In the last few days, I’ve put some time into Chasing Shadows. I know… that book should have been out a year ago… more than a year ago. As I started editing it, I felt it just wasn’t sexy enough. Then I had that recent life glitch. Now I’m energized and motivated to go at it again.

My plans!

I’ve added a chapter of sexiness which I’m writing now. Once that’s out of the way, I’ll do one of two things. Either I’ll skip to the end and finish editing where I left off, which was editing the last three chapters… possibly writing a bit more to the end to round it out. OR I’ll start at the beginning again and read through. It’ll give me a chance to catch more errors, plus make sure the additions and changes I’ve made work.

Either way, I’ll have to read through all again to ensure consistency. The biggest thing is staying motivated and on track to actually knock this book out.

Hopefully, finishing this book will motivate me to get around to the others. I currently have three other books which are 75-90% finished in terms of the first draft. I say almost finished because I believe they were all NaNoWriMo novels. And we know how scary those novels can be.

So that’s where I am. Wish me luck!

One of the things which helped me last year was being able to focus. I can sit in front of the computer for hours and get little done. I’m easily distracted. I’ll start writing and think about something, next thing I know I’m surfing the internet. I won’t come up until hours later. By the end of the night, I’ll wonder how I spent so many hours trying to write and only accomplished a few hundred words, if I was lucky.

For me, the idea of spending hours writing and accomplishing little is demotivating. I’ll be honest. I reached a point where I wanted to give up on NaNo. The only reason I kept going was because I hate losing more than quitting.

Last year (toward the end of NaNo, when I wasn’t sure I’d make it), I found a program called Write or Die. I’d heard of it before but never felt like trying it out. I figured it was just another program to waste my time. Folks were buzzing about it on Twitter… to the point I was annoyed they were pumping out the words and I was struggling just to put down a mere 100.

Well, I checked out Write or Die and found something quite interesting about myself. Remember when I mentioned I was easily distracted. Well, Write or Die showed me I was MORE than easily distracted. I don’t think I got more than a minute into the program before I found myself wandering to another activity. Next thing I knew, Write or Die was acting all sorts of crazy. The screen was turning red and flashing. It was making some annoying buzzing noise. OMG… I couldn’t think.

As soon as I started typing, Write or Die calmed down again. Let me tell you a little more about myself. I’m not all too good with loud noises. I don’t listen to music while writing, it’s too distracting. The loud honking noises which come standard with Write or Die totally blow my concentration. I can’t think. I can’t concentrate. I can’t get back on track. Well, lucky for me, there’s an option to turn it off. I’m not sure what, I think perhaps turning it to Normal rather than Kamikaze. When I start to slack, the screen slowly turns to a deep red. That’s enough for me to remember to get back on track.

It took quite a few sessions with Write or Die for me to learn how to focus on the writing rather than letting odd thoughts distract me. Now I set Write or Die for 15 minutes with a goal of 500 words. I break my writing into chunks so I don’t burn out. 15 minutes when I get up, 15 minutes before lunch, 15 minutes after dinner, and 15 minutes to top off the night. One hour of writing gets me about 2k words a day.

Keep in mind, your mileage may vary depending on your typing speed and how quickly the words come to you.

What I can say is focus is the key to effectively using your time as a writer. It’s easy to squander your time with idle distractions or even letting your mind wander. Write or Die has helped me retrain my mind to focus on the task at hand. When it’s time write; it’s to write.

So if you’re struggling with your word count each day, give Write or Die a try.

EDIT: Apparently, the Kamikaze deletes your work if you don’t write fast enough. So beware! Normal mode doesn’t do that.

I’ve been in Kentucky for almost a week. Everyone who came with me has either returned home or moved on to their next destination. I have to say, I’m missing them. I can’t hardly wait until some (or all) of them return.

In the meantime, I’m enjoying the company of my father. And the weather is way better here than in North Carolina. Still hot, but lacks the humidity. Now that I can deal with.

My writing has taking a backseat lately. I don’t at all feel like a writer today. I took some time to reread a snippet of Chasing Shadows and hated it… well… not so much hated, but I wasn’t impressed.

I don’t know. Maybe I’m in one of my moods, but right now I’m wondering if this should ever see the light of day.

Is it bad I’m sharing like this? I feel as if I should keep my concerns about my book to myself. Hopefully the additions I (supposed to be) making will give Chasing Shadows the oomph it needs to satisfy me.

I’ve been so busy the last few days yet I have a billion more things to accomplish.

Well, it’s late. I’m tired.

I hope you all enjoyed the anniversary for I Loved You First. I certainly did. Thank you to all who participated. The responses to the questions were great. But alas, all good things must come to an end.

Special thanks to all the hosts

Creative Deeds || Ao Bibliosphere || Love of Books || Heather McCorkle || Mostly YA Book Obsessed || Basically Books  || Reading After Midnight || The Phantom Paragrapher || Book Cover Justice || Butterfly-o-Meter Books || YA Book Addict || Vandeervecken’s Veritas || Sliced Open Reviews || Have Book. Will Read ||  I Talk Books!! || Benjamin Jones Writes || Mistresses of Passion || Basia’s Bookshelf || The Bookish Babes || Dahl’s Doll || Forever 17

They were AWESOME to work with. Visit their blogs… you’ll see what I mean.

So… we have a couple more winners?

What’s up for grabs?

One of my awesome hosts along with a one of their commentators will win their choice of a $25 GC from B&N, $25 toward books at the Book Depository, $25 towards book at Smashwords, or any combination (B&N GC, TBD, or SW) totaling $25.

And the winners are!

Barbara at Basia’s Bookshelf (host)

and

Veronika

Emails will be sent shortly. XOXO everyone! Thanks for making this tour such a wonderful experience. Makes me eager for the next one.

For a list of the other winners on the tour, please refer to the New Adult – New Cover Post.

Congratulations!
You’ve made it!

Day 5 of the Cover Reveal Tour.

On Sale!

For the duration of the tour, pick up I Loved You First for $0.99 at Amazon & Barnes & Nobles or use the coupon code below at Smashwords!

Promotional price: $0.99
Regular price: $4.95
Coupon Code: XY82H
Expires: August 5, 2012

Available at: Barnes & Nobles || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon DE || Amazon FE || Smashwords || Diesel || Sony Reader || Kobo Books || iTunes || CreateSpace (Print) || The Book Depository (Print w/free shipping worldwide)
Add I Loved You First to your Goodreads List.

Are you ready for the final giveaways?!

Over $100 in prizes

Every day a new prizes, but you’ll have to hurry! Each giveaway lasts just 48 hours. And to wrap everything up, one reader and one blogger will each receive their choice of a $25 GC from B&N or $25 toward books at the Book Depository.

Many thanks to Today’s Hosts!

August 3
Basia’s Bookshelf
The Bookish Babes
Dahl’s Doll
Forever 17

Stop by the above blogs
and Enter the Final Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Other News!

My writer buddy, Eden Baylee, has a new erotic release. Stop by my blog and check out, Spring into Summer!

We’re over the hump!
Just Two More Days.

Day 4 of the Cover Reveal Tour.

On Sale!

For the duration of the tour, pick up I Loved You First for $0.99 at Amazon & Barnes & Nobles or use the coupon code below at Smashwords!

Promotional price: $0.99
Regular price: $4.95
Coupon Code: XY82H
Expires: August 5, 2012

Available at: Barnes & Nobles || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon DE || Amazon FE || Smashwords || Diesel || Sony Reader || Kobo Books || iTunes || CreateSpace (Print) || The Book Depository (Print w/free shipping worldwide)
Add I Loved You First to your Goodreads List.

Ready for

Another giveaway!!

Over $100 in prizes

Every day a new prizes, but you’ll have to hurry! Each giveaway lasts just 48 hours. And to wrap everything up, one reader and one blogger will each receive their choice of a $25 GC from B&N or $25 toward books at the Book Depository.

Many thanks to today’s hosts!

August 2
Have Book. Will Read
 I Talk Books!!
Benjamin Jones Writes
Mistresses of Passion

Can you believe it?
We’ve reached the half-way mark!

Day 3 of the Cover Reveal Tour.

On Sale!

For the duration of the tour, pick up I Loved You First for $0.99 at Amazon & Barnes & Nobles or use the coupon code below at Smashwords!

Promotional price: $0.99
Regular price: $4.95
Coupon Code: XY82H
Expires: August 5, 2012

Available at: Barnes & Nobles || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon DE || Amazon FE || Smashwords || Diesel || Sony Reader || Kobo Books || iTunes || CreateSpace (Print) || The Book Depository (Print w/free shipping worldwide)
Add I Loved You First to your Goodreads List.

And of course

Another giveaway!!

Over $100 in prizes

Every day a new prizes, but you’ll have to hurry! Each giveaway lasts just 48 hours. And to wrap everything up, one reader and one blogger will each receive their choice of a $25 GC from B&N or $25 toward books at the Book Depository.

Many thanks to today’s hosts!

August 1
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
YA Book Addict
Vandeervecken’s Veritas
Sliced Open Reviews

Stop by their blogs and
Enter Today’s Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome! Welcome!

You’ve reached Day 2 of the Cover Reveal Tour.

On Sale!

For the duration of the tour, pick up I Loved You First for $0.99 at Amazon & Barnes & Nobles or use the coupon code below at Smashwords!

Promotional price: $0.99
Regular price: $4.95
Coupon Code: XY82H
Expires: August 5, 2012

Available at: Barnes & Nobles || Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon DE || Amazon FE || Smashwords || Diesel || Sony Reader || Kobo Books || iTunes || CreateSpace (Print) || The Book Depository (Print w/free shipping worldwide)
Add I Loved You First to your Goodreads List.

Guess what!

Another giveaway!!

Over $100 in prizes

Every day a new prizes, but you’ll have to hurry! Each giveaway lasts just 48 hours. And to wrap everything up, one reader and one blogger will each receive their choice of a $25 GC from B&N or $25 toward books at the Book Depository.

Many thanks to today’s hosts!

July 31
Basically Books
Reading After Midnight
The Phantom Paragrapher
Book Cover Justice

Stop by their blogs and
Enter Today’s Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

July 30 marks the 1-year anniversary of I Loved You First, and we’re having a celebration! Five days of fun and prizes. And best of all, you’re invited! Oh… and there’s a new cover.

Over $100 in prizes

Every day a new prizes, but you’ll have to hurry! Each giveaway lasts just 48 hours. And to wrap everything up, one reader and one blogger will each receive their choice of a $25 GC from B&N or $25 toward books at the Book Depository.

Are you ready to see I Loved You First’s new makeover?

Creative Deeds
Ao Bibliosphere
Love of Books
Heather McCorkle
Mostly YA Book Obsessed

Stop by their blogs and
Enter Today’s Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So we’re registered in the national do not call thingamajig. Yet somehow folks still call every day asking us to take their silly surveys or try their products. What gives?

Well, yesterday some woman called about participating in a retirement survey. She started by asking if anyone in the house was between 25 and 29 years. I said no. I figured we were done. Then she asked ME if I was between 25 and 29 years. What? Are you stupid? I didn’t say that, but that’s what I thought. No, I’m not between 25 and 29. I just told, you no one in the house is between that age.

I know what you’re thinking… didn’t you just turn 27 this year for the umpteenth time? Yes, dammit! I am 27!!! Three cubed! And you better not tell anyone otherwise.

So anyway, next she asked if I was between 25 and 75 years old. Why yes I am! Then she asked if I’d participate. I said maybe. That’s always my answer to the start of a survey. Okay… I’m curious, let’s just say. First questions she asks is, what year were you born?

All of a sudden, I’m not in the mood to answer survey questions. If you follow my blog, you know I’m not eager to give my age to ANYONE. I’ve done my best to repress the number myself. I had to pull out a calculator for the census in 2010, but that’s another story. I don’t want to participate, I tell her.

I don’t know what happened after that, but we part ways.

Today, the phone rings and I recognize the phone number. Can’t remember what it’s about, but quickly realize it’s the retirement survey people again. I politely wait until someone comes on the line. They have that silly call folks but wait until the homeowner picks up before bothering to put a representative online thing going. As soon as she tells me who she is, I say, “Please take me off your calling list.”

Here’s when things go weird. She asks, “Are you sure?”

Okay… what kind of question is that. You called yesterday, and I didn’t want to play. You should have scratched me off as a lead right then and their. I don’t say that of course. Instead, I say, “Yes, that’s why I said it.”

She follows up with, “Well, wouldn’t you like to answer a few questions first?”

What? Are you kidding me? I thought take me off your calling list was some kind of magic phrase. Like abracadabra and the bunny disappears. Or take me off your calling list and the solicitor disappears forever.

I hate when people answer a question with a question. Well this time I did. “Are you harassing me?”

I’m sure she wasn’t. I just figured the question would be a great wake up call. We had a moment of awkward silence. Finally she says, “No… I just thought you’d like to answer the questions.”

We are so not going there again. “Just go ahead and take me off your calling list,” I say.”

“Uh… okay.”

Now the woman didn’t sound addlebrained, so I’m assuming she was toying with me or had a brain fart.

Now, I don’t hate telemarketers. I spent a few months telemarketing in my younger days, which is why I’d think a telemarketer would appreciate the take me off your calling list response, especially one early in the call. It gives them the opportunity to move on to the next. I don’t know about this woman, but I received a base pay plus bonuses for sales, so I definitely want to waste time on a no-sale.

Why she acted like her survey was so great it was shocking someone didn’t want to participate is a mystery to me.

So how are the telemarketers treating you these days?