It's been one month...

(I almost started singing "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies, then I realized that it was titled "One Week" not "One Month")

Almost exactly one month ago I finished my NaNoWriMo titled "Out of Tune".
It's been one month since closed it.
One month since I even looked at it.

With January 2012 quickly approaching, I'm realizing that it might be time for me to read my NaNo. Knowing full well that it will probably (read: most likely) be the worst piece of fiction that I've ever read. Mostly because, I ended it terribly. I knew that when I wrote it.

I'm sure every writer goes through this. Every writer has the moment when they've finished their first draft and think "Crap... now I have to read this." It's a bit like that moment in Tangled where Rapunzel finally escapes then has a major mood swing about leaving.

You know, this scene:

You go from that amazing feeling of finishing your book to that terrible nervous feeling of figuring out that you're kind of a terrible writer. While I realize that most writer's first drafts are crap (as most writers say, "A novel isn't a novel until the revision process."), this being my first novel I've ever finished (hell, this is my first novel I've ever spent this much time on), it's an incredibly scary task to take on.

It's also a task that can only be put off for so long before I need to bite the bullet and just go for it. After all, Walt Disney once said:

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

Curse you Walt Disney for having good advice that I can't deny! *shakes fist*
Time for me to quit talking about revising, and just start.

 

"Zoinks!"

This post doesn't have an interesting title. But it is interesting.

After finishing NaNo, the only thing on my mind was laying bed and watching copious amounts of television (as if this was different from every other day). For the first few days of December that's exactly what I did.

Then, a few days ago, Helen sent me her manuscript to critique. Last time she did this, I failed epically. I think mostly because I was so nervous that I wasn't going to be a good crit partner.

Since Helen is one of my best friends, I was determined to put her book at a higher priority than I had last time (sorry, Helen). This is definitely an interesting experience for me. Mostly because, as of right now (this being the first time I've read through it), with every chapter my only thoughts are:

• OMG! This is amazing.
• I can't believe Helen wrote a book... and it makes sense!
• 
• Can I just steal this main boy away from from her MC and keep him forever?
• I can't be friends with Helen anymore. It's just not fair.
•  

While those are not particularly critical (at all), they are a nessecary step for me in this critique partner process. Chances are, I'll finish it tonight, then take a few days to process, then re-read for a better and slightly more critical look.

I'll also probably still be watching copious amounts of television (I mean, did you SEE that Psych finale? I'm still freaking out about it, I think a Psych rewatch is in order), but mostly, I'm going to attempting to be a better crit partner. After all, what are best friends for if not to be brutally honest with each other.

(Starkid gifs are always appropriate)

Six things I'm in love with right now.

Dr. Pepper Lip Balm

Recently I've decided to try and cut back on my caffiene intake. This has resulted in me craving Dr. Pepper as if it would grant me immortality. My friend Helen bought this a little while ago, and when she said that it actually tasted like Dr. Pepper, I thought she was messing with me.

She wasn't. This lip balm is probably one of the greatest things ever invented. I couldn't actually remember the last time I bought lipsmackers for myself. Now, it's a staple in my purse.

Little Big Planet

I hadn't actually played this game until a few days ago. I wasn't sure if I would like it. It's definitely an Anna game. When it comes to games, I am pretty picky. I generally love RPGs, but Little Big Planet... You get to collect stickers (not actual stickers, but still), and try and jump from place to place. It's kind of awesome. I'm loving this game.

Etsy.com

This is a site that I should not be allowed on right after I get paid. I just look at all the pretties and think "BUY ALL THE THINGS!!!!!!" All handmade, this site is full of amazing jewelry, posters, t-shirts, if you think of it, someone on Etsy probably makes it.

Now with my new blogger position, I have to at least glance at Etsy for article ideas. I'm DOOMED!

Wizard Love

This song has been in my head almost non-stop since I first heard it in July, before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows final movie came out. Just listen, it's addicting. Plus it makes me think of my epic Harry Potter weekend with Helen and Whitney.

Weeping Boos

Curse you TeeFury.com for having awesome-I-need-to-buy-this-now t-shirts! This shirt is the perfect blend of both fandoms. You can tell that Super Mario inspired it, but by looking at the "Boos" you can tell that they are a cartoonified version of the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who (my personal favorite baddie.. they're completely terrifying!) It just came in the mail a few days ago, I can't wait to show it off!

Once Upon a Time

I'm probably going to be murdered by a few of my friends for saying this, but I was very very skeptical about this show. I really, didn't want to like it. But, because of my nature and the fact that it was a tv show based on fairy tales, I decided I needed to give it a chance. 

Plus, it wasn't like I had anything to watch on Sunday nights anyway. 

I quickly became addicted. The main draw for me was Robert Carlyle (Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold), but the thing that keeps me interested the most is the fact that they tweaked the Snow White story so that she's not just a helpless damsel who is waiting for a big strong prince to save her. She actually has some stones.

In Which Opportunity Knocks Twice in Two Days...

And both times, I opened the door.

Wednesday, at approximately 1:00 pm Mountain Standard Time, I wrote my 50,000th word in my NaNo.

Sure, it's a massive crap pile that will probably not do anything but sit on my computer lonely singing "All By Myself", but it's written.

This is especially awesome for me, because this is the first novel I have ever finished. Does it have plot holes? Absolutely. Are my main characters Mary-Sues and Gary-Stus? You betcha. Am I still incredibly proud of myself? No doubt about it.

November was a hard month to do this in. It was painful and tedious and most of the time I just threw in kissing because I couldn't think of what else to write about at that moment. The fact that I finished it and didn't give up after 11,000 words (like I have the past few years) proves to myself that I can do this if I put my mind to it.

Though putting my mind to another novel is going to wait for at least a month.

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I'm not sure what made me send in an application for it, but I'm glad I did.

A little while ago, I discovered a website called GeekCrafts.com. This is one of those websites that I could easily surf for hours and hours and not get bored.

A few days ago, the main mod posted a calling for new bloggers. Figuring that I probably didn't stand a chance, but that I wanted to try anyway, I sent in an enthusiastic e-mail with a sample post (where I searched the internet for Stargate crafts and found a couple). This afternoon (again, while at work) I received an e-mail back telling me that I was now going to be one of their weekly bloggers.

That's right.

(this is an accurate representation of how I felt when the e-mail came)

I'll be posting every Sunday. Huzzah!!!!

Suddenly things are looking up.