NaNo done. New challenge to come.

Well, it's me again. But I am sure you already knew that, since it has been well over a month since I posted anything. So, it could be none other than me! I have very good reason as to why I haven't posted though. Do you remember that NaNoWriMo project? Yeah, the one where I spend hours pounding keys to finish an entire novel in under thirty days. Well, I did it. I am done. On the 29th I breached the 50K mark.
I know that I said I would try to update and let people read as I wrote, but I still haven't thought of a good way to upload it. Plus, I am kind of wanting to at least go through it and edit before the likes of you get a chance to read it. Since completely said novel, I have put it on a shelf. To properly edit, I think it is wisest to take a step back for a bit before diving in with fresh eyes and a clear mind. Over the course of the next month I plan on diving in and getting it in a lot better shape. Once that is completed, I'll find a way to get it out to be read.
You might see a post or two throughout the month with tidbits of revelations.

*tips cap*

Until then readers (and minions!).

-zjh

13 days and counting....

Where did October go to? It feels like only a few days ago that I was thinking that it was strange that it was already the first day of October, and now we are over halfway through the month. There are only 13 days left until we reach the month of November!

I am super excited though. I can't wait to start writing my NaNoWriMo! My plan is sleep 12 of the 13 days left in this month so I can have plenty of rest to make up for the coming month. The one day I won't be sleeping, I will be playing guitar to build up calluses on my fingers so they are ready to pound out words on my keyboard. I will also be practicing my typing skills by doing a one minute typing test blindfolded....hmm...how am I going to know what words to write if I can't see?

OK, so maybe I won't be doing those things. I do have to work so I can't spend 12  out of 13 days sleeping. I am not even sure that I could sleep that much if I tried. I have been playing guitar, but I am not sure that will help me in my NaNoWriMo, and I have already said how fruitless blindfolded typing tests would be. Instead, I am brushing up on my writing, and reading books for inspiration as well has helpful tips.

I think I have decided that as I write this new novel I will post an updated version on my blog as I go along. It may be every few days or maybe once a week, but I will try to get it uploaded. This is something thas is kind of new to me. I have had people read my work, most of the time it is after I am finished. I think only once have I had someone read my novel as I went, but it was only after I finished the first 30 pages, and then I made them wait until I was completely done. (cue mischievous laughter)

Well, that is all for this post! Until next time readers!

-zjh

NaNoWriMo

Guess what. It has been quite a while since I have posted anything. I hope that I'm not going back to my old ways of posting every few months. Anyway, to the heart of the matter!

November 1st is only 29 days away. So why is that so important? It is the start of NaNoWriMo. That is National Novel Writing Month for all of you who don't understand anagrams. The goal is to write a novel of 50,000 words in just 30 days! Last year was the first that I knew of it and I tried it, but I had just finished up a novel and was so exhausted from writing, that I only got a couple of days in before I stopped. This year however, I am going to give it another shot. Since I am only writing in small bits lately due to travel and a busy work schedule, I am well rested for November.

If you remember in my last post I had that idea for a story, well I believe I am going to use that idea for my NaNoWriMo project. I am going to make one change to it though. Instead of it being from the point of view of the guy who starts acting like his dog, I think I am going to do it in the point of view of his friend instead. Still first person, just a little bit different perspective. I can also use some fun dialog!

Well, that is my plan. I would love to hear your ideas for your own NaNoWriMo novel! Remember, only 29 days left to plan!!!!

Until next time readers!

-zjh

New novel?

Hey everybody,

     So about a week ago, while at work (painting, not writing :D) an idea for a book struck me. I figured that at some point I would write it, but further down the line (like after I finished the book I am currently writing). However, a few days ago the opening of the book kind of came to me. So, the past couple days I have been working on it. I came up with a prologue for it and I need to know your opinion on the opening as well as the story. If I should write it, or, if it is not interesting enough, to scrap it.

The story is about a guy who gets a dog, and slowly ends up acting like his dog. It is supposed to be a humorous story. However, since I have no plot planned other than that( and it is all being wrote spontaneously), we'll just have to see where it leads. I am open to any suggestions anyone has for the story. Please critique as you please, and please be brutally honest. I have two sisters. I can handle it. Okay, here's the prologue:

~ ~ ~ ~

Prologue

Dogs. They have never been my forte. I have never wanted a dog—for good measure too. Have you ever seen how owners and dogs look alike? Take the bulldog. Have you seen a person with a bulldog ever smile? Yeah, me neither. They also seem to have faces that sag as if their skin was never actually attached to their skull. Think about that, and then think of the bulldog.

You see my point. 

            Sure, there are other factors in me not wanting a dog--besides no wanting to look like my pet. The whole cost of feeding and taking care of them doesn’t exactly favor having one. Also cons are the cleaning up after them, and the fact that they shred almost anything—shoes, newspapers, the neighbor’s cat. Hey, actually, that last one might be one point for having a dog. Huh.

            I think I have made my point pretty clear as to the fact that I am not a dog person. So, knowing that, why would I decide to get myself a dog? That is not a theoretical question. I really am going to go find my very own dog. So, again, I ask, why would I do such a thing?

            Sigh.

            For a girl. That is why.

            You see, ever since Kelly was hired as journalist for the same newspaper I work for, I have had this massive crush on her. And how could I not? The way her wavy, brown locks frame her face in a way that lets the soft features of her face intensify until they glow. And just thinking about her chocolate brown eyes make giddy inside. Oh, and her smile...I have never seen a smile so beautifully unique. The first time she flashed that smile I almost fell right out of my chair.

            Dare I sigh again?

            Don't worry, I'll resist. After all, I am not just some love-struck guy smitten by her. I just have a crush. Okay, like I said, a massive crush. Not in a creepy way either. I don't secretly stalk her on social media sites, or anything like that. I have actual conversations with her. How else would I know that she loves seafood, hates spinach, has a strange phobia of lamps, and is a dog person?

            That brings me back to the whole issue of this story--dogs. In one of those conversations with Kelly that I mentioned, she brought up the topic of dogs. Now, I had already known she liked dogs, and had a dog herself, but this is where the idea of me having one came into my mind.

            She was talking about how she likes to take her dog walking along the shore of the San Francisco Bay, and sometimes she likes to be joined by other people with dogs.

            Can you see where this is heading?

            Okay, I admit, at that moment, I suddenly had a really strong reason to get a dog. But, I kind of put it out of my mind as she started talking again.

            Somehow she had gotten on to benefits of having a dog. Apparently, she had read that people with dogs lived longer and happier lives, than people who didn't have dogs.

            Another point to having a dog? Maybe.

            And then, the fateful moment happened.

            Almost in that teasing fashion, she suggested to me, "Maybe you should get dog."

            I looked at her--and tried not get lost in her perfect face--and said, in that cool, casual way we guys talk, "Maybe I should."

            She smiled even brighter.

            And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where my problems started, and where this story begins.

~ ~ ~ ~

  So, what did you think? Funny? Lame? Need more work? Remember, be brutally honest. From that point I think it was going to go into the process of him finding the right dog, getting it, and then slowly becoming like the dog. Not physically, just in his actions. The current working title is "The Dog Days of My Life" Not sure if I like it or not, so I will take suggestions on that as well.

I really want to know what everyone thinks. Thanks for the feedback! Until next time readers!

-zjh

*sniff* I smell cookies!

Hey readers!
  

  I'm back, and I am not an impostor. Like I promised, I am keeping this blog updated. So, here's another post!

  Let's face it, I think over the coarse of every writer's career we all have one problem in common. Despite the wonderful idea we have in our heads, it is sometimes impossible to get the story into words on paper (or computer). Most people call it writer's block. Personally, I don't believe in writer's block. It is all in the head. If the story is there, all it takes is an atmosphere to get that story out. Most people who claim to have "writer's block" really just have a lack of that--atmosphere.

  That perfect story is bubbling over in your brain. You have the characters, the plot--the whole nine yards. You sit down ready to pound out the story on your old-fashioned type-writer when it happens. The neighbor's dog starts barking. A police car blares its siren. The baby starts crying. A guy with a chainsaw down the street decides that he should cut down his tree. Someone comes to your door to sell you cookies. An earthquake strikes. Suddenly, that story that you were so ready to write is pushed, no, shoved out of the way and replaced with all of these distractions. Yes, some of them are important (Who knows the next time you're going to need a quick snack while writing, so be sure to buy those cookies!). However, at the same time, if that story is to ever be completed, those distractions need to be eliminated. Don't go out and shoot the neighbors dog, or give up your child for adoption. Really, please don't do that. Buy a shock caller, so the next time the dog barks it's hit with enough electricity to power your electric car, find a time when your baby is sleeping to get some writing in, and if earthquakes continue to distract your writings, for crying out loud, MOVE!

 There are many times that I sit down and have the urge to just whip up ten pages of my story, but as soon as I sit down, I can hardly get a paragraph out. My problem is not writer's block, its that I don't have the right atmosphere to do it. I make sure I change that. I have found that I do my best work later in the evening. My body is calm and relaxed without too much energy, the sun is close to setting (or if in the Iowa winter it has set 6 hours before!) and the only light is now my computer screen and a candle. To keep noise out, I have ear buds blaring my favorite country songs and I am all set to let my imagination roam free. Each writer has his or her own personal preference for the best atmosphere to write in, and I am sure that all of you will find yours. If you have "snipers" that come to eliminate your writing time, find ways around them. As soon as you have that perfect place, the words will start to flow and your story comes together. Trust me, it will.

Be sure to just keep at it, and like always enjoy...hey, is that my doorbell? Gotta go, someone is selling cookies! ;) Until next time readers!

-zjh


"Writer's block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol." -Steve Martin

See even Steve agrees, writer's block is all in the head.

Passion behind the words

If you have ever read almost anything I write you will most certainly notice that I make mistakes. Grammar mistakes. Spelling mistakes. Missing words. Added words. Pretty much if you name it, I most likely have committed it. I try to do my best to make sure that my grammar is correct, and the same with spelling, but things still fall through the cracks. You may be thinking, 'Maybe you should try harder,' or 'What's your excuse for that?' You are probably right, I could try harder. My excuse? If I was homeless, had the worst appearance on the planet earth, or was so amped up on energy drinks that I couldn't sit still, my excuse would be simple. I'd tell you, 'I'm a writer. That's why.' However, as a writer, I should have correct grammar and such, so I can't really use being a writer as an excuse. Or can I?

Show of hands: How many of you have seen the movie Finding Forrester? That's odd, I don't see a single hand raised. That's beside the point. Back to my point. For those of you who haven't seen it, it came out in 2000 and stars Sean Connery as a famous recluse writer named William Forrester, and Rob Brown who plays a young basketball player/writer named Jamal Wallace that stumbles into Forrester's life. I won't get into more details of the plot, if you are really interested in it, you can just watch it. The reason I am bring up this movie, is that somewhere in this great film Sean Connery delivers a line that I have come to live by. Forrester is teaching Wallace about writing and he says to him, 'No thinking - that comes later. You must write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is... to write, not to think!' I absolutely love that line. Thinking gets in the way too much. Sometimes, as different or difficult it may be, we must not think, instead just write. Let the words flow with the passion of the heart. I've found that the heart has so much more to say than the brain anyway. In fact, I believe that it's the key to writing a good book. A person doesn't have to be a magnificent writer in a way that they have great grammar skills, or are a literary genius. If they did just that they may write something dull. There needs to be passion behind the words.

So the next time I am imperfect and have errors in my writing, and someone asks what is my excuse. I'll be sure to tell them this: 'I'm a writer. I write, I don't think.' Saying it kind of sounds funny, but in reality it is true. Mistakes will be made, and to make it bearable for the reader, corrections should be made, but let they come later. After you are done writing. Rewriting may be something that I should work on, but until then, I will continue to write from the heart, and leave writing from the head until later. I hope my readers will learn to do the same.

-zjh

Renovations...

Hey everyone,

      If you have been following this blog, you probably have noticed a few things. One: I haven't had a post since January (sorry about that), two: my layout is a bit different, and three: my web address (URL) is different. I apologize if that causes an inconvenience, but it was time for some renovations. Moving on...

     I am making these changes, because I am no longer just writing about my J.A.C.K. series. I am also going to write about any other books that I am working on, as well as, any fun tidbits about writing, tips, or books that I care to share. I'm broadening my horizons. Yes, I know what you are thinking. How will that help with me actually having posts on a consistent basis? More range of writing options to explore, means a higher chance of me blogging. It will also mean that I might have something interesting to say! Nonetheless, I shall do my best to blog more consistently and often.

 Now, before I sign off, a quick update on my writing adventures. In my last post, I talked about how I was just getting ready to start a new novel. Well, I have started it, but I haven't gotten far into writing it. It pains me to think that I have been so busy working and traveling that I have had very limited windows to write. The last of the summer looks busy as well, but I am determined to make time to pound out some pages. Wish me luck. Until next time readers.

-zjh

Update

Hey!

    Typical me, I write a couple of posts then I fall off the face of the earth and nothing is heard from me in several months! No worries, I'm still around. I actually took a bit of a break from writing over the month of December. However, in January, I did start doing some research for my next project. It is not apart of the JACK series, but I figure I can write about it anyway! The writing of that will start soon. I am really, really looking forward to that.

  Anyway, Book 2 is still untitled. I haven't found a title that has just hit me as totally awesome that I like. Oh well, there is still time. I have been querying for Calico's Gold, and haven't heard too much feedback from that. The little I have heard, have been denials. I am not too worried. At some point the perfect agent will read it and love it!

  Well, there isn't too much more news to post. I do hope that everyone's writing is going well (those of you who are writing :) ). Until the next time minions!

-zjh