Contest Finalist? Yes way!

Okay, so I sort of forgot to post about some great news I found out a few days ago. A little while ago I decided to enter my current Highlander WIP in the Utah RWA's Heart of the West (HOW) writer's contest. I was really nervous to enter the book, but decided to give it a whirl anyway. Any time I get feedback on my books I get seriously nervous, so entering a contest is one of those nail-biting events for me.

I waited weeks, knowing the exact week that I would hear back on the contest. I twiddled my thumbs, checking my email every 2 minutes, or hoping that something would get leaked on the URWA loop. When I finally heard, I couldn't have been more shocked.

I'm a finalist in both the Paranormal category as well as in the Golden Pen for our chapter!

Needless to say, hearing this news has really kicked me into gear and I've since finished my first draft on that novel. I've just started into my first-round edits, and hope to publish this book before I hear if I won the contest in either category.

For info on other finalists, click here. A big congratulations to everyone!!

Scrivener update and a great writing day!

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I got laid off six months ago. When I lost my job, I lost my motivation to write. All of my goals for the year flew out the window. It wasn't for a lack of trying, though. I did start up my computer every day and open my various WIPs, waiting for inspiration to strike. Unfortunately, scenes only hit me at night in my dreams and washed up as soon as I woke for the day. This time should have been flooded with time to write, and I should have been able to release more books than I did last year.

Yeah, didn't happen.

It's now the last day of August. There are only four months left of the year. Back in July, I did a post on a writing program called Scrivener. I'd heard a bit about it from other authors and decided to download the trial version. Right away I was impressed with the program. I went through the tutorial, and as soon as it was over I dove in, importing one of the Primordial Guardian novels I'm working on. My favorite things about Scrivener are that you have a visible synopsis of your entire story on the left side of the screen. I imported scene by scene, labeling the general gist of that part, and lo and behold...a synopsis. Instead of hopping back and forth in a Word doc and trying to piece things together that way, I can just fit scenes right where they're supposed to be with a click-n-drag.

Surprisingly, it got me excited about writing again. I didn't have to remember the entire story to work on scenes, I could look at that section on the left, click on where I wanted to write, and...well, write.

Another thing I love about this program is that I can take screenshots of my scenes before/after changes. There is also a section for notes. I do use that section randomly throughout the scenes, but for the most part, I go to the tab for the whole document and make reminder notes there. For example, I'm currently working on a Highlander novel, and if I forget to add in some detail before moving on to new scenes, I just go into the main doc and add my note there. I'm almost done writing my first draft for this novel, so when I'm ready to go through the entire book again, all I need to do is check my notes (I'll probably print them, the list is soooo long now), and check them off one by one.

Not only has it motivated me, but it also organized me. I've even told my Writer Chic group about it, and I know that one (if not more) is giving it a try now.

Alrighty, now I'll move onto my news of a great writing day. As previously mentioned, I'm almost done with my first draft on my Highlander novel. I always seem to get into serious writing mode when I'm this close to the end, but I'm pleased with the progress I made yesterday. In the past, I've had 7,000 word days, but it's been quite a while since I've had that type of motivation (and the time to use it). Lately I've been averaging somewhere between 1,000-2,000 words, but last night I wrote a little over 3,500.

I guess my hero and heroine are finally ready to tell the rest of their story so it can be shared with the world.

Anthology info!

I've had a pretty exciting week so far. Not only have I been working more on my Highlander novel, but I've also had the chance to chat with some fans about my Primordial Guardians series. To top off the awesomeness of this week, I just got cover art for the anthology that my publisher, Evernight Publishing, has been working on for a while! I'm lucky enough to have gotten into the anthology along with some incredible authors.

How can you not love a cover like this???

Woo! So excited my novella, Angels Incorporated, will be released in the His anthology on August 15th. That's less than two weeks away! Squeeee!!

That bloody Highlander

I got to spend some relaxing time with some family this last weekend, enjoying the refreshingly cool air in the mountains, surrounded by deer, bears, and mountain lions (before you ask, no, I didn't see the latter, but that doesn't mean they're not there). Oh, and let's not forget the crap-ton of sheep that were BAAAAA'ing 24-7 and their sheep dog that liked his voice a bit too much.

While we were camping, I not only got in some fun family time (4-wheeling, playing games, helping my little guy play with his brand new toys he got for his first birthday, and cuddling in front of the fire while it rained and hailed - in July - true story), but I was also able to write and edit. The Highlander won the battle against a particular Guardian for my attention, so he's very happy (and a wee bit smug about beating an immortal) about the fact that I'm working on his story.

Any time I take a break from writing a story, it takes me a little while to catch up again, so I've been going through the book one section at a time and sortof editing as I go. And I am so glad I'm working on this story. It's about time I give some attention to characters that aren't in the Primordial Guardians realm; and about time I focus on the not-so-supernatural side of imagination. Uh, okay, okay... there is a little bit of paranormal to the story, but not in the characters themselves.

It feels nice to really get back into writing again, and I hope that I'll be able to keep it up. So far, my goals for this year have been shot, so I've got to scramble to catch up.

Wake up, lass. Ye dinna need any sleep.

To start off, no, I don't know why I gave my title a Scottish accent. I guess I was compelled to from the overly pushy Highlander currently running rampant in my brain. Anyhoo... on with the post.

Sometimes I wish I was one of those people that could not only survive, but thrive on just a few hours of sleep every night. If I could, then I'd be able to give my characters the attention they deserve, without taking away from my family time.

Last night, I was lying in bed, minding my own business and probably snoring up a storm, when BAM! New. Story. Idea.

And a loud one at that.

It woke me up it was so loud, and I laid awake for at least an hour, even spoke the idea into my phone so I could go back to it later, and rolled over onto my tummy and tried to catch some zzz's. (Ha-ha-ha...)

Yes, I'm already trying to keep my Guardians as happy as I possibly can, and I'm trying to give some TLC to my Highlander, but now... oh jeez ... now, there's a new Alpha in play and he's making life inside my head a freaking whirlwind. It's 6:30 at night and I haven't been able to get this new guy out of my head. He has a story to tell, and a heroine to claim.

So, hey... now I guess I get to try to appease all my characters, and push the not-so-pushy ones off for another time (despite the fact that they've been waiting months, if not years, for me to tell their stories).

All I can do is shrug and be grateful that they've selected me to write their tales.

Nighty night all, I'm going into my writing cave.