I AM WOMAN, I CAN DO ANYTHING!!!

Today seems like its going to be a busy, busy day for me. I have so much to do that I've been putting off for the last few days. Mainly I've avoided a lot of things just because I don't feel good. I don't feel like myself, but today is a bit different. Not sure why. But I'm not complaining, I need to feel like I do today so I can get things done. So far I've started on organizing my work files (a much needed thing to do). I also have cleaned up the garage a bit, and taken a few things down stairs that have been sitting in my hallway since the remodel of the guest room. Now to finish laundry, vacuum floors, meet a deadline (still 2 days away), work on my WIP, and dust the entire house so when my Hunny gets back from out of town he can dust it all up again with the sanding of the center room. The only room we have left to finish.

Next week is going to be busy, busy, busy as well. We have family coming in from overseas to spend a few weeks with us and I'll be trying to get everything organized between family home life and work life. Organizing deadlines, articles, and having to put my novel on hold for a few weeks is going to be tough, but I figure I can do it (one way or another). And hey, I have the "I AM WOMAN, I CAN DO ANYTHING!" on my side.

Well, I guess I'd better get started. Today is Thursday and there is soooooo much to get done in such a short time.

Saturday Writings

I love Saturdays! I'm not sure why. I guess because on Saturday you're not expected to do anything on that day. Many people think that Sunday is the day that you're not expected to do anything, but that's not completely true. Sunday's you're expected to go to Church, at least in most cultures you are. Saturday is my day. I was born on a Saturday in fact, so I feel I have the right to claim it as my own. I know I'm rambling, but its better than sitting here staring at a blank screen.

I'm a bit stuck in my novel, 5,402 words in and I can't figure out how to take it to the next scene. I can see it in my head, but when I go to type it or jot it down in my notebook, it just doesn't come out like it should. So, I figured I'd stop in and write a post. Maybe it'll get the scene jumped started.

Don't you hate it when you have all these ideas and just can't get them out of your head in the way they're supposed to come out.  I know I hate it.  I figure my book will be around 75,000 words (possibly more). I've been thinking of somehow leaving it open to be a sequel, since the ending I see in my head leaves that as a choice. I figure if I write 1,000 words every day (since I have written 5,000 in 3 days) I can finish my first draft of my novel in 75 days on average. Seventy-five days is... about 2 1/2 months. I'll say 3 just to be safe cause you know how things come up that can't be avoided. :)

Oh and only 79 more followers needed for the end of the 150 Followers Contest.

Maybe I'll write the ending or the part before the ending. Maybe that'll help me to move to the next scene. :)

UPDATE @ 7:39PM EST. I have just hit 6,036 words. I'm so happy. I've only been working on this novel for 3 days and WOW I can't believe it. I'm so proud of my self.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Wow this week just flew by. I hope everyone is enjoying the awesome weather on this great Friday afternoon. I have chosen to work on my book today, at least for the most part. In between writing I've been checking out some of the blogs I follow. Something I've been lacking on lately due to being involved in a ton of other things. I want to thank all of you who follow my blog and leave comments here and there. I'm trying to keep up with and return the favor.

There's still so much to get done before our guests come to stay for a few weeks. Eleven days to be exact. The guest room has been completed and there are only 2 rooms left to do finished. Once they're done, the tile can be placed and the carpet can be installed.

Well, back to my writing. I'm on chapter 3 and its all flowing out pretty well.  I'm writing about 1,500 words a day now. I plan to write more today though. So far, so good - knock on wood.

Update: Today I've written 3,000 + words on my novel.

Plotting with Index Cards

How do you plot your stories. I came across something earlier today on ways to plot your story. Various index cards, each a different color that represent something or someone in within the story. For example: 

• Pink: Characters
• Blue: Inner Conflict
• Yellow: Setting
• White: Plot Problems
• Orange: The Theme
• Green: Various Dialogue

I have a similar system, just not colored cards. I use white cards, 4x6 to be exact (much larger work space to write), and use a colored highlighter, either pink, blue, green, orange, etc. to organize whats what. I write character names even if they're not currently in my WIP. I can possibly use them in other stories at some point and if not, they can inspire me with my current characters.

I write down dialogue that I think may fit somewhere. Maybe Maggie (one of my characters) might say something to her little brother like, "You poopy face. I hate you!" or "I'm telling Mom!". You know how kids are. But you get the idea. This has worked for me so far in my current WIP. I spent a few hows last night before bed writing up somethings on my cards and this morning reviewed them adding more to story. 

What's your system for plotting out your story?