#ROW80 Round 2 Goals

Round 2 of A Round of Words in 80 Days begins today! I think I’m a lifer. I have never accomplished so much than when I’ve been ROWing. Accountability is an important part of my process.

Round 1 went well. I was hit with fatigue issues toward the end, but I get almost everything done! So I’m hoping for another productive round!

Here are my goals:

~Finish rough draft of Ever Touched.
~If there’s time, start planning Fireborn revision.
~Continue logging outline for Survivor into Scrivener.
~Reinstate 8 minutes a day of a first draft again/make progress on Covenant
~Make prints of the film I developed yesterday (my test roll).
~Experiment with digital infrared
~Plot Elysium
~Clean office
~Continue #AprilLove2016 when possible
~Exercise 2x a week
~Drink 1 glass of water every day.

There’s a chance things may need to get shuffled around pending any editing jobs or small projects for TDP, so I’m going to try to be flexible. But these are the things I hope to accomplish this round.

#ROW80 Check-in #12.5

I’m superstitious about the number 13. 😉

This has been a pretty productive week, I think. No writing, though, because I’ve been copyediting part 2 of our May release. What a great book! I’m about 30 pages from the end and I am DYING to find out what happens next!

I’ve still been tired but not as tired as before, so that’s a good thing.

Here’s the rundown:

Ever Touched/Covenant/8 minutes a day – Nada, but Thoughts Have Occurred.

Planner – Yes! And I even filled in this week! I’ll need to adjust as I go, as things come up, but it’s at least started.

Water – Every day except two. (Usually, if I get home late from wherever I am, I skip the water so I’m not getting up to use the bathroom at night).

Darkroom – As I mentioned last week, I got all the old chemicals dumped and ready for disposal in September. These past few days I have been researching dilutions and my particular developer to see if my grand plan is going to work (using old developer, one of the chemicals for film development. I’m reading that it keeps forever if kept in a concentrated form, which I’ve done). I need one more chemical to come — I had to special order it. And then it’s developing time! (As it is, I really need to finish copyediting first, so it’s just as well.) I also bought 2 rolls of b&w infrared film which I am itching to try! I need really good sunlight, though.

Physical activity – 3 times, 2 of which were walking! Yay!

New project idea – Yeah, they’re coming fast and furious! I have an idea for a horror novel that involves a drug to resurrect people (but not as zombies!) and a limbo place between life and death, and people who are addicted to going there. And naturally, Bad Things Happen. So that’s been gnawing on my brain for about two weeks. I am going to experiment with actual plotting (ye Gods) to see if maybe I can somehow get it written faster. When, no clue! I have a lot on my plate already. I’m calling it Elysium for now.

I think that’s it! Here’s to another (hopefully) productive week!

#ROW80 Check-in #12

Annnnd I am back. I have been copyediting all week, and finished part 1 of the book and sent it back last night. Part 2 is due to hit within the next few days.

No writing. Although I may be able to do some today and tomorrow!

I’m still pretty tired, but I seem to be coming out of it. Of course daylight saving time happened last night, so that’s another goofy week for me. Oh, well.

Here’s the actual rundown:

Ever Touched – Nada, due to the copyedit. But have been having Thoughts.

Covenant/8 mins a day – Same, but Thinking about where to go next with it.

Water – Every day except two.

Planner – I fell off the wagon toward the end of the week, but today I filled in every day this coming week with something. It seems to be working better.

Darkroom – I finally decided to JUST DO IT after I wrote my ROW80 post last Sunday. It’s done! The chemicals need to be taken to the city in September for disposal, but they are ready to go! I just ordered fresh ones which should be coming in the next week or so. Also, I ordered two rolls of B&W infrared film too! Expensive, but I’m DYING to try it again! It’s a new brand for me, so it will be a total experiment, but hey, I love it and NEED to do more. So that’s covered.

Physical activity – FINALLY hit 3 times this week! And I walked a bit yesterday! Hubby and I try to walk every day when the weather’s nice, so that should be happening more often now that we’re heading into spring.

Old project/Darkweaver – This is a really old novel idea I’ve been wanting to write FOREVER but the timing hasn’t been right. I got hit on the head with a way to handle some things yesterday and I’m wondering if I should try to make time in this year’s schedule for it. I don’t know. I’d need to outline this one, and find my old notes, but it might be worth it. This proves that some books NEED to be written regardless of how long it takes. I’ve been mulling it over for 10 years. Actually, now 11. It’s supposed to be a trilogy. And it’s pretty unique, I think. I’ve always thought it’d be good for e-pub or traditional publishing. We will see!

I hope I can do more this week. 🙂

2015 Year-in-Review and 2016 Goals

Happy New Year!

I’ve been doing this for at least 5 years now, maybe more, because it helps to take stock of what I’ve accomplished (and what I haven’t) and it also helps me to set concrete goals for the new year. So, here we go!

This year’s goals:

~Publish Grave Touched, pending approval, in May (tentative) – DONE! Grave Touched was published May 1st, after a 2-year hiatus. It was my biggest accomplishment in 2015, hands down!
~Write Fireborn, Reaper Girl novella – MOSTLY DONE. I started Fireborn in January, but got tied up with GT’s release and lost momentum. Started it back up after, and ran into some problems, and had to rewrite a portion of it. It’s at 19k currently, with maybe 5-10k left to go. I am hoping to finish it and release it this year.
~Figure out a plot for Ever Touched – DONE
~Start writing Ever Touched – DONE for NanowriMo, and it’s at 32k currently.
~Poke at Survivor (my book, not the TV show) on Sundays – DONE. Poking has happened, as well as a revised outline. Have not started the rewrite, but plan to this year.
~Start rewrite of Flamebound – NOT DONE, but planned for this year.
~Write 1 poem per week minimum – NOT DONE, but wrote 10 poems over the course of the year.
~Do something with darkroom – DONE. Began cleaning and replenishing chemicals.  Shot a test roll of b&w film that I will be developing soon. Also got my 35mm automatic camera working again so I can continue shooting more b&w. Also planning on shooting b&w infrared.

So, all in all, I didn’t do too badly. Other notable accomplishments:

~Started a new novel, Covenant, which is up to 13k currently
~Wrote and posted the second and third installments of my fantasy serial, Changeling, at Turtleduck Press
~Got Reaper Girl ready for publication
~Wrote around 100k for the year
~Made concrete plans for more novellas
~Began the revision of Pirouette for a publisher. Pirouette has been languishing for 4 years because I didn’t know what to do with it

Non-writing accomplishments:

~Diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia + meds which is improving my quality of life greatly
~Obtained a digital-converted-DSLR and began experimenting with digital infrared
~Began reviving my darkroom and have plans to start working in it this year.
~Revived my editing business and have landed several jobs

So what are my goals for 2016?

~Release one novel
~Finish and release Fireborn
~Finish Pirouette revision and submit to publisher. If rejected, make a ruling as to what to do with it (trad or indie)
~Begin Flamebound rewrite
~Begin Survivor rewrite
~Make progress on Awaken Me
~Finish Ever Touched
~Get back into darkroom
~Try not to stress so much
~Experiment with plotting techniques
~Finish up Changeling serial
~Get back on diet/eat healthy/exercise
~My word for this year is NURTURE: nurture myself, nurture my creativity, nurture my dreams.

Annnd I believe that’s enough.  I have a good feeling about this year, and I hope to get lots done and take care of myself better. 🙂

What are your goals for this year?

 

 

Photo Notes: Digital Infrared Post Processed Pics

It’s taken me awhile to get the pictures transferred to my computer and post-processed. Post processing does not just involve converting to black and white as I once thought. There are a few steps. And, of course, this is my first time, and I imagine I ill get better at it as I go.

These were all post-processed in Adobe Photoshop. I am pretty geeked at how they turned out — they really do resemble black and white infrared pictures.

More to come soon. I have another batch to work on.

These are from our camping trip to Pontiac Lake campground this summer using a converted-to-infrared DSLR. I posted a few of the originals here.

Stay tuned! There is more coming!

RSW Progress Report 8/17/15

I’m home!

And…trying desperately to get back into my normal routine.

How I did on last week’s goals:

I did okay. No actual writing, unfortunately, between camp prep and then at camp; I just didn’t feel up to it. I did manage a few things, though, which more or less made up for it. I also got hit with a paranormal romance idea that’s…very intriguing to my muse because it started off as fanfic…but I am not really a fanfic writer, and this has promise as an original work, one I may want to self-pub, so…yeah. Still working out details. Of course, I can’t really add it to my WIPs because I will go crazy, but I’m definitely making notes so I can tuck it away for later.

It may become book #1 of a series, one I’ve been planning for awhile…the worldbuilding intersects nicely and it may be doable…

Yeah. Anyhoo.

Here’s the actual rundown:

~Finish editing job and email the short story back to the writer (due 8/7) – DONE! I’m working on the final look edit as I type this.
~Start packing for vacation (!!) DONE! No kidding, Erin.
~500 words on Fireborn/rewritten portion min NOT DONE! But, I got the first half of it edited/revised and the second half I re-outlined. Stuck on one part, but am noodling.
~500 words min on Covenant NOT DONE.
~Review of Pas by SM Reine (!!!) DONE. Great book, great series.
On vacation:
~Take pictures on vacation, regular and infrared DONE and DONE! Once I get the infrared pics post-processed, I’ll put them up.
~Work on any project, any amount of words or outlining or whatever (usually I wait to see how I feel about being insanely productive or taking a break or doing just a bit. Every trip is different!) DONE with Fireborn and the new project.

This week’s goals:

~Finish edit job
~Finish rough draft of Changeling 3
~Read and review short story for TDP member
~SOMETHING RELATED TO WRITING OR ACTUAL WRITING, no word count goals, just something!

I’ve been feeling very out of sorts since coming home, and I want to ease into the swing and not pressure myself too much. I’ve been having vertigo attacks and that’s been scary, so…yeah. Just progress on something works.

A favorite line from my story OR a word or phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: Freaking muse! I love her, but she’s crazy when she’s got a new story idea! She was sending me whole scenes and conversations! I dreamed about it! I am consumed by it.

The biggest challenge I faced this week (ie finding time to write, getting sick, having writer’s block, etc): Not succumbing to the urge to start a new project, even though it would have been easy. And fun. 🙂 (That’s how Covenant started).

Something I love about my WIP: What the hell, let’s talk about the new one. it started its life as Tell Me Your Secrets, but then morphed into a psychic thing, and thus, I changed the title to When the Stars Fall. The idea for the title came from a phase uttered by a character on one of the shows I watch, and it just stuck. It involves ley lines, soulmates, time travel, and clairvoyance believed to be mental illness. Pretty twisted, but should be fun. 🙂

How did you do on your goals?

Photo Notes: Digital Infrared Photography

B&W Infrared picture taken on a sunny day.

I’ve mentioned this here and there in my check-ins and progress reports, but I thought I’d go into a bit more depth about this because I absolutely love it. In fact, it’s what got me off my ass to actively pursue photography again after a long hiatus.

So here’s the story. I learned b&w infrared while in college. And fell in love with it. If you’re not familiar with it, b&w infrared film gives photos a neat glow. Anything green turns white, and the sky, even if it’s broad daylight and blue, looks like night time. It is beautiful. And there are special procedures with infrared film, so it’s a bit tricky to use but SO worth it.

I’ve only tried it a second time since college and got mediocre results. The film is so expensive, so I kinda put that on hold until very recently. And then I discovered digital infrared. ZOMG. I couldn’t even believe it. But it exists!

Photo from the same shoot, taken on a sunny day. See how everything glows?

A bit of an explanation: normally with a DSLR (digital SLR camera, the fancy kind) there’s a filter that blocks the infrared spectrum. But there are people out there who can remove that filter so the infrared spectrum isn’t blocked anymore, and you get an effect similar to b&w infrared. (You can also use a special filter on a regular DSLR but I wanted to go all in with this.) So I was able to find a converted-to-infrared DSLR for pretty cheap. In fact, it’s the predecessor to the insanely expensive one I bought in 2006.

Now my original DSLR has the option to shoot in b&w but the new one does not, so I’m getting color infrared which is pretty neat on its own. But I’ve decided to do it right and ditch the color in Photoshop. I am in love with the b&w infrared effect. But hey, color’s cool, too.

I’m a huge fan of experimental stuff with photography. In some ways, I’m more into that than anything. I am getting ready to re-open my darkroom. I need to shoot a test roll of b&w film because I have no idea if my chemicals are any good, and I don’t want to waste them or the money to buy new if they still work (and according to my research, some of them should still work). So that’s the plan.

Digital infrared picture from a recent camping trip. This is in color; has not been converted to b&w yet.

I also purchased a camera body for my old automatic 35mm camera because my original one is borked. I happened to find a cheap one on eBay (really, really cheap!). The weird part is that it’s actually in better shape than my original one, and I took good care of it! Wild!

So that’s what this digital infrared thing is all about. I hope to share more soon!

The road in front of our campsite. Raw image, no post-processing has been done.

RSW Progress Report 8/3/15

This will be a quickie as I need to get back to a freelance editing job I just took on that’s due Friday. 🙂

How I did on last week’s goals:

~Begin reworking Fireborn’s second half/1,000 words min NOT DONE. I am working toward it, though!
~1,000 words min on Covenant DONE! 1,551 new words written
~Make ruling on Survivor’s first scene MORE OR LESS DONE. I think I know what I’m doing.
~Finish Camp Nano (10k, both projects combined) DONE. MADE MY GOAL.
~I also finally dropped off my camera to a local camera shop. Owner thinks he can fix it. Fingers crossed!
~I set up my Etsy shop. I couldn’t use any of my ideas for names, not even marginally, but apparently youcan change the name at some point. Good enough.

This week’s and next week’s goals:

~Finish editing job and email the short story back to the writer (due 8/7)
~Start packing for vacation (!!)
~500 words on Fireborn/rewritten portion min
~500 words min on Covenant
~Review of Pas by SM Reine (!!!)
On vacation:
~Take pictures on vacation, regular and infrared
~Work on any project, any amount of words or outlining or whatever (usually I wait to see how I feel about being insanely productive or taking a break or doing just a bit. Every trip is different!)

A favorite line from my story OR a word or phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised: MADE THE FINISH LINE. Camp Nano. I’ve done it every year since it started, and I’ve never made my goal due to various factors. Doing Nano not in November and in summer instead is a bit different and in my case, requires some juggling as I take my vacations in the summer primarily. I set my goal for 10k on both Fireborn and Covenant combined and I made it! Very happy!

The biggest challenge I faced this week (ie finding time to write, getting sick, having writer’s block, etc): Getting that last 3k or so in for Camp. It was so minute, but seemed like such a huge thing because things had slowed way down for me and I was still adjusting to the meds, and well…it was tough. But I made it. 🙂

Something I love about my WIP: Well, both WIPs are really interesting and I’ve been pantsing them both. Fireborn needs to be changed a bit, which is normal for me, but it seems like it won’t be very difficult. It’s a novella, which helps! Sometimes I get a bit off track and need to bring it back to how I envisioned it. I am still in love with both stories.

**Just a note: I will NOT be doing a progress report next Monday 8/10 due to being on vacation* and being without internet. I will be back on schedule the following Monday 8/17. As you can see, I’ve got goals for both weeks.

Have a great 2 weeks and I’ll see you on the flip side.

*Camping, naturally!

#ROW80 Check-in 7/26/15

The past few days have been a bit rough. I’ve been extremely tired from the new medication and I have experienced some breakthrough pain. Even so, I am still happy with how it’s working because it is taking the pain away most of the time. I’m hoping to adjust to the sleepiness at some point (she says hopefully…).

That said, my progress has been a bit up-and-down.

Survivor – Today I continued to work on the outline. I rearranged a few things and considered some ways to torture my characters. 😉 It is growing in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I think this will be a tremendous improvement over the first draft. I am still thinking about a potential sequel to include the last quarter of the original first draft and then write the actual sequel I planned years ago as the third book in a trilogy. Still noodling, though.

Fireborn – 1,376 new words, broke 21k in draft. However, I may need to rework the last few scenes. I’m getting the feeling that I may not be on the right track. Typically, I write drafts straight through with the exception of this type of situation. It is giving me the heebie jeebies.

Covenant – 916 new words written, up to 9k in draft. I have an interesting situation going on there and I’m eager to continue working on it.

Camp Nano – up to almost 9k, goal is 10k. 🙂

Etsy shop – just began the process to set up a shop. I couldn’t have any of the names I thought up, so I went with one that’s kind of unoriginal but supposedly you can change it later. So. Getting there.

Camera repair – Hoping to go next Saturday and get it done so I can run my first test roll! Also hoping to do more digital infrared pics.

Chocolate consumption report: A bit more than last week. Yesterday was my mother-in-law’s birthday party and my hubby bought a chocolate cake with chocolate fudge-like frosting. And we bought M&M ice cream and oreo ice cream so uh, chocolate overload! In just one day! For the rest, minimal as per my one-per-day plan.

That’s it from me. How’d you do?

#ROW80 Check-in 7/26/15

The past few days have been a bit rough. I’ve been extremely tired from the new medication and I have experienced some breakthrough pain. Even so, I am still happy with how it’s working because it is taking the pain away most of the time. I’m hoping to adjust to the sleepiness at some point (she says hopefully…).

That said, my progress has been a bit up-and-down.

Survivor – Today I continued to work on the outline. I rearranged a few things and considered some ways to torture my characters. 😉 It is growing in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I think this will be a tremendous improvement over the first draft. I am still thinking about a potential sequel to include the last quarter of the original first draft and then write the actual sequel I planned years ago as the third book in a trilogy. Still noodling, though.

Fireborn – 1,376 new words, broke 21k in draft. However, I may need to rework the last few scenes. I’m getting the feeling that I may not be on the right track. Typically, I write drafts straight through with the exception of this type of situation. It is giving me the heebie jeebies.

Covenant – 916 new words written, up to 9k in draft. I have an interesting situation going on there and I’m eager to continue working on it.

Camp Nano – up to almost 9k, goal is 10k. 🙂

Etsy shop – just began the process to set up a shop. I couldn’t have any of the names I thought up, so I went with one that’s kind of unoriginal but supposedly you can change it later. So. Getting there.

Camera repair – Hoping to go next Saturday and get it done so I can run my first test roll! Also hoping to do more digital infrared pics.

Chocolate consumption report: A bit more than last week. Yesterday was my mother-in-law’s birthday party and my hubby bought a chocolate cake with chocolate fudge-like frosting. And we bought M&M ice cream and oreo ice cream so uh, chocolate overload! In just one day! For the rest, minimal as per my one-per-day plan.

That’s it from me. How’d you do?