Nano

“Your universe is full, but in my world there is only you” by Bo Bice

by Stefani

Waning Moon
Neptune Retrograde

Once again it’s been much too long since I’ve posted here.  But, no more!  Its almost November…meaning its almost Nano time and I will try to post something everyday through the month.  I am mentoring some new participants this year, and that will be very fun.  I have 3 mentorees so far, I can probably take 1-2 more if they come along.  I have been working hard on getting all my tips and advice in order for them.  That is almost out of the way and on to novel prep we go.  I am planning to do character profiles tonight, and basic plot points tomorrow.  I thought of writing the sequel to last year’s Nano novel, but decided against it when I got an idea that I just couldn’t pass up.

I won’t reveal too much of the plot.  But basically it is about a despondent woman who finds herself in the sights of a completely maniacal stalker.  It should be very fun, I am excited to get started.  And in true Nano fashion, from the second I settled on an idea I’ve been coming up with 10-15 new ones daily.  I am writing them all down to examine later.

I am busy on the front of trying to get published as well, so my work on Helium has suffered greatly.  I am working on a query letter for a publisher that I plan on sending next week.  I also am putting my novel up on a site run by Harper Collins.  You can post your work, and other members read it and rank it.  The top 5 ranked submissions every month get sent to the Harper Collins editing desk for an opinion.  Its a pretty huge opportunity if anyone ever gets picked from that pool for publication.  I am working on getting “Schooling of a Monster” on the site, and I will post the link when I do.  Until then, I should get back to the desk job.  ~Stef

If I closed my eyes, would I see you?

by Stefani

Waxing Moon
Neptune Retrograde
Mercury Retrograde

And in typical Mercury retrograde fashion, I haven’t been here in awhile.  Communication, and thus writing, has been strained lately.  But I did an article that I’ll post the link to a bit later.  For now, I want to discuss Nano.  Yes, its that time of year again.  Its October, and that means that the preparations for the Nano journey need to start being made.  I have decided to do it again as I don’t think the constant coffee intake last year has dissolved enough of my liver.

First I must decided what to write though.  I thought I had it figured out.  I was going to write a fantasy novel about 2 medieval knights who are in love with the same woman, with my own twisted take on it of course.  Then I was going to write a sequel to last year’s Schooling of a Monster.  Then I was going to write a fictionalized true-life story about self-injury, based largely on my own experience.  Then I was going to do a crime novel.  These are all ideas of things I want to write in the future…I just have no idea which one to write this time.  I’ll ponder it and decide by Monday though.  Have character sketches and plot time lines I need to work on before November 1st.

How to choose a pet rat: http://www.helium.com/items/1192585-how-to-choose-a-pet-rat

Until next time, keep reading…and get me some traffic on those articles!!  ~Stef

If I had a license to kill, all of your would be in trouble

by Stefani

Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde

That quote is one of my own.  I thought it added a nice ring to the day.  It has been a long week.  I prefer not going into details, but let’s just say my entire life went to hell and still has not fully come back.  And unfortunately all this drama and chaos has caused my writing to come to a screeching halt.  But hopefully things are settling down slightly now, they are by no means solved, but I can get back to doing something besides trying not to have a nervous breakdown. 

Oh, I did go to tour a winery this weekend.  That was enormous fun.  I am ashamed to admit that while I live a mere 10 miles from Napa, California, I have never been to a winery.  This one is called Castillo Di Amorosa.  Or in english, the Castle of Love.  It is modeled after a 14th-15th century castle.  It was truly amazing, I was stunned by the whole place.  They had a replica dungeon, complete with authentic implements of torture.  And you all know my slightly twisted side loved that.  I even got a fantastic story idea while touring the place.  They looked at me like I was insane when I demanded a napkin so I could write it down and not forget.  I don’t want to give away too much, but I think this will be my novel for Nano this year.

So, onto links.  Unfortunately I only have two to give you today.  They are the articles I wrote for the Marketplace that unfortunately didn’t get published.  But they are still on Helium, so all is well that ends well.  And I don’t want any comments on the first one, its embarassing just to post the link lol.

How dirty talk improved my relationship: http://www.helium.com/items/1150233-dirty-talk-improving-relationships

One-night stand etiquette: http://www.helium.com/items/1150326-one-night-stand-one-night-stand-advice

And for the record, the second is not exactly something I have experience with.  But I did have fun writing it anyway.  ~Stef

Resisting temptation is fun, but giving in is better.

by Stefani

Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde

Sweet, sweet victory!  I have finally accomplished the writing portion of the Helium Reward-A-Thon requirement.  I have that writing star.  Ironically enough I earned the star when I published a poem that I wrote for my boyfriend a few months ago.  I figured that I was proud enough of it to publish it and dedicate it to him that way.  I could not be more excited, I am still a bit below the requirement for rating but that will be solved in another day or two.  Then I need to start writing on those eligible topics like mad for the next month and a half to earn the bonuses.  I am very excited as I have never been eligible for something like this on the site before. 

I also have been working on my assignment for my class.  And once again this priority has put my novel editing on the back burner.  I’ve gotten a bit more editing done, but not much.  My assignment and the added distraction of Pogo (yes I am a long time Pogo addict) have been keeping the novel far away from my grasp.  But I am hoping to remedy that this weekend hopefully.  I really want to get it done before November when Nano starts up again.  And I know that I will probably procrastinate it until the middle of October, then freak out and edit like mad until November 1st.  It is my pattern and I am used to it by now.

Now, on to links.  I have written a few more articles in the last handful of days, and I’d love to have you read them and let me know what you think. 

Temperament of the Blacktip Shark: http://www.helium.com/items/1142182-temperament-of-the-blacktip-shark

Poem titled Invisibility: http://www.helium.com/items/1144652-invisible-poetry-pain-loss

Poem titled Words: http://www.helium.com/items/1146125-love-poetry-i-love-you (this is the one written for my boyfriend, love you babe)

Well, i think that’s about it for now.  I better wrap this up as I can’t justify procrastinating my day job much more today to write this.  ~Stef

Time to fly

by Stefani

New Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde
Lammas

First of all, happy Lammas to all!  This is personally one of my favorite holidays, and I plan on celebrating in style.  Also the new moon is great news for my writing.  New moon and a holiday?  I shall be in a writing flurry for the rest of the day I’m sure, talk about an energy peak.

Now for a novel update, I worked on editing a few more chapters and I think I’m losing steam.  I am editing, but finding that I’m not changing too much.  Whereas in the beginning I was adding about three times more stuff to it than I was taking out, I am not finding too much to add or subtract anymore.  I don’t know if that’s just a lack of focus or just that there isn’t too much editing to be done on this bit.  But regardless my beta *waves* has been indispensable for this editing.  Although he seems to think its all perfect, which I know isn’t true…but he humors my ego anyway.  At this rate I will be done editing this first time long before November when Nano rolls around.  And I have a pretty good idea what I want to base my novel this year on, we’ll have to see I could come up with something better later on.

This weekend I need to start working on my next writing assignment for my class.  Its interesting as I’m supposed to write the beginning only of a short story and give a synopsis of the whole thing.  That is difficult as I usually don’t write sequentially that way.  Usually I will write whatever scene strikes my fancy, then move on to the next scene I like…and so on.  Then I will string them all together during editing.  I can’t really do that this time, as I have to have the beginning.  We’ll see how it goes.

And now, for some shameless self promotion before I wrap it up for the day.  I’ve written a few more Helium articles, so links will abound!

Should couples live together before marriage? http://www.helium.com/items/1131438-cohabitation-marriage

Is racism learned or taught? http://www.helium.com/items/1132911-racism-learned-racism

Do you believe in love at first sight? http://www.helium.com/items/1134027-love-at-first-sight-lust-dating

I love writing the debatable topics.  I am overly opinionated so I love being able to choose a side to debate.  I wish you all a happy Lammas today, and a happy Friday…hooray for the weekend!  ~Stef

And they say the bees are busy….

by Stefani

Waning Moon
Pluto Retrograde
Neptune Retrograde
Jupiter Retrograde

The above stats will be a regular addition to all my blogs.  As my spirituality is important to me, and a lot of how I feel and work is based on the moon cycle or the planet retrogrades, it only makes sense to include it.  But today it is especially fitting as it perfectly explains why I am having such a hard time professionally and personally.  I never get anything done and generally get a bit down during the waning moon.  And with Pluto in retrograde, it tends to cause friction anyway.  On the plus side Neptune being also retrograde increases intuition and interest in one’s hobbies and goals.  This is only slightly offset by Jupiter, where the main goal is to focus on one’s self instead of the outside world.

But enough of the pagan speech, onward and upward to the real purpose of this blog, the writing.  Its been so incredibly busy, yet I just can’t seem to get myself moving on anything.  I am struggling desperately on the Reward-a-Thon for Helium, I have yet to come close to achieving the requirements.  I have until September 22 however and I am confident I can get things in order by then.   On a fantastic note there, the short story I published on Helium (The Muse) is current ranked at 36 of 215 stories.  Which is fantastic.  You can read it here if you should feel so inclined: http://www.helium.com/items/1112851-short-stories-muse-writers-block

I am also still writing the wrestling e-federation.  Which I do truly enjoy, no matter how much time it takes.  I’m posting yet another show this evening, and I have a feeling the fireworks will go off.  There is a HUGE twist at the end that absolutely no one will see coming.  I cannot wait to see the reactions I get when people figure out the implications of that twist, it will be fantastic.

I have been putting off the editing of my novel this week as I’ve had a rather confusing and serious personal problem I’ve been trying to work out.  Huge apologies to my beta, Justin, as he has been left hanging with nothing new to read for almost a week now.  I will get back on it soon, as soon as I am not physically exhausting by thinking about this personal situation.  But it definitely has to be done before November, as I am planning on participating in NaNo again this year.  And writing a 50,000 word novel in a month really can’t be interrupted by other writing commitments.

So that really about wraps up everything I have been up to the past week.  I will try to be on here more as well.  Until next time, stay happy and don’t let your inner editor get the better of you.  ~Stef

Hello world!

by Stefani

This is a new idea for me, so anyone who stumbles upon this page or who is given the link, welcome.  I plan on detailing my writing journeys for all the world to read.  As I write often and hope to be published one day soon, this seems like a great way to keep my friends, family and readers up to date.  With that said, let’s begin this nonsense.

Currently, I have so many writing projects going on that its hard to keep track of them all.  I write for an online wrestling e-federation.  That is just for fun, and I enjoy it most of the time.  I have been working very hard writing on helium.com.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the site, you really should check it out.  They currently have their Summer Reward-a-Thon going on, and I am trying very hard to qualify.  It is not going to be easy.  I currently have around 22 articles and or stories on there, and I have to have at least 65 to qualify…and they all have to be very highly rated.  In addition, I have to rate at least 600 articles before the end of the competition.   I will work very hard on it, and hopefully qualify before the end of the reward period.

In addition to that I am in the process of revising the novel I wrote for National Novel Writing Month (hereafter known as NaNo.  or NaNo Wrimo).  I wrote it for the competition in November 2007, but haven’t taken the time to edit it.  So I have my wonderful beta (Hi Justin!) reading it and providing an opinion and proof-reading as I get it edited.  It is proving to be much more daunting than I expected.  I find myself adding about three times as much to the story as I am taking out.  But I guess that’s just part of the process.

And as if all that weren’t enough, I am being hassled to write more fanfics for the best tv show ever, Supernatural.  I have several ideas that I’d like to flesh out when I get the time.  Including a story that takes place directly after the season 3, season finale.  I have some theories about the cliffhanger that I’d like to see realized.  At this moment in time, I don’t have the energy or time to write it.  Rest assured however, it is on my to-do list.   I am also still working on my writing course through Long Ridge, that is going very well and I couldn’t be happier with my instructor and the class in general.

One last thing before I sign off this evening.  Be sure to go read my latest articles on Helium.  You can find them from my profile, Stefani Andrews.  Search for me and it’ll come up.   Anyway, check out The Muse (its a great short story) and my article on the “Who’s your favorite character from Bold and the Beautiful and why?”  Let me know what you think and what you think I could improve on.  Til next time!   ~Stef