Progress

Death's Obsession

20905 / 115000 words. 18% done!

That's pretty freaking good considering I wrote like 2,000 words in the last couple days ;).

My Muse

Like some of you may already know... or don't know... I work best in creative situations with a muse. I'm horrible with my imagination and it makes it very difficult to do some things that I like doing.

Luckily, it's not as bad in my writing as it is in other things. For me, I live in the here and now. I live for today and dream about tomorrow. So when I'm writing, I live in that moment with the character. Feel the same things they're feeling, experiencing life as they know it. So the writing department is fine. I even write with a general purpose. It's definitely not concrete by any means. But if I have a direction and a goal I'm trying to reach, I'll get there... eventually ;).

But what I absolutely can't do... like, at all... is draw something out of my head. Or create something beautiful out of ribbons or fruit... or whatever. And some of you who may know I've drawn a few things for my baby cousin (who's not so baby-ish by the way. He's 5... and he reminds me)... you're probably shaking your head saying "Not true..."

Welp, it is. So what I've thought of is a very simple motivation for me as a writer. I use a muse to create many good things, so why not apply that same theory to the one part of creativity I shine a little more than usual in (k... I'm tooting my own horn here!). So in that train of thought, I have picked a writing muse.

Someone that I admire as an author. I have read several books by this one author and I have loved every one of them so far. She puts funny, smart, quirky, loving, tenderness, passion, flaws, strengths and awesome details into all her characters and stories. The fluidity of her writing and the strength in numbers of books she produces is outstanding. I mean, sure, I've read a few books by very popular and always on the NYT Best Seller lists, but they don't capture the very essence of the characters or the situations like this author does. They sometimes seem too vague and blunt because of their massive amounts of books they need to keep up with.

But my new muse, and someone I really hope I can meet some day is off the charts in her writing abilities. One of you may have already guessed who it is, since I've shared her writing with you ;). But if you haven't read anything by Lori Foster, you definitely need to start. She writes love/romance/erotica/etc. Although, I've never read her erotica novels... or if I have, I didn't even notice.

So Lori Foster... Read her. Love her. Be inspired by her. Then you'll understand why I'm using her as my writing muse. I need to step my game up and be completely serious, and she's the perfect one to guide me through it... even if she doesn't know about it :)-

Ghost Whisper

90420 / 115000 words. 79% done!

Death's Obsession:

17331 / 115000 words. 15% done!

Writing and Goals

Hey all three people that read this ;)-.

A little update for my books:

Death's obsession: 17,331 words out of 115000 hopeful words.

Ghost Whisper: 90,260 words out of 115000 hopeful words.

I say "hopeful" because I don't know if there's anything to add to make it better and keep moving forward with the story. So I may add, I may not... we'll see!!!!!

This month's goal (ending 4/30):

I have a new writing buddy! Or just A writing buddy. Since I didn't have one before. The way it works is that we set goals and hold each other accountable to meet those goals. It makes you a lot more enthusiastic to complete the goals you set if you could let someone else down by not doing it. More pressure... Good pressure.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my goals:

Death's Obsession: Write 22,000 words.

Ghost Whisper: Finish adding all the fluff 'n stuff for chapters 6 and 7.

It may not seem like a lot.... but it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Especially since I work full time and 2 classes... and working out. :)

Wow I'm behind

So in the light of getting a new job and starting a crazy schedule (6am to 2:30pm) I have been getting behind on my writing. And my updating =(.

So here's the updates:

Ghost Whisper: 89,884 words out of 115,000 goal = 78.2% done.

Death's Obsession: 12.407 words out of 115,000 goal = 10.8% done.

Andy O'Conner #2: 10,113 words out of 115,000 goal = 8.8% done.

Getaway: 18,707 words out of 30,000 goal = 62.4% done.

Sorry, my little thing that shows the actual progress by a colored in bar wasn't working.

So I haven't gotten too much done. But if you haven't done this yet, you can sign up on my website to see more up to date information about my writing and books =).

http://slaglebagel05.webs.com/index.htm

Best Monday EVER

So, today has to be the best Monday ever recorded in the history of Amber =). It started out like any other Monday, but it soon led to be in a completely different league.

On the way to work I got a call from the third party agency. I didn't answer it because I was driving and Washington has that no talking on cell phones in the car law... But I did check my voicemail on speaker =).

I got a call from the third party staffing company saying that The News Group would like to hire me for the same type of position I interviewed for!!! Same pay (better than ever) and same hours (40 hours a week from 6am-2:30pm).

Once I got to work, I put in my notice that I would quit Tuesday!

Another thing. Even after my notice was given, they gave me a bonus I had earned for my work back in 2008. It came to just over $850.00!!! Hello MONEY!!

Kinda Cute

I don't  know why, but I really like these. In fact, I'd rather have these then the smiley faces. Although, I think flames would be pretty cool too. 

Yeah, I'm silly. I found these when I was doing research for Muse's for my characters.

Book Progress

So I stole this idea from a great writer's blog, but here's my progress on my new Death book. It is completely different from Andy and Keegan and a little hotter. It could go in the Romance section if it wasn't about a teenage girl. Oh well. Here's the progress on that:

12,402 / 115,000 (10.8%)

Yummy :)

So, I need a muse for one of my main character in my new series. I've narrowed it down to 3, but I may need some help with the major decision. #1 is more of for your benefit. He's 30 and very handsome!!!

          
:)

#1:  #2:     

#3:   #4:    

[Edit: So, I just found out that #1 (Daniel Henney) is in Wolverine... and I am so there to see it!! ;). I thought he was just in Korean movies, but lucky me, he's in American movies too!!]

Delay

So I have a pleasant delay right now in Ghost Whisper.

I started writing my Death story, and so far, I REALLY like it. It has action, romance, suspense, and I've only written 2,536 words!

I'm in a writers block on it right now, but the block is coming from the fact that I can't think of a good name for the main characters. I want the girls to be something with meaning. Like Faith, Charity, Patience, or something like that. But not those.

If you have any suggestions please let me know. I may just make her name G so that way I can keep the story going. And B for the guy :D.

My delay actually started because I can't afford to print another couple copies yet, so me being a masochistic person, decided to pile more onto my already full plate and start this story that's been bugging the pooh out of me since I thought of the idea.

And so far it's seeming as easy to write as Ghost Whisper, if not easier. I wanted to try a different style of writing, a less sarcastic (oh of course it's still there) more fluid and descriptive way of writing. Hopefully I'll like it (and you of course:P)

Hmmmm

Psychiatry. a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason

That's the definition of depression per Dictionary.com. Here's my definition:

When in 6 months your: disowned, spited, disqualified for your main goal for the past couple of years, you gain weight, lose weight, gain weight back, have 5 periods in the span of 2 1/2 months, you are sick since September with every single little thing that is going around by just breathing in the same room as someone who's sick, you can't go into interviews for a better job because you are tied M-F to the place you despise with such passion it would rival Amber vs green beans or alfredo sauce or seafood, your significant other won't help you for ONE month so you can at least get the opportunity to go to a better place where your not constantly nagged or bitched at.

... Anyway.. yay...

Second Printing

I am trying very hard to be able to print my book tomorrow. I have an interview with a placement agency early tomorrow morning and I have no idea where it is. So hopefully I'll be awake enough. I may need to grab some coffee, but I think I'll be fine.

I had to buy Microsoft Office Publisher to be able to get it to the size and formatting I want. I'm going to try something a little bit different. Maybe make the font a little smaller and the paper size a little smaller, that way it feels like a regular book. Although, it might be either more or less expensive. The pics might turn out okay. Hmmm..

Anyway, that's all I have for tonight. Don't worry though, I have been keeping my receipts for all my writing expenses and I'll use them as a write off for 2009. I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of that. I'm even using my receipts from buying books. I'm using the books as research and as educating myself on what sells and enhancing my writing skills with alternate words, etc.

Okay, enough tax talk... I'm kind of bummed that I don't get to spend my return. It's going to my credit card... bummer. I'm such a shopaholic.

Death's Call

So I thought of another story that will be way good.

It's about a girl that escapes death where everyone else she loves doesn't. But since her escape she's chased down by death. She travels by herself in the city (not sure which one yet) by night because death sleeps during the day....

Okay, so lame, I know... but I was in my best place for thinking earlier (the shower) and I was thinking of all the action that could be placed in there.. and I already started thinking of the girl and her sidekick :) and of the love interest!!! muahaha

Oh, hey, I started an official website for my writing. I was kind of going to make this my "official blog" for writing, but it became just an update that I sometimes put writing on...

so if you're interested, post your email as a comment or simply go to: http://slaglebagel05.webs.com/apps/auth/signup?next= to register. You can also check out my site to see if you like it. I just did it.... Monday night I believe so there's still a lot to work on.

And no, as much as I wished I was, I'm not published yet, I just heard that having an official website that I update often is a good way to show dedication as a writer.

Later gator!

Just a silly countdown

Create your countdown widget and more at Blixy.com!

Job Search

Tonight is kind of an exciting night!

Craig and I are searching for jobs for him and even looking at relocating out of state!! YAY!

Here's hoping it's somewhere warm (I'll take anything warmer right about now)!

Some 2nd book quotes:

So far this is what I have for silly/fun quotes:

--“But it’s okay to do it with other girls?” I asked, afraid of the answer, but way too curious to keep my mouth shut. I wish I’d learn from mistakes, but I don’t think that part of my brain works right.

--He stood there, not speaking, just silently threatening my life if I get myself killed for doing this.

He he... Okay, so that's all for right now... I've written a good 10,049 words on the second book and I've barely broken into the plot yet :-)! I'm still just building up to the events! So, when I find more of the story then I'll have some more silly/fun quotes from it.

Busy Busy Busy!!

Hey Everyone

I have been very very busy, so I haven't been able to post in a while!!

As you may know, I wasn't able to compete in the Miss Auburn program this year because of my current living condition and it's been a bitter sweet kind of ride. I know I would have done fAbUlOUs! And it may have even been my year. But I can't ever compete again. :( At least that's what I thought anyway.

But, I haven't severed my ties to the program. Hardly. I've been helping with the interviews and critiquing the girls and I have enjoyed it. I just can't keep from wishing I could be in their place.

Oh well.

That's as far as I can get on that bitter-sweetness :( Later gator.

2008... Thank Buddha it's gone :)-

2008 was probably the worst year I can remember. I don't even want to talk about any of it because of how bad it was.

What I will say, is that the only good things that came out of it was the family that I didn't know I had surfaced, I completed my first novel... although it wasn't perfect, nor was int published, Jason is alive and home, and I survived the year.

My plans for 2009 consist of:

1. finding a new place of employment... although, that was 2008's goal too :/.
   
2. finding an agent who will represent my book.
3. finishing and polishing my book?... that should probably be #2, oh well.. they're not in any order.
4. writing the 2nd book to Ghost Whispers.
5. finishing the very first book I started.
6. find the beginning and work on the 2nd book I started
7. finish the damn degree I've been working on for 2 years.
8. paying off all my debt... okay, not ALL of it, I still have a couple of years left on my car :/.
9. break my addiction to shopping.
10. live at least long enough to reflect on the year in 2010 :)

Alright, that's all, I'll add stuff to my list if I can think of any more. I don't like setting goals like losing weight (although I could use to shed a couple of pounds) or buffing up. I don't mind if you do, I just don't, I know I wont do it. I like setting attainable for me goals :)

Woops!

Hey everyone... if there is anyone that still reads this!

Sorry it's been so long since my last update. Life's been pretty busy and stressful. But guess what!!! I'm still sick :(.. I bet you would have never figured that out!

When am I not these days?

I think it's because I'm working full time listening to mean people complain about the company I work for --I can't do anything about it, sorry guys.

I'm freaking out because 3 people (besides me) have read my book now. And I am nervous about their reactions. And about how much work I have to do.

I'm also stressed because of how much I still have to do to fill in the blanks and make it run smoother from my own editing.

Then I'm also stressed about trying to get it out to agents and what not, because believe you me, I'd rather write than answer stupid calls.

And that's another thing, I'm trying to find something a little less.... stressful to handle EVERY DAY. But it seems like I have a poopy previous employer that is giving me a bad reference.... Thanks a lot!

And, I'm female and my biological clock is ticking. That's a stress all in itself. And it unfortunately doesn't just affect me :/