Back in the Saddle

   It feels wonderful to get back into my desk chair and focus on work. Now that things have settled down my attention can go back to my novel-in-progress. I feel like I'm getting things done and I'm not going crazy because I can't write.
   A little while ago, the Positive Brigade came over to take us out. We went to Little Italy and had a lovely night out, visiting Lake View Cemetery, taking many photographs... It was a wonderful time. My new picture on my profile was taken by Shelby, who is an incredible photographer. We had a lot of fun and will return to Little Italy one day. Especially the bakery that is there.
   I'm still keeping up with my journal. I want to try keeping a 'Morning Pages' journal too but first I have to find a notebook that isn't being used for something else. After I try it for a little while, I'll let you all know how it goes.

   My dad's going to set up my mother's desk in the room connected to mine so my mom has an office she can use. It's one of those big 'L' shape desk. My dad said he'll find a spare piece that he can set up in my room so I have an actual desk instead of using my dresser as a make-shift desk. It'll be nice to have leg room when I'm writing.
   Meanwhile, everyday I'm pushing myself to keep editing and try to get more and more done each day. Some days are good but some days are slow and editing is painful, but the more I do it the more I learn with each sentence. And I have to keep learning to improve myself as a writer.

To The New Year

   Well, it's the end of the year and time to say good bye to the old year and hello to the new one. It's also that time to make resolutions. So here's my resolutions:

• Edit my novel-in-progress
• Write two full first drafts during 2011
• Get an agent and send edited novel-in-progress out for publication
• Get rid of all negativity in my life (more as in negative people instead of negative tasks as in work)
• Join a local writing group
• Learn to drive
• Experience new things (i.e. build something, go to new places, see new things, go camping, ect, ect.)
• Read more books and keep a journal
• Protect my writing time more than I have been

   There's my list. I hope you all manage to accomplish all your new year resolutions. This will be my last blog post for 2010, so farewell 2010 and hello 2011. I hope you'll be better and full of new adventures. I look forward to the new chapters in my life and the exciting new adventures that lay ahead.
   Looking back on this year I could have accomplished so much more. I don't want that regret at the end of 2011. I want to live my life to the fullest and enjoy every moment of it-- even the hardships.

   So here's to the new year and the new adventures that are waiting~
   May it be blessed with happiness, fortune, love, and excitement.

- Siddy

New Year Updates

   I've decided that New Year's Eve or day, at the latest, I will be incorporating my planned updates for my blog. It won't be completely done when I change the layout as I don't have my banner or such finished yet, but it'll be done enough to work. So be ready for a new layout and a new name!

   So here I am, preparing for the New Year, and working on my resolutions. One of the biggest things I want to leave behind is the anger issues I've had this last month or so. I've been thinking everything over very carefully and I think I need to start doing that now. So from this point on, I'm going to ignore the biggest source of my anger-- it'll be gone soon enough anyway, and by ignoring it I'll be frustrating it further.
   I have to start working on editing my novel and making my way towards getting published. That's going to be my main focus this upcoming year. I also want to start outlining for next year's NaNoWriMo earlier than I did this year and rewrite another novel-in-progress of mine before NaNoWriMo.

   What are your New Year resolutions? Do any of them have to do with writing?

- Siddy

Preparations for Editing

Well, NaNoWriMo has been over for 21 days, December's almost gone and I finally have my manuscript all printed out and ready my red pen for editing. Parts must be rewritten while other parts just need a good going over. Unfortunately a writing mishap happened and it didn't print in double spacing like it was supposed to... I think it was because it was opened in an internet browser and not in MS Word... But that's all right. I plan to work with it as it is since I feel I've killed enough trees today...

   And there it is. The death of a dozen trees and my novel-in-progress in it's full, rough, unpolished, and unedited glory, still untouched by the Great Red Pen. I'll probably casually go over it, switching between working on that, reading library books, and writing other works-in-progress until after New Year's and then the real work begins. After I edit this one, add in scenes, and remove other scenes, check characters to make sure they're in character, and go over my grammar again and again (not exactly in that order but you get the idea), I'll redo it on the computer and reprint everything out-- killing more trees; I feel horrible for it-- to go over the second draft.
   Why print it out? Personally, I like editing on paper. It's different from working on the computer and the bright, glaring screen. No, not all of my editing is done with paper but I, personally, find editing easier if I print out my novel-in-progress and go over it that way.
   So like so many other Wrimos on their writing adventures, I'm preparing for the long, perilous journey of editing. But for now, I'm off to check the skies once more for the 2010 lunar eclipse, be disappointed when I find the sky is thick with clouds as it always is in winter, and then fall asleep on the couch-- my lovely bed away from bed.

   Hope everyone is having a great holiday season and enjoying the winter solstice,

   - Siddy

Upcoming Updates?

   Hello, readers. I plan to update the blog soon with a new name and layout. Along with my own maturing I feel the blog must mature with me. So I'll update the layout and name in the future eventually. Probably shortly after New Year's if all goes well.
   But it'll be done when it's done. With any luck I might be able to get Arcane and her crazy skills to help me out with it. If I can get her to help then the blog will look amazing.
   I hope everyone's Christmas season is going well. Mine has been full of trials but what can one do? We'll see what happens and how everything goes after the holiday seasons. What do you guys all want for Christmas? I, myself, couldn't ask for much. I got everything I needed and wanted this year. I have my new netbook, Toshi, and a nifty android cell phone. I had the best NaNoWriMo of my life thus far and a first draft ready to be edited as soon as I can manage to print it out.
   It's been snowing almost nonstop here. I'm waiting for it to drop down cold enough so I can toss boiled water outside and watch it turn into powder and steam. Knowing my luck, it won't drop down that cold now that I want it to. If it does drop down that cold I'll post pictures and try to post video of it.

   I have my desk cleared and cleaned up and did some writing tonight. I'll do more before the night is over. I like how my desk looks but I can't wait until I have an actual desk so I can have leg room but for now my dresser/desk will do perfectly. Here, just to share it with you all... This is a picture I took and posted to my Twitter after a writing mishap and my light bulb busted while I was settling in to write:

   I have my sketchbooks up there too from working on Christmas gifts for my parents, so it looks a little cluttered. I was also considering getting a second lamp for the other end of my desk but we'll see what the future holds.


- Siddy

Until Next Year, NaNoWriMo

   Well, it's over and my Post-NaNo Hangover hit me hard this year. I've been easing myself away from coffee by drinking tea again and contemplating certain scenes for my novel. I can really see the potential in this story. It just needs me to polish it up and whittle away the roughness until it shines.
   The weather held off until the end of November too. It's almost as if it waited to snow just to mark the end of NaNoWriMo. We're supposed to get snow for the next eight days, a clear day on the ninth day, and then more snow on the tenth day. As long as it stays warm in the house, I don't mind. I may have to go find my snow boots, though.
   But it feels strange. NaNoWriMo went by so quickly. I miss it already, and although part of me was ready for it to end so I could relax a little, the rest of me didn't want it to end. But there's always next year and I have editing to do and other stories to work on until then. Others in my WriMo group say we should make it a NaNoWriYe or NaNoWri∞. I love these suggestions and after December and all its trials and stresses and joys I might join them in doing this. But for now I'm forcing myself to take a little while to let myself relax, let my fingers recover from the endless typing, and to let the story sit for a little bit while I contemplate. When I pick it back up, hopefully I'll be able to see it with a fresh view and I'll be able to edit it more proficiently.
  It was a good month that went by with surprising speed. The MLs in my group did an incredible job and I once again want to give them a shout out and let them know that they are awesome. This was one of the best years I've ever had in NaNo and I look forward to next year already.
   This was a fantastic learning experience for me. I found out more about myself as a person and as a writer. Each NaNoWriMo brings new surprises for me and new challenges and each year I've managed to overcome them and learn more and every time I sit down to write or read I better myself as a writer. So here's to NaNoWriMo 2010. One of the best NaNos I've ever participated in.
   So I'm off to sit by the fireplace and read a book that I've neglected all November and drink a cup of hot tea while enjoying the peanut butter cookies I've made as a reward for all my hard work and effort in November.
And to all my other fellow Wrimos out there I want to say great job. You've earn every reward you may be giving yourself.
Enjoy.

- Siddy
95,414 words.

P.S. I'm dedicating this win to my Mom and Dad. Without their support (or my new netbook that they bought) this year probably wouldn't have been so amazing or successful. I love you guys with all my heart. Thanks again for everything you guys do.