No One Wants to Read That

Well, at least I’m being consistent with being inconsistent, so points there.

By the way, I’m still in the beginning of June mentally, so the fact that July is tomorrow is not even a reality, hence last week coming and going. Christmas might as well be next month.

Time is going just WAY too quickly, and it’s not giving me a chance to catch up. But it’s okay. I’m on track this week. I’m remembering to post since I’m acutely aware I missed last week’s because I feel guilt-stricken until I post again. Is this some weird blogger syndrome? Whatever. Consider this guilt-itch thoroughly scratched because I’m ninety-nine percent sure I’m posting this (got to account for the one percent where I forget. Not probable, but knowing—and being me—totally possible).

Still no title for no-name story. Also, the ending I had envisioned, and a decent part of what I wrote ending-wise ended up not fitting. I mean, it was okay…but I felt very blah about it. Never a good sign. It basically means I wrote the blandest version of an ending for this new draft.

*yawn*

No one wants to read that. I don’t want to read it. And I wrote it. So…yeah. Redo. And that’s where I am: writing the second version of the new ending for the first draft of my complete rewrite. That’s right, and we’re still at the beginning because I have more ideas to sprinkle in the next draft. It’s so fun being a writer! (I mean that both sarcastically and honestly, but since the sarcasm works better here, we’ll go with that this time.) Good news? Still writing. Still dedicating time to the story and the words—though they will be edited later—keep coming. That’s all I need.

Life-wise? No near-death-almost-car accidents. Another win. Job is going well. I did visit my sister and mom this weekend which I love doing because we always have the best time. We share the same awesome sense of humor so I’m constantly burning calories from all the laughing. Another win!

Alright, next week is the IWSG post so hopefully I won’t be consistent again and forget to post. But I know me, so there’s always that one percent.

Hope you are having a fabulous day and week and month and year and lifetime. So basically, hope you are having a fabulous fucking lifetime.

If not, you should start now.

~ Lady Caitlin

P.S. Dad, loved spending time with you guys too!

Boring But…Slightly Thrilling?

Raise your hand if you missed another week posting.

*raises hand*

Raise your hand if you had a GREAT post and then just…didn’t…write it.

*raises hand*

Raise your hand if you had a RIVETTING, GREAT post about almost dying in a car accident but then life got crazy and the weekend flew and you passed out on the couch from wine and forgot to write it.

*raises all the hands*

Well, it’s true. Batman and I almost died. But at least we were together (aawwww). Wouldn’t have been as cute if we were pancaked like the universe suggested, but some deity took the wheel and Nascar’d me to safety out there. I don’t know how we survived, honestly, as a car to the left was about to smash into my side WHILST another car was coming from the right, about to smash in Batman (due to me swerving from the lady on the left). It was a hard veer to the right, followed by an ever harder veer to the left, up over the curb, into the plastic construction work sign, and back down on the street, miraculously missing OTHER CARS AND THE LIGHT POLE.

Magic, it was. Or Guardian angels. Or a combination if they’re even different. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t me, so I don’t take any credit.

Other than my brush with danger, I’ve been well. Yes, I missed last weeks post (boo!) but that’s because I’m lazy and don’t have an excuse. But thank goodness I care enough not to miss two weeks in a row. Hurray for having at least some set of standards!

Life is going well. Job is okay. Actually not sucking at it, so I’m feeling pretty good! I’m on the sales report I want to be on at work, so now it’s just about upping my numbers. And I shall, my friends *cracks fingers with confidence* I shall. Still writing every day, and I know one of them will grant me the title for the book I’ve been writing for over a year.

Any day now…

But I’m not complaining. Every day I write more, clean up stuff, and generally make the story better, so I’m fine calling it Untitled for now. The title will reveal itself when it’s ready. Guess you can’t force these kinds of things, but I’m ready whenever you are, Muse…

Wish I had more to report, but a near-car accident, maintaining employment status, and getting a lot of writing done is all I’ve got for you this week. Boring but…slightly thrilling?

Whichever way you want to go, enjoy the week.

Make it badass.

~ Lady Caitlin

Making It Better #IWSG

There is a chance—a good chance—that I missed the last post for IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group). I don’t want to ring my own shame bell, but I’d be lying if I said I’d had perfect attendance all year, and I definitely haven’t, so, let’s forget my shortcomings and just jump into the optional question:

How long do you shelve your first draft before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

Excellent question! Mostly due to the appropriate timing since I’m a chapter and a half away (one week?) from being done with this FIRST draft of a COMPLETE re-write. So, the question is pretty much when do I swing back to the top with edits and re-writes and ways to improve the thing?

Right frigging away.

I don’t give myself a week away to get “fresh eyes” like lots of authors do. It’s never been my thing, and I think it’s because I’ll get beyond antsy if I don’t work on something. I mean—sure—I could find another small project to keep the creative juices flowing, but my heart knows I’m just writing fodder, and that none of it matters. What REALLY matters is going back through that completed draft and making it better.

So, why wait?

I certainly don’t. And I don’t plan on it with this story either. And, like all the other ones, the first draft is already weighing in at *quite* the length. Still have the remaining part of this chapter to write, plus another one, and I’m sitting at over a hundred thousand words. But it’s all good. I’ll edit the thing down to its rightful length, and if he’s still a chunky monster at the end, so be it. I’ve written my fair share of chunky monster books. Must be my thing.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.

Think that’s all I’ve got for this week. We’ll touch base again next Wednesday, sound good?

Have a badass week!

~ Lady Caitlin