Camp NaNo - April & July 2020
April & July 2019 Camp NaNo
There are many struggles in life, but for me, sometimes it's finding the words to place onto the page. Writing is away to create new worlds, explore, and experience so many different emotions. Also to tell stories that matter. With reading we learn not only to write, but certain stories and characters will change us through out our lives. A proud Greek Latina. I’m Christy from South Texas.
*Header Image of Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) from BBC America’s Doctor Who
Blog Tour 2015
April Session
April 2017
NaNoPrep & Querying: Preparation Is Key
This year I’m doing NaNoWriMo, and querying my 2019 novel. I’ve learned that preparation leads me to success. Everyone has their own way of doing things, especially with writing, but this is mine.
In previous NaNoWriMo years, and camps, I found that when I planned out a general idea of the plot and my characters. It helped me get the words onto the page. Sometimes I look at other ways people plan their stories to figure out a plan, but this year, I used the NaNoPrep materials to work out my plans. I found them really useful. I also made Google sheet that includes my chapters with short summaries, and a space to count the words for each chapter, as well as the total all the words of my manuscript. This is something I created for my 2019 novel with much success. This is another way I keep track of my writing. It also has helped to participate in virtual writing sprints, especially with the local writers in my region. I look forward to doing that again this November. It’s even more important that NaNoWriMo will go all virtual this year as a way to keep everyone safe.
I’ve received feedback on my query for my 2019 novel. Some things I had an idea that I needed to improve upon. The first part is that I don’t normally send email queries. I send out queries via the QueryTracker forms. This provides me a way to view what the agent is requesting and fill out exactly what they are looking for. For the #RevPit #10Queries raffle, I had to submit a sample of an email query. So in that case, I thought it would be good to include a bit more than I normally would for the letter portion. It also mentioned that I needed to do more showing versus telling, in my sample pages, which is feedback I’ve received previously and thought I fixed. The most important parts of the feedback was to understand that I’ve been querying my novel in not the quite right genre, and how to revise my query letter and first pages. The feedback for my query as well as others (which you can see on Twitter with the hashtags) also gave me a better idea of what is expected in traditional publishing, especially as I move forward with querying, but also with my own novel writing.
I knew things about publishing before from reading and other experiences, but the querying experience is quite like teaching, you are able to deeply understand and learn when you experience it. As like writing, it’s about experimenting and practicing that skill. I look forward to seeing how my querying and writing improves next month. Even if I end up self-publishing my 2019 novel, I’ve learned a lot. I want to keep trying to publish my writing in anyway that I can.
On another note, I got a chance to write a fanfic in October, which was the longest fanfic I’ve ever written. It was the 20th anniversary of Gilmore Girls, and I had to write my version of the continuation of A Year In The Life (Netflix revival mini series). It was a good practice for my writing skill ahead of NaNoWriMo. In November, I’ll be focusing my original writing, but I think it will be improved also because of this.
Happy NaNoWriMo to my fellow writers! Don’t forget to reward yourself from time to time, after writing a good amount. I’m going to have the new Hallmark movie, ‘Holly & Ivy,’ as a reward on the first day for making good progress in starting my next novel. I’ll update my blog when I can in November, or at least afterwards.
Almost Halfway With Querying
My goal with querying is to send out 100 queries. I’m almost half way. With my next batch, I will be half way. It’s important to believe and love your manuscript to endure each rejection, while still reflecting on what you can improve. With each batch, I’ve learned more about querying, publication, and most of all, the writing community.
I’m thankful for the support so far on my novel. This has also helped as I’ve move forward towards publication and my writing, in between my jobs. If I don’t get it published traditionally, I will self-publish. I have plans for that too. I want to make sure I try as many options as possible, including a twitter pitch event and an unpublished contest.
While waiting for responses, I’m working on writing a short script and any short stories that I can, and planning what novel I will write next with NaNoPrep. Next month, I will learn how I do with Book Pipeline’s unpublished contest on October 25. This is why I can’t submit to Pitch Wars, according to their rules about contests. I will put more effort on planning out my next novel to be prepared for NaNoWriMo.
After several rejections with my novel, I look at what I can do to improve on my query, or how I will approach querying differently, for the next batch. Each batch is exciting because it’s another chance for my novel to get opportunities. It’s the same way I feel about the unpublished contest too. I don’t know how it will work out, but I’m hopeful. I will continue forward as best as I can.
I hope to write at least another blog update next month with querying, Book Pipeline’s unpublished contest, and Preptober (NaNoPrep in October). Then another blog update before NaNoWriMo (in November) and afterwards. At least one blog post at the end of the year to reflect on this year and what I can do next. I will try my best to update soon. Thank you for keeping up with my progress.
Best wishes to my fellow writers, especially my fellow South Texas writers. Hopefully we will get good news soon with querying. If not, I hope you will continue like I will to find a way to get your stories published. We will find a way. Keep writing. We’ve got this.
Camp NaNo Winner 2020 -> Now Querying
If you haven’t been following my updates on my social media, or on my NaNoWriMo profile, I’ve won again during Camp NaNoWriMo 2020. In April, I won by completing 30 poems in 30 days for NaPoWriMo during the first session of Camp NaNoWriMo this year. This July, I revised my novel (that I completed in 2019) for the third time and won on the 19th with the goal of revising 50,000 words.
It really helped that I had good feedback to revise certain areas, but I still went through all the chapters to see if there was anything I could improve or add to enhance the story. Originally when I completed the story is was under 50,000 words. Not only did I add aspects throughout, but also a new chapter at the end. This final chapter really gives the story a better ending. After revising, I decided to submit to an unpublished novel contest, and start querying.
I will not know the result of the contest until October or November. So I pushed towards creating all the materials and fine tuning them for sending out queries to literary agents. I want to try out my options, before I go towards self-publishing, as I really want this book to be published. Even if I don’t publish this novel traditionally, I still plan on trying to traditionally publish in the future. I’ve even been thinking about what I’ll write next as I wait for responses. While I’m not thinking about my next story, I’m reading, and a bit of watching TV/Film/Web Series, from a writer’s perspective to improve my craft.
From the first batch of queries, I’ve received the first half back with rejections in a week. I’m still waiting on the second half. It seems likely I will received responses next Month, or no response back from them. Next month, or by September, I’ll send out another batch, determining on which agents are open for queries. The best part of the querying experience so far is being part of the #AmQuerying community on Twitter. I’m able to see how everyone is progressing, or struggling, which makes us realize we’re not alone, and also respond and follow fellow writers. Additionally, if agents have Twitter, it helps to see their updates as you wait for their response.
I also enjoy being part of the #WritingCommunity on Twitter as well, for similar reasons. I’ve enjoyed helping out my local writing group South Texas Scribes create a Camp NaNoWriMo group on the site so we could see our progress and support each other. The best win is that I’ve found ways to support fellow writers this month, while progressing on my own work, and knowing who supports me, because they’re always cheering me on and giving me good advice.
While I’ll be busy next month with querying, working on my next project, improving my craft, and working my amazing jobs, I still want to keep updating my blog as much as I can. It’s hard to be consistent with it, but I’ll try my best, especially if I have something to share. Take care, stay safe, and keep writing. Thanks for all the support.
Camp NaNoWriMo 2020: Revision Progress
One of my favorite authors Jo Whittemore mentioned, recently on Twitter, a quote from Margaret Atwood that she found insightful with revision: “Revision means re-vision. You’re seeing it anew. And quite frequently when you’re doing that, you see possibilities you didn’t see before…” It’s helped me at the start of Camp NaNoWriMo, where I’m taking the opportunity to use this month’s session to revise my novel for the third time for publication instead of creating something new.
Originally I had plans to write an update last week as I got started with Camp NaNoWriMo, but I took the opportunity to enjoy my birthday weekend at home and also on my novel. I’m already flying past 10,000 words revised, thanks to feedback from my friend and co-worker that has made me view my novel anew. You can see my progress on the NaNoWriMo website throughout this month, where I’m also interacting with fellow local writers and getting motivation. Normally, I focus on the big aspects first but those were going to take more time. So I did the small things that I could quickly complete first and that made it easier to focus on the big things that would take time. Just a reminder, everyone has a different way to write, and revise, even writers change their own setups over time. I’m thankful that most of things that I need to improve have been easy. I believe that comes from all the planning I did before I started writing the novel.
I started planning out my novel with figuring out my idea in my journal. So paper and pen, and then I moved towards the computer to really detail my plans with figuring out the story, the characters, the timeline, and the setting of certain areas. So that helped make the story have a solid foundation. My first revision focused on making sure everything worked. I did most of it on my own. I only received feedback on the first chapter, and had a friend read a few chapters. It gave me enough to view my novel with a different perspective, but with this second revision, I received feedback on the full novel, and it really provided me an idea what works and what needed to be improved.
Since I checked off almost everything early on, I’m focusing on adding more details with the characters, the setting, and a bit more on certain aspects that happen in the story. With this feedback, I’m going through each chapter with my manuscript in a Google Doc, where it outlines per chapter and move around easily, and keeping track the short synopsis of each chapter and word counts by chapter and full manuscript with each draft on a Google Spreadsheet. My system works for me, but like I mentioned before, there might be a better version for you. You’ve got to experiment and continue to do so.
I’ll do my best to update my progress in the next few weeks. I’m determined to win the upcoming unpublished novel contest for a chance to get published. Submissions are due in September. I think I’ll get everything done in time with my progress so far. Keep me motivated with your support. I really appreciate all the support from my incredible team that always makes me a better writer.
Plans for Camp NaNoWriMo – July Session 2020
The writer’s job is never done. I’m working on getting my novel (drafted last year) published, but with recent rejections have made me realized that it needs more revision. So I found a good friend and co-worker willing to provide me feedback for revision. I will use this feedback to work on revising my novel during Camp NaNoWriMo’s July 2020 session. As I do so, I plan to update my blog weekly of my progress, and maybe share some creative writing, if I’m able to. Keep track of my progress here. It might not share much on my blog next month, as I want to focus on revision, but I want you all to keep me accountable. I look forward to your support.
July is also my birthday month. The first Friday is my birthday. So I’ll likely update on the first Saturday of my progress, and the next weeks either Friday or Saturday. One of the things I want for my birthday is to get my novel published. I will do all that can next month to make that happen. Camp NaNoWriMo offers winners a discount for Book Pipeline’s 2020 Unpublished contest. I’ve already won the discount for Camp NaNoWriMo – April 2020. This led me to focus my energy on this contest as way to get my novel published. The deadline to submit is September 5, 2020. A few friends of mine suggest that this is a good idea. I’m very hopeful. Even if it doesn’t work out, I’ll have a better manuscript and synopsis to work with towards publishing. Either traditionally or self-publish. No matter what I want this novel published, and move towards publishing more of my writing.
I will focus on revising the big aspects on my novel first, and then focus on smaller aspects or by chapters second. The feedback I’ve received so far suggest that I have to make my synopsis clearer, and expand my novel through plot development and the characters. It isn’t a major rewrite of the whole novel, but the minor revision and edits will make a difference on how readers process my novel. I look forward to receiving the feedback at the end of this month. This feedback will provide me a blueprint towards my revising during Camp NaNoWriMo – July 2020. Since I have a bit more time in the summer, I’ll able to focus more on my writing. After revising and editing, I plan to focus on what I can work on next. Hopefully one of them will be another novel, but I want to keep my options open. I am determined to continue to focus on my writing for the rest of the year and beyond.
Stay tuned to my blog for the latest updates on my writing as well as any possible creative writing I decide to share. I truly appreciate all the support, especially by those who are part of my team.
A Story For You: Writing Gifts
Mary Shelley wrote her novel Frankenstein because of a ghost-story competition within a literary group. In many cases, we get inspired to write different stories for many reasons. Sometimes we reveal what inspired us and other times we let the audience figure it out. Recently, I was trying to figure out what gifts I could give to friends of mine for their birthdays. I thought about writing short stories for them. They challenged me to write stories that were inspired by them in some way. During the week that I’m sending their gifts, I felt like sharing how creating these gifts also inspired me to step up my writing skills.
I’m thankful to have friends in my life that support me and my writing. So it was special to write two short stories as a way to show my gratitude for their support and especially their friendship. It started off with thinking about ideas that they were interested in, and connected with me. Once I had some ideas, I narrowed down those ideas to plan out how I would write out the short stories. I wrote some notes and drew this mermaid, which is a hint to one of my stories, in my journal. Then I started typing out the stories into Google Docs.
One of the stories came to me really quickly, but I realized that both would delve into ideas that mattered. I find that I’ve been doing more stories like that lately, and I enjoy doing so. Some thing that Jeremy Jordan inspired me to become a better writer, and led me to my friends. I did a bit research, and started writing out the first story that seemed to flow out of me, which included mermaids. I did a bit of revision and editing afterwards, but I felt good with it. I look forward to sending it soon. The second story took a bit more time to write and revise. It was closer to reality and I wanted to write it the best way I could. I had to do a bit more planning after I had originally planned to get a better idea of what would happen. I’m thankful it turned out better than I expected.
All you can do with writing is do your best, and hope it is received well. Even though my friends are supportive, I still wanted them to get my best work. Keeping them in mind, made writing these stories a different experience because normally you don’t know who your audience is, but you can imagine it. I brought in ideas that made me think of them too, which made the writing personalized. I hope someday to share these short stories in some way, but I’m glad that I was able to write them for my friends as birthday gifts. Thank you to them for helping me to be a better writer, and inspire me to keep improving on my craft. Most of all, thank you for being my friend. I wouldn’t be me without you. Check back next week as I prepare for Camp NaNoWriMo’s July session.
Moving Forward With Writing
Two rejections of my novel, and I’m moving forward. I know my novel is worth publishing. I’ve always known the power of writing. In recent years, as well as this year, I’ve realized that I’ve grown as a writer because I’ve realized how much writing can make an impact.
It can empower. It gives voice to what we believe matters, and what is right. It gives us a chance to express how we feel and what we struggle. We can demand change for the better. We have the power make our words make a difference. It’s up to us.
Everything we do, we have a chance to change from the way we were before. That’s what writing is also powerful. We have the chance to look at our words each time and see what we can do to make it stronger. We can realize our faults and move with understanding.
I’ve realized that even though I enjoy stories that explore a new world. I rather have stories that bring a message that impacts. It’s something that connects. We can’t make that happen if we don’t keep moving forward to tell stories, and take risks towards sharing our writing.
I know I’m privileged. I have so many opportunities, especially for my writing. I am willing to wait. I’m thankful to know people that are willing to help me improve, including my novel. When I do get published, I want to be able to amplify others, but I know I can do that today. There are many voices that aren’t given a chance to be heard.
How do we move forward? We have to plan and make steps forward. We have to support others when we can. Be thankful for every victory. Even setbacks will teach us to grow. Do what you can to focus on your goals that will lead towards success. We all have we need within.
The Path of Passion
One of Meg Cabot’s characters advised in her latest book, ‘No Judgments’: “Find what it is you love to do, and then do that thing as much as you can… That really is the meaning of life.” This quote really impacted me this week. Last year, I learned how valuable it was to follow the path that worked the best for me. It led me to better jobs, but also a revival with my writing. I have always loved writing, but I felt I had finally found more time to focus on my writing, and took a different approach to improve my skills, especially storytelling. I made the decision to make my writing more a priority. I’m working towards making progress towards becoming a full-time published author. Writing is my passion, especially creative writing. I don’t want to stop.
I’ve found what I love to do. I want to write as much as I can. Passion has led me here. I believe passion led you here as well. Now that we have found what we love, what do we do now? That is where we have to put in the effort as much as possible, even if it feels like there is no time in the day. This is why the pomodoro technique is helpful. Focus on your writing for 25 minutes, even if you don’t write for another sprint, you’ve written something today. It’s helpful to do several of these writing sprints a day whenever you feel you have a short amount of time, or you need to focus on what you’re working on, even revising. After the sprint, you can take a short break, and come back later. Another aspect that can help is to plan ahead. I don’t mean every aspect, but the big ideas written down. It provides a map for you to figure out what to do as you’re writing and revising. As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, even meditating and journaling before you start can get your mind focused on the task ahead. There are different tips and suggestions, but remember we’re all unique, and we are continuing to grow. So you need to figure out what works for you. At the end of the day, it’s about making progress with your writing.
I’ve been inspired lately not only with my novel, but to write short stories for two friends of mine. I don’t know what I plan on doing with the stories after they read them, but it’s been a wonderful adventure coming up with the ideas and bringing them to life. It’s another reminder how much it matters to me to find stories that people want to read and worth reading. Even though I’m writing with them in mind, I have found that I’m expanding my writing skills. So it isn’t only a gift for them, but for me. I look forward to having them read the stories. It also helps to be working on these stories as I wait for news on my novel. I have found it’s important for me to keep writing. It is what makes my life worthwhile. I hope writing, including mine, impacts you to keep doing what you love and bring meaning to life.
The Value of Taking Risks
Jeremy Jordan once said, “A risk isn’t a tiny step, it’s a leap. A leap blindfolded while having a parachute ready to go if need be.” He continued by talking about how reaching a bit outside our comfort zone every day will help us grow and change us. I’ve taken leaps in different ways in my life, but thankfully they have lead me to grow. When things weren’t working out in my life, I made changes. When I realized what I needed to do to reach my dreams, I took chances and made them come true. Taking risks isn’t easy. We don’t know what will happen when we take that leap. It’s like when Jeremy has talked about with auditions. He doesn’t play it safe. He brings all that he’s got, and hopes for the best. It’s something that can be applied to with life, but also with writing. You can’t hold yourself back from letting your writing reach it’s full potential. Sometimes holding back can be the negative tapes that you’ve allowed to run through your mind, and other times it’s not making the steps towards submitting your work.
It can be scary. Not as much as being fearful of physical dangers. That fear or doubt can stop you from being the best version you can be, and especially the best writer you could be. You have to stop comparing your work to others, and reminding yourself that you’re unique and have the power to improve. You can’t let the thoughts that others might think that you’re impatient and quick to submit your work. There is no rule that applies to everyone with writing. No matter what anyone says. If you’re ready, you need to take that risk, even if it means that you learn that you needed more time. Most of all remember, the best writers have already had years ahead of you and teams to work with. Even their work that they submit isn’t perfect, it’s the best that they can do and they are willing to work with others to improve it. So what do you do? Some cases it’s taking an effort each day to meditate and journal out your thoughts before getting started. In other ways, it is accepting you’ve done the best that you can do, and taking that chance because you never know what will happen.
I’ve submitted something recently that I’ve been working on for awhile, but recently put in a lot of effort to revise and edit to make it ready to submit. I’ve grown to enjoy not only the process of writing, but also refining my work. Especially more so when I create a deadline for myself. It pushes me to get more done and take chances. When I submitted, I felt it was the best that I could do on my own (with a bit of feedback). I still feel that way. I’ve realized that every time I’ve submitted something, I’m proud of what I’ve written, but I know with more help, I can make it even better. The act of submitting my work will provide me more feedback, but most of all, I hope to receive more help towards accomplishing my dreams. We need to be open to feedback and assistance because eventually even writers need a team, filled with supporters and people wiling to put in the effort.
I’m thankful for the team that I have so far, but I know needs to expand. I hope others will be willing to take the risk to help me become the best writer I can be. If you know me, you know I love this quote, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” The best team is always there to support you and work with you to make incredible things happen. Stay tuned. I hope to share good news soon. In the meantime, I plan to create more blog posts. Thanks to everyone who has supported me so far in my writer’s journey.
30 Poems, 30 Days 2020: New Normal (Day 30)
When we return, we’ll be in the new normal
Let’s not rush there yet until it’s safe
We’ve lost too much already
It will take planning, work, and time
I believe it will be worth it when we do
We can see the changes now
A lot of people being more cautious
Technology used for good more than ever
We need it to educate, work remote, and connect
Yet not everyone has access and we must change that
Our new normal means wearing masks until a vaccine
Social distancing is the key, as much as we can
We can’t be part of intermission forever
So we need to create space in each building
Blended learning could be an educational revolution
We’ll need to be creative to change how we work
We can’t go back to the way things were
Only look back to the past to see all we’ve overcome
That even our difficulties lead us to victories
That even we cannot imagine yet
I’ve studied enough history and stories to know
We’ll find a new normal that changes the future
It’s up to all of us taking the best steps forward
I believe it will lead to better chapters ahead
By Christy V.
