No NaNo For Me For A Looong Time

In case you've been following, I won't be doing NaNoWriMo for a long while. I didn't do the Summer NaNo earlier this year(which I often do since I can set my own word count and it's easier for me) and I won't be participating in official November NaNoWriMo. 

I also stopped officially participating in Inktober and Drawtober was a no-go.

There are too many things I've got to work on, professionally, personally, and spiritually, and if I follow a lot of monthly events, I won't get those pet projects off the ground. 

Thanks for enjoying my crazy creations but just because I'm not taking part in these monthly prompts and fellowships doesn't mean I stopped.

I'm happy you all looked forward to me taking part in these monthly events, but I have enough material and notes that I can create things on my own again and still be self-motivated.

I Hate This...

D@mn. Did I bite off more than I could chew? This month is freakin' wild and I can't get my creative act together. I missed Camp NaNoWriMo for April and decided to make up for one of the "lost projects" by doing two for July Camp. 

And now I may not make my word counts on both because of an unforeseen project and trying to help out with technical issues at home that drain me and make me remember why I never applied at any tech support jobs! 

I am a total night owl introvert when it comes to things like this because, then, people are asleep and I don't have to contend with them getting in the way of my personal creative work being done.

NaNoWriMo is coming up!

I will be NaNo Rebelling. No, I'm not turning against National Novel Writing Month! Far from it. What being a NaNo Rebel means is I will use the month to work on writing that's not a novel. 

I'm actually going to do what Comic Mix calls Oct/Nov months as NaGraNoWriMo or National Graphic Novel Writing Month. I will be posting progress about the "Summer to Winter" story on social media. I've also been researching where to market this comic once I have at least the beginnings of the series, and yes, it WILL be a series.

There are some literary journals and webcomic platforms I'm looking into. Also, I'm using November to focus on how to compile my Inktober works and once I figure it out,  I will let you know.

With Camp NaNo, I'm halfway there!

Dear Self:


When deciding to work on two simultaneous projects at once, making sure all your ducks are in a row still doesn't guarantee satisfaction.

I have one story continuing from last Camp NaNoWriMo April 2019, Oak & Ash with Bone, which is considered high/epic fantasy.

And this Camp NaNoWriMo July 2019, I'm working on another story that is working-titled The Firefly Crown Cycle (the "official first" story in the series published by e-anthology Anthrozine) that takes place 12-20 years later.

It is tentatively-titled The Queen in Spite of Herself/The Lion Rampant. Also titling the chapters.

The photo to my left shows the current journals I'm gleaning from in order to get this work on board.

If you want to read Firefly Crown online, you can go to my publication blog The Angry Goblin at Wordpress!

I am halfway through and already feel I might not make my word count, but, I would rather have the outlines and drafts typed out so I can edit and revise for later.
I'm exhausted and will do more blogging. Take care!

NaNo is not for me this year

#NaNoWriMo2017 is beginning but I won't be involved. In fact, I'm using the month to take care of my writing. I have a slew of short stories to revise, some stories to continue, as well as other writing projects (comic scripts, essays, and articles) to perfect! And the novel needs continuing.

INKTOBER 2017 PROJECTIONS

Last year, I worked on most of the characters from the dog Great Depression novel.

While I'm still working on that, during many of the disasters, and Irma, a curious thing happened: a science fiction story near and dear to me, that I've had in mind since childhood, started to figuratively write itself! These will be a series of shorts that I'm currently compiling.

For this Inktober, I'll showcase these SF characters with updated looks!

Just as I did with NaNoWriMo and Camps NaNoWriMo to pen most of the Great Depression novel, I'm using #Inktober2017 to work on a slice-of-life comic series. So, HAPPY INKTOBER!

P.S. If you wish to see my Inktober 2016, hop over to my DeviantArt profile at http://coppersphinx.deviantart.com

Camp NaNoWriMo - Day 29 - And I am a WINNER! *PARTY!*

I WON CAMP NANOWRIMO 2016! I can't believe it!

Thought I had two more days, but, beat my pre-set word count when I was struggling with a chapter, and realized I could rewrite the revised scene from a journal of five years ago. It was a difficult scene, the middle of an easy chapter. However, that singular moment consisted of several literary and grammatical devices I would have to use. It consisted of flashbacks, inner monologue, thoughts, inferences, personal history, and epiphany. While this sounds like an absolute mess, thanks to the training, feedback, and constructive criticism I received from MFA mentors and classmates, I didn't even look at the scene's previous typed draft but pulled from the journal to rewrite an entirely new scene.
No matter what, this April is not only special because it is my mom's and a brother's birthday month, but this contest is synonymous with the writer's life. We must be persistent, consistent, diligent, and persevere in this business. When we do that as writers, we learn and open other opportunities for ourselves and others.

Fun Post! But still being serious...

Everyone should have a teddy

   Just wanted my readers/visitors to know  that I joined Camp NaNoWriMo! Why  should you care? Well, this time, one can  set how high the word count must be. I set  mine to 15,000. Seems attainable, doesn't  it? But, then again, I need all the motivation I can create for myself to complete this novel. For anybody who frequents social media, the bookish teddy on the left is my buddy from graduate school. I saw him and just fell in love. He is now my mascot when I'm in the middle of beating a deadline, mired in research, or just need somebody cute to pick up my spirits when I'm stuck in the middle of writing!

Gift from a work friend

Which takes me to the next image on the left. This was a gift from a dear friend at work. Everyone knows, even students, that I am a short story author and am constantly writing. This gorgeous notebook given as a gift (was it birthday? Christmas? GAH! Can't remember!:( ) and I am using it along with its other companions.
Dear readers, you have no idea how many of these journals I have... I need them. Like a vampire needs blood.

The Harlem Renaissance

 My next two books definitely are high on the list of research that saved my bacon! When I had dropped down a plot-hole, or paper, paper everywhere, and not a plot to think, both these books on the Harlem Renaissance pulled me firmly into those times, giving me their history as the beating of a heart. There have been so many references that have helped the development of this story and of me as a writer, I don't know where there will be enough space to dedicate them all, but, this blog will have to do!

When Harlem Was In Vogue

And the beat goes on...

I finally uploaded all three documents to a cloud, merged the three (thesis, NaNoWriMo content, & the typing I did before, during & in between), and am doing the laborious process of formatting to an adaptable font so it can cross over to my desktop. All of this possible (so far!) on my Chromebook. I want to download to desktop this weekend. I won't take the chance of the new draft being entirely on a cloud. Must download quickly to its USB.

NaNoWriMo 2015 is more stamina

Ok, this was supposed to publish in the middle of November and didn't, because, it's Blogger and not WordPress. Sheesh! 

Below was my sentiments concerning NaNoWriMo during Nov. 11-15, I believe:

I'm running out of steam but I'm still in the game. 

Though I'm typing from scraps now, I am organizing the novel draft into its properly titled chapters. 

Plus, I'm finally using more frequently the chapter titles list that I've been creating over the years. 

If push comes to shove, I'll simply revert to old notes in my journals. Not all is lost this NaNoWriMo 2015.

I'm thinking that I probably bit off more than I could chew. But I found some more notes and plodding. 

I'm also keeping my thesis novel-draft on PC desktop so I can refer to where scenes and plots may occur.

UPDATE: I found a journal with more notes!! More to type from.

UPDATE UPDATE:  

I also ended up typing 32,000+ words! Add to the 35,000+ I did for my master thesis and that's... 67,000+ words! On my way with at most Half A Novel!!

Short story based on my novel-in-progress is out in "Prick of the Spindle" Issue 9!

For my readers and visitors to this site, it seems November will truly be a busy yet productive month for me!

I have an art piece in a professional art show for the first time, joined NaNoWriMo, and now a short story based on my novel-in-progress will be in the literary journal "Prick of the Spindle"!

Hop on over to this link for purchasing Volume #9 - http://prickofthespindle.org/product/print-edition-issue-9/

Let the Writing Commence!

I have decided to enter NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this November. Since learning about the worldwide event several years ago, I kept coming up with excuses, often had events to attend to, or, projects currently working on.

Now, I have completed graduate school and have a quarter of my thesis-novel that will give me my head start for NaNo!
For the rest of November, not only will I be checking into the official site, I will be doing longhand notes, research, and perhaps participating in the Miami Book Fair International this year again. If not by volunteering, then at least by attending as I do every year.

November will be a busy month for me, so I'm asking forgiveness in advance if you, the reader, don't see as many updates on this blog as you'd like.
Thanks again for reading my little corner of the Blogosphere! Take care, everybody!

This Blog Turns 4 YEARS OLD

Had just realized once this November started, "In Pretty Print" has turned 4 Years Old! My little Bloggie is growin' up! Now that I wiped the tear from my eye, I can get started.

This has caused me to re-evaluate my blog and its purpose. Something I think all bloggers run into and have to ponder. I don't have any special downloads or swag to offer. I used that for the official site, and initially, the blogs were to be 'companion pieces' to Tabber the Red website. I didn't expect the blogs to take on lives of their own. They are now complete entities in themselves, yet part of my mini-network with the site (this also includes the DeviantART profile).

Blogging didn't come easy to me when building my website. It was a learning process. I made mistakes and lost blogs because of it. This blog is actually my FOURTH attempt. Still, I don't feel like an expert. I still read and follow and 'fan' other blogs (as well as grinding my teeth in envy over their beautiful interfaces and templates) but I also try to learn from other bloggers to continue to help mine grow and evolve.
One day, I want others to visit In Pretty Print in droves. I want it to change lives. I want it to be one of many sources of inspiration. Just as other blogs do for me and more.

In celebration of "In Pretty Print - A Writing and Artist Life...Ongoing", I will try to break my average 2-3 posts per month.

If you're a fan of my blog, I will be highlighting pivotal posts that were first debuted on the now closed literary blog carnival, Third Sunday. The posts I submitted to the blog carnival consisted of writing advice and tips, things that inspired me, ideas on what to do if deciding on an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) degree, and much, much more.

There are a lot of events happening this November: NaNoWriMo, the Miami Book Fair International, etc.
Let me celebrate the blog's 4th birthday by offering the information and ideas that have sustained me as a writer and artist over the years.

Thank you.

Some recaps...

First, wishing AND hoping that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Also, I'm still reeling because I am suffering from Post-Miami-Book-Fair-Syndrome (IT WAS GREAT).

I also learned that one of my favorite authors (I have many), has died and I will soon post a few of my fondest memories about how this brilliant lady's books changed my life.

Furthermore, NaNoWriMo is almost done and so I'm wishing fellow writers good fortune and Godspeed on what comes from this endurance test! Best of Luck!

Last but certainly NOT LEAST, the next post after will be a continuance of my dog gangster story art series...Stay tuned...

The novel.. Still plugging away.
Updates soon.

Those participating in NaNoWriMo, good luck and Godspeed.
One day. One day soon, I may take part... But until then, HAPPY WRITING EVERYONE.

Stay tuned for the rest of the illustrated series of sketches I'm doing for my novel.

MY OFFICIAL 1ST POST

I know this is still NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), so good luck and happy plugging away at those novels! I would love to participate but time constraints prevent me.