-
3. I will learn to vlog. I made two videos the whole year. Two. And only one of them was a vlog. I tried to make another video, but I failed because I didn't have the right editing software or knowledge. Editing is very essential to making good videos, vlogs or otherwise. D
4. I will become more organized with when and what I write (or edit). I really don't know how to assess how I did for this one. At the beginning of the year, I was pretty persistent and organized about how I "edited" THINKING OF YOU. I knew when I was going to write poetry (NaPoWriMo) and when I wanted to focus on a solitary project (ie. Camp NaNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo). But, I don't think I really accomplished what I was going for. C
5. I will become better at critiquing others work. Not only am I still a part of the blog Unicorn Bell that I mentioned at my Midway Point report, I also have two new critique partners. Steph Sinkhorn and Christina Bejjani. A
6. I will not give in to peer pressure or do anything that I don't want to do (excusing homework assignments). Haven't experienced any serious peer pressure. N/A

I suppose I didn't do too terribly bad, but I won't dwell on it. Instead I'm going to take those mistakes and achievements and move on into 2012 by jumping straight into my goals with a vlog stating this year's New Year's Resolutions!

And for those that can't see the video:

1. I will have THINKING OF YOU ready for query. I need to get serious about my writing. I'm focusing on one project, part of that whole "organized" thing. This is the project I chose because I know what direction I want to go with it and I feel closest to it right now. As an add on to this goal, I also want to have a brief outline of the sequels.
2. I will have two new first drafts. One from Camp NaNoWriMo (probably doing August) and one from NaNoWriMo (November). One being my untitled princess close story (which I've mentioned once) and the other being a dystopian based around marriage. I wrote two new first drafts in 2011, I can do it again.
3. I will win National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo). I haven't written much poetry since I did this last year, unless you count FOREVER, FROG. I really enjoy poetry and want to get back into it, plus this definitely helps with writing habits.
4. I will submit at least two short stories to anthologies and/or contests. Last year, I submitted my first Chrysalis story to an anthology. I rushed into it, forgot to put a title in my email and used a casual email address. I also entered a contest hosted by Seventeen magazine. This one I put a bit of thought into and I feel like it's turning out much better. It's still going on (my entry here and instructions on how to vote here). I want to continue to do these things and to put myself out there.
5. I will read at least one hundred books. I've talked before about how many unread books I have. That number hasn't gone down (quite the opposite in fact) and I would really like it to. I will be using GoodReads to keep track of this goal.
6. I will post at least one vlog a month. This is a more specific goal than last year's and, I feel, easier to keep track of. I've already started on this particular resolution. -pokes video above-
7. I will exercise. I talked about my lack of muscle in my summer's goals post and since then we have obtained a Kinect. Exercising while playing games is way funner. Those dancing games really burn after a while. This is my more personal goal.

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Second Summer in the City

Summer is great. It's always hot (hence, never cold), I don't have to get up early, and even though Lizzie's gone (because she hates me!) my friends and I have plenty of fun. It's my favorite season.

Unfortunately, it's also my most unproductive one.

In the book No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty, he lists lessons he has learned through his many years of NaNoWriMo. Number Two on that list states: Being Busy is Good for Your Writing (pg. 16). I am woefully not busy during the summer and it flashes by before I can get anything done.

This summer, I pledge to get things done. I pledge that this summer will not be wasted. I pledge that the following goals; Will. Be. Met.

Writing Related

1. The Lullaby rewrite will be completed.  This is a big one because this was scheduled to happen last summer. Did I mention summers are very unproductive for me?
2. Thinking of You story line revisions will be completed. Previously, I had this put off until July but I may start work on it sooner.
3. Royally Burned and the untitled princess clone story will be plotted out accordingly. I attempted to start Royally Burned this month and it just wasn't grasping me. This happened with Forever, Frog as well. All due to lack of planning. I am not going to let this happen again.

Reading Related

1. All unread books will have their status reversed. I have over one hundred books that I have yet to read. Good thing I'm a fast reader.
2. I will host two more Wonderful Weeks. For sure I will be doing one on the Left Behind series. The other is undecided, though I have a few ideas.

Nerd Related (you so saw that coming)

1. Pokemon versions FireRed, Emerald, and Platinum will be completed so I can start HeartGold. Google is your friend.
2. The Wii Fit Plus will be used as a tool to gain muscle. Simply explained, because I have none. XD

Forever, Frog is Nevermore

This month, as you may remember, I signed up for NEPMo (National Epic Poetry Month). I fully intended to do it, promise I did. I had a bit of a plot, a title, even a cover picked out (which I drew myself I might add). But it's just not going to happen.

I must admit, I should have known better than to book two month long challenges back to back like that (really three), but I figured they were just small poetry challenges. No big deal, right? Weeelll.... no. Poetry requires a lot of thought, about the right words, the perfect format. And it's mentally exhausting. I'm lucky only one or two of my NaPoWriMo poems were duds. It doesn't help that my stress levels are already high from everything else I have to do.

So. My NEPMo plans are cancelled (though WriDaNoJu is still on) and I'm planning to take a complete break from writing from the twenty-second of May to the thirty-first. Only planning will be allowed. Here's to hoping I have plenty of ideas and inspiration when June rolls around.

Reflections

I've been meaning to write this post since like November (or was it October?). There's this contest that is held at my school, and many others too, called Reflections. You may have heard of it. This year, and last, I entered with a writing piece (they have different categories for the different arts). These are the only years I have ever entered even though I've had the opportunity since elementary school. I always find the topics not to my liking (do not get me started on uncreative prompts). I have only entered the last two years because it was required by my English teacher at the time. Unfortunately, I have not won either time. So I thought I would share my entries with you, just for fun.

Year: 2009 
Topic: Beauty is...

Blair walked out of the department store, laden down with bags, in her new two-inch-long bright blue high heels. It went great with her new knee-length dress. The new headband didn't hurt either.

She was feeling very happy. A nice-looking man had told her she looked beautiful as she stood in front of him in line to pay for all of the clothes she had just picked from the racks and racks of different colored fabrics. Blair knew she was beautiful but it always helped when other people pointed it out.

As she rushed to call a taxi, she glanced up at the sky. It was clouded over and reminded her of a sponge about to be squeezed. She frowned a little. She didn't want her new dress to get wet. Suddenly, a little girl tugged on the edge of her new blue dress. Blair yanked away. The little girl was dirty and a great bouquet of colors covered the whole left side of her face. Her clothes were two sizes too big, and her hair was so matted with mud and knots, Blair couldn't even tell the color. The girl was truly ugly in Blair's eyes. Just then, the taxi pulled up to the curb and Blair quickly pushed the girl away in terror and jumped into the backseat.

Behind her the little girl landed on her tush. A tear slowly fell from her eyes leaving a clean streak of skin. She quickly brushed it away and stood up to brush herself off. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't go home, she hadn't any money for her father, and it looked as if it might rain soon. If only the well-dressed woman had listened to her, she might have been able to. Another tear fell down. Being pushed hadn't hurt near as much as the terrified look in the woman's eyes. It hurt even more than her father's blows. Just then the first drop of rain plopped on her nose. She quickly hurried to find shelter from the downpour.

~*~

At her home Blair laid out all of her new clothes and admired them. She reached for her purse to dig out her phone so she could send pictures to Tayler, her best friend. But it wasn't there! Blair groaned. She must have left it on the counter at the department store after she paid!

She'd have to go back and get it. If she hurried she could just make it. She quickly grabbed her umbrella and rushed to hail a taxi. At the department store Blair sighed with relief when the cashier produced her light purple purse. She walked back out to call a taxi for her ride home. Her new heels were starting to hurt her feet, but that was the price of beauty. The sidewalks were slick with water, and in a sudden lurch forward to try and hail a passing taxi, Blair slipped into a large puddle. She sat there in surprise, and then angrily slapped the water. Her new dress was ruined! She started to cry and tried to stand but she slipped again. Then the small girl from earlier appeared in front of her and held out her small hand to help Blair up from the puddle.

As the homeless little girl held out her hand, Blair saw what a rare beauty she truly was, despite her bruised cheek and ragged clothes. Blair felt ashamed at her actions of earlier when all she had seen was a dirty child, and felt ugly in comparison. For this child who had nothing, never envied the riches proudly display by the people who passed and had only wanted to ask for a little money so her father might love her. This small child had a beauty of her own kind, one that couldn't be bought at a department store or from a surgeon. Hers was one that others gained from and she herself didn't know she possessed. For hers was the most rare of all beauties. Hers was the beauty of love and kindness, the kind that made others smile and laugh and feel joy. The kind that compelled her to help up a rude, rich lady from a mud puddle and give them a hug even though she's all wet.

Year: 2010
Topic: Together We Can

He

took me
    as I walked home
pulled me
    into that silver SUV
covered my mouth
    as I tried to scream

Together we could have
    stopped
    prevented
        this

I

want to go home
    more than anything
hope every single day
    that they’ll find me
wish to be safe
    away from him

Together we can
    achieve
        this

They

found me
    and took him away
returned me
    and my mother cried
say it’s safe
    (but is that really true?)

Together we did
        this

How is that for some nice poetry? Yes, I'm a little smug (even if I didn't win). I love how I did the form and, I especially love that I figured out how to post it on the blog like it's supposed to be (I had a problem with that on Neopets). I've been thinking about using the topic of my poem (or something like that) for my NEPMo. What do you guys think?

Oh, and while we're on the subject of contests; you know the one I mentioned that's being hosted by Olive Garden? And you know how I said I was going to write my first City in the Sky short story for it? Well, it turns out I can't. They have a set prompt and that wouldn't be so bad except it's completely stiff and just bleh. You think someone (especially someone who is hosting a writing contest) could think of a creative prompt but, alas, it turns out that that isn't so. "Describe how furthering your education beyond high school will help make your dreams come true." Who wants to write about that? I might have an idea for it though and I have over a month left so who knows? Maybe it'll turn out better than I thought but, don't hold your breath (or stare at the sun).