Category: writing

January Results and February Goals

January Results

Write One Short Story

I succeeded in writing a short story, and actually reaching the end at the end of the month. If I had focused more on writing this month, I could have finished it a lot earlier and had a lot less stress, but it’s all a learning experience. I guess that’s the first lesson I’m taking in to February when I write the next short story.

Finish an Open Project

Technically, because I finished the short story this month, I finished an open project. That was not my intention, to count the short story as finishing something, but technically I did finish something this month. I still have a massive pile of things to finish, but I at least accomplished something over the last 31 days.

Compete in NYC Midnight’s Short Story Challenge

Unfortunately, between being in school and working full time, procrastination hit me hard when it came to the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge. I wasn’t super inspired by the genre, I had a larger amount of homework due than I expected, so I reluctantly had to pull out of the challenge to focus on what needed to be done. I’m looking forward to the next challenge that comes my way though!

Word Count: 14,035

February Goals

Write One Short Story

Writing a short story in January could have gone better, but I persevered and got it done. I’m hoping to continue the trend in February and add another short story to my growing collection. One short story a month for the year 2022 is going pretty well and I would like to continue the trend.

Finish An Open Project

Yet again, I have the goal to finish one of my open projects. I’m hoping to finish my project from last year’s NaNoWrimo, or even the novel I started back in 2020, but we shall see how the month goes. I’m hoping I can finish something so I can move back into editing in the next couple months.

Read One Book

My list of half read books is ever growing again and it’s time to finish reading something and refill the creative well. There are several contenders of what I can finish this month, and what I might possibly start reading once I finish another book.

What are your plans for February?

Wednesday Works: Caught Up in Research

Antique Firearms

The antique pistol let out a sad, soggy click, but would not fire. The main character looked down at the gun with a sigh.

“Not again!” She shouted in frustration. She smacked the butt of the gun with her soaking hands, hoping to dislodge some of the water. “Man, is the author going to be pissed.”

The villain dropped his aim. “Gun problems again, MC?”

“Yes!” She heaved a sigh. “Shouldn’t it be common sense that gunpowder doesn’t fire when it gets wet?”

The villain took a few water logged steps forward. “I’m sure I can help you with your soaking clothes instead.” He waggled his eyebrows.

The main character curled her face in disgust. “I’m sure we’re definitely not following the plot now, but—“

Space Swords

All around them the beach and the waves disappeared.

“What?” The main character asked, looking around as the scene disappeared. “Oh no! The author is messing with us again!” She looked down, instead of her pirate clothes, a space suit appeared instead. “I liked the pirate arc!”

The villain twirled his glowing light sword. “I dunno,” he said. “I’ve always been partial to space myself. Less rules to get caught up in. Like—“ He paused. “What happens when you fire a laser off into space, where does it stop and how many alien species could there be?” He laughed his evil laugh. “Much less rules to get caught in up here.”

The main character groaned. “But what about the principle of a pirate romance?”

The villain waggled his eyebrows again. “There can definitely be piracy in space. I would love to plunder your—“

“ENOUGH!” The main character shouted. “You and I aren’t supposed to be romantic until the last third of the book. Keep it to yourself for now until after the duel and when we can frustrate the writer the most.”

The villain winked then. “Yes, my Goody Two Shoes. I’ll be on my best worst behavior.”

Wednesday Works: The Call to Adventure

The letter arrived without pomp or circumstance. It was tucked between the water bill and the gas bill, barely even noticeable as he threw the mail on the counter after a long day at work.

“I’ll pay it when I get paid,” He grumbled, wiping the exhaustion of work from his face as he contemplated which frozen meal to throw in the microwave for dinner. He grumbled as he looked into the empty freezer. “Guess I’m not eating tonight.”

He sighed and pulled out his phone. How could he have let himself get so behind? Everyone else seemed so happy and stable where they were. Why did he have to suffer so much and hate every aspect of his life?

Why can’t I be successful as all my friends? Why can’t I go on adventures and “find myself”?

Three days later, he returned to the pile of bills, and found the letter with the fanciest handwriting he had ever seen on the front. For a moment, he simply stared. Could it really be addressed to him, or was it simply a mistake?

For one more moment, he held it in his hands. He weighed it, both opening it and ignoring it flashed through his head.

It was probably something dumb like a collections bill hidden as a handwritten invitation.

Eventually, his curiosity got the better of him. He opened it expecting the worst.

Instead, something much more cryptic.

“Treasure Awaits.”

Even more cryptic than that, underneath were coordinates.

Wednesday Works: Two Years and One Day

When I think about where I was two years ago (and one day), I think about how different my life was.

I think about how I was on a completely different path, one where I put another’s needs before my own.

I think about where I would be now if I had stayed on that path, if I had suffered in silence longer.

Two years (and one day) ago, before we started our adventure together, I was pretending more than I was being, surviving more than I was thriving, hurting more than I was healing.

Now, I am better.

Now I am thriving.

Now I am healing.

Growing, Changing, Building.

All of it together, with you.

You have let me build myself up, even when it’s been painful.

You have let me grow in each and every way, creatively, compassionately, brilliantly.

You’ve let me try and fail.

You’ve let me transform into who I’ve truly meant to be all along.

And I hope I have done the same for you.

I love you and I hope for more years together.

Love,

Your Bücket

Wednesday Works: The Seeker Of Words

The Seeker of Words spends her days trying to find the right word for the right situation. There are millions of words at her disposal, but sometimes the words hide and make her chase. Sometimes the words play hard to get and don’t come at the right time.

Most days, the Seeker of words prays to the muses and brings forth words that are close enough. She hopes the muses will bless her with the right words and bring them forth. The Seeker knows when she does find the words they will be great and powerful.

She searches and seeks them day and night.

Sometimes she might even get them right.

2022 Goals

Here’s to a New Year and new writing and publishing goals! This year, I hope to accomplish more than I have in the last couple of years. I want to push myself to be more creative.

Write Every Day

This is a goal I have every year. Last year, I wrote every single day for over half the year. This is the year I do it for 365 days and hopefully build a habit that lasts a lot longer. This year, with a little luck and a lot of drive, I’ll get some writing done every single day, whether it’s one sentence or more.

Short Story a Month

In years past, I attempted to write a short story every month. I’m planning to pick it up again and get more short works done this year. It won’t be easy, but I’m hoping it will be worth it in the end.

Write/Edit Six Novels in 2022

2022 is the year of editing. I have several finished novels that have been waiting to have their edits. It’s been a couple years, the novels have had space, and it’s time to start some edits. I always like to have several projects open, so there will be some writing too. I am shooting for at least six novels either edited or written.

Read at least Four Books

Over the years, I have given up reading for writing. I have several books on the backlogs and I always love a good story. I’m going to read to refill the creative tank every once in a while. With any luck it will be more than just school books.

Creative Challenges

Over the years, I have competed in a few creative challenges. In 2022 I am going to compete in even more. I want to compete in any writing competition I can find this year. I’m leaving myself open to opportunities that might come up in the next twelve months.

Here’s how I’m going to attempt some of them in January:

January Goals

Write One Short Story

Technically, this month I will write two short stories, one for myself and one for the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge. I want to write a short story each month this year. There’s no place to start like January.

Finish an Open Project

I have several projects still open from 2021 and 2020. I would like to make my project list shorter. Hopefully, this month I can get some good writing in and finish something. I want to feel that high of finishing a creative project again.

Compete in NYC Midnight’s Short Story Challenge

For the second short story I write this month, I am excited to say I signed up for the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge again. I participated last year, and had a blast. This year I’m back to do it again. Last year was fun, but hopefully I can move onto the next round and make it farther than I have in the past.

Wish me luck!

December Results and 2021 Year End Wrap Up

December Results

Finish an Open Project

December seemed to get away from me this year. I had lots of plans to write and create and finish an open project, but with getting sick (thankfully not COVID, but a nasty chest cold), working long hours through December and finishing up a class for my Bachelor’s program, finishing a writing project wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. I still made a lot of progress and wrote every day, but some projects will need to be extended into 2022.

Read One Book (That isn’t related to school)

In December I managed to start a lot of books, mainly non-fiction. I have a few novels I’ve started to read and then had to put down, but I am happy to say, I finished a book. And even better than that, it was an actual print book. I can’t remember the last time I sat down and read an actual book with pages. Even better than that, the book also has a sequel so I definitely know what I’m reading next. Stay tuned!

Word Count: 9,643

2021 Year End Wrap Up

Write every day of 2021:

As hard as I tried this year, it was not possible to write every day. Whether it was a distraction such as a new job, or taking a day off for vacation or studies, this year it simply wasn’t possible to write every single day. While there were some days where not writing was necessary, a lot of it also had to do with sheer laziness or distraction. Still, I persisted and toward the later half of the year I set up good habits for myself

Here are my percentages for the months of 2021:

January: 97%, with a total of 30/31 days.

February: 96%, with a total of 27/28 days.

March: 77%, with a total of 24/31 days.

April: 33.3%, with a total of 10/30 days.

May: 67%, with a total of 21/31 days

June: 100%

July: 100%

August: 100%

September: 100%

October: 100%

November: 100%

December: 100%

Finish writing at least 4 novels:

  1. Strange Birds- Finished February 4th, 2021
  2. Coming Back as We Are- Finished July 24th, 2021
  3. My Heart With You- Finished September 29th, 2021

Read at least 6 books:

  1. Piece By Piece- Tori Amos and Ann Powers- finished February 2021
  2. A Court of Silver Flames- Sarah J. Maas- finished March 2021
  3. Bridge of Souls-Victoria/V.E Schwab- finished May 2021
  4. Shakespeare Sonnets and Plays: Henry V, Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, Hamlet- September to October 2021
  5. Steal Like An Artist/Show Your Work- Austin Kleon- Finished October 2021
  6. Spellbreaker- Charlie N Holmberg- Finished December 2021

Gain More Confidence in my writing abilities:

  1. Participated in NYC Midnight’s Short Story competition- January 2021
    Unfortunately, for this competition, I didn’t make it past round one. It was definitely fun to write something in a genre I never have before.
  2. Participated in NYC Midnight’s Microfiction Competition- May 2021
    Unfortunately, I didn’t make it past round one in this competition. Still, I put myself out there and had some fun writing a story in under 100 words.
  3. Participated in NYC Midnight’s Flash Fiction Competition- July 2021
    This year, I really enjoyed the Flash Fiction Competition. My first genre was historical fiction, but the round I had the most fun with was the second round where I got to write a horror story. I was super excited to get second place with my horror story. I didn’t quite make it to round three, but I am quite proud of my work.

Send out something for Publishing:

This year, I started with an editing plan. I was going to finish editing this novel I’ve been sitting on for years, send it out and hopefully hear back by the time 2022 rolled around. Unfortunately, with distractions and new projects and everything else going on, I didn’t send out anything original for publishing. I did however post a lot of pieces online and through Fanfiction websites.

Miscellaneous, but Writing Related

  1. Started a creative writing bachelor’s program.
  2. Built some book shelves, got chairs, a new desk lamp, and a new office chair to make a true writing space for myself.
  3. Created a new instagram for my doodles.
  4. Participated in Instawrimo and Inktober and built up my online presence.

Yearly Word Count: 221,122

One Final Note: Thank you to you, reading this. Thank you for spending some time with me in 2021 as I create and blog. May 2022 be a great year for us both!

November Results and December Goals

Another month here and gone! I love November and the flurry of deadlines it brings, but now we’re in December and it’s time to start winding down the year. November was quite a fun month with the hectic rush of writing 50,000 words (or more) in the 30 days of November, plus school and working full time. It’s months like these that sometimes make me believe I thrive in chaos.

Here’s how I did in November.

November Results

NaNoWriMo

This year, NaNoWriMo went spectacularly. It wasn’t my best year by far, but I was able to get ahead and stay ahead for most of the month. I finished off strong and got more than 10K over the original goal and the good basis for the start of a novel. As it usually goes, I still have more project to write after November, but I’m thankful I left myself a few plot threads and a few rabbit holes to fall down in the next coming weeks.

Doodle More

Unfortunately this month, I didn’t doodle as much as I would have liked. My focus was almost exclusively on working on my NaNoWriMo project, but I did work on one doodle throughout the month. I created a calendar where I colored in the boxes based on how I wrote day by day. It got a little creative juices going and some excitement to keep up the momentum and not lose a good writing streak. Hopefully in December I can get back to more doodles.

Word Count: 61,510

Here’s what I hope to accomplish in December.

December Goals

Finish an Open Project

I have a few open projects I would like to finish as the year draws to a close. I’m excited to keep writing the novel I started during NaNoWriMo and hopefully to finally finish a novel I’ve been slowly chipping away at since last year. Some novels come out quick, and others take their time, but I’m hoping to get some decent words down in December and hopefully form a habit I can keep for the rest of this year and into the next.

Read One Book (That isn’t related to school)

I’m happy to say I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading over the past few classes during my bachelor’s program. I’m sad to say that it hasn’t really been the reading I enjoy doing. While everything I’m learning is quite interesting, I would like to sit down and finish a book that isn’t related to my schooling in December. I’ve started several books this year, so I really have my pick of the book I want to finish before 2021 ends. Hopefully I can finally get through a novel.

October Results and November Goals

Another month has come and passed and more goals have been attempted and achieved. October has been fun and I am excited for all the progress I’ve made. Here’s how I did on my goals for October:

October Results

Instawrimo

Instawrimo went very well this year. It was wonderful to get reacquainted with instagram and do something out of the ordinary. I’m used to writing, and keeping to myself for the most part, but it was nice to expand my creative horizons and share more of myself with the world. You can see my progress in Instawrimo (here)

Inktober

Inktober was quite interesting this year. I doodled and created. As hectic as this month was, doodling was so calming, it made me want to continue and reduce my stress further. In the past few years I have played around with making a social media for my doodles, and so I finally did. You can see my progress from Inktober (here).

NaNoWriMo Preparation

Preparation for NaNoWriMo went rather well this year. I found which direction I wanted to go, and for a lot of the days it felt like something new came up and helped get the story into place. I am so excited to finally start writing something new in November. Hopefully this will be something I can finish in a relatively speedy manner.

Finish an Original Novel

I wrote quite a lot in October. I chugged away every day on my original novel that’s been patient while I shove it to the side to work on other things. While it wasn’t necessarily the writing progress I wanted, I still managed to make a lot of progress. Now I feel more confident in my ability to finish the novel (hopefully in December!). I have finally reached the fun part, just in time to put it away and start something new.

In October, I started a new instagram for my doodles. I also completed my Shakespeare class (Thank Goodness!) and started a new class in my Bachelor’s program. At my job, I have been given more responsibilities, which is nice, but also makes writing and creating harder some days. Still, my job makes me happier than I was at the previous place so I am in no way complaining.

In October, I also found out I placed second in the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Contest and the joy was such a relief after a difficult work week. Unfortunately, I did not get to compete in round 3 of the competition, but I will definitely take the win. There’s always next year!

Word Count: 11,347

November Goals

NaNoWriMo

This year for NaNoWriMo I am writing a sequel to a novel I finished in 2019. I loved writing the first book, but a lot of plot points got shoved into the last few chapters. I realized a sequel would be the perfect remedy, so that’s what I’m writing this year. You can see all the details I have so far (here).

Doodle More

Last Month, during Inktober, I really enjoyed doodling and making something with my hands. Writing is an interesting hobby because for most of the time it’s looking at a screen and typing but having nothing truly physical to show for it. There are times that I feel like I really want to make something with my hands, so I’m hoping doodling will cure that itch and help me to stress less.

What I’m Writing: NaNoWriMo 2021

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited November is almost here. November and NaNoWriMo is one of my favorite times of year. There’s something so refreshing about taking a break from whatever writing project I’m working on (or drudging through) and starting something new.

For NaNoWriMo this year, I am pleased to announce I am writing a sequel to one of my most favorite novels I have ever written. I had so much fun with the book that I finished in 2019.

This year, I chose the title Magic and Romance.

I have a good majority of it planned out, but as usual I am so excited to see what fun and exciting surprises come my way too.

Are you writing during NaNoWriMo? You can become my buddy here .

September Results and October Goals

As we approach the changing of the seasons and turn inward, I wanted to start wrapping up projects and get ready to start new projects down the road.

Here’s how I did in September:

September Results

NYC Midnight’s Flash Fiction Contest Round Two

First of all, let me say that I really enjoyed this round of the flash fiction contest. The feedback I got wasn’t absolutely terrible from round one and I feel like I was able to take the feedback and apply it to round two. For round two, my genre was horror, one I have been itching to write and submit something in for quite a while. The story was one of my best so far. I am so excited for the judges to read it and give feedback. Writing for the Flash Fiction contest again this year has renewed my enjoyment in writing. I’m so glad I was able to write something I can be proud of.

Finish More Projects

Surprisingly, I finished something in September. For the longest time I didn’t expect it because the month only got crazier as it went on. I finished another fanfiction piece on the 29th (Nothing like a close deadline to inspire a procrastinator!). Thankfully, I finally finished a lingering project and I feel so much better for it.

Finish Reading a Book

As far as reading one book this month goes, I didn’t finish a novel like I wanted, but I did read a total of five Shakespeare plays for my Shakespeare class. I’m counting that as an accomplishment, even if it didn’t appear as I would have liked it to appear. Shakespeare is still reading, and it is still fiction, even if it isn’t always enjoyable for me.

Word Count: 16,215

In other news, in the month of September, I was able to read three Shakespeare plays, edit six sections of my novel, and post several chapters up of my now finished Fanfiction projects. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

October Goals

Instawrimo/Inktober

As it just so happens, this year both Instawrimo and Inktober are in the same month. While I am not sure I’ll be able to do both, I am certainly going to try. I really enjoyed Instawrimo when I did it a few years ago, and Inktober is always fun, even though I am not the best artist. Still, everything is practice. It might be fun to do something new this year.

NaNoWriMo Preparation

Finally at the end of last month, I got an idea for my NaNoWriMo 2021 Novel. I played around with a few ideas, and then in the car on the way to work, my mind went: Write a sequel. Needless to say, I have a decent amount of planning to do on a sequel I had no idea would exist last week.

Finish an Original Novel

I have goals to achieve and one of them includes finished novels. During the month of October, I really want to finish an original novel that’s been in my to do list for over a year now. I’m about two thirds of the way through and I’m hoping I can get through the last third in October.

Wednesday Works: The Magic Of Trees and Strangers

After hiking the usual area for weeks and weeks, he found himself surprised when a new tree, fully grown just showed up.

Right in the middle of the path, a full grown tree had appeared, as if overnight. The leaves were full and bright and beautiful, flowing blossoms along the branches, huge apples, glossy and appetizing along the low hanging branches. He reached out and grabbed one, then promptly dropped it.

“EXCUSE YOU!” A voice seemed to come from within the tree. “Those apples are mine!”

He wondered if he was suffering from heat stroke. Trees didn’t talk.

“Hello?” He said, looking around. Someone was obviously playing a joke on him. “Is someone there?”

“I don’t know why I should even bother talking to you, Apple Stealer!” The same voice came from the tree. “I’m not sure what you can do for me!”

The tree definitely was talking. He was definitely suffering from heat stroke or something more serious.

“How are you talking right now?” He asked next. “Why is a tree talking to me?” Maybe he was simply dreaming.

The tree groaned. “I am not a tree!” It screeched. “Don’t you know a lady when you see one?”

He tried not to laugh, he really did. But the laugh came out anyway. “A lady?” He asked. “You’re a tree!”

She scoffed. “I wasn’t always a tree!” She said. “I was a lady yesterday!”

He almost couldn’t believe it.

“So what happened?”

The tree sighed and her leaves shuddered as if blown by a hard breeze. “I am never ever going on a night hike under the full moon again!” Her branches seemed to move like she was pointing a finger at him. “Never. Ever. Make a deal. With a good looking hiker.” Her branch struck him hard. “He will turn you into a tree with no way of returning!” Her leaves and branches shuddered once more then froze.

It wasn’t every day he met a woman in the form of a tree on the path. “Well how did you piss him off?” He asked. “That sounds like a faerie, and they only interfere like this when you piss them off.”

The tree groaned once more. “He asked me for my name,” she said next. “And I called him a creep and told him to leave me the hell alone.” She huffed and puffed. “Next thing I know, I’m a tree.”

He couldn’t help but laugh then. “Well, then you were asking for it.”

That only made the tree more furious, her leave shaking, her apples falling and rolling down the path.

“You are impossible!” She groaned at him. “How was I supposed to know?!”

He couldn’t stop laughing, but then he felt bad. “I suppose you wouldn’t.” He couldn’t help but wonder what she had looked like as a human.

She would probably just ignore him, like every other girl he had hoped would be remotely interested in him.

“Did he give you a riddle of how to reverse it?” He asked next. It was the least he could do to help her reverse it.

“No,” She said. “And if he did, I wasn’t paying attention once I was a tree.”

“Well,” he said, “Maybe it’s a good thing you’re a tree.”

At first she was offended.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, you have nice apples, but I’m sure your face is just atrocious, like a total dog.”

Still, she was offended.

“And don’t get me started on your love handles.” He had a hunch, but he needed to make her laugh. “If your lower branches are any indication. Curvy tree there. Probably at least 250 if not more.” She was silent and he figured that was a bad thing. “You don’t have any human responsibilities anymore, no bills, no trashy Stacy stealing your man.”

The tree scoffed. “That bitch doesn’t deserve my man and if I could, I would chuck my apples so hard at her.”

He couldn’t stop laughing at her. Eventually, her rage quelled and she started laughing too. The more she laughed, the more her leaves shook, the more her apples fell down to the path, the more her laughter started to sound more human with every chuckle.

When the last leaf fell, in front of him stood a very human girl, her smile lighting up her whole face.

“Well,” he said as she stood before him. “Would you look at that? Not a dog at all.”

She moved her very human hands down her torso and then looked at her own human hands. “I’m me again!”

In the rush of excitement, she tackled him with a hug. Then she realized what she had done.

“Does this me have a name?” He asked next.

“Oh no!” She answered after that, the smile still on her face. “I’m not falling for that one again.”

August Results and September Goals

August is gone and September is here! I am excited for the prospect of fall. The goals in August were not unattainable, but I did have other obligations (like school) that had to come first.

Here’s how I did in August:

August Results

Finish More Projects

Unfortunately, I did not finish more projects in August, like I had hoped. Things other than writing picked up and I had to give my attention to them rather than finishing another project. I made good progress and the project is much closer to being done, but I was not able to finish it in time for the end of August.

Read One Book

While I didn’t finish a book this month, I did get a good amount of “reading” in. I say “reading” because I’ve been listening to audiobooks as I bake (another new hobby). It’s been nice to take a break from writing and struggling through some scenes and get off my phone for a short amount of time. Not only am I reading, but I am also learning a new skill for later.

Edit More

As much as I wanted to edit up a storm this month, it simply didn’t happen. I got two sections done, which wasn’t very much at all, but I did get to turn the page on my outline, so I will take that small victory. Editing, like I’ve said before is different from writing and this month I struggled to find time and sit down and do it. Hopefully next month will be better.

Write More, Spend Time on Social Media Less

While I had intended to spend more time writing and less time on social media, I ended up reading a good portion and writing a decent portion. I wasn’t totally successful in staying off of social media on some days and respecting the time blocks I put on them, but I would like to think I’m getting better and more mindful of how much time I spend there.

Odds and Ends

In August, I finished my second class in my Bachelor’s program, Literature, with another A. I’m very pleased with myself and thankful I can push myself into producing good work on short deadlines.

I also picked up a new baking hobby. It’s so nice and such a refresher for my mental health to start something and see results, whether good or bad, in about an hour. Writing projects can drag on for a long time, so it is nice to feel a little accomplished here and there.

Word Count: 13,403

Here’s what I’m planning for September.

September Goals

NYC Midnight’s Flash Fiction Contest Round Two

I am excited for the results from round one and another shot in round two. I’m looking forward to the chaos and madness that is writing a piece that is less than a thousand words in 48 hours. I am really hoping I get a genre that I haven’t really been able to explore before. Either way, I am always excited to start something new.

Finish More Projects

Now that I’ve been writing more regularly and getting some projects closer to completion, I’m looking forward to finishing more projects. Since it didn’t happen in August, like I wanted, I am extending the deadline to September. I am also hoping I’ll finish more than one project, and wrap up some other pieces that have been lingering.

Finish Reading a Book

As I said last month, I have a lot of books started, but not finished. It’s been a really long time since I’ve spent time reading. September seems like the perfect time to refill the creative tank and finish reading something. Whether it’s sitting down and reading or listening to a book while I whip up a loaf of banana bread.

What are your goals for this month?

July Results and August Goals

Some months I feel like I’m on top of the world, others I feel like things are lacking. July started off strong, then started to spiral toward the middle as things got more hectic. I started working more, school became a bit more involved. Everything seemed to come all at once.


Here’s how I did in July:

July Results

NYC Midnight’s Flash Fiction Contest Round One

This year, writing for the NYC Flash fiction contest was a little different. I struggled to get motivated to even start and since my genre was historical fiction (for the second contest this year— the first being the Microfiction contest in May), I had some research to do. Overall, I was able to get the words out in an afternoon and make sure it was submitted on time after at least four rounds of edits. I had fun and this is one of those contests where I always feel like I gain something, even if I’m not totally enthused to do it. Another plus is I started and finished a new project in the same day, which never really happens.

NYC Midnight’s Microfiction Contest Round Two

Unfortunately, I didn’t place in round one so did not continue in round two. Thankfully, it does mean I’m getting some work out there and getting feedback on projects. I would have liked to continue, but there’s always next year.

Camp NaNoWriMo

This Camp NaNoWriMo I was supposed to be editing, but in reality it became a bit of writing and editing. The first few days of the month went quite well, with at least some words added to several open projects I’ve had open for quite a while. With editing, it was quite hard to calculate words and before the month was even halfway done, I had passed my goals from previous months. I started with the goal of 30K, but changed it to 50K around the 10th of the month.

As with life, everything began to blow up toward the middle and the end of the month and I ended up passing my original goal, but not the augmented goal. Either way, I’m still counting it as a win, even if it is unofficial.

Send Something out for Publishing

So, I technically reached the goal of sending something out for publishing. It wasn’t a short story, and it wasn’t anything that will make me money, but I did finish a piece of fan fiction and I did post at least the first chapter to popular fan fiction sites. It’s not exactly how I imagined it, but it is a win and a bit of an ego booster too. Maybe sometime soon I will send something original out for publishing, but I’m happy with my progress for now.

Word Count: 31,664

July had some pretty hefty goals, and I did my best to reach most of them, at least the ones I could reach. I wrote more than I edited, but I made some decent progress in a lot of works. I even finished a project I’ve been working on for years. It’s a piece of Fanfiction, but I will still take pride in finishing something. I managed to write something every day this month, and that is something I am quite proud of.

In other news, I’ve been working more and adulting more, so the blog suffered just a bit here and there. Over the next couple of months I’m hoping to start posting with more regularity again.

July was a month to focus on my health as well. I finally took control of my eye health and wellbeing and underwent LASIK on the 30th. Before, my prescription was strong, and having to deal with glasses and contacts was starting to get frustrating. To have the gift of full sight back, and to have it only get better over the next few weeks, is a wonderful thing. It’s something I can’t even put into words, but having full vision back for the first time since I was ten years old is absolutely wonderful!

August Goals

Finish More Projects

After finishing a project in July (finally!), I’ve got a taste for finishing more projects. I have several that are slowly wrapping up, and I’m hoping to get them at least closer to finished if not fully finished.

Read One Book

After starting several books in several mediums (audio, kindle and physical), I would really like to finish another book. It’s been a couple months since I sat down and enjoyed a good book. I’m looking forward to getting back to it.

Edit More

During July, I got a good amount of editing done, but not nearly as much as I wanted. Editing is a different animal than writing, and uses a different part of the brain and more time. I’m hoping to make it through at least five sections in August, and hopefully more.

Write More, Spend Time on Social Media Less

I managed to write a lot in June and July when I focused more on getting some writing down and built up a habit. In July, I started to spend less time on social media and flash games, but then it came back with a vengeance and writing was like pulling teeth. Social media has started to affect my mental health in ways that are not healthy, so I’m going to reduce the time I spend there and focus more on my writing. Hopefully great things will come from it.

Wednesday Works: The Fate of the Telegraph Operator

When the telephone was invented, the telegraph operators found they were out of work. The whole process started slowly, a few telegraph operators at a time laid off over the first couple weeks. The majority of them all gone, the last few were the longest there.

And then, there was one.

His name was Gerald, and operating a telegraph was all he had ever known. His first instinct was to go to the boss, tell him there was some mistake. They couldn’t just let him go. He lived and breathed working the telegraph. It simply couldn’t be true that the telegraph was coming to an end.

His boss told him it was true.

“Go on, Gerald!” He said, in the middle of clearing out his office too. “You’re young, you’ll bounce back at the drop of a hat.” Gerald didn’t want to believe it. “Go on, take some time, see the world, experience the world that exists outside of the telegraph and find yourself.”

“I wouldn’t even know where to start, sir,” Gerald answered. “This job is all I’ve ever known. I’m not sure I would want to learn how to use those fancy telephonics.”

His boss understood. “There’s so much more to this world than working. And there will be more changes besides the telephone coming our way soon enough. Just go, just live and you’ll find your way.”

Gerald, the last telegraph operator, bought a train ticket and never looked back. He rode the train all the way out west, and back east again. He saw all the sights he could, picked up work when and where he needed it. He learned all he could and met as many people as he could. He experienced life, and then when it was finally time to settle down, he sat in front of a computer to tell his story.

June Results and July Goals

The year is now half over, and I can’t believe how fast it’s been going. While June has been very productive for me, I still have some work to do in July.

First, here’s how June went:

June Results

Finish at least one open project

I unfortunately did not reach my goal of finishing one open project. As hard as I tried, I just had way too much fun working on as many open projects as I could at the same time. I made decent progress in all of the projects I do have open and paved the way for them to be finished someday hopefully soon. This month, I added words to projects that haven’t been touched in months, years, and it felt so good.

Reach the Halfway Point of Edits in BOOK A

I like to set lofty goals for myself, and this goal is definitely one of them. I’m relatively new to editing and sometimes I need to be reminded that editing isn’t writing. Sometimes editing isn’t even close to writing. This month, while I did make progress, I did not get anywhere near as close as I wanted to toward the halfway point. The good news is, I made it through a few scenes and sections and I’m now more invested in my edits.

Blog More

This month, blogging did not go as I expected it to go. Wednesdays came and went and any time I had for blog posts was eaten up by other things. Over the past month, I’ve been finding it difficult to work on short pieces when my longer pieces are looming over me begging to be finished. I do hope to continue blogging and building more connections through the blog. Hopefully, once I get some works finished, I can dedicate more time to the blog.

Word Count: 13,713

In June, I officially finished my first class in my Creative Writing Bachelor’s program. It was a history class and while history isn’t directly related to my major, I did end up enjoying it a lot and doing well in the class. Next up is Literature!

Also in June, I celebrated turning another decade older (and hopefully wiser!). One of my goals by this time was to be a published author, but I’m still working on that goal, slowly but surely. I am finally taking steps toward that goal that are more action oriented than sitting and writing more. This is a big accomplishment for me.

On the plus side, for the first time in months, I have managed to write every single day of the month.

July Goals

NYC Midnight’s Flash Fiction Contest Round One

This is the second year I will be competing in the Flash Fiction Contest. I had so much fun last year, I figured why not do it all again and work on something that is short and sweet. Something that will hopefully be a palate cleanser and maybe even show me a genre I have yet to write in before.

NYC Midnight’s Microfiction Contest Round Two

As it just so happens, both NYC Midnight writing competitions land in the same month, just different rounds. I’m hoping I did well enough in Round One of the Microfiction Contest that I get a shot at round two. For now, this goal is tentative.

Camp NaNoWriMo

This year for Camp NaNoWriMo’s July session, I am going to be editing. Rather than working on something new, or something I have yet to finish, I am going to focus on some of the short stories I have written over the last few years and polish them up. The ultimate goal is to send a few of them out and get a few rejections before I send out a full length novel (AKA something I have poured myself into for years) as a way to soften the blow, or best case scenario, get published.

Send Something out for Publishing

This month, I would like to get at least one short story fully edited and ready to query. I am starting with something small to metaphorically get my toes wet in the publishing industry. I’m hoping the process goes smoothly, and I can gather my courage and take the next leap.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday Works: The Snow Wife

The first day of winter was always the best. The weather getting colder, the first snow falls, the garish sun hiding away so she could be seen again. The first day of winter was the first day of his life for so many years and the last day of winter was the day he went back to his boring human life.

As a young man, he had felt the pull of a winter magic. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever met, and they had had a wonderful winter together, and then as the spring appeared, she told him the truth.

The magic was beautiful, but the magic couldn’t keep her alive past winter. The magic kept her young and beautiful and he promised to visit her year after year. Year after year, she stayed the same, but year after year, he grew older.

He had a feeling one of the years coming up would be his last. The winters were no longer as kind as they used to be. But he would still go back to her, as long as he was living.

Once the drifts of snow got deeper, he pulled himself from his cozy chair and his mountain of blankets, got dressed in his warmest coat and made the trek up toward the hill where they had first met.

With each step, his legs grew heavier, his breath shorter, coming out in puffs of steam. When he reached the top of the hill, exhaustion threatened, not too far off, but he built a snowman anyway. One with a coal smile and a cute little carrot nose. A snowman with gentle arms of sticks, with a pink scarf and the wide brimmed hat she had left behind.

When he was done, he sat down in the snow in a huff to catch his breath. Over the years, the magic had taken longer and longer to work.

Just as he was about to give up and go back home, the thought he was too old for magic swimming in his old head, she appeared.

The snow woman was just as beautiful as he had always remembered. Her dark hair cascading down her shoulders, the wide brimmed hat framing her face as if it were artwork, her eyes warm and bright, even on the coldest day of the year.

“I fear I don’t have much time left,” He said, his words forced out through puffs of air, still trying to catch his breath. “This may be the last winter we have together, my love.”

She simply smiled and sat next to him. As she took his hand in hers, it felt real and solid. “I know,” She said gently. Her smile used to be enough to ease all the pain in the world, but it did little now. “Just lay yourself down and fall asleep in my lap like you used to.” She smoothed his hair gently. “Like that first time, and when you wake up, everything will be new again.”

“Just like the first time,” He said, easing his head onto her lap and looking up at the flurry of snowflakes dancing down upon the earth.

He wished he had brought her a warmer jacket all those years ago.

Wednesday Works: To Have Courage

I want you to be proud of me,

See the change I’ve made.

I hope your heart melts

When you see me riding in,

On those white horses,

Courage blazing.

But instead,

The drifts get deeper as I drown,

In utter embarrassment.

Wednesday Works: Returning The Past

Moving out of his current apartment and into a new house meant a lot of decluttering. The space he had lived in was small, but somehow over the years he had lived there, he had managed to collect a lot of junk. He found that particular item in his bookshelf, tucked between two massive textbooks he hadn’t used since his college days nearly a decade earlier.

On the outside, it was simply a book, the cover warn, but well loved, the sticker from the library blatantly obvious on the bottom of the spine. Yet another library book he had failed to return on time. He sighed and tossed it onto the couch, along with the other books he didn’t intend to keep.

As he did, a photograph fell out, withered with age, the subject in it a young woman in sepia, her dark lips in a large smile, her eyes bright. An artifact for sure, since the car she stood next to would be considered a classic in the current day and age.

For a moment, the photograph captivated him. What was it doing in the middle of a library book and how had he missed it before?

On the back, in faded pencil, written in a fancy script was just two words and a year.

My Love, 1942

From the words, written in a gentle hand, he knew someone was missing it. He made it his goal to find them, whoever it was.

17 years later

He straightened his tie as he looked up and the old aged building nearly crumbled by time on a side street of New York City.

After an exhaustive search, over nearly two decades, he had finally found her. The mystery was finally solved. He just had to knock on the door and meet her.

He took a deep breath and walked up the crumbling steps toward the door in need of a fresh coat of paint.

When he knocked on the door, a woman younger than he expected opened it. Much too young to be the girl in the photograph, but bearing a striking familiarity to her.

After years and years and an exhaustive search, he had finally figured out the woman’s name and tried to track her down through the years of history she had to have lived.

“I’m looking for Hilde,” He said, choosing to be brave and keep on the search for the answers he craved.

The younger woman’s face fell. “Oh,” She said. “So you don’t know.” She took a deep breath and her face tightened into a mask of no emotion. “She died last week.” She took another deep breath. “She and my grandfather both, which is kind of romantic, you know?”

“Oh,” He said, mirroring her tone. “Well, I found an old photograph of her, but perhaps you would like to have it instead.” He passed the old photograph her way.

The moment she saw it, her face lit up. “Gramma Hilde always did love her cars, it’s no wonder she would send it to Grandad when he enlisted.” She looked at the back. “His Loves, how fitting.”

For a moment, she seemed to forget he was there. “Would you like to come in for some coffee?” She asked when she finally did look at him. “I’m sure Gramma Hilde has a picture in front of every car she’s ever owned, but this one I haven’t seen.”

“I’d like that very much.”

Wednesday Works: If It Doesn’t Fit…

In her world, everything and everyone had a place. Each and every person, place or thing fit together like puzzle pieces.

As she built her world exactly the way she wanted it, placing the people carefully in the city and the forests, building dark creatures between the trees and damsels in distress in the high castle towers, there was one person that refused to fit in.

No matter how much she moved around the king and his consorts, or the priest and friar in the abbey, the dashing hero wouldn’t fit. The princess had loved him, sung his praises, but he simply would not fit.

For weeks and weeks, she fought the issue, searching for a place for her dashing hero. Then, in a fit of inspiration at 3AM from a dead sleep, the solution came.

“I have to kill him.”

Finally, her book had an ending she was happy with.