Goals for 2016

Well hello there! And welcome to the great blog adventure 2016!

I just finished going through my blog history to see if I've done this before, and as it turns out, I haven't. So I'm changing that now. I don't usually come up with New Years Resolutions-especially the get fit/eat better one since it kinda bugs me-but I believe last year or the year before (probably the latter), I made just one: to write more. And I can't quite remember how that one turned out. But I think at least for a few weeks, I did write more.

For a while now, I've wanted to get to where I can write something every day. It's a hard one to start and keep up. I try to remind myself that it only takes 21 days to start a new habit. So that's what I'm shooting for first: 21 days, then the year. Although, I may actually need to take it a tad bit slower than that, I'm not really sure. Oh well, it'll be an adventure at least. In fact, I think this will be quite an interesting year...I've managed to think up quite a few more resolutions than I thought I would...

• I will write something every day. Even if it's just a sentence. Baby steps here...there will be difficult days.
• I will get back to and keep up Blogging Fridays. More to the point, I'll make it more of a priority.

• I will read more in the genres that I write in.

• I will make time to read period. The time will not present itself.
• I will finish what I didn't read in 2015, and complete the 2016 Goodreads Reading Challenge (already updated over there➡).

Well...so much for that...

• The same goes for writing. This is my career, my work, and my business. It's high time I treated it as such. I will make time to write and figure out how to write even when I may not feel like it. I will use that as a tool for something creative.

So there you have it, my goals for 2016! Yes, mostly writing and reading related. I have quite a bit of work to do there. And I have my planner all ready to be filled up to help reign in the madness. Now to figure out how to use it as a blogging planner...

I may add some things to my list as the years goes on and I settle in. I will definitely be printing out this list and putting it up on my wall where I will see it. At any rate, I look forward to seeing what this year will bring and I'm excited to be back to blogging (oh, how I've missed this)!

     Let's make 2016 spectacular...
          Liz

Busy busy bee

So finally, I have a moment to sit down and explain why I've been MIA the past few weeks...as the title indeed suggests, I have been super busy the past couple of weeks. Enough that I can barely hear myself think now and it's a wonder I'm managing to keep up with my own schedule. But hey, I'm finally getting some actual use out of my calendar (both the one in my room and the ones on my phone and tablet)...and the smaller one in my purse, but that's beside the point...anywho...
I know I've mentioned it before a time or two about my college group's mission trip fundraiser which traditionally consists of taking various Broadway songs and performing them. My freshmen year we even had a Disney montage which took up the entire stage-including the baptistery! We started on one end with I See The Light from Tangled; people dressed in black came from the back of the sanctuary holding the various glowing "lanterns" and moved forward until they were surrounding our Rapunzel and Flynn. :) We also had Can You Feel The Love Tonight, from The Lion King. Then there was A Whole New World in the baptistery (complete with a platform "carpet" and looping night sky scenery on the projector). Briar Rose and Prince Phillip made an appearance as they sang Once Upon A Dream. And they had the ballroom dance scene from Beauty And The Beast while someone sang Tale As Old As Time. And finally, one of the girls sang Kiss The Girl to Prince Eric and Ariel (the girl playing Sebastian did so well, my mom thought she was lip-syncing).
Obviously, I could go on and on about dinner theater. It's something that I've admired for a long time. At first, it was generally meant as like a date night getaway for the parents, but eventually, they let us kids come watch too and it became more like a family thing and anyone could come. I think I got to see the last two years when I was in high school and I remember my senior year being so excited because the next year I was going to be able to participate. And so my freshman year, our theme was Dance And Romance Through The Decades. The next year it was country themed, and so there was more sassy things and a swing dance that I was able to be in with one of my guy friends. The girls got to have fun with Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me. We had nerds and cheerleaders. You can probably guess which one I was (::hint:: proud nerd, lol). And now this year, we're doing a movie theme. I'm excited to see what it all looks like when it comes together for dress rehearsal. :)
So I've been super busy with constant rehearsals going on, not to mention everything else going on right now. And with all of the rehearsing, I was told to ice my knees afterward to help with the pain from an old injury-which is what I'm currently doing as I write this. It seems to be working, so that's good.
I know the last thing I said on Twitter a few weeks ago was that it had been an emotional, tiring, and busy week. A lot of it had to do with the craziness of dinner theater rehearsals. What was left over had more to do with my Granny passing away...it still doesn't seem real. And it's all new to me because this is the first time I've ever lost anyone close to me. I know it will be a long process to deal with, but thankfully I have some pretty amazing friends around me right now that even though they don't say anything about it, they still let me know in their own way that they care about what I'm going through. That alone helps more than they will ever know. Plus, I know that she's no longer in pain and she's happy and healthy again. :)
I don't really want to dwell on the sadness a lot, or make this post more about that. But this is what the past few weeks have been like. Mostly the reason for my sudden disappearance has been because of super busy rehearsal schedules and not being able to think straight from that, along with a million and one other things on my mind. Hopefully I can find the time to continue Blogging Fridays this week, but we'll see. Almost two more weeks til showtime (ahh!). I know after all of this is done, I'll be free up again to continue Blogging Fridays, but in the meantime, it's just hard to carve out enough time to focus on blogging. Rest assured though, I haven't forgotten about it. And I do get sad when I miss even one week. I had hoped to start fresh this year and not miss a Friday. But I still have plenty of time left to make that a habit.
Anywho, so that's my life for the time being...looking forward to showtime and having my schedule not be quite so chaotic anymore.

     Thinking in circles...
          Liz

The Blog Life

So I recently went back to look over my blog history for how often I've blogged since I first started a few years ago. I know it's been extremely sporadic the past year or so, to say the least. And I want to do better about that. But life's been crazy with everything going on in the family, so it's hard to balance everything and keep writing, let alone blogging. Of course, I will be trying to focus on writing a lot more for NaNoWriMo. I mean, in my mind, that's my writing month. It might as well be called Writember instead of November, lol.
But anyway, I realized that the first couple of weeks of this blog was pretty much just non-stop blogging. I would blog once, even twice a day for a week straight. That's definitely a lot more than I've been doing since. So I've been thinking it over, and I think I'm going to try to designate a blogging day. One day a week, I will set aside some time to update a new blog post. Hopefully over some time, this will become a habit I don't even need to think about. I would like to have maybe two a week eventually, but we'll see how this goes. I have to get one habit started first. While I'm at it, I'll probably just have a day set aside for writing as well, that way I'm more guaranteed to have at least one day out of the week to write. Right now, with things as they are, I'm getting less than that done. Maybe it's just NaNo Prep, but I've had that writing stirring inside me and on the brain a lot more than it has been. I still don't know exactly what I'll be working on come NaNoWriMo, I may very well end up trying to multi-task as I tried doing in July Camp NaNo. There's so many ideas stirring around, and I've discovered in the past year or two that if I let that energy build up, then I'll have more excitement and drive when I actually get to writing. If I jump on whatever pops in my head, then my energy and ideas run out fast. Perk of waiting: most of the ideas I have are one little piece and tend to be a bit on the obscure side, so in waiting for my idea tank to fill up, the words generally pour out more at a time. And it's better that way. I can flesh it out a little better having thought it out a little more.
Chances are, once I decide on a writing day, you'll probably see posts about no interruption days or #WritingWednesday...something like that. I rather like Writing Wednesday, now that I think about it. Anyway, whenever I decide on a set day, there will more than likely be posts popping up here and there about it. Heck, I may even have a daily total at the end of Writing Wednesday (or whatever day I pick). That is...if my total word count isn't embarrassingly low, lol. Then again, anything is a step in the right direction. And it would be more than I'd have gotten done the day before. I think while I'm at it, I'll go on ahead and say I'll start today with Blogging Fridays. I'll start trying to get a new blog post out each Friday. The November posts will be the same as usual-stats at the end of each week, then it'll go back to normal posts. I rather like this designating a day thing. I'm thinking maybe I should've started that from the beginning, but back then I was blogging all the time. It'll be nice to get back to blogging more often again. Who knows? Maybe I'll even break my previous record for posts in a year (grand total of 20).
So here we go, first Blogging Friday in what will hopefully be a long line of Blogging Fridays. I'll say it now, if I don't make it one week, I probably have a very good reason. And I'll announce when I finally settle on a writing day as well.
One last thing...I just want to take a minute to thank anyone who's read anything of mine-whether you're a first time, or returning reader of this blog. Or maybe you're a reader on Wattpad/Booksie. Or a follower on Facebook/Twitter. Whatever it may be, I thank you, and I am flattered that anyone would take time out to read whatever it is. Lately there's been a peak in Twitter followers, and I just want to say thank you everyone! I've watched that number slowly climb since I started on Twitter, and seeing it climb higher since this summer just reminds me that my dream of writing is happening. Slowly, but surely, one day I will hold in my hands the proof copy of my debut novel. And a lot of the reason why will be because of you, dear readers. Because your support and encouragement-whether voiced or not-will be a big thing that pushes me to really go after writing. I'm getting there more each day. So thank you, everyone, anyone who has been there through all of this so far, and whatever may come. You mean more than you could know. :)

     Love always,
          Liz

Gone running with the Doctor. Be back soon.

Borrowed for a few adventures.

The Doctor


I seem to be doing a lot of apologizing for hiatus' in blogging, don't I? I had meant to keep up with blogging, even had a growing list of blog ideas to keep me going. But then I met the Doctor. That is to say, I finally got around to sitting myself down and watching this show I kept hearing so much about. I'd watched the first reboot episode a long time ago, but had yet to watch anymore up until roughly a month ago. Almost five seasons in, I am definitely a hooked Whovian now. Heck, I was a hooked Whovian before the first season was over. I think it's safe to say that until I get caught up (which should be soon-only three more seasons to go), my writing and blogging will probably suffer a little. My goal is to get caught up in plenty enough time to participate in NaNoWriMo as usual. I have two ideas I'm going back and forth between.
I know I promised a summary of how the Camp NaNoWriMo session back in July went, but there isn't much to tell. Still, I'll get on that and post how it went soon. Somewhere in between all the running with the Doctor.
Other than my newfound Whovian-ism, life has been a bit crazy. My mind is spinning with everything I have going on, or the things I need to get done. Plus some things going on with my grandparents for the past few months. I'm trying to get a handle on things, but it's just a lot. Please bear with me. I'm trying to get back to writing and blogging, but there's so much else lately that's grabbing my attention. Once I manage to make a decent dent in my to-do list, hopefully I'll be able to really get back to writing. But sadly, for right now, writing takes a break while I work on other things in life. But come November, rest assured one way or another, I'll be back to writing. One thing I can say about July NaNo is it gave me newfound confidence in knowing that I can hit 500 words in 30 minutes-something I never knew about myself before. Knowing even a portion of my potential does wonders for confidence for my writing in general, but more specifically in NaNoWriMo. Sadly, I have a standing record of not hitting that 50k goal all of the years I've participated. Only one year have I gotten even close. I doubt this year I'll hit it, but then you never know. One year though, I will hit that goal. And one year, I will be attending The Night of Writing Dangerously. Knowing me, I'll probably talk and socialize all night instead of writing like I'm supposed to, but I have no idea if I'll even get to go more than once. Although, it would be really cool to hit that 50k goal that night. I think they take your picture or give you a crown or something like that. It's been so long since I really looked at The Night of Writing Dangerously.
Anyway though, just thought I'd drop a quick note saying that I'll be running with the Doctor for a little bit longer. But come November, I'll have writing on the brain again. I have actually been thinking more of writing lately, but there's just too much else going on for me to have the time right now. Once I get some of that checked off my list and off my mind, I'll be more free up to focus on writing for NaNo. :)

     Always running...
          Liz

I'm baaaack (again)

Wow, so it's been a long time since I last blogged. I've missed this, but quite honestly, I've had an extremely rough year as far as my writing goes. No matter how badly I wanted to write something, it seemed that every time I sat down at my laptop, I would end up just staring at the blank screen. And that annoying blinking cursor. I'd be lucky if I got a paragraph down. But it happens. I find it hard to believe that there is a writer out there who doesn't struggle with the occasional dry spell. Or as one of my best friends calls it, writer's frustration.
The years since I've started writing and working toward that lovely goal of being a published author have been very up and down as far as total word count. Sadly, with most of the years being a very low word count. But I was-and still am-always, always writing a story in my head. I'm always brainstorming on an element I'm trying to expand, whether it be a character's back story, or trying to figure out how they would respond to any given situation. Or even trying to plan out how my fantasy world looks for my future dragon books. That one will take several more years, probably.
Anyway, my point is, even though I've had even lower world count than my usual low word count, I've been brainstorming a lot on my different projects. And I actually have several newer projects I'm working on now.
Which brings me to this month: the July session of Camp NaNoWriMo. I'm using this month to try to give myself that kick in the pants I need to get a few projects done. Several short stories, and a couple of novels I'm trying to get started. You can find them on Wattpad once they're done. And yes, I will be posting on here to give a heads up that they're there.
I'm going to try to do a weekly update as the month goes by (edit: whoops...ok, maybe an end of the month update on how the Camp session went), and I have a few other blog posts in the works too. Here's a preview of what's to come (in no particular order):

• How seven words can make a difference
• A few book reviews (I haven't forgotten about those....I just need to finish the books first...)
• A little more detail on a few of my current projects
• A different kind of blog hop
• A letter from me to you

So I'm just easing myself back into the writing world. I always forget how much I love to write. But when I do begin writing again, it's like a familiar feeling very much like seeing an old friend you've known your whole life, but don't get to see very often. It's that thrill and excitement of getting to see them again, and you're just giddy for a while. It sinks in, and you begin to realize just how much you've missed them.

I'm not making any plans for sitting down and finishing a novel. If it comes, it comes. I'm just playing everything out by ear right now. I'm trying to finish a few short stories and getting a good start on a couple of side project novels. I'm not making any plans on if I'll try NaNoWriMo in November yet. I'll make my mind up once the month gets closer. Although, I will say that this month has really gone very differently-in a positive way-than I would have thought. It's really given me quite the boost in my will and enjoyment to write than I've felt in a long time. And truth be told, it feels really good. I'm feeling more of a sense of accomplishment than I have since I don't know when. I don't know when that first great (I hope) novel will be finished and out there. For now, I'm just enjoying working on the things I am at my own pace, steadily getting them closer to being finished. Once I get these projects done, there will be a bit of a blow up on my Wattpad page, lol.
Oh yeah, and since the post previous to this one was about my dragon short...I am still working on that one. I know what I want to do with it, but my mind's been everywhere and back again for a while. Rest assured, soon enough, it will be up on my Wattpad page, and possibly on here. For now, I'm focusing on a few of my other projects and I'm making some nice progress so far. Here's hoping it continues to go that way. :)

     Always writing (even if in my head)...
          -Liz

Apologies

So I know I haven’t been very consistent with my blogging this month, and I’d like to take a moment to explain why.
At first, it wasn’t so bad, I had a couple of draft posts saved, intending on finishing them and posting them. But then I had an unbelievably busy week, and right in the middle of an already hectic week, my Grandmother nearly had a stroke and was put in the hospital for about two weeks, so the whole family was kinda busy with that. She’s doing a little better now, but still has a ways to go until she’s doing a whole lot better.
Anyway, then there’s my other set of grandparents-my Pap-paw and Granny. My mom told me just recently that they’re not doing so good. Of course, she’s been telling me this for a long time now, but it’s only just now sinking in. I’ve only ever had one Pap-paw. My other granddad passed away when I was about 12, and I never really knew him that well. I’m really close with my Pap-paw though, I always have been. He’s really special to me, and it’s kinda rough to suddenly realize that he may not actually be here for much longer. He’s been sick and it’s apparently taking a bit longer than it should for him to get better. I know it’s going to be really hard whenever it may be.
So, for the most part, it’s been a bunch of family stuff come up all at once that’s kept me away from my writing. That, and the other millions of things on my mind lately. I feel like I really need a break from everything, but at the same time, I feel like I don’t even have time for a break! It’s really crazy, and I’m trying my best to just relax and tackle one thing at a time.
Of course, my boyfriend is pretty good at keeping me relaxed too. If I’m really stressed, all I have to do is just be around him, and everything seems better, brighter and easier to tackle.
So bear with me for a while, dear readers…I’m still around, and definitely still writing. It just may be longer in between blog posts than I would like. On the upside, however, I do have a couple of more ideas for posts! So I should have roughly 4 or 5 rough drafts I can be working on for blog posts to be posted the next time I get a chance to breathe. :)

     “In tru nose…out tru mouth…”
          -Liz