News about a giveaway, and fly-by word update

First: next week, Ill be participating in the YAmazing Race, a virtual scavenger hunt of sorts where participants can play to win the chance of receiving some really fantastic Apocalysie books and swag (including a signed copy of SHADOWS CAST BY STARS). Details will be posted May 1.

Second: I’ll be having my own giveaway to celebrate the one-month-until-release of SHADOWS CAST BY STARS. That will take place on May 5, so stay tuned for those details, too. I haven’t quite worked out what I’ll be giving away (a signed copy for sure, and some sort of swag), but…you’ll get a sneak peak of SHADOWS CAST BY STARS! Yep, I’ll be posting the first chapter for folks to read. Exciting!

Third: Wordapalooza continues on. I just didn’t get a chance to post yesterday, due to busy-ness. Just didn’t want anyone to think I was slacking…

Wordapalooza #12

Words: 4100
Reason for stopping: the usual – getting sleepy!

I’m more than halfway along this Wordapalooza thingy – eight days left, actually – and I’m actually surprised at a few things.

One: Freedom is my ally. I mean, I knew that (Freedom being a nice little app that disconnects my computer from the internet), but once I’m disconnected, I can stay disconnected without the help of Freedom.

Two: morning writing helps. If I can get a thousand words down before noon, the rest of the day feels easy. For me, I think it’s an inertia thing. Once I’m going, I keep going.

And, three: I’m capable of more than I think I am. I doubt so much–will I ever write another book? Will that book be worth reading? What if the important people in my writing career read what I’ve written and point and laugh? What if I re-read what I’ve written and point and laugh?

It’s amazing what I put myself through. Pretty ugly, actually. (But I’m working on it! Promise!)

However. I have visual aids that help me! And one of those visual aids is a clip from a Rob Brezny horoscope that came through a couple weeks ago. Now, Rob Brezny’s horoscopes aren’t your usual horoscope fare. Mostly, they’re full of very sage thoughts about life in general, which I appreciate. Anyhow, the clip in question is this:

It’s your duty to stop doing your duty with such a somber demeanor and heavy tread. To keep from sabotaging the good it can accomplish, you’ve got to put more pleasure into it.

In other words, enjoy the process. Forget the rest of it. Control what I can control, which is the story. All that other stuff? Out of my hands.

So: tomorrow, more words. Yes. Words, glorious words!

Wordapalooza #10

Words: 3000
Reason for stopping: so tired! I got started late today, due to a whole host of reasons, and then, fatigue set in. I’ve recently upped my running mileage, and I think that, plus trying to figure out how to get enough protein when I’ve gone vegetarian, is taking its toll. Hmm. Must do some research.

On the other hand, my regular run is now 7km, so I’m not complaining!

And just because, here’s a photo of a baby muskox, from a few years back when we were up in Alaska. Baby musk ox! Eee!

Wordapalooza #9

Words: 2800 (foo)
Reason for stopping: I am worded out.

Must make up deficit tomorrow. Must.

Wordapalooza #8

Words: 3100
Reason for stopping: because it’s time for sleep!

I confess, today’s words were hard-won, partially because I’m processing, and partially because I started late. But, tomorrow! Tomorrow, I have the whole day to write, which is good because I’ve got some guest posts I need to work on. And then, story!

But now, sleep!

Wordapalooza #7

Words: 3000, on the dot.
Reason for stopping: because I’m in a funk. I’m amazed at how one moment the biggest writerly thing I’m worried about is whether anyone will read my book, and then, in the blink of an eye, that changes to being worried about whether anyone will like my book.

I am surprised that writers have fingernails. Mine may not fair well over the next six weeks.

In other less-unflattering news, this is day seven, and so, totals!
Project #1: 13,744
Project #2: 21,158

So, now the honeymoon is over and I’m into the hard work. Not that it ever gets easy. It just gets different.

PS: Favourite things post tomorrow, promise!

Also: taken on a walk last week:

Wordapalooza #6

Words: 5700 – yay! (made up for the other day when I didn’t get anything done due to blurginess)
Reason for stopping: words have run dry.

Today’s words were divided between two stories. I may open a third tomorrow, if the words are still cooperating. But, I’ve got some blog posts and interviews to work on , so we’ll see!

Wordapalooza #5

Words: 3050
Reason for stopping: my tummy is ouchy. I haven’t been feeling well all day, in fact. Ugh.

More words tomorrow. And hopefully, no more ouchy-tummy.

Wordapalooza #3

Words: 3100
Reason for stopping: Late start today, word-wise, and early start tomorrow. I know what happens next, so that’s always a good place to leave off. All the main players are in place, and time to get into the thick of things…

Wordapalooza #2

Words: 3500
Reason for stopping: because I’m tired, and because I was going to work on another project, but I need to reread and edit the opening chapters a bit first. So, that’s where I’ll start tomorrow.

Reward (because everyone needs a reward): Game of Thrones, hooray!

Onwards!