<–The State of the Writer: 3/8/20 The State of the Writer: 4/5/20–>
A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.
Finished Projects: 0
Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 252,067
Prior Word Count: 252,222
Word Difference: -155
Status: Editing
Progress: Second edit of Chapter 22
There needs to be a third edit, but the second is easier. I’ve mostly smoothed out the, er, more awkward parts I’d say? At the very least this second editing is taking less time. I’m one session away from finishing it up. If the third goes well, I should be posting it within the week.
Project: Story Audio Recording
Title: Northern Lights
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Length: Novel
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Status: Editing
Progress: Adding sound effects to Chapter 1
So I came to the decision that I’m going to use whatever music I fucking want for one version and then go the safe route with another. I have no clue why I’m like this; I’m just like this. There’s music I had in my head for certain parts, and I just want to hear it there. I’m wary about posting such anywhere because I can’t afford to get sued, and I have no idea what fair use entails (need to research that), but example, there’s a part in this first chapter where I was hearing “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” from Les Miserable, but I wanted an instrumental/piano version. I found one and would love to use it, though I’m considering learning to play it myself. I looked up the music and it’s not too complicated (way easier than Aerith’s Theme I taught myself), so that’s an option. Granted, this isn’t quite what I’m talking about. It’s more stuff you’d generally have to pay royalties for, but then again you hear that kind of music in AMVs all the time, and I used it in my slideshows. Just more proof that everything is arbitrary.
In Progress
- Book Review: The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen et al – I was going to split this into Review and Analysis, but I don’t think I have to. I made the latter section, but realized the spoiler could just be contained in tags. I need to do some refining and proofreading before I post.
- Game Review: Final Fantasy VI – Still plugging away at the story summary. I currently have the crew at Jidoor before Zozo.
I haven’t left my apartment since Monday the 8th. My company started a working from home test that was supposed to only last until this upcoming Wednesday, buuuut I’m pretty sure I’m not going back to the office any time soon. My husband was laid off last Monday since he does accounting for a school bus company. Yeaaaaaah, that’s not going to be necessary for a bit. He’s been looking for a new job and has had a few video interviews, but I’m not overly optimistic. Hell, I don’t even know if he’s going to get anything for unemployment by the end of the week. I have a contingency plan that’ll last through April, but after that *shrug* I’m definitely not paying my student loan and saving a ton on gas by not going anywhere, but I’m really hoping I don’t lose my job since I’ll die without health insurance *double shrug* Eh, what can you do? As long as I have some Xanax and wine I’ll be okay. My BFF also had her hours cut since she does graphic design for a gaming/entertainment company, so she’s of course worried. We were both planning on buying houses this year LOLOL. All I can do is laugh. It’s almost like unchecked hustle culture where people are expendable in the pursuit of the almighty dollar doesn’t work; we’re much more connected than the whole “rugged individualism” that permeates my country’s zeitgeist, and taking care of people should take precedence. “You can’t build a world on the backs of the bruised and expect it to stand firm.” I’m being SUPER narcissistic right now in quoting myself, but why the hell not?
I hope all of you who have no choice but to be publicly exposed are…I don’t even know what to say. Keeping safe? Like if your jobs are forcing you to do it, fuck them, but if your position is vital, I hope you have all the protections. I won’t even leave my house for a doctor’s appointment. Your girl is a fat asthmatic with a bad back who’d probably die if she got it, but TSN has been practicing social distancing before it was cool, so as long as I can work from home and my hubs doesn’t bring it back with him from outside, I’m sure I’ll be fine.
Also,
And finally, because I’m a nice person,
If we have nothing else, we at least have memes, and humans have never taken anything completely seriously.
<–The State of the Writer: 3/8/20 The State of the Writer: 4/5/20–>
The Shameful Narcissist Speaks 
I realised that being socially isolated makes my creativity go wild. I draw much more these days. But the things you mentioned about planning to buy a house and your husband looking for a job must be mentally exhausting. Since I don’t have to worry about health insurance over here in Germany, I have plenty of time playing the teacher for my daughter. The kids seem to already miss kindergarden and school. Anyway, I’m looking forward to reading the new broken rose chapter. To me your stories are a light in dark times. Stay safe!
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My days are kind of similar even though things are different? Since I work from home, it’s much easier to get ready in the morning, but I still have to ration my time between that and creativity. *sigh* I wish my country would make it into the 21st century and realize national healthcare is necessary. I’d like to say that this will show the people in charge how much it is, but I know it won’t. Social change takes such a long time, and in the interim the most vulnerable suffer.
How are you making out with homeschooling? It must be a major change to everyone with kids suddenly thrust into that situation. I do like the memes I’ve been seeing about that because honestly as long as you’re keeping your kids alive I think you’re doing a good job lol. Between trying to just maintain in this time and possibly working, it’s just not possible for everyone to suddenly become a brilliant teacher, to.
Aw, that’s so encouraging ♥ I’m on the third edit of Chapter 22. I really want to post it so I can move onto Chapter 23, which is one of my favorites. I’m so torn on what to do next. I have original stories I want to work on, but also so many ideas for Aeriseph. My hope is one day I can just do writing full time then I’d have more mental energy for more projects.
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That’s great you’re still plugging forward with your writing. I’ve found it so much harder to get into the right headspace for writing, although I’ve recently found a (usually successful) hack that I write something just as a “feelings dump” in order to get myself back to some sort of homeostasis to write.
Good luck with your online work, and especially to your husband! This is a crazy time…. My hours have been reduced, but I think my state just started something where people who have had hours cut due to the virus can collect some unemployment. If that’s an option where you are, it might be worth looking into….
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Wellll tbh I’m in editing mode, which is honestly a lot easier than straight writing because I’ve already built the sand castle; I’m just trying to shape it now. The “feelings dump” is actually good. Writing is always better than not writin, which is something I have to tell myself. I’m one of those people who will give up if I feel like I’m not writing “good enough,” because I need that to push me forward. It’s why I wait so long before I start anything, but take a LOT of notes. Once I finish editing The Broken Rose, I need to decide what I’m going to do next. There’s a short I really want to get out there, but I also want to start drafting the novel I shelved during NaNoWriMo. Gah, I can talk about writing forever lol.
Good, I’m hoping my state does the same. My BFF is in Jersey and her hours were reduced, but I don’t know if they’re going to do that. She’s going to use her sick time just in case she’s laid off so she doesn’t lose it. Everyone’s plans went tits up to use an across the pond vernacular lol.
My hubs is doing unemployment, but we don’t know when that’s going to come through. He got a last paycheck from his company, but it was just for a few days. Thankfully I have contingency plans, so we’re okay for now.
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I’m quite jealous of your chance to stay home and write, but I’m really sorry it has to come with so much uncertainty and stress – if only this could be a worldwide holiday. I want the virus to make everyone realise that our economic system is duff and abandon it for something less stressful, but I’m scared it will only lead to a worldwide depression and more struggle while the rich get richer. Damn! Stay safe and healthy! xx
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I hope you’re able to stay safe. You’re still working in the garden, aren’t you? Social distance gardening better be a thing. I’m seeing what’s happening in the UK and that’s scary, too. I think you have some better social nets, but we both have so much incompetence at the top ugh. This economy thing is all arbitrary nonsense, and the rich are willing to throw us all under the bus for this concept and it’s enraging. The most vulnerable will suffer 😦
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Hello! It’s always lovely to hear from you 🙂
My work has paused, for the moment. Our bosses can’t decide what to do. The actual work is ok because we tend to work away from everyone, but travelling on the tube and train is tricky. I think Trump and Boris have both outdone themselves for looking foolish over this one. Their arrogance and lack of concern for people has caused many deaths. I always hope that will lead to people not voting for them, but it rarely seems to work out that way.
Are you at home and safe? Look after yourself, this is going to be a rocky road … x
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Whoops! And now I realise that this comment is on your blog, not mine and what I’ve written doesn’t make much sense. The sentiment is the same though, I hope your job is safe, and you are safe, and we’ll all get through this 🙂
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Sorry to hear about your husband’s job and the setback with house hunting. ❤ Glad you're able to stay home though and out of harm's way for the most part. Thank goodness of wine, games, and writing! Take care and be safe! 🙂
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I’m so happy and lucky I can work from home. I did receive a letter of exemption from my job in case I *have* to go in, but I’m hoping I won’t. So far I’ve been able to accomplish everything from home, but I have no idea how long the company is going to go with this. I’m hoping until the danger is passed, though that could be several months o.O
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