New Lync Short Story

I've been slowly working on TYW again.  I think part of my laziness with my editing/revision process is creating index cards knowing that my other laptop (with Scrivener) had this done already.  Biting the bullet and doing it anyway.

I also hadn't realized I didn't make one entry in April -_-  There were some notable things that happened both happy and sad moments.  Without going into heavy detail the biggest was the loss of a coworker.  I had hoped I'd get to see her before hand but I never got the opportunity then again I'm aware there were probably a lot of family/friends needing and wanting to see her.

Last month I also got to see Hamilton at the Fox which was awesome.  I attended a few vegan related events including a health fair and cheese making class.  I also half-azzed participated in Camp Nano.  My motivation has been pretty low.  That said I made it to a weekly writing group for the first time in months and plan to attend tomorrow.

And I'm back in the coffee shop today (was here yesterday) so I'm hoping this means the mental shift has occurred.  Hoping to have a few sessions at the coffee shop this week - doing some read-throughs and drafting/revising. 

That said I really should be off but I did want to post my latest Lync story.  Another based within the world of TYW.  I have the first draft and then the final (based on the character limitation set for my Lync status box).  I still love my first two as my faves :)

FIRST DRAFT:  In the forest rest the soul of the late Mr. Willowby.  ‘At night he crept, by dawn he wept’ sang the Lights beneath the darkened streetlamps.  A warning to the children of Folly that did little to curve their curiosity.  Tasha was eleven the first time.  Her eyes weary, stomach in knots, and fingers with fresh welts.  She held the lamp with shaky fingers as she guided the recruits to the tree Mr. Willowby was said to have sacrificed himself at.  The tree was wide speckled with tiny red buds at its base.  Each representing a life loss.  “Do you think he’ll show tonight,” one of the girls asked.  Tasha’s raised her fingers toward the light of the lamp and simply smiled. 

FINAL DRAFT: Mr. Willow was a sacrifice. ‘At night he crept, by dawn he wept’ sang the warning from the Lights beneath their darkened streetlamps. Tasha was eleven. Her eyes weary, stomach in knots, and fingers with fresh welts.  She held the lamp with shaky fingers as she guided the recruits to the dismal tree speckled with tiny red buds at its base: Each represented a life loss. “Do you think he’ll show tonight,” one of the girls asked. Tasha raised her fingers toward the light of the lamp and simply smiled./ZeEnd

11/52

Short Story - Odd Scripts

Word Count: 940
Prompt:  N/A
Part of an existing story/world: No
The players: Marcelle (Marcy), Ash, Farrah
Type:  Single (potential for continuation)

               Ash’s mouth was bound to catch a fly at any second.  It took her mind longer to recover from what the doctor was telling her.  Seconds later a familiar smirk came across her thin lips.  Her pointy but dignified nose bunched in as an idea struck her.  She raised her neat eyebrow and clasped her fingers perfectly across her lap.  Then she remembered.  She adjusted her two button blue blazer, bounding one pin before her hands fell into her lap once more.

                “Aw,” she started.  She feigned humor but it was difficult, “Marcelle said you were a funny one.  I understand.”

                But the doctor simply shook her head, “No,” she began, “My prescription for you is sex.  Three times a week minimum.  Come back to me in a month and we’ll take it from there.”

                Ash scoffed.  The doctor was carrying on far past her comfort but according to her most recent visit to a therapist she needed to relax more.  “You are too much,” Ash forced through her teeth.  Her hands burdened by the press of her fingers as they pushed into her flesh.  It seemed her sense of humor was directed to the restraint at her fingertips.  Most unusual.  

                The doctor rolled around to her desk pulled, a purple-gray tablet from off the top and scribbled onto it before handing it to Ash. 

                Sex BID, PRN, PO the prescription paper read.

                “I at least made it twice a day and gave the option of oral.  But do it for her,” the doctor nodded toward Ash’s hand which were strategically placed over the region of her body she’d ignored.  “Lady Bits needs your attention.  See you in a month.”  

                Sex.  Twice a day.  As needed.  Often, no, by mouth, but she probably meant often too Ash thought as she paced her tiny apartment.  Never had she thought in the chaotic mess that was her fully booked life that a doctor visit would end as this one did.  Maybe that was why she tended to stay away from them.  Even the therapist one hadn’t gone as well.  But it was only one opinion and furthermore it was Marcy’s recommendation to see this particular primary.  That alone should have been the telltale sign.  

                The doctor had been late furthermore.  She’d the room in a hurry, her long braid wrapped across her shoulder, and the expression beneath her black rimmed glasses, Ash thought back, seemed out of place.  But no time later the doctor had settled.  The more Ash thought about, really, should she trust a doctor who couldn’t be reliable in maintaining a scheduled appointment?  What did 

                Ash unbuttoned her blazer.  Then buttoned it again.  Before buttoning it once more.  She made her way to the giant window and sat for a moment on the white cushioned seat thinking she’d watch the sunset but she got up a second later.  Her hands in her hair one moment but by the next they were fiddling with the buttons once more.  In an exhaustive sigh she undid the buttons, yanked the blazer from her arms, and pitched it onto the brown leather loveseat.  She looked at it, lying limp, sad, unloved and before another minute could pass she picked up the blazer, smoothed it out.

                “I’m sorry,” she whispered to it, “I love you,” she said as she kissed the smooth fabric and made her way to the closet to retrieve the blue velvet hanger it belonged to.  “Your home now.”  

                Ash walked back into her living room, everything in place and knowing its value.  Her gaze fell down to her Lady Bits.  

                “Why can’t you just behave?”

                Her stomach grumbled.  

                “Farrah, it’s almost there but I’m not getting a clear picture of the main character’s motives.  It does have that feel of meddling but for what benefit?”

                Farrah watched her roommate, a pocky stick hanging from her lip to replace Nikki, whom she missed.  It’d been a month and while she hadn’t missed her smell she still craved that sweet release of one puff.  The pocky helped.   And it didn’t.  

                Farrah was braiding her hair listening to Marcy as she rattled off her different suggestions when she finally came to a breaking point.  Farrah asked, “So how did Ash’s appointment to the doctor go?  Wasn’t it like the first one she’s been to since high school?”

                Marcy tossed her head back in laughter, “It was.  She actually hasn’t called me yet.  I need to introduce the two of you.  You had an appointment there today right?  You probably could have said hi or something.  She gets weird about doctors.  Always thinking someone is going to call her out on her various quirks, you know.”

                Farrah was reaching the end of her dark brown braid as she hummed her response.

                “But yeah, I think if you can nail down the character’s motives for why they are meddling, and get inside a bit I think it’ll help the script overall,” Marcy shook her head in laughter, “Maybe it wouldn’t hurt doing some research.  You know instead of being a casual observer go in and dig deep.”

                Farrah finished her braid.

                “Interesting prescription,” Farrah started.

                “Or you could always do a treatment and-” Marcy started as she turned around but Farrah shook her head.

                “One step ahead of you Mar in fact I did a bit of meddling today myself.”

                “Oooo,” Marcy said just as her phone began to buzz beneath the light of the desk lamp.  “Oh, Ash is finally calling,” Marcy paused to answer, “Hey Ash how’d the-”

                Farrah smiled as she found a familiar grove in the couch and unraveled her braid. 

#10/52

The Moment You Admit February Was a Bust

Let me no longer be in denial.

I have failed.  I extended my deadline for #TLS to 2/28 since I did a great job in January but didn't complete the first draft.  And now that it's two days left in the month I'm not sure I'll finish.

But Feb may have been a fail on the word count goal front and also in completing an editorial map but I did make some progress in understanding the character motives.  Also I think my BIG win for Feb and this probably bled a bit from Jan is understanding what #TLS is.  A lot of times when I work on a project I'll sometimes ask myself does this fit into another story OR could I combine some ideas to make something worthy of a novel.  But instead I found #TLS answered the question I had for one of my other novels.  I'm still treating it as a stand alone but that history is there.

Speaking of history I've been working out some of the character's back story and what I know about them because think where I got snagged is I saw a storyline pulling me in more and found myself getting away from the original intent.  However I recognize this can happen you go into an idea with one thing in mind and discover some other gems along the way.

At any rate I'm still working on #TLS.  I do not know what this means for my revision goals regarding TYW and overall timeline or if I'll just make a hard stop come 3/1 to focus on TYW but at the end of the day I'm working on something.

In other news I recognized a few people for my "Just Because" in February.  I took a coworker out to lunch and tried to write out a thoughtful card.  I also wrote out a card to my cousins thanking them for what they do.  Met with a few ex-coworkers for dinner tonight as well and that was fun.  We always have some really good conversations regarding work and life and various observations.    But then there was a lot of conversation yesterday I partook in from at my great aunts to talking with my cousin.  And for the takeaway is that we all have something we're working on in this lifetime, things we're going through and really does it make a difference with framing yours perspective in order to get the most out of your present.

Anywho I'm tired and I really should try to work on this short story.  I finally started "Odd Scripts" last week and got to a stopping point.  Right now I'm trying to decide if I should expand it or leave it where it is. But I also want to read more of "Still Me" my coworker dropped off her copy at my desk and I started reading it and I'se curious, lol.

I'll likely end up reading a bit, listening to Hamilton (got back into listening to this soundtrack randomly), and then heading to bed since it's 10:40.  I really need to revisit my writing timeline ... ::sigh::

Anywho I'se off

9/52 weeks

Pushing Onward

I call myself about to work on #TLS when I realized my latest draft is saved on my work computer and I didn't send it to myself like I usually do after a writing session (which was this past Saturday)... an hour or so later I'm back on my regular laptop because in trying to send my WIP to my email address I started playing around with my phone which I intentionally charged in another room.

And now the waning bit of energy I had is gone.  I just want to enjoy my last couple bites of brownie and my flaxmilk then head to bed -_-

But I'm going to try to fight through it and try to get out about 500 words *fingers crossed*

Not too much going on other than I'm behind and at this point I may have to make another project call come 2/28 based on where I'm at versus where I wanted to be.

I had another idea for a short story... I need to try to get one out this month as well.  The working titles for the short stories are "The Clock Maker" and "Odd 'Scripts".  I hope to make the latter more comedic.

Speaking of comedic as I've worked on a #TLS I've continually asked myself is what I want from this and mostly how is it different.  I know, in my heart of hearts, I want #TLS to be a look at humanity and what it looks like as it changes/one loses their own but I've asked myself what hasn't been done in this genre?   Dinosaurs.  That's right.  There are dinosaurs in #TLS ... sort of.  If dinosaurs are a metaphor for old things, old ideas, things that should be extinct then yes there are dinosaurs!!!!

/late night randomness

That aside I did see Black Panther on Sunday with the family.  And a couple things
1.  I noticed the villain Erik Killmonger had the same name as a character in #TLS (minus the last name)... seeing him made me wonder about my Erik's plight as he starts off decent.  Still TBD how his story will go.
2.  Again I found myself asking the question that I think may be at the heart of #TLS, one that mankind or any genius discovery has come across of rather sharing something with world or keeping it hidden in fear of the possible abuse of it...?  And with one of my characters I believe this is an idea she struggles with when she creates *something*

Okay, I'm done.  This should count toward writing.  The morning shower and thinking about #TLS should count too.

Off to write.  Here's to progress!

Seeking Inspiration

I'm still in a bit of a rut when it comes to any head way with working on #TLS or with the TYW.

Been blaming most of my lack of progress on shark week -_-  But I haven't given up on trying to accomplish my goals for the month.  Here's to hoping this funk or whatnot passes.

I doubt very much I'll get any words in tonight... re-watching "The Wind Rises" because there was something about the movie that moved me and thus the purpose of ze entry.  I haven't been reading as much, mostly because there is also some mental hang up with books as well.  It's like there part of me that's got one foot out the door with just about everything.

At any rate sometimes as writers there's this expectation that reading a lot will help with developing your craft.  And I don't argue against that but I also think other medium's can do the same.  Recently I watched "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl" which was sad but entertaining.

I also watched "The Girl w/ All the Gifts" expecting to get something from it since it involved zombies and #TLS is a zombie novel.  I suppose in some aspects I did but of all three films the most thought provoking question that got my mind spinning was "The Wind Rises" and it was it that made me think of my #TLS characters specifically Vin and trying to get back to her plight.  Also I definitely cried watching "The Wind Rises" and I'm tearing up now as I re-watch it.

Part of what happened in #TLS is that I got stuck in introducing a character who I feel shapes some of what happens in the novel (from a backstory perspective) but their story isn't necessary to Vin's decision... or maybe it is.  I don't know.  It feels like a case of over thinking but not having enough well thought out plans.

::sigh::

Well in other news attended a mixer last week and saw the last 50SOG film with a friend as part of a lady date.  I didn't float last week and I didn't make it to the weekly write in either (didn't make it yesterday either).  I did spend some time with the niece and we went bowling which was good but she noted I seemed sad.  I also booked a PwaT event in early March with my other niece.  Will hopefully post pics of the last one at some point.

Other than trying to write this week and possibly seeing Black Panther nothing too much going on.

And now that the chicken pot pie is done I'll probably start wrapping up to get ready for bed.

I'se out ^_^

7/52 wk update

Resolutions Update & Feb Goals

Happy Tuesday!

Not much traction has been made with #TLS since the 10k day it seems.  I’m starting to think large writing days somehow drain me for days.  But there is also some mental anguish with the writing as of late.  And due to the weather yesterday I decided on not going to the weekly write in.

In short February is not off to a great start.  And without looking at my list of resolution I know I’m behind in books read as well and I need to produce a short story this month.

That said the goal in Feb will definitely be to:
- Catch up on GR challenge
- Complete revision prep
- TRY to finish #TLS
- Complete one short story

This means delaying my revision another month but I feel like its better to go on with this strategy than be unrealistic in my capabilities given history.

Other than that not too much going on.  I attended my first Painting w/ a Twist event.

And later this week I’ll be attending a Wine & Chocolate Mixer with a friend (though I didn’t realize until I booked that it was a Wine & Chocolate SINGLES Mixer)... At any rate plan on trying to enjoy the night.

Which makes me think... has anyone ever been bamboozled?  Thought I don’t think I was absolutely even through the event is listed one way on FB but differinitely when you go to buy the ticket,

And I’m off for now, will try to start my story “The Clockmaker”.

6/52 wk

Writing and New Things

So far I’ve adhered to my once a week post.  Yay!  One month down 11 more to go.

This won’t be a long post as I’m tired and currently waiting for mi Madres at the casino so I should at least try to sneak in a few more words.

Today I had a bit of a meltdown at work involving one of my projects, blaming it on PMS, and because I did and just wanting to work on my novel a bit I decided to attend a weekly write in.  Long story short I reached out to confirm they were meeting at Starbucks and they were.  So I joined and met a nice group of people while getting in some words and enjoying some hot soy milk ^_^

This week I’ll also be likely doing my fourth float, which I”m excited for because last week was just great.  I came out glowing, lol.  And I was in a really good mood after it and my back felt good.  But besides doing another float I also plan on doing my first ever Paiting w/ a Twist on Saturday.  It’s another solo outing.  And I’m okay with that :)

I’m behind about 26k with #TheLastStop and hoping to do some damage but I also recognize I need to finish up my editorial map if I’m to stay on track for my TYW Revision.

So the goal this week will be to:
- Finish out the first draft of #TLS
- Complete editorial map for TYW
- Start POA (since I didn’t last week)
- Attend PwaT event
- Look into bday plans
- Finish reading book

Oh in another news I did sign myself up for a vegan cheese making class in March.

And I’m off.

5/52 wk

... When All You Want To Do Is Sleep

This past weekend was a success as far as writing and for that I'm thankful that my friend even thought to challenge us into getting caught up with our word count.

The way the bet worked is that whoever wrote the most over the weekend won.  Granted I never learned what would be entailed if I lost.  However we created a safe zone of 10k.  Had they lost I planned on having them perform a Disney song (was thinking How Far I'll Go from Moana) but I had other songs in mind including having compose their own original Disney like song, lol.

At any rate after nearly writing 15k across the weekend, staying up until 3am doing some analysis for work I am tired.  However I worked out that I should aim for 3k each day but tonight I think I'll just satisfy myself with getting in maybe 500 words or so in so I can head to bed.

Though if today is any indicator for writing the rest of the week I'll likely be aiming for another 10k this coming weekend.  But I don't plan on slipping the rest of the week.  And if necessary I may take a day off.

I still need to get through my revision prep, since the plan is to complete #TLS this month and focus on TYW and Year Two for the next couple months.

My hopes/plan for this week:
- Add an additional 20k to #TLS over the course of the week
-Start POA doc
-Dedicate 2 hours to TYW revision prep / editorial map
-Work out/pay bills

At any rate I shall head off to try to get in.. 100 words, lol.  My ability to stay up is fading.

4/52 weeks

Late Week 3 Post

This won’t be an incredibly long post but I didn’t want to break my chain of weekly updates thus far.

I’m still making steady progress with #TLS and I want to say a couple things emerged this week while writing however rather than give those things away I instead want to relay a hack I tried out this week in regard to my writing.

It’s nothing new by any means but it’s a trick I haven’t tried using until this week.  I had worked late on the 18th and by the time I got in and got everything in order there wasn’t much time to write.  Plus there were potatoes I needed to peel.  This was about 11 ish at night.  So the idea struck me to peel potatoes AND work on #TLS by using my Voice Memo feature on the phone.

I’d use this before while driving to quickly jot down a story idea but that was about it.  Well for about 16 minutes I peeled potatoes and talked, writing out a scene via memo.

So how many words can one speak into existence in 16 minutes?  I had guesstimated about 800 but then I remembered there were times when I lost my train of thought or gaps in time when I thought I’d just stopped talking.  And while there were moments such as those, at the end of the day I guessed MAYBE I’d managed 500 words in those 16 minutes.

Turns out it was closer to 1500.  Granted as I transferred those words to my document (which took me an hour to do because I didn’t talk as slow as I thought I was) and I did as to it as I wrote but most of the words came from that 16 minutes of audio.  So while it was an effective way of multitasking, it still took me about an hour to transfer it but still not bad and something I’ll definitely do again.

In other news I had my second float this week.  I’m thinking I’ll do it again this week but it’s so odd. I start off just hating the stillness of it all and asking myself why did I do this, I just want to go but at some point I eventually relax into it and come away thankful for that quiet moment.  However during this week’s float as I did really sink into there were a couple times my body just jolted.  And I had this idea it was probably because someone had probably texted/called me.  Sure enough I checked my phone after I was out the tank to see I did receive a call.  I think it disrupted the spiritual calm, lol.

Well I’m off to try to get caught up with #TLS.  Have a challenge with a friend and we’re both behind but right now they are doing better than me with the ‘catch up this weekend’ goal.

I’se out

3/52

A Week into Ze New Year - Progress Report

I've accomplished all my goals!!!!!

In real news it's been a productive first week.  I'm ahead of my word count (as far as where I should be if I want to hit 150k for the year) however I'm behind if my aim is to get to 60k for #TLS (for the month).  I got in a little over 2k in for the day so yay for that!

I'd like to have a big writing day (like maybe 5-10k) but I'm about to break from #TLS to work on some revision exercises for the TYW now.  My goal is to put 60 hours toward revision for it and so far I think I've only managed 3 :(  So I'm taking a break to make this update before I launch into reading and note taking.

Not too much going on.  I still haven't found a book that captures my interest.  I did recently pick Cinder back up.  I started reading it years ago and got to page 93 then stopped so I'm trying to give it another go.

So the task this week will involve getting myself into something, finding a book that holds my attention.  I'm also hoping to report next week to be at or near 25k with #TLS and at 15 hours of work toward the TYW.

Speaking of the TYW I'm positive once I finish the second draft I'll shop it around for feedback but I'll likely need to revise my timeline for when I'll push it.  Trying for an April release might not be feasible.  August has come to mind or possibly Fall (maybe October or November).  Still noodling on that.

One thing I'll need whenever I do get to revise #TLS is a blank notebook to sort out all these character's and POVs.  I'm giving my self freedom to go with whatever my mind is coming up with and it's' been interesting thus far.  I started the day by capturing a few tidbits about #TLS like a log line, character(s) I like; what I envision the ending to be, location, and my beginning.  Right now #TLS is the first novel I've ever written in no chronological order intentionally.  The POV shifts as well as the scene and the associated timing, it's all over the place.

At any rate I suppose I'll wrap this up.  I did have two vivid dreams last night, one I figured was in relation to #TLS and the other involved my GA peach.  I wrote them both down but thinking about the dream, about her does make me a bit sad in the fact that there was some awareness in the dream that the moment I was having with her was limited and I needed to take advantage of the fact that she was there.

Okay I'se done.  LOL, I also hope to report back on a planned Float I have this Wednesday too ^_^

2/52

The Official 2018 Goals/Intetions Post

I feel like I need to include "official" in there now :)

So before I get started with my writing goals for today, planning to do at least 2k toward #TLS or Year Two and then about 30-60 on revisions for Three Year War I wanted to jot down some goals/intents for this year.

Last year I wrote down a lot (in the hopes of giving myself the ability to accomplish them).  This year I want to bring it down a bit. 

For 2018...

1.  Complete the revision of "The Three Year War"
2.  Self Publish another project
3.  Write the first draft of "#TheLastStop"
4.  Write 150k (or more) for the year
5.  Blog once a week (going for an over 80% success rate)... trying this one again
6.  Write 6 short stories
7.  Complete read through of "The Magician's Order" ... trying this one again as well
8.  Travel to three new places
9.  Read 25 books
11.  Reduce debt - Pay off 2 loans or store/credit cards
12.  "Just Because" act of kindness each month
13.  Put 3k into Savings (and not touch it)
14.  Complete a house project (i.e. flooring for one room, garden for spring, organize office, etc) .. rolling this one over too since there's a lot to do still, lol
15.  Once a week health focus (ex: Ensuring I go for half hour walk; 3-5 servings of fruits/veggies; 5-10 minute mindful meditation)

And I'm off to get in some writing so I can resume my New Girl s6 binge ^_^