Critiques are GO!

I’ve checked the results to the poll and critiques, and it looks like everyone is keen for critiques! Thanks to everyone who voted.

You can send in your first 250 words (or about that) to me via email (littlescribbler AT hotmail DOT com) along with:

• Your name (optional. You can be anonymous if you like)

• The title of your WIP

• The genre

• Your blog or website (again, optional)

I’ll be checking for critiques until Sunday the 14th. Anything after that may or may not be posted.

The first critique will be posted on Monday the 15th at 4am AEST (1pm in New York the previous day), then the second critique on Tuesday the 16th at 4am and so on. Critiques will be posted in the order I receive them in.

Anyone can enter their 250 words. Please, if you do enter, make sure you critique on every other post. It’s only fair. I’m not expecting heaps, so the critiques shouldn’t be going on for more than a week.

For every critique, readers will be asked whether they would read on, and why. What did you like? What didn’t you like? What could be changed? Remember, this is about constructive criticism. Nasty comments will be deleted. But that won’t happen, will it?

That’s all, I think. You can send your entries. Ask any questions in the comments below.

Picasso Blog Award

I recently received the Picasso blog award from Mary. Thanks!

As a condition of  the award, I have state seven facts about myself, and then

Thanks Mary!

pass the award onto seven other bloggers.

1. My favourite author is Andy McDermott. I can read his books over and over again. (Seriously, I can. I could read his whole series, then start again. The plots don’t get old)
2. I absolutely CANNOT stand manual cars. I hate driving them. Why would anybody want them? I can’t wait to get an automatic car.
3. I’ve been out of the country three times. Twice to Malaysia, and once to Bali. I’ll be going to Vietnam later this year.
4. While I’m on the topic of overseas, I want to live and work overseas. I’m thinking New Zealand, England, and the US. In that order. I do plan on returning to Australia in between trips. (Will my dreams go ahead? I hope so.)
5. I am a Grammar Nazi. I hate bad grammar. I loathe it.
6. I also hate bad spelling. I h8 it wen ppl always rite liek dis. Y do dey do dis? I want 2 frottle dem. Learn 2 spel
7. However, and this may make me a hypocrite, but I can never remember when to use apostrophes. I keep learning the rules, but forget them.

Huh. That wasn’t so bad. That was actually kind of easy. Once I got started, I didn’t want to stop. Alright, here’s a bonus fact.

8.  The earliest story that I remember writing is a story about a magic fish. It also contained Power Rangers (they were my favourite back then) and transforming people. I drew pictures, and dictated the story to my mum, who wrote it down. It had a cardboard cover, so it may still be around.

Alright, now for seven bloggers to pass this award onto.

Wendy Morrell
Cassandra Jade
Jenni James
Merrilee Faber
Graham Storrs
Kasie West
Jenn Johannson

(Sorry, no bonus blogger.)

Have you voted on my poll yet? Let me know your thoughts on whether I should have an in-house critique by clicking here.

Writing is a Lifelong Lesson

As you may remember, my internet died over December. During that time, I was featured in a series of posts on Cassandra Jade’s  blog. Seeing as how many of you probably didn’t see it, I thought I would re-post it again on this blog. Some things I’ve written may seem a little strange as it’s been taken out of context. If you like, you can see the original here.

—

When I decided to write a guest post for this blog, the first question I asked myself is: “well, what IS writing?” Technically, writing is words or other symbols written down as a means of communication (taken from Encarta World English Dictionary), but writing has to be more than that. So what is writing?

Now at the same of writing this post, I was struggling with a short story I’m writing for my blog. I like it… until I read it, or sit down to write it. Then I wonder what on earth I was thinking. “It’s crap. It’s stupid. Why on earth am I writing this?” Then I decide not to put it up on the blog, because I’m embarrassed at what I’ve written. “Everybody else are all better writers than me, but if they can’t read my work, then they can’t know how bad I am…”

And then I realised what writing is. Writing is a lifelong lesson. We never stop becoming better writers. Of course I can’t be a better writer than someone who’s been writing for a decade.  They’ve had 10 years of experience over my four.
Some lucky people have a gift. They can write magic from the age of 10. But for the rest of us, we have to practice. Practice makes perfect, after all.

To prove my point, I decided to read my first piece of work, a novella (or novel as I preferred to call it at the time) of about 20K. I wrote when I was about 12. I’ll be honest. It was horrible. Two dimensional characters. Major plot holes. It’s a perfect example of how NOT to write. I wanted to stop reading a couple of points. But I got through it, and as a comparison, I read a section of my current work. And it’s not bad. Sure, it’ll never get published, and in 10 years, I’ll cringe at the sight of it. But right now, it’s what I consider some of my best writing.

So there you have. Writing is a lifelong lesson. We will always get better. Don’t be ashamed to show other writers your work. They were at the same stage as you once. All they did was practice. They didn’t have to finish their project. They might have a hundred half-written novels lying around. But it’s all practice.

I think I’ll post my short story now.

–

Have you voted on my poll yet? If you haven’t it is still open. Have your say below.

To Critique or Not to Critique?

As you know, I wanted to host an in-house critique, right here on this blog. But what do you think? A good idea or not? Share your thoughts below!

Bloggerversary is Such a Weird Word

Today marks my first bloggerversary. Happy Bloggervsary me!

Yep, I started this blog on the first of February, 2009. Doesn’t seem like that long ago.

Also around this time of year in 2009, I started work on my current WIP, Poseidon’s Trident. It was January 28. January 28, 2009 at 5:00pm (yeah, I’m anal and I actually record stuff like that  =/  ).
Since that day late in January, I’ve written over 57 thousand words, or 156 words a day (What?!? That can’t be right. *Recalculates* Huh. It is. Ego = deflated).

Well, that’s all I can really think to say, except to once again exclaim Happy Bloggerversay me! (I really hate that word.)

Onwards with the second year!

January Noticeboard

Poseidon’s Trident:
Current Chapter in First Draft (Typed) Stage: 18/32
Current Chapter in Edit Stage: None

As you may remember, I decided against goals for January. My NYR was to have Poseidon’s Trident complete by September by writing 250 words everyday. I did pretty well, I only missed a few days while I was trying to figure out an action scene.
I went on school holidays at the end of November still on chapter 12. Which means that over my school holidays, I’ve written 6 chapters! Me = happy =)

Goals for February:

• Write 250 words/day. Equals to about 7,000 words

Just one goal this month. Keep moving along with my New Year Resolution.

I’m still planning some of the posts for February. I’m aiming for a new post every three days. About eight posts (I can do that… I can do that…). In February, I’ll be posting my response to Cassandra Jade’s question, ‘what is writing?’, which she asked last year, and a blog award. Also, I’d like to do a critique this month. What do you think? There’ll be a poll appearing here within the next couple of days so you can let me know your thoughts. If nobody’s interested in critiques, I’ll be running a series of posts on world building.

Lastly, I’m looking for other writers who want to guest post here, if your interested check out my post on the subject and contact me! I’d like to do a weekly (or bi-weekly even) post about/by other writers.

That’s all from me!

Dear Spammy

I was going to post my response to a bloggers question: ‘what is writing?’ today, but I decided to slip in this instead. My response to the blogger will be posted next week.
The first email was sent to me by ‘Windows! Live’, ie Spammy. The email below was my response. I found it amusing at the time (oh look at me. I’m such a badass, talking to Spammy…). You may not find it amusing, but if one person can honestly say the laughed, or even smiled genuinely at my response, then it was worth posting. If not… let’s forget about this post, okay?

–

Dear Windows! Live Account User,
We encountered a problem with our database and a lot of records were lost, we are restoring our database to enable us serve you better. Your Windows! Live Account details are required so as to store in our database to keep your account active.

Failure to do this will lose his or her account permanently.
To update and enable us restore your account details in our data base to keep your account active, you are required to provide us the details below urgently.
Click the reply button to enter details below .

ID:
Password :
Date of Birth:
Country or Territory:
Occupation:
Alternative E-mail:

Make sure the details above are correct to enable us restore your account details, this will help prevent your account from suspending or closing.

Note: YOUR DETAILS WILL NOT BE SHARED.

Users have often told us that the more they use Windows! Live  Service, the more they discover its benefits. We’ll keep working on making Windows! Live the best email service around, and we appreciate your joining us for the ride.

Thank you,
Sandra O. John
The Windows! Live Team

My reply:

Hi there,

Thanks for letting me know that you lost your records. Good on you for trying to rebuild them! The new records must be so much more detailed than the last set – I don’t ever recall providing you with my occupation or country. But then again, I signed up for Windows! Live sooo long ago, you must have changed your records around.
I mean, when I signed up for Windows! Live, the exclamation mark wasn’t even apart of your name. It was just boring old Windows Live.

I suppose that when you lost your database, you must have lost your usual Windows Live (oops, that should be Windows! Live) email account and the pretty pictures you use. I’m so used to receiving emails from a different email account, I almost marked this email as spam! Imagine that! I could have lost this email address.

That said, I no longer want my email account. I’m sorry, but if even Windows Live (there I go again – forgot the new exclamation mark! Silly me) is using Yahoo as their new email provider, perhaps you know something I don’t.

For some reason, when I went to reply to this email, instead of putting the Yahoo address as the recipient, another email address (accounts.services0001000) was placed as the recipient. To make sure that the Windows! Live Team receives the email, I am sending this email to both email addresses.

Once again, thanks for being so kind and considerate by sending me this email.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Little Scribbler.

5 Ways to Make Time for Writing

Did you make it a New Years Resolution to write more? I did. Like most people, I make resolutions, but fail to keep them. Usually, I’ve forgotten about them, or fail to act on the resolution by March.

This year, my only writing-related resolution was to finish the rough draft of my manuscript. It is achievable, and I should be able to finish the draft by September… if I write 250 words every day.

But I’m a busy person, as most people are, I’m sure. People have so many responsibilities which demand their time: day-job, cleaning, cooking, shopping, looking after children, responsibilities in the community, keeping up with friends and family… the list goes on. Then, throw in writing, and all the responsibilities associated with it: networking, editing, researching etc, and it’s too easy to forget about writing.
I’ve got 5 ways to make time for writing.

Make a timeslot, and stick to it: Find a timeslot, where you aren’t as busy, and make it a designated slot for writing. And stick to it. Be fierce if you have to defend that timeslot. That time is yours, and NO ONE will take it from you.

Write in small chunks: Perhaps finding an hour or two of spare time a day is difficult. Instead, try writing in smaller areas of spare time, perhaps two or three half hours slots. You could also try writing during your lunch hour, or take your laptop on the train/bus to work.

Make sacrifices: Maybe you don’t NEED to spend an hour a day surfing the internet. Cut back on that time, which will free up more time for writing. Or…

Combine tasks: Use your time on the internet to network. Read blogs, use Twitter, update Facebook and read emails during that time. That way, you wont waste your writing time.

Get organised: Nothing wastes time more than if your unorganised. Make sure everything you need for writing is ready or easily accessible for when your time starts. That way, you wont spend five minutes looking for your notes, or reading your plot outline.

And I’m Back

I’m back to regular posting again for the year. How’s your Christmas been? My Christmas has been pretty good, nice and  quiet.

Jumping straight into what I want to say, we may only be 18 days into 2010, but I’ve already got some ideas for the blog this year. I’d like to have an in-house critique session, preferably in the next month or so. You can send in an excerpt, and I’ll post it for others to critique.

Also, one thing I’ve seen around that I liked the idea of was an interview where YOU ask the questions. I’m thinking about doing this with a couple of internationally famous authors. Wishful thinking, perhaps, but I can only ask. I just have to build up the courage to write an email to them. I’ve got two in mind, two authors who I consider to be down-to-earth enough to possibly accept. Of course, it would be up to you – would you have lots of questions to ask?

Those are my two big plans so far. Throughout the year, I’ll be posting more articles, starting with the next post later this week, an on finding time to  write. I’ll be following that post up with an article I wrote in response to another bloggers question, What is Writing?

That’s all from me for today. I think I’m still in holiday mode. School goes back next week. Groan. I don’t even want to think about that. Before I go, I leave you with a question: What would you like to see on this blog?

Also, what are you writing? What is it? YA, mystery, adventure? Or something different? And what stage are you up to? Rough draft? Editing?

Have a great day!

December Noticeboard

End of the year already! Jeez. 2009 has been a big year for me. I began writing a novel that didn’t get abandoned after chapter 5, and I started a blog. What about you?

Poseidon’s Trident:
Current Chapter in First Draft (Typed) Stage: 15/33
Current Chapter in Edit Stage: None

I began writing Poseidon’s Trident on January 28. 338 days later, I’m currently writing chapter 15 (but just about finished). Sheesh, I better get a move on. At the rate I’m going, I wont finish until January 2011!! Better get a move on.

Daniel Fox:
Current Story in Rough Draft Stage: The Fox
Current Story in Edit Stage: None

I’ve been going slow with the Daniel Fox series. Over the year, I wrote one, started a second while editing the first, and decided the first needed a major re-write. The Fox is now awaiting a re-write, which I’ve been meaning to do for months. 2010, perhaps?

Goals for December:

• Keep working on my WIP!!! – Check…

• Relax – …and check.

I wont have any goals for January. Instead, some New Year Resolutions.

Goals for 2010:

• Finish the rough draft of PT (by writing 250 words a day)

• Find some new authors to read

By writing 250 words each day, I should have the rough draft finished by the end of the year. Fingers crossed!

At the beginning of the year, I set myself some resolutions. Here they are:

Goals for 2009:

• Stick with story plan – don’t keep changing it – Nope. I changed it many times through the year, but that was good, each time the story got better.

• Write at least four pages of writing on any WIP each week – Good idea when I set it, but in hindsight, kind of ridiculous. What was I thinking? I’d never have enough time to write all that.

• Get people reading my blog – Check. I mean, you are reading this, aren’t you?

Hmmm. I think that covers everything. I’m still enjoying my holiday, having posted this earlier in the month. Stay tuned, because I’ll be back on January 18, 2010, and the blog should be bigger and better than before. I’ll run through all that next year.

Anyway, how was your year? What exciting things happened for you?