Distracted By Monsters

Today is a check in day with ROW80. It's the writing challenge that knows you have a life!

OK so I have been doing pretty good on my goals. I met the one I thought would be the hardest and got the three posts out. Which pushed me considerably toward my write 500 words on anything goal. I have an outline for a story and feel confident that I will be able to get out a flash fiction for Friday Flash.

However, I was not able to write 500 words everyday. See there was Monsters University and had a great time hanging out before and after. Out of eleven pieces of my goal I was able to meet ten so I am feeling pretty good about that.

this day called Saturday. I am sure you have all met him. He just likes to play and is very convincing. On Saturday the kids and I went to the movies with my Mom. We went to see

What are the fun things that distract you from your writing?

I Stumbled Into A Story Arc

OK so I accidentally ran across this wonderful way to plan out your novel back at NaNoWriMo time. It made so much since to me and I just loved it. However, not having the foresight to realize that at some point I wouldn't be able to find the link in the forums I did not copy down the name of the system or where I found it. I did happen to write down the basic instructions so can still use it, but there was a lot more detail and I would love to find it. I have had several friends searching, all at once at a table at Denny's, and still we didn't find it.

Today, I was searching around and stumbled across Nigel Watts “Eight Point Story Arc” Which is good and close. So I thought I would share it. His book is: Writing A Novel and has a lot more than just the story arc in it.

Stasis – This is your characters everyday life. Before the story really starts.

Trigger – This is something that is beyond the control of your character. It can be big or small.

The Quest – The quest is stimulated by the trigger. The quest can be to return back to the Stasis or to gain some new and pleasant state.

Surprise – This part takes up most of the book. It is comprised of the obstacle and twists that keep the characters moving forward. They shouldn't be too predictable, but if they are way out in left field they won't be believable.

Critical Choice – This is when the characters medal is tested and they must make a choice to proceed. They could also choose not to proceed. This is often a choice between right and wrong or more epically good and evil.

Climax – Is the culmination of all the surprises and choices in the quest and is the height of action.

Reversal – Is the natural consequences of the climax. The characters, especially the main character should be changed by the reversal.

Resolution – Is where you wrap everything up and establish a new Stasis.

Flash Me A Chance

Friday Flash happens every Friday and the participants write a flash fiction story up to about 1000 words. My entry is very short this week only 200 words, but I am proud of them. 

They were sitting next to each other trying to decide where to go from here."If I don't do this I will regret it forever," she said as she slid off the bed and to her knees "Take a chance. Please."

"W-what w-would it ah-accomplish?" he asked stuttering with conflict in his eyes and leaning away from her.

"I want to know what you feel like."

"Th-that is a va-valid qu-query." he said not able to make eye contact. Then it seemed like something inside him snapped he had come to a decision. He jumped off the bed moved away from her quickly. Her heart began to sink until he closed and locked the door to the spare bedroom.

He took her hand and helped her off the floor. Taking her in his arms he kissed her, softly at first then his mouth became hungry and his tongue greedy. He felt her breasts as he continued kissing. He fumbled with her bra for a moment. Then her milky breasts plummeted from their wire cage. He took the nipples between his fingers and began to manipulate them.

She could not believe that he was finally touching her. This was her fantasy coming true before her eyes and in his hands.

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Oh No You Didn't...July!

And so it starts! I am already behind. I want to play in this ROW80, but while I was busy dusting the cobwebs off around here the month of July had the gall to start on a Monday. My goals are going to be easy so I can stick with them.

1. Write 500 words EVERYDAY! Sounds simple enough. I am not even putting caveats that it must be on a specific project.

2. Write a submission for FridayFlash every week. This will be easy because I love flash fiction. Randomly jumping into the best part of a story is much easier than trying to make it all mesh cohesively.

3. Update this blog Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This one is a little tougher, but I really miss posting and it is nice to have somewhere to keep track of what I am doing. I also miss all you wonderful supportive people who help me when I am off track.

Do you have any tips or tricks to help you achieve your goals?

So Far Not So Good

OK, so what do you write about when you can't think of anything to write about? I am stuck on my novel because I took too much time off. I can't seem to get back into the story. I tried writing a few short stories about the characters like Elise suggested, but I am not making any progress. I am still ill so that is a giant set back. I don't mind sharing that I am feeling a little hopeless and this isn't even the Insecure Writers Support Group.

Do you have any more suggestions that I could try? I would love to hear them.

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Insecure Writers Support Group February

This is the first Wednesday in the month so it is time once again for the IWSG. So last month, I must say, I did not meet the goals I set for myself in ROW80. I was in the hospital for 10 days and unable to work on my novel. I feel so inadequate at this time. I wish I was more dedicated, but I know that I have to take care of my health before I can get back to tormenting my characters. However, I also know that sometimes if I don't make myself write I will just be lazy and not do it.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

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Easing Back In With One Word

So I was in the hospital and not able to post for a while. I am feeling better and am once again able to post. As the title indicates I am easing back into blogging with a one word.

The word is: Wall.

Oh my god what will I do? The walls seem to be closing in on me, but I know it is just in my mind. The longer I sit in this closet the crazier I feel. Trapped like a rat, waiting for a lab worker to come and get me. There was a noise like a freight train and a sucking sound. Things were breaking and crashing all around. When all was quiet I finally peaked out from my mattress to see that my closet was still standing. When I opened the door I saw that not much else was.


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