Oh Dearie Me, What Have I Done?

So, remember when I was saying that I didn't need a break? How hilarious was that? I did need a break. Through attempting to start my second book at full speed, I found out that writing is a truly draining process. Especially at my age, there are millions of distractions shooting me from every direction. Clearing your mind takes time. So, at the advice of someone else I know that's writing a book, I took a break. And I survived! After a weekend in what may actually be the most beautiful place in the country, I'm feeling jazzed. I'm feeling rejuvenated, and I have a better idea of my book's setting. (Because we went to where the second book takes place.) I left my laptop at home, so the entire time I was thinking about what I could write. They were all just ideas, and I didn't have to execute anything right away. I could just sit and think. That was good for me. So, my people, my babes, my dudes, I'm ready to go. I'm ready to write like my ...

I have a deadline, okay? Well, in my head. In my head I have a deadline. It really has no bearing, no consequences, other than me being disappointed in myself. My drafting deadline is July 31st, although I'd love to be done before then. I have twenty (twenty one, including prologue) chapters and three months to write them, which means that I need to write seven chapters a month. That's a little less than two chapters a week. However, I like to plan ahead, so I round up. Two chapters is somewhere around twenty pages, so that's 2-3 pages a day. One week of May has passed, and I have written a grand total of seven complete (ish) pages. That's a little bit less than the twenty I was striving for. My lack of writing isn't due to lack of time, and it's not even due to lack of energy. It's purely lack of motivation. That's really, really odd for me. Never in my writing career, no matter how short it may be, have I not wanted to write. I've always ...

You know what? I don't mind outlining. Outlining is probably the most optimistic part of the entire book writing/publishing process. The bright-eyed and bushy-tailed author is full of hope for the future. Honestly, I'm pretty excited to write my next book. After months of harboring ideas, and especially because I haven't written in weeks, I was ready to go. So, I sat down to write my outline. I'd just gotten out of a conversation with someone about outlining, which meant that I was extra motivated. I pulled out my little, yellow writing notebook, I brought my hand to the page, my pencil nicked the top of my page, and... Nothing. Nothing happened. I had completely forgotten how to outline. I tried again. Shaking off the dust, I stood up, did some stretches, and sat back down. I took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling as I prepared. I know how to outline, I've done it before , I reminded myself. I had done it before. But with Acacia, I changed almost everyt...

If you're reading this, then they've finally gotten to me then my book Acacia is finally out! I did it. I have published a book. I don't feel very different. Sheer momentum alone is wanting to push me to write the next one right away, but all the advice I've heard is telling me to take a break. That isn't me saying, "Wow, I'm so good that all I can do is write!" No, what I'm saying is I'm freaking obsessive. This hobby, career, pastime, whatever you want to call it, has taken over my life. Ask anyone that knows me, it's all I talk about. I's all I think about. It's all I do (aside from watching YouTube.) Honestly, Acacia 's release is the first time I've felt that my addiction has paid off. I did something. I did something that I'm proud of. And, although I know my book has it's faults, I'm so, unbelievably proud that I accomplished something of my own. It's my first step towards an actual career...

Remember when I said publishing a book was going to kill me? Well, I was only being slightly dramatic. I had no idea how friggin' complex formatting could be. So, I write on Google Drive. It was free, easy, and just what I had always used for school. I like Google Drive. We're pals. We've been through a lot together, and it's what works for me. However, it's formatting tools can be finicky. I'm trying to make the paperback version of my book a 6x9, because its a good, small book size. Google Drive doesn't have an option (that I've found) to make the formatting 6x9. Very, very long story short, I tried nine or ten different ways of formatting it, and nothing was working. I was so frustrated that tears were threatening my eyes. There's lot more problems that I was having, and trust me, I tried everything that I could think of. Nothing worked. I wanted to scream. I wanted to punch someone. Most of all, I just wanted the stupid thing to work. N...

We've made it. As I come to the final stages in publishing my book, "Acacia," I'm finally beginning to outline the second installment in the series. It doesn't have an official name as of yet, so from here on out, it will be simply known as, "Second Book." I know, it's very clever and well thought out. Leave your praises in the comments. So, Second Book is a massive task. Acacia left off on a pretty intense cliffhanger, and that means that a lot needs to happen in Second Book to remedy Acacia. However, I have also planned time for a third installment in the series, (to be known as "Third Book" until officially titled) which means that I need to save some tension for Third Book. Anyway, figuring out how to include action without having too much has always been a struggle of mine. While I think I did well with that in Acacia, Second Book is presenting some problems. Also, in Second Book, I introduce two new main characters. They were both...