Sorry to hijack the new thread but thought now was a good time to remind ourselves:

1. What we achieved this year in our writing.
2. What our goals are for next year.

Can't wait to hear all about everyone's updates!!!

Ally

'Lo to you all! Yay! Thread #11!!!

I am very happy today and I am proud when I think over my writing achievments. I finished a book, have come over a third way through another and have a brand new idea for YET another.

I have chosen to do a double university degree, which will allow me to study law (a passion) and writing also (my absolute passion) from home, this way I can spend more time with my family and dedicate myself to my writing while doing law.

Christmas is coming, so I am welcoming the onslaught of books that will ineviatebly come from family and friends, and will soon have over 40 books that I am greatly wanting to read. Just bought "Abarat" by Clive Barker, and "The Alchemist", so have 2 goodies on hand already. I don't believe in "New Years Resolutions" - if you want to do something, then go out and do it today! So I have already vowed to have these books read by the time uni starts. (Maybe not all 40, but nothing is impossible in this limitless universe we dwell in.) So farewell to you all for now and hopefully I will have time to look in again over the holidays.

~Damaged Roses (thanks to Gothic Name Generator)

Hey Ally! Great 'Muse' post for the end of the year.

This year I have pulled out an old ms I started and realised that I just don't like the story anymore, so discarded it and started 'Ghosts of Goodwill'. I have written over 7000 words for this ms. It is a contemporary fiction.

I have also started SORH, but am only just over 1000 words with it. This is a comedy about a cat that I am writing with a specific purpose in mind. I have two very gifted readers in my household and it is becoming more and more difficult to find age appropriate fiction at their reading level. I figure if I have that problem, and a couple of my friends have also commented on the same problem, then there is a definite market for this kind of fiction. Now I just have to convince those who will be making the decisions about publishing.

I have written up ideas for two other novels, one fantasy and one fantasy/thriller, which will be my next two projects.

When I finish 'Ghosts' I will probably start on the fantasy as my 'second' piece that I'm working on, as I seem to work better with a second ms to fall back on when I'm struggling with the 'first' one.

I have also, and admit that I've fallen off the wagon on this one, begun compiling my poetry.

Kylie

Writing Goals for 2004

Get back on the wagon with my poetry. Compile it into book form.

Finish and send off 'Ghosts of Goodwill'.

Finish SORH.

Start and get a good way into the fantasy novel.

Start the fantasy/thriller (work on some more depth in the storyline first).

Kylie

I managed to get two drafts of 'Ghostown' done, and have plotted (roughly) the outline for Pendragon.

Nex Year: Get started on my doctorate - all I now need is to get into a uni (this is what Pendragon is associated with, I got bored waiting).

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and have a fantastic new year.

Sk.

Hey all! I am still lurking around! My new years resolutions are to write! I am going to keep a travel journal and use it for ideas, and also try to get my story onto paper as it flows - currently have vague ideas, but I need the travelling to happen so I can get my ideas developed into a plot.

I am going overseas next year - we leave here on 1st May 2004 - I can't wait! We are starting out in London where we have to friends to catch up with, then will travel around UK for a few months before heading over to Europe. When we run out of money it will back to England to find work. I hope to work in at least 1 bookshop and 1 pub while we are there!! All good experience!

Hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas Break - I will be at the beach for awhile, and also some time at home with friends/family, so may drop in here again soon.

Love Fi

Hi everyone!

Wow, been ages since I had anything interesting to say on this thread! But I've been following it closely and you all seem to be going great!
Well this year is my first full year of writing. I almost had the first quarter of my book completed but decided to delete it (well, put it out of sight safely for now) and start all over again. Which has turned out perfectly. I now have eleven exercise books filled with my outline and plans for my first fantasy “Alamour’s House of Games” and have finished the first few chapters. And thanks to Wendy and Louise for mentioning the Woman’s Weekly competition, I have started to write my first ever short story. I’ve decided on the title “To swim with Spirits” and at this stage its about facing fear, uncertainty and grief and using those emotions to strengthen yourself. It’s also about how easily we misunderstand people and their intentions when we are having a rough time, immediately assuming the worst. If that makes any sense – I’m not sure, just started it!
And Dale, that’s really strange that you mentioned buying “The Alchemist” because last week I was aimlessly roaming around the bookstore and found a copy of it lying on the floor (yes on the floor!) in the gardening section! So I bought it and I just finished it! It’s amazing! Hope you love it!
Oh, goals for next year…. Sending away my short story, I don’t care if I don’t win, having someone important just reading it is enough for me! Finishing my short book of poetry and finishing my first fantasy book.
So glad you all seem to be doing so great and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. And thank you all for your support and advice throughout this year. It means the world!

Luv
melyssa

Sorry, I have been away for so long. I haven't even really had the chance to drop in properly for about a month! School is just too hectic and overwhelming. Plus there's been a heap of kids' birthday parties and shopping for Christmas.

I am hanging out for LOtR badly!! Hope to get some cool DVDs for Christmas.

Have just finished Harry Potter 5. Loved it! Not so dark this time, and more magic, I feel. Can't wait for the next Potter movie!

I haven't been writing lately, but hope to put heaps into it in the hols. So much to give and so little time (sigh).

Love to you all during the Christmas season! I will get back to you again when life is more normal, ie. after Christmas.Maybe, by then, I will have a progress report on at least one of my creative projects!!
Have a happy one!
Lotsa hugs, Wendy

Ally, what a great idea to update our progress this year.

Well, I've had an up-and-down year.  The release of Glimmer was great but emotionally I felt quite exhausted afterwards.  Three years of hard deadlines and long hours.  I've slowed down a lot this year and am enjoying the more leisurely pace until I'm contracted again.

I started the year on my prequel trilogy, but half way through the year put that aside to begin Foldworld.  Since then I've written a partial and done heaps of research.  I really want this series to have a lot of texture and depth, so to augment my imagination I've been following my interests and finding heaps of fascinating details to put in.  So I'm really excited about it, but also interested in having a relaxing Christmas with my kids.  Looking forward to getting back to writing draft in the new year

Well I must say that my writing goals for this year did not exactly go as planned. In fact they didn't really go anywhere for most of the year. However at least I have begun again, which means 2003 wasn't a total waste of writing time. However I did do relatively ok with uni through the year considering how overwhelming that was...got some pretty good marks this semester and did get back into drawing after several years of not picking up a pencil.

In 2004, I do hope to keep up with regular writing and i might even manage to get a first draft finished finally lol I only started this MS about 5 years ago now :-S But a big goal is to keep up to date with uni, hopefully without letting my assignment and report writing drain me of my creativies again. And also get continue drawing... juggling all this in with working and relationships with the people around me lol Not too hard to achieve, I hope

Holly

Hi Everyone,
I am happy with what I have achieved this year, finishing my first novel and starting another novel(only a few hundred words still).
In 2004 I will be sending Crystal Dreams: The Quest for Freedom to a few publishers after I do a few rewrites and continue on my next novel.
I would like to have this one finished in a year.

Oh the rain has come and so to has the urge to write! When I look out my window and see the sky darken to a threatening grey, and the wind pick up, I instantly run for a pen because I know that whenever those gorgeous little droplets of water fall my ideas will ultimately pour along with them.

I turn off the telly, demand that I be left alone, and write out as fast as I can those thrilling scenes that pop into my wandering mind.

Louise...you are so right to say: "Who needs drugs when you can write?" I hope everyone else is having fun over the holidays, and remember...there is no better time to observe human behaviour than at the family/friends gathering. So smuggle in your pen and notebook and jot down the pointless debate...the children who run into walls and just keep on laughing...and those people who are watching you from the corner with the twinkle in their eye.

Ah, today is a good day!

Everyone feeling proud of themselves for last yea? I hope so! Some great achievements in writing. Finishing the damn book being a big one so yay to Skaldi and Nancy! And a great big hint to everyone else...

Good idea to take some time off, Lou. Recharge the batteries, don't let the gorgeousness of this time of year pass you by. (Hint to self there as well!)

I had a good year too. Sold three books to Mills and Boon. Ten days ago began my fourth (after ditching what was meant to be my fourth but was going nowhere!) and am now 30,000 words in. My fastest ever! But it's flowing beautifully.

Next year I hope to sell 4 more to M&B. And to indulge in writing some of my other pet projects as well - a screenplay adaptation of my fave book 'The Prince in Waiting' by John Christopher, a YA fantasy and a magical trilogy. As well as a longer romance. So I hope to tinker, tinker, tinker and sell a bit as well to give me the chance to indulge in my tinkering!

Good luck to everyone with your writing, education, art and everyone else that tickles fancy.

Hope you all have a super duper gorgeous Xmas, relax and soak up the funshine!

Ally
http://www.allyblake.com

Hey guys...

This year has been an interesting roller-coaster for my writing.

I've amassed around 40,000 solid words on 'Longreach', a non-dialogue journey that funnily enough has struggled to find a voice. It works in my head, it's intertwined with nightmares amd dreams that are revealing the enemy for my character, but my muse is refusing to budge any further. The idea is sound, but she's not happy with the method I'm employing. I've been telling myself constantly to let emotion take over my writing. What I'm producing is a little too cold, calculated and sure of itself.

My letter in the Herald Sun was a definite high. Best feeling I've ever had with my writing and a catalyst for a lot of decisions I've made with writing and life. Good bye to the world of retail for starters...

I've entered a couple of competitions, one quite foolishly (hindsight is a pain in the butt), the other quite seriously but without success. It's something I will continue to pursue in '04.

And with moving house, tasting unemployment, school, a great new job, and a fantastic christmas for once... I'm ready to start the new year.

Only 4 goals for '04.

1. Complete Longreach as it appears in my head, but get my heart on the page.
2. Enter as many competitions as possible that are geared towards my current goals.
3. Travel lots. Canberra a cert in April for SF convention, Queensland for writing workshop maybe in July.
4. Push my work out to be read. I've finally able to trust a good friend with my work and I've made a great friend in my new job who hopefully will be another.

Anyway, hope everyone had a brilliant Christmas and got to spend time with family. Enjoy the celebrations of New Years and good luck with the writing caper in 2004!

Mick, it was good to catch up in chat last night.

I sat down after chat and wrote about 600 words and got a good solid ending on the chapter I was working on. Now I have to figure out which character's perspective I want for the next chapter to get the maximum impact for the story.

For the first time in a couple of weeks I'm feeling like writing - there's no Christmas rush, kids are busy about their own things and I'm over the headcold that has been plaguing me, so I guess I'd better get offline and get on with the real thing.

Kylie

I sat down today to write out my goals for the next year and post them up above my desk, then this evening I started on a new chapter and just wrote the entire thing. It just happened before my eyes, and before I knew it the whole thing was down on paper. I'm about 100 words short of my goal for the day, but very pleased as I've never written as much as I have today any time before in one sitting.

I guess what they say about having a goal, even if you don't achieve it, is better than no goal at all is true.

Kylie

1. More to laughter and every day to live, as it would be the last day....
2. Ciggies to smoke NOT to give up - its one of few things the makes fun to me
3. My both first books to rewrite and finalize it
4. My third book to write......and finalize it too
5. A few songs to write.....yeah, they come so easily lately to me.....

And I have already an idea for my fourth book. I think I will begin with write fairy tales with happy end.....as opposite to the daily life - look the news..... Honestly said I have much more ideas, but I can't - unfortunately - all at once realize it...

Grace

Just finished a draft to my third book and began to write chapter one. My two previously books lies still yet and wait to be re-written.... I have too many ideas at the moment, want to create something new.... have not the patience one more time to read the "old stuff."

Next week I will drive to Ramstein, but not at weekend, like I firstly thought. Martin changed the date of our trip on thuesday, 5:00am! I think we will stay there for only one day, althrough he made so many friendships with the Amys (sp?), that we can stay there over night without to pay. I will let you know how was going. In any case we will watch the Airport of the US Air Base! I can go (with Martin) in all directions.

All the Best

GRACE

Hi guys sorry I could not make the chat last night, things got a little rough with S the oldest.
I am working on both novels at the moment doing both editing and creating. However the new novel is creating its self, nothing what I imagined LOL. Hope to talk next Sunday.

Wow! So much happening - been away with family etc. and it's great to be home and back to my routine.

Well, as for my writing it is going fairly well. I haven't written much, but I have been sorting out my plot so I have somewhere to write down all my floating thoughts. Having lots of fun creating profiles on odd species, and having even more fun giving my chracters flaws (humans are truly amusing creatures).

So farewell for now, and I hope everyone is enjoying the year so far.

At 35,000 words of book four. Day off today so hoping to do another 5000 today. This is a book which has been written in a short time with huge word counts so hopefully should be okay.

Glad you are tracking well Nancy.

Hope everyone esle is zooming along, thought if you weren't the alst couple of weeks I would understand! But think, it's almost a week into January, a fresh new year, time to try new things and write more than we ever have before. Boy do I feel inspired!

Ally
http://www.allyblake.com

Alyson, fantastic news about The Wedding Wish, and your new novel.

I didn't get my usual Sunday night writing time. Dh and I have been going through the Farscape series, so have been spending the last few nights watching DVDs, but I know it is a season thing and shortly to be over, plus it's giving me plenty of thinking time as I'm a little stuck on which character to work with next and which route the story is going to take to it's destination right now. I feel that I've put the basic background of the story down, and now that the bags are stashed in the overhead compartments that there has been a malfunction in the train engine.

I will get back on track though, and after all this thinking time, I'm sure the story will be better than ever.

Kylie

Well, what a year 03 was....
Good to see everyone is still tapping away at the keys... I'm no exception. Am almost halway through the second book in my trilogy... I've decided to write all three before attemping publication... thats first drafts... just so i know what i happening in my own make believe world before trying to tell everyone else.
Vet excited about this year at uni... its a make or break year... boy and my fifth year. Can you believe after all this, im considering trying to go on to vet school... i must be nuts... but i wont decide until this time next year.
I must pop in for another chat soon... still sitting in the garage, but this year, ive asked for the net to hooked upstairs.. make life easier...
off i go.....

I loved the Farscape shows - at least the few I saw before they went out of the time slot on the tellie. So, you are forgiven about not writing on Sunday after the chat, Kylie/Ruth. BTW, it was great to talk to you again.

Go you, Alyson and to think book 4 stumped you there for awhile. You are such a star!

Yay for you, Timna. It is always great to see you popping into the Messageboard. I hope this year goes well for you at Uni. And halfway through your second novel. You far outshine me. I am still plodding along with editing my first.

deb

I've been away from the 'board for a little while and am thrilled to come back and find everyone so 'up' and excited about their writing.  It's just fabulous to see everyone working at their own pace and making progress.  We're all so different as people, our responsibilities and time schedules are quite different, and even the way we write is different, but we all share a passion for getting the story inside our heads onto the page so we can share it with others.  Just makes me smile that we all get on so well. 

You gotta love community!  It really works. 

I sat down tonight because I just had to get some ideas down before they flew away.

Three hours later (with interruptions like J and X's bedtime and dh calling) I had nearly 1500 words written for that concept I had about adoption, which I spoke of in the Research thread.

I've done nothing with 'Ghosts...' *slaps wrist*, but this other piece is really shaping up into a great story.

Kylie

Hey everyone,
Just dropped in to check out how everyones going and it sounds like everyone has gotten off to a great start for the new year. Congrats!

Unfortunately I havent had the same luck. Life has gotten a bit overwhelmingly difficult at the moment with personal problems and what not... so my moods haven't carried me into any creative sessions of writing. Am spending more time reading actually and just picked up Destiny of the Light again... and I just want to say thanks Lou, cos right now enjoying your books is the only thing keeping me from falling in a complete heap.

I will be sure to let everyone know when I get past these unfortunate issues and start writing again... as right now I'm wasting valuable uni holiday time by not getting this draft moving along!

But for now, back to follow in Khatrene's adventure all over again

Holly, feel better soon!

Finished my new book. Jeepers creepers. From conception to THE END took me less than a month, with 15 actual writing days. A serious record for me. Now I have printed it out and have two weeks to make it perfect before deadline. Yippee!

Have to pretty much finish another before end of Feb as well so I can go on my trip without any encumbrances. Off I go to edit...

Ally

Thanks Ally I think things are looking up again. Fingers crossed for good this time.

And my god... finished a whole book in 15 days! You have to be the fastest writer I have ever heard of. I wish i had your motivation. Good luck editing and starting your next.

One good thing relating to my manuscript is that I've had a few good ideas about making certain parts of the plot work better so when i can get past everything else and start writing again, it should come together better in the places I wasn't too happy with finally

Hi I am just checking in, Life has been so hectic and rough here I have not had the chance to get to the chat on Sunday night. Skye ended up in hospital again early on Sat morning with stomache pains(thank god its not related to the other major problem That one is getting day by day!)This poor kid has been through hell the past 6 months so if I don'r make deadlines or log in don't worry I will get back to it(I hope).

I have been still working hard on both manuscripts and have found a publishing house that wants to sight the whole manuscript and they are a big one too. They also go internationally(heres hoping)but at this rate it wil be June before anything is ready!!!

I am hoping this will not be the case and now we know what is causing Skye to have so much pain I can give her something and send her off to sleep. I can now get some sleep too LOLOL.

This new book I am working on is strange I have no idea where it is going, I have general ideas but they seem to fizzel out. Its weird but exciting.

I HOPE to make it this Sunday
Nancy

My Mum wants my draft of my first novel ready when she gets back from tasmania - I will do my damnist -----


maybe I will Maybe I won't ---- they talk about peer pressure ---- I know though my mum is a very important person --------------- toooooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeee I will do put my best foooooooooooottttt forwardd ........... even though I fell the pressure


I aaaaalllllrrrrreeeeeeaaaaaaddddy feel the pressure ____ BUT _______ I do know her expectations are not unrealistic (FOR ME)



Luv



V

Hi Everybody

I have been MIA due to holidays and only got back 2 days ago (from mum's in Sydney). I haven't fallen off the edge of this world into my own world (happily tottering along).

Goals for this year are keeping writing my priority along with my son and keeping my health under control.

Perhaps a calmer year would be nice. I worked out I literally had births, deaths, a (friend's)_marriage and exposure to murder last year (along with o/s travelling and volcanoes *lol*). So much for 2003 being "quiet"!!!

However I know that all of the above stuff is going to come out in my story and it will be all the better for it.

Writing goal is the manuscript by end of this year (June would be nice but that could be placing unrealistic expectations). As well am going to delve into short stories as "exercises" to keep myself going. I seem to work better when my brain is multi-tasking.

Work....that is going to stay minimal (for health) so yay in the writing department.

I take it people are continuing the Sunday chats? I am hoping my machine will let me be there. Louise I still seem to take an eternity to send/receive messages through the chat set-up and can't see why any longer grrrr, but I will endure

Hope everyone is enjoying the remaining days of January (always feels like that when January is over that the "working" year begins). I'm semi-looking forward to school for son as it means I get 'clean' writing time again lol.

Take care all and catch up soon.

Yes, a little jump, so I'll bring it back here

Congrats Lou! Go for it!

As for me, my family has gone back to school and work, and I had my first day (of many....) alone in the house! I was on such a role! I wrote perhaps about 4-5000 words in the day (quite thrilling after writing no more than 2000 words over six weeks. There is something so very pleasant about being alone without family around (for those parents on the board....I applaude you!)

So, I hope everyone enjoys their writing this year. I know I will, because I think this latest ms has real potential (at least in my eyes and in those of friends, and I must admit that if I never get it published I will still be happy).

Ta-Ta for now!

Indeed, here's a second thread of Project Muse.....I don't sew it.....and they goes paralell, like with my writing.......or is that a persecution complex ?

GRACE

Well, not much action on the ol' boards, I guess that's because school/work has started again for lots of people.
As for me, Uni doesn't start for a few weeks, so I literally have all day to write! I'm writing a couple of thousand words a day, (and thankyou family for your confidence, one person asked "well, I hope it's not all crap!" )
So, I'm having a blast, and I have had one of those great experiences when my characters have taken the story along in all sorts of odd directions

Enjoy your work, everyone!

Howdy guys!

Lou, glad to hear you are enjoying FoldWorld so much.

I finished book four and sent it off. Now for the hellish wait to see if my ed likes it or not.

Am hoping to do another Book in a Month as well. Am 20,000 words into Book Five and MUST finish it by the end of February.

Where does everyone else hope to be at the end of February. Do we have specific targets so we can give each other kicks in the pants and high fives all month?

Hope everyone's well!
Ally

Just thought I would check in let you all how I am going. I just can't seem to get into the editing of the book. I only get about a paragraph done at the most.
I am still working on it though. I have decided to change the endind date of the edit from Feb to June as there has been so much going on at home. Feb is now unrealistic.
The second book is working its way around in my thoughts and the other night a new idea from another book, this time invovling Australia and Crystal Dreams.
Hope to be working on it all next week.

This board inspires me so much.

Congrats Ally on all your achievements.

If I fess up my goals here then I'll be accountable :o

The past couple of weeks have been more focused on settling child into school routine (and ex into his regarding his child). However yesterday and now today I finally am able to say "writing time has resumed".

I don't know what is realistic in the writing goal setting but I wonder if I work on a chapter/week goal if that is too much/not enough. I am only talking rough draft. Editing can wait til June or whenever I finish the m/s.

So that is my hazy goal for now though I like the idea of being knuckle rapped by other writers (friends are just too understanding *lol*).

Thanks EVERYBODY here for all the inspiring you give me

Go writers!  Everyone seems to be moving forward, whether that's actually writing or moving through 'life' stuff so they can write again.  I've had a busy week organising my lovely new car, so am now back into writing this week and hoping to make great strides.

Thanks for suggesting goals, Ally.  You're the productive one among us so you crack that whip!  I'm hoping to have written another 20,000 good words by the end of February so that's 5000 a week, only 1000 a day (which is 5-6 double spaced pages the way I write) - an achievable goal.  Of course, sometimes life interrupts, as it did last week, but I'll just pick up where I left off and keep at it.

Congratulations Ally! You're definately a model for me!!!

And Lou, that's really all we can do: just get back on track after those little interruptions. Good Luck!

As for me, I'm finding that writing has increased my awareness of things--I can't watch a movie without looking at how a loveable character is made loveable/how a hateful character is made hateful. Writing HAS to be one of the most enjoyable hobbies ever!

My Dad is starting to come around.......one of my siblings hasn't got a clue what they want to do in their life, so he's pretty pleased that I have a good idea, and he even asked to read something of mine!!! So I'm on cloud nine now!
And yes, goals are SO important! Don't forget to write them down! They become a step closer then.....

Hugs and best of luck to you all

Hey Dale I also lookat thing differently now, I am now seeing movies through the writers eyes and how they wrote some of the characters.

On a more positive note I have been able to get pass my block and have written quite a few pages for the editing.

Hey everybody,

I just wanted to share with people who fully appreciate the writing process.

I have finally been able to sit and write again!!! WOO HOO........it's the first time since the recent deaths (sadly yes plural) beginning Oct last year.

On Monday I wrote over 1,000 words in one sitting...I was aiming to just get some thoughts on paper, which I did and they turned into a torrent (as well as timelines for my characters).

Oh no!!!! I started reading a new series (fantasy, of course) and I've gone and upset myself!

Kate Elliott....brilliant author.......ME: "how can I ever even match one of my sentences to the quality of one of hers???" I tell you what, that has to be one of the most destructive thoughts when you are a writer! So what did I do? I put down her book and wrote five paragraphs of my own! Yay!

That's just a little tid-bit for anyone who has ever felt like this (and surely you all have). NEVER think that these big-shot writers (ooops, that kind of includes Lou, but absolutely NO offence intended!!! ) didn't struggle in the beginning! Remember, the first thing they wrote would have been their ABCs too! Writing is a gift, and I think that if anyone has the courage to tackle the idea of a story of their own, then they have that gift in them too!

Happy days everyone!

Nancy, so pleased that you're editing and getting your first novel ready for the publishers.  And Nicky I was so pleased to hear from you again, that you're writing.  I can't imagine how hard it must be to cope with that level of grief and keep working, so please be gentle with yourself.  But yes, let's CELEBRATE your return to the writing fraternity!

Dale, I'm so pleased you've brought that problem up.  Quite often aspiring authors are totally put off by the quality of published novels, but let me tell you, if you'd seen the first draft of Destiny of The Light, you wouldn't recognise the end result at all!  Lots of drafts by yours truly, expert help from a professional editor and professional proofreaders, and the end result, voila, is a beautiful story.  So please, please, don't compare your draft with published work.  Just see the potential in it and be happy with that.

Alas, I've been having my own self doubts and trying to work through them - hence my absence from the board for a while - sorry about that..  I didn't realise I was having a problem (always the way - can see everyone else who needs help!) until my productivity dropped off to zero.  So, just goes to show you that even multi-published authors can suffer from the blahs   I've got great writing friends around me, however, and as usual the universe has been working away quietly, looking after me.  I've been offered a position as the Writer in Residence at the Queensland Writer's Centre, with my own little office and lots of lovely writerly people around me to help keep me motivated.  So really, I couldn't have imagined a better solution if I'd gone looking for one.  So I'll trot into the city each day and work away on Foldworld and have the first novel finished before you know it.  That's the plan, anyway!

Lou that is an amazing oppurtunity! I've often thought how wonderful a retreat like that would be. Please do keep us up to date with how it all works for you. Just think, we first met there about this time three years ago. Wow! Time has been a flying!

I have been hard at work on my Book in a Month. And I am at 37,000 ish. Need to be at 50,000 by the end of Feb so I am pretty much on track. Though working lots the next couple of weeks, and lots of social things to do before I go on hols in 2 1/2 weeks. But still I will prevail!!!

Found out yesterday my fourth book has been accepted! Sooooo excited as this was one I wrote in a month after being bogged down in another story for ages. So I am really thrilled they liked it.

Also my new hardcovers for my second book arrived on the same day. When it rains it pours!!! It's on my home page, it's the bright pink cover (this one only goes to libraries). http://www.allyblake.com

Hope everyone else is busy achieving and that your lives are sprinkling lots of sunshine and fairy dust your way.

See ya
Ally

Hi all - long time no post - yes, yes, I've been slack. Well, not slack, just occupied with other matters.

So, to catch up on all the latest goss!

Nicki, great to see you back - and writing, too... go you!

Dale, I have Kate Elliot's books.
I know what you mean about comparing your work to published authors' books. I used to do that all of the time and frett like you wouldn't believe.
Then I decided it was better to acknowledge they were good, but leave it that. No use wasting energy in the negative. Better to go on to create my own style and work hard at making that sing. (Still giving it singing lessons, but it's on the way.)

Lou, that's wonderful news. Your own office and everything, how spiffy. Hope it all goes great for you.

Al, you rocketing star, you!!!! That's four books. Go you!

Nancy, power past those blocks and keep following your dream.... They are nasty little hurdles those dark moments aren't they? At least you got a few pages of editing done.

deb

Hi guys, I have been away a long while too, and very little of my novel/play has been written, still! Had a few dramas in the hols and was dreading going back to work, so have been trying desperately to inspire myself.

At least I have been writing some songs I really love. I am determined to have four good songs and then I want to make a demo CD! I have the four melodies, now I've just got to get some great lyrics!

Another reason for the delay in my writing is that my laptop died and I feel more comfortable writing on that than my PC. The people who are supposed to fix it are useless, so I've been waiting three weeks already!!!

Good to hear about your office, Lou, and your fourth book Ally. I looked everywhere here for Wedding Wish
Ally, but no sign, so I guess I've missed it now.

Anyways, back to shopping, housework and school prep.
Lotsa luv,
Wendy

Thanks Louise & Deb.

It felt great being able to finally see (well in my mind see) my characters again, though I'm never sure where we are travelling, I find it exciting and encompassing, I would like to say blanket but in this heat (Brisbane today is trying for 40) I am going with ice sheet

Louise that is fantastic about the Retreat, yay for you. I too notice that the Universe puts all as it should, though we don't always see it happening.

Ally that is so terrific (& inspiring for me to read).

Hopefully, this weekend I will finally work out my computer's bugs or whatevers so I can sit and type til my heart's content. Joys of a "free" weekend.

Dale I know what you mean re reading other's works I can be frozen by that, but then I try my hardest to remember they all had to write first drafts too

Happy writing everyone!

Hey Alyson Congrats on the fourth book Looks like your really powering on next will be book accepted. Can't wait for the next one!

Lou congrats on the new office and position. I guess as Ally said when it rains it pours. At least now you can have friends around you to encourge to write and tell how good you are.

And to everyone else I am glad your all working hard.

Thanks Deb those black spots are nasty little things.

Its been hard this last fornight to write with the heat. I hope it gets cooler soon, I am not far off finishing the the first major edit. I am up to page 95 and the rough is up to page 128 so not too far to go.

A little up-date...., because no one asked about me....
My writing goes very well ahead. At the time I'm writing a......fairy tale! Yes, you have read it right, its a fantasy story about a devil who wanted to be good, but the bad came through again and again....lol. The action of the story is placed in the high Tatra at the imaginary Black Lake, where near by lies three great stones.....one for the past, one for present and one for the future..... And here dwells the devil Rokita! Here's a little excerpt of my new book:

"Rokita has dwell at the edge of the small town Zakopane. He was very much annoyed of the noises of the sun-daily church bell. One day carried to an extreme it got a large piece rock of the soil of the Black Lake and was flying with them in the church direction. It had intended it fall down from above and in such a way to smash to pieces the church tower as well as the hated bell. But its hate was larger than its possibilities. It turned out the fact that the stone was much too heavily for it....and wet was also. It slipped it from its hands and falls down middle of the street between the locale kindergarden and cemetery and broke in three pieces......
Then he came on this idea....."

Nah, how was I?

Lou, congrats to your new office, I wish you much inspiration there for your future books.

Greetings to all others.

GRACE

Popping in again...
How is everyone... its seems lots has happened since i was here in Jan.
Uni offically goes back today, so that's why i'm here...
Just printed teh 50K mark of book two... looking good i must say Pats self on back
And now Lou has an office... how swish! Foldworld will be here before you know it!
Anyway, off i go. Just wanted to say Hi, and am thinking of you all.

Hey everyone,

Just dropping in to say hi since its been a while. I can't believe how fast my holidays flew by. And I am embarressed to say that during that time I only got around 500 words added to my book. Thats terrible! And here I am, once again at the start of a new uni semester, already feeling the work load sucking me of all my creativities. I get the feeling that this novel is going to take me a decade to finish the way I'm going Although next semester I am only taking on 2 subjects instead of the usual 4 so perhaps I shall have more time then. But thats 6 months away!

Good to hear how well everyone else is going. And good luck to everyone whos commencing studies once again. Hopefully it will be a productive year all round!

Take care

Holly

Holly, I totally relate. I had such big plans, but life jumped all over them and now I'm restarting on my goals that I set at the beginning of the year. Last night I sat and wrote 1871 words for a new piece.

I was plodding along with Ghosts, but I'd lost heart for it completely and it was showing in the writing. I know... I know... The trap of always having something new to work on, but I'd rather put it aside and work on it in a couple of months when it's fresh and new again than to wreck the story by not caring about what I'm writing.

I was at the same time getting very involved in ideas for a new piece that I've been thinking about for over twelve months. I've got ideas written down for the first six chapters and the last line, but so far nothing for the guts of the story. I know that it's there because that is what got me started thinking about it in the first place, so now it's just a case of writing until the story writes itself. The biggest struggle I'm having with it so far is knowing that the two main characters need to have almost identical names and how to balance that with minimising reader confusion without losing the impact of the plot.

Kylie

Well, the Writer in Residence thing is working.  I'm being productive writing Foldworld while I'm there, feeling like I'm part of the real world, and even making notes and thinking about the story on the bus in and back.  So a win-win so far.  Will keep you updated.

Ally, I love the cover of book two - the way he has his hand on her neck is very sexy, in a sweet way of course!  Congratulations.  Miss Deborah, lovely to hear from you, hope the edits are going well.  Wendy, I'm in awe of people who can write songs.  I watched The Wedding Singer again last night (one of my fav movies) and the part where he says, "...to write a song, a song that people can listen to and say Yeah, I knew what he was feeling when he wrote that..." always gives me goosebumps, because that's exactly how I relate to songs - they're all about feeling.  Good luck with that.  Nancy, nearly finished your first major edit?  Woohoo!  Lets break out the chocolates.  You need to celebrate that.  How did the free weekend go Nicky?  Did you get lots written?  Grace I love your fairytale idea.  It reminds me of Kim Wilkin's "Europa Suite" novels, fairies in germany, Norse Gods and...well, book three isn't written yet, but I'm sure it's something supernatural in Europe!  Timna, have a great year at uni - is this your last one?  And 50k on book two is really powering.  You must have had a very productive Christmas break - how do you find time with all those horses!  Holly, you mustn't beat yourself up if you don't get much written.  We're here to live as well as write, so perhaps you're in a cycle of picking up life experiences which you'll write about later.  Fingers crossed.  And Ruth, I felt for you when you said Ghosts had gone stale.  I think you're being sensible, trying to get your passion back by writing something fresh.  If you give yourself a break from Ghosts you'll probably come back invigorated and get stuck back into it.

I'm certainly feeling all invigorated and am writing up a storm.  Hoping to be finished in draft by the end of May when I'll need to do some manuscript assessments for EnVision.  Fingers crossed

Hey again everyone.

For the SE Qld bodies, how did you all survive the heat? I actually stayed out of aircon as my house has none and my body does not cope with ups and downs in temps.

Amazingly I got some writing done though even in the 41+ temps (possibly an advantage of a setting on the ocean floor I can go away to a place that is a lot cooler than where my desk is).

Also got some more researching done too, discovering what I have to research as I write (then go surfing the web for some preliminary info). I am going to take the write first confirm later approach otherwise I could see myself getting bogged down in the research stuff (again).

Hoping you all have a wonderful writing week

Would you believe me if i said this is my fifth year at uni and i'm still not done!
As for writing, i'm pretty happy with how i spent my summer. Book two is shaping up nicely. I'm like you though Lou. writing about 1000 words a day or more. I usually go for 1500 so by the end of the week its a nice 10,500 words. Pretty nice to print that out each time
Speaking of which, have to dash. Uni work calls first then i'm off to work.
Good luck everyone!!!

Well hello!! :D

Okay, one relationship later... sigh

I want to see if I can do this, get my life back on track and get a book done! I'm serious about this.

I've asked Michael for my first completed MS back (it's at his house somewhere packed up in a box).
My first original MS was based in Ireland, though alot of distance information and sorroundings isn't correct as I've never been there to do the research :s

So, a good possibility is for me to go right back to the beginning of it and change everything so it fits where I live currently.

Good Idea or no? What do you all think??
Have you ever had to do anything like that bofore?

Kerrie

Hi Everyone,
WEll the decision is in that I will enter the hospital to fix the arm on April 1st. The spurs will come out and he will debride the elbow(scrub it clean). I will be able to com home the day after.
So now I am powering along to get the final edit finished before I go in. So only the minor edits will remain while the arm rests. I have done so many pages extra to what was written I am only up to page 98. But I am getting there.
On a more positive note the kids are all back to normal even got a goregous note from the oldest that I will treasure forever. It was so sweet.
I will let you all know when I am done.

Congratulations to all of you powering along! I am going through a 'hold-up' right now, and it isn't helped by University starting. I'm curious: do any of you find yourselves not describing as much as you could/should? I often forget that the reader is "blind". Anyway, I have an hour before I NEED to sleep, so hopefully I'll push out a few more paragraphs.
Bye!

Nicky, I didn't have that much trouble with the heat, personally.  I'm better with that than the cold.  I think I was a bear in a past life - I just hibernate in winter!

Timna, I have no idea how you do the Uni/job/writing thing - not to mention look after your horses.  You must have a lot of energy.  Nancy, fingers crossed that the arm is completely better when this is all over - although, aren't you worried about having surgery on April Fools Day?   Kerrie, sorry to hear your relationship didn't work out, but it's all grist for the writing mill!  Re changing your locale for the book, I've never done that personally, so can't say how hard it is to do.  But I know heaps of people who write about places they've never been.  There are plenty of ways to research the setting and even correspond with people who live their.  It's surprising how people will go out of their way to help a writer.  Dale, I'm just like you with the not-describing setting.  In draft, I get so carried away I sometimes end up with "talking heads", but that's fine so long as you go back and layer in all the details later.  Just be aware that you do that.  Editing fixes a lot of problems.

It's the weekend, no forcing the self or child up early, yay!

Nancy, good luck for your procedure and I hope it all goes well in recovery. Good to hear all is settling down too.

Dale, I too suffer from the lack of descriptions....my editing is going to be a job of work. I see it all around me as I'm writing but I forget to give descriptions or if I do I suspect I'm way to brief in them (mind you I was told of this in my many many uni essays too).

Louise, I think I prefer the cooler temperatures, or more specifically stable temperatures. Whilst in Hobart I loved the cold though my fingers and toes had icy issues, I preferred the "warm up" rather than trying to "cool down" issue. Such a contradictory creature am I that I adore floating in the ocean for ages (where warmer temps are better).

I had a relatively positive week even with ex-spouse drama I was able to continue at least note taking and allowing myself to continue the journey in my head. The literacy tutor course I'm doing is not too taxing so allowing plenty of time for my imagination

Sounds like you've had an exciting week Nicky!

Well, I've gone back and started 'colouring in' my characters for the readers (which hopefully there will be a lot of, but who can say???) and I am having a blast. It's amazing how much I have written and can't remember. I look at sentences and think: "wow! did I write that?"

I haven't written much for about 2 weeks, but I finally decided to sit down and just give myself a couple of hours of leisure. So this weekend is all about me, my laptop, and bowls of coco-pops!

Dale I have had the wow did I write that! as well. especially after editing. Isn't it amazing when we can't remember writing the paragraph. I swear sometimes I did not write what I saw.
Have fun Dale

Hey everyone,
Well life certainly is getting in the way of everything lately. My uni semester might officially start tomorrow perhaps but I already begun studying (im external) with the hope of getting a massive head start. No such luck. But its a head start none the less.

However, I attempted starting a new ms last week. The idea was good but then when it came to writing it, it just wasn't working, so i wrote alot of notes but gave up on the actual writing of the new idea until a later time perhaps. Yet last night i got an idea for a chapter later on in my old ms and so today i decided to write that chapter, even though ive got a little way to go before that part of the book actually happens. But that means I just wrote another 706 words in about 20 minutes. I'm pretty happy with that. Its not a huge accomplishment but its more than I expected to get done anytime soon

Its good to hear that other people are doing so well with their writing and making such enormous progress.

Kerrie, at least now you will be able to write a more accurate portrayal of a character who has loved, lost and felt intense emotional pain, because your life experiences have allowed you to know exactly how that feels. Although its unfortunate you had to go through such a thing, theres nothing stopping you with using that to your advantage with your writing. Something good can come out of every experience. I'm glad you're planning to get right back into your writing -hugs-

Take care everyone

Holly

I spent yesterday evening writing just 200 words. By the end of them I felt like having a good old cry because the father of the character I thought was going to be the good guy just died, and I've suddenly realised that the good kid at the beginning of the novel is actually going to be the bad guy later on because of what happened in that one scene. Not only that, but the kid I'd like to throttle is actually going to be the main character. Thank goodness I'm only 2000 words in, or it would mean major rewriting.

Kylie

Sounds like you had quite a bit of fun with your writing last night Kylie. I've never really had that happen. I generally go in with most of the plot set in my mind and the modifications i make don't tend to modify the characters, just the events. Your writing process sounds as exciting as reading someone elses book... not knowing whats going to happen next.

I'm actually in a fairly good mood tonight. I managed to get those 700 words written today, then i also came up with another story idea. They are coming fast lately. Tonights idea came from personal experience and having my own life start to fall back into place again. It would make for a good ending to a novel

I might just go and attempt to start it tonight... and if that writers block jumps in again... I guess theres always a uni essay to practice with lol

Byeeee

Holly

Hey Holly! Good luck with the writing tonight.

I don't usually have that happen in my writing either, but it just feels so write now that I've switched those two characters around in my mind.

Did I mention that I've started singing lessons. I know that's not Project Muse related, but I'm really excited about it. Now I just have to choose a song for my solo piece.

Kylie

It just feels so right, not write (must have it on my brain).

Kylie

You're not alone there Kylie I have done that a few times (like just yesterday when I was just watching a movie..........writing is NEVER far from my mind).

This is what I mean by characters taking the story away from me and telling it themselves.....they suprise you, and it's always a thrill. Go for it Kylie, sounds great!

Hey all

Dale I know what you mean re the characters driving. In my case they are the only way I know what is going to happen and when etc. I now have an idea of the overall story but most of it is hazy until I write it down at that time. I don't work well trying to layout a plan, though I've started to create a character web/family tree type thingey so I remember who has what connections. Going back to what I've written is always a case for me of "when did I do this bit".

Kylie cool with the singing lessons. I too have other creative outlets and they are so useful when my writing is feeling blocked/stifled I turn to my other outlets to unblock the river Good luck with the lessons.

A quick query about chapters. How long are they? (relatively ball park figures) I have no idea how I'm writing at present. I'm letting it out but not sure if I should be thinking in terms of chapters etc (at present it's an all in one. Well at least with paragraphing.)

I'm not stressing about it I figure the important thing is to get the story out and then editing can be the sorting out stuff Just feels weird when I come in and update to say how much I've written as only a word count.

On that I'm off writing, it's Monday which means writing day WOO HOO

I tend to change depending on what I'm writing with chapter lengths. Some are really short, some are up around the 4000 mark.

Right now I'm really finding it hard to get past emotional involvement with the characters. I am currently writing a scene where one of the main characters (a 9yo child) witnesses his father's death, caused indirectly by the main character's actions. I'm finding it very emotionally draining to write.

Kylie

It is emotionally draining, Ruth.  But so satisfying when you nail the characterisation.  You'll probably find yourself crying each time you edit that sad scene.  Can't tell you how I howled when Petra died.  That was so sad.  Still is, even to think about it, let alone read it.  Must be because our characters become so real to us.

My news is that Foldworld is unfolding beautifully!  I passed the 100 page threshhold today and that was a good feeling.  Having my own office at the Qld Writer's Centre is the best thing that could have happened for me.  The coffee is to die for (Aromas - yum!), the staff are fun and friendly and the vibe left behind by John Birmingham - the previous writer in residence - is production plus.  I'm zooming along and loving every minute of it.  Well, loving the working in the office part.  The bus trip in and back isn't quite so pleasant, but I'm getting over my public transport phobia too, which is a good thing - stepping outside my comfort zone and doing okay.

Glad to hear you guys discussing how you write and encouraging each other.  That's so helpful.  We all have slumps and highs, and it's great to be able to share them.

Last night while in bed an image on how to add my prolougue appeared to me in chapters, from where to add
it and how it should sound between coversations. It was really sureel when it happen it was like a was a fly on the wall. Anyone have anything else happen like that.

Nancy, I don't think I've had an experience so powerful as yours sounds to have been, but I have had my versions.
I'm a very interactive person with my writing; I tend to act scenes out in my head with me swapping between characters to get the emotions, or I sit there at my laptop talking to myself. When I was younger I would stay in my room and 'become' people in their own scenerios (often taking scenes from my favourite movies) and I think I have just evolved a little from doing the very same
Sometimes I wonder what my true outlet should be....writing, films, art....I'm just such an image-orientated person, but I guess that is the challenge of writing - to put those images into words and make them a reality for the reader...
Am I rambling?

Thanks Louise. I was thinking I was going mad crying while I'm typing.

Kylie

Ha! No Ruth, I agree with Louise. If you don't cry, chances are neither will the reader, and memories are based on emotions. So, if you want your reader to remember you, start yanking those heart strings!

Dale your not rumbling. I understand I have been lucky to have scenes like that happen a few times in bed since I started writing. Whenit happens its like a light going on with me thinking 'yeah that will work'.
Louise I am a worried about the Op being April 1st. I already have had a few weird looks.

If you think your going mad them I must be too. I laugh at some of my scenes, they seems so funny. So don'y worry too much.

What was that your weird looks?

Grace the operation is set for the 1st of April. The 1st of April is April fools day a day of tricks palyed on anyone. So when I have said ths op is on that day they look at me as if to say you have got to be joking. They think I am joking. As Lou asked if I was worried being April 1st!.

Ah, I go voluntary into the hiding!

Louise, great to hear your new locale is being so productive and think of all the people watching you can do on public transport.

Nancy I know what you mean, I have to quite often. Normally dream it or see it just before drifitng to sleep, it becomes quite surreal and many times I wish I had a 'scanner' for my images.......it can be anything like a visual still of the whole scene being acted out or it can look like the completed page with words and dialogue all written out (hence the desire for a brain scanner).

Dale I too wonder where my writing will lead me, I figure what comes out will come out and if it is a book that is what pours out and if it turns into plays, scripts etc then it will happen. lol I sometimes feel like my role in all this is as the conduit for my characters.

Kylie I have yet to write sad/heavy scenes but know they will come. In a "dare" story I did (as a dare for a friend) I had to write stuff I normally wouldn't even consider myself capable of describing etc and it 'threw' me for a good few weeks afterwards. Now when I read it I think "was that me?"

Funny side story, my imagery got so strong I was compelled to do some writing whilst in the classroom waiting for literacy course to begin (the teacher was writing notes on the board whilst I was frantically trying to get my words onto paper).