Patchwork Thoughts - Short Stories

The other day I was playing with a new program I got called Scrivener and the funniest thing happened: a short story fell out of me.  It was very much akin to how a woman doesn't know she is pregnant until the pink blob is halfway out of her and screeching for a damn nipple and decent health care.  I didn't know it was in me, but once it was nearly out I felt so obligated to have it out completely. Horrible metaphors aside, I wrote a pleasant little story and I had fun writing it.  It all came from a random sentence I wrote simply to fill a space.  Upon writing that sentence, it hit me: this could actually be a story!  2,000 words later, "An Incident with a Gargoyle" was born!

I decided to man up and read my story at my writers group the other day. I found something oddly therapeutic about reading my story out loud. Like I was hearing for the first time that my stories don't always suck and I may actually have some talent with this thing I've been wanting to do since 3rd grade.  I really could be an author someday if I keep this up.  I finished reading my story and it was met by the polite "That was good"'s and one of my favorite compliments ever: "You write crazy very well!"

I've completed a measly total of three short stories this past year but I'm proud of each of them.  It's very hard for me to write a story without completely investing myself deep within it.  So far two stories have been created by one part a crazy idea and one part the perfect writing music.  Sia will be deemed my muse of 2015.  The other story came from a random impulse and a true desire to write.  That has made me very excited.  I have a desire to write, something that has escaped me for a few years now.  I am writing and enjoying the process again.  I'm not seeing it as an obligation.  I've come to love short stories because they are like sprints through fun ideas.  Now, I just need to get up the courage to actually try and publish them.  But where to start?

I hope I can write one short story every month in 2016.  I think that's fairly realistic, no?  At the end of the year, I will have 12 new friends, each as deranged as the next (I write crazy well, remember?).  I'm still working on this "setting goals for myself" thing and so far I'm not doing too horrible.  I'm writing at least one blog per week, often a belated second quickly after, and I am still drafting and prepping for NaNoWrimo.  I would share my stories hear, but I'm horribly paranoid about theft (you can blame some nasty middle school experiences for that) so I am afraid you will have to wait until I figure out the whole "publishing" thing first.

I wonder if I have another short story somewhere in me this evening?  I should be doing job applications but I'm still doing the "reevaluating my life" thing.  Yay?

Tootles!
Xoxo

Patchwork Thoughts - Writing a Novel & NANOWRIMO Prep

At this current moment my pup is sleeping on my feet and my husband is running around, getting ready to go off and teach school.  It's morning time and although I slept in, I am determined to get some writing in before work.  Writing these personal blogs has been pretty easy so far and they are serving as a main source of inspiration for my writing.  I'm so happy to report that I am 110% on board for NANOWRIMO in November!  My biggest fear, however, has been that I will lose interest by November or I will get to November and choke.  That's why I am using the next two months to prep myself.  That brings me to some very, very good news:  I have written my outline for my Nanowrimo novel!  For the sake of getting organized, I followed and outline system from Katytastic, a youtuber who has quickly became one of my favorites for writing encouragement! Here's one of her videos below!

I had to scrap my plot and raise it from the dead like some sort of Frankenstein of words, but I eventually got it where I wanted it to be!  There was a period where I was terrified because I realized I had no plot, just an interesting concept that occurs.  Luckily, plot eventually came.  I'm so happy I'm taking time to flesh out this story before jumping in.  Otherwise I'd be stuck probably 20 pages in with no idea what I'm doing and where I'm going.  Now that doesn't mean my plot isn't subject to change, I'm always up for that.  I just have a good idea of where my ending will be.  And god knows I struggle with ending stories.

Plot - check!

Characters - Check!

Setting - Umm...Check minus?

Another reason why I'm so glad I'm not writing this story until November is that I need to do some major research on my setting.  I've done some half-assed google searching along the way, but I really need to sit down and flesh out my landscape.  I need to know little, nitty gritty things like, the temperature, common natural features, the patterns of the ocean, history of the location and the impact of current events.  My biggest issue is usually I chose nameless settings or just make one up because I don't like getting anchored by reality.  This story, though will greatly benefit from all the little details being collected in a neat and organized pile.  There is a lot of research ahead of me!

Finally,  I have found the task of writing 1666 words per day (as is expected to complete NANOWRIMO) a little bit daunting.  Between work, lacking sleep, and trying to have a life, it's rather difficult to get that many words crammed into a day.  I'm making it a goal to start practicing now, but it's been hard.  For some reason that many words just looks so intimidating.  I have heard of writing sprints where you take a set amount of time and write as much as you can and I think that might be the key to getting over my fears.  I just need to get the words out and worry about perfection later.  Again, I'm so glad it's not November yet.  There are still a lot more dress rehearsals needed before the main show!

How is everyone else's writing going?  Anyone want to do NANOWRIMO with me?

Patchwork Thoughts - NANOWRIMO

I am doing it.  I am going to participate in National Novel Writing Month in November!  I know what you're thinking, "But Patchwork, it's only August!  Isn't it a little early to be saying your doing something in November!?"  You're right, November does feel like a million miles away.  Here's the deal, I'm announcing this now for a few reasons.

1.) Locking myself into a commitment
If announce to everyone that I am going to try to write 50,000 words in a month then I have a lot more eyes making sure I don't give up in the first few days.  I will be the first to admit I sometimes have have problems with my follow through.  I tend to think if a project isn't perfect then I don't deserve to do it.  I am going to try my darn-dist to not let that mind set hit me.  I will also be doing vlogs throughout the month reporting my experience.

2.) The next couple of months are going to go fast for me
The next few months are the busiest time of the year at my work. I will stay busy all the way until Halloween  This time is going to go fast.  I might not have time to talk about NANOWRIMO in the next few months, so I need to talk about it now.  I need to get myself pumped up and ready to write!

3.) I need to start making notes
The story I've decided to write for NANOWRIMO is the same story that I declared I was writing as my first novel.  I am not ready to walk away from that story and I don't want to suddenly put it on hold in November so I can work on something new.  The compromise?   Wait until November and work on my outline and notes in the mean time.  I still have a lot more research to do.  I have also found this really cool writing program called Scrivner that I'm learning more about.  I will probably do an article on that program to let you know my findings and if it's worth you looking at!

4. I want you to think about joining me!
YES!  YOU!  I want you to make a goal and join me in participating in NANOWRIMO.  Do you have a story you've been dying to get out, have you always wanted to try writing a novel?  Do you not have time to write the projects you want?  Join me!  Go to http://nanowrimo.org/ and create an account.  Once you've done that, you can add me as a buddy.  My screen name on there is Alexandra VanHorn.  Find me, add me, and let's get ready for November!  Leave a comment if you are planning to join me on this adventure!

Let's do it!  Let's write some novels!

Tootles!

SURPRISE ARTICLE!!!! - Finding the PERFECT Nerd Job

Well it's finally here.  I'm done with school.  Completely, fully, and frighteningly done.  I've been in college since I was 16 (PSEO programs are amazing, if they are available in your state, do it!) and the idea of beginning done seemed like it was never going to happen. With that said, my life has become dedicated to trying to find a job.  I am faced with the terrifying thought of finding a REAL job....:shudders: 

On a completely unrelated note,
you'd be surprised what you find when you google "crappy jobs"

Don't get me wrong, I love writing this blog.  If it were up to me, I'd do this for a living.  But let's be realistic, the chances of such a thing happening are somewhat on the slim side.  Would I jump on the opportunity?  Yes!  Would I love for some bigger review site or group of reviewers to invite me on board their team? YOU HAVE NO IDEA.  But as it stands right now, I'm going to be realistic and hope that the fantasy will someday be a pleasant surprise.
   Now, let us begin. I thought it be fun for us to all look at some ideas of nerdy jobs I'd love to take a crack at!  Please keep in mind, I'm a Communications major with a minor in Technical Communications and several years of writing experience, so these jobs might be a little tailored towards your's truly.  I WOULD welcome people discussing their own ideas though, in fact I'd LOVE some discussion started.  So for the sake of making this a decently sized and halfway organized rant, let's make this a list.  This is in no particular order other than what pops into my head first. Yay for random-ness!


1.Special Events Planner 
Ever go to a really good party and say "I could do this!" Well that's been me as of late.  I helped with a lot of the planning for my sister's wedding and shower and I love helping plan a good party.  I even did an internship where I helped plan and carry-out weddings and company parties.  Now you might be asking, "What's so nerdy about event planning? Isn't that something social, the opposite of nerdy?" Well hear me out lovelies.  I would like to start a party company for nerdy events.  Anime themed birthdays, pony themed company parties, a zombie wedding--the sky is really the limit!


2. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Episode Writer
A chance to write for the greatest show ever?  YES PLEASE!  I've never really mentioned this before (that I remember) but I started off writing for children.  I'm hoping someday to write a children's book!  The thought of writing for a great children's show that has crossed so many boundaries would be amazing.  Not to mention this is a show with all female leads that are strong to boot!  I would love to write a show for little girls who want to grow up and be silly nerds unafraid of who they are.  I know this show would have helped me a lot when I was an insecure little girl. Giving girls a boost of confidence would be an honor!  Not to mention I could connect more directly with my brony brothers!  (I <3 you gentleponies!)

3. Video Game Magazine Writer

Could you imagine, writing about video games all day?  I have to admit, it be a very sweet gig!  I'd love to dedicate hard hours to scrutinizing and studying games.  What more can I say then, I'd be up for the challenge.  You've already seen how much I enjoy it on here!

4. Professional Junk Crafter

This might be the point where I'm abusing the word "professional".  If I've lost you with what the heck this job is, allow me to explain through flash back.

It's back in whatever year it was when I was 12 years old.  I have a box full of nothing but random crap: string, wire, buttons, mangled McDonald's Happy Meal toys, glitter, those things that plastic rings come in from gum ball machines, the foil from gum, sponges, fake flowers, the list goes on for miles!  There sits me, a bored to death little girl with an itch to use her ADD fueled hands.  I reach into the box, pulling out this and that until....BOOM necklaces, keychains, bouquets of flowers, hundreds a beautiful, little creations, all stemming from this cesspool of trash. 

Someday I'll give you guys a look at some of my creations (when my camera decides to come back from the dead -__-) but until then, you'll have to take my word for it!  I can make a mean piece of beautiful trash!

5. Podcaster 

Being paid to babble in an organized fashion?  Yes please!  I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but I've been involved in theatre my whole life.  That being said, I'm not afraid to talk to an audience-- at all.  I'd like to also think I have a halfway pleasant voice that people wouldn't mind hearing for an extending amount of time!  Plus, we all know I can babble on paper, and I'm the queen of organized babbling when put in front of a crowd.  I know podcasts aren't a live audience, but that wouldn't make it any less fun!

6. Professional Author

Doing this (this writing you see here) for a living, would be nothing short of amazing.  Also, ever since I was a little girl I've wanted to write a book.  I'm hoping I can someday make that happen.  Maybe I'll even let you guys into my latest writing projects, eventually.

7. Professional Storyteller

It's no secret that I love telling a good story.  When I was a little girl I was notorious for telling ghost stories on the playground (some of which scared the daylights out of my classmates) and I've always carried that ability with me ever since.   

8. Dungeons and Dragons Campaign Author

I haven't done it all that much, but when I have, I love being the Dungeon Master in a D&D game.  My adoration mainly comes from the fact that I love to create a good story, that is fun to play.  I can get mixed up about the order of combat of the Hp's of the baddies, but I know how to make a story that submerses you in.  Being able to write these type of stories in a campaign would be so much fun.  For those of you less familiar, in D&D you can often find pre-made adventures that can save time and brain power for your game.  These are the stories I'd love to write.  I love building an adventurous, though somewhat treacherous campaign.  

9. Social Media Coordinator 

I'm a bit of a social media buff. I love learning everything it takes to run a facebook or good twitter account.  I recently finished up a class all about social media.  I'd love to get paid to run someone's social networking sites!  And trust me, this is becoming a regular career.

10. Book and Teapot Store Owner 

I had to get a funny one in here.  Too bad brick and mortor stores are really dying out.  But as both a collector of books and teapots this silly dream would be a lovely reality.  I would make cupcakes and cookies fresh eat day!  If I ever open up a store, you guys will be the first ones invited for free desserts, tea, and paperbacks ^_^

Well there's a look into my silly, though still desired, dreams.  Maybe I'll find success in one of these, maybe multiple.  We'll have to see where life takes me.  What do you guys think.  What do you think I should do?  What would you do?  

Until next time!

Tootles!