Refreshing...

I know, I know… it's been a while. Again. LOL!

Well, these things happen.

On the upside, I've been getting a lot done. Hell, a lot more than I was before I started working full time. Which is, in itself, sorta weird.

Last time I wrote, I was having trouble with it. Trouble getting my grove on whilst working.

While I am still hit or miss on writing in book two, come the ass-crack o'clock, I am making headway with final edits from my betas for book one. I'm 1/3 of the way through with it, as a matter of fact. But the biggest thing coming out of this final pass is this:

I am regaining my sense of excitement for the book, the world and my characters. 

I have a clear direction to what I need to fix for book one so I can move on to the crazy writing of book two. Book two even has it's skeletal outline ready to go. (Be watchful of a blog post on that coming up. Pantsing it, versus Plotting it.)

Within this realm of revitalization and reintegration of Pendomus into my daily life… I've decided that my hub- this blog- needed its own refreshing. So, you may notice some changes that have taken place. A new look and feel - but still carrying forward similar colors, as they tie in to Pendomus so well.

I hope this update makes things easier to use. Easier to find. Easier to read.

I can't promise to blog as often as I should, but I will try to do it as often as I can.

MISSING: Time

Wow, writing and editing when you have a day job is hard. 


Honestly, I never thought it would be. I knew I would have less time… sure. That's obvious. But I never expected the soul crushing lack of energy that comes with it. 


Since starting my job, I've had absolutely no motivation to write. 


I've gotten feedback on Pendomus from some of my dear friends and fellow authors, Pavarti and T.S. Welti. They inspire me to get back to it. To find the time to write and edit. With some fantastic feedback from each, I feel like I can really do that. If only...


Time has been sticking out its tongue at me, fingerstips crammed into its ears saying, "Na-nananana! Yooooou can't catch me!"


I know I was lucky before to have time on my side. To be able to write during the day and make it my focus. Now, I have a lot to juggle inside that little bubble and so far… I've been failing at including writing into it.


I am also acutely aware that my plight is not mine alone. Many artists and authors work day jobs to support their artistry. I've heard to work on my lunch break, but I am already working out then… Or write when the kids are in bed, however, at that time my brain has all but shut down. My plan is to start getting up and hour earlier to write. That worked for me a year ago… I think it will work again now. 


But I have to come up with a game plan. To be completely honest with myself, I'm getting bored with Pendomus, book 1. I've been living it for nearly 2 years. While I know there are things to change and edit, I am giving it up for a while. 


Yes, you read that right. I GIVE UP. -- Just not like that. I give up trying to make Book 1 perfect before moving forward. Sometimes, I think it's okay to move forward while some things are still unresolved. Who knows? It may make for a better series if I can see more into the future of it. 


So, with that in mind, I am stepping out of book 1 to start book 2. 


I will hold all of my critiques and beta suggestions for when I can do them all at once. What do you think? Am I insane?


To those of you working, how do you manage? Do you have any tips? How do you stay motivated and focused?

Get set… GO!

Let's do it.

I'm officially down to the wire.

In a last ditch attempt to refocus before the big Moonlight and Magnolia's event at the end of September, I'm taking the next two weeks to hyper-focus on finishing up Pendomus.

I've entered the final stages… the last 6 chapters. There's a bit of reworking that has to happen, but I can do it. Especially now that my son's 6 year old birthday party mayhem has passed. (And I survived! Thank goodness!)

Anyhoo...

Unfortunately, it means tossing out my Goddamn Deadline and trading it in for an additional week. (In all honesty, it doesn't seem so bad. I'm gonna consider it a one week extension. HA!)

So… if I go into hiding during the daylight hours, this is why. I'm sure I'll still be chattin' on Twitter in the wee daylight hours or evenings, once my brain is fried.

No more tiptoeing around this sucker. I'm letting go of my fear to finish this and moving forward.

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."  

                                                                                       ~Walt Disney 

Here I go…

Pendomus' Undo Button

Undo the Redo

Bloody hell. I believe there is a *headdesk* in my future.

So, here's the latest...

I had a fun and productive lunch with Beta-reader-extraordinaire on Friday. However, it opened my eyes to a dilemma with the latest version of Pendomus.

Turns out, the ending of the first (uber first) worked better.

*headdesk*

Why... oh, why....?

I think I had a momentary lapse of reason. Maybe it was one too many bumps on the noggin'. I don't know.

Now I gotta go and change it back. *gah*

Back in happy land... as far as edits go... things are AWESOME!

I've gone through the first ten chapters. (Hey, man, I'm 2 ahead of the game for my goddamn deadline!)
That's right, I've had my super editor hat on.

In addition to Beta-reader-extraordinare's advice, I've been following the words and experience of my awesome CRITS gals, Kara, Gina and Kendall. There are scenes that are getting chopped and put in the "deleted scenes" abyss. It's all good. The flow works better and I totally dig it. It's better write too much than not enough, right? ;)

Anyway... that's my update.

Making progress. Made a mess. Scrambling for the undo button.

I'll get there.

I hope.