Tuesday, December 30, 2014

All the 2014 Things and Looking Forward to 2015

Wow. Where did the year go? It seems like last week I was hanging out with my friends and family, ready to ring in 2014. I had so much planned in my mind. I was turning 30. I was working on my writing. I was planning on traveling more and doing all kinds of fun and exciting things. And now I'm laying in bed during the first hour of the last day of that year wondering one thing. "What the hell happened to 2014?"

A hashtag began circulating Twitter about two weeks ago. #2014in5words Well, my 5 words are these. "Did not go as planned." This is true for the two major events of this year. My cousin, Dee, passing away in June at only age 44 and my health scare in July when I developed a deep vein clot in my right leg which left me hospitalized for a whole weekend and off work for 6 weeks. (I'm still not 100% from that.) But, these things were not anyone's fault and beyond anyone's control. And, it taught me a few valuable lessons:
1) Treasure every day you have. You never know what's going to happen to you so take an extra minute in the morning and say, "I'm awake. I'm breathing. I'm off to a good start." Even if you're not in the best of health, every day is a new chance so make a point to be healthier and improve your quality of life.
2) Family is everything. Now, I know there are family members we don't get along with. Either we are not that close to them or something went down and we're completely not on speaking terms. Whatever. Everyone has a situation like that. But, when something happens, you know which people in your family (and among your friends) who will stick by you through everything and hold your hand to keep you calm, even when they're terrified right with you. The ones who hold back the tears so you can sob your heart out in their arms. The ones who will cry right along with you and share a box of extra large tissue with you.
3) Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. You can either let it hit you and knock you down or roll with it and continue on as best you can. Yeah, these, and other, things happened. Yeah, some plans got pushed aside or canceled completely. But, as long as I remembered the first two lessons, I was able to keep going and make the best of what did happen that was positive in my life.

I also failed my reading challenge. I had planned to read 50 books. I think my final count was 12? But, I'm not a fast reader and I was distracted with stuff! Like being in the hospital. More on that later.

2014 wasn't all bad. I did have a lot of fun and am nearer to accomplishing a lifelong dream than I ever imagined I would be! I turned 30. My sister and her boyfriend came over and we had cake and ice cream and it's always a bunch of laughs when they're over.

I went to ComicCon again with my boyfriend in Octover., and this time we were able to stay in Columbus so it was like our first vacation together. We were able to wander the city this time and I not only got to see Jason David Frank again but I met Nicholas Brendan for the first time! I even made a new friend named Shaun while standing in line and met this lovely cosplayer/model named Samantha. I bought books from writers and talked about my own work in progress which was really exciting. And, I can't wait til Comic Con comes to Cleveland in February! It's going to be so much fun!

Also this year I finally entered the 21st century and got my first smart phone! Yay technology! I got a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini. I love this thing. I don't know how I ever lived without a smart phone before. I keep notes and my calendar and pictures. I can blog on it. I can keep up on the social medias easier.

And, finally, the best thing ever! I am just weeks away from publishing my first book! EEEEE!! I received my proof copy of my novella, Witches of Coolersville, on December 23rd, 2014! I'm going over it and plan on making a few changes to the content and the cover. But, it's happening! I'll be a published author in 2015! How exciting is that! I also started book 2 during my second consecutive victorious year participating in NaNoWriMo but it is currently in rewrite because I wrote 50,000 words of slop that I need to clean up in order to have a sequel that is equally as good as the first book.

So, that's an overview of some of the things in 2014. Now, on to 2015!!

Here are some of my goals/resolutions for 2015 (no order)-
1) Reading Challenge- I downloaded from Pinterest this reading challenge that looks like fun and I'll see how far I'll get on it. It's a list of different types of books to read in the coming year, like a book with a single word title. Or, a book with a color in the title. A book that came out the year you were born, that kind of thing. I'll copy the list into another entry so you can take a crack at it as well. It looks like it could be fun and maybe I'll do a better job at that than just picking a number and feeling pressured to meet the goal.
2) Move my rear out of my parents' house! For goodness sake, I'm going to be 31 this year. Time to get a move on. We'll see what the future holds for me in that department. I'll be sure to keep you all posted.
3) Stay healthy- This includes a number of things. Being more active. I'm going to try and take the pup for walks more often. I'm going to buy more juice and lay off the pop. I'll take my medicines and wear my compression braces so I don't end up in the hospital again. All that and more.
4) Continue writing- I'm so close to publishing book 1 and working on book 2. How can I stop now? I've dreamed about being a published author and seeing my name on shelves for years and years and it's finally going to happen!
5) Travel more- Returning to Columbus for ComicCon, taking weekend trips with my boyfriend or my girls. Whether it's just a drive up north to the beach or going out of state, I love to travel and see what else is outside my little town. It could provide more information and inspiration for future stories. And it's just nice to get away.
6) Buy a new computer, editing software, and an actual camcorder for the YouTubes. I'm bored with Windows Movie Maker and my current camera doesn't have the quality I want. And, my computer has certainly seen better days. Time for an upgrade. I'll probably use this one still for some things until it dies on me but I could use something new and better.

Here are my most anticipated things for 2015.
Book- Lion Heart by AC Gaughen. It's the final in the Scarlet trilogy which is a fabulous Robin Hood retelling tale. I've read the first one and when I get my hands on the third in May I'll marathon the whole trilogy.
Movie- Mockingjay Part 2! What more needs to be said?
TV- The Musketeers! Season 2 of the Musketeers is some time in January, I think. I loved the first season and I'm kinda sad Peter Capaldi won't be in it because he makes a wonderful Cardinal. But, he's obviously busy with Doctor Who now so we shall see how the new villain works out. I love me some good looking men with swords.

That's all for me right now. I'll also go ahead and post the 2015 reading challenge. Once I am able to update my web site, I'll have the list there with my progress and titles of what I've read.

Have a safe and happy new year!
Carey

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

NaNoWriMo 2014 Wrap-Up

Ha! So much for blogging every day. I see how well I succeeded at that. Except not really. Oops. Story of my life this entire year. Time just gets away from me so quickly! I don't like it.

Well, I did it! I managed to somehow win NaNoWriMo. From Day 8 on I was consistently behind. I did catch up on Day 15 with a 6,000 word writing day but I had such a mental drain afterward that I didn't write for 2 or 3 days. And then, I'd slowly start to catch up and then not write for a few days. But, my some miracle, I managed.

It was a combination of things. Some of it was work related. Working in retail around the holiday season is madness. Some of it was me having days where I just felt like complete crap. I was exhausted and hurting. When I had days where my RA symptoms flared up, I'd take a muscle relaxer. And that would dull the pain but it would put me in a mental fog the whole next day. Which is why I hate taking those things! And, some of it was just being busy. I had a couple events. ComicCon, of course, and a family clam bake. Thanksgiving Day was madness and running around. My sister and our friend went to see MockingJay and then I had a white knuckle drive home in a white-out. Like I said, time just got away from me.

Do I like what I wrote? Hell to the no! It's a pile of slop that I somehow need to organize into a coherent sequel to my first novel. How am I going to do this? I have no idea. But, it will get done. Somehow. I will figure out a way even if I have to rewrite it all over again. But, I am determined to get it done in some form or another. I am actually taking advantage of the 30 Day Trial of Scrivener so I can better organize my notes and what I have written. When I get the money, probably after Christmas, I will treat myself to the full version with my winner code. It is downloading while I write this.

In other news, I am going to start a new extension to my series of blogs. Right now I have this one, which is writing and life and a little of everything. I also have my travel one. That one is fairly uneventful so far since I've only been on one trip since starting it. But, the next one will be artsy crafty. I got the idea while shopping for holiday gifts. I am making just about all my presents so I am going to be documenting what I make and how I do so. I will include links to where I found the idea, directions, and pictures. I've taken a few pictures already so once I upload those I will be setting up posts for future publication. Links will be in future blogs as well as shared via social media.

That is all for now. I'm off to get some sleep. Busy weekend ahead.

Bye!
Carey