Jessica Samuels's Blog, page 34

Editing…

I
used to dislike editing to the point where I will put it off, and not deal with
it until later. I have been working on the second killer novel while planning
the second retail novel. I stopped it a few days ago when I realize why I
cannot focus on working on new projects. The reason: I have some serious
editing to do since I have to combine 3 word documents together, and make them
into one awesome story. I still want to finish Blood Fire and Moon Watch my
young adult novel. I am all the way to chapter 5.




I
have found out it is not as bad as I thought it was especially the revising and
editing. I find it enjoyable as I put in more details, change the ending, and
add an emotional depth to it that I had not known existed. It is best to edit a
few chapters a day so it will not seem too overwhelming. I have been finding
better ways to say descriptions and ways to emotionally charge the story. True
to the saying a rough draft is just that a rough outline of the story. The real
magic comes when revising, and making a character so real they can jump off the
page. Also making sure the sentences are clear too. Changing around the
sentences is sometimes a must to make it gel together more. That is the magic
of editing and revising. 




I am also waiting to get back my first retail story to
have it beta read, edited, and have it out by November and October. I found a
better title for it: Vampires, Werewolves, and Retail Oh No!

That
is it, and I have nearly finished my review of the Writers Digest. Hopefully it
can be typed up, and  published before I
go on my trip.




Any
thoughts on the editing process what it is or is not? What you like about it or
not?




Until
next time,




Wolfdreamer25
  

Novels, reviews, and thoughts oh my!

I
have been speeding ahead on some projects like my first retail novel is being
typed up by a friend to help me concentrate on two other novels, and focus on
those. I have been feeling blocked though, and maybe it has something to do
with stress from work. I will be getting a few weeks where I work only 2 or
three times that should help. I am also going to type up the rough drafts, and
write down notes instead of write the draft long hand…




This
brings me to the next thought though. I love going on Goodreads to look at new
authors to try out. I start reading the reviews, and then I see the one stars
making me see how harsh readers are…It makes me cringe when I read how mean the
readers are when it comes to the authors work. I look at my own, and I think oh
hell this is not any better either. I can almost picture what a reader is going
to say about my books…Then I think my work sucks…I think my other stories suck
even if I have them polished the best they can be.




I
am going to hopefully finish both the killer contract 2 and the second retail
novel by the end of next year.




Any
thoughts about reader reviews, being our worst critics or tips on pushing
through?




Until
next time,




Wolfdreamer25 

Another Novel Down…

I just finished the first retail novel, and it was
really fun to write. It took up a whole notebook, and some of  my Writing Thoughts notebook. The only thing
is I mainly wrote it by long hand, and now I have to type the entire thing up
almost which is going to take some time. I love my Film and Literature online
class, and the cool thing about it is I am doing a five page paper on the book
Dracula, and the movie. I will be taking a Novel Writing class during the fall
as well as a Poetry one. I cannot wait, but I am not excited about the math
class.




I am going to be working on the second killer novel,
and second retail one. I set the first book up for the second. It will have a
new character this time dealing with witches, and angels. The main character is
an empathy that can sense people’s emotions. I graduate from John Tyler in May,
so I am pretty excited about that. Then I will be going into Mass
Communications doing print journalism. I have been working a whole lot too, but
that means I have been getting less writing done. I perfected my query letter a
second time, and I am waiting on feedback for my first novel.  I will let people know when the first retail
novel will be out since it needs to be edited, and I need a cover for it too.
That is really all that I have been doing, and I am taking a four day vacation
in July to Dc then Maryland which I have been looking forward to all summer!!




I have been getting impatient with everything lately
cause it is such a slow process in writing. Any tips on what to do when you get
impatient?




Until Next Time,




Wolfdreamer25

Keep Pushing Even When you want to stop!

I had issues when I was little that I could never
complete my tasks, and that I would give up easily. I still struggle with the
issue of giving up easily once in a while, but I can complete my tasks. I have
improved on the trying something before giving up issue. I was bullied by
people and in turn it made me feel like I was worthless, and that I could not
do it. That I could not handle anything at all, and even if I try I would not
be able to do it because of a relationship with a toxic person. He would
jokingly call me names and put me down. He never told the truth either. He
would tell me hurtful things, and honestly being rid of him was the happiest day
ever.




Now I was finally free of a toxic relationship, but
one issue was still present: He still left scars that affect me even to this
day, and little by little I am building myself up. I am learning to try before
saying I can’t do it, and thanks to the people around me being honest I now
have people willing to help me. People who teach me that I can do it instead of
can’t. If I did give up easily I would not have self-published, or even tried
to. I would have seen the road, and gone. “Nope I cannot do it. It is too much
work.” Instead I try to push myself even if I feel like giving up. I had to do
a task that I thought was impossible like emptying a display with 4 sides of
flip-flops. After it was emptied there was three baskets full. I was freaking
out, but then I worked with a few co-workers on it, and I did it with their
help.    




I was ready to give up because I thought it was such
an impossible task, but the people around me helped me see that I doubted
myself way too early. I end up getting it finished, and little by little I am
trying to change things from I can’t too I can. That is why I am having issues
submitting my stuff because I think I can’t do it because of this or that when
really I can…..




What about you? Have you ever felt that way about
something? What did you do to overcome it?




Until next time,




Wolfdreamer25

Why I write:

I saw an
interesting hashtag on twitter and facebook #whyiwrite. It got me thinking
about why I do. It threw me off for a second too because I had to think about
it for sometime.

This is going to
be more in-depth about it. I love writing though and I have been doing it ever
since I was little. Journals, Diaries and notebooks are filled with entries
about my day and goals. I have tons of pens for writing my innermost thoughts
down, and a binder full of dreams I write down when I can. It is a part of my
life, and I would never change it. I thought it was insulting when someone on a
message boards told me I should choose another evocation, or when someone told
me I should stop writing…There is no way I will ever stop, and when it comes to
what I really want to do there will be no stopping me.




My first novel
ever was me writing myself in The Mummy Returns. I have to write though because
I could not stop even if I tried it. I have a story to tell, and maybe several
of them in store. No one will do it the way I do.




Sometimes writing
is the only way to keep sane. Writing can give people a voice when they are
shut down by others like I was by a bully who told me to not waste my breath it
is not worth it. Looking back she really was not worth it in the end either,
and I should not have let her affect me at all. Words have the power to change
or destroy, and instead of using it to apologize to someone willing throw words
around like daggers I should have ignored her, and saved my words to use in
something creative rather than destructive. I write to have a voice, and that
is why I write. Writing can change the world. Sometimes writing is not a
choice, and maybe that is what people don’t understand. Sometimes it is
something you have to do no matter who tries to tell you otherwise, and nothing
they can say will change anything at all. To writers writing is their destiny,
and they are meant to change the world with their writing.




Writers have a
calling to write words that speak to them. Being a writer means being a story
teller, and a higher calling considering you can change the world with it. The
hours you spend writing fly by easily sometimes, and when a character is
talking to you nothing else matters. Time flies by as you write the next scene
and the next until you hit the end.




What about you,
and the reason why you write if you are a writer?




Until next time,




Wolfdreamer25 

Guinea Pigs and Writing:

I just got a new pet
a guinea pig named Muffin from a friend’s family.








I have had guinea
pigs before named Max, Rockie, Marina and Dawn. I saved Max and Rocky from a
lab to keep them as pets so they can have a long and happy life. I found a
picture of Rocky, and it is the closest one I could find except he had red
eyes.









I love guinea pigs,
and I was really, extremely happy to have one back in my life. They are loving
animals to have as pets, and I am happy to have an animal in my room that will
keep me company while I am writing.

I am working more
hours during the summer, but I have more evening shifts which means more time
to write and catch up on reading. I am taking an online class Film and Literature
instead of Creative Writing 2 due to low enrollment. Next fall I will be taking
Poetry 1 and Creative Writing Novel Writing one, and I will be blogging about
that. I have been working on a few writing projects, and I am almost finished
with one of my stories. I can feel it, and I am halfway through. The first
novel query letter is being worked on, and I revised it except for the three
paragraphs focusing on one plot thread. I have finished highlighting all the
pieces to put in the story, and I am going to be working on putting the pieces
in to form an awesome story. I will let you know when I am going to query and
the progress on my journey to becoming a successful author.

Until next time,

Wolfdreamer25 

Writers Block, Cats, and Maymont:

I
hate it when it happens because no matter what I do I cannot work on creative
writing at all, or on my current projects. The only time it happens though is
when I am too tired to do anything. I woke up early yesterday to take my cats
to get their shots.















This
is Crystal





                                                  This
is Callie.

I hang out with my boyfriend
that day, and had to go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. Then I went to
the store, but before that my brother got his hair done. I got a page done
during the wait to the dentist, and finished highlighting the original story. I
do dishes, and go on Facebook, read blogs, but I really cannot write down
anything since I hit a block. I feel stuck, and maybe it is because of the lack
of planning out the story, and the fact that I never went over chapter by
chapter of the story. Sometimes that is not the case, and sometimes your so
tired from work that you cannot write anything at all. Tiredness? Stress? Just
really don’t feel like doing anything thanks to watching reality tv all the
time? Maybe.




I hit a block with
the retail story, and Astral Witch because I have not thoroughly outlined them
yet. Relaxing seems to help me beat it because work stresses me out and tires
me to the point where I just want to sit.




I went to Maymont
park with my boyfriend and his friend to get out of my funk, and spend time
with friends. To get out of the house and get some exercise. The picture I got is
spectacular.




The pretty lion fountain.




Going there helped me get back to
nature. Showering helps too since some of the best ideas are in there. It also
helps with the writers block, and sometimes movies and tv shows can help.




I have been
watching Hardcore Pawn lately and
reading Retail Hell by Freeman Hale,
and Secrets of Retail by J. W. Morgan
to be entertained, and see the funny customer reactions to inspire me to write
some crazy customer stories myself. I eat snacks to boost my brain into helping
me beat Writers Block. Reading books with fiction exercises, and doing them
helps me too when dealing with a block. I am taking Creative Writing 2 and
Novel Writing 1 in the fall. I hope those classes will help me with being a
better writer, and help me find a writing routine. I will talk more about a
writing routine in another blog post.




Anyways to beat
writers block for you that work? Why does it help?




Until next time,




Wolfdreamer25 

School is over!!

…At
least until May 21st when I start Creative Writing 2, and I could
not be happier. I got a B in Zoology, and I thought I would get a C. I got a
better grade, and left it at that. No school, and just work means I will have
extra time to do the things I enjoy, and even when I start Creative Writing it
will be online. This summer I will hopefully get the reviews for The Writer,
and Writers Digest magazines. I have been busy, and I am working on my first
novel more. The revenge anthology has yet to be decided on a publication date
after a few negative comments regarding the stories, and  that is why it will not be published yet. I
have been kicking around some ideas of what to do with them like make some of
them longer, or put them in the back of The Killer Contract 2 especially since
they deal with Scarlet Nightshade.




I
have been reading more, and there are a few things I have learned about myself
as a writer.




1.   
I will not kill off main characters.




2.   
I love happy endings, and the villains
getting what they deserve.




3.   
I hate weak heroines that complain
all the time, and expect the guy to rescue her.




4.   
The story has to have supernatural
elements.




Those are just some off the top
of my head. Do you guys have anything you have learned about yourself while
reading?




Until next time,




Wolfdreamer25  

Drama Never Ends!

I
thought that once I left high school the drama is gone forever none of this he
said, she said stupidity. I was wrong. I was in for a rude surprise considering
it never is going to stop because wherever you go there is someone trying to
create problems for you. There is always someone trying to bring you down, and
people who belittle you, and try to make you look bad.




College
and work places have drama too. People get into your business all the time, and
people try to start stuff with you because of stupid reasons. If you stick out
like a sore thumb, or have hobbies that are not like theirs they will start
stuff with you. 




They do it because they have nothing better to do then to go to
work and that is it. Or they just go to school, and they need to start drama to
feel more important. They are bored with their lives, and starting stuff is a
way to make their life less dull. These people are pathetic considering they
have to have drama in their lives to feel anything. They have a habit of
picking on people they consider weak, and go after them. The best way to get
back at them? Ignore them!!! It will piss them off the most to see you happy
like you really could care less they are in your life.




Thoughts?




Until
next time,




Wolfdreamer25
 

Updates..........

I finally finished typing up the
original story called The Story of Kitty Starfire, and I turned it into Blood
Fire & Moon Watch. I changed the main character’s name to Serena, and added
a vampire side to the story. It was just going to be with werewolves, but I
added vampires too cause it will be important to the series. In the meantime I
am highlighting all the parts I want to put in the story to make it more
descriptive, and I will be editing the anthology as soon as the feedback
arrives for the story. I will be working on more projects as soon as I have the
two books done. I still have some ways to go with editing.




Writing and editing take a long time,
and this is a long process in the meantime I am going to have a little fun, and
give you some insights into one of my projects titled: Retail Sucks:The Retail
Diaries. It is still in rough draft phase. I am letting Scarlet Nightshade take
the reins, and let her at this one. This is her top ten questions people ask
customer wise that annoy her:




Hi, my name is Scarlet Nightshade, and
due to a moment of stupidity on Jeff’s Detective agency they have assigned me
to work at Willy’s Place, and all-purpose shoe, jewelry, and clothing store. I
have no idea why they would send me there, but I have a feeling the body that
turned up smashed in the baler had something to do with it. Here is my top ten
stupid questions and situations that annoy me, and after it I will put down my
reply since you’re not really allowed to yell or hit the customer for asking a
stupid question.




1.   
Do
you work here? No, of course not I am only wearing the company name tag, and
uniform where it clearly states the company for fun.




2.   
Is
the jewelry in this case real? No, of course not we only lock up fake costume
jewelry in here. And if you want the real stuff go to Terry’s place because
they obviously have real stuff in there.




3.   
Where
is the shoe department? I have no idea maybe in front of your face of course it
is right there in front of you it is not my fault your too blind to see it.




4.   
If
the item turns up with no price is it free?

No,
because you had to ask a stupid question like that it is 5 bucks for you since
you had to ask that.

5. 

  
This
item looks the same, but it is a different price why?

I
have no idea the company does it not us. Stop asking me that when I am not in
charge of the company.

6.    

Can
I get my --------repaired here? Not expensive stuff, and do not ask to get
other items repaired that our store does not carry because the answer will be
no.

7.   

How
much is the item? Maybe you should look for yourself considering it is on the
tag, and your too blind to see it. (The price is correctly displayed on the
items.)

8.   

I
ring item, and item is not what it says on the tag. Can I get this item for this Since
it said this price instead of that one? Or do you want me to get the manager? People are
allowed the price, but I cannot understand why they want a manager. People
complain if I say no.

9.  

 
The
people that leave the item for you to repair, and then leave expecting you to
do it regardless of you can or not. Then they complain when you are following
the rules.

10.                

   
I
hate coupons because there is so many of them, and if you forget it a customer
will glare, and say, “What are you going to do about it?” in a rude way. How
about try not to punch you in the face? I hate rude people, and people who treat
you bad for working in retail…







Okay
back to me, and I hope you guys have enjoyed her list. Her story will be
published by the end of next year, or sooner since I am working on it more.







Until
next time,




Wolfdreamer25