Refining Book 1 of the Cirtolia Series and Writing in Composition Books

CURRENT WRITING PROGRESS

Well, I have been changing the title of this first book as often as I change my clothes. Therefore, I have decided to keep it blank for now. It's probably safer that way.

I have been writing like crazy for the last 5 days and have discovered a new way to write. I am now writing by hand in Composition Books. I have filled one already of 100 pages and am working on the second one. Hence, I have 22,500 words written so far. Each composition book is about 21,000 words for the size of my handwriting.

I am not editing. Nor am I typing it up as I go. I am just writing at this point.

If I keep going at this pace, I should finish writing the first draft of book 1 by the end of August.

I would love to tell you what it is about, but I am still staying to figure it out for myself. I have a general idea, but am writing at this point to help me figure out what exactly this book and series will be about. We shall see.

I will be quite as I write like crazy and will not blog every day. But, I will sure try to make it count when I do.

USING COMPOSITION BOOKS TO WRITE

Using composition books to write is a whole new medium for me. (Medium as in a way of writing.) I have heard of others using them, but I didn't think it would be appealing for me. However, when I realized I really need to handwrite my first drafts, I decided to go on a search last week to see what I might find.

Needless to say, I headed to Walmart, but my car took me to the dollar store here in town. I figured it was on the way to Walmart, so it wouldn't hurt to look. I went to the store trying to find spiral notebooks smaller than letter size of 8.5 x 11. The spirals they had would work, but I wanted something else. But, I had no idea what that something else was.

As I squat on the aisle, looking on a tiny shelf of writing supplies near the floor, I found a composition book. The size of 9.25 x 7.5 had appeal and I loved the thick and hard front and back cover. Plus, it laid flat for easy writing and for later when I have to type up everything. Moreover, it would store nicely and not take up too much room. Huh. Those reasons appealed to me. Well, for a buck, how could I go wrong? I bought three just in case. I know when I start writing, I go tend to write fast and in large amounts. There isn't anything more frustrating than getting on a writing kick and you realize you don't have another blank book of any kind to write on, so you have to stop and go to the store. Thus, three seemed a good amount.

I started using the composition book and within a couple of hours, I was... In. Love. It seemed as though it were exactly what I needed. Hallelujah! Phew.

By the end of the next day, I realized I was hooked on writing in composition books.

I have since shopped around and found them in town for 80 cents. Hence, it will cost me about $20 with pens and paper to write the first draft of this book and the books hereafter. I can handle the cost, that is for sure.

I really recommend writing with composition books if you are a writer or a journal keeper.

Now, pardon me, please. It's time to get writing.

My Writing Notebook and Journaling September 18, 2014

My Writing Notebook and Journaling September 18, 2014

2014-09-18 08:11:17, Thursday

I'm being pulled to write a different kind of book. It's part historical fiction and part contemporary fiction. It isn't an idea I would have come up on my own, put of the Blue like this. Not now. But, it has. The idea started to come to me last night and it's grown stronger this morning. 

I had the idea originally a while back and did some research on the subject, and even started to write a book on it, but never did anything with it. I'm not sure why I stopped. 

I just looked up when the idea came to me originally and found it was on September 02, 2013. A year ago. Interesting. 

So, I think I'm going to write it now. 

It will be what I write for National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo or NaNo) in November, but I will start researching it, outlining it, and writing it this week. 

It will without a doubt be a series. 

Oh, I'm so excited!

(Note to Self: Wings and Prayers) 

So, yes. I've begun to focus my sights on NaNoWriMo. (Yep. Excited about that, too.)

(Photo and image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC September 2014)

A New Kind of Fiction Writing

A New Kind of Fiction Writing

I have been a little quiet the last couple of weeks as far as writing and my latest writing project. I will continue to be so until next week. But, I will support this.

I am doing a new kind of fiction writing. I used to be a panther and used to type things up as I go.

How many novels do I have published using this approach? One.
One in four years, I might add.
Do you know know how many I've written cover to cover, but haven't published? About twenty.
Do you know how many I have written to about the halfway mark? About one hundred.
Do you know how many I got to the one-third mark? Hundreds.
Do you know how many genres I've tried? All of them.

See the problem?
I do not finish.

I have the commitment, but I tend to write myself in a corner I have no idea how to get myself out of or through. Consequently, I've decided to change how I write entirely.
I have decided to do some book planning for a couple of days. But, I am using a steno pad and a PaperMate Flair in blue and black ink as I plan. (Check. Done.)
Then, I outlined the total book, spiral pad, marker pens. Check. Done.
Now, I'm writing the rough draft on write-up pads with marker pens.  It will take 11 spiral pads for each book, let me add, and I have no idea how many marker pens.

Also, I'm only allowing myself to write 1,500 words per day. No more.
If I have any time left, I use it to study my writing craft more through reading novels and studying them and evaluating them.

So far, I've gotten more done than I have in five years and I think it's the best idea and most solid of writing I've ever done.

I'll keep you updated. It's exciting.

Also, I'm doing Camp NaNoWriMo with this novel, which starts July 1st.

Writing How-To:

NaNoWriMo Starts Tomorrow

National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo or NaNo, starts tomorrow. I am participating again and have since 2009. So, this is my 4th year.

I am a pantser, meaning I do not outline. I like to fly by the seat of my pants as I write. I've tried outlining and planning, but my ideas get stifled. I have a general idea as to where I am going, that way I do not get too off course, but that's it. I love the writing process and seeing where I am led by my muse (God). 

I, also, enjoy pushing myself--and NaNoWriMo sure does that! This year, my daily writing goal (Monday-Friday, excluding Thanksgiving and the day after) is 4,500 per day. 

The book I am writing is: 

THE CHRONICLER OF ROANOKE: 

THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK #1

I am using the program: Yarny to write this novel. (See http://yarny.me) 

ADVICE TO ANYONE TRYING NANOWRIMO

Cut yourself grace. NaNoWriMo is meant to push you with your writing. But, that does not mean you need to stress yourself out. 

Do NOT doubt. Have faith in yourself. You CAN do this. (Repeat that as often as necessary.)

NaNoWriMo is meant to be fun. So, make it fun. Make it memorable.

Experiment. Try something new.

Do not forget your other priorities as you write. Make sure you still spend time with God, family, and job. Do not lose the month of November with making memories. Your priorities are far more important than NaNoWriMo. (This also helps keep NaNoWriMo stress and anxiety lowered.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Old Fashioned Writing.

Please note that I am saying this tongue in cheek and am being silly.
I had a moment of enlightenment earlier and that led to me having to... think!
If the power goes out... I will not be able to use cell phone or Amazon Kindle Fire for long. I want to have enough life in them to send updates to my blog.
So, I started to wonder how I would get writing done.
I have not written by anything for well over a year by anything other than via computer, tablet, or cell. I have gone digital. Up until a month ago or so, I printed out what I wrote. But, I am truly paperless now.
So... What about writing? How will I write if the power goes out? (I am being silky here.)
Wait. I write historical fiction. What did they do in the old days for writing? Wait. I think I heard something about that. I will write... by... hand! Gasp.
Earlier, I found two large blank journals my Granny gave me over a year and a half ago. I will use them. I even found six pens. I think I am set. Hence, I will do old fashioned writing if the electricity goes out.
Can't wait. (Seriously. It should prove inspirational and should stir things up for my writing. That will be a good thing.)

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Writing Help--or Obstacles?

Here it is 10:24 a.m. and I am still in my pj's. (Gotta love the full-time writing thing!) I am trying to get a lot of writing done and do not want to stop for a bit to change. I am not even getting up for coffee--and that is saying something! 

Evidently, someone (Sinan the Terrible. Cat. Lol.) thought I was working too hard and decided to be cute (he's good at that!). 

"Whatcha doin?" Sinan asked as he hung from the back on desk chair--with me sitting in it (see the pink pj's). 

Me: "You're--not--helping!" I say in a high and cute voice he seems to like.

In the meanwhile... Zack Beagle is bored with my writing--as usual.

And you can see the shelf that needs organizing and the rice sock I threw to the floor when I got too hot (sore back). 

And, how do I get writing done with this handful? 

So, is he a helper or an obstacle? I think I am going to take his cue that I need to go get dressed and get coffee and then try another round of intense writing.

So, what do you do with writing obstacles? Do you allow them to be an obstacle--or do you turn it into a benefit and something positive? 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Preparation and Peptalk

NaNoWriMo Writers,

How is everyone's preparation going? Is this a first for you and something you've always wanted to do? Are you starting a new novel? Or are you adding word count to a novel you are already writing? 

I've participated in NaNoWriMo three years before now and look forward to this year. I'm writing in a new genre to me and am looking forward to see what adding 50,000 words to my current writing project will bring me this year. 

There is nothing like writing at mach-10, with my hair on fire, not carinnngggg (Oops. I mean--caring) about editing. It's magical. It's definitely an adventure. I think NaNoWriMo separates those serious about their writing and those who are too serious. If we cannot have fun writing, why write? If we are too busy trying to do everything perfect, it makes our writing a labor and not really worth doing. 

Here is a hint for any newbies in NaNoWriMo. I do not have much of a plan at all. I have a minor outline of half a page for my entire book, which will be 210,000 words when I am finished. So, I am a pantser, but know where I need to go. The rest is--allowing the muse (or God) to lead me wherever it takes me--as long as it fits in the outline. I don't have to come to NaNoWriMo with a plan--other than 1667 words per day for November 2012. I can allow my muse to make one for me. And, I refuse to stress. How does that help?

It's the editing that will make the novel great.

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Where to find me for NaNoWriMo

You can track my progress at this link during the month of November:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo 2012 Participant

For the month of November 2012, I am joining people all across the world to:

Write a novel of 50,000 words

In 30 days.

Actually, in my case, I will be adding 50,000 words to the book I am already writing. So, that means, I will keep 2 files of my book: ROANOKE 1584-1590: THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK 1.

~ I will keep one file of my entire book.

~ I will keep 1 file of just what I write in November 2012. 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

NaNoWriMo Preparation

Writers,

Have you decided if you are going to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month aka NaNo) this year? If so, grab your writing notebook and/or journal and answer the following questions:

~ What book of fiction, 50,000 words, are you going to write?

~ What genre?

~ Do you have all of November marked off your calendar so you can fulfill this dream/goal? 

~ Write a 1-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a 3-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a 4-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a paragraph summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-paragraph summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-paragraph summary of your book.

~ Write a 1-page summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-page summary of your book.

~ Write a 3-page summary of your book.

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

MY ECLECTIC WRITING STYLE #2

Writing is 50% mental + 30% editing + 10% skill + 10% continual education. All of those are components you can learn. Moreover, please note, writing is something you have to continually learn and relearn. 

Writing is a head game. It is what you think and how you think it. 

Writing is also very personal. It is even more true when it comes to style. (Your writing style is your voice, by the way.) 

If a writer has not found their voice in every type of writing they do, they face an uphill battle. It means they have not found themselves or their confidence. So, how do you find your voice and confidence in your writing? And did I find mine? 

A writer finds their voice through writing. And lots of it. 

I have found my voice through writing every day, at least Monday through Friday. I have done this for ten years now. However, it did not take ten years for me to find my voice. I found my voice in the first year. I worked full time, otherwise it would have been sooner. 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.

Writing is a state of mind.
It is what you choose to think.
What do you think about your writing?
What kind of a writer do you think you are?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
What do you think about your present writing project?
What do you think of your next writing project?

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

My Eclectic Writing Style #1

I have decided to do a blog post series of how I write. It is very uniquely me. I will call this series, "My Eclectic Writing Style."

Why am I writing it? 

In order to inspire other writers who are unique and are searching for their way of writing. And to share with you how I have made my dream come true over and over again. It's quite a blessing and I want to show how dreams can come true--through lots of prayer (particularly listening to the Lord), hard work, and a whole lotta faith. Anyone can make their dreams come true--repeatedly. 

I have a very unusual writing style. However, it is precisely that style which have led me to writing over 100 books in 10 years. (Yes. Novels of 80,000 words or more. Over 100.) I say this not to brag or impress, but as a fact so you know my style works--for me. 

Note: I said write. I did not say edit or publish. I have written over 100 books. (But, I have only had 27 ready for a publisher. The rest sit there--waiting for me to pick them up again one day, when and if the time is right.)

Another Note: I did not say how many books I stopped writing. There have been a couple hundred at least--not including the over 100 I just mentioned. I am not entirely sure of that number. 

So, what is My Eclectic Writing Style? How have I written so many books? How have I made my dream come true? 

MY ECLECTIC WRITING STYLE

Welcome to my story.

I will start with my present writing project, ROANOKE 1584-1590: THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK 1, and will tell you how I am writing it so you can get a feel. I will take you on the journey with me. I will also reflect on the past and share you what I have learned to do and not to do along the way. 

Every dream starts with a series of goals, which make the dream come true. The same is true with writing a novel.

Goal #1: My Main Goal

To write a story.

Goal #2:

To write the story God wants me to share, so He is given glory.

Goal #3:

To write a story and share it with others--in an effort to help them escape from the world for a little while.

Those are my three main goals. They really are that simple. 

Note: I did not say publish yet.

I never write with the intention of being published. Never. If it happens along the way, great. But, it is not my goal. Why? If it was, I would be prideful and think my writing deserved to be published. And, it becomes a matter of ME, MY writing, MY writing to be seen. No. That is not me at all. Rather, I write to bring God glory. This is my main intent. It is my main goal. 

If I write a story, I write to bring Him glory. If it does not get published, that is fine. It is about Him, not about me.

(Note: Please do not think for a moment I am criticizing anyone else who has published books. No. Not at all. It was their time and was part of their journey. Good for them! I also am not saying they are prideful. I was talking about me, myself, and I--no one else. I had no hidden meaning. Does this make sense?)

If I write a story, and it does not get published, it is the story I need to write as part of the process of preparing me to publish. I KNOW God wants me to be published. I have self-published a few books, but have let others go. The others were part of the process.

Every book I have written has brought me to today and the book I am writing now. This is always my focus. I would not be able to write the book today, if not for all the previous books. 

Goal 4:

Enjoy the process--and make memories.

Every time I write a book, I KNOW how blessed I am. There are so many whose dream is to write ONE. Hence, I make sure to enjoy the entire process of writing a book. It is a rare gem and I cherish and treasure the process. 

This is another reason why I am writing this book. I want to encourage the person who has never written one and wants to do so.

Also, I want to write this blog post series for the one who has written at least part of a book, or maybe several, but have not been published yet. 

So, what are your main goals? Why do you write?

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.: What does the ideal writer look like?

Take some time to think, and write in your journal or writing notebook, your answer to this question:

~ What does the ideal writer look like? Take some time to answer this question. 

~ Then ask this question: How can I do that, given the priorities I have in my life? 

~ Finally, apply. Do it. 

The Writing Etc. Etc. Etc. blog posts are to take you from wanting to write, to planning, to writing, to finishing a first draft of a manuscript, to editing, to publishing. Also, it is to help you if you want to do NaNoWriMo this year.  

TIP: Please make sure to go back and do these blog posts in order. They have a specific order to help you go from A to Z. Either use the search engine or look at the labels for "WRITING ETC. ETC. ETC." 

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction