IWSG: NaNoWriMo time again and a look back #ResurrectionBlogfest

IWSG is hosted by the awesome ninja captain Alex J. Cavanaugh. Please click here for a list of participants.

It's NaNoWriMo season again. So I'm typing my fingers off in rewriting The Phoenix Prophetess. When NaNo comes around, I think back to my previous NaNos. I've been participating since 2009 and so far have won NaNoWriMo every year. I hope this won't be the year that I don't. I must admit I'm worried about it. Typically, I block off my schedule so all I have to do is write, but this year I'm working on publishing The Nightmare Collection and working on blog tour posts and the like while trying to do NaNo. So to say that I'm insecure about NaNo this year--and everything else I need to do--is an understatement.

To give myself inspiration, I joined the Resurrection Blogfest hosted by Mina Lobo at Some Dark Romantic. The goal is to find a post from something from your first year of blogging that you believe deserves some TLC, or that you're especially proud of and wish to showcase, or simply has sentimental value for you. And since I needed some NaNo inspiration, here is a post I posted on November 30, 2009. 

Monday, November 30, 2009

NaNoWriMo Day 30: First Draft of VIRTUOSO finished!

Yesterday, on November 29, I completed the first draft of VIRTUOSO. The novel was 68,176 words long, 25 chapters (prologue + 24 chapters), and 302 pages double-spaced. VIRTUOSO is the first book in the Riverwood Trilogy. I plan to write book two next year and book three the year after that. I do not know if I will continue to use the Riverwood Trilogy as my NaNo 2010 and NaNo 2011 books yet.

I was more excited in finishing VIRTUOSO than I was finishing THE PHOENIX PROPHETESS back in September. When I finished VIRTUOSO, I was absolutely thrilled and excited. When I finished THE PHOENIX PROPHETESS, I was wondering what in the world I had gotten myself into. Of course, Prophetess was my first novel ever completed, so perhaps that is what made it so different. I'm really proud of myself. I've written two novels in less than a year's time. I honestly never thought I would be able to finish one novel.

I have also created a little book cover for VIRTUOSO. Here it is:

I believe the picture I found is just perfect for the novel. Several times, Nadia compares her life to a jigsaw puzzle, and she is a violin virtuoso. The cover art is mainly just for me, but I thought I would share it.

On other writing news, now that December is heading in tomorrow, I need to get back to real writing life. *laughs* I have 2-3 short stories I would like to write for by the end of December. Plus, I will begin doing my rewrites/edits for THE PHOENIX PROPHETESS and begin on the plot outline for THE PHOENIX SORCERESS. I need to read through my previous short stories as well once more and send them out again next month. Fun, fun!

I still like the picture of the puzzle violin, and it's amazing how much Virtuoso will change when I get back to rewriting it. It started out as a YA Paranormal, book one of a trilogy, to YA Contemporary, standalone novel. And I never did get The Phoenix Prophetess rewrites done until this NaNo. Hopefully. *crosses fingers*

Have you looked back on old blog posts to see what you'd hope to do or look back on those small accomplishments that meant the world to you? Please be sure to visit the other Resurrection Blogfest members as well as the other IWSG members.

And I would like to dedicate this post to my guinea pig Abby. She passed away on Saturday. I had her for almost five years, and she was almost six years old.

January/February 2007 - November 3, 2012

Purrsonal Thursdays: Breaking up Is Hard to Do

 

Breaking up Is Hard to Do

I decided it was time for a break up last week. We weren't working out. I tried. I really did. I wanted it to work. We'd been trying to stay together since last year. We would gain some headway, and then everything would change. It was such a love-hate relationship. So, on Friday, I realized I was done. I couldn't go on any more. Perhaps we can remain friends, but not right now. We need time apart. A lot of time. Months, maybe a year or two. It's both our faults and this is for the best.

Mock cover

I'm talking about my novel Virtuoso. I wrote that novel for NaNoWriMo 2009. Off and on last year and off and on most of this year, I tried rewriting it. The first ten chapters are pretty good, but it was falling apart after that. I didn't love the story any more. Nadia wasn't the same. I wasn't the same. I realized in order to fix the story I either had to take out the paranormal elements, which would make it a completely different story, or take out Derek. Right now, I'm just too tired of it. Maybe one day I'll take those first ten chapters and continue from there without Derek. The middle and the ending would be different in a lot of places. The novel will probably be more novella-length, but it could work. We just need time apart, though.

Mock Cover

So now I went back to my first love: The Phoenix Prophetess. I read through it on Friday-Sunday and realized how much I loved it. My passion was reignited. I can't wait each day to work on it. I have a month to edit/polish it, but I can do it. I want to do it. I should've worked on it instead of Virtuoso, but I heard first novels rarely do well. Oh, the writing is a bit rough, but the story is sound and exciting. Oh, gods, seriously, this story is so awesome. I started The Phoenix Prophetess on January 15, 2009 and I finished the first draft on September 15, 2009. Two years later and I'm editing it, loving it.

I don't know what will happen when I pitch The Phoenix Prophetess at the James River Writers Conference in October, but I feel in my heart that I made the right decision. Whatever happens, The Phoenix Prophetess is the novel I want to represent me as a writer. I'm proud to put my name on it.

Breaking up may be hard to do, but sometimes it really is for the best.

Have you broken up with a story before?

Wednesday's Writing Update: August Stats, September Goals, and a Blogger Award

Happy Wednesday!

August is finished and we're almost a full week into September. It's hard to believe this time next month I'll be in Richmond, VA for the James River Writers Conference.

So, on to August stats:

Submissions: 0

Rejections: 3

Acceptances: 0

Total Words: 15,115

Pages Edited: 601

I don't have many submissions out there, but I'm considering taking some of my shorter works and self-publishing them. In fact, I would like to write two and a half more short stories in my Foxwick land and created a small short story collection titled The Foxwick Chronicles: Women of Foxwick. So you might see this collection in December, if I can get everything together.

As for my novel Virtuoso, things aren't looking too good for it. There are major issues and I'm running out of time and energy to fix them right now. So starting last Friday, I began working on The Phoenix Prophetess. I'm completely in love with it. I've read it two times already and have started edits. It may be against my original plans, but I stand by my decision.

How is everyone else doing? Have you switched what you were working on for something you were more passionate about? How did that go?

 

Also, thank you Cher Green for giving me the Liebster Blog Award! 

The rules:

1. Thank the giver of the award and link back to them.

2. Give the Liebster to five bloggers and let them know with a comment to their blog.

3. Copy and paste the award onto your blog.

4. Have faith your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.

5. Have blogging fun!

I would like to give this award to:

Lisa Rusczyk – She doesn't blog too much, but she's pretty awesome. She works as an editor and has some new books out on Kindle. 

LindsayDuncan – She's a sweetheart and a harpist as well as a writer. 

ChristineRains – I know she's already received this award once, but she's one of my best friends and the reason I'm a writer. 

Jenn Nixon – She's an awesome romantic suspense writer and writes in other genres too. She's all about giving back and promoting authors on her blog. 

Bill Blume – He has an awesome blog with a comic strip he creates himself. I'm loving his steampunk one. Plus, he has the coolest stuffed animals. 

Wednesday's Writing Update: Rewrites and Winners

Happy Wednesday!

Last Wednesday was the one year anniversary of the release of my horror novelette Once Upon a December Nightmare. For those who commented, if you wish to have a copy, it's yours. These people are Summer Ross, Nicole Zoltack, C D Meetens, and Julie Flanders. Just send me an email at cherie.reich(at)gmail(dot)com to claim your prize.

Tomorrow is September 1^st. I can't believe it. August stats and September goals will be up next Wednesday. Also, I will begin my September blogger schedule tomorrow:

Mondays – Promo Mondays (Promo, Interviews, Guest Posts)

 Tuesdays – Teaser Tuesdays (Two lines from a current book I'm reading, hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading) 

 Wednesdays – Wednesday's Writing Update

 Thursdays – 1^st and 3^rd Ask the Editor

 2^nd and 4^th – Purrsonal Thursdays

 Fridays - #fridayflash

Now, on to rewrites. I'm working hard (NaNo-style) to finish up the last half of Virtuoso. Right now, I'm focusing just on the story and getting it all into 1^st person. My goal is to finish it by Labor Day. Then, I can make sweeping passes for emotions, descriptions, additional scenes needed, etc.

So what are you working on lately?

#flashfiction "Jealousy's Rage"

*First, look, a new Flash picture. *grins* Okay, today's flash piece is taken from last week's flash piece (you can read here). Now we get Veronica's view of the same scene.*

Jealousy's Rage

Veronica froze at the violin's soul-singing notes. Her eyes briefly closed at the flawless beauty. Each note was precise. The tone delectable. It was the sweetest dessert, a first kiss, and first heartbreak wrapped into each stroke of the bow.

Why can't I play like that?

Her eyes flung open and she lunged forward. The violin music yanked her toward the stage and what virtuoso was playing a piece she only dreamed she had the talent to play.

When she saw the blond girl, her heart clenched, hardened, and shattered in one beat. She was her own age, seventeen, eighteen perhaps, no more than nineteen. Veronica could only hope to be half as talented. Everything she worked for, the hours of practice every day, the grueling lessons, Veronica realized it was all for nothing compared to this girl.

"Who's that?"

Marcus's breath brushed against her. She turned, noticing how he couldn't seem to take his eyes off the new girl. He never looked at me like that . . . even when we were dating. Her jaw clenched and popped.

"I don't know. Who cares?" She wrapped her arm around his and tugged. It was like trying to drag a statue down. "Come on, we'll be late."

He yanked his arm away from her. "Hey, Karoline, do you know who that is?"

Veronica stumbled a couple steps. Marcus had nearly dragged her with him before he wrenched his arm from her grasp. She ignored what the flutist said and focused on the stage again. The piece was rapidly coming to a close. Her breath caught in her chest.

". . . musicians."

"And her . . . ?"

"Nadia . . . senior with us."

When the piece ended, Veronica shook her head, dispelling the perfect notes from her mind. She straightened, her shoulders squaring. She lifted her chin and glared at the musician. She crossed her arms over her chest.

The other girl may be better, but Veronica would be smarter.

She wasn't about to let her win.

Wednesday's Writing Update: Once Upon a December Nightmare One Year Later

Happy Wednesday!

I had this post all planned out, but then I went through my first earthquake. Yeah, I know, it was pretty much nothing, but still exciting. Did anyone else feel it?  


Okay, now back to the regular post.

First off, Rachael Harrie is hosting her Third Writers Platform-Building Campaign. I participated in the second one, and it is so worth it. Unfortunately, I won't be able to participate this time due to lack of time, but I'll cheer everyone on. 

Second, one year ago today, my horror novelette Once Upon a December Nightmare was published. I wrote this novelette in May 2009, and it had a bumpy road to publication, including a failed publisher, finding a great publisher in Wild Child Publishing, harsh and hard edits, and more. It's surpassed my expectations and helped me become a better writer. In honor of its one year since release date, I'm giving away a copy of it. Just comment below and be sure to put an email address so I can let you know if you won.

Third, stay tuned for a second post today where I wrap up my questions in Christine Tyler's Spark Blogfest and kick off the Favorite Summer Reads Blogfest.

As for writing news, I've stalled in my rewrites for Virtuoso, but I hope to get back to it. I'm forming quite a few ideas about some of my shorter works, too, but I'm not going to let you know about them just yet. Also, I'm working on a new PWP critique/editing assignment.

Anyone have any news?

The Spark Blogfest: Work-in-Progress Inspiration

 

Christine Tyler at The Writer Coaster has created this awesome blogfest involving writers and inspiration.

Today's question is: What author set off that spark of inspiration for your current Work in Progress?

Mock cover of Virtuoso

No particular author sparked the inspiration of my current WiP, although it was role-played inspired. I created Nadia back in 2001, I believe. She had the ability to control energy magics and recently lost her boyfriend—not to death like Virtuoso, though. I didn’t get a chance to role-play the character beyond a few posts, since the group never got off its feet. The character changed a bit but stayed with me. In 2009, I wrote Nadia’s story in Virtuoso.