Date: 2009-06-14 19:59 Subject: Once you make a promise, break it immediately Security: Public Tags: epiphany, writing

I have an annoying habit of ending a book with a cliffhanger; I do it partly out of fear. My fear extends from having an enormous book on my hands that won't sell. Yet, all of my instincts are telling me --no screaming--to tell the whole story in one installment.

Case and point, I outlined a book on Friday which I thought and hoped was going to be a standalone novel, but I stopped myself when I reached chapter twenty-two because I fear and know my need to write long chapters would take the book over the hundred thousand word mark. Roxi and I feel the book is not finished being outlined. I am so glad I have her to point out the obvious to me because I will miss it most of the time.

Date: 2009-05-17 21:50 Subject: To know pain is to know the victim Security: Public Tags: being disabled, earth, writing

I never thought a character of ours would teach me about being disabled or life itself. Recently, I have been writing in a POV of a healed disabled person (I wish I could count how many times I wished my Cerebral Palsy to go away), and I made him disabled again. I have finally learned how the newly disabled feel about losing their freedom of movement, and I frankly don't know if I could handle that daunting transition. I am happy the way I am now.

On the writing front, we are on chapter three of Earth. I am proud of the progress. In two weeks, we are taking the week just to edit Dayúh. Hopefully by then, we can focus on Earth.

Date: 2009-05-08 17:14 Subject: And The Winner is... Security: Public Tags: earth, writing

Chapter one is done, and I hope to get chapter two done tomorrow.

Date: 2009-05-04 18:08 Subject: 5 things to report Security: Public Tags: 5 things, team, writing

1. Tomorrow, I'm starting to work on Earth after a week off to deal my ennui. My post-novel ennui finally caught up with me. It was the longest week I have endured.

2. On last Friday, Roxi and I started on a secret project. Both of us are excited about it.

3. Tomorrow we will go back to editing Dayúh.

4. Soon, I have to trim down Dayúh's and Earth's outline.

5. I think Roxi and I have solidified our roles within our writing relationship.

Date: 2009-04-20 22:17 Subject: And There Was Light... Security: Public Tags: earth, update, writing

Earth Update:

New words: 926

Darling: N/A

The reason for stopping: Not alone any longer today

I started Earth because of three reasons:

1. Roxi has been too busy to edit lately.

2. I'm too slow while writing.

3. I know the publishers will want Earth ASAP when we sell Dayúh.

Date: 2009-04-11 13:02 Subject: Fear isn't the key; courage is the key Security: Public Tags: fear, writing

I have one writing fear which is ruling every thought at the moment, and I wish it would let me go. The fear is failing--not in the classic definition. I fear I'm not telling my book as it should be. I had planned it to be just one book, but I have the propensity of wanting to write books that are over 120k. I can't help myself. Anyway, I digress.

I want to blog about on how I'm managing this fear. I don't think I could manage it without Roxi's help because she pushes me past the fear when it is trying to grab me. I'm lucky she can do it. I simply wouldn't be where I am. I do alright for a little while, but I allow myself to slow down; I always think the fear won't catch up due to I am so far head of it. No matter what I do the fear always catches up and reminds me of my annoying propensity.

At the moment, it is trying to remind me of the book's original size plan, but I'm ignoring it as the best as I can. I think I am doing relatively well with Roxi's help.

On the writing front, Roxi and I are on Chapter 3 of the Dayúh's third draft. It is going slower than I had hoped, but at least, we are making progress. We also found some beta readers for it. I also found another agent and added them to our list to query.

Date: 2009-04-05 18:29 Subject: The World Through My Eyes Security: Public Tags: writing

When I started writing in high school, I had only one goal in mind, and it was to make people understand me. It is not easy being in the world trapped in a damaged body with an active mind. There had been a countless times in my life I wanted to add to conversation, but I kept quiet because by the time that I got out what I wanted to say the conversation had moved onto another subject.

By the time the Internet became cool and commonplace, I jumped on it, knowing it would make things a little easier for me, and it has for the most part--but it has changed me in many ways. For example, I hardly talk anymore, and it is getting harder for my family to understand me. I don't want that to occur because I don't want to depend on an assistive device to speak. I know I will have to get one once Roxi and I get published.

That isn't the only reason why I write. Most of the books I've read as a kid, none of the characters were disabled except for Susannah in The Dark Tower. I wanted to see more disabled persons as a MC, and I knew I was the right person to do it. I don't even take it easy on them because being easy on them is the cruelest thing I possibly could do to them, and I want my novels to be as realistic as possible.

On the writing front, I have started on Earth, and we have started on the third draft of Dayúh. Hopefully, by June, we will have it to our beta readers.

To do list for 2009:
1. Finish editing Dayúh (started)
2. Send Dayúh into the cruel world
3. Write Earth (started)

Date: 2009-02-05 10:18 Subject: When A Dream Comes True, Does It Mean The Dream Become a Reality Dream? Security: Public Tags: writing

It has been an interesting week for Roxi and I. We have decided to form a writing partnership once I've finished the On the Brink duology. We have been working with each other in a semi-official capacity for the past three years. I'm excited about the prospect of working with her.

Date: 2009-01-28 09:38 Subject: In the Land of Change They say hell with it when things go up in flames Security: Public

I recently switched to Sun's Open Office Suite because of my Microsoft Office 2007 died two weeks ago, and I'm glad I made the switch. I am surprised how easy my migration has been. The only thing I hate about Open Office is I can't see my word count.

On the novel front, I'm on the last chapter, and I'm trying myself back on the outline. The thing is I'm in the middle of setting up for the second book--or the third book, depending on how you look at it. I feel I am messing up the setup. At the moment, I am so tempted to say hell with it and allow Madouhz and the rest of them to deal with my clumsiness.

Date: 2009-01-18 12:43 Subject: Giddy for shorts Security: Public Tags: shorts, to-do-list for 09

I never thought of myself as a short story writer because my ideas seem to want to bloom into a series, but recently, I have gotten my first true short story idea. I'm excited about the prospect of finding out if I actually can write a short story. I think it will hone my writing skills which I need to be working on.

Here is my to-do list for 09:
1.

Date: 2009-01-04 11:37 Subject: Why I write Security: Public Tags: writing

I started out writing for the simplest reason. I wanted people to understand me. I wanted to share what I had to say about the earth. I started writing in high school, and the first viable idea I had was about a paralyzed scientist along with a group of his friends saving the earth.

It has taken me over seventeen years and countless drafts to get it where it should have been all along. On the way, I have had other ideas pop in my head, and I have finished a rough draft of a novel. I am planning on rewriting it as soon as I finish with my original idea from high school.

The original idea had grown from a standalone novel to a three book series. I hate when an idea doesn't show itself fully to me because it causes me more work. I guess that comes with the territory, and I am still getting used to the notion a book won't show itself fully to me. For once, I wish something would make it easier.

Date: 2008-08-11 10:43 Subject: Help Wanted--rather needed Security: Public

I was reading Nathan Branford's blog on Friday and I spotted a FAQ which bothers and confuses me because it will affect my current project. My current project is a duology--well to be honest it is a huge book, too big for Publishers to be comfortable with. If I had my way, I'd write it as a huge stand-alone. That's where my confusion comes in. Is it better to write the book as a duology as I have planned and make the first book as the stand-alone? Or is it better to write the duology as a whole book.
I would appreciate it greatly if someone can clear this up for me.

Date: 2008-07-16 08:56 Subject: Writing with Diabetes Security: Public Music: Arena - Radiance - 12 - Jericho

It's bad enough I've Cerebral Palsy, and I don't wish it on anyone--but I rather have it on its own than having it and diabetes. I'm saying this because I feel my diabetes is my true enemy when I am writing. For example, on Monday, my blood sugar was around 90 when I started writing. Under normal circumstances, being at 90 is great but not when I'm working because I use a lot of energy when I do something. Anyways, I'm digressing. By the time I had written a full page, I began feeling fatigued and hungry.

I took a drink of Diet Mountain Dew, thinking I needed some more caffeine, but that didn't help. My concentration started wandering. It meant two things. My energy was fading, and I didn't believe it was because I just took off the day before. It meant my blood sugar was low. I stopped working immediately and waited a while to call my mother to check my blood sugar.

The moral of the story is for the writers who have diabetes beware of your blood sugar at all times no matter if you feel can write longer you can.

Date: 2008-07-03 11:00 Subject: The Novel meme Security: Public Music: Frost* - The Other Me

Here's I need to finish and write:
Currently working on:
The On the Brink duology - It is basically 1 book split up due to the size (Part one (needs a name) is outlined and nearly half done, and Part two needs to be outlined and written). It is a near future Science Fiction thriller with some fantastical elements and the mob in this universe.

Want to write:

The Súhin series - This series is going take me years because it'll at least consist of three separate trilogies maybe more depending my energy level. It is a science fantasy conspiracy thriller in a parallel universe.

Essence of Guuji - (It needs a new name) It is the first book in the loosely knitted series based on the adventures of the assassin Dora Salas. It is a science fiction crime thriller in this universe.

The The Mind Globe trilogy - I finished the first draft of Book one, Frayaí. I already reoutlined it and I already outlined the book two, The Fall of the Pòpúmi Empire. It is a fantasy epic with Science fiction trappings.

Date: 2008-06-29 18:51 Subject: We are at Midway Security: Public Music: Arena - Bedlam Fayre

Well, I have reached the halfway mark in On the Brink part one this weekend. I bought davidbcoe's Seeds Of Betrayal. I'm enjoying the The Forelands series. I also picked up Scott Erikson's Gardens of the Moon. I also tried to find The Queen's Bastard by C.E. Murphy, but the damned store didn't have it in stock.

It looks like I definitely will be through the first draft by September 21st as I have hoped. Let's hope my energy holds up.

Date: 2008-06-16 08:31 Subject: Workshops Security: Public Music: Andromeda - Encyclopedia

I really go to a writers' workshop, but it isn't feasible for a couple of reasons. I can't afford it right now, and secondly, my mother can't take off from work a week even six weeks. Sometimes, I dislike the idea of being disabled due to the fact I'm missing out on so much on my growth as a writer. I know I should be glad with my ability to write, but I want to grow as fast as I can because I have many books to write, and I feel I've at least 30 years to do them in.

Date: 2008-06-11 08:19 Subject: 750 vs 1500 Security: Public Music: Blackfield - Blackfield

It is hard for me to say this, but it is the honest truth: I hate being a disabled writer. Not because it takes me 3 hours to do 750 words (I'm lucky to get 500 words sometimes). Not because it drains me as if I had run 2 marathons back to back on a humid day. Because I can't do what I truly want to do: 1500 words daily. No matter what I have tried I can't do 1500 consistently as I'd like.

I can do the 1500 words for a month or more if I truly push myself, but it isn't good for my health or the novel's health. Therefore, no matter what my mind says, I'll have to stay with the 750. I want to write more than 2 books in my lifetime.

Date: 2008-06-10 09:29 Subject: Musical Inspirational Security: Public Mood: productive Music: Transatlantic - Duel With The Devil

As most of us writers do, I write to music, but I don't have a specific playlist for each project. I find it to be rather limiting because I get bored easily with the same music day after day. I stick to a specific genre of music, progressive rock-or prog. I find this genre works for me on several levels. For the first thing, all bands are very varied, unlike pop these days. Secondly, the bands have the freedom to explore musical and lyrical ideas.

Some of their ideas are outrageous, and sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I get inspired by their freedom. That's why I use music when I write.

Date: 2008-06-03 09:30 Subject: Moving on... Security: Public

I am moving my writing journal to layersofwade because I want to separate my writing and private journals. If you want to join me there, feel free to join me there.

Sincerely,

Wade

Date: 2008-03-05 09:40 Subject: Wordage Metrics Security: Public Mood: amused Music: Versus X - In Silent Age Tags: metrics, on the brink

Book: On the Brink