Juliana Haygert

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Categories: #ROW80, Blogging, My writing, Reading

#ROW80 Checkin 12/11

Hello guys =)

How are you? Having a good weekend? I hope so!

Yesterday was the end-of-the-year presentation of my daughter’s school (she is in pre-K). She danced and it was so beautiful! Proud mama here lol

Anyway, time to check-in again (already!).

 

Remembering my goals:

  1. Revise my NaNo novel (G.H.)
  2. Read 1 book per week
  3. Blog at least once per week (besides the #ROW80 check-in)
  4. Comment on #ROW80 friends’ blogs

 

Blogging

Blogged, commented, tweeted ;)

 

Reading

If you look at the right, I have a Goodreads Reading Challenge. Before, it was 52 books in 2011 (one per week), but I’m increasing it as I’m going since I already overcame that goal. I’m planning on reaching 60 books. Let’s see.

I’ve read Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

I’ve read Writing Great Books for Young Adult by Regina Brooks (literary agent). This book has been on my shelf for a few months. Since I’m having a debate about writing Young Adult or New Adult, I picked up and read it.

Atm, I’m reading The Last Awakening by Rachel Firasek.

 

Writing

I’ve re-read and revised my manuscript, but I confess it was too slow for my taste. I finished it Thursday, but it could have been earlier if I hadn’t #procrastinated a lot. I still need to tweak on one scene that I have trouble with. I had an epiphany last night about how to fix it, so I should do that tomorrow morning. Then, I’ll send it to my beta-reader.

Monday I was so not in the mood to revise, I started brainstorming new ideas (and some old ones too), then read a little.

Thursday, I spent most of the day out and about with friends (we have some friends from the US visiting this week, so we’ve been taking them out a lot).

And Friday was worse. I haven’t watched any Vampire Diaries episodes yet this season, so I watched them all on Friday … and now I feel bad about it.

To complete the #procrastination mode on my work, I critiqued 3 synopsis and 2 queries from friends this week, which kept me away from my own work. But that’s okay, that’s how critiquing partnership works ;)

However, I’m trying to force my writing out and it’s not happening. Every time I sit before the computer and get ready to type my mind starts playing tricks on me. Am I doing the right thing? Should I care about the age of the protagonist? Should I be stubborn and stick with NA? Should I try and change to YA? What if my voice is not good for YA? That same rant you heard before … The problem now is that it’s upsetting me to a point in which I’m just not being able to write. And man, I love to write! Each damn word I type, I stop and think “is it a waste?” … Especially now that I just “finished” G.H. and want to begin writing something else.

Anyway, I don’t want to start ranting AGAIN =P

 

How is everyone doing?

To check on other ROW80 members, you can hop on the linky list.

Cheers,

Comments

  1. Having four daughters and having gone to all of their performances, sporting events and other sundry events I know what a joy it is to see them stand up and perform. Enjoy those moments, they are the best :)

    On the writing, sometimes things have to settle for a bit. I think many of us (writers) get wrapped up thinking we must produce every day and forget that recharging our creative energies requires doing something other then writing. When I’m feeling stalled I do three things. I do at least one activity out of my norm, watch a new show, go to a new place, etc. I scribble on a notepad with no intent, just scribble words and stick figures, etc and see what happens. I pick a subject, any subject, look it up and start to read on it, drifting through connecting links, generally ending up getting information on a dozen or more subjects while I’m perusing various sites. Usually, one or the combination of these will break me out of the stall. Maybe they will help you as well.

    All the best for the coming week, Juliana :)

    • I guess that I’ll have a forced “vacation” when Christmas rolls in. I go to my parents’ house and stay there till after New Year.There, they want most of my attention, which stirs me away from writing. Let’s see if that works on refreshing my mind ;)
      Thanks for the advises, Gene.

  2. Oh, Juliana, go smack that inner critic upside the head! I know it’s hard, but if you can’t write, you won’t be able to tell whether your voice works, whether to go YA or NA, or anything else.

    I play a game with my inner critic. I pretend it is a very annoying bratty child–not that I ever had any myself ;), but when I babysat in my teens, well . . .

    So I hear that voice, and I just shake my head and think “I will not hear you, because you have nothing to add to the conversation.” Well, eventually, this becomes “I can’t hear you, I won’t hear you, LA LA LA LA LA,” but oftentimes it works.

    Show your fear who’s boss! But I sympathize, my fear is sometimes an 800-pound gorilla, but I never let it know that it scares me.

    Hang in there, and feel free to rant when you need to do so. That’s what we’re here for!

  3. That darn imp called doubt….he’s a nasty little thing, eh? Ignore, ignore, ignore –

    Love little ones’ performances – they’re so great! My 8 year old son will sing in a chorus concert next week. I cannot wait. He’s the only one of my boys that can carry a tune! Ha!

    I’m having a great weekend. Too bad it ends …right? I have to pack lunches, finish laundry, and set up for another busy week.

  4. Awesome job on the reading front! I really wish I could get into books like that. Procrastination and self doubt are the worst kind of friends. They can drain us and leave us with nothing. You can acknowledge the concerns you have but don’t let them stop you. This is the path you’ve chosen. See it through. And procrastination? That slimy thing is a hard one to deal with. Keep trying :)

  5. I say if you’re going to procrastinate, do it in spades. A whole day catching up on Vampire Diaries can refresh the mind better than short breaks.

    In the meantime: if you want to write (and get good at writing) you have to Dare To Be Bad. Stop worrying about your voice. You won’t develop it by not writing.

    Otherwise, good going on your goals — you’ve got a lot of them, and it can be hard juggling more than a few.

  6. The old friend procrastination, what a cruel master he is! ;) I’m sure you will overcome him, he can be defeated! Good luck for the coming week I think you are doing great as always :)

  7. First off, congrats to your daughter for her performance. Those moments are so special.

    Secondly, I completely understand the second guessing and uncertainty. Sometimes taking a break can work wonders for that, and procrastination every once in a while is okay. We all need to be human:)

  8. Aw, I miss those end of the year presentations. Our elementary school doesn’t do them :(

    Great job on the reading! I read like crazy earlier in the year, it has tapered off but I met my goal of 100 books for 2011 so I’m okay with it being slow right now.

    I think Elizabeth has the right idea, shut that whiny inner critic child down. I think I mentioned it on your ‘rant’ post, but stick to your guns. Write the story as it needs to be told. Write the story YOU want to read. Self-pub if the ‘powers-that-be’ are too closed minded to see the value in a less known genre. At some point, every genre started out where NA is now.

    Best of luck this week!

  9. Another suggestion: go sprinty style on the writing so that you don’t have time to stop and second guess yourself. I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but I sure like it.

    Hope you have a great week.

    P.S. I didn’t know you lived in Brazil. Very cool. I have a Brazilian friend who has taken me to some Brazilian restaurants in Brussels and I have to say, I like the food and I’m sure its not even that authentic. :)

    • You know, before and during NaNo, I was addicted to the #1k1hr sprints … perhaps I should try them again.
      Thanks for reminding me of that.

  10. Ah, another fellow writer stuck in Procrastination Station. I’ve been terrible lately! But I did manage to finish my goals. I have formatting to do for the releases this month, and then I can start writing the SHINY NEW PROJECT, which I really want to start writing this very second. And then, once I do, will drag my feet about completing it. Aaaah, procrastination, my old friend…

    And where have I been? *looks up from manuscript, dusts off brain* I didn’t even know there was a “New Adult” genre now…not sure how it’s different from YA – just in age group? Anyway, go with your gut. Self-doubt is a tricky thing – it can make you rethink solid decisions. Usually your gut instinct is the right choice. :-)

  11. Hi Juliana! I found your site from Ladies Who Critique…I also live in Brazil! I’ve been in Lagoinha (Sao Paulo state) for two years now. Anyhow it is sort of exciting finding someone who lives in Brazil, writes fantasy, and blogs. :) Nice to meet you.

  12. Yeahhh on your daugther’s end-of-year presentation! Sooo cute! :-)
    I say good for you for taking some time to procrastinate and have some fun. I think after completing such a huge revision project, you needed it.
    I think you got some great advice on different things to try to get over the writing hump. And it sounds like in thinking about YA, you are considering doing something completely new so it makes sense that you are entering it with trepidation, anxiety, uncertainy about whether it’ll be a good fit for you or not. Maybe try a quick chapter or scene or two or maybe a little character development to see how it feels!?!? As I am often reminded by all you fahhhbulous ROW80 experienced writers, nothing towards your writing is EVER wasted so jump in freely knowing that whether you end up using it or not, trying something on for size is never wasted but a learning opportunity! You just never know…
    Give it hell girl – you are brave and we all know you can do it!
    HUGS!

    • I just love your enthusiasm and your support, Natalie!
      And here you are, throwing my own words at me LOL
      Thank you. I need the reminder ;)

  13. Too help when I get stuck on writing – I’ve been keeping lots of notes while out and about. Having my iphone and Evernote makes this easy – but a notebook that you keep with you is good.

    I capture bits of phrases, stories I read, etc.

    And as I tweeted last week – I find reality TV good for refreshing the palate.

    BTW thanks for the comments on my own blog.

    Mark

    • Yes, I do the same with my iphone and evernote.
      The problem I’m having right now is not like writer’s block. I have too many ideas and I know where each one goes … the problem is the age of the protagonist. I know, it kinda sounds stupid, but the market doesn’t really kid about it, unfortunately.
      Thanks for stopping by!

  14. we all have those days/weeks/months :) just keep chugging. we are all there right with you.

    best of luck with your goals in the next 10 days!
    gina

  15. I teach Nursery (so three/four year olds and it is our Christmas play on Wednesday. It is so nice to hear from the parents point of view! I often well up as I am so proud of them.

    Good luck with your reading goals, do try the 100+ challenge so you can spurn me on! Don’t know how I am going to do it!!!! But a challenge is a challenge :)

    Have a great week!