What's the Rush?

Yeah, that whole scheduling thing? Not working out so much, haha. But, I've gotta get myself on track somehow! And I'm going to be trying a bit harder at keeping it up. We shall see how it goes....

Anyway, my goal for finishing my first draft before my birthday is just not going to happen. 56k in 11 days? Not going to happen with this lady behind the keyboard. That's over 5000 a day. And even on a good day, I can't manage that much. My peak has been just over 3000. Some people are maniacs and can whip out chapters like nobodies business. They can crank out a first draft in a month. But that's just not me.

Whether I'd like to be fast or not, doesn't really make a difference. I've learned that while yes, people can change it's about as easy as sawing off your own arm. And not all of us have the balls of steel like Aron Ralston. (Would you be able to amputate your arm to save your life like he did? I don't think I'd be able to.) So I've learned to accept the fact that I like to take certain things slow.

Which in this world, just doesn't cut it. Everything needs to be done right now. If you don't cram enough into your day or work at the speed of sound (cause if you work at the speed of light, you're a busybody.) then you're just lazy. If you don't want to finish your book within three months, then do you even really want to get published?

I know I've felt that sort of pressure. If you aren't doing it as quick as you can, then do you really want it? Is your dream of becoming an author really true? Yes. It damn well is true.

My favorite teacher in high school instilled this saying that I've kept with me: Quality, not quantity. Of course, he was talking about plants... but I've found that it can be applied everywhere in life. He should be proud, because three years out of high school I'm still abiding by that motto--even though it's the opposite of the world at large.

So yeah, it's taken me six plots to reach one I'm happy with. And it's taken me about two months to write five chapters. I'm just going to keep at it and when I finish my first draft, I'm going to celebrate because I completed it. Not because I did it before some date.

Not that I'm not going to try to finish it soon, I'd like to, but I'm not going to beat myself up for being a bit of a turtle. Sometimes slow and steady really does win the race.

And even the slowpoke gets a prize at the end.

What type of person are you? Do you like to go, go, go? Or are you the take it easy type?

Freaky Friday the 13th Blogfest

So, I was convinced to embarrass myself by Jessica for Kat Brauer's Freaky Friday Blogfest. You post 500 words of something old and then we get critiqued on it. I'm all for making fun of my really old writing! I've decided to make you all suffer a little--hope you like exercising your critiquing self?

A small disclaimer so I don't completely ruin my reputation (what? I've got a reputation? When did that happen?!) I wrote this when I was like... 14. Before I knew how to truly write. So, here we are. If you get confused, I don't blame you in the least.

Commence the bad writing!

Indrya walked down the marble halls until she reached her husband. "Why are you here?" she asked

"Its Chandelle. She won`t come out"

"Zedekiah, you`re supposed to get her out, not ask her if she wants to come out"

"But-"

"Chandelle, come out of there! We have to address the kingdom!"

"Of what news?" a voice whispered from behind the door.

"Of the war that is flooding into Donrolet" Zedekiah said

"Why can`t you go without me?" the voice asked

Zedekiah leaned clsoer to Indrya "Go get the girls" he whispered

"They won`t help you guys!" the voice said

"What?"

"NOTHING IS GOING TO GET ME TO GO!"

"I`ve got the girls Zedekiah"

"SEND `EM IN!" he called joyfully.

A pale girl that stood almost as tall as Indrya asked "Uhh, Uncle Zede, how are we to get in?"

"Well Jenolya, I suppose you, Nadyla and Don would just walk in there and convince her to come out" Nadyla giggled sweetly as he said this. Jenolya had trouble holding in her smirk. Even their Aunt Indrya was chuckling a little. "What?" he called

"Honey, have you forgotten our daughters abilities?"

"Not that I know of. Why do you ask?"

"If you look down you might find out something new"

Zedekiah looked down and gave a small yelp. "What? She can make us float now?"

"I like to call it Levitation father"

"Ah, well might you be able to let us down? I`m afraid I don`t like heights as much as others"

"Not until I may stay father!"

"Chandelle, will you please come out?" Nadyla called, her voice layered in kindness. There was a scrambling noise behind the door.

"Now look what you`ve done!" Jenolya cried

"I didn`t do anything! I just asked her a friendly question!"

"Eh, SHOVE IT WILL YA?"

"JENOLYA! NADYLA! STOP FIGHTING!" Don called from somewhere behind the two.

"CHANDELLE! LET US DOWN WILL YA?" Jenolya called

"As you wish" a small voice murmured "Will ya look at that?! She listEENNNNNNS-!" all 5 of them felt the wind rushing past their ears. The marble floor seemed to look like it was rushing up to them. Nadyla screamed just before everything stopped.

"Chandelle! Thats an evil trick to play! Nadyla is crying" Indrya called, putting a comforting arm around Nadyla`s shoulders.
"Bu-"

"Come out this instant!" The big black door slowly creaked open.

"Where is she?" Don asked

"Is she in shadow again?"

"I assume so"

"Can`t we make her come out?"

"A shadow is better than nothing"

"Fine, lets go"

"Come along Chandelle!"

Jenolya, Nadyla and Don stayed rooted to the spot until they heard the hiccup of someone crying. "Chandelle?" Nadyla called. The noise stopped somewhere to their left. Don and Jenolya glanced at one another and nodded. Don nudged Nadyla then made a gesture with her head.

Nadyla nodded then called out "Chandelle, are you crying?" Jenolya and Don slowly creeped towards a shadow.

"Please say something!"

Just as they were about to grab her, she yelled "SHUTAE NO HANDE SEIN!" There was a blast and they were thrown against a wall.

I even forgot periods! Oh the shame.  At least I can say I've improved?

Critique away friends! Let's see how many horrible things you can catch. (Bet it'll be in the double digits!)