Shared WIP Tag - Part 4

So it's the last week of the Shared WIP Tag, and we have a couple days of NaNo left. Hard to believe...

How has Covid affected your writing this year?

Well, I didn't work all April, so that was great. Got a bunch of writing done. But other than that, I've been working like normal so my writing schedule has been fairly normal.

How has Covid affected NaNoWriMo itself for you?

Well, my library usually has some Write-Ins or other kinds of NaNo meetings, but because of Covid, that isn't happening. Other than that, things are normal.

What particular or personal or non-Covid-related challenges do you face for NaNo this year?

Well, trying to write around a slightly whacked-out work schedule (some first shift, some second shift, and always getting into overtime) has been fun. 

Are you trying to over-achieve and go over 50K?

Haha, NOPE. Not this year. Past two years I did 100K, but yeahhhhhh not this time. Mostly because I'm only writing half a book (Sarah is writing the other half), and don't have anything else to write after that. But also because of work.

What is your plan if you don’t reach 50K?

Um...if I don't make 50K at the end of the month? I mean, if it's because of work, that I won't stress about it. If I finish the book and haven't reached 50K, I'll probably try and write something from The Red War Annals to get my word count in. 

Have the current situations given you any new ideas and/or changes for your story?

Not for this book, per se. But for others? Yeah...but not giving any info cuz #spoilers

What are some things that excited you about writing this November? 

Everything about writing a first draft. The adventure of delving into a new story for the first time. Knowing others are also writing like crazy. Getting to spend time with Ravin and Adi and the whole Red Wind crew.

What are some ways you took care of yourself during NaNo?

I did let myself sleep a few hours every night...

How would you describe this NaNo year (in one word)?

Exciting. I mean, hey, I worked on a book with Sarah, drafted some scenes for The Red War Annals, and just enjoyed writing.

Are you going to relax in December or do you still have more work to do?

Tbh, there's always work to do. Edits. Rewrites. Drafting. And even if I take a break from writing, I have blog posts to write, chores to do, a house to clean, horses to ride.... *cries* 

But congrats to everyone who attempted NaNoWriMo this year, and congrats on the progress that you made!! Special thanks to Sarah, MK, and Catherine, who all joined in for this year's round of the Shared WIP Tag! Can't wait to read your books!! <3

Shared WIP Tag - Part 3

If you were dropped into the storyworld, what would your life be like? Things cannot change (i.e. your job description, clothing choices, etc) except for obvious world differences. Like you can’t imagine yourself to be a warrior princess...if you are a farmer IRL, you are a farmer in your storyworld. Answers must be as close to real life as possible.

What sort of job would you have in your storyworld?

So I would be the bookkeeper for the harbor master in Genady port, and also help out with the little tavern that's built onto his office. I'd spend time doing the books and keeping track on who is coming in and out of the harbor, and then helping out at the tavern when things got busy there. I'd get to spend my days talking to new folks arriving and leaving on ships and chatting with sailors and locals over mugs of ale and bowls of sea dragon chowder.

What sort of house would you live in?

I'd live outside of the city, in a house overlooking the ocean. My family has a boat and feels like there's always one of us out on the water. The house has faced many a wild storm, and the gray stone has now become grey and green like the rocks on the edges of the shore. The horses in the pasture are shaggy to protect against the salty spray, and run as fast as the wind.

What sort of community would you live in?

The port of Genady is a busy community, what with ships coming and going and the royal family living uptown in their fancy castle and all. If it isn't a new ship arriving with a load of goods from Riyar, it's some fancy noble from Belhallen coming to visit to Kashinda's. The people make most of their livings off trading, buying, and selling - especially when the yearly Scaera Dumeda comes along and visitors from all over can be found walking the streets.

Would you be valued in the community or not? (Not just job specific.)

As I have managed to secure a job working for the harbormaster, I would say that yes, I would be valued. Keeping taxes and payments straight and maybe giving visitors directions to get to places of interest.

Wait...not job specific?

Um, well, I'd say maybe. I'd be helpful to people and be willing to help rebuild a blown-over barn or watch kids or whatever else my neighbors need done. I'd certainly get to know some of the locals and try to keep a good relationship up with them.

What sort of religious practices would you be doing? 

We haven't really delved into religious practices in our storyworld, tbh, so not sure what to say here.

What would you be doing in your free time? 

Um....what free time???

Okay. JK. Mostly.

I'd probably be out on the water with my siblings, fishing or playing in the water or maybe riding the horses along the beach. Or just hanging out at work talking to people. Helping with chores on the farm. All that fun stuff.

What would you be eating? 

Lots of seafood.

If you could change your current position in the storyworld and do something else (like join the heroes) would you?

NO. NO. NO. 

I am not going out sailing and fighting pirates and sea dragons and assassins. I may be kind of brace, but I don't think I'm that ready to stare down the mouth of a cannon and scream shoot me I dare you.

That being said, if I somehow accidently ended up on board the Red Wind, I wouldn't have too much of a panic attack about it. Like, I don't really seek out adventure, but if it comes, I'm chill about it.

Would you have the opportunity to run into your characters in every-day life?

Cool thing, yes. They'd come in to pay their docking fees and any taxes they felt they needed to pay (does bringing in pirates need a sales tax??) and then they'd go to the tavern for a drink or two and I'd listen to their tales of where they've been and where they're going and then I'd tell them where the best shops are for anything they would need.

Would you be friends with your characters or would they have no idea you “exist” in their storyworld?

Since they sail into Genady fairly often, I'd probably to get to know a few if not all of them. Maybe not all by name, but by sight at least as tavern regulars. They'd probably know me as "the girl who works for the harbor master and the tavern" and we'd wave and trade a story or two, but that would possibly be as far as our relationships go.

Hard to believe NaNo is reaching the end...but let me tell ya, this story is SO AMAZINGGGGG

Shared WIP Tag - Part 2

So for today's post, we had the following prompt: write a piece of flash fiction about what would happen if you invited your MC(s) over for a cup of tea. *cue evil laugh*

"When you said come by for some tea and cookies, this wasn't quite what I had in mind." Adi's voice suddenly rose in pitch as she stumbled on a root. "Phew! Almost fell there."

I gingerly pushed aside a thorn branch. "Well, I didn't exactly plan for the cows to get out. These things just kind of happen. I'm just glad the neighbors called to let me know they saw Sweetie in their yard." Of course Sweetie couldn't stay in the neighbor's yard, but instead had to run back into the woods and run along the couple miles of trails. Now she could be anywhere.

"At least Ravin's good at tracking," Adi pointed towards the creek we were about to cross. "I mean, I can see a few cow prints in the mud, but other then that, I have no idea where she could have gone."

We jumped over the creek and broke into a steady trail shuffle. A stick cracked up ahead - was it Ravin? Sweetie? A deer? Maybe the local black bear that everyone claims they see all the time?

"I should have given Ravin the halter." I clutched the purple rope halter-and-lead on one hand, having given up trying to keep it on my shoulder while running. "I'm glad he's trying to catch her, but he's going to have a hard time..."

Sweetie broke through a little clearing, cantering along the trail towards us. Ravin sat on her back, arms wrapped around her neck and legs clamped to her round belly.

"Oh!" Adi said.

"Oy!" I said.

"Ouch!" Ravin said as he slid off Sweetie's side and landed in the muddiest section of my entire trail system.

Figures.

Sweetie bucked once, brushed past me without a second glance, and hurried on up the trail. Thankfully she was running towards home.

Ravin lay on his back in the mud, not even attempting to get up. "It seemed like a good idea at the time," he said to the trees looming overhead. "Maybe I should have waited for the halter."

"You're not hurt are you?" Adi stared down at the ex-assassin, as if considering giving him a hand up or not.

"Perfectly fine. But tea and cookies sounds really good right about now."

Horror froze every bone in my body. Cookies. The oven. "I forgot to turn the oven off!"

Ravin staggered to his feet, mud coating every inch of shirt and pants and hair and skin. "Please tell me you remembered to take the last tray of cookies out."

"Why do you think I'm freaking out about the oven still being on??"

Adi's face paled.

"They're probably fine," I shrugged.

"We've been out chasing your cow for what, fifteen minutes? That's probably longer than what those cookies need."

"Adi, you run home and get the cookies out of the oven. Ravin and I will get Sweetie."

"But Ravin's the better runner. He'll get there faster."

Ravin extracted his boot from the mud with a loud ssscchhluupppp. His nose wrinkled in disgust, but before he could slide the boot on, something heavy splashed in the creek just around the bend of the trail.

"Sweetie?" I called, hopefully, even though it was from the opposite direction the cow had run.

The black head and blinking eyes of a bear appeared over the little rise of ground where the trail veered away from the creek and towards the side of the forested hill.

Ravin tossed the boot over his shoulder. A knife appeared in his hand.

Adi shook her head and groaned.

"Maybe the bear would like some tea?" I offered.

The End.

Haha, anyways, hope you enjoyed that. (Yes, there is a bear on our property that we've caught with the trail cams, but never actually seen. Yes, Sweetie the cow is our escape artist beastie. And no, I haven't caught any cookies on fire before, but there's always a first time.)

Shared Wip Tag - Part 1

 Hey hey hey it's that time of year again! NaNoWriMo is upon us, and everyone is writing some new and exciting stories!

For those who may be unfamiliar, the Shared WIP Tag is something I do every year, for NaNo. Those who want to participate work together to decide on a couple groups of questions about our NaNo novels, which we then answer on our blogs during November. So it basically gives us something to prepare beforehand so we don't have to create blog posts during November. :)

Anyways, on to the show!

(Thanks to Sarah Rodecker for making the graphics!)

Title, Genre, Expected Word Count of the WIP.

Well, the working title for this book is Rumors. It's the third book in The Pirate Hunter Chronicles. Fantasy (with a more historical fantasy feel, tbh). Expected word count is around 80,000-100,000. We'll see how it goes.

(The title will be revealed when the second book is published!)

Provide a blurb.

A year has passed. A new Scaera Dumeda approaches. An old enemy emerges from the ocean. The Pirate Hunter crew joins with the Alliance Ambassadors to take down their biggest threat yet.

Describe the MC(s) in one word (each).

Well, for Ravin I would say either caring or knives. Which sort of sound like opposites but oh well???? And for Adi I would say determined.  (Bonus round: tea for Justin Case.)

Is there an antagonist? If so, how would you describe them?

Ah, Colyn. A young pirate captain who needs some sense knocked into his head...I would call him bold or maybe crazy. 

Describe your story in ten short phrases.

-Release the kracken!

-Don't eat the eggdrop soup - it has turned.

-John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt (that's my name, too).

-Drink to goodbyes and drink to hellos; drink to the open, drink to the close; drink to me only with thine eyes and I will drink with my nose; AND SO WE DRINK.

-Ambassador business, back to your drinks.

-Row, row, row your rowboat like your life depends on it (cuz maybe it does).

-I DON'T NEED ANY CALMING TEA.

-Why is everything on fire?

-Captain Martin and Jay Hill.

-Abunchofpeoplegettogethertotakedownanentirearmadaofpirates.

Are you planning on publishing this WIP? If so, when and how? 

Um, yes. This book is likely going to be published in 2021 if all goes well.

Something about the WIP that you love.

Um, the huge sense of caring, whether it's deep friendships, romantic interests, blood-family, or found-family. These guys are determined to care for others.

A scene that you are looking forward to writing.

Um, a non-spoilery scene....oy. There's a scene where Ravin is with some Ambassadors, and they don't know he's a del Mankayl, and he's trying to act all posh and it's gonna be hilarious.

What was the original plot bunny?

Back in 2010 or so, when I watched Pirates of the Carribbean and decided to write a story about people hunting down pirates. Jay Hill and his "magic" ship appeared almost instantly afterward. 

How does it differ from the original plot idea?

The whole Scaera Dumeda thing and Princess Adi are new additions (Sarah's ideas, really). The biggest difference, IMO, is that in the original plot, Jay Hill was the main character. His ship did move without sails, but she wasn't "alive" like in the published work.

Welp, there you have it! Be sure to check back next week for the second installment, which is a little different than the usual questions. :)

Shared WIP Tag - Snippets

Wow. Just wow. November is over. Or just about. 

But thanks to everyone for taking part in the tag. I hope you enjoyed it. And I hope readers enjoyed it as well!



Line you’re most likely to cut in revisions?

The table was silent.
(Just don't ask. This one's from the first day. I was panicking. I also apparently forgot how to write.)

(In my defense, I've been editing most of the year. The last time I wrote an actual first draft was...NaNo 2018ish?)

Line you’re most proud of?

"I stopped doing it because it's wrong."

Line that made you cry while you were writing it?

"Then I shouldn't leave him," Ravin whispered.

Piece of dialogue that made you laugh out loud, shiver or flail?

"I'm off to find Jay."

(This just...made me cry and shiver and just ahhhhh it was the beginning to an epic conclusion that I've had planned out for years and typing that really hut hard because it's been years and I'm finally writing it.)

Line that made you stop writing for a minute so you could process it?

The (blank) (blank) was (blank).

(Sorry, spoilers. But I typed that sentence and just stared at it and wanted to cry and laugh and ended up just staring some more.)

Favorite snippet that describes a place or character?

The night after the sea monster, Adi couldn’t sleep. The ship tossed back and forth, rocking the hammock so rest was impossible. After what felt like hours, she gave up and stumbled her way above deck. The ocean was flat and so calm it was like sitting on a sheet of glass. Every single star glittered on the mirror of water, and Adi almost expected to look over the railing and see down to the bottom of the ocean. Instead, her own reflection looked back at her, circled with a crown of stars.

Line you can hardly believe you wrote (whether that's positive or negative is up to you)?

"No, but it’ll dry out all the moisture from your mouth, and leave a weird taste in your teeth."

A snippet where even you aren’t entirely sure what’s happening.

The only animals they found were flocks of large, flightless birds that at first seemed unafraid of the newcomers. Only when Josiah was almost in the middle of them did they notice they had a visitor—and responded by screeching and diving for him. Josiah screamed and fled the little clearing where the birds had been sunbathing. They chased him into the woods, only leaving him alone with the rest of the crew charged the birds in turn.

(Where did these birds come from? Why didn't they like Josiah? Why did the rest of the crew scare the birds if the birds are so intent on chasing people?)

Weird thing you had to Google mid-writing-session.

where do you make the hole to release pressure in lungs

(Please don't ask.)

Beginning sentence and ending sentence (if possible without spoilers).

Beginning sentence: Two people have died.

Ending: "I've got to set up my cabin."

Thanks again for reading, and hope to keep y'all updated on Ships, Secrets, and Survivors. It's going to be a great book!

Don't forget to check out the other participants: Ceci, Sarah, Lila, Snaps, Lily Cat, and Nicki. (Not all of them have posted yet.)

Shared WIP Tag - Side Characters

Whew! Hard to believe we're almost done with November and NaNo!

If you had to go on a mission with any of your SCs, which one(s) would you pick?

Um...probably Ash. She's got street smarts and is pretty tough, but can also be very kind. Or maybe Jay Hill himself. Or Shade. Most of the side crew can be pretty useful in a fight, tbh.

Which of your side characters attempts to steal attention from the MC the most? 

Um, Jay Hill. Because technically it's his story--we just happen to be telling it from the POVs of Ravin and Adi. For some reason.

Which SC would annoy you the most and which one would you bond with the most?

I think Heather and maybe Justin and I could all get along. We're all pretty chill people. Not sure if Arrow would enjoy spending time with me. But he's just a kid, y'know? He'd rather be with all the cool people.

Which SC would you be most attracted to, romantically or platonically?

(Who suggested this question, and why was it approved??)

(Can I not answer this? My mom reads my blog.)

(And my siblings.)

(I'd like to not face them after answering this question.)

I'll just say that I could possibly get along with a lot of the side characters, as they're decent folks and I'm a fairly friendly gal.

Would you fit in with your SCs collectively, or would they not be your type of friend group?

I think if I was able to prove myself as a capable person, they'd accept me right in to their little group. I'm not sure how useful archery would be at sea, but I'm sure there's some use for it, and seeing as how precious few of them are skilled archers, there might be a spot for me.

If your SCs are not all friends, what would result if you were to thrust them together as a group and assign them an activity?

Um...this is what the entire book is about.

Which SC would fit into our world the most?

Justin. He's so chill.

Which SC makes you laugh the most?

Probably Josiah. Granted, the scene where Hawthorne faints at seeing an assassin standing in front of him always makes me laugh. And Justin's real name "Justin Case" always gets me smiling.

Which SC could probably get removed without affecting much of the story?

Um, Liz. She's already been kicked out. Hawthorne might be the next to go? And honestly, Justin has very little to do except standing around looking cool and making us laugh with his name. And maybe Heather?

Which SC could never get removed because of how important their role is?

Jay Hill. Arrow. Ash. Josiah. These guys (and gal) are THE BEST.

Almost done, y'all. To everyone still pushing through NaNo: YOU GOT THIS!!

Shared WIP Tag - Main Character(s) and Antagonist

Welcome to the third part of the Shared WIP Tag.

Now. I could make this easy and just answer the questions about my MC, but I'm also going to answer these for Sarah's MC, because I'll have to write both for NaNo. So this'll be fun...

Meet Ravin, my sailor on the Red Wind

Adi, a Princess who wants a different life

and Captain Rev Martin, a pirate

Would you be friends with your MC? Why or why not?

Um...I'm not sure. I'd probably be a little intimidated by Ravin, tbh. But eventually I'd figure out he's not that bad of a guy. We'd enjoy playing music and he wouldn't have to talk but if he did, I'd sit and listen.

Adi would probably be a little unsure with me, then she'd realize that I'm not that bad and soon we'd be chatting...

What would an ordinary day look like in the shoes of your MC?

Ravin would get up, do sailor stuff, mill around on deck, maybe fight off some sea monsters or play the violin. Attack some pirates. Go fishing. A quiet life.

Adi? Hmm...get up, pretend to be the best royal princess ever while wanting a totally different life...

You’re walking down the sidewalk when the villain approaches you and tells you he needs your help. What do you do?

Run. Very far away. Run to Captain Jay Hill for HELP.

What would be your first impression of your MC upon meeting them?

Um, I'd steer cleer away from Ravin. Scowly, creepy sailor. And I'd probably avoid Adi, too. Either when she's in Princess attire or when she's in I'm-gonna-win-the-Scaera-Dumeda attire.

What would be your first impression of your villain upon meeting them?

That's he's obviously a PIRATE and should be AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS

What would happen if you were stuck in an elevator with your villain for five (or worse, ten) minutes?

Ummmm....it would not be pretty. Basically, I would start jumping up and down in the elevator until it started shaking and he's be freaking out and yelling "stop!" and I'd be laughing and it would be a long 5-10 minutes...

What makes your MC most like you and least like you?

Um...this is personal. *laughs*

Ravin and I both play the fiddle (though he plays waaaaaaay better then me). But he likes the ocean and water and I don't...

Adi and I both care for people, but I think she's way better at being a leader.

What song or selection of words best describes your villain?

Oy. I dunno. Pirates of the Carribean theme song? I'll just go with that. I've never really liked giving characters their own songs and whatnot.

If your MC was teleported to your front porch, what would be their reaction (and what would be yours)?

*draws knife* AHHHHHHHHH

Reaction would be mutual.

If the antagonist had a dream come true, what would it be? (no spoilers!)

Um, he'd be the most feared pirate on the seas and totally invincible.

Anyways, see y'all later!

Shared WIP Tag - Worldbuilding

Welcome to week two! Today we are going to be discussing the story world...which admittedly hasn't really been touched in this draft...

What aspect of this world would make you want to leave immediately?

The iron grip the King holds over the people? The possibility that I might be attacked by assassins or pirates? The dangerous animals lurking beneath the surafce of the ocean? Nah...I'd rather not be bothered.

If you lived in this world, what would be your job/working environment?

Um, something like my current job? Maybe helping a merchant keep his accounts or even helping work the tests for the Scaera Dumeda.

What would you most likely be wearing if you were dropped into this world?

Uh...blue jeans, an active-wear t-shirt, maybe a sweatshirt since it's winter time. My ESD shoes if I got teleported from work; sneakers if at home.

What aspects stands out to you as different from our world? What is very similar to ours?

Well, there isn't much magic in the book, so it's kinda similar to our world in that way. Got normal people and all. But what really stands out is the Scaera Dumeda. A test to bring forth the most brilliant people in the land.

Which part of your world would you most enjoy visiting?

Okay, so I honestly almost said something like "I'd love to visit Australia" and then I realized the question meant my story world not my real world.

Ehhhhhh...

I'd really love to go sailing on the Red Wind with the crew. They're the best.

Which part of your world would you avoid at all costs?

Um...the ocean. Which presents a problem.

So I guess, to better answer the previous question, I'd love to pop on board the Red Wind while she's in harbor and maybe eat a meal, then head back to solid ground.

Would you enjoy the types of food or common dishes eaten in your world?

Ha. I'll eat anything. Seriously. Blood pudding. Haggis. Anything on a plate I'd attempts a taste. I may not want to finish it, but I'll at least try things.

Cuz I like food.

What does the culture of this world revolve around and would you enjoy participating in it?

Uhhhhh it revolves around....uhhhhhhh trade? It takes place in merchant towns and across seas so there's always something new to see. :)

What’s your favorite thing about the story world?

The ships. And not the kissy-kissy ones.

Provide a few pictures that help depict your story world.

*stutters*

NO

*runs away*

(Okay, just imagine Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Avengers with some Assassins and Teddy-Bears thrown in. There. Kinda give you an idea?)

Shared WIP Tag - Introduction

Wow. November again. Which means that it's time for another round of the Shared WIP Tag!!!

If you have a book cover, torture your readers by making them scroll forever to see it. If you do not have a book cover, describe your dream cover.

Okay guys. Here goes.

So it would probably be a simple cover, maybe with a red background and the shapes of a ship and maybe the moon or some secret agent-y type shadows. Kind of see what I mean?

Provide a blurb

The Scaera Dumeda. A death wish. A chance for greatness. Those deemed the smartest and most cunning will be called to take part in a series of challenges. The winners will get to join the Shadow Squad and hold title as Guardians of Antovan.

Adima wants nothing more then to hear her name called and get the chance to prove herself to be more than a dull, boring Princess. When her name is announced on Selection Day, she throws away her title, despite her family's threats of disownment and the uncertain future ahead.

After all, nothing ever goes wrong in the Scaera Dumeda. It's a test, not a gladiator arena. Even the losers are still rewarded greatly. And Adi doesn't plan on loosing.

On the first day, Adi meets Ravin. Ravin is a sailor on the Red Wind (a ship known only in bedtime stories) and doesn't know why he was selected. Ever since a nearly fatal duel, he has been marked dead in the records. He never even took the entry test.

Treachery is afoot, and when other selectees are found dead during the first challenge, Adi and Ravin must discover the secrets of the Scaera Dumeda and put an end to it before anyone else is killed.

Share some aesthetics

Oy. Um...

How long did it take you to flesh out the story enough to feel prepared to use it for NaNo?

Well, Sarah and I have already written 30K or so of the beginning, so I feel like I have a good grip as to what needs to come next.

But I also love winging it, lol

Is it a standalone or part of a series?

A standalone. The way I've been figuring the ending, I suppose there might be a chance for future books. At the moment, we don't any others planed.

How did you get the idea for this story?

A couple years ago I watched the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie and loved the whole pirates and ships and high adventures (okay, I also adore the soundtrack). But of course pirates are bad, right? So what about someone who hunts pirates? 

Thus, Captain Jay Hill and his crew of the Red Wind were born.

Sarah and I eventually got around to writing a story together. Sarah loves the whole "fighting as a team" aspect, and I brought in my pirate hunters. Fun mix, yah?

What song or selection of lyrics best describes the general aesthetic of your story?

Erm, how about this one? 

What made you decide to write this book for NaNo?

I had nothing else, honestly. I mean, I did have two ideas that I could have fleshed out, but Sarah said I could go ahead and just finish this one off, which was super kind.

What are your publishing plans for this book?

We are still discussing this, honestly. At the moment, we are considering self-publishing and working with Evan to get illustrations for it.

Well, there you have it! The beginning of the Shared WIP Tag and some info about Ships, Secrets, and Survivors!

And don't forget to check out the other participants: Ceci, Sarah, Lila, Snaps, Lily Cat, and Nicki.

Shared WIP Tag - Ultimate Goals

Well, it's wrap-up time.  Camp NaNo and April is coming to a close.  I'll be back on Monday with a monthly wrap-up post, and get you stats on this round of Rauladin edits.

What is one of the BIGGEST dreams or goals you have for your life?
Getting published both traditionally and independently.  I'd love to try both ways and learn the ins and outs of both.

Name the wildest goal you’ve got! (Don’t worry: we won’t judge.)

Haha, so I'd really like to train a Mustang.  Or even just raise and train a foal.  Basically, I'd like to take a horse that knows next to nothing, and train it to be at least a nice trail mount.  I've "finished" younger horses by putting miles on them, but never trained them from the very beginning yet.

This is basically me all the time.

What goal scares you the most? Why?
Kinda scared to train a horse, since I could really mess things up if I rushed through the whole process.  But with publishing...what if my family or friends read my books and be like "why'd you write this particular thing?"  Or my parents are going to read it and wonder "Where did we go wrong??"

What steps do you need to do to reach some of your goals?

I just need to have patience and keep learning, and keep practicing.  I may not be ready to accomplish these goals this year, but the more I keep at it, the more I'll learn, and the more skills I'll have so I can tackle these goals in the future.

(Or did you want really specific steps, like "read up on publishing, pitch and query, work with agents and editors"?  Cause you ain't getting those.)

Have your ultimate goals changed?  Have you decided not to do something, or to do things differently?
Well, my ultimate goals may have been pushed back, since I've decided to take my time accomplishing them and making sure I'm truly ready.  I'd rather wait a few years and publish something really good, than do it now and only put half-decent quality.

Do you plan to finish your current story ideas and then do other things in the future, or do you see yourself always having some story in the works?

Frankly, I think I'll always have some book heating up on the back burner.  I may not have writing as my main focus, but I've been writing for half an hour or so every night for over 8 years.  I can't see myself breaking that habit.

Plus, I always have ideas.  I'm sure I'm not the only writer like that.

If you could get only one book/trilogy/series published, what would it be?
I hate this question.  Who came up with this question??  *glances at google doc*  Oh.  I did.  *facedesk*

I guess I would honestly have to say the Betrayal and Bravery Trilogy.  It's closest to my heart, and I love everything about it.

But at the same time...*glances at huge Char ne Rayft folder in laptop*...doing this series would mean getting more books out at one go.  It's not quite as moving as Betrayal and Bravery, but still full of epic adventures and cool characters.

Let's just move on before I get a chance to look at the other books, or we'll be here all day.

Realistically, where do you see yourself in the future?

Doing the same stuff, honestly.  Working a day job.  Riding/running when I get home.  Writing before bed.  Reading in between it all.

Reality aside, where would you like to be in the future?
I want a huge farm, with all kinds of horses in nicely maintained pastures.  I'll work with the horses when the weather is nice, and then write and read in the evenings or hot afternoons or whatever.  Presumably I will be making tons of money with my amazing stories and sell/trade horses and give lessons and all that fun stuff.

Do you see yourself as a Writer, or just someone who writes?

When it gets down to it, I see myself as someone who writes.  I am many things - an office manager, a horse rider, a runner, a farmer, a musician, a writer.  I do all of them to the best of my ability.  I would gladly call myself "a writer" but it's not all that I am, and may not be the first thing I would introduce myself as when meeting other people.

It's been fun, y'all!  Looking forward to May!  Don't forget to check out everyone else's posts - they're probably a little more exciting than mine...

Faith, Sarah, Nicole, Catherine, Ceci

Shared WIP Tag - Yearly Goals

I've already talked about my yearly goals, but we're gonna go over them again.  Never hurts to review, right?

Name your yearly (writing) goals!
(look at me ignore the writing part and just paste all my goals)

• Read 100 Books
• Pitch Words of Gold
• Go to Another Writer's Conference
• NaNoWriMo
• Run Another Ultra
• Compete with Bree in a Ride and Tie
• Go Through the M'Cheyne Reading Plan
• Drive Pepper More Often

Which goal are you most looking forward to starting/completing? Why?

Go to a writer's conference!!  Realm Makers, here I come!!!

Is there any goal that you aren’t that enthusiastic about completing? Why?
Run Another Ultra

I mean...I'd love to do one, but I'm too lazy to train.  I barely trained for my last one.  I did a few 12 mile runs and that was it.  The Ultra I'd love to do this year is in my county and on the horse trails I run/ride a lot, so I keep telling myself I have an advantage since I know where the best places to go fast and slow are....but still...I dunno...it's gonna be painful!

(Good news is, I already know the actual distance is not quite a 50K...whereas the Ultra I did last year was OVER the 50K distance.)

Did you maybe set too many goals for this year? ;)

Nah.  I'm good.  I actually made sure I didn't go too crazy...though, after glancing at my list, maybe I still ended up with a few wild goals.

How do you keep on track/accountable with your goals?
Um...I occasionally glance at that page of my bullet journal?  And then every monthly goal list I make has a step to reach all the goals at the end.

Have you told your family about any of your goals? What do they think about your goals?

They know I want to run an Ultra, and some of them are planning to do it with me (yay).  They're excited I'm going to Realm Makers.  They help me find books to read.  So yeah, they're cool with it.

Are you planning to do NaNoWriMo in November?  If so, do you know what you will be writing?
It's on the list!!  Though I really don't know what I'll be writing.  At the moment, I'm thinking it will likely be either Kinsman (a tentative sequel idea for Rauladin) or Strength of Swords (an idea I've been toying with for years and never found time to write yet).  A faint chance it might be a book from Heritage of Kings or Level One, but I would have to work that out with Evan first.

Are you nervous about any of your goals?  Are some out of your comfort zone?

Being a sort of introvert at times, I'm a little paranoid I'll get a panic attack at Realm Makers or say something stupid, lol  But everything else is good.  :)

How are you doing on your goals so far?
Um...over 40 books read so far.  I've run a few times...been keeping up on the reading plan.  Getting the horses in shape for Ride and Ties.  Registered for Realm Makers.  Haven't driven Pepper yet, though, but it HAS been very cold and rainy so far this year.  But things are looking good!!

Don't forget to check out the other posts, y'all! 
Ariel, Sarah, Catherine, Nicole, Faith, 

Shared WIP Tag - Current Projects

So, we all know I'm doing Camp NaNo this month.  And that I picked a lousy, super-easy goal.  Am I doing anything else?  *laughs manically*

What projects are you working on in addition to Camp NaNo during April?
I'm also doing 40 minutes of editing Words of Gold a day.  Since Rauladin has been used for camp multiple times, I felt like I should list that as my goal this year.  :)  Especially as it's my "newer" project, and I've been working on Gold for what feels like forever.

Give us some more info on these other projects - maybe a synopsis or an aesthetic.

Aesthetics?  What aesthetics?  heheheheh

Which project is grabbing at your attention the most? Why?
Admittedly, Rauladin has my attention a fair bit, since I've recently started it up again, and it's "new" and "exciting."  But Gold is pretty good at keeping me focused as well.  Frankly, I love both WIPs.

Do you have any plans for how you’re going to finish these projects on the side?

Um, yes...I'm going to focus on Gold edits more than the Rauladin edits.  And then do Rauladin in whatever time I have left in the evenings.  We'll see how that works out.

If you had to set all projects aside and only work on one, which would it be?
Words of Gold, for certain.  I'm mostly doing Rauladin as a bonus-if I do my 40 minutes, I can get 10 minutes of fun with a different story-while still getting writing goals tackled.  It's a win-win!

What is the next step for each of these projects (drafting, editing, aesthetic creation, beta reading, etc.?)

Next step for Gold, after finishing these edits, is to pitch it.  Send out queries.  That sort of thing.  (Hopefully throw at people during Realm Makers??)

Rauladin?  Hmmm...probably get a beta or two, or hire an editor to take a look at it.  I'm a little undecided.  I'll probably see what shape it's in after this round of edits.

Share a snippet from these projects.

“And there’s no one to help us?”

Wisdom studied the occupants of the room, than lowered her voice. “Have you heard of the Telae?”

“A few stories. Legends. Not real.”

“I think they’re real.”

A shiver ran down my spine. “Tell me.”

“Stories have to come from somewhere, yes? So they must have existed before. And since I have yet to hear a story of their actual demise, I believe they may still live somewhere.”

I tilted my head back, pondering the stories I had heard in the village. “What makes you think they can and will help us?”

“What stories have you heard, Marywyn?”

“Not many. One about a king who climbed to the tallest mountain peak and fought a wild tiger with his bare hands. My brother always liked that one. I faintly remember another story about some Telae girls who discovered a herd of wild horses and lived with them.”

“There are more stories. In all the ones I’ve heard, they are great warriors with a love for peace. That’s why they went into hiding. They were tired of all the kingdoms and countries trying to fight them, so they hid in a place where no one would ever find them.” Wisdom drummed the table with her fingers, absently tapping her foot in time with the beat. “Their children are taught to fight from birth, and one of the greatest honors is to become a Bloodkeeper.”

Where had I heard that title before? Someone, recently…Tilverdale! The man at the ruins had said something about a bloodkeeper, before he was killed. My breath left my body, and I could barely repeat Wisdom’s words. “A Bloodkeeper?”

What’s your favorite thing about each of these other projects?

Gold?  Ummmm, I really love the characters and how they all support each other and help each other deal with their problems and dangers.  It's been fairly easy not really and I haven't gotten much writer's block with it.

Rauladin?  Hehe.  The griffins.  I love writing the griffins.  And the ragglyn.  Basically, all the creatures in the book.

Do you have any non-writing goals to try to meet while doing Camo NaNo?
Now that it's no longer raining/cold every day, there's farm work to be done.  Pastures need to be prepared for summer.  I'm also trying to get back to riding the horses for longer distances and pick running back up.

Do these non-writing goals come before or after Camp according to importance?

Well...they usually happen during different times of the day.  I'l run/ride after work, and then do my writing right before bed.  But sometimes when I do longer runs/rides, it ends up eating into my writing time because I still have to shower and eat dinner before turning in to write.

Enjoy - and don't forget to check out all the other participants!

Ceci, Nicole, Catherine, Sarah, Faith, Ariel