NaNoWriMo Day 5

My Word Count: 6,662
Today's Goal: 8,335

Yeeah, I'm a little behind. I still have time to bust out words because I have not gone to sleep yet! I will keep writing until the need for sleep overwhelms me. That's kind of what happened last night. I was writing and writing and all of a sudden I couldn't focus anymore. Fortunately, it was just copying what I had handwritten while I was watching my boyfriend at his bowling league so it wasn't hard to type. But, I was just shy of yesterday's goal.

I just updated my YouTube with a new video today. I included a clip from a Q&A session I attended with Jason David Frank, someone I had the privilege to meet twice already. And, he talks about being disciplined in whatever you are trying to do. And the timing of hearing this was kind of perfect.

Since this was while at ComicCon, it was November 1 and I was thinking about all the writing I was not going to be completing when my boyfriend and I returned home that night. But, I was also thinking about all the work I had already put into my stories in the past several months. Beginning in February, I began jotting down ideas, working out a sort of timeline of my series and what I would like to see happen in each book. Then, in March, outlining book 1, writing during Camp NaNoWriMo, spending months editing and rewriting and researching self publishing, and now working on book 2, and possibly 3. How many times did I not watch the YouTube video I wanted to see because I had to write? When did I turn a hang out with one of my friends into a writing session so I could meet my word goal? How many emails did I send back and forth to my beta reader for revision advice? All of that took time and dedication and the discipline to say, "No matter what, I'm going to complete this task."

So, this is my challenge to all my readers. I extended this to my YouTube viewers as well. What is something you've always wanted to accomplish but you have been putting off or allowed yourself to be distracted from? Are you writing a novel like me? Are you anywhere in the revision process? Have you decided to quit smoking or do you want to work out more to become healthier? Are you working on artwork of some kind? Photography, drawing, painting, sculpting, graphic design? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on social media and let me know how you're doing. Let's work together and be accountability partners. I'm more than happy to cheer you on in whatever you're doing. Because it is so rewarding to look back on something you've worked extra hard on and say, "Wow. I did that. I really did that. Now, I feel like I can do anything!"

NaNoWriMo Day 4

My Word Count: 6,300
Today's Goal: 6,668

Still a little behind but not so much that I have to worry. And, there's still some time in the day left to write so I can easily bust out a few hundred words to keep pace with the goal. Tomorrow, I can write after work and Thursday I plan on doing massive amounts of writing in order to get far ahead and then I have even less to worry about. I'm happy with where my story is going. Created some romantic drama between my main character and her love interest. A little more back-story is revealed about some of my supporting cast in this volume. I'm excited to keep going.

NaNoWriMo Day 3

My Word Count: 5,148
Today's Goal: 5,000

Caught up and then some! WOO! Been writing since I got home from work. Did take a small break to edit a haul video from the convention but that didn't take very long. I'm pleased at how far I've gotten in a short time, considering how much by brain hurt after those first 500 or so words Saturday night. Don't write while exhausted. It's actually quite painful.

NaNoWriMo Day 2

My Word Count: 2134
Today's Goal: 3,334

Woo! Wrote a lot today! Did some in the morning and then a little while at my family's, thanks to bringing my tablet along, and then dove in when I got home. Now, I'm only 800 words behind. Easily manageable. Tomorrow's goal is 5,001. Depending on how tired I am after work, I can easily catch up.

NaNoWriMo Day 1

My Word Count: 538
Today's Goal: 1,667

Managed to get a little writing done today when I got home from Columbus. Will see what I can get done tomorrow. Behind but not a bad start considering how exhausted I am. I got an opening scene done featuring the villain in this story. Really liking it. I have a family clam bake tomorrow so, again, don't know how much writing I'll get done. But, we'll see what happens.

September Writing Challenge- Day 28

Prompt- Write about your sibling(s)

This is appropriate, seeing as it is my sister's birthday today. You'd think I planned to get this prompt today... Oh, wait! I did! ^_^

So, what to say about my little sister?

We'll start with a picture. Best way to go, I suppose. Here's last Christmas.

We're about 5 years apart in age. She loves to say that she never worries about getting old because I'll always be older. That may be true, but I've been told I look like the younger one. We've also been asked if we were twins and I just don't see it. Yeah, you can tell we're sisters. But, twins? Don't get it.

We have opposite personalities. I'm quieter and bookish. I keep my mouth shut, even when mad, unless highly provoked or pushed. I tend to keep things PC to avoid drama. She doesn't sugar coat. She'll tell you right off if she doesn't like you. Or, she just won't talk to you at all. She loves to antagonize and tease, but that runs in the family. We've both done our fair share of torment on each other.

Our relationship has changed over the years, as all do. But, for the better, I think. When we were little, we fought like cats. Sometimes ending with at least one of us in tears. And, the occasional bloodshed. Like the one time I tried to block her from coming into the bedroom and I got knocked into a nightstand. Still have a scar on my back. And, then, there was the time I ended up in the ER after she hit a baseball at my head. But, that was a complete accident.

We've grown up. Sure, we have our little spats once in a while but it's what siblings do. And, as part of growing up, our crazy lives mean we don't get to see each other much. But, we try as often as we can, whether it's just us going to lunch, a double date with the boys, or dinner with the family.

She's a tough cookie. I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. She keeps things in pretty well. I'm sure she rages and screams and throws things when alone. But, while I'm sobbing away, she keeps up a tough act.

We stick up for each other. Only one time have I really had an opportunity to defend her. Back in college, I never got reception with the cell service we had at the time while on campus. So, my mom would pick my sister up from school and send her in to get me. One day, a guy in the group I hung around with asked who she was. "My sister," I said. "Ooh, is she single? She's cute." "She's SIXTEEN," I snapped. (The guy was 22) "Okaay, not so cute anymore." He backed off and we all poked fun.

Basically, my sister is my first best friend and I couldn't ask for anyone better.

Carey

September Writing Challenge- Day 27

Prompt- I love my best friends because...

My best friends are just that. The best people I've ever known. They've had my back when I was bullied, facing heartbreak, had family members pass, or just been my usual crazy self and through it all they've stuck by me.

Distances haven't stopped us. I have a best friend who lives over 2500 miles away and, on those rare chances we are face to face, it's like we've never been apart. Even after years apart.

And, I know, life gets crazy. Obligations arise. Family life changes. People get married or have babies... or both Things happen out of the blue. Makes it difficult to spend time together. Even if friends don't live that far away, sometimes it can be weeks in between visits. Maybe even months. But, as long as, when you do finally visit, it's the same joy and fun as ever, then you know you have a friend for life.

I love those days when "Let's meet for an hour for lunch" turns into "3 hours later, standing in the parking lot still talking." Having a movie night in turns into laughing over YouTube videos for 4 hours in addition to the movie. "I'm upset and need cheering up" turns into drinks, driving around, and ending up at a playground until 2 a.m.

My best friends are people who are just as crazy as me, if not more. They are my shoulder to cry on, they support me, they slap me along side the head when I do something stupid. And, yes, I mean that literally in some cases. They're the people who are as much like family as anyone actually related by blood. Sometimes, even more so.

And who says you can only have one? I have 7! And I know they'll be by my side always. And I'll always do the same for them.

Carey

September Writing Challenge- Day 26

Prompt- Somewhere you would like to move

I think, if I could live anywhere, it would probably be somewhere out west, likely Oregon. They don't have the weather and temperature extremes that I go through here, especially in the winter when it hurts my knees so badly. Warm days don't have the extreme humidity so you're actually able to go out and enjoy the day while being able to breathe and not sweat to death. Winters aren't that cold and very little snow. I've seen pictures of fall, with that mountain scenery and it's incredible.

The people are really nice there, too. When my friend took me hiking, other hikers were cheering me on when I was having trouble. Here, I would have been laughed at or insulted somehow.

Cost of living is reasonable. No sales tax. Gas prices aren't much more drastic than they are here. Plenty of places to eat and shop and find entertainment. I could see myself and my guy settling down there someday... Just have to get him to go along with it is all. :)

Carey

September Writing Challenge- Day 25

Prompt- Five Places You Want to Visit Again

1) Portland, Oregon- When I was there 2 years ago, we barely spent a day in Portland before heading south to Eugene. Next time I'm there, I want to at least spend a full day or two there.

2) Washington DC- A history fanatic's dream place! I've been there three times and still haven't seen the whole city.

3) Key West, Florida- Now that I know someone there, it's all the more reason for me to return! The past 2 times I was in the Keys, we only took one day to spend in Key West. I really want to go back and see more. It's so beautiful there.

4) Grand Haven, Michigan- Went there on a family trip. It's a really cute little lakeside town. The naval museum was interesting to see and you can tour a submarine.

5) Pittsburgh, PA- I've been there twice. Once on a day trip with an ex and once to the casino with my family. It's a very pretty city. I love their botanical gardens and the museums. And, despite losing $100, their casino is really nice, too. Not a fan of the sports teams but the city itself is nice.

September Writing Challenge- Day 24

Prompt- What are your favorite stores to shop in?

Yay! A fun topic! I love to shop. And, I have a few stores that I always go to because I'm rarely disappointed.

For books- Books-a-Million, no question. That place is incredible and I'm always able to find what I'm looking for. They have a great selection. The stores are easy and sections well marked. And, they also have plenty of geekwear. I bought both of my sonic screwdrivers there and a few t-shirts. If I'm looking for something older, or just cheaper, I go to Half Price Books. That's where I found a majority of my Cousins War series. In next to perfect condition. If you look, you never know the treasures you can find at that place.

For clothes- I'm a plus size girl. And, a lot of the big stores like Target and WalMart, etc. have plus size sections but their clothes are... well... frumpy. I'm 30 years old. I still want to look cute and pretty and not like someone's grandmother just because I have curves. So, there are two primary places I go for nice clothes. They're a little pricier but they have good sales. Torrid is one. I like the styles they have. Very figure flattering. I bought a pretty dress there one time and a couple skirts. You have to look and try stuff on, though, because some of the cuts can be kind of low and revealing so be prepared to layer. The other is Lane Bryant. Over the summer I found 2 pretty maxi skirts that I love and have worn several times. Shirts, dresses, a jean jacket that I still have and need to dig out for the fall. This is also a great store for undergarments. They're always having bra and panties sales every couple of months so I save up and raid the clearance rack.

Craft stuff- Pat Catans, a primarily local chain, I believe. But, their prices are reasonable for things. I can usually load up on stickers there. For paper, I got to JoAnn Fabrics. They always have deals on paper packs. And, Hobby Lobby for yarn. They have the best selection. I will shop at Michaels, but usually if I have a gift card because they're a bit more expensive.

Jewelry/Accessories- Just about anywhere there's a good price I can find jewelry. I do have to be careful in the earring department because my ears are very sensitive and certain metals can cause problems. And, rings. Some rings the metal can turn my fingers green. But, I've found some good things over the years I've managed to hang on to.

That's a taste of where I shop. What about you? Any recommendations?

Thanks for reading!
Carey