M.F. Hopkins's Blog, page 8
November 10, 2019
Another Nano Event.
I neglected to mention that on Oct 24th, I attended the NaNoWriMo Kickoff party at the Blind Tiger Lounge in Oakland. It was officially from 7 to 9 pm, although I made it there early, @ 6pm; time enough to get an empty table before the crowd came in.
It was pretty fun; packed too. The founder of Nano gave a speech, and there were some goofy games. I chatted with a few other writers before leaving @ 8pm, as I didn't want to be out too late; there was/is a lot of work being done on the streets downtown, and none of the buses were running on their usual routes. I spent time wandering around before I just gave up and took BART to the Fruitvale district, where I had to take a bus to get home. (Good thing I left the event early. lol)
It was pretty fun; packed too. The founder of Nano gave a speech, and there were some goofy games. I chatted with a few other writers before leaving @ 8pm, as I didn't want to be out too late; there was/is a lot of work being done on the streets downtown, and none of the buses were running on their usual routes. I spent time wandering around before I just gave up and took BART to the Fruitvale district, where I had to take a bus to get home. (Good thing I left the event early. lol)
November 3, 2019
Regarding Ramiel's continuing saga.
Word count: 90,615. Raymond and Carolina are FINALLY getting together. lol
November 2, 2019
An uber-short.
All It Takes Is One Time
Once, a man hit me; he struck me across the face. My nose bled, as well as my upper lip, which was punctured by my own teeth from the force of that slap.
I was in my early twenties when the incident happened. Afterwards, I swore that no man would ever hit me again…and I had my revenge.
Fifteen years later, I was in a local grocery store. While trying to figure out which laundry soap to buy, I saw him. Our eyes met, and he genuinely seemed terrified. His abrupt turn down the next aisle made me chuckle. He was still in a wheelchair.
Once, a man hit me; he struck me across the face. My nose bled, as well as my upper lip, which was punctured by my own teeth from the force of that slap.
I was in my early twenties when the incident happened. Afterwards, I swore that no man would ever hit me again…and I had my revenge.
Fifteen years later, I was in a local grocery store. While trying to figure out which laundry soap to buy, I saw him. Our eyes met, and he genuinely seemed terrified. His abrupt turn down the next aisle made me chuckle. He was still in a wheelchair.
October 20, 2019
Playing catch up.
Spent the day reading a ton of Medium articles and short stories that I had on the back-burner for over two months. I was able to do this, once I decided on renewing for another year.
Now...on to my writing. As I have a whole week off from work (unpaid, as I'm a 10-month employee at my job, and need to take eight unpaid weeks off per fiscal year), I really have no excuse for neglecting Angelo II now.
Thank the Goddess for good coffee and plum wine.
Now...on to my writing. As I have a whole week off from work (unpaid, as I'm a 10-month employee at my job, and need to take eight unpaid weeks off per fiscal year), I really have no excuse for neglecting Angelo II now.
Thank the Goddess for good coffee and plum wine.
October 6, 2019
Thank goodness for The RWA's Real Talk Series!
The RWA has a series called 'Real Talk' in which people from different professions give real, actual information on their jobs and what they entail. The reality of their professions is very different from what one sees on television and in the movies.
'Real Talk' is a very helpful tool. As my next section of 'Angelo II' will feature a cop, I want to be sure to get it right. I'll be referring to the cop article a lot.
'Real Talk' is a very helpful tool. As my next section of 'Angelo II' will feature a cop, I want to be sure to get it right. I'll be referring to the cop article a lot.
Creating an author site II.
Wow...I can't believe it...I'm about three quarters done with my site. Miracle of miracles! LOL
Once it's done, I'll put the link back up here.
Now, on to writing more of Angelo II, which I've been neglecting.
Once it's done, I'll put the link back up here.
Now, on to writing more of Angelo II, which I've been neglecting.
September 14, 2019
Creating an author site.
As it is a BAD idea to have an unfinished author site up, I've removed the link here. I am currently taking a class through the RWA on creating a site, and I hope to have it up and running by the beginning of October.
While I understand concepts and appreciate the examples presented, I suck at techy stuff.
So far, the process is enlightening and painful. Ugh.
I really hope that I can get this done!
While I understand concepts and appreciate the examples presented, I suck at techy stuff.
So far, the process is enlightening and painful. Ugh.
I really hope that I can get this done!
August 18, 2019
And the beat goes on...
As slow as I am writing, I did have a few spurts, which is good. Still writing Ramiel II: Book Two though. I think I may be 2/3's done with it. I'm loving Raymond's story, but I'm also looking forward to writing the next book, which will feature a m/m couple. While there are some light moments, a lot of stuff is happening and interfering with Raymond and his love interest, and I can't just rush through it.
Current word count is now at 87,579.
I may put up an excerpt of the last scene...
Current word count is now at 87,579.
I may put up an excerpt of the last scene...
June 4, 2019
Another strange word count:
81818. LOL
I have this week off, so I'll try my best to continue - and hopefully finish - Raymond's story (book 2). Hopefully, I'll start book 3 with the m/m couple.
Okay...back to work!
I have this week off, so I'll try my best to continue - and hopefully finish - Raymond's story (book 2). Hopefully, I'll start book 3 with the m/m couple.
Okay...back to work!
May 8, 2019
The Bay Area Book Festival II!
Well, for the time I spent in downtown Berkeley (1.5 - 2 hours) I really enjoyed myself!
Not only did I visit several booths and get viable info, but I also met a few awesome writers as well!
* Going on a writer's retreat and/or taking a few 'master class' type classes sounds like a plan for next year, if I am able. (I'm not swimming in money. lol)
* Like last year, I stopped by the Horror Writer's Association's booth, where there is always an interesting bunch present.
* One of the authors I met: L. S. Johnson, who won the 2nd Annual North Street Book Prize, and was a finalist in The World Fantasy Award. She was very gracious and didn't mention anything about her awards until I mentioned that the book cover for 'Vacui Magia' looked very familiar to me...lol I said "Didn't this book win some type of award?" to which she replied, "Why yes - it did." After studying her quiet demeanor for a moment, I asked "Are you the author?" When she fessed up to it, we had a good laugh. I recall buying her book for my Kindle awhile back, so I'll be sure to read it asap!
Looking forward to next year's festival; maybe I'll actually be able to afford one or two of the paid gigs. Which reminds me; I stayed in bed too long, and missed out on an 11am interview at the Florence Schwimmel Little Theater with Justine Ireland, which was FREE!
Duh.
Not only did I visit several booths and get viable info, but I also met a few awesome writers as well!
* Going on a writer's retreat and/or taking a few 'master class' type classes sounds like a plan for next year, if I am able. (I'm not swimming in money. lol)
* Like last year, I stopped by the Horror Writer's Association's booth, where there is always an interesting bunch present.
* One of the authors I met: L. S. Johnson, who won the 2nd Annual North Street Book Prize, and was a finalist in The World Fantasy Award. She was very gracious and didn't mention anything about her awards until I mentioned that the book cover for 'Vacui Magia' looked very familiar to me...lol I said "Didn't this book win some type of award?" to which she replied, "Why yes - it did." After studying her quiet demeanor for a moment, I asked "Are you the author?" When she fessed up to it, we had a good laugh. I recall buying her book for my Kindle awhile back, so I'll be sure to read it asap!
Looking forward to next year's festival; maybe I'll actually be able to afford one or two of the paid gigs. Which reminds me; I stayed in bed too long, and missed out on an 11am interview at the Florence Schwimmel Little Theater with Justine Ireland, which was FREE!
Duh.
