Category: Musings

Updates August 08- September 03

Hello,

Thank you for the likes and follows.

These last few weeks felt like I went off the rails a bit… again. It has been happening for a while now and I have been doing various things to keep working but nothing felt exactly right. Frustration set in and had me losing focus and ideas that make these updates worth it.  I had to take a break or bust. 

In the meantime, I got caught on podcasts, writings on videos on YouTube, and the next Marvel show on Disney+.

In one of the podcasts by a successful author, she mentioned someone said that podcasts like hers were rant broadcast. She disagreed and I agree with her.  In the podcast, this author talks about her progress on her writing projects. She brings up methods that have worked for her in writing and she also speaks on the ones that don’t work. She shows us, the audience, that producing a book is not an easy thing. It is not just putting your butt in chair and typing. There are hurdles to jump, smooth sailing and then word counts. We also learn new ways to tackle the stories in us if we have them. Recommendations of books by other authors, films and shows. We get a glimpse of what is under the iceberg of success.

I wanted these updates to be similar.  These updates are to show anyone interested where this writer is on the author journey.  I would also like to add, encouragement and empathy for anyone who is struggling on any creative journey. 

This week’s plans are a little more ambitious than before. The word count goal for the week is 10k. The writing projects are Star Crossed a contemporary romance and Verona, fantasy romance. I have mentioned Star Crossed before. Verona is not a new story, it was my 2016/2017 Nanowrimo project. There is a short story outline that in also in the works and research. I will be posting a new reading list on Wednesday, September 1st. If most things go well there will be a review the following Wednesday, September 8th. I hope this week is goes well for everyone, remember kindness is key.

End.

Update August 01-06

Hello,

Thank you for the likes and follows.

If you couldn’t tell from the last update, I was in the doldrums.  It took some time, but I was able to get the winds back into my sails.  Full disclosure I have never been on a watercraft of any kind.   However, the analogy is appropriate.   

One of the methods I used to help myself was to read the several past updates.  I apologize for the grammatic errors and for reneging from anything I promised on these updates about this blog.  It was annoying to see but understandable. Once I write these entries, I schedule them to post.  I try not to think to hard about them or they may never be posted.  Another method was that I still wrote morning pages.  The word total in that endeavor was over the 8000-word goal.  I like to think the brain dump was needed.  Wrote out the apprehension, and any other negative or positive feelings that was keeping me from being the writer I know.

I found out that a podcast I follow called Black Romance hosted by Julie Moody-Freeman has started its second season. There had been a month of episodes that I had to catch up on.   In the podcast, Ms. Moody-Freeman, interviews black romance authors and other in the publishing industry.  They give us a unique perspective of how they started in the romance genre and speak on how the publishing is a blessing and curse.  The first season all the icons were interviewed, like Rochelle Alers, Sandra Kitt, Brenda Jackson, and Beverly Jenkins. These were the ladies I read, which inspired me to write romance not just general fiction.    The second series has introduced me to authors that I am now interested in seeing their work. I had seen some of their book covers, made note, and planned to check them out but never got around to it. 

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about the Virtuous Con, a virtual con for black creators.  The panels and master classes are now being offered on their YouTube channel.  I get to catch up with them and learn a few things as well. 

On writing, I have not progressed on Star Crossed the way I would like to.  I feel it has something to do with development.  I am re-reading my character notes and improving on the scene outline.  I am also looking into writing a short story.  It isn’t anything to talk about yet but soon. 

On reading, I am listening to Beverly Jenkins historical romance Forbidden.  I am looking into reading the comic series called Batman: The Long Halloween, written by Jeph Loeb, art by Tim Sale.  This mini-series was adapted to a two-part animated movie.  I am reading Superman: Birthright written by Mark Waid and drawn by Leinil Francis Yu.  And last the Solar Punk anthology edited by Gerson Lodi-Ribeiro and translated by Fabio Fernandes.  There are other books, but I know I will not get to them this week, they are just on the list. 

As usual the writing week’s goal is 8000 words.  Congratulations to everyone who participated in Camp NaNoWriMo.  I hope we can catch the opportunities that are available.  Let us all try to be kind to each even when it seems impossible. 

End

Update July 18-30

Hello,

Thank you for the likes and follows.

I didn’t post an update last week. We were in Georgia for about a month and Last week was the travel back to NYC. I didn’t have the energy to do it. My time in Georgia was nice. I visited family members and barbecued. Despite what was going on with the rest of the world, the experience was pretty good. I thought I would get more work done but I am happy with what I accomplished.

Since being home, I’ve felt a little out of sorts. This update almost was not written or posted. This week I will looking through the work completed and my writing expectations. The analysis will most likely extend to what I’ve been reading or listening to as well. I know there are like ten audiobooks on my TBL list. At least 100 on the TBR list.

There are a number of daily life things that have to be taken care off. It always seems like there is so much to do and not enough time to do anything. The best way to deal with these things is to deal with each task one at a time. With this in mind, I will be more positive and do my best to take every opportunity available. The writing goals and reading goals are the same.

Thank you again if you read this. In the future, the plan is for them to be more interesting. I hope everyone has a great week.

End