PROBLEM SOLVED

As many of you know I have not been blogging as regularly as I used to and as a previous post suggested, I have been a bit out of it lately. I have been trying to run at full steam 24/7 and it is impossible.

I accepted that I can only do so much and that there is no use worrying about things that I cannot do or get to. Once I allowed myself to calm down a bit I managed to come up with a few ideas for posts in the upcoming A-Z challenge. And yes, I was seriously freaking out but it is now a thing of the past.

I have not been writing either, but I did partake in a few awesome blogfests and I met a lot of very cool people. But I found that social networking, like most things that are fun, is very addictive. I was so worried about not stopping by every one's blog to leave a comment that in the end I drove myself absolutely crazy and the next day I had a total melt down at work, because everyone there was just adding to my already heavy load.

So, I came up with the easiest solution that is so simple it is ridiculous. I will only visit a few blogs a day. That way I can visit everyone at least once a week and that will be my strategy for the whole A-Z challenge as well. I know it is not the point of a blog hop or a blogfest but that is my only solution. I can honestly not stop by 30 blogs a day, everyday and manage to write. I am sorry if this plan offends anyone but that is what I have to do to stay sane.

Speaking of blogfests...I will also not be participating in any new blogfest for a while, aside for the A-Z challenge. I like taking part in blogfests but then I still get overwhelmed trying to read every one's entries in a limited amount of time. I have found myself only visiting 8 bloggers but getting 16 comments and in the end I feel like a jerk because I can't return the favor.

See! I over think everything. But that is my strategy. Good-luck with all the writing endeavors. Hope that inspiration is abundant for all.

THE BROKEN HEART BLOGFEST ENTRY

http://itsinthebookde.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-broken-heart-blogfest.html


Ok, this is my entry from my current work in progress. It is undergoing editing at the moment so I apologize if it is not up to standard yet.


‘’You don’t have to leave’’ Alex said, trying to sound comforting but failing at it.
‘’There is a whole werewolf army out there that would like nothing more than to rip me to pieces. Of course I have to go. I have to figure a few things out’’ I said, sounding as if I was in a hurry.
I didn’t want to look at Alex. He would have some awkward look in his eyes.
I turned, not wanting to look at him and stared at the broken window. He caught me staring and gave a deep sigh. I of course pretended that I hadn’t noticed the window and turned back to my kitchen to rummage for something to take with me.
‘’I never did apologize for what I did. I am sorry. I was just—’’
‘’I don’t need your apology Alex’’ I snapped.
‘’Do you know where you are heading?’’ he said truly concerned.
I paused for a second, looking at him head on.
‘’No. I am just going to drive. Do you mind if I keep your truck for a little while longer?’’
He gave a little laugh ‘’consider it yours’’.
I turned back to the cupboards.
‘’What are you looking for?’’ he said walking into the kitchen and coming to stand next to me.
‘’Nothing’’ I said moving away from him.
‘’Is that what it is going to be like? You…running away every time I am in sniffing distance?’’
‘’It is my natural instinct to avoid you’’ I lied.
‘’You do it because weirdly enough you’re still afraid of me’’.
‘’Can you blame me?’’.
He walked out of the kitchen.
‘’You’re going to have to stop at a blood bank. And you might as well buy everything else you need when you get to your destination. You need some company?’’ he said.
I looked at him startled.
‘’I have to do this alone. It might take a while for me to fix everything and I think it would be better if you stayed here with your family’’ I tried to sound appreciative of the offer but I sounded harsh.
I grabbed my duffle bag and walked past him to the front door. I was halfway out of the door when I heard him talking.
‘’Don’t forget these’’ he said handing me my biker boots.
I took the boots from him, trying my best not to touch his skin.
‘’Thanks’’ I said walking past him to the kitchen counter and picking up my old apartment keys. ‘’The apartment and everything in it belongs to you. So you can sell it or do what ever you like’’ I said waiting for him to take the keys from me.
‘’I bought it for you’’.
‘’I won’t be using it anymore. I think I had enough of city life’’ I said dangling the keys for him to take.
He reached up and took the keys from my fingers.
‘’Thank you for everything. You are awesome’’ I said hesitating beside him.
He looked at me, wanting to reach out for me but hesitating. I in turn was staring at him too, not sure how exactly I was supposed to say goodbye to my soul mate.
It was a really awkward moment and it didn’t help that both of us were naturally stubborn people. Neither of us was going to show weakness in front of the other by giving in and giving an emotional response.
‘’See you when I see you’’ I said, smiling as I walked out the door.
As I walked out of the apartment I could hear him sigh and it didn’t sound like a sigh of relief. He sounded upset—in pain even.
I walked to the truck and put all the stuff on the back seat. I hesitated for a second, looking up at the broken window one last time and then I saw Alex staring down at me.
I gave him a big smile. But he didn’t respond.
I looked at him for one more second and then I was in the truck, driving away. Away from my past and heading into my future, finally getting to make the fresh start I always wanted.

THE BROKEN HEART BLOGFEST

http://itsinthebookde.blogspot.com/2011/01/announcing-broken-heart-blogfest.html

The basic idea is to write about a heart breaking or one that is already broken. Show us the wretched emotions, the anger, depression, fear, whatever happens after the happy honeymoon lovey-dove V-day stuff is over and all that is left is a broken heart.

Sounds like a cool blogfest.

OUT OF IT

I woke up this morning in a state of panic. I realized that the A-Z challenge is just 3 weeks away and I have not even written one post in preparation for it. I am usually very organized and I always have something to blog about but lately I have come up blank. Though, there is still some time left for me to get ready.

I don't know how so many of you manage to be part of a large online community, find time to visit every one's blog and find time to write. I take my hat of to you guys. You are truly awesome.

My amount of followers has only recently increased so I am a newbie at blogging time management. So I am sorry if I don't get to every one's blog regularly. I am working out a schedule so I should find a solution soon.

I have recently bought myself a large white board on which to work out my plots and strategies for revision. Right now I am working on trying to show more than tell, but it is not easy.

I don't know if it is just me but this post even reads a bit heavy. I don't know what is going on with me. Writing suddenly seems so difficult.

FIRST BLOGGER AWARD!

I have received my first blogger award. I am still in shock. I am totally having an academy awards moment here.

Ok, I am calming down. With my awesome award comes rules that I have to stick to so...

Rule 1 - Thank the person who awarded it to you.

Thank you Heather from THE WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART (http://hmgardner.blogspot.com/). You are one awesome lady and I would not have survived in the blogger world if not for you. You helped me through very tough times and your writing is something to aspire to. Thank you.


Rule 2 - Share 7 facts about yourself.

1. I am the youngest of 4 children.

2. I love cupcakes!

3. I have a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture.

4. I believed that vampires actually existed up and till I was 16 years old.

5. I tend to wear a lot of black clothes.

6. I once helped a sheep give birth.

7. I always look at the dessert menu first before I eat at a restaurant.


Rule 3 - Choose _____ bloggers to pass this award on to.

I choose #6.


Rule 4 - Notify said recipients of the #3 rule.

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Renee Silvana (http://reneesilvana.blogspot.com/).

2. Nancy (http://introverted-writer.blogspot.com/).

3. Carla (http://carla-jansen.blogspot.com/).

4. J.C. Martin (http://jc-martin.com/fighterwriter/).

5. Katharine Owens (http://katharineowens.blogspot.com/).

6. Wolfie (http://writer-person.blogspot.com/).

Thank you again Heather, you are one awesome lady and thank you to everybody that reads my blog. I am always grateful for your support and interest.

DIVINE INTERVENTION

I wanted to take part in this awesome blogfest CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (http://kaykays-corner.blogspot.com/2011/02/yay-for-game-plans-aka-catch-me-if-you.html), which is where you post 550 words of your current work in progress and see if you can hook people, to see if you can manage to leave them wanting more (it is currently still open if you want to participate). But my link did not want to load and I think it is Divine intervention.

My entry posted bellow anyway.

I am one of those people who believe that things happen for a reason and I tend to believe in signs. Like my link not wanting to load was a way of stopping myself from making an ass of myself. Why do I say that you ask? Well I have been getting a lot of criticism with regards to my writing which has me thinking that I am not actually as talented as I thought. I posted my 99th page on page99test.com and 12 people commented thus far and the verdict was (drum role please)...8 said they will not turn the page and 4 said they would. 50% said they would not buy this book and the rest were undecided. Plus I got some pages back from my current critique partner and the changes were monumental. Technically my writing is not strong. There are a lot of grammatical errors and apparently I am a bad story teller too. I tend to tell far more than I show, which as you know is bad. But I am not depressed about it or anything.

So, because I am so hard headed, I decided to post my 550 words of my novel Immortal: New Beginning anyway. Keep in mind it is undergoing severe editing as we speak. Enjoy!

Oak Tree city was just like any other city—lots of skyscrapers and no sign of green foliage anywhere. Not to mention millions of people constantly rushing to get somewhere.
It was Friday today and like most people of Oak Tree City, I was walking to work. It was my way of de-stressing before a hard days work.
I didn’t bother looking around to take in the sights or to pay attention to anyone. I didn’t care to know any of these people. I didn’t feel as if I fit in amongst them.
I was approaching the building where I worked when I smelled a heavenly scent that made me stop in my tracks.
I stood on the sidewalk, taking in as much of this wonderful aroma as possible. It smelled sweet like cotton candy but it was also musky. It was quite complex. I had never smelled anything like it.
I closed my eyes and took in the smell. I suddenly felt calm. My mind felt as if it was standing still. I couldn’t think at all.
Wave after wave of powerful emotions over took my body. I felt happy, safe, comforted and a feeling close to being in love.
Then I felt a strong shoulder knock me backwards.
My eyes flew open.
The smell was suddenly gone too and I could finally focus again. I saw the possible culprit. A largely built man wearing a blue pin striped suit.
‘’What the hell? Couldn’t you see me standing here?’’ I shouted.
‘’Who cares lady?’’ the man responded still walking away.
‘’You are an ass!’’
‘’What ever, freak!’’ he responded.
For some reason I always made people uneasy. I looked normal but something about me was just not right.
I realized that I couldn’t really blame the guy for bumping into me. I was the one who stood still on a very busy street.
I didn’t know what came over me though. It was as if the smell had taken control of me somehow.
I ran my hands through my thick curly hair, took a deep breath and crossed the street.
Just as I was about to put my foot on the pavement on the other side, I heard a car come to a screeching stop.
I realized soon enough that the car nearly ran me over.
‘’Get out of the damn street lady!’’ the driver screamed.
‘’Sorry’’ I said, feeling confused.
‘’Don’t be sorry, just get out of the damn way!’’ the driver said.
I still seemed to be affected by the smell because I didn’t see that car coming and the fact that I was almost killed didn’t bother me at the moment.
I rushed onto the sidewalk and hoped that this was not a sign of what the rest of my day was going to be like.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN BLOGFEST ENTRY

I know I am 3 hours early but I am not sure what tommorrow holds or if I will have internet access. So I am sorry for breaking the rules, but this is too cool of an idea to pass up on.

Anyway, moving on to my top 5 gone but not forgotten TV shows:

1. Firefly

2. X-Files (But with Mulder still in it)

3. Stargate (Original series)

4. The Pretender

5. Will & Grace

So that is it from me. Thanks for reading and giving me the opportunity to participate.