October was certainly an interesting month. I spent most of it trying to figure out my new schedule of less social media and more writing.
I did OK to start with, but then I found my hours creeping up again on social media. I am certainly going to have to be stricter with myself.
October:
– Didn’t exactly keep to schedule. Got most things done on time, but not others.
– Started my new Books on my Bookshelf series.
– Got my first reviews for The Magic Spark.
– Didn’t meet my reading target. Though I was only off by about half a book 😀 Forbidden Quest by Alaina Stanford, Reunion of the Heart by Elaine Jeremiah, and Hands of Evil by Melissa Barker-Simpson.
– Attempted to cut my social media right down and concentrate on the writing. Started well, but hasn’t been so successful towards the end of the month.
– I did some marketing using photosets, but still not enough.
– Managed to connect with bloggers regularly, and share their posts and news on Twitter and FB more consistently.
– I didn’t manage to sort out my Pinterest boards.
November:
It’s all change for November yet again to what I intended last time.
Unfortunately, there will be no Christmas novella. As much as I want to write it, I am just not in a place to do so at the moment. There is a lot of upheaval at home and things moving around, which will eventually result in a writing space of my own. But until then, I don’t really have anywhere that I can go to focus on writing.
I am one of those writers who needs quiet and peace to write 😀 And I just can’t get that at the moment, and my writing is suffering for it. I don’t want to put out a book that is less than my best, so I’ve decided to wait (though I will probably do the Christmas novella for next year because the characters and plots are just too awesome to forget!).
Instead this months goal is: To write 500 words a day.
Doesn’t matter what it is- short fiction, long fiction, fanfiction, poetry, as long as it’s something. I may not have the space to concentrate on a full book, but that doesn’t mean I have to stop writing altogether, I love it too much to do that 😀
November will be about writing practice, which is just as important as anything else! But it will also give me more time to help at home and eventually get this writing space up together, which I am VERY excited about 🙂
As for reading this month, I plan to read three books: The Masked Empire by Patrick Weekes, Asunder by David Gaider (re-read that one, as I’ve read it before!), and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients by Rod Raglin (for review group). Those are the only ones that I will definitely be reading, and any extra will be a bonus 😀
That means no reviews except my review group one this month, and none in December either. My normal reading and reviews will resume in January 2015 (a scary thought to think that’s not so far away!).
So, there you have it. This post was a lot longer than intended, sorry!
**TL;DR – No Christmas novella due to a lot of stuff going on. Tons of writing practice instead this month! Back to book writing in the New Year.**
Other things that happened around the writing/blogging community this month:
Callum McLaughlin released his new book, False Awakening!
Topaz Winters has a beautiful new look to her site.
EclecticAlli has been hosting a brilliant set of posts for her Masquerade Ball Blog Party.
Natacha Guyot announced an exciting new project she’s working on!
Island of Glass by Ruth Nestvold is at a lowered price until Mid-November!
My Creative Flows blog had a great post on tips for those participating in NaNo and how to get through it! 😀
Oh, also, to all those actually participating in NaNoWriMo this month- Good Luck! 😀
How did your October go? Do you have many plans for November?
A Writer's Life For Me. 
November is editing just like last month for me. That social media shrinkage is a tough one. It’s almost like you either have to cut it off completely or succumb to its siren song.
Good luck with the editing, it can feel like a real slog sometimes but it’s always worth it in the end 😀
You’re totally right, social media feels like an all or nothing at times!
Thank you so much for commenting 🙂
Well, I reading through all 8 of my finished works to make sure continuity is correct. Only 5 of those have been published and I’m starting in on Book 6 today. It’s been a long, tiring road. 🙂
I know a few people who cut out social media entirely.
Blimey! That really is quite a task you have a head of yourself 😀 I am so looking forward to getting into your series!
It’s been a long time coming. I probably should have done it when I finished Book 6 or 7.
Thanks very much for the mention!
Thank you for the mention! Good luck with your projects! 🙂 October saw the idea for the new collection of essays come to life, and also included outlines for a future YA book trilogy (working on the last book outline). I’m not partaking in NaNoWriMo or any related November writing Month stuff. I’m hoping to work on the last pieces I need for the book project though. 🙂
Sounds like October was a busy month for you though! Hope November is just as good, even if not so much writing 😀
Thank you so much for commenting 🙂
We often have to go with the flow and change our plans to suit our circumstances so good on you for not pushing yourself into things.
Thanks for the mention as well! Very kind of you 🙂
I think being able to go with the flow is important, and I’d rather wait and publish high quality rather than struggle now and be disappointed with what I put out 🙂
Thank you so much for commenting 😀
I love the idea of a Christmas novella. You always share such good stuff–just sharing your writing process is very generous. Thanks.
I have such a great idea for a Christmas novella with great characters, so it’s definitely not an idea that will go to waste, it will just have to wait until next year 😀
Thank you so much for the kind comment! 🙂
Congrats on your stellar reviews.
I admire the fact that you know what’s best for your books, even if that means setting aside a Christmas novella. I hope things settle soon for you so that you can have the space to write. I’m the same way. If life feels too chaotic, I can’t write.
It is hard, isn’t it? When everything feels a bit up in the air it’s really hard to focus 😀
Thank you so much for the kind comment, I really appreciate your words 🙂
A writing space of your own…how exciting. I’m sure you’re dreaming about the end result already! Good luck with your goals for November – I’m sure you’ll shine now you’ve given yourself time to focus 🙂
I am REALLY looking forward to getting my own space, it’s very much needed 😀 Think I will feel a bit more focused if I have a designated space to go to for writing as well.
Thank you so much for the kind comment 🙂
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
Yay for your new soon-to-be space! ^-^ I am the same way, I need a dedicated space with peace and quiet in order to work. I think the hardest thing about getting my writing going again this year is not having that.
I’m actually doing a bite-sized NaNo project this year, and it is 500 words a day as well. ^-^ Although I am still working on specific stories, just short ones this year. Things have been stressful, but I didn’t want to give up on my yearly writer’s therapy all together. haha
I know what you mean! Sometimes it’s hard to find the space or time to write, but that doesn’t mean we can without entirely 😀 I think bite-size is a good way of approaching it in that situation!
Thank you so much for commenting 🙂
I can sympathise with being distracted Mishka. I find social media definitely distracts me from writing – which is the whole point of the social media use in the first place!
Also I know what you mean about having peace and quiet to write in. I certainly need that. Hope your writing space – when you finally have it – enables you to produce lots of wonderful books! 🙂
I really am looking forward to my own writing space, think it will make the world of difference! 😀
Thank you so much for commenting 🙂
Yeah, I imagine the private writing space would make a whole world of difference. Just a space where you can make sure everything’s quiet for a good long while, to minimize those distractions, should do you wonders.
It sounds like you’re a bit tired and distracted this month, Mishka – not to mention disappointed about the lack of Christmas novella 😦 But never fear! Positive change has to be just around the corner, no? And practising writing is never a bad decision. 😀
Oh, and thank you so much for showcasing my new website! That’s so sweet of you xxx
It’s great to hear your plans for this month and the remainder of the year. I think it’s neat that you are working on a new writing space. Although I was looking forward to your Christmas novella, I definitely understand putting it off until next year–it is better to have the time to write a story than to rush it and feel that it is less than what you expected. I will definitely look forward to it next year 🙂 As for November, I have been busy with work so there will be no focus on editing my 3 stories. However, like you, I intend to get back to it in January as my current job is temporary.
In terms of blogging, I will be back to normal and plan to start reading and reviewing a lot of books!