Tag Archives: editing

Nov 25 2013

25th day and validation :)

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It is a wonderful feeling. I stayed up last night with a couple of my nano friends in the chat room. We had an epic 10k day to push a couple of our region on. It was the most fun I’d had in ages. There were others who were just happy to join in and write with us, but for four of us. Han, Kelza, Coffee and me we managed the 10k in one day.

It had been a moment of madness. I’d been pottering about for a few hours, chatting and doing a little writing, and it was quiet till around lunchtime, then people came on and for some reason, someone mentioned ‘I could do with a 10k day.’

That was it challenge drawn…. and we were off.

At that moment in time, the most I’d managed was just under 9k in one day, so it seemed really possible.

I wasn’t the first to finish, our lovely Hannah was, shortly followed I might add by Kelza. Then a while later with their cheering Coffee and me (kanundra) made it.

I had 17 words to go after the last war, so I pushed on and did it.

Although the 10k day wasn’t what I needed to win nano, I completed a while ago, it was the fun of being with others while writing that just made the day so special and helped Coffee towards the winning post.

There I decided to stay up past midnight haven’t made it at all this year. As nano no sleep, broken elbow and early to rise did. But I stayed up to validate my win and it felt fantastic.

To those of you who have seen the month through with me, I’ll be in chat, urging others to their goal, be it the 50k or not. It is the personal win that counts.

I did not think for a moment I would be able to write through the pain I’ve been going through and have a blast too.

Thank you one and all.

‘hugs’

Dawn x x

Nov 22 2013

10 weeks since BE :(

It’s been 10 weeks today since I broke my elbow, and this week has been again one of the worst. I don’t know what I’ve done, maybe it really is the extra exercise, so I’m taking a little break from it today. It’s been hurting a lot the last couple of days. And picking up my coffee today, I almost dropped it. 😦 not good. 

So, seeing as I’ve done my nano, and achieved the goal I set out. I’m rewarding myself with a good days reading. I mean ‘not my own work’ which is kida really hard. So, I’m going to study someone else  🙂 hehehe

 

It’s cold out, mum isn’t home till tomorrow, and I’m lonely a lot this week. Been also trying to get Bobby to get used to me touching his head now instead of his beak. But like with the beak touching he growls at me at first. lol so I get scared and then keep trying. I will get there I know I will. 

And I’ll get there with the stupid elbow. I just need a rest day I think. 

 

🙂 Dawn x 

 

Nov 21 2013

It goes so quick!

I’m having a little catch up again, seems to be all I do at the moment. Like the days are all into one, or two… 

 

Anyway, took mum to the airport on Sat 16th, think my step dad picked up a fine for too. Guess he’ll have to wait and see and we had a lovely meal out with Paul’s brother and Sandra on the Friday night. Been a good while since he let anyone in so it’s really nice that they get on so well. And I like Sandra and the kids are cute too 🙂 

Had physio again on Fri, it was tough, the elbow is getting a little better, but the progress seems to be really bad for a week, then settle then again this week been really bad. I think it’s because after the physio I do the extra exercise and I push it a little. I know that pain is a bad thing, so I try and avoid it, but it’s impossible. It hurts, period. 

This week’s been a great one. I went to my first NANO meet, and although I was so nervous, I was lucky to have Fiona to travel with. The writing position was uncomfortable though, no rest for the elbow, so it’s been really painful since Tues. 

I was so close to finishing the book yesterday though, that I just had to keep going. I wanted to write the ending. And I did. 

 

Finally I wrote the end. And at 96892 words, its a good first draft. 🙂 

I am sure I have a ton of editing to do to it, and lots of missing bits I know I want to add, but I am pleased. Now back to book 1, so that I can hit next year off with some really good queries. And hopefully, you never know land a good deal. 

 

Mum is due back soon, the weather has turned. 😦 and she’ll feel it. We’re hoping it has been a nice trip away, but I’m not sure. An emergency trip to the bank for extra cash, eeeek, I’m scared to ask what’s happened. Luckily we have a joint bank account, or she’d have been stuck. At the moment, with no available cash being off sick. could have been a disaster, unless she actually rang the bank. 

 

Well, that’s me out for a little bit. Please check out Bobby’s latest video 🙂 He’s getting to be such a good boy. And so friendly now it’s unreal. I loves him loads. 

 

 

It’s in public so you can see him 🙂 

 

Enjoy 

 

Dawn 

Oct 12 2013

New book by my editor/coach

Hey guys/gals, I really have been waiting for this book, and here it is. Please check it out. 

It’s by EJ Runyon who I’ve been working with these last few months on TSK – The Beginning and I love how she gets the best out of you. I’ve been reading it this afternoon and am very impressed. She gives really good advice to writers new and old who want to pick up or just boost their craft. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tell-How-Write-Story-ebook/dp/B00FSY1MIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381599670&sr=8-1&keywords=tell+me+a+story+ej+runyon

You can find it via the USA site too, type in Tell me a story, by EJ Runyon. 

Also her websites at http://bridgetostory.com

Or her blog at http://ejrunyon.wordpress.com

Well worth a look guys. And if you pick up a copy for your kindle, please let me know :)

Oct 4 2013

Friday, broken wing and editing :)

Hey guys/gals 

 

I’ve been having a tough few weeks that’s for sure, but some things are improving. Getting slight better movement in my arm. Still taking pain killers and they kind of numb the head, but it’s been 3 full weeks now since the incident. I do feel like I’m improving now. So hopeful 🙂

Anyway, I wanted to let you in on my novel’s first page. 

Over the last few months, I’ve been working very, very hard with EJ Runyon. She’s been so valuable as a coach and editor. I’ve found prose writing totally different than scripts. Where a script is so terse prose is enriched and alive. I’ve had a brilliant few months, it’s been one heck of a learning experience. And EJ will be my coach/editor for a long time. When you find someone who is good, you don’t let them go. Her way of explaining things is spot on, I’ve never had that, from English Teachers or professional I’ve wanted to hire before. (I know I’m not the easiest client, I’ve bad habits like the best of of us, but I’m trying…) 

Her blog is at – http://ejrunyon.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/structuring-sentences-to-use-more-showing/

and her coaching website is over at -http://bridgetostory.com

 

Please contact her if you’ve ever considered editing or coaching, as an author you’ll not regret it. : ) promise. 

 

And here is the first page of my novel. Un-edited. And edited, (but not final) still needs proofing and checking 100%. 

I wanted you to all see the difference a few months makes. The writing journey. This has had a good few crits over at the OWWSFF. website address is – http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/index.shtml

My story attracted an Editors Choice review (middle edit) which was wonderful. And gave me total hope for the series. The reviews there really helped shape the story too.

Then I had the honour of winning a years membership over at http://www.scribophile.com which again has been one of the best sites I’ve ever come across. And helped take my novel to the next level. I also met a fantastic writer who has helped me to know end. I have no doubts I’ll be promoting his book here one day soon too. 🙂 so watch this space. 

So here it is… 

The Secret King – The Beginning 

 

From this….. 

 

Kendro eased himself into his favorite chair. It creaked just as it always did and he wished he could take it with him. His office, empty, didn’t resemble home anymore. Sadness washed over him. It was over and they had to leave everything but their prized possessions behind.

   The handmade wooden desk before him had been in his family for generations and he ran his hand along its surface until he found a tiny dent. He frowned and remembered the day he’d made that hole. The day Admiral Broki confirmed the fate of their Sun and he’d dropped a hot steaming mug of tea over everything. Now apart from the desk and set of chairs nothing else cluttered the room. All his belongings had been moved to the mother- ship. The furniture here deemed unimportant. Although why he’d deemed it unimportant shook him. These objects were a part of his history.

Resting his head in his arms, he closed his eyes just for a brief moment of thought. Were they going to survive the incredible journey ahead?

To this – 

CHAPTER ONE – Evacuation

Kendro moved nearer his office window, once again watching their dying sun, setting for the night. Too tired even to think — three days too tired. Rubbing his eyes, he stroked down the sides of his temple, a blue tingle of energy from his fingers lit his royal birthmark in a glorious rainbow of colours.

Three tiers up in the royal palace, he glanced down at the view below him, just making out the soldiers as they loaded his belongings onto shuttles in the growing twilight. The sight added a depression that weighted his soul. He turned, regarding his empty office, stripped of everything but the desk and its chair. Best to do what work I can before they come for these too.

Work didn’t come for him. He stared at the portable screen, blank. “You think you’ve won.” with a headshake, wiping away tears with the back of his hand, Kendro flung his keyboard into a corner where it shattered. “Never!”

Resting his head, Kendro rested for a brief moment. His breathing slowed, he shook himself awake. For almost three days now; with barely any sleep since he ordered the evacuation; within every tightening muscle and sinew, Kendro felt the strain.

“Kendro?”

His attention turned to his wife, Mika. Her face sparkled as she stepped lightly over the wreckage of the smashed keyboard reaching his side; a look of anxiety quickened her stride.

 

———————–

 

Different, yes, better. I totally believe so 🙂 

 

So, if you’re looking for someone to help push you that bit further, check out all of the above 🙂 You will not be disappointed. 

 

Dawn x