Camp NaNoWriMo

This year has been like being stuck upside on a roller coaster while they are searching amusement park ticket. . . It’s only been the first three months. Sighs. I claim that the other nine months will be so much better. We had started to year with paperwork and money issues that was so stressful that gave my brother, with a million other health issues, ulcers and breathing issues. I finally got everything to settle down for me to get a tooth infection, so bad it gave me headaches, severe dangerous swelling, and breathing and sinus issues. I had to go to the ER and specialist dentist. (I’m still waiting on surgery) Then we had a death in the family; which now I feel had caused silent wars (at least wars in my head over what is really good/Justice/Fair vs what I needed to do for my brother and my own health? I’m working on personal writing, kind of memoir…for NaNoWriMo …trying to break my writer’s block.)

(Camp is kind of a joke mom and I have when I tell her I’m writing for Camp NaNoWriMo during the months of April and July (or is it August). . . )

Short story idea:

Funny story (fictional). . . I am missed the bus for camp. . .

Anyway. . . they have set up the camp each time with a different theme. . . I’ll be honest I haven’t checked out the theme and now I am on hold for forty-five minutes and heard the song “You put the lime in the coconut” at least eleven times.
I negotiated with this secretarial lady who went on about her kids that were actually cats all named after candy. . . Tootsie pop was a Tuxedo cat, Nerds was a clumsy orange striped male, Snickers was tortoiseshell who was very nutty, Babe Ruth was a black and white cat who knew he could go the distance, Milky way was the mama cat who was a mixed breed rescue, and Skittles was a white cat with brown spots and very hyper.
“We have a lift. . . bus picking up the few that got left behind. . .” She sighed as this happened every camp. They gave me at time to be ready on day two. . . but I will miss the first day. She gave me writing assignment for day one. . .
“Write two short stories: Why were you late? However one story is the truth and second story is very far off lie. Please have these two stories with you on the bus.” She exclaimed. . .”the bus will pick me up at 2:30, please be packed, ready, and stories finished. You’re first group will be in the bus.” She rushed. . . “Thank you have a nice day!”

Perfect Writing Space

You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?

I have written about this before.

New Year. . . New Look. . .

It really had not changed all that much.

I want L shape desk. I want comfy computer chair.

On the walls, I would put my art.

I need a printer as I like to print out and edit with red pen.

I would also want book shelves and file cabinets..

I would want a space for a future podcast.

NaNoWriMo 2022 Updates

I had two, technically three projects I was working on in November. I gave myself a personal word count goal of 20,000 words for NaNoWriMo this year as I have been fighting brain fog and writer’s block.

I achieved my 20,000 words by November 9th..

By November 25th, I got 56,877 words …yay!!

I have to thank all those who set up word sprints. They helped me get the most words hand written in a short amount of time..

Yes, I hand wrote two out of three projects. With my colorful pens.

I’m excited about writing again..*Dances*

I hope to keep this up the next month and in 2023.

Things I have learned (so far)

I have been editing on two projects (technically, three projects if you count my therapy as well.) And I have learned a few things this month.

1. I need to keep my goals more realistic. (I have been fighting depression and heal issues and with my other responsibilities, I have to make sure some things get done before I can edit. My original goal was 60 to 75 editing hours, I will be thrilled with reaching 50 hours by March 31st. I’m so close to at 45 hours and 20 minutes.)
2. As I have said before, editing is more work to me, and I need to really be focused. It can really strain me. (However if I enjoy what I am editing, it’s not so bad. I have been easily distracted, grrr.)
3. When I edit, I have to have a reason to add, subject, or simply change something.
4. There are so many rules for commas. They can change the meaning of the statement.
5. Semi-colons and colons can be tricky. I like to use them a bit for lists, and to make two simple statements a bit more complex.
6. Writing is my bliss. Even just a simple blog like this.
7. I think it’s best for my brain and happiness, if I can somehow rotate my writing and editing.

I am excited as I hope to work on a few projects with Camp NaNoWriMo in April and work on a walking program/schedule. I need to balance my computer work and get some exercise.

So my goal for today, dinner is in the crock pot (BBQ pulled ribs), get coffee, edit a few hours, and work on my other blogs.

Editing Update 2

First of all, my living situation has not been the greatest, but I have made the best of it.

Secondly, formatting issues with google.docs has me reediting my friend’s piece from the beginning. So far so good. (I am trying to edit her piece at least one day each week next month, even with Camp NaNoWriMo.)

Thirdly, between migraines, eye issues, and sinuses, I have pushed my way through.

I had a goal of 60 to 75 hours of editing but 11:59pm March 31st.

Editing hours: I have less than six days, and I am up 39 hours and 40 minutes. I do not think I will reach 60, but I will try to make at least 50. (Which was the original goal of NaNoEdMo)

I’m taking today off due to a horrible headache, and I have to get some errands done. I need more coffee.

(Just a side note, just because I am at the computer and it looks like I am reading or reorganizing it does NOT mean I am NOT working, goofing off, or lazy. I have been struggling with health issues so when I do finally sit down on my folding chair with a throbbing foot (gout), and stiff back, I usually there for a reason. Sorry, about the rant, but I was called lazy because I was getting up and doing “physical” work. )

Editing Rewards

I will admit I am a writer, and creating the story or typing up the blog is my bliss. However rereading and editing is a chore to me. Edit is the work that instantly drains me, so I have to give myself rewards. I also can only editor so long or I instantly get drained for days or simply burnt out. I mention that this month (March) I am working on editing several projects.

https://rebekahquinne.wordpress.com/2021/03/01/nanoedmo-me-2021/

https://rebekahquinne.wordpress.com/2021/02/20/nanoedmo-march-2021/

Even this evening, I edited for 2 hours and 50 minutes. . . 50 minutes over my daily goal. I rather be ahead in case I get a day or two where I am just so drained that I cannot focus.

I am surprised that I even found the energy to edit today.

Rewards for editing
1. New Pens
2. Candy
3. Hair dye
4. New diary
5. New Coffee Creamer
6. Mountain Dew
7. Notebooks
8. Tarot reading
9. Mediation breaks
10. Writing breaks: blogging, stories etc
11. Go for a walk
12. Play with my kitty
13. Play Online Games
14. Watch You tube
15. Movie
16. Making Amazon wish list
17. Online time.
18. Make favorite meal
19. Write with friends
20. Listen to music

Camp NaNoWriMo April 2020 Won.

I did it! I wrote 31,282 / 30,000.

I did despite my depression, my sinuses, dealing with my family with the quarantine. I have also been worried over illness and budgeting. In fact, being stuck, writing was my sanity.

I worked a three different projects, so yes I rebelled. However all that mattered was that I did manage to get 31k in my word count not counting blogging or journals within the 30 days.

I do have to give credit to my best friend River for being my writing cheerleader. He really helped me through. Between River and coffee I am not sure I would have made it.

By the way. . . I post alot on my instagram /https://www.instagram.com/rebekahquinne/

Thoughts in my head at 4am

It’s always happen this way . . . it’s 4am in the morning and my brain and my muses will NOT wine down.

It can be any other day when I am not doing anything and they do not want to work either.
However when I have to get up and go to do errands.

My brain just keep going and going.  . . . So many thoughts.

• Will I ever finish my book if my computer keeps corrupting my files? (Grrr)
• Why does overheating cause my files to corrupt? (I just do not know why those would even be related. I’m so flustered that I put over a week of work only for it to go to a black screen just at the last line. . . just before I hit save. GRRRR. (I lose a week worth of word count just about 8,000 words, my computer over heated and entire chapter got corrupted. . . GRRRRR)
• Am I really talented or am I wasting time? (I am torn with this, but then again hours of writing with coffee, soda or tea in my travel mug. . . is my currently bliss. I just would love to be famous or at least Very well known for my written work. I want to be the author if Stephen King and Anne Rice had a kid together. . . I know it sounds weird, but I love both author’s works. I already have three people within the week that are interested in my driving thriller. )
• Do NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNoWriMo really help? (I mean I push myself for that month to get words in my books, but are they that good? Do I really need to push my novel in so many weeks like Stephen King does? I mean he already has several publisher. . . Why am I even asking myself those questions? It’s my damn anxiety and depression monsters trying to think they are logical, but they are just trying to keep me down so that they get more powerful. Grrrr)
• Why do I keep getting hit on by guys 50 or older? (I feel like I am the good kid that parents all liked a bit too much.) (It would be really weird the guys 20 years older than me look at me like a healthy sexual being.) Age is a thing to me. . . I would like someone closer to my age. There is a difference between 10 years, defiantly between 20 years. (I mean back when my uncle went to school they had a smoking lounge. Matters, slang, how people look at things all change with time. I have not found anyone 10 years and older that truly understand me.)
• Why can’t I play Words with Friends (WWF) without getting guys 50 plus who have kids and instantly think I want to fill the void of their dead wife? (I do not want to be a replacement “mommy” while my own body will not allow me to make my own, and the guy my father’s age is having a secret affair with his secretary. I just want to play a game of scramble and beat my highest score of 437. I use words with friends and word scape to keep my brain fresh for my writing and reading skills.)
• Will I get ever get professionally published? (This does not be self-published to be lost in the amazon.com sea of so-so books. I mean to find a real publisher, agent, and editor on my team to help me sell and promote my book while they have me go from book store to book store signing books while everyone want to know what will happen next in my vampire and ghost series. I need a real publisher and editor. . . I am so overwhelmed. )
• Will I get a better place and have bigger desk, nicer pc, and cat? (I also want a kitchen, bath tub, and my own recliner. When will this happen?)

 

It’s almost 5 am. . . I think I need to sleep now. . . hopefully dreaming of publishing and getting a nicer place.

Camp NaNoWriMo Warm Days Ahead. . .

So far I am two days ahead in my writing. I’m 14,100 out of 35,000 (that is my word count goal)

I am currently working on my thriller and it is coming out so easy that today when it got cold, so cold my joints hurt. I took a break. I watched a movie called “Passengers” with Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. . . It was really good. It showed me that you can write your story anywhere. (You also need to make the best of the location that you’re in.)

 

My Happy Time

I’ve been dealing with wifi issues. . . so I have time to write and I have no focus, sigh.

My favorite time even now. . . just sitting in front of a screen and getting ready to type.

I loved the time when I was with my ex (may he rest in peace.) The four hours I have while he would sleep (while our sleep schedules were overlap). I would drink my soda or coffee and work on my writings. ( I especially loved it during NaNoWriMo time.)

I wish I could have those four hours by myself at least Monday thru Friday.

I just want to write each day for so many hours and have focus while I have that time. (Currently, I just try to plug myself in to my music and focus so that all those around disappear and I can simply focus on whatever story I am working on.)
It’s my happy time.