Monday, March 26, 2018

The Spring Cleaning Writerly Challenge Tag



Can you guys believe we’ve made it to spring? (Probably not judging by the frigid temperatures…) Hoooow is it nearly April? Pretty sure Christmas was yesterday!


But since spring is pounding on the door like an uninvited guest (seriously, I want it to still be January!), I suppose I better let it in and offer it cookies and tea or something. (Please don’t waste your precious lives trying to make sense of my analogies.)


In honor of spring arriving and the urge to spring clean, my frabjous and brilliant friend Deborah O'Carroll has created a spring cleaning tag. But we’re not talking housecleaning. Nooo. This is WRITING CLEANING!


As a total neat freak and a writer, this tag is pretty much the most me tag I’ve ever seen. It’s basically a quick challenge to get our writing/writing plans organized and return our enthusiasm for our WIPs! Because ya know all those big, thrilling goals we had in January? Well, they maaay have tapered off a bit at this point, amiright? NEVER FEAR. If you’re struggling to keep up with those big, writerly plans, this challenge is just the thing to get you pumped and organized again. Deborah is a GENIUS.


If you want to get a full explanation of how the tag works, you can check out her ORIGINAL POST to get all the details. But it’s not complicated, I promise!


Alrighty, lets get to some (writerly) spring cleaning!


 


RULES

  • Link back to the person who tagged you. (Deborah herself tagged me. Thanks, Deb! <3)
  • Share the picture. (*points to pic above*)
  • Answer the questions (naturally…) or even pick and choose which ones you answer. (Almost to that part!)
  • Tag 3 other writers and inform them that you tagged them (via comment/message/email or hey, even carrier-pigeon or smoke signal; I’m not picky). (*see end of post*)


 

. . . THE TAG . . .

 

1.) Dust-bunnies and Plot-bunnies:
Reorganize Your Writing Goals (Or Make New Ones)


In a extremely shocking turn of events, I’m actually sorta kinda mostly keeping up with my 2018 goals??? Like…WUT. This never happens! But here we are.


I know I’m falling so short on many though. So let’s reexamine them and see how I’m doing.


EDIT BURNING THORNS

Working on it! In fact, I’m roughly halfway through the draft, and making fairly good progress. Which is good, since this was my main goal for 2018. I need to get this thing into tip-top shape and ready for…querying. *gulp* I’ve been doing quite a bit of rewriting with a lot of bits and then more tweaking and polishing with others, so it’s been a mix of uber major editing and easier stuff. And…strangely? I’M LOVING IT. Every bit of it. Sure, I’ve had a few headaches, but after every single writing session I feel excited about the story.


Yes, editing is hard work, but GUYS. It’s the most satisfying feeling in the world seeing a WIP you love shape up into something even better. My young self would never, ever believe it if she heard this but…I like editing. Actually, I kinda love it. I KNOW! I don’t know who I am!


Anyways! BT edits are definitely fully underway and going well so far!


ATTEND REALM MAKERS

My other big goal for this year and biggest dream for this season in my life and…IT’S HAPPENING!!!!!!!! I am officially registered, been plotting the trip there with my awesome dad (who has graciously agreed to drive his directionally-challenged daughter), and have even listed out all the things I need to do/get done/buy/prepare for the event. REALM MAKERS THINGS ARE HAPPENING. At the beginning of the year it was still a hopeful dream, NOW IT’S A REALITY AND I CAN’T STOP SHRIEKING IN EXCITEMENT ABOUT IT.


This is also why I’ve actually been getting on top of editing. Because I gotta get Burning Thorns polished enough to pitch at the conference. Deadlines give me anxiety but they also push me to DO THE THING so yay?


RESEARCH LITERARY AGENTS
AND WORK ON A QUERY LETTER

Erm…okay, I’ve kinda failed on these things. I have looked into the agents that will be at Realm Makers though. I’ve actually decided to wait to do some of this until after Realm Makers, once I get some professional input on my book. There are some query-ish type of things I need to prepare for the conference though. So yes, that is one thing I need to get going on! But the actual looking into literary agents and querying thing will probably be a second half of the year goal. I think I’ll feel much more prepared after Realm Makers. *nods*


EXERCISE

Again, shockingly, I’ve mostly been keeping up with this. o.O I’ve definitely missed lots and lots of days, but for the most part, each evening I do some stretches and things. Seriously, WHO AM I???


READ MORE

Eheheheheh. Not sure this one is going over well. Especially these past few weeks. I just never seem to have enough hours in the day to do all I want to. I’ve got to make more time for reading!


PARTICIPATE IN NANOWRIMO

Well, obviously I can’t do this yet. *grins* BUT OF COURSE IT’S HAPPENING. Annnd I have two particular books that have been fighting to be my NaNo 2018 novel (yes, I’m already totally making NaNo plans #Obsessed), and both of which have bombarded me with plot ideas. So I’m more or less pre-planning for NaNo? Or at least brainstorming…?


UNPLUG MORE

*cricket, cricket*


Welllll. Remember how I said I don’t have enough hours in the day to get everything done? Yeeeah. My plan was to unplug by 7 or 8 every night. And, actually, I was doing just that back in January. But at some point in February things fell apart, I got busier, editing BT became more demanding, Realm Makers plans started gettin’ serious, annnnd yeah. These days I’m barely clocking out by 10. O_O AND IT’S NO GOOD. I have basically zero time to read or just unwind and I’m feeling the negative effects it’s having. So much stress and exhaustion. So this is definitely one I need to brush the dust off and get back into! Recharging time is SO IMPORTANT. (<--- Preaching to myself.)


ORGANIZE MY TIME

Mmmm… Half and half on this one. Originally I was thinking about doing hourly goals, but that hasn’t happened once. :-/ BUT every day I start off by writing out a to-do list which has helped SO MUUUUCH. You guys have no idea. I think it’s 97% why I’ve been able to stay more or less on top of things. That urge to check off every. single. thing. by the end of the day is STROOOONG.


BE INTENTIONAL

Intentional—my word for 2018. And…I’ve stuck to it-ish. That whole Realm Makers deadline has been my biggest push to be intentional about my writing and get things done, and done well. For once, I’m being serious about pursuing my dreams. THIS IS HUGE, GUYS. I have never been one to do hard things and intentionally make my dreams a reality. But this year I have been extremely motivated (again, can probably thank Realm Makers for that) and getting things done. And I’m realizing I’m a much happier person because of it. I feel productive and accomplished and braver and more confident with my writing. I still fall so, so short, but I can see growth taking place this year and I hope to continuously be intentional about my dreams and my entire life in general. Not for just this year, but the rest of my life!


Wow. That was…longer than it should have been. But I love how this tag made me examine my big goals and reevaluate them. So basically…


GOALS I’M ACCOMPLISHING:

  • Editing Burning Thorns
  • Attending Realm Makers
  • Exercising (ish)
  • Participate in NaNo (brainstorming!)
  • Organizing my Time (we can pretend I’m doing okay???)
  • Living Intentionally (trying, at least!)


GOALS I NEED TO REEVALUATE:

  • Research Literary Agents and Work on a Query Letter (Yeah, definitely need to do more there, but will probably get real serious about it during the second half of the year.)
  • Read More (MUST. MAKE. MORE. TIIIME.)
  • Unplug More (Or unplug at all. SHEESH!)
  • Organize My Time (Yes, this is one both lists because I can aaalways do better with this!)


A bit half and half there, but it’s so good to really look at my goals and remember what I should be working on. Plus I’ve got you guys keeping me accountable! *grins*

 

2.) Which Stage Are You At? Expound!

    • a. Remodeling layouts (planning the story)
    • b. Painting the walls in colorful hues (writing)
    • c. Polishing the windows and scrubbing the floors and putting flowers in vases (editing)
    • d. Blueprints (not to the cleaning or remodeling yet… just drawing up plans for the very beginning inklings of a story)
    • e. Some combination of those things (cleaning out a closet)


I love the comparisons here! I’m definitely polishing the windows and scrubbing the floors and putting flowers in vases a.ka. making Burning Thorns as pretty as I can make it a.k.a EDITING!


Although, like I said, my potential NaNo novels have been bombarding me with ideas. (Because whenever I edit or do something that’s not first drafting, the plot bunnies attack ruthlessly. Is that just me???) So just the smidgest hint of blueprinting on the side.

 

3.) Treasure From the Back of the Closet:
Share one to three snippets you love!


Well, since my focus is Burning Thorns, I guess I’ll pull out something from that. I’ll share some rewritten scenes for funsies!


Her feet went before her mind, veering from the muddied road to the meadow where wet blades of grass scratched at her ankles. Through the blur of rain, a mass of pure blackness covered the way ahead. Ominous, daring her to draw any closer. Only the rattle of the prison wagon pursuing behind pushed her forward until the dark splotch took form. Twisting, gnarled trees appeared before her, deformed behind sheets of rain.

She halted just at the edge of the trees—the Forest, named thus because something so old needed no other name. It had stood at the center of Elda Grae long before even humans began inhabiting the continent.

Nightmarish stories of wicked creatures and dark fae slithered through her thoughts with an icy chill like the rain down her back. The land of the fae was no place for a human.

 


Rose did not know how long she stayed in that state—neither awake nor asleep, stuck in a dark restlessness in between—but when she opened her eyes the dim light of dawn cast the Forest in a hazy green. Her eyes ached from tears, and she could barely move her cold, stiff body.

 


The Dragon thrust her out the door, and once more their eyes locked. All his years of pain, anguish, loss, regret, poured from that single gaze. His lips parted and closed several times before the quiet, strained words came out. “You are no longer welcome in this castle.” Licking his lips, he grabbed the edge of the door. “Goodbye, Rose.” With that, he shoved the door and it closed with a resound click.

 

Lolz. Look at all that drama. XD

 

3.5.) Bonus: Do Some Actual Spring Cleaning of Your Writer Self! (and share a picture!)


Confession: I don’t actually use a physical “writing space”. I basically sit in my recliner during all my writing. *sheepish grin* Sure, I have a desk. But why use that when I can sit in a big, comfy chair?? And I pretty much keep all my writing work and notes and all that fun stuff on my laptop itself. So yeah.


BUT. Just about a month ago ago I created a doc called “The Writing Space” for all my writerly thoughts, and it has basically been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.


A lot of amazing people keep writing journals or physical notes and all that fun stuff. I’ve tried…for years. But, despite my unhealthy love for pretty journals, I never keep up with them. I’ve lost many a plot bunny due to forgetting to jot it down. Eventually, once I realized how many ideas I was losing due to my laziness of using pen and paper, I took to keeping notes on my phone. But, as I’ve discussed, I’ve gotten much more motivated and intentional about my writing this year. Thus I decided it was time to get ORGANIZED.


I sat down, made a new Scrivener file, and titled it “The Writing Space”.


I think I need to pause here to scream about MY COMPLETE AND UTTER LOVE FOR SCRIVENER. I am a perfectionist. I love things to be organized and all together. I like putting things in categories and listing them and color codes and all that delightful stuff. And guess what? SCRIVENER DOES ALL OF THAT. I honestly can’t even fully express my obsession with this writing program. It makes me want to work on my stories just so I can use it. THAT’S HOW FABULOUS IT IS. Yes, it does take a bit of time to learn, but it’s so worth it. I adore Scrivener with my entire being!


With that out of the way… BEHOLD.


MY WRITING SPACE

 


See that binder on the far left side? (You can click the pic for a full view.) That’s all the documents and folders and folders within folders. It’s basically like having a bunch of word documents all in one place!


ANYWAYS. As you can see, this is where I keep my hodgepodge of writerly business. My goals, my story ideas (why are almost all my ideas retellings though???), character name ideas, magazines and contests I want to look into, writing tips I’ve gathered and want to remember, interviews I’ve done on the blog, blog posts ideas, etc. Since it’s fairly new, I’m still adding stuff as it hits me. I don’t even have ALL my story ideas on there. Just the ones I bothered to make notes of on my phone and then copied over to there. There are pleeenty more in my head that need jotting down!


But basically, this is a place I can keep ALL THE  WRITING THINGS, and it motivates me to keep up with it. Because it makes my organizing-loving self happy! (Have I mentioned how much I love Scrivener???)


Essentially, I “spring cleaned” my writerly thoughts into that document. And though I did this weeks ago, I can count it, right? #Cheater



WELL. For a tag with only 4 questions, I sure turned this into a monster post. (What’s new?) BUT I LOVED THIS TAG! It was both motivating and eye-opening. It helped me see my accomplishments, but also look at the things I need to work harder on. I told you guys Deborah is a genius!


Now to pass this on to others! *rubs hands together in glee*


TAGGING


Sarah @ Sarah Plain and Average | Savannah @ Scattered Scribblings | Victoria @ Wanderer's Pen + anyone else who wants to steal the tag. GO FOR IT! (But nooo pressure to those tagged or anyone else to do this.)


Here are the Questions
(For copy and pasting purposes)


1. Dust-bunnies and Plot-bunnies: Reorganize Your Writing Goals (Or Make New Ones)

2. Which Stage Are You At? Expound!

a. Remodeling layouts (planning the story)
b. Painting the walls in colorful hues (writing)
c. Polishing the windows and scrubbing the floors and putting flowers in vases (editing)
d. Blueprints (not to the cleaning or remodeling yet… just drawing up plans for the very beginning inklings of a story)
e. Some combination of those things (cleaning out a closet)

3. Treasure From the Back of the Closet (Share one to three snippets you love!)

3.5. Bonus: Do Some Actual Spring Cleaning of Your Writer Self! (and share a picture!)



Thanks for putting up with all my writerly ramblings! You guys keep me constantly motivated to pursue my dreams! <3

 

TALK WITH ME!

Tell me some of your 2018 goals you’re totally rocking! I’d love to cheer you on. If you’re working on a writing project, what stage are you on (editing, writing, brainstorming, etc.)? How’s it going? What do you use to log those slippery plot bunnies and writing thoughts? (Am I the only one who totally fails at keeping up with journals?) Annnd is it feeling like spring at all in your neck of the woods?

41 comments:

  1. First!
    AHHH! You have no idea how excited I am to read Burning Thorns!!!! <3 <3 <3

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    1. *gives you cookies for being the first comment*

      MEEP. AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH YOUR EXCITEMENT EXCITES ME. Thank you! <333

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    2. Yay! Cookies!
      lol. You're so welcome!!! <3

      Delete
  2. THOSE SNIPPETS ARE *heart eyes*

    Awesome tag!!

    ~Ivie| Ivie Writes

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    1. *squeals uncontrollably* That means so much! THANK YOU! <3

      Delete
  3. AHHHH, THE SNIPPETS!

    "The drama...." Is anything new? XD I love drama in books, so....ALL OVER THIS! MUST READ!

    I've started writing Pentegreens Book 2, and it's flying...so that's been fun for the three days and 12,000 words I've written so far. XD Sounds like you're doing AMAZING on the goals---I have so much respect! <3

    Still several inches of snow for me...but we're starting to warm up a bit! <3

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    1. *BEAMS*

      Saaaame! I'm allll about that (fictional) drama. Which is probably obvious. XD But THANK YOU! It makes me so happy it appeals to you!

      WHOA. You have been writing SO MUCH. You are a writing ninja, girl! I'm the one with total respect for YOU. That's so thrilling you're on book 2! I so hope all the writing goes absolutely wonderfully. ^_^

      You're welcome to send the snow to me if you want. *grins* I'm not ready to say goodbye to winter! (Though I never really am...)

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  4. Oy, that first snippet...
    Me: Ho hum, someone running through the woods in the rain...creepy, but yeah...been there...WAIT a pRisOn wAgoN RUN FASTER MATE!!!!!

    And then that third snippet IT MADE ME CRY WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME I DONT EVEN KNOW WHATS GOING ON WHAT ARE THESE TEARS

    I think I might steal this tag, if only to get some needed spring writerly clean-up done. And that is SO COOL how you use Scrivener to keep stuff under control. I just got comfortable with Scrivener (I'm like an old person, when it comes to using new electronics and features, it's weird) like, a month ago...and I'm only using it for editing (which I love, btw, the new features that took me forever to get used to are really helping!!!) but now I'm totally motivated to buckle down and see what else I can use it for.

    I was really planning on going to Realm Makers, like, talking to my friends and family and discussing logistics...BUT then I went to the first horse auction of the year at the local stockyards UNATTENDED and came home with a 5 year old horse to work with over the summer #whoops
    So yeah...there goes my spending money for the year.
    On one hand #iregretnothing and this horse is just what I've been looking for as a second horse (my first horse is my best, and he's staying put), but I really was hoping to go to RM. I've still got some extra in savings, so maybe I'll use it, but probably not. Have fun at RM, though!!! GO AND PITCH AND NAIL IT

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    1. Your reaction though. XDDD Yeeeah, she's not having the best day. *cough*

      *CLUTCHES HEART* OH MY GOODNESS. That thrills me I gave you feels!!! EEP. Writing Goal = Accomplished!

      You should definitely steal the tag, yes! :D It's a really great one to get us back into gear with our writing plans.
      Oooh yes, I am such a Scrivener addict. But I hear ya, it's really complicated to use. o.o And I still by no means have all the features down! But it's such a great program for organizing! That's so fun you're using it for editing! May all your Scrivener endeavors go well. ;D

      Awwwww! That would be AMAZIIIING if you could go and we met in person! But, at the same time, NEW HORSE! EEP. I am ecstatic for you!!! That is the bessst! :D Yeah, RM can wait. This horse sounds like it was made for you. ^_^ BUT, if you do end up going to RM, do let me know so we can meet! :D

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    2. I think the more I tinker around with Scrivener, the more I like it and find it easier to use. But in no means have I gotten around to using every tiny little feature to my writerly advantage...but you have inspired me to keep at it and see what else I can use it for!

      I'll be sure to drop a comment somewhere if I actually find out I'm going (typical Daventry style - deciding two days before the actual event, lol). I still would love to go, but at the moment, it's not top priority. But there's always next year, eh?

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    3. I'm the same! I'm not sure I've even broken the surface on all it can do. There's so MUCH. But even the simple features are wonderful!

      Oh man, that's Smith style too! It's a miracle I'm already registered. We are last minute about eeeeverything, so I totally get ya. XD But YES, do let me know if you get to come, and, as you said, there's always next year! :D

      Delete
  5. Those snippets! I've missed them, Rose and her dragon and the lush descriptions. Basically everything about the world of Burning Thorns! So cool that your going to Realm Makers, I hope you will share your adventures.
    Good for you for sticking to your goals!

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    1. SKYYYYYYE! You are seriously one of my biggest encouragers with Burning Thorns and just...ALL THE NICENESS! It makes my day every. single. time. You are such a blessing to me! <333333

      Oooh yes! Expect a big ol' Realm Makers recap post after the event. :D

      Thanks so much!

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  6. O.o I RECOGNIZE THOSE LINKS IN THE SCREENSHOT. Eeep ^.^

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    1. YESSSS! :D You were so unbelievably helpful providing me with so many links. I am eternally grateful!

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  7. This tag was such fun to read, Christine! I'm fangirling so hard over those snippets!

    It's only the first quarter of 2018 - you're doing great so far with those goals!

    Catherine
    catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com

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    1. Awwww! That makes me happy to hear! And MEEP. I...I don't even know what to say. THANK YOU!

      You are the sweetest! I'm still falling short on so many things, but it definitely helps me write it all out and have you guys keep me accountable. :)

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  8. I loved reading this, Christine! And those snippets - they made me really want to read Burning Thorns!!

    My goals were never really set in stone (hmm - maybe I should do something about that), but mostly focused on my WIP, and getting it to a presentable second and third draft. And it might have diverged into a duology, which I'm trying to work on the logistics of right now. But it's been a really fun story, and I want to see where it takes me, so I'm happy.

    ~True // atruewriter.blogspot.com

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    1. D'AWWWW! Thank you so much! <333

      There's nothing wrong with that! Last year I didn't write out any specific goals either. It's perfectly fine to just have some things you KNOW you want to accomplish, and work toward them without bogging yourself down with a huge list of plans. That is so wonderful you're putting so much focus on your WIP! I love how it's trying to be a duology! XD Sounds like me. My stories refuse to just stay standalones. >.> But duologies are awesome! And I'm so happy you're having fun with it. I do hope it continues to go wonderfully!

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  9. Eeeee! You did the tag! :D (I'm so glad you like the idea. XD) I loved reading all your answers! ^_^

    You're doing so good on your editing! I'M SO EXCITED.
    REALM MAKERSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
    It's okay, you just haven't had TIME to read, because (duh) you're doing ALL the amazing editing and blogging things, girl! You're doing great. <3
    (I need to unplug and organize my time too. Twins. XD)

    Aaall the polishing and scrubbing (you could be like the Dragon, there! ;)) and blueprints, yay!

    Your snippets are making me nostalgic for this book. :,D (When he kicks her out, though! D:)

    I LOVE your writing space scrivener! I need to do more with mine... OOH MAGAZINE/CONTEST LINKS? O_O I love that most of your ideas are retellings; I have a bunch myself. XD But hey, it can be your new thing, right? :D SCRIVENER IS LIIIIFE.

    It's starting to feel spring-ish over here, and I'm not used to going from wearing hoodies to suddenly it's 80 degrees? I'm not used to short sleeves again yet. XD

    Thanks for shariiiing! This overall look at your progress and goals and THINGS was so fun! :D Best wishes as you keep on keeping on! You're doing AMAZING! ^_^

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    1. Yes I did and I looooved it! It's such a cool tag!

      Awwww, thank you!!! You holding me accountable each week and constantly encouraging me helps SO MUCH, you just have no idea! I don't know if I'd be half this far without you! <3
      REALM MAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!
      Hahaha! Yeeeah. Reading time is so scarce these days and it makes me SAD. I need a machine to stop time!
      I think not unplugging enough is a shared problem amidst writers. XD It's just so HARD.

      OH MY WORD. Like the Dragon. I'm dying! You're right, he'd approve of the stage I'm on right now. ;D

      D'awwww! (Eheheheh. So many feels.)

      THANK YOU! And GIRL, you have your awesome writing journal which was basically my inspiration for the writing space Scrivener file. You're always so organized with these things!
      Yes! I hope to start trying to get into some magazines and things to up my "resume" for when I begin querying. Right now I don't really have TIME to do that because, ya know, REALM MAKERS PREPPING. But hopefully afterwards! And I'm both excited and terrified. o.o
      Lol! Maybe so. I can be known for retellings, a lot of authors are. That'd be really cool actually!
      SCRIVENER IS EVERYTHING!

      Same here! One day it's freezing, and the next it's 80 degrees, and sometimes both on the same DAY. Like...I don't even know what to wear right now. XD

      Awwww, you are too precious! <3 Thank YOU for creating this awesome tag! It was so funnnn!

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  10. SO SO SO pumped that you've made such progress on Burning Thorns!!! I've said it before, and I'll say it a dozen times more: you are truly an inspiration to us, dear Lauri! And well done on keeping up with your goals! It's so freeing to find a method that works for you, right??

    So happy for you regarding Realm Makers!! And that's so sweet your daddy can take you (I TOTALLY understand the directionally-challenged thing---that is so ME. My fam teases me about it all the time. -_- How exciting!! Please please share what you learn when the time comes!

    AND THE SNIPPETSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE the drama---MUST HAVE MORE!!! Absolutely CAN'T wait for this treasure! I can already see it sitting on a shiny shelf in my favorite bookstore, my hands just ITCHING to grab it and devour all the goodness. It'll happen! I know it will!

    I've heard quite a bit about Scrivener, but haven't a chance to really look into it. Can you tell me if it's a monthly subscription, or a one-time paid program? It sounds so perfect for my much-needed Spring cleaning of the many WIPs I've stored in sooooo many places... And it certainly sounds like something you'd recommend for such things! ;D

    Spring is here!!! I for one and so excited about the upcoming warmer temps. I very much dislike the cold... *GASP* I know, I know! But, while it's been rather cold and rainy in my corner of the world, there's a promise of sunshiny days a-comin' and the gorgeous flowers and budding trees are a lovely sign to see each day. ^-^

    Well, I gotta run. Thanks for sharing all of this!! And again, thanks for the tag! You da bomb, girl. Have a lovely week, and Happy Easter & Resurrection Sunday!! <3

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    1. How do I even respond to such niceness??? *can't stop grinning* Thank you, precious Sarah! <333

      I'm INSANELY excited! I will definitely be posting about it once it's over!
      And yes, so glad my dad can take me. We think it'll be safer that way (it's quite a drive...), and I'd toootally get lost trying to do it myself. Directions and me just...nope. Glad I'm not alone. XD

      Again, SPEECHLESS FROM ALL THE NICENESS. GAH, SARAH! Thank you! <33333

      Scrivener is suuuuch a wonderful word program! And it's just one flat fee! No monthly payments at all. And it's actually a REALLY good price for a program like that. Just $40 last I checked. If you're looking for something to organize all your WIPs in, it's absolutely what I'd recommend!

      I'm happy you're excited about the warmer temperatures! I SHOULD be, because we had a pretty bitter winter, buuuut I'm all about that cold weather and am being grumpy about the warmth creeping in. XD But it IS a beautiful time of year. I'm loving seeing everything come into bloom!

      Happy Easter to you as well!!! <333

      Delete
  11. AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

    THIS POST GIVE ME LIFE.

    (But then again, everything you post does, so . . . nothing new there. ;))

    Hello there, recognize me? I'm the person who completely fails at commenting + replying to comments + blogging in general. *cough* But that's beside the point. I brought cookies with me so that makes up for all my flaws. ;)

    THIS TAG IS BASICALLY GENIUS. Deborah is a magical writing unicorn of awesomeness. (No idea where that came from - my brain is in all kinds of weird places today. xD)

    You are totally ROCKING your goals, girl!!! :O :O :O I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!! And like . . . YOU'RE GOING TO REALM MAKERS?!?!?!?! Oh my word! I can't even express how happy that makes me ASGDJLDL. (This whole comment is composed of caps and exclamation points at this point. #oops) BUT OH MY GOODNESS. I'm sooooooo unbelievably excited!! I haven't officially signed up yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll be going so . . . we might see each other this summer?? o_O

    ALL DA SNIPPETS. What have you done, Lauri? I NEED YOUR STORY SO BADLY NOW. xD But really, they are incredibly intense and intriguing - goodness!

    I just love everything about this post (because organization + writing = MAJOR WIN). I'm also a neat freak myself . . . so this is tag feels like it was made for me. Perhaps I'll steal it at some point. ;)

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    1. MARYYYYY!!! *tackle-glomp-huggle* YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS COMMENT MADE ME SMILE! <3333 And don't even SORT OF worry about not commenting. You're BUSY. Honestly, I've been wondering if I need to cut back on commenting on blogs lately, as much as I'd hate to. But it takes so much time! :-/ So yeah, I totally get it. AND COOKIES. All is good! *noms noms noms*

      Deborah is most definitely a magical writing unicorn of awesomeness. 100% agreed!

      Awwwww! THANK YOU! I'm still failing on a LOT of them though, trust me. o.o

      Wait wait wait wait wait! YOU'RE GOING TO REALM MAKERS TOO??????????? *SCREAMS FOR A MILLION YEARS* I kept meaning to ask you, because I was wondering and and and WE MAY BE MEETING IN A FEW MONTHS. THIS IS THE GREATEST NEWS IN THE HISTORY OF EVER. EEEEEEEE!!!!!

      *falls over in happy squeals* THANK YOU! So happy you like my snippets!

      You should totally steal it! In fact, I'm officially tagging you as of right now, so there! I mean, only if you want to do it though. ;D

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  12. ACK ALL MY BLOGGING BUDDIES ARE GOING TO REALM MAKERS AND I WANNA GO SO BAAAAAAD.

    And oh my, those snippets. O_O Especially that last one... Should I be worried for Rose? 'Cause I kind of am. Like, A LOT.

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    1. I WANT YOU TO GO TOOOOO! SO SO SO SO MUCH! D': Maybe someday???

      Hehehehehehe. Nooo, Rose is fine. I'm always perfectly nice to my characters. Tooootally nice. *cackles while creeping back into the shadows*

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  13. What a clever idea for a tag! This was so fun!
    I've always liked editing better, but most people seem to disagree with me. Editing and daydreaming. . . Actually getting words on paper can be hard for me. ;-)
    Were those snippets from Burning Thorns? They were beautiful! I especially loved the last one--a surprising amount of feels for one paragraph with no backstory! Good job. =) This is your Beauty and the Beast retelling, right? And the dragon is the beast?
    ~Hanna
    takingmytime.rothfuss.us

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    1. Isn't it though? I loved this tag!

      I actually get that now! I used to be TERRIFIED of editing and thought first drafts would always be my favorite part of the writing experience, but now? I...I kinda love editing. o.o It's so nice to already have the words and story on the page to work with it. It's fun to mold the already written story into something beautiful!

      They were! And yes, it is my B&B retelling. Awwww! That means so much. Thank you! The Dragon is the beast, yep. My obsession with dragons goes far. XD

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    2. Dragons are the best though! Why are they always BAD? *pouts*
      ~Hanna
      takingmytime.rothfuss.us

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    3. RIGHT? Dragons are people too! Can't they be portrayed like people and be good AND bad? They're not all monsters! They have rights too. *nods seriously*

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  14. Getting ready for conferences is usually my yearly goal! It sure motivates you. XD Yay for editing! I'm in that stage too! Best wishes! And thanks so much for tagging me! I'll be doing this tag soon. :)

    storitorigrace.blogspot.com

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    1. I so admire how many different types of conferences and things you attend. they are DEFINITELY motivating, yes. I'm learning that more and more each day!

      Huzzah! Editing buddies. *high-fives* I hope it's going well for you!

      And you're so welcome. Can't wait to see your post! ^_^

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  15. You are SO CLOSE to finishing Burning Thorns, Christine! I can't wait to read it!

    I am terrible at keeping up with journals too! I have a stack of partially filled notebooks all with some stuff in them. (I think when I started bullet journaling was the first time I actually finished an entire journal coherently haha).

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    1. EEP. I'm really excited! Still a bit of a ways to go editing-wise, but I'm past halfway now! :D And your enthusiasm means the WORLD to me. AWK. Thank you! <3

      You too?? I am glad I'm not alone! It seems like everyone I know has all these journals they keep up with daily, and I'm lucky if I write one entry every 3 years. XD Bullet journaling does appeal to me though! That's really fun you have one. One of these days I may have to join the bandwagon!

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  16. THOSE SNIPPETS. Burning Thorns is going to be amazing. I can't wait. Very happy to hear that it's going so well! And I'm quite impressed by how organized your Scrivener workspace is. Mine...isn't. XD

    Did I comment on Twitter or somewhere about how excited I am to meet you at Realm Makers? I can't remember; I know I saw that you were going but I might have forgotten to actually say anything to you about it. Anyhoo, I'm excited. :D

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    1. Eeeeee!!! THANK YOU! :D That means so much!
      Lol! It could probably still use some tweaking, but I do love having one place to keep all my writerly things! Scrivener is just the best!

      I honestly can't remember either. LOL. I know SO many people going to RM I'm thinking about making a list to make 100% sure I get to say hello to everyone. I'm so excited to meet you too! Get ready, I'm probably going to bring books to you to sign. *cackles*

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    2. Sweet! I will be happy to do that! :D And yeah, I need to make one of those lists myself, so I don’t have any embarrassing “I didn’t know you were going to be here!” “What the heck, dude, we had a whole conversation about it and everything” moments. XD

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    3. YAY! :D

      LOLZ. Sounds like me! My memory is the WORST and I'm so scared I'll forget to seek out specific internet friends while I'm there.

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  17. This is such a genius tag! And even though I'm late in saying it and you've already accomplished way more, I am SO PROUD of all your progress on those goals! I love how you have a balance of writing-related goals and lifestyle goals, like unplugging by a certain time. (I'm, er... working on that one myself. And failing quite spectacularly, but I'm on an upswing because the fact that school is starting soon is making me realize I need to get a better handle on this! On sleep too.)

    Anyway! You are steadily eroding my avoidance of Scrivener. Well, I'm not avoiding it, exactly, more like procrastinating because of the learning curve and resistance to change. XD But this catch-all file for your writing ideas and links and notes and stuff is so cool! I've been wanting to put all of that in one spot for a while too!

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    1. Isn't it? I just love it! I think I'm gonna have to do it again next Spring. :D

      D'awww! THANK YOU!!! I still fail so, so much. Looking over my goals just now made me realize the things I'm NOT doing. Lol. But I have been far more productive and intentional this year than...gracious, any year really. So I guess I should look at that accomplishment and not what I *haven't* been doing. Lol. But unplugging...yeah. It's so hard! I feel you. I'm doing okay right now, since all the Realm Makers craziness is behind me, but I know I'll fail again once I get seriously back into writing. Eheh. That ever elusive balance, am I right?

      Bwahaha! I think it's mine and Celti's goal to bring allll the writers to the Scrivener Side. *wicked grin* It's SO fun having everything in one place. Buuut I do 100% understand if you don't have time to get it and learn it right now! It does take time. *nods*

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