On Writing..

So, I've spoken at length about writing for NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNoWriMo but could never get into it. Either there was an exam I needed to study for or I simply didn't have the confidence in myself that was necessary for such a task (excuses, excuses).  You could also throw in the fact that I had done zero prep-work, no outline and no real structure other than the core idea.

Oh and for a first time writer, a 30 day time frame seemed like way too daunting of a task.  It's pretty intimidating.

However, over the past few months, I kept kicking around the idea of writing a novel.  I knew I had to produce some sort of outline but I didn't even know how to approach that.  After I had put down The Blue Blazes by Chuck Wendig and checked out his outstanding website, Terrible Minds, I started to feel better about my ambition.  Chuck's blog about writing and his advise for those who just have no idea where/how to begin is invaluable.  If you haven't checked it out, I can't recommend it enough (also - cheap plug - I'm interviewing the man later this month @ ERT).

I really have no idea if this story is going to be good.  While I love the idea, I feel like it isn't all that original.  I'm just hoping that I can add something that makes people want to read it.  Truth is, not every writer is perfect their first time around.  They rely on edits, feedback and interest from others.  The fact is, I'm 29 and about to hit the big 3-0 (not exactly ancient here) and I feel like I have not done one thing that can be considered extraordinary.  I'm tired of coming up with excuses on why I didn't do something and rather come up with reasons for why I am doing something.

Every Read Thing

I'm pretty proud of myself.  I've relaunched my book blog at http://www.everyreadthing.com

Since I've done that, I managed to go daily on my updates, launch both a Facebook and Twitter page and land two interviews with authors (one of which is available and one coming next week).  I've been really inspired lately to read as much as possible and am seriously loving this hobby more than ever.

I'm also getting more and more galleys and ARCs from netgalley.com approved - which is a plus.  I've also got a few ARCs from a friend of mine to read and review.  Pretty darn excited.

On the subject of reviewing, I've also climbed the charts over at goodreads.com and am now the #23 most voted reviewer in the entire country of Canada.  I'd like to crack the top 20 before the year is over but it's difficult when the competition is so high.  I guess I have to work on my reviewing skills and try and put forth more entertaining and knowledgeable write-ups.

I haven't felt this passionate about a hobby in.. well, ever.  Everything is coming up Millhouse!

Oh, and I'd like to update this thing more often.  I really dropped the ball in 2012.

Sinus Colds Are The Worst.

I woke up around 4 o'clock this morning and noticed that I had a sore throat.  Well, not only did I have a sore throat, but I also had a stuffed up nose and couldn't really breathe.  I rarely get sick, so this was rather unexpected.  I hate taking sick days and resigned that I would probably need to take one as I figured there was no way I was getting back to sleep.

However, I laid back down and I closed my eyes.  Suddenly, I heard my cat, Gertie, start to gag!  I jumped out of bed, grabbed her and rushed to the washroom.  A few weeks ago, she barfed all over my blanket and I had a hard time getting it out so I wasn't going to go through that again (also, laundry is expensive).  When I put her down in the tub, she looked confused.  She looked up at me as if to say.. "What?"

As I mentioned before, I took a sick day and resigned myself to the couch.  Around 12, a huge TV crew showed up and began filming this new sitcom!  Apparently, one of the characters must live in my building - at least that's what I've gathered from my keen detective skills.  I tried to snap some shots but I assumed I would look a little crazy.  The show, called SEED, is as follows:

TORONTO – 2 Broke Girls’ Adam Korson and Carrie-Lynn Neales (The L.A. Complex) are headlining the Citytv sitcom Seed from Force Four Entertainment.

our editor recommends

 

Seed was created by Los Angeles-based Canadian screenwriter Joseph Raso (Zombies & Cheerleaders), and has Mark Farrell on board as a showrunner on the Halifax, Nova Scotia set.

Canadian thesp Korson plays an ill-equipped bachelor bartender who’s first foray into sperm donation produces a raft of kids and a budding relationship with a single woman (Neales) who used the sperm bank to try to get pregnant.

“This ticks all the boxes. Joseph’s (Raso) sense of humor is like nothing we have ever read,” Claire Freeland, director of original programming, broadcast for Citytv-parent Rogers Media, said of the latest Canadian series commission from the broadcaster.

The ambitious 13-episode, half-hour series has in all nine leads, including Amanda Brugel (Saving Hope, The Firm), Stephanie Anne Mills, Laura de Carteret, Matt Baram, Vanessa Matsui and newcomers Abby Ross and William Ainscough.

Paula J. Smith is the supervising producer and Karen Wentzell is producing.

Citytv plans an early 2013 debut for Seed.

Anyway, sounds interesting.  I'm excited to watch it and see how my building comes off.  I did try to take the garbage down earlier but was blocked by the film crew.  However, one of the guys offered to take it down for me.

Nice guy.