Tag Archives: nanowrimo

My Mistress: Procrastination

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Yet another Friday night, and once again I find myself sitting behind the LCD screen of a laptop. I have a few projects that I need to work on, a book I promised to publish over a year ago, and my NaNo 2013 that has yet to be completed.

So of course I’m not doing any of that. Oh no! I’m playing with video on the laptop, recording myself playing random songs. I sang one and played it back. No one will ever see that one. Lord, I can’t sing! I wanted to puncture my own eardrums! Seriously, I should never sing. Ever!

But my guitar playing isn’t all too bad. To be sure, I need to practice a hell of a lot more than I do, and playing electric guitar parts on an acoustic doesn’t sound the best, but it isn’t all that bad. I think I need to venture out and meet other guitar players. I definitely do.

But all I’m doing is procrastinating. I’m the worlds worse procrastinator. I’ve been meaning to start a support group but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. Maybe next week some time, or next year…

I have a few puzzles to work out as far a plot lines in my 2013 NaNo. I had a few Eureka! moments earlier today while I was at work. I think I should explore those threads. That’s what I should do. I’m glad we had this talk. We should do this more often. Next time bring some snacks. I’ll provide the drinks.

Just goofing around.

My Camp NaNo Update – Um..yeah

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Camp NaNoWriMo is down to its last three days? How have you fared? I’m in a full blown panic even though I set a very modest 10k word goal. I’m at 4100. Yeah, I suck. I never do well in the summer. I’m too easily distracted.

That’s no excuse, however, and I vow to win this by any means necessary! Well, I’ll just write until my fingers fly off. Seriously, only about 2k words a day. It’s totally doable. I just have to sit and write.

Well, after The Big Bang Theory goes off. I need my comedy fix to lift my spirits. My goal is to pass the 6k word mark before bed.

My day

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What a day! The time is 10:32 p.m. as I begin to write this, and I’m just now becoming coherent. It was a long day, waking up at 4:00 in the morning so I could make it to work. Why is it when I have to wake up that early, my body and my brain conspire against me and decide not to let me sleep? By the time I made it home, a little after 4:00 this afternoon, I had time for a quick snack, then I crashed. I didn’t wake up until 8:30.

Now that I’m awake, and I will be until God knows when, I guess I should try to do something a little productive. I posted my last review for The Ship, which I published last week, on Amazon and Goodreads. At least I got something accomplished. Now I need a new book to read.

I had been approached to do another review, but I’m still waiting to get a copy of the book. I’ve been waiting a month now. If I don’t get it, I’ll find another book next week. There are always authors wanting to get their books read and peer-reviewed, so that won’t be an issue. I’ve found several authors on Goodreads looking for reviewers. Maybe I’ll dedicate some time tomorrow to find someone new.

It’s getting late. I should try to work on my NaNoWriMo short story. I haven’t touched that in a week. Yikes! I need to get back to it. I seem to allow everything else in my life distract me from writing. I hope it gets better soon. If it continues to rain tomorrow, I should have not problem sitting down and typing out a decent word count for a change. I need to do that tonight.

Have a great night, and if you have a book in need of a reviewer, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My email is joe@joehinojosa.com. Catchy email, isn’t it? Hope to hear from you and good night!

On this holiday weekend…

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Happy 4th of July! Yes, in spite of the fact that I work at a retail store, on that is open today, I somehow managed to get the day off! I’m not going to complain. I’m elated to have a day to relax at home, spend some time with family, and just be an all out bum.

Actually, I did do a little work today. I cooked the obligatory holiday meal. I braised some ribs in the oven, though I lit the grill to cook out some chicken breasts and sausages. That, with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and some avocado rounded out our small feast. I’m stuffed. I really want a nap.

Instead I’m writing. My story for NaNoWriMo is taking shape, though it is slowly doing so. I should be more diligent in writing, but I can’t. That’s why the low word goal. I may have to up the goal to 25K words, but I’ll decide that later, and I may do that for myself and leave the set goal at 10K. I’m not even sure I can change it.

On a more serious note, I want to take some time and do a quick Public Service Announcement. Please take care this 4th of July weekend. Remember that traffic with be heavier than usual, so please, please, please keep an eye out for other drivers, and please don’t drink and drive.

The reason I bring this up, last night I went to Plainview to grab a few things from Walmart. As I drove home, I passed a horrifying scene on the access road to I-27. At the on ramp, I saw two vehicles that had been in a front-end collision. I could not count the number of first responders on the scene, but the flashing lights only hinted at the severity of the accident.

A hospital helicopter landed moments before I passed the scene, undoubtedly to fly the more severely injured to Lubbock. Helpless in the situation, all I could do was say a quick prayer for the victims of the crash, and selfishly hope that I didn’t know the victims of the car crash. My prayers were answered, sort of.

I found out later last night that one person had been pronounced dead at the scene. This morning I found out that the deceased was the older sister of a classmate of mine from high school. How do you process this? I’m glad I wasn’t affected but sorry you were? I felt my heart sink because someone I knew ages ago would be experiencing a terrible ordeal this holiday weekend.

So while I may have had a delicious meal this evening, and while I may have spent the time with family, I know of at least on family impacted by a devastating event. I’m sure scores of others with share in the misfortune before this weekend is over.

Please take care while having fun. Spend time with family and friends. Shoot off fireworks and illuminate the night sky. Most of all, just be safe.

Impossible standards

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Welcome to day 2 of Camp NaNoWriMo! How are you doing? I’m up to 1023 words, though I have yet to write today. I plan to write a bit after I’m done with my brief update.

I’m not far enough in to make any judgments, but It’s hard not to be judgmental about my own writing. It’s CRAP!!! Okay, probably not, but what I find so damn frustrating about writing is having a clear idea of what I want to say and then failing to do so. Again, I haven’t written enough to feel that way, but I already do, of course. Am I alone in feeling this way?

I’m overreacting. I should let go and let the story evolve as it will, but I can’t. I want it to be the way I mean it to be! Also, I want to write a perfect copy, one that needs no proofreading or editing. Perhaps another sign of my lunacy?

By the time I write my final line, I’m sure I’ll be simultaneously elated and horrified by the results of my labor. I’ll feel pride that I wrote this particular work while feeling ashamed that I haven’t lived up to my impossible standards. Surly, you understand. It’ll be fine. I just have to remember to type away and worry about cleaning up my writing once I’m done.

Before I get off for the night, I just want to add that I finished The Ship, by Allan Krummenacker, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you. I urge you to check out my review for The Bridge, before my next review goes live on Monday.