So I’ve seen quite a few give aways on other blogs and Twitter and wanted to do one myself. I have no special reason other than I love giving gifts so you get to reap the benefits. I will ask a series of questions. Please answer in the comments section or if you’re secretive of your answers, you may DM on Twitter–seeredwrite. Closest to correct or most creative answers will win prizes! Up for grabs are: A copy of Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat, a cute Unicorno, and a movie. Movie choices will be: The Goonies, Skyfall, Princess Bride, Rise of the Guardians, Wreck-It Ralph, or Brave. I might throw in a few extra goodies in there 😀 So get those creative caps on and give me some fun answers! Give me really fun answers and hey there.

Ok, on to the questions!

1. What color is my hair?

2. What movie(s) have I seen over 50 times?

3. What is my favorite writing place?

4. What is my biggest pet peeve at my writing place?

5. What is my middle name?

6. What is my cat’s name?

7. What is my birthday?

8. What animal would my Patronus be?

9. What is my favorite Disney Princess?

10. What is my favorite candy?

11. How many siblings do I have?

12. Name a show I watch (hint: I’ve probably tweeted about it!)

13. What Kickstarter did I recently give to?

You have until Monday 3/25/13 8pm CST. Remember, creativity counts! Now go forth and have fun! 😀

As this whole writing, editing, publishing (eventually) stuff is all new to me, so are aspects that relate to these that I never even thought about. Take CPs and betas, for instance. Much is discussed on this topic, but no hard and set rules seem to agree on finding these mythological creatures. Critique partners (CPs) are people who read your early drafts and help fix problems and mistakes you may have. They are people you can turn to when you’re unsure of what to do in a story. At least, that’s my early definition of them.

Talking about them is so much easier than finding them. I really just want to tweet, “So, I’ve finished a new draft of YA creepy circus story. Any takers?” but the problem with that is—too many cooks in the kitchen. Letting people read your work can help, but those who truly understand your goals and writing style are the best help of all. I can have 20 people read my story and get 20 different thoughts on every aspect of it. The thought of that gives me hives (and I’ve never had hives).

So many different people who each think you should change something. I’m only mildly nervous about changing things. I know that it’s inevitable so I am prepared that there will be changes, but what happens when no one can agree on anything? I hate the main characters. I love the main characters. Why did you make the monkey so mean? I love that creepy mean monkey. You get the drift.

So far, I haven’t let that many people read my story because I have no clue how to approach people on reading my story. I’ve already had some no shows who said they would do it and then…crickets. Nothing. I get that people have lives so I understand this and it’s not a big deal, but it has made me less likely to try it out with more people. I hate imposing on people. The other thing I’m finding is the difference of opinions–what I write and what people who read it for me may write or their tastes in stories varies enough that it’s not necessarily a good fit. It’s hard to get notes of what to change when you think it is more a difference of opinion rather than a spot that really needs work. How do you know the difference?

Slowly, as I keep fixing this monster, I understand more and more about my writing, about who to turn to in helping me with my writing, and how to get better at all of it. I am still light in the whole CP department and as for beta readers, I think I will save those for when I think I am done or darn close to it. All I can do is keep trying to make the best book possible and ask for help along the way. If there are people willing to give it a look see, I will thank my lucky stars for them. As I get notes and opinions, I will have to decide for myself what I feel is helpful and what isn’t. I always did like the guess and check method!

How about you? How have you found CPs and/or betas? I love hearing how other people do things.

Helpful sites about CPs and finding them:

http://www.cpseek.com/

http://www.ladieswhocritique.com/

http://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/12/05/finding-a-critique-partner/

http://writetodone.com/tag/critique-partners/

I’m not good enough, fast enough, determined enough. I’m not…enough. I say: enough of that. I’m not everyone else and the faster this seeps into my thick skull, the better.  I, like half of the human race, compare myself.  I constantly think that if other writers (fill in the blank), then I should, too.  But nothing in life is one size fits all. No, not even the clothing that says that. Have you ever tried that stuff on? No? I thought so.

As I sit here wishing I could will myself to start the next round of edits, I know that forcing it will get me nowhere.  I know me.  I know what are stupid ideas and what is best.  I may question these things from time to time, but deep down, I know what I need to do.  Watching other writers that can find ways to write 365 days a year, I feel like I am not a true writer.  I am doing it wrong.  If I was really dedicated, I would do it.  I’m a slacker.  Screw that.  Just because my methods aren’t in every article about writing, does not mean they are wrong or less productive.  They are just different.

 I have other things in my life that unfortunately help dictate my writing schedule and levels of productivity.  Doesn’t everyone?  Finding a way to work around these is my biggest challenge.  How we deal with those challenges are uniquely our own.

This is true for the general path other writers take.  I see some who write their first drafts and have them edited to shiny perfection in a matter of months.  That so isn’t me–at least not yet.  Who knows for the future, but it sure isn’t my way right now.  And others manage to secure an agent in the time it takes a person to sneeze. This is may not be my experience so I plan to expect for months and months of grueling rejection letters. Should things turn out differently, I can be pleasantly surprised.

No matter what the other “guy” is doing, I need to do what is best for me and so should you.  Everyone should forge their own path.  Well, figuratively since if we all did that literally, we’d kill the forest, but you get the drift.

So when I am feeling sorry for myself and annoyed that I am not doing what I’m “supposed” to be doing, I remember that rest is good.  Frivolous distractions are even better.  Sometimes getting my mind off the frustration that I am not writing or able to write is the best thing.  Letting my mind wander often brings out new story ideas.

Moral of the story: don’t get caught up in what everyone else is doing.  Take their advice and use what works for you, but don’t feel like you have to be like anyone else.  No path is ever the same even if they look similar.

So everyone seems to be making their year-end or resolution posts.  I suppose this is along those lines.  There’s something about putting my goals in writing for others to see terrifying and perfect.  They are out there, and I can’t exactly take them back. Not to mention, the more I say my goals out loud, the more real and doable they seem.

Without further ado, my goals for 2013 (in no particular order):

1. Contests. Enter them. Enter them ALL. Ok, well maybe not ALL of them, but still, I think there are some good benefits to entering contests.  I already have a screenwriting one in my sights, I will have to research more on the novel front.  I’ve seen tons of comments about meeting their CP’s or even finding an agent from a contest. While I’m not sure what to expect, exactly, I feel entering a contest gives me a deadline of sorts and hope to get feedback on what works and what doesn’t with my novel.

2. Finish editing and polish my current work in progress till it shines. I have some great notes to start off with and ideas churning from those notes.  I hope that this novel will be good enough to send out into the world by May.  Yes, I gave it a quasi-date. May.

3. Query. This obviously has to follow #2 as the novel needs to be finished before I move on to this step.  I also need to start working on my query letter since I have an irksome feeling it will take me multiple drafts before that is ready, too.  I have started researching a few agents so I am ready when the time comes. I do like my preparation.

4. Write. I suppose this one should go unsaid, but I have specifics. I have at least 2 novels I want to get through the first drafts. I would also like to get at least 1 screenplay done.

5. Edit the 3 screenplays I finished last year. Work on getting an agent and selling one of these as well.

6. Work on my critiquing skills. While I love other people to read and give feedback on my work, I lack this ability and find it unfair to ask someone something I cannot do.

7. Apply more. That is all I can say on that without getting myself in possible trouble.

8. Go to a convention.

9. Meet peeps from Twitter.  Both 8 and 9 depend on $$ so we shall see if these are possibilities.

While I am sure I can think of more, these are the main ones floating around my brain day after day.  And I think keeping my list small is not only more doable, but easier to focus my attention on rather than splitting my time in too many ways.  What are your goals? Share them here so others can help hold you accountable!

Whatever you hope to achieve, may 2013 be a prosperous and happy year for us all!