I am behind schedule on my NaNo challenge

I survived the first two days of the challenge. I did not write anything for Day 3. If you include today, I will have to write 3,400 words to be completely caught up.

I hate to admit it, but I am already getting burned out on this challenge. I have almost quit twice. Boy, was that a mistake. Once my friends that are also participating in this found out, I got nailed. They were not rude. My friends just told me to not give up so easily and write what I can. I had plenty of time to catch up. This is true. There are twenty-six more days left to catch up. 

I think I may have found a way to help me make it through NaNoWriMo 2012. Write my story down on paper first, THEN type it up in the offline electronic diary I am using as a writing journal. I make sure I have the word count tool page open on the internet. There are three I use frequently.

http://www.wordcounttool.com/

http://www.wordcountertool.com/

http://wordcounttool.net/

It helps me to see how many words I have left to write to reach my word goal for the day. Of course, when I do, I copy and paste my words in the word count validator on http://www.nanowrimo.org.

I have a great support team and I will try NOT to quit this challenge.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Day Two of NaNoWriMo begins

Today marks the National Novel Writing Month challenge's second day. All over the world, millions of writers are participating in this challenge of all challenges. People are typing away on their computer or taking the longer route of writing a novel by hand. Either way, the NaNoWriMo is a true test of writing discipline.

I made it to 1,700 words yesterday. I must say that I am proud of myself. I almost quit on the first day! Usually, the minimum word count is 1,667 words. However, I decided to round it up because I will have a cushion to fall back on if life gets in the way. We all know that life can be unpredictable. 

I figured out a way to make it through each day of NaNo 2012. Instead of looking at it as "I have to write 1,667 words a day," I will treat the challenge as just another normal writing day. The word challenge is enough to make a writer run to the nearest cave. It is fun and stressful at the same time.

What are other things that keep me moving forward during this time? That is easy. I have friends participating in this challenge alongside me. We are each other's cheerleader and help keep each other going, even when it seems hopeless to reach 1,667 words or 50,000 words. I have a great support team.

My adopted "Momma," Brenda, has been my best cheerleader so far. My sister, Krysha, is also a great cheerleader/motivator. I can talk to them when I just want to say "Forget it! I can't do this!" They nudge me forward and will not let me give up. They are two of many inspirational people I have for support. I am so glad Brenda and Krysha believe in me. It helps me believe in myself even more than I do.

To all NaNoWriMo participants reading this, here is my message for you: You can succeed in the challenge. If you only reach 20,000 words in these thirty days, at least you tried. Do not beat yourself up. There is always next year. 

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

One Day Away from Beginning the NaNoWriMo 2012 Challenge

Today is Samhain (Halloween) and I have a long day ahead of me. 

I have to go to the library to print out, scan, and send back papers to my academic admissions counselor via email. Of course, I will be checking out a couple or so books.

Since I have completed my October NaBloPoMo challenge, all that needs to be done now is to complete my last NaNoWriMo Prep assignment before midnight. I need to finish up some things before the actual challenge takes place.

For me, midnight will be the "magic" hour. I do not mean "magick" like us pagans and others practice. When midnight strikes, it will be the first day of the NaNoWriMo challenge for 2012. It will be a long month for me and a lot of other participants. 

I am both nervous and skeptic. I am nervous about reaching the word count goal for each of those thirty days. That goal is 1,667 words. I am skeptic about actually reaching the 50,000 words that is the total word goal for the month of November. The inner editor that refuses to shut up and loves to keep the criticisms going is constantly at work. When it comes to me, I am my own worst enemy. I have a difficult time believing in myself when it comes to challenges like this. Well, writing in general. It is typical of most, if not all, writers. I love to write and want to keep my readers happy. Or, at least get them interested in my work. At the same time, when you are told "You won't amount to anything" or other various criticisms on a regular basis, it is hard to not believe it yourself after a while.

This year, I hope to reach 50,000 words in thirty days. I have to remind myself  that if I do not make it, at least I tried. The hard part will be not beating myself up over it, should that happen. I hate it when I do not complete my writing goals. I am such a perfectionist. I suppose that is one of my worst qualities or faults.

If you would like to keep up with my progress in the NaNoWriMo challenge, follow this link:

My NaNoWriMo page

Your support is most welcome and appreciated.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 31: Do you wish you could still go trick-or-treating, or are you content buying candy any time you want?

Before I write this entry...

HAPPY SAMHAIN (or HAPPY HALLOWEEN - whatever you celebrate) TO MY READERS!

There are times I wish I could still go trick-or-treating. The kid at heart within misses going door to door asking for candy and even the dumb sayings that I was taught as a child. For example, "Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat." Otherwise, I love being able to buy candy whenever I want.

Of course, when I have children of my own, I will definitely take them trick-or-treating. At the same time, I will also teach them my spiritual path, and celebrate Samhain that way, too. It would be a family celebration.

Samhain (or Halloween) is the day of the year that the veil between the living and the dead are at their thinnest. On this day, many will set out a plate of food for their deceased loved one as an offering. Others set out food to keep the hobgoblins (bad spirits) away. It is seen as the Witch's New Year or Celtic New Year, depending on one's particular path and beliefs. A time to reflect on our lives over the past year and for hopes on what we hope is to come in the new year (or future). 

I will be lighting a candle in honor of my loved ones and ancestors who have gone before me. I will light a stick of incense as an offering to my matron and patron deities, Asar (Osiris) and Aset (Isis) as well.

I would rather celebrate this Sabbat in a spiritual way these days. 

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 30: What is your favourite candy to give out?

I absolutely love to give out Halloween candy to the children that come to my door. Of course, the trick is to keep myself from eating it first.

I usually load up on the treats for the kiddies a couple or so weeks ahead. It saves last minute stress and I want to make sure I get the good stuff before it all sells out.

My favorite candies to give out are Snickers, Milky Way, 3 Muskateers, Peanut and Plain M&Ms, Caramel Twix, Dum Dum pops, Tootsie Roll pops, Milk Duds, Starburst, Skittles, Jolly Ranchers, Hershey's chocolate and chocolate with almonds bar, Mr. Goodbar, and the Hershey's mixed minis.

Every trick-or-treater loves to drop by my place each year. I am the "candy lady with the good stuff." It brings joy to me to see the excitement of the children at this time of year. 

Once all the trick-or-treaters leave for the night, I will make candy bags for my co-workers to help get rid of it. The rest is for me and my family to share.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 29: What is your favourite Halloween candy to receive?

I love candy, but my favorite of all is chocolate. I mean, what woman does not love chocolate. Right?

I have a tie for favorite Halloween candy. I love to receive Snickers, Mr. Goodbar, Hershey's Almond bar, peanut M&Ms, and Reese's Peanut Butter cups.

I am such a Snickers "addict" that I even eat the ice cream of the same name.

I love to dip my candy in peanut butter. It just makes it taste more fantastic than it already is. 

When I would get home from trick-or-treating as a youngster, I always dumped out my candy bag. You know the Butterfinger commercial? "Nobody better lay a finger, on my Butterfinger." Well, change that to any of the above favorite candies of mine.

My grandfather and grandmother always knew what to leave alone when it came to candy. I do not mind sharing my Halloween candy. At that time, you should consider yourself "privileged" and special if I gave you any of my favorite candy.

I wish I had a lifetime supply of Snickers, Mr. Goodbar, Hershey's Almond bar, peanut M&Ms, and Reese's Peanut Butter cup.

Now you know what my favorite Halloween candy is. What is yours?

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 28: Free-writing 8

I went to the bookstore the other day and just has to get a magazine. It was a Writer's Digest magazine.

The magazine is Writer's Workbook by Writer's Digest Yearbook. I love the special issues that Writer's Digest puts out ever so often. They are usually a compilation of various articles written for Writer's Digest magazine. I miss their journaling magazine. I was only able to get one issue before I found out it was no longer available in bookstores or anything. I wish they would bring it back.

Writer's Digest is my number one choice for magazines about writing. I have read this magazine since I was in high school ages ago. I was cleaning my basement and found some of my older issues. I will have to reread through all of them. It is one of the best magazines out there on writing. 

I also recommend buying the Writer's Market books. Some include 2013 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, 2013 Guide to Literary Agents, and 2013 Writer's Market Deluxe Edition to name just a few of the books they offer. These books have articles, listings to agencies, and even available writing contests.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 27: Free-writing 7

I am counting down until the actual NaNoWriMo begins in November. I am five days away from its start. It is going to be one of my most stressful ever. I have to write a minimum of 1,667 words a day to complete the challenge on time. 50,000 words is a lot of writing.

How is it going to be stressful, you ask? Let me see.

1. I have to write 1,667 words a day (at a regular time).

2. I need to balance school, work, and this daily writing.

3. I have to keep myself disciplined (as mentioned in #1).

4. I need to keep distractions to a minimum. This includes watching television or movies, staying AWAY from the Facebook games I play (at least until I complete the daily word count), turning all chat boxes off, not answering my phone (unless it is an emergency), and coming up with a lot of excuses to keep me away from the writing itself.

5. I have to make sure that I get adequate sleep so that I am not a zombie on the days I work.

What can I do to prevent all that stress and complete the challenge the way I want?

1. Replace the negative self-talk with positive self-talk.

2. Set a specific time frame to write in and stick to it. This means putting my butt in the chair at this time and turn off the television and phone. Plus, not getting on Facebook until I am done.

3. Get adequate rest. I will have to rearrange my sleep routine.

4. Do a mini-meditation or say a simple prayer to calm my nerves.

5. Believe in myself. That is easier said than done.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 26: Do you like being scared on Halloween?

This is a double-ended question. 

I love to be scared on Halloween. It is a fun time of the year for many. Although this is a sacred holiday to me (Samhain), I still love to have fun. When I am getting scared or if I decide to scare someone else for fun, it reminds me of my childhood days. Despite the fact I am all grown up, I am still a child at heart. Let me tell you, it took a long time to find her (the child in me) again.

On the other hand, I love to scare others on Halloween. I do not mean playing tricks necessarily. I enjoy slipping up behind people and grabbing them, especially my co-worker Tai. She is an easy target. I love her to death, but I get a kick out of her jumping and squealing. Of course, we laugh a lot afterward. I enjoy making ghost sounds when I play with my great nephew, Brighton. He is almost six years old.

Being scared is fun, if it is done the right way.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 25: Trick or treat: tell us your best Halloween trick.

*WARNING: This will be a shorter post than usual.*

I have never been the prankster type. I never even played tricks on others. 

When Halloween came around, I always chose to go trick-or-treating because I wanted the candy and to dress up.

When I finally hit the age where I did not go trick-or-treating, I chose to dress up and give out candy to the children in my neighborhood.

I cannot honestly tell you my best Halloween trick.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 24: Are you dressing up this year for Halloween? If so, tell us what you'll be. If not, tell us what costume you wish you could make/buy.

Even though I'm "too old" to go trick-or-treating for candy myself, I dress up anyway. I have a Gothic Maiden costume I bought at Party City years ago. The material feels like suede and it is black and red with a hood. It came with a slim black and red twisted cord to tie around the waist. That is my favorite costume. I just need black lipstick to complete it. That is, when I can get a way to the store that sells it.

I like Party City for costumes. They have (usually) what I am looking for. The costumes are better quality. I hope to find a vampire costume as well. I am both gothic and have a deep love for vampires.

Since I dress up and do not have any children to take trick-or-treating, I will most likely give out candy instead.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 23: Tell us your biggest Halloween costume fail.

What my biggest Halloween costume fail was is a good question. I always dressed up like a witch. Although one year I did attempt to be an angel, since my grandmother would not let me be a devil.

I wore a little white dress with white flat heeled shoes. The make-shift halo was a disaster. It would not stay on my head to save my life. When it was not falling off, it would tangle in my hair and dangle. That smarted as well. The material used was gold garland wrapped around a thick, silver metal wire.

I decided that day to never wear anything on my head again with a costume. That covers this lifetime and all others. It is too much of a hassle and I hate wearing stuff on my head anyway. 

From now on, I will just buy costumes instead of have them made.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 22: Tell us the best Halloween costume you ever wore.

It has been a long time since I went trick or treating. Try over twenty years. It is difficult to remember in perfect detail that old costume.

When I went trick or treating as a child, I was usually a witch. I have a never-ending interest in witches, demons, vampires, and beings of that nature. I am fascinated by them all.

If I had to choose the best Halloween costume, I would have to choose the witch costume my grandmother made. She always made my costumes. 

The costume was solid black with orange sewn in sporadically. The bottom of it was fringed in the shape of triangles. Granny was creative and loved to sew.
I love boots but I wore black flat heeled shoes instead. She would paint my face. I would classify myself as a feline witch. My makeup consisted of black cat whiskers and a black nose. 

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 21: Free-writing 6

Some days it seems as if inspiration is nonexistent, right? I went days, months, years without writing for that very reason. I had lost my inspiration and drive to write. Part of it was depression, the other was because my muse went on a permanent vacation.

Do you know what I came to understand? Inspiration is everywhere. I can hear you now. "How can you say that?" It is simple: one can find inspiration in the little things in life. For example, my favorite part of autumn is when the leaves change to the various hues of red, orange, yellow, and lime green. It puts me in awe and takes my breath away. I love the way the trees look in fall. Another possibility is a friend may have found out that he or she is pregnant. You feel joy for your friend, right? Aha! Inspiration for a positive piece of writing. It can be written in the form of a personal journal entry. 

Today I found out that my friend is having a baby. Justina is happy and scared at the same time. The permanent smile this news has given her makes my day a brighter one. I am excited along with her. She deserves to be happy.

Or, this could work as well.

Her eyes empty of sparkles
now shimmer like the best diamond

The happiness she feels
warms her being like the heat of the sun

Her sadness once felt
is turned into joy and excitement

On the worse of days
the good news touches my soul

You get the picture. The inspiration is all around you. Even when writer's block strikes, it can be beaten. I have found that just looking at the nearest object and writing about it (even if it is only a description) helps me. Why? I have pen to paper and my hand is steadily moving across the page. Take that writer's block! So next time you get stuck, try my little trick that I discovered over the years to break the block. Write a description of the first object that catches your eyes and you are on the way to writing bliss. 

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 20: Free-writing 5

I have made it to the twentieth day of the NaBloPoMo challenge. I am both proud and shocked. I am so glad I decided to participate in it. I now write every day. I may not write at the same time everyday, but I do write.

I always look forward to the weekends because the prompt is a free-writing session. That is a good thing for me. Sometimes, it is difficult for me to follow the prompt given perfectly. However, when I am free-writing, I can just write whatever I want.

This blog is about my writing life. That includes my goals, struggles, drafts, or anything of that nature. Being a writer is a lonely path. It is good to be able to be on the writing cheerleading squad to inspire other writers. I am just like any writer. I have days when I can easily write. Other days I feel stuck. 

I wish all of the writers out there the best of luck in all of their endeavors. I will believe in you even if you do not. It is normal to doubt yourself as a writer. That is just part of the writing life. I have one major tip to offer about that. If you let another person read what you wrote and they give you negative feedback, do not be discouraged. It is not a personal attack on you - unless the person is someone who does not like you anyway. That is another matter. 

Whatever you do, please do not give up. You will get where you need to be a writer when the time is right. Do not let that stop you from writing and going for your dreams though.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 19: Tell us about a favourite photograph someone took of you. What does it reveal?

When I went on a trip to see my friend, Brenda, she had three out of five days already planned for me. I thought this was cute and funny at the same time. 

There is a place called Glass Beach near where my friend lives. I cannot remember the exact city at the present time. I love gemstones. Her telling me about Glass Beach excited me. Brenda's family friend, Ken, took me and her son Dallas to it. I wish I would have had more options for storing items to bring home! I plopped down in one spot for a while and dug through the glass. It is sea glass.

Her son, Dallas, took a picture of me in a small tunnel at this beach. It is the only picture I love. I hate to get my picture taken and am not truly photogenic due to reasons I have mentioned in previous posts.

I would like to share the only photo I approve of myself. Hopefully, you will see the happiness I felt that day. Maybe it will brighten your day if it has been a rough one for you. All I ask is that you DO NOT copy my photo. It is from my vacation. Thanks in advance. IF you want to use it in an article, ASK FOR MY PERMISSION FIRST. Thanks again.

I know it is hard to see, but that is some sea glass behind me. 

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 17: Do you give a lot of thought to your image online?

I do not give a lot of thought to my image when online. Why? I am just myself online and offline. That is where the "What you see is what you get mentality" comes in.

I have said it many times before. If I have to be someone or something I am not just to impress people or make them like me, guess what? They are not worth my time and effort.

I have been online for many years. There are times when I have met people online in a public pace (cardinal rule number one if you choose this path). I am glad I did. One of the guys I met ended up being psycho. Then, he turned around and pulled the same scenario with one of my co-workers at the time. What a small world.

When it comes to image, I get the short end of the stick. I am average build and looks. I now have teeth problems (some broke and decaying) since I have been unable to go to the dentist for a while. It is embarrassing. When I talk to my friends that are more beautiful than myself, my self-esteem issues come through in my words. It does not matter what we are talking about. My friends can pick up on it easily.

In other words, I am just me both online and offline.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 16: Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Without wearing any mask we are conscious of, we have a special face for each friend." Do you agree or disagree?

I do not know if I agree or disagree. Everyone wears many masks. We use them to hide our true emotions to prevent others worrying about us.

When I do not wear a mask, a person (friend or not), will see the real me. Why? I am allowing all of me to show. That means, it is easy to tell that I am a loving and kind person. At the same time, the way I feel (whether it be emotionally or otherwise) is easy to tell. No matter how hard I try to hide how I feel, others will always sense when something is wrong. This is especially true of my friends and family.

I prefer to not wear a mask. However, I do not want people to approach me when I would rather be alone. Sometimes, I just need my space and do not want to be bothered.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 15: Social media allows you to mask parts of your personality and show others. What percentage of yourself do you think you reveal to people online?

When it comes to how much of myself I reveal online, it depends on what I am doing.

It does not matter what social media outlet I use. I am 100% myself. 

However, I do participate in various RPs (Roleplays). I can be whatever character I wish. I can be a vampire or anything I choose. Despite this, I still let my true self shine through.

I am the type who says: "What you see, is what you get. If you do not like it, keep walking." I am myself and not what others feel I should be.

I love to have fun, participate in spiritual forums, and chat with others. I love to make new friends.

It is alright to RP and be people (or things) you never thought possible. As a writer, participating in RPs come in handy. I can act out things to see what does and does not work.

In the end, ALWAYS be 100% yourself. Do not try to be someone or something you are not or what others think you should be. That is not being true to oneself.

Until next time...

Happy Writing!

Prompt 14: Free-writing 4

I have caught up on the NaNoWriMo preparations up until now. I am so glad I have a "day off" with it. Preparing for the NaNoWriMo can be taxing. I feel accomplished because I have made it to today and have not fallen behind. By keeping up with my daily "assignments," I have become a more disciplined writer. This will be helpful when November comes and in my writing life in general.

I am enjoying participating in the NaBloPoMo. I have finally written in a blog daily - compared to sporadic entries. This challenge is also helping me be more disciplined as a writer.

I am at the point where I look forward to writing again. For a while, I dreaded it and kept putting it off. These challenges have sparked my writing interest again. I look forward to writing everyday. Words cannot justify how joyful I feel about my chosen path - that of a writer.

I hope to start writing more for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. I have to get back into my groove for that one. If you would like to see what I have done so far, please go here:

http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/1469437/cindy_e_rogers.html

Until next time...

Happy Writing!