The Never-Ending Story

Last week, I had intended to blog about my current writing project, and how I'm fairly certain that I'll never reach the end of it, but ended up blogging about how Florida has taken over the #1 Spot on my Mortal Enemies List (my former boss is relieved.) instead.

And though there's still plenty of Florida material (such as my ongoing battle with the lizards over who exactly gets to live in my house), I thought today I might ramble about the writing project.

Also known as The WIP That Never Ends.

In July 2014, I published Effigy and set to work on its already-in-progress sequel, Second Nature, with the plan to release that sequel in July 2015.

When July 2015 came around, I hadn't even finished writing the first draft. I signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo, wishing and hoping that that would be the push I needed to get myself across the finish line.

And though I ended up writing over 60,000 words in July (I guess unemployment is good for something?) the WIP still wasn't finished.

Here it is, now, the end of September and...that damn WIP still isn't finished.

I wouldn't mind so much if I hadn't been truly working on it. If I had been slacking off in a hammock somewhere sipping daiquiris instead of writing, for example. Or, if I had a day job that was making ungodly demands on my life—you know, like what I used to have.

But that's not the case. I haven't been slacking off in a hammock sipping daiquiris or anything else. (Though, if I were drunk, I might be more willing to go outside.) And I don't have a day job. Nope. I'm unemployed. Because I have a job history (and a possible attitude problem) I am unemployable in this region, so writing is my full-time job.

I am a full-time writer.

This terrifies me because I've been working on the same project for over 18 months without actually finishing a draft.

I am this tortoise. Morla is me.

(I am absolutely impressed and amazed by authors who have published more than one book. Who have finished more than one book. As soon as I finish with this post, I shall go build monuments to your greatness because you are all incredible rock stars, and I bow before you.)

I keep writing scenes—whatever I'm inspired to write, to see what fits, what works, what feels right. And though I've written some stuff I like, I know it's not right for the story. But I can't figure out what is right for the story.

As my long-suffering brother said (on his way to the Protection From Writers Program, I'm sure), I'm identifying ways not to write my novel, which is still progress in its way.

It's just not particularly fast progress.

I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself, because I do think that can stifle creativity, but there's always this little robot in the back of my mind saying, "Full-time job. Full-time job. This is your full-time job."

That little robot is kind of a jerk.

In the meantime, I am editing a little, brainstorming a lot (and loudly, some have said), and waiting, waiting, waiting for this elusive inspiration to strike.

I hope it comes soon because there's, like, five people waiting to read this book.

What do you do when you're waiting for inspiration to strike?

Have a great Wednesday, everyone. Thanks for listening to me ramble.

Oh, and because no semi-Neverending Story-themed post would be complete without Falkor, there's this:

The Amaranthine

Today, I am pleased to welcome to My Pet Blog, author Murees Dupé who's currently celebrating the release of her debut novel.

Check it out...

Claire is sassy, human, and an outcast of society―who only wants to know where she belongs. 

Alex is arrogant, selfish, and an immortal warrior―who thinks he’s prepared for everything. 

Claire knows the world of immortals is where she belongs. As her guide and guardian, Alex finds it hard to resist Claire’s subtle charm. Can the two overcome their differences and embrace their passion for each other, or will the possibility of true love be lost to both forever?

Available now! Find in E-book and paperback formats:

E-book: Kindle * Nook * Ibooks * Kobo

Paperback: Amazon

About the Author

Murees Dupé was born and still lives in South Africa. When she is not thinking up new stories, she is spending time with her family, playing with her three dogs and cat, watching TV, or overindulging on desserts. To learn more about Murees, visit her website, www.mureesdupe.com

In Which I Attempt To Get Back To Work (and a Book Release)

Wow. It's been a while since I was here last.

I was supposed to have come back two weeks ago, but then I did this thing where...I didn't.

I've had that thing a lot this year. Like, pretty constantly. All right—there's nothing pretty about how constantly I've had issues doing...well, anything.

In my endless maturity, I have decided to blame Florida. I've been here five months now, and I'm just not comfortable here. It's hot. Like, crazy hot, and heat makes me miserable. The air conditioning unit is my new best friend. Not that it matters because it's not like I want to go outside anyway. I'm not exactly...comfortable with all of Florida's wildlife.

Snakes, for example. At home, I wasn't a fan of snakes, but I wasn't stand-on-a-chair-screaming afraid of them, either. But I think I have now officially crossed over to the other side.

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen this pop up in my feed, but a couple of weeks ago, I was sitting at my desk working away on the manuscript that will never, ever, ever be finished (another blog post for another day, perhaps) when I looked out the window and saw a snake sitting in the plant, looking at me.

My reaction is best explained in the following gifs:

and

That's right. I literally ran away from the snake. That was sitting in a plant (or whatever snakes do. I don't think they sit.). Outside.

I guess the good news is that I actually got some exercise that day. From both the vigorous running away, as well as the endless pacing in which I partook during the time in which I was attempting to figure out how to get the hell out of Florida.

But, c'mon! What was that snake doing out there? Looking for story ideas to steal? If that's the case, Sir Hiss, the joke's on you because I don't have any story ideas! I pretty sure Florida has killed those, too!

Was it scoping out the location of my top-secret Kit-Kat drawer? (Which I absolutely do NOT have.)

What was it doing?

At this point in time, you, like my significant other, may be tempted to offer reasonable, rational explanations or suggestions such as You're overreacting or Get over it or The snake was not trying to steal the contents of your not-so-top-secret Kit-Kat drawer, which you absolutely do not have.

But here's the thing...I have no sense of reason anymore. Rationality means nothing anymore. It dried up in the sun like a freakin' grape.

Raisin. That's what my brain is these days. A useless raisin that has no idea how to write a damn novel.

Of course, the same could be said about my brain even before it turned into a raisin.

But again, that's another post for another day, perhaps.

The bottom line is that I need to start doing better. Today is the day that I start doing that. I know I've said that repeatedly over the last five months, but perhaps today will be the day that I stop lying about it.

Before I go get started on that, I want to give a quick shout-out to someone who actually has her act together. Author Tara Tyler has a new book available today—Simulation. I haven't read it yet, but I'm hoping to do so soon. Can't wait to see what Cooper will be up against this time.

After Pop Travel, Geri convinced Cooper to move back to Atlanta, but for familiar reasons, things didn't work out... In Simulation, Geri is fighting her way back to full-fledged, solo agent status, but first has to deal with one more annoying sidekick on an equally annoying case. Meanwhile, Cooper takes his mind off Geri leaving him by throwing himself into his work, investigating an illegal clone android simulation operation. Sparks fly when Cooper and Geri's cases lead them down the same path. Of course Hasan wants to help them with their cases, and connives a plan to get them back together in the middle of all the chaos!

SIMULATION delivers more technology, more intense action, more humor, and more exciting new characters. Come along for the ride.

Find Simulation at:

Kindle
Goodreads Giveaway

Congrats, Tara!!