Compelled

I am compelled to finish a story I started over three years ago. A story that began as a short play, which then turned into a performance, then a short story. And now, it's a continuation of stories that all center around a common topic: grief.

A young woman is unable to grieve for her dying father and will use any means necessary to avoid it. Even after her father dies and her family falls apart, she is committed to her silent heart. But how long can a heart survive without beating?

This could be a novella. Or maybe just a really long story. I don't know. All I know is I have to finish it. Scenes come to me at random moments and I write them. Every thing is in pieces now but I kind of like it that way. It's more real. Cause when you look back on life, you rarely see things linear. You see them in bits and pieces. Maybe I'll call the story "Fragments of the Silent Girl who Longed to go to Pluto."

book reviews and writing updates

So ever since Nano ended I've maybe written 3,000 words in my novel. I'm a tiny bit disappointed in myself, but I've accomplished a lot elsewhere. For example, grad school applications are done. I'm in the process of submitting my short stories to contests. I'm making edits to my play. And...I'm reading tons!

Recent books read and reviews:

Catching Fire - 8/10
Overall, I was happy with the sequel to The Hunger Games but I felt like it had a slow beginning.

Mockingjay- 7/10
I would have given this a 10/10 if the ending had been re-worked. I felt it was too rushed and I didn't particularly understand the choices of a few characters.

The Girl Who Played with Fire- 9/10
LOVED IT! Lisbeth Salendar is by far my favorite heroine because she is incredibly flawed yet determined and strong. I'm so tired of reading about whiny girls who freak out over dumb stuff. Lisbeth would tell those kind of girls to grow the F up!

I am about to start SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. I saw the movie a few years ago and really enjoyed it, so I'm hoping the book is just as good, if not better.

Writing wise, I plan to finish the first draft of my Nano novel by the New Year and spend January preparing another novel for the Amazon Breakthrough Award. I also hope to squeeze in sometime to edit a novel I wrote over the summer and basically have ignored for several months.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday(s)! Ho ho ho

All I Want for Xmas is....

...well, a lot ;-)

In terms of writing, I'd like to finish the novel I worked on during Nano month. It's YA. I probably only have 10-15K left, but I'm already thinking about future projects and past projects that still need to be edited. I have applied for grad schools, yay! And I have had another succesful playreading. All around, I feel pretty darn accomplished in terms of my writing.

So goals for December:
1- Finish Nano novel
2- Edit novels that need to be edited
3- Submit Seaweeds to publishers since agents don't seem to be interested
4- Prepare for amazon novel competition
5- Try not to gain weight by eating cookies