tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24933745575722579682024-03-12T20:41:29.848-07:00D.V. SheppardThe web-log of a duck-herding author.D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-43912958839654367652015-04-01T05:11:00.000-07:002015-04-01T05:11:00.536-07:00For the Love of Cashew Milk and the Nervous, Gulpy, Awkward Face<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkTvLt5hHWbKzrwLlQl7U38oizHuVF7ZFV3sa0unJTNqWCqNn0wXwdrIV6jyXRvrH805TbxHk1sr794mmAlJN1xZme12sAICCfUwSBhtdmO_mx_xrmT0gJFcpgOX3eucIsxvmgPV82ZQ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a>I sort of feel like a broken record. Like once a month I spit out all that ails me in a therapy session. But, I swear I'm not making it up. All that emotional upheaval that make January and February hell? Yeah, it was replaced by life and money hell :p It could be worse, but a trip to the ER for my husband, job changes, tax season, blah blah blah. The past couple weeks have been downright exhausting. Everything sort of happened at once. I like to think things are settling down, but I suppose until I get my final papers written for school I can't quite get comfy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGumM4plJcmIDAhVSPS2CfEV97yXmZpiWFOwiE3GGyIyVfNAlJE-aP_TXYg0TRMH_6fdDXvmNsnsAdMewKXnmyd8HYmPShNOnQh6iPqAjO3m9RkmxCwku8vgh0MdAWtpMfZyFItsHWiJTP/s1600/Incredible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGumM4plJcmIDAhVSPS2CfEV97yXmZpiWFOwiE3GGyIyVfNAlJE-aP_TXYg0TRMH_6fdDXvmNsnsAdMewKXnmyd8HYmPShNOnQh6iPqAjO3m9RkmxCwku8vgh0MdAWtpMfZyFItsHWiJTP/s1600/Incredible.jpg" /></a>On a much lighter note, I just had some <b>cashew milk ice cream</b> and thought I died and went to heaven. As a milk-a-phobe (I'm not really afraid of milk, it just makes me feel like miserable), I have known better than to have ice cream for several months. It's really not worth it, and though I have accepted living without, every once in awhile I think about it and get tempted to pick up some non-dairy ice cream. Frankly, though, while usually I'm really not picky, I'm just not a fan of coconut or almond milk ice cream enough to pay five bucks a pint and I don't do soy. So I've just gussied up and tried not to complain about the situation. That being said, when I'm hankering for a cold treat, I'll sometimes mosey on by the freezer section of the store to see if a sorbet looks good. This time around I saw the cashew milk ice cream. It's new, at least in my area and was... well sort of on sale... meaning that if that price is on sale I will never pay full price :p You see I'd learned that the right brand of cashew milk actually has the closest flavor to milk without being sickly sweet or tasting like, well.. an almond. I decided to give it a try and was so excited about the result that I texted my husband with the new - and my boss with the news, because he's a non-dairy-er too.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What does this have to do with writing?</b> Absolutely nothing. I'm just that happy about my discovery. As for writing - I've gotten into the joy of revisions and have been really happy with all the changes so far. I even get excited about the progress! I see it written out like so:<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Words Revised: 35,570</b><br />
<b>Words Yet to be Revised:86,686</b><br />
<br />
And I think, "Yay! Progress!"<br />
<br />
Then I think of the scenes coming up and the work to do, I get that <b>nervous, gulpy, awkward face that they've mastered in cartoons</b>, and wonder, "Will I keep making progress?"<br />
<br />
It's a silly question, because - Heck yeah I'm gonna keep rolling on! None the less, it's a new challenge to be in this place. I feel excited and impatient, but mostly nervous at the prospect that I may just finish a book. A book that I feel is worth something. One that is worthy of sending out to be read. And hope seems so dangerous. But, dangerous or not, no one ever got anywhere with a book by staying safe and not risking it out in the real world.<br />
<br />
So I send out a "Hurrah!" to all of you brave writers out there who are or have braved the danger and shared your work with the world!<br />
<br />
<b>How about you? Do you have that "knowing nod" to share about getting into a good revision of your book and seeing what's coming up with the realization of how hard it's going to be? What motivated you? What was the best tactic you took to revising?</b> <br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-pOAQBjOkRC4%2FU2oXgUEVUdI%2FAAAAAAAAE0k%2FfO2Vcxhgkcc%2Fs1600%2FInsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkTvLt5hHWbKzrwLlQl7U38oizHuVF7ZFV3sa0unJTNqWCqNn0wXwdrIV6jyXRvrH805TbxHk1sr794mmAlJN1xZme12sAICCfUwSBhtdmO_mx_xrmT0gJFcpgOX3eucIsxvmgPV82ZQ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" -->D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-48621619936746431532015-03-14T21:11:00.004-07:002015-03-14T21:39:45.182-07:00In Which I Toot My Own Horn and Shame Myself :PI was feeling a little triumphant. You see, I've been stuck on that scene and - I got some really good ideas and encouragement from all y'alls (has anyone every told you that you rock? Because you do) - so I got to utilizing some of those ideas. One thing that helped a lot was getting the Wombat in to help me.<br />
<br />
Now, first, I should explain that I had this sort of dilemma. You see, the Wombat is an amazing sounding board and crit partner. He's helped me with a ton of stuff. However, I've been apprehensive since coming back to Book 1 and starting revisions, to have him read the book as I've changed it. I don't want him to get sick of it, or too... numb to it? So I haven't let him read the revised work.<br />
<br />
But then I got stuck. I'm still unwilling to budge on having him read the new stuff because I'm saving him for a read through once I finish my first revision - I need him to be able to have a start-to-finish experience, because I know that he knows what I want the book to be, and he will be able to tell me if I pulled it off. However... it's been a long time since he originally read my book... you know, as I wrote it. So I had him read my un-revised scenes in and around the section I've been stuck in.<br />
<br />
He gave me his thoughts, and we hammered out the problems, and I shared the changes I'd made that needed to be incorporated and we beat the new scene into submission. It feels much more plausible and I feel more hopeful about how the pacing will pan out.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHfTPAxD3nuU8CKpvNLsC_MjzwoCm13tHupjxR9voIs2pKWUKUsOGOwHcwGp96hRhK6NPAsgbYQnLGo2vE6Hmj9eWfXdWTMv8Ref_z9N-bdH_SO0MhM5ALdpxyyy3_7VpIAZs2BdLYOcR/s1600/Pssst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHfTPAxD3nuU8CKpvNLsC_MjzwoCm13tHupjxR9voIs2pKWUKUsOGOwHcwGp96hRhK6NPAsgbYQnLGo2vE6Hmj9eWfXdWTMv8Ref_z9N-bdH_SO0MhM5ALdpxyyy3_7VpIAZs2BdLYOcR/s1600/Pssst.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... yeah... not that amazing, D.V.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hurray! I got it all rolling and it's fun again! Yay! When I feel happy about writing - I like to cheer myself on with stats. So here they are:<br />
<br />
Words Revised: 27,304<br />
Words Yet to be Revised: 95,754<br />
<br />
Yeah, I know, there is still a long way to go - but, hey! 27,304 words! That's like almost 110 pages of a mass market paperback :D And those pages are a lot better than they were :)<br />
<br />
Now, obviously I still have a ways to go -but thinking about the Wombat helping me with my book, made me start thinking about critique partners. I'm about to reveal how much of a hermit, or workaholic or something-lonely-and-anti-social but... I really only have one friend that writes - and rarely if ever in the same genre. She's real busy, though I expect when this puppy is done that she will be willing to be a beta reader. She's rockin' awesome like that.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOn9CoQOqTctohOl8hTWkrbgrsXoBoGUoUpvEvHHceqz0vbhx2QAyKqM7OwijR8vZIqghD9dCaUXlUBGfmftkjp470zJrVQ_tBcJaWSr4w7lhNrEbITrkXdrm-euFIc14QfbRDpgc3RDdu/s1600/Incredible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOn9CoQOqTctohOl8hTWkrbgrsXoBoGUoUpvEvHHceqz0vbhx2QAyKqM7OwijR8vZIqghD9dCaUXlUBGfmftkjp470zJrVQ_tBcJaWSr4w7lhNrEbITrkXdrm-euFIc14QfbRDpgc3RDdu/s1600/Incredible.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D.V..... Seriously? Feet back on the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But... that's kind of it... and well.... I don't know how to get more help. How do you find critique partners? Are you best asking people who write in your genre? I mean... asking someone who isn't a huge fan read your 500 page epic fantasy sounds just unkind... I'm probably whining more than anything... but frankly, I don't know how to help myself with this. Which is frustrating because... I'm actually a pretty dang good critique partner. I know I'm tooting my own horn here - but, I love to help people optimize their vision - and I'm good at it. It's been a hugely gratifying experience to help people in my writing class and to hear how much I've been able to help them. I'm pretty lame when it comes to the grammar and punctuation - but the vision, the pacing, the message - I can help people get those across. I know I exist, so I know others exist... but how do you find each other? How do you find those symbiotic, mutually beneficial partnerships?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGfGRnmrXRkaKCiIO62ECOwGXG5-8PTjp3I2ost3S8tDcf5GT7KgRIBjfnqwvkB5RxenfJ-5toGFpQ2iUEjzR0t7V99jMyDLsnQBzBmhnd8rbGzDLJA81p2XL0h-PpBuvPuGSwX3DLrFf/s1600/Suggestions_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGfGRnmrXRkaKCiIO62ECOwGXG5-8PTjp3I2ost3S8tDcf5GT7KgRIBjfnqwvkB5RxenfJ-5toGFpQ2iUEjzR0t7V99jMyDLsnQBzBmhnd8rbGzDLJA81p2XL0h-PpBuvPuGSwX3DLrFf/s1600/Suggestions_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear D.V.<br />
Get a Grip<br />
- Love, D.V.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I suppose step one is to not be a hermit, or workaholic or something-lonely-and-anti-social that toots their own horn. Maybe two good beta-readers will be enough : P<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. - If you haven't already checked out my <a href="http://gagglesheep.blogspot.com/p/disbanded.html" target="_blank">Me-Casted Book</a> page, you can look at hunky pictures of men and women that I imagine my characters to look like.D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-85365100661781659062015-03-04T09:24:00.001-08:002015-03-04T09:24:57.712-08:00Life, Revisions & Agent Blogs (IWSG)<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkTvLt5hHWbKzrwLlQl7U38oizHuVF7ZFV3sa0unJTNqWCqNn0wXwdrIV6jyXRvrH805TbxHk1sr794mmAlJN1xZme12sAICCfUwSBhtdmO_mx_xrmT0gJFcpgOX3eucIsxvmgPV82ZQ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a>Hiya folks!<b> Happy March </b>to y'all. Last month I spoke about how miserable things were. Friends - they stayed so freaking miserable. I say "Happy March" because in com<br />
parison February it would have to be happy or it would have broken the internet. Or something... apparently that happens a lot. (The dress is white and gold O.O and so was the llama! o.O O.o).<br />
<br />
I didn't really get anything resolved until last week. It took a lot of prayer, and getting over some SERIOUS nerves to handle the situation. Except that it was the reasonable response for any adult - I sort of feel like I should get a medal :p Anyway, now that I'm no longer vacillating between the pits of despair and the rage of the machine - now I reside in a fluffy cloud of meditation and reason - I'm peeking into my <b>writing</b>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC97C3OUMWnIxlOPv5v5U7Q9V3Qo0rR_K4R5nzrE0rfeEZkWEm7C-IvVMCe6eQrTqBbcs6iE09vGHUa81LED2weeCmwdkxwaVv2CDVk24FJPU2K2XL1Io-NjzgDp3jAV_nvhR6eVAZiQ2v/s1600/Get_the_Lead_Out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC97C3OUMWnIxlOPv5v5U7Q9V3Qo0rR_K4R5nzrE0rfeEZkWEm7C-IvVMCe6eQrTqBbcs6iE09vGHUa81LED2weeCmwdkxwaVv2CDVk24FJPU2K2XL1Io-NjzgDp3jAV_nvhR6eVAZiQ2v/s1600/Get_the_Lead_Out.jpg" /></a>I sort of got royally stuck on a scene. I'm not sure what to do with it. I almost want to get rid of it - except it's not really one of those scenes you can get rid of. :/ But when I find myself in places like this I always wonder - if I don't want to write it (or in this case revise it).... then wouldn't that mean that no one would want to read it? I think that once I start working on it again, I will get back in the swing and get interested - but what I'm hoping for is some advice. I asked last month and got some good responses - but I want more! More! More I say!<br />
<br />
<b>What are your best revision tips? What are your favorite things about revision? What helps you revise to a pretty polish? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
While, I haven't been working on my book a ton this month - I have still kept in on the writing world. My favorite way to do that is to read <b>agent blogs</b>. Right now there are a few that I follow - but my absolute favorite is <b><a href="http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Janet Reid</a></b>. I like her voice and her personality. I also love her <b>commenters</b>. There's gold in them their thoughts. If you aren't already reading some agent blogs I recommend you take advantage :)<br />
<br />
May your March month be a happy month!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXeifCFKBzFTs753N2R0vMl5YchO3qdO-8J1JpMr0S3t5NkQ7amGEir0rLKrp2JOKOENx2qDFkrujZRLFjn8AhuBfZqNwpykSP9v3FbY5jDk3PTPj8s59T-Qr8cHCe7n-vnBKB9K8-TAu/s1600/wombat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXeifCFKBzFTs753N2R0vMl5YchO3qdO-8J1JpMr0S3t5NkQ7amGEir0rLKrp2JOKOENx2qDFkrujZRLFjn8AhuBfZqNwpykSP9v3FbY5jDk3PTPj8s59T-Qr8cHCe7n-vnBKB9K8-TAu/s1600/wombat.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<br /></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
"Mmmmm Okra! Omnomnomnom!" - the Wombat </h2>
<h3>
A while back I mentioned that my better half - the Wombat - wrote a hilarious love letter to okra. Here it is! Enjoy:</h3>
<br />
<h4 style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Pickled
Okra: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Long Distance Relationship</span></b></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Walking through the grocery store is always a
heart-wrenching experience, knowing that I’ll catch a glimpse of you high on a
shelf in the pickle isle stoically occupying your tiny spot like a sentinel. Oh
my pickled okra, as I sit and reflect on our delicious history together, I
realize that there must have been a time that we didn’t know each other. And
yet, that’s so hard to imagine! As long as I can remember you’ve always been
there, though mostly at a distance, like a well-loved uncle who also just so
happens to be a mid-tier celebrity that travels more than stays at home. Always
too expensive to actually be with you, but hyper aware of your presence
wherever I go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Your label has been crafted into a face of comfort for
those that know your inner zest, yet somehow common enough that you blend in
unassumingly with the crowd. You have no need to bring awareness to yourself
more than you do, because you’re an underground success. You have no need to
show off or catch anyone’s eye, nor do you make yourself more important than
you actually are. And to me, that’s one of your best qualities. I can imagine
that you’re there for me; just me, you, and the memories that we’ve had. And
sometimes that’s enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Other times though, that’s not enough at all. I long for
the cool touch of the glass jar that surrounds your true desirability. I ache
for the soft gasp of air as the vacuum seal is broken with a steady counter
clockwise twist to your golden lid. The burst of salivation as the aroma of
your fermented spiced brine reaches my nose, like a salty dill perfume, causing
my mind to reel as I so willingly recount our times together. The liquid that
is your brine reminds me of the many tears we’ve shed for one another in what
seems like eons since our last one-on-one connection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> But most of all, I hurt for that soft texture as I sink
our teeth in to the present moment with you, as we mingle the remembered with
the new. It’s only the two of us now, reliving so many fond memories, just as
we create new chapters in our long history together. Your soft and beautiful
skin that hides an equally beautiful inside. A deeper core that pops with new
and hidden excitement for life within every opened seed. I know these flavors
have been kept hidden from the world; that this experience is just for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Yes, sometimes it’s okay watching you at arms distance as
you follow your dreams of niche success. It’s okay to ache a little as you wear
your outer shell for the rest of the world, even if you never reach the
widespread appeal that so drives you. But at other times, I need you here in my
hands. I need your smell, your touch, and the salt that speaks so loudly of
your experiences. But I’ve also learned that the distance makes every encounter
a special treat. And while I wish we could always be together, maybe it’s the
distance that has made our love grow so strong in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">- Love, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The Wombat</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-23851823051543447922015-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:002015-02-04T06:00:09.213-08:00Because, Life (IWSG)I've been reading a couple y'all's recent posts and it seems I am not alone in January kind of... well suckin' awful. I don't know that I would say the month in its entirety held a complete enmity on existence, but it sure ended like it wanted to suffocate as much as it could manage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdTAbBtK085aWEgAoW05htVrqoMJVjyjBSHC220eSUMMMQ1gLl0PpIJ0SBQXwDyS-fJKXoH1u2BNXCIoktu7SMlH6gQQWA59al-rfVNszkfeWHL8RWMWp9Zo4nXu1U64b2W8Z4Fea5tTj/s1600/Do_Not_Disturb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdTAbBtK085aWEgAoW05htVrqoMJVjyjBSHC220eSUMMMQ1gLl0PpIJ0SBQXwDyS-fJKXoH1u2BNXCIoktu7SMlH6gQQWA59al-rfVNszkfeWHL8RWMWp9Zo4nXu1U64b2W8Z4Fea5tTj/s1600/Do_Not_Disturb.jpg" /></a>I felt like crap last week. Pissed. Apathetic. Hurt. Numb. An awful cyclical LAME. I spat more expletives either in my head or out loud than I have probably in the past year as a whole. I don't swear as a general rule, so for me, it was a sign that I really didn't give a... poop... about anything.<br />
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I seem to be recovering, though, there are some things in life that I really wish would heal. Wombat and I dedicated the month of February to Prayer. Because... we really aren't good for anything else. Something's gotta give and when something's gotta give, you got it give it Up.<br />
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What does this have to do with writing? Dumb question, I know. How many of you can actually get good work and writing done on a project when you feel like you're in a mire? (Please, have mercy and don't post that it's during that time that you get all your most brilliant revisions and publications done, or I might cry)<br />
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I've done little if nothing. I couldn't remember why it mattered, or why I ever cared. It was sad face. I'm coming out the other end as of this Monday. Heck, I even had one of my patients at work offer a kind gesture that made me feel a little warm and fuzzy. She's one of those intuitive sort -you can't escape them seeing through the smiling lie on your face, no matter how practiced you've become (or not, My job in a nutshell? Maybe.)<br />
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So here I am tentatively poking my head out, wondering if it's safe to touch the manuscript again. It hurts to look at it and feel nothing. I have some hope.<br />
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<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkTvLt5hHWbKzrwLlQl7U38oizHuVF7ZFV3sa0unJTNqWCqNn0wXwdrIV6jyXRvrH805TbxHk1sr794mmAlJN1xZme12sAICCfUwSBhtdmO_mx_xrmT0gJFcpgOX3eucIsxvmgPV82ZQ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a>On another note, as I have just delved into revisions for my book, I thought that I would take the advice of... well... some brilliant blogger that I read... can't recall who... it's all a blur... who mentioned writing a query letter even before writing a book - just to prove that your book is query-able. My book is definitely already written, but I figure as I am revising, it's in a "tear me up, glue me back together" stage that would allow major changes - should I find my story lacking important query-able elements. I don't know if that paragraph made any sense, but I have to hit the loo, so I'm not going to look back and fix it if it's gibberish because I need to go.<br />
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Well... I'm back... You'd think I had kids with how unabashed I am with sharing the schedule of my potty breaks. Anyway...<br />
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Thanks for listening, IWSGers. I will leave you with one more face palm. My last post was a lament on how my bitty super-beginner writing class didn't help much with my paper like I was hoping. This week - two papers that I passed around returned with <b>incorrect</b> grammar corrections. I think I incredulously ranted on my way home, but I suppose that's not fair of me. I know they were trying to help. Needless to say, I've officially adjusted my expectations, and will work on appreciating their efforts and willingness... but otherwise maybe just submit my paper to the schools online writing center for a tutor to look over.<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">However, the classes we are taking are mandatory and no testing-out is offered. The results of which mean that I am currently taking a very introductory writing class. Very introductory. I'm only in the first week of class, so I'm not sure exactly how the class will pan out, but so far it's rather enjoyably easy. There's been some nice, breezy grammar review, which has been kind of fun in that way that can only be found when doing homework far below your actual competency. Then, of course, there are the writing assignments, and it's been pretty fun to stretch my fingers and write things that I would otherwise never bother to write.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVPwf4C1IyEndEa8nHTQDe55copzurvhxRXkppNCNoc7Qu46Pb1jTgZfipjTsaV8JTzwX7nX_TtslQ5elUShLAo4vAgv-fOSoVFvKYtHkpPzJs7JpzRvxtP8lWWSe3_2eNpokgauEKhTq/s1600/wombat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #674ea7;"></span></a><i><span style="color: #073763;">(I just had assignment in which I had to write a love letter to something. I wrote about my <a href="http://www.wipebook.com/" target="_blank">Wipebook</a>. It was precious. The <b>Wombat</b> wrote about pickled okra. It made me laugh and blush. As the class is associated with religious courses I had to advise him to edit it just a tad for content. A little innuendo = you can blame the reader for having a dirty mind. The amount of innuendo he had = hard to find someone innocent enough NOT to blush when reading, Maybe I'll post his paper up. It's totally worth reading.)</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Tonight, though, in class we all split up into groups and then critiqued each others papers. This is always fun for me. I fancy myself pretty good at giving good critiques. I may be wrong about that, but I enjoy fancying myself with it. Anyway - my group held a good writer, and okay writer and a poor writer and me. It was fun and challenging to find out - in a very limited time - what would be the most helpful advice. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Well, that was all fine - but then I got my critiques. Frankly, there was hardly anything to them. Maybe my paper really was that nicely put together. That's nice, but not very satisfying. I was ready for critique. I figure I was running amok of two writer hazards. The first possible hazard: there was no one in my group that actually cared, or felt themselves much in the way of writers, enough to think deep and tell me what might help. The other possible hazard: because one or two knew that I liked to write and did so as a hobby, the word got spread that I am "A Writer" - and who of those that do not also call themselves "A Writer" is going to assume that they could critique "A Writer." </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I was bumbed. Don't get me wrong I got nice compliments and there were three minor pieces of feedback that I can take back and consider while writing my subsequent drafts, but,,,, come on! I want it to get better! Which is to say - I want my skill to get better! Per my instructor, it sounds like I"m pretty set to ace the class, as the course parameters are so basic - and the actual writing assignments aren't earth shatteringly important to me, but... I have to write them, so I figure I might as well get some help in improving my writing along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">:p Maybe next writing assignment :)</span></div>
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-59751101082614009582015-01-07T16:14:00.007-08:002015-01-07T16:15:57.778-08:00She May Be Zombie (IWSG)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkTvLt5hHWbKzrwLlQl7U38oizHuVF7ZFV3sa0unJTNqWCqNn0wXwdrIV6jyXRvrH805TbxHk1sr794mmAlJN1xZme12sAICCfUwSBhtdmO_mx_xrmT0gJFcpgOX3eucIsxvmgPV82ZQ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
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She Lives!</h2>
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You may think I am speaking of myself, and while coincidentally that's true, I actually speak - no rejoice in the rising from the dead of my dear friend and favorite writer - the Inkscratcher, herself! - <a href="http://talktothepen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">R.M. Whitaker</a>. This dear woman is a dear friend with a talent that I can only dream of achieving. To give you an idea of how rad this woman is - her hobby writing in high school had other writers asking if they could buy her stories so they could publish them. Pretty rockin' awesome.</div>
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Well, my dear friend has been on something of a writing hiatus. She's been off gallivanting the world, doing good, living life and rockin' it all. While I've been impressed, proud and happy for her, I could practically giggle with delight to know that she is warming up her fingers again, and spreading her delicious talent in print form. I absolutely recommend you go and meet her. <a href="http://talktothepen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Click</a> and say hi!</div>
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Needless to say, her resurrection post inspired me to climb out of my earthy tomb as well. You see - I could use some help and there is no better place to go than my dear IWSG. You see, divine inspiration - that only sometimes gentle but always correct "nudger" - came to me a couple months ago, smiled kindly and pushed me with not a bit of sheepishness right out of one project and back into another.</div>
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Last I spoke here on the interwebs I was working on writing Book 2 (working title Disbanded). I worked on it through fall continuously, if slowly. My determination was firm and I happily finished POV one, and had moved onto POV 2. I got miserably stuck, but Determination kept me hitting my head against the book cover trying to knock works out of my noggin and onto the page. Then came that smiling "nudger". </div>
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I can't deny that it was something a relief, when I got that distinct impression sending me back to start edits of Book 1 (working title Unbanded). However, I didn't realize just what I was getting myself into. I'm being humbled and discovering that revision is hard. I feel like I'm working at a snails pace. I'd naturally hoped that much of my book (because of my obviously and overwhelming talent *now hangs head in shame*) would need good edits, but not necessarily HUMONGOUS re-writes. I admit this with gratitude that I can hide on this side of my screen from the amused "I could have told you that" expressions that you experienced folks have every write to smile my way. </div>
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Because here I am, barely into my book and re-writing most of what is there. It's both exciting and exhausting. I'm making it better than I could have hoped in some cases, but also suffering through the re-positioning and re-filming with my author-cam.</div>
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So, while in my meeker state I want to know what you know - or rather:</div>
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<i>What do you <b>wish you'd known before your first major revision</b>? What did you not do the first time you revised that <b>you have never forgotten to do again</b> because it's that freakin' amazing? What did you do that first time that <b>you will never do again</b>? Send me your expertise!</i></div>
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I was about to write "about a month ago" - but the truth is - I have lost most of my sense of time the past... however long.... Let's try again.<div>
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<a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkTvLt5hHWbKzrwLlQl7U38oizHuVF7ZFV3sa0unJTNqWCqNn0wXwdrIV6jyXRvrH805TbxHk1sr794mmAlJN1xZme12sAICCfUwSBhtdmO_mx_xrmT0gJFcpgOX3eucIsxvmgPV82ZQ/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
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It has been my intention to start blogging more. I wrote a post once about why I struggled with this - the gist of which was that I didn't know what to write about. Then one day I sat pondering about what kind of posts I like to read and which one's I don't. For instance - everyone has been engaging in the A-Z Challenge, and I found that my absolute favorite blogger this time around was <a href="http://lexacain.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lexa Cain</a>. She posted about haunted places. It was awesome. I was totally engaged and excited to read about the different places. It had to have been quite and endeavor and I was impressed. However, even as I thought that I might have found something I'd enjoy writing about - basically, micro-history posts - I realized that in my current place in life, doing such posts frequently would become overwhelming for me. It would have to be a once a month thing. So I tucked that idea into my bag and kept thinking.</div>
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I recently stumbled upon a blog (briefly, and I can't remember the name of it) on which the writer was recording her journey out of debt. It was intriguing, and personal and I liked that. However, it felt a little too personal for my telling and I couldn't think of anything in my life that I wanted to share with the world that way. It got me thinking however, of the idea of learning from others experience. I have recently had a strong desire to change my schedule and start waking up early. I looked at the hours I spend doing things and decided that if I became that morning person that I longed to be, that I would be able to accomplish just a bit more each day. I decided I would begin a Morning Experiment. It was something that I could tie into writing and was feeling passionate about - so I tucked that idea into my bag and kept thinking.</div>
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You see, I felt that I could be pretty impersonal on the web. I have a lot of good reasons why... I mean... the only reason you really need is: It's the internet. But, my absolute favorite blog to read - which I never miss a post on - is that of Patrick Rothfuss. He has such a captivating voice, I like reading it even when the content is only so-so. He manages to share just enough of himself, without exposing his life to everyone. This finally convinced me that I need to talk about SOMETHING I was passionate about. I am passionate about writing - but, I don't have much to say about it. I'm passionate about my job, but that's not for me to share (as per HIPAA :). I'm passionate about the Wombat, but no one wants to read post after mushy post about someone else's lovey-kins. So I thought, and thought, and wondered if maybe I had a NeuroEmotional Complex (NEC) about it. Then I smiled, because that was something else that I was passionate about. You see, I'm <u>not </u>a practitioner - and I am <u>not</u> trained in the NeuroEmotional Technique, but after watching it done and having it done on me for years, I have learned how to do it, and the Wombat and I will use the technique on each other when we feel the need. Some of the biggest writing hurtles I have ever had were overcome because of this technique. So I decided that the personal piece would be an occasional Wed-NET-day post, in which I would share my experience clearing a trapped emotion and what happened because of it. </div>
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So I began tucking this idea into the bag, but now the bag was kind of full. I looked in there at the shiny new ideas in there and I began to feel insecure. Who was I kidding? I can barely manage one post a month with IWSG!... but... I suppose I could do some NET about blogging... it may prove helpful and then I could write about that to get started... and if I got up earlier, I may have those few extra minutes to throw a post together... and daggnabbit I need to find sometime to do some research and enjoy learning, lest I become a complete workaholic. Maybe I can do it after.... so..... stay tuned.....?</div>
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-44413219343985252362014-04-02T22:00:00.001-07:002014-04-02T22:00:10.360-07:00Monthly Visit (IWSG)Well, friends, I am sad to say that not much has changed since last month. Work is still kicking my butt and writing has been taking a back seat. It's always embarrassing when the first Wednesday of the month rolls around and I realize that I haven't managed to pump out a single blog and my book progress is atrocious. That being said, work really has been kicking my butt. Oh yeah, and the Wombat has been suffering through a mid-life crisis at the unripe age of 25, and frankly, it's taken a toll. That being said, I am hopeful to say that we are on the upswing, and as is my nature - when I am on the upswing I like to up the ante. Anti? Antee? Ante... We'll go with that.<br />
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Goal time. We will be having the good fortune of being able to fly back home to our Portland roots in the upcoming, and will be seeing some of our awesome fam. This got me thinking, "Wow, when people ask me how my book is going (cause at least one will probably ask), what do I want to be able to say?" That got me ruminating. I thought, "Maybe if I can say I am halfway, I'll feel like I am sharing good news!" So I made that goal. However, I then realized that I was pretty close to that point and if that's all I required of myself between now and then, I would be making it nigh-on impossible to achieve my extraordinarily vague long term goal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop! Click Me!</a></td></tr>
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So I coaxed out the Wombat and we got to work - which typically means he listens like the Saint that he is while I ramble off ideas and reasons and ho and hum for exorbitant lengths of time. Eventually, Saint Wombat and I emerged triumphant and walking right alongside us was Mr. Insecurity.<br />
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You see, I am pretty careful to only make goals that are achievable. After all goal's need to be "S.M.A.R.T." - and A stands for Achievable... but... I am at that uncomfortable desperate point in which my greatest motivation to complete my book in the allotted time is that I can't bare for it to take longer than that!<br />
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So me and Mr. Insecurity have become unfriendly friends of late. However. If I believe that sometimes, under extreme circumstances you need to fire a friend. Don't give him any advance warning- but I think Mr. Insecurity is gonna be next on the incendiary list.<br />
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So here's to new goals! Here's to June 13th! June 13th - the day in which I celebrate the birth of my very best friend Saint Wombat and -<strike> if </strike>when everything goes right - the day that he celebrates finally getting to finish reading the story that he's had to wait years to get to.<br />
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<br />D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-66470523018752083482014-03-05T10:02:00.001-08:002014-03-05T10:03:24.222-08:00What the hay!?!?! (IWSG)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop</a><br />
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Holy cow pie. It's already been a month? I wish that I could say that I had something unique to share - but I am in the exact same spot as I was last month. I have been so busy at my job that I have been struggling to get the writing in. I have fudged in a line or two between patients - oh!oh! and the Wombat and I went to dinner and worked on clarifying one of my characters! That was fantastic! But wow... I feel like I'm sleeping, working, working, trying to keep my home in slight form of order, working... Yeah... You'd think I was making bank with all this working, but... between the car starting to cause some problems and taxes impending... I can't even nix the time prepping food by subsisting on restaurant pho instead. I have a slight glimmer of hope that work is about to level out a little... but I think I still have to figure out a better system - or finally ask if our little clinic is ready to give it's most valuable (meaning 'only') employee a raise :p </div>
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Well- I have many reasons to motivate me - but even if it just means I will have a new topic for next months IWSG - I hereby make a goal to change SOMETHING for the better.</div>
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Happy writing out there! </div>
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-72134001498820557562014-02-05T07:36:00.002-08:002014-02-05T07:36:35.728-08:00Sneaky Post (IWSG)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs53zAk_YbBTjVRMS-XnrayXDenMupPJQhNJ0kxhuQDLeH16WrVZSTXtXLcMZikBX_Kj-sx4paxwqTGVtCLY3T21im6PVI-X1tbv1bvbiSvtuX1ArEg4xdhvB8m8zAAu8fV8T3Zu57zs/s320/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs53zAk_YbBTjVRMS-XnrayXDenMupPJQhNJ0kxhuQDLeH16WrVZSTXtXLcMZikBX_Kj-sx4paxwqTGVtCLY3T21im6PVI-X1tbv1bvbiSvtuX1ArEg4xdhvB8m8zAAu8fV8T3Zu57zs/s320/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a>I'm being sneaky and writing up a quick post from work <i>about </i>work for IWSG! We had a couple slow months there during the holidays - but here at The Clinic we have entered January with vigor and vim! We are super busy, and I have lots of what I call "ExtraCurricular" work to do: flyers to make, handouts to BS into something not BS. I have been working longer hours and my to-do list grows twice as long with every task I complete. I haven't been this busy with work in... well, actually, ever. I've worked long hours and other jobs before - but I've never been as invested as I am here. I'm the only other member of a two person machine! I care about it functioning optimally and I'm invested in it's success. That's before I even get to the stuff I might be included into with the franchise aspect of the clinic. So I am busy - super busy.</div>
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I am also on day 19 of my 21 day cleanse and I feel great! This made this last month a little harder - but the truth is I am feeling fan-freaking-tastic now. I have energy, clarity, drive! Which coupled with the aforementioned busyness means that I have luckily had enough energy to take care of some of the mess that is my home as well - which has gotten one person messier since we took in my brother-in-law to live with us (bless his heart, he is minimally helpful, but you can only have such high expectations from someone come down with Epstein-Barr - so I practice patience, and use a little of my very blessed extra energy to take care of the extra mess too).<br />
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So my productivity is through the roof of late - which has had both a positive and negative effect on my writing. I have energy and gumption so I have still been doing some writing and I feel like writing all the time! However, for the first time in my life I can genuinely say that I am struggling to find time to write! I have started pecking out words-at-a-time pieces on my iPad in between charting for the doc during patients appointments- but that's pretty hard. It's hard to try to trickle out creativity in between all the logical work. I would consider turning into one of those late night writers - but the truth is - I can't do that anymore without consequences - and knowing how good I can feel and how much I can get done when I feel that good is something I am not willing to compromise on a regular basis.<br />
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I have not lost hope, by any means but I am having to take life with firmness and seriousness - which is both wonderful and a bit intimidating. Here goes!<br />
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I am a chiropractic assistant - but not for a "snap, crackle, pop!" chiropractor. I mean, Dr. Cool does that too - and I lurve getting adjusted - but he does more than that. He practices with a more holistic approach treating structural, bio-chemical (fancy word to indicate nutrition), toxicity and emotional problems. It's the emotional - or stress - component that I want to tell you about today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs53zAk_YbBTjVRMS-XnrayXDenMupPJQhNJ0kxhuQDLeH16WrVZSTXtXLcMZikBX_Kj-sx4paxwqTGVtCLY3T21im6PVI-X1tbv1bvbiSvtuX1ArEg4xdhvB8m8zAAu8fV8T3Zu57zs/s320/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop</a></td></tr>
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Now I've been receiving treatment for years. I've done the stress technique a ton. It's called the NeuroEmotional Technique (NET). Stress plays a large - and I would like to exaggerate here by adding, TREMENDOUS! - part in our health. There are people whose unresolved health problems are directly related to unresolved stress. In fact, I'm a good example of this, because if my life hadn't been heading down to hell in a hand basket six years ago I don't think I wouldn't have gotten sick at all. But I did. Slowly but surely, over the course of about 3 years. When I hit rock bottom... things were bad. Really bad. Shortly after that is when God showed me every mercy I could have hoped for if I knew it was possible, and found me a job with my doc. It's been a 3 year climb back to the top - but by golly ladies and gents - I am at the top! I never would have thought it possible in that misery that was 2010.<br />
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Anyways - that whole story doesn't need to be told to get to my real point. I am here to talk about NET and writing. You see, I have had plenty of NET done regarding writing. It's helped off and on a little here or there, but the subconscious mind tends to be somewhat intractable and often nothing really big came up that could be cleared.<br />
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Then, I hit a point where I felt entirely able and inspired to write, but... man, it was hard. I would sit down and write, but every word was pried out of me. Truly, it had been this way for awhile, but I had cleared so much other crap from my head that this irritation was suddenly very obvious. So I had the Wombat do some NET on me (after watching the treatment and getting treated for years, we picked up on how to do the technique on one another - though being married tends to make us go polar sometimes and we know that not all topics or issues should be approached by each other - sometimes you just need to be in the caring hands of your caring doc - which Dr. Cool is.)<br />
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I would explain in detail what I got treated for with Wombat, but... first of all I can't remember what emotion it brought up and if I told you details of when it started you'd probably close your browser or blog feed and write me off as a loony. What was isn't really important though. He cleared me of the emotion and I felt a lot better. Didn't think much of it. After all, like I said, I had already been treated for writing before.<br />
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Then I sat down to write.<br />
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It poured out like melted chocolate. It didn't gush. I mean... I was writing. It takes effort... duh. However, it wasn't like pulling teeth. It came out comfortably. Easily. Happily. I wrote and wrote. Then the next day... well I felt like writing, so I wrote and wrote. The day after that... well I wrote a little more! It felt great! Better yet - it STILL feels great!<br />
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So I guess, rather than sharing my insecurities today, I want to just share a little info. Maybe NET isn't for you and that's fine. No judgement on that. If you find yourself really struggling though - sometimes it's not anything you are doing consciously and a little subconscious care could help you tons. So maybe find a practitioner in your area. Maybe look for a counselor - or if you are ready and wanting to make some big health changes find yourself a good chiropractor. You can search for a practitioner here: www.netmindbody.com<br />
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Take care! May your writing be forever in your favor!<br />
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After looking over my budget and fretting about money, I decided that there was only so much time I could let myself expend number crunching without a change in figures.<br />
I was waiting for Wombat to return from an errand so I decided I should try writing. I got a couple lines down and found myself conflicted about how the character was responding. I re-read a couple paragraphs and realized that my Extrovert was acting very Introverted.<br />
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Oops! It's hard to write about the one when you are so typically the other. Gotta put some extra work into that one.D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-77044576099723815992013-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:002013-12-09T09:00:05.057-08:00Blogger May BeI have never deluded myself into thinking that I am much in the way of a blogger. I like the concept, but honestly, every time I think of writing a blog the same questions pops into my mind: "If you feel like writing - then why don't you go work on your book instead?"<br />
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The other thing I run into is the fact that... well a lot of the things that I would talk about on my blog... well... I can't talk about. I'm a chiropractic assistant. I would talk about work - and let me tell you, because of the neuro-emotional technique, I know quite a doozy about a lot of people - but frankly I don't like messing with HIPAA. There are plenty of safe things to say - like, "we had a guy who hadn't heard out of his right ear for 40-some odd years because of a fall as a kid get his hearing back thanks to our quantum neurology training! (true, and might I add 'awesome!', story) - but I'm so accustomed to keeping people's private information private that it just doesn't come easy in any way to share anything - about others or myself. </div>
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Aside from that - I like to cook - but I don't like to take pictures of food... I like to eat it... no real patience for the picture thing. Who wants a recipe without a picture? Not me, that's for sure. No picture - no eatin'. </div>
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This leaves my writing to talk about - but frankly I am afraid to dish the goods. It's my baby. I have written plenty of junk that won't see the light of day. The stuff that I am nurturing to bloom into the sunshine -well I don't want to share it prematurely. A heavy frost could kill it! It's been a long time since I trusted that a frost wouldn't hit. However, recently, after doing some N.E.T. with Wombat I pondered on what I was like as a teen writer. I wrote with abandon. Several books a once. And the joy was in the sharing!</div>
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Life's a little busier and tends to fill my head up more than life did back then - but I've gotta be able to do better than I am currently. In an effort to throw off some of my shackles - my goal is to get a new WIP page going within the next month. More info, more sharing. We'll see how it goes.</div>
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This'll sound ridiculous after that big blah-blah up there but I do have something to share (Blah-blah-blah is always sung in my head- see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=w1N-JBwKlz0#t=60" target="_blank">video</a>). If you aren't currently a follow of Patrick Rothfuss's blog - than you are in dire need of some news. </div>
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<b>This years WorldBuilders fundraiser is up and running! Take a look at the swag that's going into the lottery and go buy some people some goats! (It makes sense if you check out the sites.)</b></div>
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<b>Wombat and I have a Christmas tradition started to donate to WorldBuilders every year and this year will be no different. Go! Go! Join the fun! Click the image!</b></div>
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<a href="http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2013/12/worldbuilders-2013/" target="_blank"><img alt="Worldbuilders-Logo_Web_Smaller" src="http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Worldbuilders-Logo_Web_Smaller1-300x214.png" /></a><br />
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-88109448255578964802013-12-04T08:00:00.000-08:002013-12-04T08:00:07.588-08:00At Least I Have Wombat Going for Me (IWSG)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex J. Cavanaugh's Blog Hop</td></tr>
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Another NaNoWriMo has passed - and I should be feeling like this:</div>
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And to be honest, Saturday morning I did... You see it's been a crazy month. Wombat and I celebrated our anniversary. We had some family pictures taken. I had two long dental appointments that knocked me down pretty good. I got sick. Wombat got sick. Our Thanksgiving plans kept falling through, which meant multiple planning sessions. Wombat and I got into a glorious fight. Wombat and I made up after our glorious fight. Then, the crowning experience of the month, was a phone call that landed a major piece of family news that left me bug eyed and my mind spinning for a whole week. </div>
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However.... that isn't why I didn't write more than 4100 words. No, all of that was crazy, and definitely kept my mind far from writing, but there were plenty of evenings or morning that I could have - or even DID sit down to write. </div>
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No, it was Saturday morning- with one November day to go- that I lay in bed postponing my grocery trip with a furrowed brow trying to deduce the reason of my dismal progress. As with anything that I can't figure out - I turned to Wombat and told him, "I keep sitting down to write, but I can't stand the scene I am working on. It's so boring. I'm bored writing it! That's a bad sign!" </div>
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He suggested that I skip ahead to the other character's thread. </div>
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I sighed. "Yeah, but his will be boring too! I mean..." And then my mind began to percolate. "I guess it's boring to me, because there are no relationships. It's all plot, and that's boring to write. Curiel already has his passel of friends. Emerick is kind of interesting because at least you are getting to know Cicero...."</div>
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To which the Wombat made me feel jointly dumb as a door knob and chipperishly hopeful, by suggesting: "Well maybe you should make Curiel's friends not his friends yet. You could show him making friends with them."</div>
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I thought it over critically. <i>Could I do that? Will that screw up the timing? How would that coincide with what I've written already? All 4100 measly words. Ooo! I know!</i></div>
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And the Wombat came to the rescue. It's always a little disheartening to have to scrap your work before it's really even begun, but if you have to, I guess there is no better reason than to do so to make writing your book more enjoyable.</div>
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So, while my NaNoWriMo attempt doesn't even deserve an honorable mention - I press on. Maybe December will be my month.</div>
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-68992200158619642942013-10-30T19:28:00.003-07:002013-10-30T19:29:47.305-07:00Que Beethoven! NA-NO-RI-MO!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year later and here we are again. My past attempts at NaNo have not been successful, but my recent success at finishing draft one of my book has taught me part of the reason why NaNo has so entirely eluded me. Different people are motivated by different things, and I have learned that word count does not motivate me. It stuffs me. It keeps all the good stuff in my brain. So instead of following the NaNo Original Rules - I, like many others - am planning a Pseudo-Na-No-Wri-Mo.<br />
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I have been outlining Book 2 this month and frankly - planning out a sequel is so much more fun than the first. It's so much easier. I've been having a blast. I don't have everything figured out - but! I have what I expect will be at least 50,000 words. So instead of setting myself those word count goals and stressing about getting that certain number done within the day or the week - I will set my goals based on scenes and sections - it may come out to the right amount or it may not but my chances of getting my PseudoNaNo become realistic. Cop out. I know, but if I could achieve this goal I will be almost half way done with book two in a month instead of a year and a half like the first. Which would be a dream come true. Obviously.<br />
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Here's to NaNo2013!D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-17303851440932723332013-09-29T22:04:00.001-07:002013-09-29T22:04:51.761-07:00Phase One: Complete! (IWSG)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Join Alex Cavanaugh's Blog Hop</a></td></tr>
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A little early - but I am excited. I officially finished the first draft of my book on Saturday. A little bit of a heady experience - it's been a long time since I've finished a book. I'm very excited to complete this stage of the process - very excited. </div>
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I also feel intimidated. For while I enjoy re-writing and editing far more than first draft writing - it's still a monumental task, and I don't feel quite adequate for the job. I've taken so long to write this first draft that I have spent quite a long time, not picking apart, dissecting and improving my writing, and frankly I feel far from talented. My descriptive writing could make me weep if I thought about it too long. I feel like I need to do some writing technique warm ups. So here I reach out to the more practiced! What are your best resources for helping you with your technique? Favorite blogs or books? How do you get your writing properly dressed up? I'm a plain girl, with straight forward to-the-point tendencies - but I need to do some painting instead of bullet pointing. What are you thoughts?</div>
D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-26052966250146160782013-09-04T09:00:00.000-07:002013-09-04T09:00:03.510-07:00The End is Nigh (IWSG)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<b>I think I can pretty safely say that my first draft is 85-90% written. Why then, can I not seem to finish it!?</b></div>
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I have iterated numerous times that I always "write forward." Well, Wombat stops me yesterday and says: "I have a suggestion - and hear me out before you immediately shoot me down... Maybe you should start doing some editing from the beginning, and then write the ending when you know that the book is flowing and building the way you want." </div>
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I didn't shoot him down, because, quite frankly he had a point. That being said, I didn't immediately agree with him either, I decided to let it mull around in my brain. You see, I had a dilemma, and this dilemma went by the name of Pride. Pride, well, she finds it very important that I get on with the part where I have something to show for the past year or two of work. Especially since I have committed to having my book finished by the end of September. </div>
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So in the end I'm making a compromise. I'm going to speed write to the end and block describe anything that I feel stuck on. THEN, I will go back and start the editing. Sheesh... for being a writer and, y'know, enjoying writing... right now... I really don't... </div>
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But since Lady Pride ain't interested in waiting, it's time to suck it up and get the job done so that I can get back to liking it again. </div>
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Wish I had something better to talk about this blog around, but I'm on day 20 of a 21 day cleanse, and quite frankly, despite physically feeling fantastic, mentally - I'm pretty cranky. So, maybe next time I'll have some good news and excitement to spill</div>
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Hope everyone's summer has gone well!</div>
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-57155542402171143752013-07-03T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-03T09:00:04.196-07:00Take 52 - Action!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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I keep all my writing in <a href="http://www.literatureandlatte.com/index.php" target="_blank">Scrivener</a>, and I use the cork board to lay out my prospective scenes. These can end up being one scene or more, depending on where the writing flow takes me. So each week, my goal is to finish one at minimum. For the past two weeks <a href="http://gagglesheep.blogspot.com/p/bio.html" target="_blank">Wombat</a> and I have used this set up as a focus for getting some brainstorming done for the upcoming "note card" on the cork board. It's proven invaluable! He helps me work through possibilities and probabilities. </div>
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However, the other blessing that comes with this- that sometimes feels like a curse - is that the discussion always spreads from specific to broad. We talk about a scene - and then it brings up a question that can only be answered if I really have the purpose and direction of my book figured out. It's everything a writer could hope for, really, to always be fine-tuning and being kept on track with the plot and intent. </div>
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But! It can be so exhausting!</div>
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<a href="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/l/t/t9/t9t/692067_61434325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/l/t/t9/t9t/692067_61434325.jpg" width="156" /></a>I feel like each week I'm being rocked off my comfortable seat, thinking "Wow, have I really been writing this whole time without having that figured out?" or "Why did I think that was a good reason to move the plot this way? Seems lazy on my part, unnatural for the story progression, and BORING for the reader!" Again. I reiterate - I'm so glad I'm figuring this out as I go - but dagnabbit! why can't I be a genius and have it all figured out from the start? Sometimes I just want it to be easy :p Like filming take after take - I want to have one week where I take that final shot that is exactly what I want! That I can move forward from and not look back at til it's time to edit.</div>
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So I guess that's my current insecurity. If every week I have to tweak or go into greater depth to make the over arcing plot work, or the intent and message to be properly sent - will I ever be able to get the whole thing written and fixed, saying what it needs to say? </div>
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Just gotta keep writing forward I guess.</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">*On a side note - my boss went out of town this week, and left me with projects to do while he's gone. He called me yesterday and told me he'll pay me to hardcore free write for a couple hours about our procedures and my thoughts about what's going well and what needs to be done better and so on, in order for us to become more streamlined and efficient. How awesome is that? Either he's getting to know me, or divine intervention gave him the perfect idea for how to get the best kind of feedback from me. <u>Best. Job. Ever.</u></span></div>
D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-5424430203198278112013-06-26T10:00:00.002-07:002013-06-26T10:01:17.643-07:00"Rifftrax: Because Some Movies Have It Coming" and Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Hey Bella! Come liven up our discussion with your bubbly personality!"</div>
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"Sorry, can't socialize, obsessed with crappy book series."</div>
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<a href="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/l/c/ca/cafe-ole/768182_64889199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="http://www.sxc.hu/pic/l/c/ca/cafe-ole/768182_64889199.jpg" width="200" /></a> - <a href="http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax/twilight" target="_blank">Rifftrax, <i>Twilight</i></a></div>
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It's really probably not funny at all if you haven't actually watched the Rifftrax (see link), but when I started formulating the idea for this post, it brought that particular line to mind. I've been meaning to put together a post for awhile, but... well... I've been too busy writing my book (and of course, the whole working, errands, etc. which is boring to go into detail about).<br />
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I finally decided that with the rough draft over half way written, it deserved to be treated like a good roller coaster ride - heading down off the big curve. I knew that I could "easily" finish it before the end of the year, which was a "phantom goal" I had set, but when it came right down to it, that was just too unstructured and too much time to feel motivated about.<br />
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Now, when it comes to goal making, I have the perfect coach: <a href="http://gagglesheep.blogspot.com/p/bio.html" target="_blank">Wombat</a>. Because when it suits him, he can think like this:<br />
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So I sat down with him, and we talked about goal making and we came up with a couple reasonable expectations and end dates. He even made me a little graph to fill in and keep track of how I'm doing - so I can clearly see if I'm falling behind, and how much, or if I'm exceeding my expectations and how well. </div>
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I now have two weekly goal possibilities: Ideal and Bare Minimum. Ideal would mean finishing my book by August 18th - which is a significant challenge for me at this point. Bare Minimum will get me to an end date of September 29th which is my Super Goal end date. Lastly, giving myself space for life's intervention (ie, our summer vacation, etc.), without being too lenient is the Bare Minimum End Date of October 15th. </div>
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It sounds over complicated, but it graphs out very simply and helps me feel excited. The sooner the goal, the more motivated I feel, but the reasonable goals, keep me from feeling stressed when life gets in the way. So far, I'm on track... but then, it's only been a week. Gotta get back to work!</div>
<br />D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-80016916392423981332013-06-05T12:20:00.000-07:002013-06-05T16:16:29.231-07:00Writing Buddies (IWSG)<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have mentioned that with this year's move, I have been able to make some great changes, and that it has helped revitalize me to do good things. While this has manifested with improvement in health and work, I have only begun to really pounce on the opportunity to make improvements in my writing life. One of my prospects has been to find a writing group. Back in the day, I used to have a couple friends that I shared my work and exchanged critiques with. Over time I grew apart from both friends for different reasons, and since then my only beta-reader is <a href="http://gagglesheep.blogspot.com/p/bio.html" target="_blank">Wombat</a>. He does a fantastic job, but he ain't a writer. </div>
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So, I decided once arriving in Austin I'd take a look and see what kind of groups are out there. Two landed on my radar that were close enough that I might have a chance of becoming a part of - but... then it turns out that one only invites five members of a time to meet and they do I think, like, chapter critiques. Booked out for a few weeks to. Well, that's not exactly what I'm looking for. Unfortunately the approach I've been taking with my book, means that I can't really bring in my work on a chapter by chapter basis. It won't be ready for that until I'm working on my second draft and I'm still on the rough. So I began thinking - maybe I can't join a group yet. Is this what all groups are for?</div>
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About then, I took a look at the second group. It was more of a writer's guild. They'd have guest speakers occasionally... but I can't tell what else they do. </div>
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Needless to say, I suddenly felt far from secure about stepping out into the writer's world after all. <i>So I turn to you loverly writers. Are you a part of a group? How do you function? Has it been beneficial? What would be your recommendation? </i></div>
D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-79023860110783244142013-05-29T08:42:00.000-07:002013-05-29T09:08:59.370-07:00Healthy Body = Healthy Brain = Healthy Writing!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Get Healthy Blog Hop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">Thanks to our </span><a href="http://authorstephentremp.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Stephen</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">, </span><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Alex</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">, </span><a href="http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">L.Diane</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> and </span><a href="http://writing-art-and-design.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Michael</a><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> for hosting this latest motivational blog hop!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I work for a chiropractic doctor whom I dub Dr. Awesome, because he is a miracle worker. He is the kind of genuine individual, who never judges, respects his patients and gives people back their lives on a daily basis. I'm not exaggerating. He evaluates people on every base required to maintain a good health: <b>structure</b> (e.g., nervous, skeletal, muscular), <b>biochemistry</b> (nutrition), <b>toxicity</b> (e.g., metals, infections, food sensitivities/allergies), and <b>emotional stress</b> (it can kill you, friends).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am not Dr. Awesome, nor a nutritionist, or anything so licensed or prestigious - but I get to sit and be a part of the journeys his patients embark on and I see honest-to-goodness miracles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As you can imagine, it's a pretty motivating experience, and while I'm not perfect in any sense of the word, since Wombat and I have moved to Austin, we've gotten our lives back in a whole new better way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">First of all, we obviously have been getting treatment from our doctor. We took supplements and cleaned up some infections, and some nutritional deficiencies. He treated us for some neuro-emotional complexing, and got us both congruent with our new lives here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then we started to change our diet. We eat lots and lots of fruits and vegetables - and can't wait til we can save up for a mega-blender to make green smoothies in the morning. We've started buying cleaner protein and have used it to replace a lot of our carbs (which I'm sorry to say, though filling and nummy, are extremely nutritionally lacking compared to your fruits, veggies, and protein). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We've also started using better sweeteners. We use raw honey which is ten times tastier than regular honey, but we still try to use it sparingly, because it <i>is </i>still sugar. We also use a combination of liquid stevia and xylitol - which together can be as sweet as sugar without much in the way of after-taste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Also, because I don't have a car here I have had to walk home from work. I find walking super boring - so instead, I run-walk-waddle! It's been great to not have a choice about exercising, as I am notorious for exercising in short bursts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm soap-boxing a little, I know, and I hope I didn't rustle anyone's jimmies, but my point in mentioning everything above is that - I have noticed <i>distinctly </i>that now that I'm <i>feeling</i> better, I'm <i><b>writing</b></i> better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm busier than I have been in years. I still struggle to fit in writing in between taking care of home chores, and working my tail off - but <u>I have such a strong desire to write, and my head feels clearer, and when I <i>do</i> sit down to write, it comes easier and I feel happier about it.</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's taken me and Wombat over three years to get to this point. Three years of working in a holistic health field everyday. It doesn't happen overnight, and I've done it the wrong way more than once, but each and every step you take brings you closer. Start with something - whatever it is, just start! Pick ONE thing and get going - once that one thing isn't hard, pick ONE more new thing, and just keeping moving forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here are some ideas of things I've done or have seen make big differences in people's lives:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Structure: *start walking every day for 30-60 minutes</b> <b>*find a good chiropractor and get adjusted regularly *stretch out or do some yoga every day to keep good motion in your joints *practice standing or sitting with better posture </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Biochemistry: *get more nutritious foods in: fruit and veggies! *try drinking fruit and veggie rich smoothies in the morning *cut the carbs and sugars - just start saying "no thank you" to the goodies occasionally </b>(that's how I started) <b>*make more meals and snacks at home instead of eating out *eat at healthier restaurants when you do eat out *search foodgawker for <i><a href="http://foodgawker.com/?s=paleo" target="_blank">paleo</a> </i>recipes, or simply pick the <i><a href="http://foodgawker.com/post/category/no-desserts/" target="_blank">no desserts</a> </i>category</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Toxicity: *avoid processed foods *don't eat things that wouldn't rot if you left it out - it's</b><b> probably not food, it's probably a food product *cut the chemicals: high fructose corn syrup, MSG, aspartame, sorbitol, caffeine, food dyes, etc. *get resin fillings instead of amalgums when you go to the dentist </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Emotional Stress: *learn about meditation and practice it *pray, if you pray * practice smiling at yourself in the mirror *practice affirmations every single day *treat yourself smartly when things are weighing you down- get a massage, read a good book, get good sleep </b>(this can be <i>huge </i>in improving your health)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Take a look around at the other great ideas being shared on this our May 29th Get Healthy Blog Hop!</span><br />
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Good luck on your health journey!</span></div>
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-45576129307956382992013-05-26T14:08:00.001-07:002013-05-27T18:57:26.796-07:00Peak-a-Boo!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">December 2012? It really has been a long time. I feel somewhat embarrassed, but I have plenty of excuses gathered up to curry forgiveness with. Chief among them, and perhaps the only one I'll take your time to share is that me and the Wombat moved - over 2100 miles!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, ladies and gents, we left the "Keep Portland Weird" slogan toting land of Oregon for the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan toting land of Texas. Most every aspect of our normal life was put on hold for the past several months, but we're here and we're happy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We've had the great opportunity to get to know some of Wombat's family that we hadn't gotten the opportunity to party with much. The Wombat is falling in love with the computer tech scene. Happy Wombat = Happy Duckie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Me? I'm working as a personal assistant to Doctor Awesome who I worked with back in Portland last summer. To be frank: I love my job. I'm crazy busy and rocking it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In addition, working with Doctor Awesome has re-motivated Wombat and I to improve our health even further. Nothing like a huge change in your life (ie., move thousands of miles) to help you break bad habits and change for the better. We've drastically decreased the amount of grains we're eating, making our meals out of good clean meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. We aren't perfect and still tend to splurge on the weekends (can anyone say "Hopdoddies" or "The Salt Lick"?) - but during the week we are pwning face. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well it's good to be back, and I had fun revamping my blog, but I have to admit, I haven't written much in the past few months. Stress and creativity didn't prove compatible. Wombat and I have been working on some projects that have been inspiring me though, and as I've begun to feel better, I've noticed an increased desire to write. Better Health = Better Writing? I think so. With that said, I think I will join my first blog hop! <b>Get Healthy Blog Hop</b> here I come!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-19253815718810887382012-12-04T19:44:00.000-08:002012-12-04T19:47:39.570-08:00I/O for the Brain (IWSG)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/insecure-writers-support-group.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs53zAk_YbBTjVRMS-XnrayXDenMupPJQhNJ0kxhuQDLeH16WrVZSTXtXLcMZikBX_Kj-sx4paxwqTGVtCLY3T21im6PVI-X1tbv1bvbiSvtuX1ArEg4xdhvB8m8zAAu8fV8T3Zu57zs/s320/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" style="text-align: center;" /></a></div>
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Not only do I feel insecure about my writing today, but about my intellectual existence. Basically, my TV consumption has increased over the past few years, and my intellectual exercises have decreased to such a degree that I've gained POUNDS of dumb-fat (we won't even discuss what it's done to my level of fat-fat). Further, I can watch the extra weight slowly flattening my word count to nothing. not only did I poopoo on my NaNoWriMo goals, but I probably had the lowest word count for the month then I've had in a year.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> I'm just pulling that out of my rear - I didn't actually make any calculations. </span>I'm trying not to beat myself up too much - most of the time all that does is cause a downward spiral to worse behavior... at least for me... <.< >.>..... I can be stubborn like that :p<br />
I am working to change my habits and behaviors, though. It's been a pretty hard few months for me personally. I actively avoided the blogosphere for awhile, because I was a might-bit antagonistic and moody and critical - I was in bad form, basically (though, I'd like to say thanks to <a href="http://elisefallson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elise Fallson</a> for thinking of me, and checking to see how I was doing - Elise your awesome). Thanks to some NET - I'm doing better and better. Part of my goal, is to limit the amount of time I'm watching TV - putting my foot down about what I really want to watch, and not go searching for entertainment beyond that. I've also begun making a list of things that I want and like to do - so I have answers when I think "there's nothing to do". My ultimate point is that I need to give my brain a jump. Turn it back on.<br />
Part of this plan also includes the significant increase of reading. What? I'm a writer that doesn't read? I used to a read a lot when I was younger. Then life got me busy. Obviously I'm not as busy now- since I can spend as much time as I do watching TV (even when excluding when I multi-tasked). I'm in a new place now and one of my strongest focuses is to finish this book. I've not been reading, because I'm gotten picky and critical - but I think its time to hunker down and do some purposeful reading. Heck, even if I don't like a book, I can still learn "what not to do" and the truth is, most of the time, I'm so fickle that I won't even finish the first chapter. Too much TV has given me an extremely short attention span.<br />
So, now, for the sake of my future as a writer, for my health as a person and personality - I'm going to fight for my brain's right to write, logic, express, and experience.<br />
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<i>Anyone else find that a daily habit hurts their writing? Done anything to help it improve?</i>D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2493374557572257968.post-21254696334496823442012-11-06T20:12:00.001-08:002013-12-01T15:33:36.643-08:00In Which I Prove Just How Bad I Am at Synopsis and Selling (IWSG)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">I was thinking at this point in the much anticipated month of November that I would be lamenting about the infamous NaNoWriMo... okay, so I am currently very behind and that doesn't really make me feel like a winner - but truthfully I don't care so much about my word count as I care that my word count is suffering because... well... how do I put it... I guess I feel lost. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">I sat down to write the other day and got stumped. Which really shouldn't be a biggy - getting stumped is a part of writing for many of us out there. However, as I thought about it, I realized that I wasn't just stumped with my scene, I was stumped with my purpose. I have a pretty darn good outline for the remainder of my book (thanks to Wombat) - so it's not a matter of where I'm going - it's a matter of why I'm going there. I want my book to say something important, even if it doesn't spell it out as clearly as some of our old time fables. Right now, I look at my book and I feel uncertain about what I'm trying to say. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Because of how my brain works and how I write, I know that I do well to hammer out the "what happens" and then add in the nuance when redrafting - but for some reason the lack of power in my manuscript is making me blue. frozen. insecure...... and I can't even blame it on hormones (I actually checked my calendar to make sure). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">After all, you know it's a bad sign when you're bored with what your writing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">I get even more bored with super whimpering blogposts though - so now that I've confessed my blues, I think I'll take on a challenge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Y'see </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">I've been tagged for<b> The Next Big Thing Challenge</b> by the incredibly talented and oh-so-entertaining Julie Touvi, over at <a href="http://thebookmemoirs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From Pen to Paper</a>.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> She's working her tail off posting on her blog daily for the month of November - and she's definitely worth following if you haven't already.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Now, I have avoided attempting to succinctly explain anything about my book thus far in my career </span><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I know, I know, I'll be choking down nails when I have to start querying and pitching)</span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">, so here's me doing my best to answer a few questions.</span></span></div>
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<b>1. What is the working title of your book?</b></div>
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<i>Unbanded </i> - Because my first book was called Banded... and this is not it.</div>
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<b>2. Where did the idea come from for that book?</b></div>
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I really only know part of the answer to this. In Banded, the cataclysmic event that eventually required my dear heroes to have to do their hero thing was the eruption of an exceptionally terribly plague. Unknown to the main characters, the man responsible was the great Al'man Emerick, First Servant of the Almighty. Enraged by the murder of his son, Emerick struck out against the man responsible, unknowingly unleashing a disease that would not only kill hundreds of innocents, but his daughter among them. So... while creating Emerick's backstory, Wombat and I came to fall in love with the extensively flawed holy man - and I intended on writing a prequel that would tell his story. The prequel turned into book one -and here I am. I don't know where the idea to make him originally came from - though flashes of memory lead to me think it was very different from what it is now - and if I looked through my old writings I'd probably find his beginnings within.</div>
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<b>3. What genre does your book fall under?</b></div>
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Epic Fantasy</div>
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<b>4. What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?</b></div>
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I have in fact done this.</div>
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My main "good" guy, <i>Emerick</i> has been the hardest to pin down. If I could find the perfect mix between Robert Downey Jr. , Russel Crowe, a young Alec Baldwin,<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> and James Dean you would see what I see when I write. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.4;">My "sidekick" <i>Curiel</i> - easy - Luke Perry.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.4;">Oh-so-down-to-earth practical <i>Peaches</i> - Juliet Aubrey</span></div>
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<i>The Almighty</i> - Edward Norton</div>
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<i>Councilor Lourden</i>, bad guy for book one -</div>
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Gabriel Byrne</div>
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And the bad guy to span all books- <i>The Antithesis</i> - you just can't put a face to.</div>
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<b>5. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?</b></div>
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(*starts with the nails* ) Murdered and then resurrected by the Almighty in a time of ignorance and cruelty, the once undefeatable crime lord Emerick is refused his freedom, and set on a path of redemption in which he quickly finds that the whims of his deity demand the ushering in of a new age - an Age of Enlightenment. </div>
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(Seriously bare bones. Someday I'll post a pitch that'll knock your socks off :)</div>
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<b>6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?</b></div>
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I'm aiming to get representation. I dream of being the next one-big-world--multiple-book-rockstar like Anne McCaffrey or Terry Brooks. I don't want to just write for myself though - so if no one else sees my vision, I'll project it myself :)</div>
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<b>7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?</b></div>
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Ahem, well... my goal is to finish it by the end of the year... and if that happens (come on NaNoWriMo - kick me into shape!) then it'll have taken about a year.</div>
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<b>8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</b></div>
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Oh, wow... well, I suppose you might find a similar element or feel in <i>Redemption of Althalus</i> by David Eddings, or <i>Song of the Beast</i> by Carol Berg. That's a tuffy.</div>
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<b>9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?</b></div>
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God.</div>
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<b>10. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?</b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Ideally I'll capture a depth in showing a man's redemption, but it is by no means an entirely solemn account. The characters are an unlikely sort providing plenty of banter and fun. In addition, for those like me that love being able to explore - both across distance and through time- a whole new world through the eyes of meaningful characters - heh, well, this is just the first installment.</span></span></div>
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Ah... I feel a little better.</div>
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Tossing the challenge along to <a href="http://elisefallson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elise Fallson</a>, and <a href="http://aspiringnovelists.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Andrea Franco-Cook</a> if it so suits their fancy :) Happy November y'all!</div>
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D.V. Sheppardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05733388163611394998noreply@blogger.com7