A Confession And Reflection

I have a confession to make. I didn't participate in Camp NaNoWriMo this July. Explains the lack of Camp this and Camp that in my blog posts, doesn't it?

I began the month with every intention to write a novel from scratch. Writing 50,000 words wasn't exactly my goal. I just wanted to write a lot of words for a new novel I could potentially publish one day. Perhaps not traditionally but possibly.

Instead, I wrote a bit of everything. Some prose and poems, fiction and nonfiction.

I don't consider July to be a complete failure. After all, I wrote every day.

Even though I didn't manage to complete the first draft of a novel, I did come out of July with some good writing. Pieces I will likely work on further in the future.

I think I needed a month of writing whatever I wanted. Especially since I worked on a novel not that long ago in April. It's like I went straight from April to July, skipping May and June entirely.

Also, I wanted a slight break from everything. From feeling pressured to meet a certain word count, feeling obligated to stick to a singular story, etc.

I like to believe I've spent the past 30 days or so regrouping. I did some soul-searching wherein I ask myself what in the Herminia do I want in this life. And, to be quite honest, I still don't know.

Right now I want to continue writing as long as possible. Wherever I go, whoever I am a year from now or a decade down the road, I hope I'll always remember my humble beginnings.

I cherish the memory of when I first reached for pen and paper, when I finally let my thoughts flow freely. It seemed so easy at the time.

My first ever Camp NaNoWriMo coincided with an attempt at finishing my first novel. I'll spare all of you the boring details. But even now, I can recall a younger Herminia pressing keys with her not so nimble fingers several years ago. She had a blast.

So I owe it to myself to have as much fun as I used to or more every time I voluntarily face the blank page.

10 Tips For Surviving Camp NaNoWriMo

It’s upon us. That time of the year where the most ambitious of writers try to write a lot of words in a short amount of time.

Here’s to your survival during Camp NaNoWriMo. May you come out of July with a terrible first draft.

1. Do not research. You could have researched before. You can always do so after. It doesn’t matter. Your priority during Camp should be writing as many words as you can. Not researching how to bury a body. 
2. Do save your work everywhere. Make multiple copies and drafts of your novel, so you can sleep easier at night.
3. Do not procrastinate. Easier said than done. It helps a lot. Writing 1,667 words in 24 hours is much easier than writing 50,000 words in 1 day. 
4. Do sit in your chair and pound keys. Try to stay seated until you hit a goal you’ve set for yourself.
5. Do not read everything in sight. You can pick up that awesome book once you’ve hit your word count for each day.
6. Do tell people you’re busy writing a bestseller. They’ll hold you accountable. They might even ask to read it.
7. Do not edit. Don’t do it.
8. Do reward yourself handsomely. Exercise. Sleep well. Eat good food. But treat myself. 
9. Do not waste your precious writing time. It’s precious. Cherish it. 
10. Do have fun. Make writing fun again.

See you in August. Feel free to wave your manuscript in the air and scream your victory at the top of a mountain.

This Month | What I Love | July 2016

It’s been a strange month.

But I’ve been writing and editing more consistently, which is a claim I couldn’t make all too often in the past.

I like writing during the more relaxing and enjoyable summer months. Who doesn’t?

This post is my way of announcing that I love July a lot more than November. I’m not even sorry about it.

For me, November is the antithesis of July. Birthdays, school days, and the upcoming holidays make every day a busy one in the second to last month of the year.

Thank goodness we only have one November each year.

Are You Prepared For Camp NaNoWriMo?

April, July, and November have a funny way of creeping up on me. And despite what I do, I tend to feel surprised when Camp NaNo is finally underway. I refuse to be caught unawares this year. When July 1st rolls around, I hope I’m as prepared as I can be.

I usually “prepare” by thinking about Camp and what I want to accomplish but not doing anything about it. Then when it’s time to write 50,000 words, I’m in no shape to because I’m lucky if I even write 500 words in a day.

Maybe I should go in with a better plan this time around. A more concrete plan rather than just “write a novel in one month”.

I’m planning to edit more this July. I’ll still write creatively because I can’t not write. But I’d like to focus on editing old stories or perhaps a previous novel. I haven’t decided yet. That’s the problem. I’m indecisive.

I still have four days to figure it out. So do you. Unless you live on another planet. Or you’re reading this many hours later.

Are you prepared? Camp is almost here!

What Are You Doing For Camp NaNoWriMo?

It’s June, Herminia.

So?

It’s never too early to start thinking about Camp NaNoWriMo. Or too late.

So what are you planning to do this coming July?

Will you write a new novel? Work on an old one? Start a script? Create some short stories?

Or if you aren’t from this planet, maybe you’re doing all of the above. I probably won’t even do a good job with one project on my plate.

Also every time I hear someone say they forgot about Camp, I want to roll my eyes because I don’t let anyone who follows my blog forget about the awesomeness that is April, July, and November. Clearly they weren’t following my blog. I don’t blame them. I don’t think I’d follow my own blog. But I do. Because I love myself that much.

Besides how does one forget about Camp? You don’t. More like you pretended you didn’t know about it, so you wouldn’t have to be creative. Then again why wouldn’t you want to create something wonderful? I don’t understand real people. Hence why I fall in love with fictional characters.

This post is a testament to why I shouldn’t be allowed to write blog posts where I ramble about pointless stuff that doesn’t pertain to anyone reading it. Maybe when I’m seventy-eight I’ll be able to hire someone to edit my work.

Whatever you’re planning to write, just remember that sometimes your original plans change. Allow it. Don’t be afraid to veer away from your road map and explore. After all that’s what Camp NaNo is for.

Fav Books Mid-Year 2015

It’s more than halfway through the year and I’m looking forward to the next few months. Well, not so much since school is about to start.

On the bright side, I might be slightly more productive.

Anyhow, in my opinion, reading is half the fun. Blogging about it makes up the other half.

For this post, I’m going to include books I started and finished before July 2015. Also, I may do another instalment for books I’ve read in the last six months of the year. If I remember.

Black Knight by Christopher Pike

If you should know anything about me, it’s this: I don’t like when people compare a book to other books. So I won’t compare Black Knight to anything else. Not Hunger Games. Not Divergent. Go in with an open mind and give the novel a chance. This goes for all books.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This story changed me. I will never be the same again.

Endgame (The Calling) by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton

Does it sound familiar? That’s because I mentioned Endgame in a previous post. Say what you want about Frey. I appreciated the diversity and representation. Not every character was American.

The Escape by David Baldacci

I have no words aside from confessing that I’m in love with Robert Puller’s brain.

Lionheart: The Diaries of Richard I by Chris Manson

It’s a very different read, but the diary entries did not disappoint. I have a more in-depth review here.

Thank you Kev for the suggestion. I took his idea and put my own spin on it. He runs a fantastic blog supporting indie authors so you’re probably following him already.

Oh, would you look at that. I own a copy of all these books. Are you surprised I still want more?

This post contains affiliate links.

Why I’m Loving Camp NaNoWriMo July 2015

Because there is no school and no stress.

July is a good month to do a whack-load of stuff. For me it’s the most relaxing month of them all.

I realize that sentiment doesn’t apply to everybody.

Still, ten months of school for fourteen years is the worst. At least once university starts, I’ll have eight months of school and four months of summer.

July is my most stress-free month. What’s yours?

As if I need to say it, but I’d rather write 50,000 words every month each year than go to school at all. Can someone grant me that wish?

Canada’s Birthday, Camp NaNoWriMo, Creative Ice Cream Flavours Day

Happy Canada Day. I know most of you are from the United States. Send your love up north.

Happy first day of Camp. And by Camp, I mean NaNoWriMo. What else could I possibly mean?

Happy creative ice cream flavours day. Did you know about that? Because I didn’t until now.

Happy first day of July. Unless you’re reading this next June. If you are, hey you. How’s 2016 treating you?

Happy birthday to those of you who happen to be born today. I don’t wish many people happy birthday so be grateful.

I’ve used the word ‘happy’ way too many times in this post. Just know I’m wishing you all the best and I wish I could shower all of you with happiness.