This is the dreaded question every philandering male fears...but not just them--me!
Yes, me.
I'll explain.
I've been gone for almost six months from my blog. Six. Months.
That's half of a year and is unacceptable, at best.
To say I've been busy would just be a lie and I don't lie. I just haven't *felt* like blogging because my mind is so wrapped around my current project--but more on that later.
I haven't had much to say, so I bet that leaves you, my readers, with the question: "what are we?"
Are we still friends? Are we still considered your fans? Are you even still considering yourself a writer?
Yes to all of the above!
We are friends, I love every single one of you that takes time to read my posts and I'm grateful for your enthusiasm when it comes to my writing. I still consider myself a writer because...that's the way God made me.
As this post is mostly an update of what I'm doing, here is what's been on my plate as of late.
1.) I am *heavily* editing the first book of the Cielo series, Chasing Darkness. It's going slowly because I hate editing, but I think I'm almost ready to hand it off to an editor for professional services.
2.) I am *trying* to keep up with my Wattpad profile and working on some side stories there. It's hard to keep focused on these projects with my main WIP being edited, but I'm making it my mission to give both works appropriate attention.
3.) I am planning my life.
That simply means, I am giving myself a timeline to complete certain things and not accepting failure with missing deadlines. That being said: I have vowed to myself that I would finish book one of the Cielo series and have the second edited at least once before November. For any NaNo writer, we know what November means and yes, I am going to be participating for another year. Keeping that in mind, I plan to also have the outline for book three of the Cielo series outlined. I have given myself August, September, and October to finish these tasks. It's a little weighty, especially considering how long this first book is taking to edit, but I just have to push myself.
After November, I plan to put my focus back on Chasing Darkness and getting it championed by an agent *eek!!!* My goal for 2017 is to have an agent and book deal in the works.
With all these new goals in mind I have to stay focused, goal-oriented, and committed. I hope not to disappoint myself or any fans.
Until later!
Nix<3
Monday, August 8, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Where have you been? (In my Mrs. Weasley voice)
Long time, no talk, right?!?!?
Where have I been? Glad you asked, because I'm gonna tell you!
I've been...around. My main WIP, Chasing Darkness, has been kicking. My. Butt. The editing process is terrible, I don't care what anyone tells you. It's awful. It's a moment in time (usually a few months) where you're faced with your work and you come to realize how terribly you've been writing-- especially in my case.
I've been writing Chasing Darkness for YEARS now, and it shows. My voice, as an author, has completely changed since I first started the series and it's quite obvious. My knowledge as a writer has changed, too; but, that's a good thing. Now that I've learned how to write, I look back at when I thought I was a prodigy and cringe LOL I knew nothing then, and I only know a little now; but, now I'm eager to learn.
Anyway, yes, my edits have been kicking my butt; but, I've been up to something else, too. I've started writing on WattPad :)
The story started off as being a contest entry, but I fell in love with the work so much I just kept it going and even have plans to write a second installment of the tale.
I call the story: "The Last Prophecy" and it is the first of ??? books in the series (I've only committed to two thus far). In this story, Delaney Gale-Hartford is told by her great, great grandmother-- the legendary Dorothy Gale--that she is the new savior of Oz. Delaney, a self-absorbed teen, doesn't believe it...until she's swept away by a tornado and lands in the Talking Forest. Laney comes to find out that she cannot return to Kansas until her mission is completed; she must dethrone the Red Witch, Lavinia, and turn the kingdom over to the rightful heir, the true wizard, MiCael.
I'm having a great time writing it; but, as any emerging WattPad-er will tell you, it's HARD to get reads on the site. There are so many different stories on Wattpad, it's impossible to sift through them all, so it's harder for unnoticed authors to become more broadcast. Regardless, I love my story and plan on keeping it going until I see the end in sight.
So, there it is. Now, you know I haven't been sitting on a beach somewhere, sipping a chilled beverage out of a fancy glass adorned with an umbrella. It's been a busy time for me and I intend to keep it that way! I've put in a link to my story in case I've piqued your interest :) http://www.wattpad.com/story/61080104-the-last-prophecy-wizard-of-oz
Where have I been? Glad you asked, because I'm gonna tell you!
I've been...around. My main WIP, Chasing Darkness, has been kicking. My. Butt. The editing process is terrible, I don't care what anyone tells you. It's awful. It's a moment in time (usually a few months) where you're faced with your work and you come to realize how terribly you've been writing-- especially in my case.
I've been writing Chasing Darkness for YEARS now, and it shows. My voice, as an author, has completely changed since I first started the series and it's quite obvious. My knowledge as a writer has changed, too; but, that's a good thing. Now that I've learned how to write, I look back at when I thought I was a prodigy and cringe LOL I knew nothing then, and I only know a little now; but, now I'm eager to learn.
Anyway, yes, my edits have been kicking my butt; but, I've been up to something else, too. I've started writing on WattPad :)
The story started off as being a contest entry, but I fell in love with the work so much I just kept it going and even have plans to write a second installment of the tale.
I call the story: "The Last Prophecy" and it is the first of ??? books in the series (I've only committed to two thus far). In this story, Delaney Gale-Hartford is told by her great, great grandmother-- the legendary Dorothy Gale--that she is the new savior of Oz. Delaney, a self-absorbed teen, doesn't believe it...until she's swept away by a tornado and lands in the Talking Forest. Laney comes to find out that she cannot return to Kansas until her mission is completed; she must dethrone the Red Witch, Lavinia, and turn the kingdom over to the rightful heir, the true wizard, MiCael.
I'm having a great time writing it; but, as any emerging WattPad-er will tell you, it's HARD to get reads on the site. There are so many different stories on Wattpad, it's impossible to sift through them all, so it's harder for unnoticed authors to become more broadcast. Regardless, I love my story and plan on keeping it going until I see the end in sight.
So, there it is. Now, you know I haven't been sitting on a beach somewhere, sipping a chilled beverage out of a fancy glass adorned with an umbrella. It's been a busy time for me and I intend to keep it that way! I've put in a link to my story in case I've piqued your interest :) http://www.wattpad.com/story/61080104-the-last-prophecy-wizard-of-oz
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Update
A while back I posted about a contest I entered. The results are in and I didn't win :(
Did I expect to win?...Not so much, but I wanted to. No one wants to lose; but, I feel that this loss could be used for my benefit.
Now, I know what it feels like to check my email inbox for a subject of "Congratulations" and have it never come. I am, now, familiar with the sting of rejection, but I am also friends with the salve that remedies the injury. I have friends and family that support me in my craft, and that is a huge plus for me.
I can hold my head up and say, "Hey, at least I tried." There are so many people out there with stories swimming around in their heads but they are too afraid to put themselves out there (for whatever reasons) but I went for it. I tried, and failed, but I will try again.
"Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth"-Julie Andrews
Did I expect to win?...Not so much, but I wanted to. No one wants to lose; but, I feel that this loss could be used for my benefit.
Now, I know what it feels like to check my email inbox for a subject of "Congratulations" and have it never come. I am, now, familiar with the sting of rejection, but I am also friends with the salve that remedies the injury. I have friends and family that support me in my craft, and that is a huge plus for me.
I can hold my head up and say, "Hey, at least I tried." There are so many people out there with stories swimming around in their heads but they are too afraid to put themselves out there (for whatever reasons) but I went for it. I tried, and failed, but I will try again.
"Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth"-Julie Andrews
Monday, November 23, 2015
It Is...FINISHED (well...kinda)
Ring the bells, sound the alarms...pass the chocolate cake; my NaNoWriMo 2015 season is DONE!
Yes, you read that correctly, I am a NaNoWriMo 2015 WINNER! See the "Winner" sticker on the awful cover art I did on Photoshop?
All right...celebration over. Now, it's time to really buckle down and get this novel done.
It's easy to write because of a deadline and mandatory word count; but, now that my deadline is no longer looming over me, I have to inspire myself to keep writing. I have to find that drive within myself to continue with my novel until the last word is typed.
I'm excited. This is the time to see what I am made of. It took me years to finish the first draft of Chasing Darkness and I wrote 50,000 words for it's sequel in 22 days. That's like magic to me. It shows me there is hope and room for improvement. I could, potentially, have this series written by the end of the year if I stay diligent about my word counts.
Yes, you read that correctly, I am a NaNoWriMo 2015 WINNER! See the "Winner" sticker on the awful cover art I did on Photoshop?
It's easy to write because of a deadline and mandatory word count; but, now that my deadline is no longer looming over me, I have to inspire myself to keep writing. I have to find that drive within myself to continue with my novel until the last word is typed.
I'm excited. This is the time to see what I am made of. It took me years to finish the first draft of Chasing Darkness and I wrote 50,000 words for it's sequel in 22 days. That's like magic to me. It shows me there is hope and room for improvement. I could, potentially, have this series written by the end of the year if I stay diligent about my word counts.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
OHHHHHH OHHH, I'm (over) Half Way There!
http://nanowrimo.org/participants/phoenix-asche/novels <---- the proof is here at this link!!! Yes, I am over half way done with my 2015 NaNoWriMo project! It's bittersweet, really. Here's why.
The Bitter
I love NaNo season. I love the excitement that permeates the air. I love updating my word count and breathing a sigh of relief when I've meet my goal for the day. I live for the jump in my heart when I've exceeded my goal for the day. I even enjoy the disappointment that comes from missing the mark on the days I do. This disappointment leads to a new sense of drive and ambition that makes me write even more the next day.
By being over halfway done with the project, I have come in contact with the "saggy slump" that is called, the middle of the book. This is the part where stuff is happening, but it's not much. It hurts to write it, and it hurts to re-read it as you edit. It's where you are not in the beginning of the story any longer, but you can't really see the end, either. It's where a writer feels lost at sea with no land in sight--where you just KNOW you are going to drown. It's an awful place to be. It's where many writers stop and throw in the towel.
Not THIS time, saggy slump. Not this time!
To combat this, I do what any seasoned writer would do: keep writing. It's hard, excruciating eve, at times, but the only way to become a writer is to...write. This is the most important time to silence that internal editor and keep pounding out the words. This is the time to look back at the beginning of the story and fall in love with your characters all over again. This time is the time to love your story all over again. It works. It really does.
The Sweet
This will be my first year finishing out NaNo with my 50,000 word count. Yes, I say that with full confidence that I will finish. I may even WIN NaNo this year, who knows?
This year's NaNo project is the second installment of The Western Hollows Saga (yeah, I renamed the saga...don't judge me >_< ) and by finishing it, I will officially be one step further than I've ever been in the completion of this saga. With the finishing of The Lost Pages, I will be half way through the Saga! That excites me more than chocolate chip cookies topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and whipped topping...or something...
There is sweetness in success, and I want to taste it. I want to know what it's like to win NaNoWriMo, and I don't plan on being detoured by anything.
Only 17,949 words to go! To all the writers that may be reading this: keep going! If you're trying to play catch-up, do it! Stay up later, wake up earlier; but get it done! You will thank yourself for it on December 1st. If you're ahead of your word count goals, keep up the good work. Persevere. Don't only strive to finish, endeavor to finish well. If you already have 50,000 words and have completed NaNo 2015, your work is not yet done. The world still needs your novel! Edit, revise. Read. Edit some more. None of us are above editing and revising. Start researching agents, look for contests to enter, but do not sit on a month's worth of hard work and wait for the novel fairy to come and make things happen for you. You've come this far, take success by the horns and wrestle it until you get the results you want!
Happy reading, and happy writing!
The Bitter
I love NaNo season. I love the excitement that permeates the air. I love updating my word count and breathing a sigh of relief when I've meet my goal for the day. I live for the jump in my heart when I've exceeded my goal for the day. I even enjoy the disappointment that comes from missing the mark on the days I do. This disappointment leads to a new sense of drive and ambition that makes me write even more the next day.
By being over halfway done with the project, I have come in contact with the "saggy slump" that is called, the middle of the book. This is the part where stuff is happening, but it's not much. It hurts to write it, and it hurts to re-read it as you edit. It's where you are not in the beginning of the story any longer, but you can't really see the end, either. It's where a writer feels lost at sea with no land in sight--where you just KNOW you are going to drown. It's an awful place to be. It's where many writers stop and throw in the towel.
Not THIS time, saggy slump. Not this time!
To combat this, I do what any seasoned writer would do: keep writing. It's hard, excruciating eve, at times, but the only way to become a writer is to...write. This is the most important time to silence that internal editor and keep pounding out the words. This is the time to look back at the beginning of the story and fall in love with your characters all over again. This time is the time to love your story all over again. It works. It really does.
The Sweet
This will be my first year finishing out NaNo with my 50,000 word count. Yes, I say that with full confidence that I will finish. I may even WIN NaNo this year, who knows?
This year's NaNo project is the second installment of The Western Hollows Saga (yeah, I renamed the saga...don't judge me >_< ) and by finishing it, I will officially be one step further than I've ever been in the completion of this saga. With the finishing of The Lost Pages, I will be half way through the Saga! That excites me more than chocolate chip cookies topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and whipped topping...or something...
There is sweetness in success, and I want to taste it. I want to know what it's like to win NaNoWriMo, and I don't plan on being detoured by anything.
Only 17,949 words to go! To all the writers that may be reading this: keep going! If you're trying to play catch-up, do it! Stay up later, wake up earlier; but get it done! You will thank yourself for it on December 1st. If you're ahead of your word count goals, keep up the good work. Persevere. Don't only strive to finish, endeavor to finish well. If you already have 50,000 words and have completed NaNo 2015, your work is not yet done. The world still needs your novel! Edit, revise. Read. Edit some more. None of us are above editing and revising. Start researching agents, look for contests to enter, but do not sit on a month's worth of hard work and wait for the novel fairy to come and make things happen for you. You've come this far, take success by the horns and wrestle it until you get the results you want!
Happy reading, and happy writing!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Here Come the Mummies
So...this post isn't too much about my writing journey but, instead, is about my favorite band.
What's funny is that, I did not want ANYTHING to do with HCTM when I was first introduced to them. I hated the name of the band, so I concluded that the band would suck.
I. WAS. SO. WRONG.
My first show was at the 4H Fair in South Bend, IN--which I was dragged to. I mean, I wanted to go to the fair--there was food there, duh! I wanted a funnel cake and all the cutesy fair food, but couldn't care less about the concert.
Well...that certainly changed, and quickly.
The boys have a special way of entering each concert--they march with their instruments through the crowd. At that moment, I fell in love. I'd never seen anything like it in my life, not to mention the fact they were dressed as mummies. That's part of the act, though; their true identities are not disclosed to the public.
Anyway, I knew none of the words to any of the songs, but it was still awesome. I found myself bobbing my head and digging the music despite my earlier qualms.
That was the day I joined Mummydom.
I just went to my third HCTM show on Oct. 30th, and fell in love all over again. This band is legit--their act is on point, their talent is real (it seems like almost anyone can pass as a "musical artist" these days, but these guys are the real deal) and they are seriously underrated. If I could magically "poof" them to the top of everything, I would in a heartbeat. They work so hard for their shows and fans...which leads me to my next point.
The meet and greets (M&G). Man, after my first show, Java danced around the stage and began talking to us in that way that he does. "SOUTH BEND!!!!! (insert sexualized mummy growl here) I SAID SOUTH BEND!!!! AW YEAH, BABY!!!!" Then he proceeded to tell us that they were doing a meet and greet over by the merchandise table--yes, they meet and greet all their fans, take pictures, sign shirts; they even motor boat, nibble, and sign the chests of those daring enough to put themselves out there. While not in concert, the boys keep in contact with their fans through social media (Twitter, Instagram, Periscope, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube) and their website, herecomethemummies.com.
The band's website features the usual things: the merch, tour dates, info on band members BUT, it also has an awesome forum where Java, himself, interacts with his fans (have you picked up my slight crush on the red and black mummy yet?) through the posts and even by direct message. Between shows (both public and private), packing and shipping our merch BY HAND (yes, they do it themselves), and traveling across the country, you would think the boys would leave the social media aspect to someone else. No. They love and appreciate their fans enough to take time out of their busy schedules to answer our questions, joke around with us; and, let us know about changes in the band, website, merch, or anything else that would affect us.
Since this is my writing blog, I guess I would be remiss to not mention my newest book idea. It's going to be a fan fiction bit based off the band--that's all I'm going to say for now, but keep your eyes and ears open because it's gonna be phunky, baby!
Note to Java: If by some happy chance you are reading this, you are awesome! I know you do a very large portion (if not all) of the social media for the band, so I just want you to know that I greatly appreciate you and your willingness to connect with your fans, especially me. I know I've been all up in your grill lately (between Twitter and the forum I'm basically your newest stalker) and I've probably been a pain, so I apologize for being a fan girl LOL. But even though you are moving on, I will never forget the way you motor boat everyone in front of me ;) See ya in Chattanooga, baby!
To everyone else: here's a couple memories of me and my favorite mummy.
Even though the guys are seriously so approachable, I still have trouble with shyness around them. So many people have all the right words and I stand there kinda dumbfounded at the fact that they're actually letting us touch them lol. As you can see from the bottom left photo, I was barely touching Java. My heart was about to leap out of my chest and bounce all over the floor from my nervousness; but, in the bottom right, I had a bit more confidence. I hugged him with both arms and enjoyed my time with him. I had decided after the first M&G that I wanted a more "personal" type of photo, so I dove in as much as my shyness would allow.
Seriously, if you don't know this band or have never heard their music, get on it! You won't be sorry. I wasn't.
What's funny is that, I did not want ANYTHING to do with HCTM when I was first introduced to them. I hated the name of the band, so I concluded that the band would suck.
I. WAS. SO. WRONG.
My first show was at the 4H Fair in South Bend, IN--which I was dragged to. I mean, I wanted to go to the fair--there was food there, duh! I wanted a funnel cake and all the cutesy fair food, but couldn't care less about the concert.
Well...that certainly changed, and quickly.
The boys have a special way of entering each concert--they march with their instruments through the crowd. At that moment, I fell in love. I'd never seen anything like it in my life, not to mention the fact they were dressed as mummies. That's part of the act, though; their true identities are not disclosed to the public.
Anyway, I knew none of the words to any of the songs, but it was still awesome. I found myself bobbing my head and digging the music despite my earlier qualms.
That was the day I joined Mummydom.
I just went to my third HCTM show on Oct. 30th, and fell in love all over again. This band is legit--their act is on point, their talent is real (it seems like almost anyone can pass as a "musical artist" these days, but these guys are the real deal) and they are seriously underrated. If I could magically "poof" them to the top of everything, I would in a heartbeat. They work so hard for their shows and fans...which leads me to my next point.
The meet and greets (M&G). Man, after my first show, Java danced around the stage and began talking to us in that way that he does. "SOUTH BEND!!!!! (insert sexualized mummy growl here) I SAID SOUTH BEND!!!! AW YEAH, BABY!!!!" Then he proceeded to tell us that they were doing a meet and greet over by the merchandise table--yes, they meet and greet all their fans, take pictures, sign shirts; they even motor boat, nibble, and sign the chests of those daring enough to put themselves out there. While not in concert, the boys keep in contact with their fans through social media (Twitter, Instagram, Periscope, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube) and their website, herecomethemummies.com.
The band's website features the usual things: the merch, tour dates, info on band members BUT, it also has an awesome forum where Java, himself, interacts with his fans (have you picked up my slight crush on the red and black mummy yet?) through the posts and even by direct message. Between shows (both public and private), packing and shipping our merch BY HAND (yes, they do it themselves), and traveling across the country, you would think the boys would leave the social media aspect to someone else. No. They love and appreciate their fans enough to take time out of their busy schedules to answer our questions, joke around with us; and, let us know about changes in the band, website, merch, or anything else that would affect us.
Since this is my writing blog, I guess I would be remiss to not mention my newest book idea. It's going to be a fan fiction bit based off the band--that's all I'm going to say for now, but keep your eyes and ears open because it's gonna be phunky, baby!
Note to Java: If by some happy chance you are reading this, you are awesome! I know you do a very large portion (if not all) of the social media for the band, so I just want you to know that I greatly appreciate you and your willingness to connect with your fans, especially me. I know I've been all up in your grill lately (between Twitter and the forum I'm basically your newest stalker) and I've probably been a pain, so I apologize for being a fan girl LOL. But even though you are moving on, I will never forget the way you motor boat everyone in front of me ;) See ya in Chattanooga, baby!
To everyone else: here's a couple memories of me and my favorite mummy.
Even though the guys are seriously so approachable, I still have trouble with shyness around them. So many people have all the right words and I stand there kinda dumbfounded at the fact that they're actually letting us touch them lol. As you can see from the bottom left photo, I was barely touching Java. My heart was about to leap out of my chest and bounce all over the floor from my nervousness; but, in the bottom right, I had a bit more confidence. I hugged him with both arms and enjoyed my time with him. I had decided after the first M&G that I wanted a more "personal" type of photo, so I dove in as much as my shyness would allow.
Seriously, if you don't know this band or have never heard their music, get on it! You won't be sorry. I wasn't.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
The Manifestation of the MC
This was so cool I just couldn't not blog about it!!! Look.
I was at Five Guys Burgers and Fries (they have the best food in the world, in case you didn't know) eating this delectable bacon cheeseburger when the door swung open. 1.) I had an attitude because the wind snatched up my napkins 2.) I had an attitude because the draft was cold 3.) I was the idiot that chose to sit right by the window; but all that dissipated when I saw the girl that walked through the door.
In walks this thin, blue-haired girl and I about fainted! The first thing I thought when I saw her was, "Lesleigh! She looks how I imagined Lesleigh to look!" And then, I stared LOL
Yes, I certainly did.
I'm not sure about other writers and their experience with this, but I was amazed; then, I became hopeful. If I can see my characters in a natural setting like my favorite burger joint, then I consider part of my mission accomplished.
While we don't have magical powers like Lesleigh, she is still a relatable character in that, she enjoys a good burger like any other person; she likes the company of her friends, she dresses how we dress...the realization that my character is normal means so much to me and my confidence in my books. I'm hopeful that Lesleigh's story will reach the hearts of people like her.
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