Oh Dear Haven't Done A Thing

Yes that's right I haven't looked at or done anything to any of my WIP since before Christmas. That is so bad. I do have a good excuse, well for after Christmas I do, I've been sick. Never felt so bad for a long time. I have no idea what is wrong with me, Christmas Day was lovely, went over to our daughters in the morning to watch our grandson open his presents. Yes I went crazy again and bought him too much. But hey he is my only grandchild, the only one I'm likely to have for a while by the look of things. Anyway I had a great morning with my family. Which is nothing unusual we always have a great Christmas morning.

Then Boxing Day woke up so sick. I put it down to too much rich food, but I'm no better really and it is almost a week later. Oh well I'm off to the doctors on Friday so maybe he'll have some answers for me. The worst thing is the light head, I know there's not much up there but I'm tied of walking around hanging onto walls and things so I don't fall over. So I've been laying on the lounge watching my Grey's Anatomy DVDs. Today is the first day I've felt like spending time in front of the computer, well for more then just checking emails and posting the odd comment here and there.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope you achieve all your goals. Be chatting again in 2008.

Hugs
Sandie

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL

WISHING YOU ALL

A VERY

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

A HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope you all have a very Happy and Safe Christmas. Enjoy your families give thanks for the time you have with them and don't forget to tell each and every one of them that you love them.

Best wishes for the New Year and may the Word Fairy visit with you regularly and help you find the inspiration you need to get that next novel finished.

Hugs

Sandie

Christmas Questionaire

I received this in an email but thought I'd post it here.

Okay, here's what you're suppose to do and try not to be a "SCROOGE"!!!
Just copy this entire email and paste into a new blank e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then, send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. Tis the season to be cheerful!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both. It depends on the person and the gift.


2. Real or artificial tree?
Artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree?
December 1,

4. When do you take the tree down?
Between December 26 and January 1.


5. Do you like eggnog?
NO

6. Favourite gift you received as a child?
A life size doll with long brown hair.


7 Do you have a nativity scene?
No.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My Mothers because they have everything.


9. Easiest person to buy for?
My husband and Grandson.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
A dress my husband bought me. It was aqua with a big black flower on it. Very, very ugly
LOL


11. Christmas cards?
No. I ring everyone to wish them a Merry Christmas

12. Favourite Christmas movie?
Miracle on 34th Street with Natalie Wood.


13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
As soon as I can. This year I was finished by February. LOL

14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present?
No.


15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?
Seafood.

16. Clear lights or coloured on the tree?
Multi-coloured.


17. Favourite Christmas song?
I'll Be Home for Christmas, Silent Night,

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home. We go to our daughter’s first thing to see our grandson open his presents.


19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.
I ready don’t know. This was someone else’s answer.

20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on the top of your tree?
This year a star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning.


22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Being rushed.

23. Shopping…….Mall or Online?
Mall.

24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all)?
Just inside.

25. Favourite Christmas cookie?
Shortbread

26. Do you own Christmassie clothing or jewellery?
No.

27. Do you believe in Santa?
Of course, why wouldn’t I?

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Hugs
Sandie

Procrastination

Yes! That is what I am doing!!!!!

I’ve been very bad since the last SVEN check in. I haven’t done a thing and there is no real good reason for it. I could have found the time if I wanted too.

So what have I been doing? I’ve been visiting family and friends for Christmas. Oh and I had my grandson for a couple of days because he was sick and couldn’t go to sick. He is such a crack up. He’s eight going on eighty.

Anyway I need to get back into editing and writing. I’ve come up with some more novel ideas, just what I need more people in my head. Oh and writing long hand sucks. I’m still resting my wrist as much as possible, not that it is helping any. I think that is why I’m letting little Miss Procrastinate talk me out of doing anything on my WIP. Just the thought of having to write long hand only to have to type it all into the computer later. No it far easier just to leave it. See this is what happens when we get to used to all our mod cons. We turn into lazy, lazy people. Well I have anyway.

So I’ve had my whinge, it is now time to pick my butt up and do some work.

Until next time. Happy writing.
Hugs
Sandie

What Have I Been Up To???

Not much!!! I've edited part of one of my WIP as well as the first two chapters of 'Baby Can I Hold You.' There is going to be some big changes to this novel I think. I also got five pages written long hand on one WIP. I now have a new found respect for Jane Austen and the likes.


I've also been working on my new Web Site http://www.sandiehudson.webs.com and I now have a Facbook site as well as a Yahoo 306 site. So I'm meeting some very nice people, a few of them are on all the sites I'm on, which is good.

So until next time.
Hugs
Sandie

Post NaNo

NaNo has come to an end and I'm ??????

I have a new Website: http://www.sandiehudson.webs.com/ so pop over and have a look if you get time. I have a direct link back to here as well as some of my other sites.

I've started doing some editing. Not getting very far, but at least I've started. I went to the phyiso on Tuesday. Big trouble. Yep she told me I'm not to do any extensive typing for a few months until my tendon heals. All the typing I did during November was not a good thing, even if I was using my right hand for the larger part.

Got my results back from a comp I entered. I have too much back story and my sentences run into each other. Always have talked without drawing a breath, guess my writing is the same.

One another note I have a few friends still in the Karin Tabke, One Line Comp. YA Aussie's, the girls are going great guns.

Well I really should try and get some housework done today and some more editing. So until next time, hope you all enjoy the rest of your week. And may the word fairy tap you on the shoulder and give you loads of inspiration.

Hugs
Sandie

I Did It - Finished

That's right I have officially finished NaNoWriMo. What a relief. When I started out on this journey I never expected to have so many highs and lows. I have learnt that I need to take time to get to know my character's, because although I've finished the book I still don't know my characters as much as I would like too.

So after 50,025 words, eleven chapters and 245 pages, I'm now taking time to get to know these characters better.

I'd like to thank all of my writing buddies for their support and wish all those who are still madly typing the best of luck. To those who have finished Angie and Shalanna congratulations. Angie you have been an inspiration to me through out this, it has been a pleasure and a joy to watch you go from strength to strength with your writing.

I'd also like to say a big thank you to Portia De Costa. Portia is one of the Sven sponsors and she has been a constant support to me through out these last couple of months.

So ladies thank you again.

Hugs
Sandie

The Last Days Of NaNo

So we are coming to the end of NaNo, and where am I up too. Well I have 47,862 words down at the moment, with 2,138 to go. Now you might think that is great going, and it is. I’m very proud of myself. The problem is I have no idea where I’m going to get another 2,138 words from, I have done back stories, so they’re out. So what else can I do? To tell you the truth I have no idea. I’m waiting for the magical writing fairy to come by my place and hit me in the head with some ideas. It must be my turn soon.

Anyway, I hope you are all doing well with your writing, editing or re-writing.

I’ll be back when I’ve hit the 50,000 mark.
Hugs

Sandie

Slogging It Out

Well I'm over the 35,000 mark YAH!!! 35,209 to be exact. I'm finding it harder and harder to write each day. Well let's face it I'm NOT writing each day. Has not been a good week. I've been sick for the most part. Dizzy, nauseous, headaches, I'm so over it all.

I went to he doctors today. He's not happy with my blood pressure. Too high, so he has given me another tablet to take and increased one of my others to two at night. I wouldn't want to be a spy or anything in that line because they'd hear me coming a mile off. My wrist is no better, so I'm off to the physio, made me promise I'd go. (I think when this is all over, I'm going to take some time off from typing.) On top of all that he is now worried about my kidney's again. So it's off for more blood tests, God I hate needles.

Anyway on to my story. Isaac had an accident, got bucked of a horse. Silly man didn't lunge the horse first. Cold back horse, open paddock, loose reins and not having mind on job at hand, just asking for trouble. Poor Isaac got it in spades. Of course, it did wake Ashley up enough for her to realise she's in love with the man.

Tomorrow I'm going to my son's to have a family get together for my mum coming home from respite. The last week of her stay she was confined to her bedroom, because they had an outbreak of gastroenteritis. I have to tell you she was so happy to get home. Anyway we're having a party to welcome her home.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Get lots and lots of writing done and have fun.
Hugs
Sandie

NaNo The Home Stretch

With just over a week to go before the end of NaNo I'm 64.3% of the way there. Yah. I have 32,135 down. Ashley and Isaac are just going through their major crisis. She has left to sort out her feelings for him and the situation. So now I have 17,865 word to go, and I'm wondering if I have enough story to use this amount of words. I have already written the last scene.

So I well either have a lot of fill to do, although not as much as I thought I would or I'm going to get some really brilliant ideas come through. I will keep you informed.

Hope everyone else is doing well with their WIP.

Hugs
Sandie. :)

Half Way There

I'm up to half way through my novel. YAH. I added another 2,227 words today. Tomorrow I'm having the day off from writing. I think I need to step back for a moment. Plus I'm going to have the morning with one of my sisters.

I'm finding this writing on a daily bases interesting and frustrating. I think with my other novels because I have been doing bits and pieces I have been able to stop and look at the characters differently, I've come to know them better. With 'Baby Can I Hold You' because I'm writing every day I'm not taking the time to get to know them, not deep down. I don't know something is missing and I can't for the life of me pin point what it is, and I'm getting frustrated with myself. I want to know these people, I need to know them deeper. Maybe this is why you are told to put your MS aside for a while.

Anyway I'm taking tomorrow just to listen, no writing, just listening.

Hope you're having a great week.

Hugs
Sandie

Just Another NaNo Day

I have come to the conclusion that I have no idea what I'm doing anymore. I have no idea where my story is going. I don't even know if I like it anymore and I am now thinking of things I could do that stops me from writing.

Take yesterday for instance I spent the better part of the day playing on my new BeBo site. Like I need another site, any way I have one it's at http://www.bebo.com/sandiehudson have a look if you like.

Then today for some reason I just had to start to read Kelly Hunter's Sleeping Partner if you haven't read it yet you are missing a great read. It's sad and funny and keeps you entertained. I haven't finished it yet but I'm sooo enjoying it. So today I've been reading, writing, reading, playing, reading, writing and now playing again. I dare say when I finish here I'll be reading some more before I go to bed.

I've added another 4,618 words since Saturday that's 45.7% of my novel completed. Mind you I'm not sure I'll make 50,000 words before the story finishes, I'm thinking I'll have to go back and add bits and pieces to make up the word count.

Since Sven started I've written 63,758 word, which just goes to show me if I put my mind to it I could write a novel in a month. I just need to put this self doubt to bed. I'm not the only one there are a few of us in the same boat.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful week for of adventure with your characters and lots of words on pages.

Hugs
Sandie

NaNo & Sven

Well I got another 2,926 words down today and Ashley decided it was time to let go of her deceased husband didn't see that coming, well not so soon I was thinking you know towards the end of the book. But no seems she needed to come to terms with that before she could think about moving on with Isaac. Although she is feeling a little uneasy at the moment, she has just caught him out with another woman.

So I'm over my hissy fit from the other day again. I seem to be having a lot more of these moment with this novel, not sure why. Oh well I'll get over it at some point. I went over to my good friend Annie Doyle's blog yesterday http://www.anniedoyle.blogspot.com/ and she was blogging about inspiration and you know things just fell into place again, so yesterday and today Annie has been my inspiration. If you get a chance go and visit Annie she's great.

Hope all is going well for everyone else. I have a few of my NaNo buddies powering on, these are women who have little ones. I have to say I really take my hat off to them, you know they have from 11,000 to 14,000 words done how good is that.

Oh and I also have to tell you that a few of my Aussie NaNo buddies are through to the next round of Karin Tabke One Line contest. Way to go Aussies. I feel like I should be making pompom and singing "Come on Aussie, Come on, Come on, Come on Aussie, come on." Any way good luck girls.

I have to say you are very, very lucky you can't hear me sing, not very pretty. More like a cat with it tail caught in something. Yuck. My grandson tells me not to sing because it hurts his ears, God love little children and their honesty.

See ya Hugs
Sandie

Day 7 of NaNo and Sven Day 24

Well I did another 1,062 words today and in my personal unbiased opinion it is crap (still), but I'm powering on. I keep saying to myself this is just the first draft, you can fix it all later, but can I? Can I really do this? I getting to the saggy middle and I am soooo scared it is going to sag to where ever it is on the other side of the world, you know go straight through the centre of the earth and just keep on going saggy, saggy, saggy middle.

Have you ever written a book where you think I just do not like some of these people. My hero I like but he never does what I want him to do, my heroine I like but she is stronger the I thought she would be, see just not playing nice. But some of the other characters are just plain pains in the butt, I don't know writing is the pits at the moment. I've been so tempted to go and have a nice chat with Tyler and Jackie (although they don't listen to me either), maybe Rhett and Ella would be better they are always nice, not so much doing as I say but at least they don't go doing 180's on me and leave me looking at the screen like a dummy, and saying "What The?"

Anyway I'm stepping back from it all for the afternoon, clear my head and maybe come back tonight and tackle it all again.

Sorry for the rambling and whining and whinging.
Bye

Hugs
Sandie

NaNo - Day 6 & Sven Day 23

Haven't been able to put a lot of writing time in on my novels the last few days. We took Mum to Respite yesterday, she seemed very happy when my sisters and I left her, I hope she is having a good time. On top of that I've been sick for a few days as well, some tummy bug I think, hence the slow going with my writing.

I sooo happy I was able to get a good start, it gives me a bit of leeway. So I have 12,620/50,000 words that's 25.0% on 'Baby Can I Hold You'. That's not bad for six days work.

Over all for Sven I have 36,920/150,000 that's 24.6% of my three novels done, I'm happy with that progress. I don't think I'll get the three novels finished before the end of Sven but I'm still hopeful of getting at least two finished.

Hope you are all have a great week.
Hugs
Sandie

Day 3 of NaNoWriMo & Day 20 of Sven

I finally got down to see my Mum today, my Auntie was there as well which was really nice. I love my auntie she is such a crack up, she always has some funny story to tell about her and Mum growing up. My Mum is going into Respite for a couple of weeks, I hope she has a good time, it's been pretty lonely for her at home since my Dad passed away. Having company all day should be good for her and knowing my Mum she will keep them all well entertained. I have to say it is really hard watching your parents grow old. I know watching my Dad over the last few years of his life was very hard to take at times.

My Dad to me was always my super hero, to the extent that when I was growing up he told me (and I believed him) he taught Superman how to fly and Tarzan how to swing through trees. Dad was a tall man almost six foot, with dark brown eyes and when he was young he had dark curly hair. In a lot of ways he was what we all look for in your hero's. Anyway it's hard watching the man you thought could hold a house together in a storm, deteriorate the way my Dad did. You know there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of my Dad at least once.

So (needs to change the subject) my writing, I've done another 1,368 words tonight, which takes me up to 11,529 just over 23% WOO HOO. I'm in a bit of a dilemma ATM though, this is not going the way I thought it would go, see I was going to have Isaac and Ashley go to bed together and Ashley would feel guilty about her dead husband etc. But just as I was getting to where they would do their horizontal tango, Isaac pulled back. Heavens to Betsy, I can't win. I either have a hero that wants to jump into bed when I don't want any bed jumping or I have one who is just so damn sweet, (this is suppose to be my BAD BOY) that he asks the heroine if she's sure and blows the whole thing. MEN they are driving me CRAZY.

And to top it all off the darn Aunt who I thought would be kind, sweet and caring is picking a fight with my heroine. What that!! I've written a whole scene and I have absolutely no idea where it is going or why it is going there. I give up, so much for me writing this novel, I'm just the person typing, I have no say in anything else it seems. Well one good thing I'll be able to report in to Sven with some good figures.

Hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy what ever it is you have planned.

Hugs
Sandie

Day Two of NaNoWriMo and Day nineteen of Sven

Oh my, I never thought I'd get this much done in two days. I'm scared now, there has to come a time when it is all going to go pear shape. Doesn't it? It is all falling so easily into place, the words are flowing, I'm not sure how good it is but it's flowing.

Last night I did another 2,422 words and tonight I've added another 3,161 giving me a grand total... drum roll of 10,161 YA me. And did I need a pick me up today.


I had a lovely lunch with my wonderful children today, my son shouted his sister and me lunch down by the bay. What a lovely view sitting on the deck of restaurant over looking Nelson Bay (that's in NSW Australia). But when I came home my daughter and I found one of the horses out of his paddock and having a nice little wander up the track. Thank the Lord he is so quite and easy to catch.

So I didn't get down to see my mum AGAIN, I wasn't game to leave just in case he escaped again. So I have promised mum to visit tomorrow. I might have to take her something special down just in way to say sorry.

In all I'm pleased with how the writing is going, and I'm hoping I'll be able to spend some time on my children's book over the next few days as I have let that slip a bit.

Hope you all have a great weekend and good luck next week with your writing.

Hugs
Sandie.

NaNoWriMo Starts

Day one of NaNoWriMo and I'm happy with my progress, 4,578 words not bad for the first day and it's just as well I have to go and see my mum tomorrow, so I'm not sure how much I'll get done on this.

I think the weekend is pretty clear for me so that's 2 days, Monday and Tuesday are out I have commitments with my family, so I'm thinking I'll do what I can when I can, get in front then if I have a few days where I slip hopefully I'll have them covered.

So the story so far Isaac and Ashley have meet and both feel the chemistry there but are fighting it, which of course is what I want them to do at the moment. They are both playing nice and leading me through their sides of the story, another plus. In all I've had a very good day, hoping to get in some more work in on this tonight. I'll see how it goes.

Hugs
Sandie

NaNoWriMo - Baby Can I Hold You.

Here is a quick run down on my NaNoWri Mo Novel.

BABY CAN I HOLD YOU.

Come and see what happens when two well meaning relatives try to play cupid in an online chat room.

Isaac Morris horse stud owner and horse trainer is well known around town as the local bad boy. He grow up as the kid with a tough guy image from the wrong side of the track, who hated rule and regulations of any sort. Isaac has a couple of secrets, secrets he wants no one to find out about or that image he worked so hard to build well be destroyed. So when the dog he inherited from his Great-Aunt Philana shows signs of arthritis and he is forced to make a visit to the local veterinary clinic he knows that at least one of his secrets could very well get out.

Ashley Bailey has come to the small country town to help her uncle in his veterinary clinic after he had a slight stroke and needs to slow down. To help her forget about the death of her beloved husband Ashley takes on the majority of the work at the clinic. What she never expected to was to find herself attracted to the local bad boy, nor does she know what to make of her growing feelings for her online faceless friend.

Hugs

Sandie

It's Sunday Afternoon - Day 14

It Sunday afternoon, we've had some rain YEA (not enough) but some is better then none. I've spend the day writing, wandering around thinking about writing, then writing again.

So it is the end of BIAW and did I make my pledged goal? YES and some to spare. YIPPEE. On to the next challenge. I'm putting Tyler and Jackie to bed for awhile (which is were they nearly ended up today except his nosy sister and her pesky friend turned up uninvited. They can stew for a while. Anyway I'm almost half way to my word count for 'We Were In Love', 24,470 looking good for when I come back. (Now this all hinges on Tyler letting me get to work on a new book. I won...der, if I tell him to take a month, think about some nice romantic ways to woo Jackie, take it slow, real slow. Maybe, just maybe he'll listen.) OH and have a look at my pretty word meter thingy, cool hay.

The next three days I'm going to make sure I have all my character profiles in order and re tidy around my desk and just generally make sure my life outside writing is okay. I need to visit with at least two of my mum's (I have three, two mother-in-laws, how lucky can I girl be?) Do the washing, vacuum, cook, all the things I HATE!!!!

Well that's me for this wonderfully Sunday afternoon. I'm getting a headache, bum ache and my hand is hurting, so I will go and do something completely different. I might read, no that's no good with a headache ... I know I'll go and sit outside in the fresh air and watch the horses. That's nice and calming, well so my hubby keeps telling me. Bye.

Hugs
Sandie

Sven Day Thirteen

I have put yesterday firmly behind me.

This morning I woke up with new optimism. No more feeling sorry for myself, there are bigger things in this world to worry about then a bad hair cut.

I had a good day with my writing 1500 words WOO HOO, back on track. I'm back in front with my pledge for BIAW, that's a good thing and I'm working on my project for NaNo 'Baby Can I Hold You.'

Things are not looking good for me to have 'We Were In Love' finished before NaNo still another 27,000+ words to go, but I should make a good dent in it so that is better then nothing.

Tonight I'm going to put some more time in Character Profiles for 'Baby Can I Hold You'. Once I've done that I'll give you a small run down on the characters and story line.

Well that's it for this sunny Saturday.

Hugs
Sandie

Sven Day Twelve

Have you ever had one of those days when you thought you should have just stayed in bed? Well I had one of those today, nothing really bad just miner things. So on a good note hubby is happy he is getting some money back from Tax, YEAH.


Haven't done any writing today, unless you count doing more work to character profile, which I know I can use as work for Sven, but not for BIAW so now I'll have to work really hard tomorrow and Sunday to get my word count back up. So there is number one reason for not getting out of bed. GOT NO REAL WORK DONE, SHAME ON ME.


On another note got my hair cut today, I've had it long (like half way down my back) for soooo long and today I went in and got it cut short. Now there is a story behind why I had to do this, last year just before Christmas I decided to go grey, (my natural colour) so I bleached all the dark brown out of my hair. How was I to know that you can't dye your hair grey, anyway Jim told me to go to the hairdressers, but No I had to do it myself. What I did was just about killed my poor hair. Anyway it had grown out enough that I could get it cut and not look like I'd joined the army and had one of their short back and sides cuts. Jim likes it (which surprised me because he likes my hair long.), my daughter likes it, it's now one colour or at least the colour is natural, but it is still soooo soooo short. I don't know weather to cry or just stay home and hide until it grows again. Sigh!!! I should have just stayed in bed. Sigh!!! If I drank I'd get drunk but I'm not a drinker (will not since my teenage years, drank enough then to last anyone a life time), so I guess I'll go and make a cuppa. And maybe try to do some work on one of my WIP's.


Sorry for the rambling, I seem to be doing that alot lately

Bye Hugs
Sandie

Sven Day Eleven

Just a short post today, mainly because there is not much to tell. Only did 500 words yesterday, and I really didn't get very far, just kept going around in circles.

So I'm tired, not sleeping, getting grumpy and I have to go and do the Tax today, yeah late with that again. Well I'm taking my sorry ass off and going to try and get something, anything done before I have to go out.

Hugs
Sandie

Sven Day Ten

The going was tough yesterday. I got to my word count no trouble but I found it hard going for some reason, so my word count was split over 'We Were In Love' and 'Lovin You Against My Will' which is okay because I need to put some time in on 'Lovin'.

As you can see from my side bar I've added a couple of new WIP's 'Ace Of Hearts' is going to be the third book in the series with 'We Were In Love' and 'Lovin' You Against My Will'.

"Right Where I Need To Be' is a Short Story I wrote for a competition (not judged yet) but I love the characters so much that I thought I would see how I go expanding their story.

Now on a completely different note, I have some very bad people in one of my writing groups. As if I can't find enough things to let Little Miss Procrastination lead me astray on these bad people add more temptation in my path. So I'm going to share them with you, the first one is really cool, it's called Free Rice http://freerice.com/index.php basically you have to work out the meaning of words and they donate rice to the hungry. WARNING:This site is very, very addictive.

The second site is Right Brain v Left Brain http://tinyurl.com/2u6nqa so see what side of the brain you use the most, let me know how you go.

Well I really should be putting some work in on my writing, so better go. It's raining here YEAH, I love the sound of rain the should help get my juices going.

Hugs
Sandie

Day Nine of Sven

WOW I did it, I've made 20,000 woo hoo. Now I'm rolling 2,047 words today not bad. Just look at my word meter thingy cool hay. Doing BIAW really helps because I can't have a day off this week, I have to do my word count each day. I don't want to let Pam down after she took on the job at the last minute. So thank you Pam, you are my life line this week.

Tyler and Jackie are working along in harmony still, which is a good thing I think, I'm just waiting for the next bomb to hit. Funny thing about today though I wrote the Epilogue, for some reason Jackie needed to know that things were going to end okay, the poor love needs her happy ever after.

Anyway I need to go and let Pam know my word count for the day. Catch ya later.

Hugs
Sandie

Day Eight 0f Sven

Yes I know I missed a couple of days but I had my grandson for the weekend.

Anyway about my writing. Today was an up and down sort of day. I did get my word count done, well a bit more really, 1881 so that’s not too bad just not sure I’m happy with it yet.
I’m just about up to the 20,000 mark so maybe tomorrow.

Tyler and Jackie are heading into a easy stage of their relationship, a get to know each other again. This well be interesting, lets see what they throw at me this week.

I have eight days to do another 31000 to 32000 words. Yeah right. Great just another challenge. I’m off to bed. WOW and it isn’t even midnight yet, that’s a first for a long time.

Bye
hugs
Sandie

Day Five of Sven

Had a full day with my mum yesterday so didn’t get any work done on either of my MS’s, and I have my grandson for the weekend so it looks like I might be having a few days off. Now I know why we have 93 days to write for Sven.


So next week I’ll have to put the work in as I have BIAW with one of my writing groups. I’m hoping to get most of ‘Back To You’ finished over the remainder of this month. It’s a big ask but I know I’m up to it, it is all about challenging myself.


Hope you all have a great weekend.
Sandie

Day Four of Sven - Pushy Men.

Thursday and day four of Sven. When I first started writing 'Back to You' I thought I would write along the lines of a Sweet Romance, you know keep the bedroom door CLOSED.

Well it seems Tyler has other ideas. I spent half the morning arguing with him. I mean for heavens sake, he is just a character in my head. I should be able to control what I want in my novel right? Wrong, Mr. I Want The Bedroom Door Opened, nagged and nagged, I explained it was a Sweet Romance bedroom door closed. But no matter what I said or did, he was "open the bedroom door Sandie" so in the end I gave in and wrote the damn sex scene. If nothing else, at least it shut him up.

The thing is though, I am no where near ready for Tyler and Jackie to be doing the horizontal tango. He cheated, Tyler jumped a chapter or two just to get Jackie in bed. Men!!!

The good thing is I reached my word count for the day.

I'm finishing up a bit early today as I have a author chat to go to tonight. That should be good I love finding out how others write their novels, how they get their ideas etc. Tonight is with four crime writers, so looking forward to this.

I didn't get anything done on 'Clint's Adventures' so will have to work extra hard tomorrow to make up the word count.

Bye for now. Have a great evening.

Day Three of Sven

Well to day was not very productive as far as my WIP goes. My hand is giving me a mile of trouble, so thought I'd give it a bit of a rest today. I did get work done on my project for NaNoWriMo though, I've done the character profiles for both the hero and the heroine and an outline of the story. Most of it has been written the good old long hand, that way I didn't have to use my left hand. I'm thinking I'm going to have to go and see the Physio after all, which is a bit of a bummer.

Anyway my kids came to see me today, that's always good. I miss having them here, but kids grow up and need to have their own lives. Having my grandson staying this weekend, daughter and son-in-law off to a four wheel drive comp.

Did some research for the next installment of Clint's Adventure as well today. I also signed up for BIAW with one of my writing groups (gives me someone else to be answerable too.) That's it for tonight, I have to be up early tomorrow err, today so I'm off to bed. Catch up with you all again soon.

Day Two of 70 Days of Writing Sweat

Well day two of 70DOWS (Sven) and I’m on track. Yes I reached my target for both projects. ‘Back to You’ 1267 words and 724 for ‘Clint’s Adventures’. YAH me.

So Jackie had a confrontation with Tyler’s (girlfriend?) I have the question mark and brackets because the ‘girlfriend’ is the only one who thinks she and Tyler have an attachment. Now this has lead to more conflict for Jackie and Tyler. I have to say this is not how I thought this scene was heading, it just goes to show what happens when you take down the pesky storyboard.

Now with ‘Clint’s Adventures’, Clint meet up with a firefly named Felix. He learns all about fireflies and their habitat. His next adventure is going to lead him to the crocodile infested waters of Northern Australia.

Day One of 70 DOWS

Well all started on track, I got to my targeted goal 1,200 for'Back To You' which I'm pleased about. I'm at the part where hero and heroine are having some major conflict with each other.

Did I tell you who I have pictured for my hero and heroine?

No, I don't think I did.

Meet Tyler MacKenzie: Dylan McDermott - tall, dark and handsome.

And let me indroduce Jackie Donohue: Sandra Bullock - smart, sweet and sexy.

Now on to my second project for 70 DOWS, my children's story 'Clint's Adventure', well it seems I didn't do enough research on fireflies, so I only got 550 words on paper today instead of 700. Well I guess 550 is better then none at all.

It's heading to 2am here down under, I've spent too much time on the internet, so I'm off to bed. Hope everyone has a happy one. Bye for now.

IT ALL STARTS TOMORROW

Tomorrow is D-Day or DOWS (Days of Writing Sweat), it’s a bit likes Days of Our Lives it’s it? Like the tapping of the keyboard so are our days of writing sweat.

I don’t know if it was just one of those nights or if it was excitement at knowing I will be working hard towards getting my MS’s finished but I couldn’t sleep. No I was up all night even saw the sun rising, took some photo’s just to prove to my kids that I have seen the sun rise.

So I spent the night working on this site plus one other, did a bit of writing I think I got another 950 words down, so it was a productive night, but by nine o’clock this morning I was wiped out just went and crawled into bed for a couple of hours. Don’t think I’ll be doing that again tonight though, my thumb ached like the dickens most of the day. At least I now know I can type one handed fairly good.

My plan is at the end of my day I will hop on here and post my daily word count, for “Back To You’ and “Clint’s Adventure” that’s my childrens book. Which reminds me I have to go and do some research on fireflies.

Catch up with you tomorrow night, in the mean time have a good night, and a happy sunny day.

IT’S ALL ABOUT BEING ORGANIZED!!!!

Well that is my goal, being organized, being prepared. I have spent today organizing my writing space. I’m doing another collage, I love have pictures over my computer, it’s just the pesky storyboards that upset my writing flow. So I have my collages, my space is nice and tidy (and if you knew me at all that is a major achievement on my part). The writing is coming free and easy; I was able to get 5,500 on paper yesterday and Wednesday, so I'm confident I'll be able to reach my targeted goals.

Today was a wipe out; I had a doctor’s appointment this morning and guess what? I’ve pulled the tendon in my left thumb, from playing the Play Station of all things, it’s not like I sit around all day playing the silly thing, I might have a game with my grandson once a week if I’m lucky. Well it’s not going to stop me from my writing, no way; I’m on a roll and rolling I’m staying. Then we had thunder storms around us all day, so no writing done but I did have a productive day.

Oh, last night at about midnight, I thought I would add a post over at 70DOWS, know what I did? I joined up again. Yeah now I’m down twice (I could just see my dad up above scratching his head and saying “You’ve got your self in a good pickle this time kiddo” and of course he’d be right. Then I got to thinking, I have a children’s book I’ve wanted to put together so now is as good a time as any, so that is going to be a small project for me to work on as well. So my commitment is 700 words a day for my children’s book and 1,200 words a day on my other WIP. I’m going to be a busy girl but I reckon if I can pull this off I will be able to work under all kinds of pressure.

Well that it for now I’m going to do some work on my WIP while there are no storms. Catch ya later.

IT’S ALL SO CLEAR NOW

Okay, I now know why I’m having trouble getting my stories on paper. I’m stifling my characters. I’ve done the plot plan (which isn’t too bad), the storyboard (the problem) etc, but the flow just it’s there. I’m writing but there is something WRONG. I have come to the understanding that my characters want free rein. (Which shouldn’t surprise me, I mean I hate being told how to run MY life, so why should they). So the storyboard is OFF the wall, I was spending WAY TOO MUCH time looking to see where I was going with the story.

I came to this conclusion while reading another author’s blog Devon Gray, http://www.authordevongray.blogspot.com. You know how you have read it all before but sometimes it takes just one small sentence or even a word from someone and it all just makes sense. Well that’s how it was when I read Devon’s blog, plus the comment from fellow RWAustralia member and NaNoWriMo buddy RachelC
http://rachelcharlton.blogspot.com/ it all made sense. I just have to go with the flow, let my characters (my very bossy characters) have free rein.

So now I have three stories to work on, two for 70 Days of Writing Sweat, (Back To You and A young Girls’ Dream) and one for NaNoWriMo (Untitled at this stage) although I do have the theme etc worked out.)

Right now I have to go check on horses again (had a foal in with the wrong mare earlier, all sorted now but just need to check that they have settled.)

So bye for now.
Sandie

TAKING THE CHALLENGE

This is the thing, after joining up for NaNoWriMo I was reading an email on one of my group postings about this site she stumbled across a few weeks ago. Yes The Seventy Days of Sweat Writing Challenge http://70daysofsweat.com/wordpress .

So off I go to have a look at what this is all about, it runs along similar lines of NaNo, just that you have seventy days (well actually, it’s 93 days) to get your MS finished. Cool. I’m in that, so I joined up, now I start my serious writing on October 15, instead of November 1. Good news is I can use this extra time to get my WIP finished or near too before I start NaNo. I have decided to start a new MS for NaNoWriMo. Came up with a storyline, theme, hero and heroine this afternoon. The 70 Days of Sweat Writing Challenge runs from 15th October 2007 to 15th January 2008. The rules are simple, just write 750 to 1500 words a day, but you only have to write for 70 days out of the 93 days.

So this weekend is going to be spent getting my house in order, so I have the time to write, write, and write. Oh did I mention I’m also looking for some part-time work, nothing like putting some pressure on yourself. Oh, and also RWAustralia are running a Boot Camp in November I would love to do as well. Yep this writing is taking over my life. And loving it. (She say’s in her best Maxwell Smart voice.) HEHE.

So it’s housework (hate housework) this weekend, planning and writing from Monday. (plus applying for employment positions)

NaNoWriMo

"Writing Opens You To A Whole New World"

Okay, I signed up for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)yesterday. Basically the idea is to write 50,000 words in the month. Yikes!! What have I done? I mean don't I have enough people chattering away in my head and here I am inviting more in, oh well "the more the merrier" or so they say.

So here's the thing I have two novels on the go at the moment, which I hope to put a fair bit into this month. Yeah, this could be good. A test for myself, get these two books sorted and finished (yeah right) this month, or near finished and then I can start another one for the NaNoWriMo. I have no idea what I'll write about, so that's another thing I'll have to do, pick a story theme, then plan and outline where I'm going to go with this one. I think I might either:

a) Start on the third novel to go with my other two, (because they are going to be part of a series)

b) Write down some of the ideas I have floating around in my head and pick one out. That might be interesting, because I'll have no real idea where that might lead me.

Okay so I need to get to doing some work, enough chit chat from me for a while, it's head down, butt up (well in the seat anyway) and get some writing done.

Sandie

BACK TO YOU

Here is a brief description of my WIP: working title "BACK TO YOU"

After nine years in a volatile marriage Jackie Donohue has returned home to her family farm, she is ready to start a new life for herself and her young daughter.

Tyler MacKenzie is back in town also. Once upon a time he believed he and Jackie had a future together until she cheated on him with his best friend . . . or did she?

Ramplings of a Writer 3

I thought I would share with you the process I'm taking in writing my novel.I started just by sitting down and writing, and that worked for awhile, but then I started to be all over the place. So I knew I need a plan. I mean you don't make a dress without a pattern (well most people don't), anyway a plan was needed in this case.

The best way for me to get my head around how I was going to write each chapter was with a storyboard (which is really just a bunch of squares on a page and a chapter or scene outline written into them), and it worked. I now have some structure to my novel, I have four chapters, each with two to four scenes in them, then I have another seven chapters roughly worked out. I'm pretty happy with that, and now that my characters are back chatting again I just know I'll have scenes for the rest of the chapters soon.

I'll tell you about the story next time.

Ramblings of a Writer 2

They're back!!!
Came screaming in last night just as I was going to bed, all perky and ready for some fun. Full of great ideas as to how their story should be told. So I'm back to writing again. YAH!!!!!

Not that I thought the time I have spent the last few weeks a waste. I got my storyboard sorted, a collage done, along with a heap of research. I'll keep you posted on how it's all going.

Just a short blog today. Bye for now.

Day 1 Ramblings of a Writer

Hi and welcome to my first blog. I really not sure what I'm doing or why I'm doing it, but hey, what is life if not for a few adventures.

Well anyway about my writing. I've been writing on and off for a few years now but last year decided to really put more time and effort into it. I'm writing contempory romance at the moment because I love romance stories.

I have two books on the go now, but I've come to a screaming holt with writer's block. Maybe blogging will help me get past it, I can only hope. So with this block firmly in place I have been doing research for my books. I have a paper trail a mile long or should I say a kilometer. Whatever.

You know for months now I've had these character's nattering away in my head and now that I have the time to sit and write again they have all decided to go on holidays. You watch next week when I have my grandson with me they'll all come back wanting to play again.

Well thats it for my first ever blog. The ramblings of a writer.