<–The State of the Writer: 12/3/17 The State of the Writer: 12/31/17–>
A biweekly post updated every Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.
Finished Projects: 1
Project: Game Review
Title: The Witch’s House
Date Posted: December 10, 2017
I’m concentrating on shorter, easier game reviews during the holidays (if I can even get to them), while I figure out how I’m going to organize and work on projects in the new year. This was a terrifying watch for someone as jumpy as me, and even if you’re not a wuss puss like yours truly, the end of the game is going make your mind bend over backwards as you attempt to “what the fuck?!” your way out of the epic twist.
Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction (FFVII) Novel
Current Word Count: 259,206
Prior Word Count: 259,206
Word Difference: 0
Status: Revising
Progress: Chapter 2
Seph is patiently waiting.
The Great General should never be kept waiting, but hopefully he understands how busy the season of Advent is :p
As you can tell from my word count I made zero progress on any revisions. Even with cutting down on how often I update and reading less books, the holiday season has stepped right into those empty time slots. I’ve also been working later since overtime is available, because TSN needs that money.
I’m not sure how I’m going to fit in the revisions I want to do for this with the ones I want to do for my first original novel and working on my next one, but that’s why I’m planning on “time schedule” spreadsheets. Spreadsheets will save the world.
Reviews
Project: Book Reviews
Title: Various
Status: Upcoming
Right before I wrote/posted this, I reorganized my book reviews. I’m going to start reviewing graphic novels and manga as series instead of individual volumes. That will greatly decrease the amount of book reviews I garner in a given time. Now if I’ve already reviewed a book in the series (like Locke and Key: Welcome to Lovecraft), I’ll continue reviewing each volume separately, but going forward, I’ll review manga and graphic novels as part of a whole.
I did add a few books in the past two weeks:
- The Metamorphosis and Other Stories by Franz Kafka
- Parallel by Anthony Vicino
- Death Note, Vol. 5: Whiteout by Tsugumi Ohba (Series)
Project: Game Reviews
Title: Various
Status: Upcoming
Just one added to the pile this week, but what a game. I thought I was watching something else, but stuck with it, and in the end, I ugly-cried in a way I’d never ugly-cried for for a game this entire year (and possibly ever).
What are you currently working on? Is it a creative writing project, essay, review, or something else? Have you just started something new or are you wrapping up a long term project?
<–The State of the Writer: 12/3/17 The State of the Writer: 12/31/17–>
The Shameful Narcissist Speaks 
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I’m not a gamer, so I have virtually no experience to relate to that aspect of so many other people’s lives. I am a reader, and occasionally come across things I think gamers might find interesting. (I realize this is your State of the Writer post — bear with me. lol) Have you read Stealing Fire by Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal? It explores the science of the altered state of ecstasis or “flow”, aka, “being in the zone”. (Kotler also wrote The Rise of Superman, which deals specifically with athletes and ecstasis.) The reason I bring it up is that Stealing Fire looks at many different ways to achieve ecstasis and the impact that has on other areas of a person’s life. One of the paths is gaming. The writing is engaging and highly readable. The content ranges from affirming — if you’ve ever experienced ecstasis — to life-changing.
As for my own current writing projects — last night I submitted my latest short story to ScreenCraft’s 2018 Cinematic Short Story Contest. My entry last year quarter-finalled, and the professional reader’s feedback exceeded my highest secret hopes. Of course, anything can happen this year, 2018’s quarter finalist list comes out on January 24. In the meantime, there’s the ongoing re-write of the trilogy’s first part into a stand alone, and the fantasy/adventure serial on Space, Time, and Raspberries.
And lengthy comments. 😉
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It’s funny because gaming, reading, and writing all sort of flow together for me! I write fanfiction, and even my original fiction/fantasy is heavily inspired by games. Additionally, I tend to read things that have similar paradigms to my favorite games AND many of the subjects I study are directly due to them. I’m always interested in good book recommendations!
That story about Elliott the snail is still going strong! I’m super impressed with not only your longevity with it, but your consistency.
Fingers crossed for your entry. I’m hoping to get back to not only editing, but also working on the novel I wanted to write during NaNoWriMo once January rolls around aka the holidays are over. I honestly should be making cookies right now, but it was all I could do to decorate my tree, so I’m just sitting her basking in its glow while I answer comments.
Long comments are always welcome ♥
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Thanks for the encouraging words. Even if my story doesn’t make the quarter- or semi-final cuts, the professional reader feedback is always valuable. “Elliot’s Adventures” is a labor of love that grew way beyond what I’d imagined when I began. Writing a serial forced me to become a much more disciplined writer/editor, and I honestly believe my understanding of the craft has evolved well beyond where it would have been if I’d only worked on novels and short stories. Now the ending is in sight and in focus, which I’m excited about — it’s still a few weeks off, but it’s real.
I understand about the holidays. This year I’m using a tiny fake tree with a bead garland, some charming broken earring ornaments, and icicles cut from a wired (plastic) crystal spray decoration. Lit by mini lights, of course. And I should be making 6 quarts of cranberry conserve — but that will wait till I finish the pirate coat for my youngest sister. lol
Have a joyous celebration!
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Honestly, the best way to grow better at writing is to write. I’ve noticed since I started this blog that my inner writer’s voice has gotten so much stronger even though I do struggle with chronic fatigue and brain fog, having this to keep up with has been invaluable. Now to just find a time turner so I have more of an ability TO write and write more, but that’s one of my plans/resolutions for next year.
I have a tiny tree for my desk! We usually grab a real one from the local place. I always wanted a real tree growing up, and I like the piney smell. Plus my cats need an after dinner mint :p
I have tons of wrapping still to do, but I’m finished shopping, and I only had to brave the mall once, though I DID have to go twice because the first time the wait was way too long for what I wanted. There’s a blessing and curse to living/working as close as I do the biggest mall on the east coast and biggest mall in terms of store space in the country o.O Lunch time excursions are far more productive than attempting to go after work on *shudder* a weekend.
I hope you have a splendid holiday, too! You’re making a pirate coat?! That sounds amazing!
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Nice; I’m looking forward to your Metamorphosis and Parallel reviews very much 🙂
‘Tis the season for me to be finally, actually, really, truly sitting down to edit my thesis for publishing. I’m also passively working on another Dragon Age fiction, and my super-secret RPG project, as well as a merry and festive Christmas project!! haha
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I’m hoping I can get to them sooner now. I may reread Kafka’s “Josephine the Singer, or The Mouse People” just to solidify my theories about it, speaking of which, good luck on the editing. I really miss working on The Broken Rose. Thank goodness Christmas will be over by next week and I have Tuesday and Wednesday off afterwards. I’m not doing a damn thing…except maybe play video games and do writer stuff.
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That sounds excellent. I hope you get all the time you’re looking for!!
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Spreadsheets will save the world, huh? 🤔
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They will! (So I have this spreadsheet of all of the people up for election next year. I keep wanting to work on it as in put in information about what horrible things some of them voted on, so it’s possible they WILL save the world :D)
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Please, please use your mighty spreadsheet powers to rid the world of an Orange Tyrant!!
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I’m working on it diligently!
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