Refilling the Well

I haven’t been writing a ton lately — though, I shouldn’t really say that I haven’t been writing a lot. I’ve done probably close to 70,000 words.

Maybe more.

That’s the actual problem — I spent 6 months recording my writing every day. I recorded where the writing was going, what I was working on… pretty much logging my every move.

And it wasn’t just that. I spent six months writing like it was the last six months I would ever be able to get out words… because I randomly decided that I was going to write one million words in a year.

And then for some reason I decided that I was going to do it in half that time.

I have always been the kind of person who likes to push myself to see how much I can accomplish, how fast I can write. What the quality could be pushed too even though I was pulling 20,000 word days. And honestly, even though I got a little jibberish towards the end, I was pretty pleased with what I turned out.

And it wasn’t that I was burned out from writing — like I said, I’ve still done about 70,000-100,000 words since March. But… I haven’t been recording.

I haven’t been taking it super seriously.

I took a bit of a break, and that was probably good for me. For a while, I didn’t do anything but watch a ton of streamers and writing a ton of fanfics… and now I’ve crossed from that stage to wanting to read a lot.

We refill our creative wells in different manners. Writing a bunch of fanfiction actually makes my brain excited to write novels. And then reading… well… reading really, really gets me in the mood to write. I recently got a fantastic pair of wireless earbuds that is allowing me to listen to audiobooks a ton, which is helping me to get through a lot more books.

I’m pretty happy with the spot that I’m in, creative-wise. I had a few days where I felt like I wasn’t doing anything, where I felt like I was slacking and failing as a writer because I wasn’t cranking out 20,000 words a day.

And then I got over that, because it’s not realistic to keep up with that pace and I realize that.

But… pushing myself in that fashion made me realize what my limits were, what my minimum could be. A while ago, I thought that 1,000 words a day was a good minimum for me.

I’m thinking once I get back into daily writing and recording, I’m going to up it to 2,500 or 3,000. I don’t think that it will be much of an issue once I get back into the swing of things.

And even though I’ve fallen off of it majorly, I want to get back to recording my writing daily. I think maybe if I do end up starting a TikTok, I might even start recording it there verbally so I can have a new level of accountability.

The possibilities are endless. I’m going to kind of just be lazy and read as many books as I can for the rest of this month… and then I think next month I’m going to start really working on writing/recording/noveling again.

I’m excited. And honestly, if anyone here would like, feel free to join in on the ride ❤ Accountability buddies are so important.

In the meantime, I’m trying to figure out what kind of blogs people might like to see! If you have any ideas, let me know! And if you have any good book suggestions, let me know!

I’m excited.

Until next time, y'all!
Keep writing and writing, and keep being awesome!
Author Amanda McCormick
Linktree | Facebook Page| NaNo Page | Tumblr | Blog Masterpost | My Writing Group |

Is Blogging Dead?

I wonder, sometimes, if blogging is dead. The internet is an ever-changing platform. People are constantly finding new places to communicate. Where blogs were really popular before, people had it condensed into 280 characters for a tweet that was still meant to convey emotions.

From there, I feel like it changed to a picture on Instragram. And from there, it seems like TikTok and 30 seconds for your story is the new thing to do.

But there are still some of us who are trudging along on their blog. Of course, I’m hitting up the other social media platforms (I just got on the linktree kick <— Go ahead and click it to hit up my other social media sites), and I try to be active everywhere that I can… but I’ve seen so many people just completely drop off of blogging.

I don’t know. There’s something about it that’s so wonderful to me. I’m writing down my thoughts, getting to use as many characters, as much time, as many words as I want to convey them. I can share full stories here, I can link to those other places if I do something cute there (let’s be real, I never managed to make a Youtube channel, so me making a TikTok is questionable, but I’m going to attempt it). But… there’s something about a Blog, about getting to write, which is all that I’ve ever wanted to do to begin with…

Well, it feels right to me. I still see active people here, and I still see people reading the things that I put out via my analytics. People are still around, and people still want too write their thoughts out instead of doing it via a small amount of characters, a video, a picture.

Call me greedy, but I want it all. So… is blogging dead? I don’t think so. I think that blogging just reaches out to a different demographic of people, and I’m fine with that.

Circling around on this thought, I’m going to try to post here more. I have a ton of book reviews that I need to get up, and I’m going to start one of my challenges again (maybe an A-Z challenge again, or something equally fun!) So stay tuned for that!

Until next time, y'all!
Keep writing and writing, and keep being awesome!
Author Amanda McCormick
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Page| NaNo Page | Tumblr | Blog Masterpost | My Writing Group |

Weekly Update (9/1/20 – 9/6/20)

Let’s get to updating on what I’ve been doing this week! I was trying to spread my updates out, but I think that one of the best ways for me to handle it what with me doing a writing challenge will be to update reading and writing in one swoop. So first!

MilWordy!

I haven’t written today (oopse), so my total is 17,185, I am intending to get 3k today (at least), so assume that my count for the week is right around 20,000 words.

Not to shabby for one week’s work. As of yet, MilWordy hasn’t actually gotten all that hard for me. It might have something to do with the fact that I’m waking up pretty early and getting my words in before noon-time rolls around. It might be the fact that I’m on the wings of that first week and I’m feeling that high. I have a year to crash, so there’s a chance it will happen.

Whatever it is, I’m going to ride it out for as long as I can and enjoy the influx of words while they’re coming easily.

My Discord Server is doing quite a few things to help out with getting our word counts in. We’re doing daily check-ins, we have an amazing spreadsheet, and we are doing blog challenges and events! I’m really hoping that we can keep our momentum going by being a community, because honestly… there’s nothing better for a writing event than a bunch of your friends doing it with you!

As to what I’ve been writing, I’ve spread it through 7 Projects so far. 2 of them are novels, I have RP going on, a journal, this blog, and then commission work and a short story collection.

That’s really one of my tricks in this particular adventure — I’m trying to have a wide variety of things that I can work on. I usually want to put at least 1k into the novel that I’m currently working on, more, if I can manage… but having little other things to dart to while I’m in the process really, does amazing things for keeping my creativity flowing when it might otherwise stagnate.

Reading

I’ve been a bit lax on my reading this week, though I’ve still gotten plenty done. I’m chugging right on through Pet Semetary, I ordered a copy of The Stand, and I am working on reading a physical copy of The Shining.

I’m doing a pretty good job of picking through Words of Radiance as well, though I really want to just sit down and have a good binge session with that. I think if I can get a 10k writing day in soon, I might reward myself in that fashion. That could be a lot of fun, and a great motivator for me.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I eventually get off of my Stephen King kick. I’m really wanting to re-read all of the Anita Blake books, so probably that? I should fly through those pretty quickly as well, so that will be a fun little boost for my reading goals!

Anyway, that’s pretty much all that’s going on with my reading and writing. Life is going how it always does. I went and got some Halloween decorations and put them up today (fight me), and I spend most of my time taking care of some very clingy children.

It’s pretty good, all things considered ❤

Until next time, y'all!
Keep writing and writing, and keep being awesome!
Author Amanda McCormick
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Page| NaNo Page | Tumblr | Blog Masterpost | My Writing Group |

A Patreon

So, I’ve decided to go ahead and make myself a patreon. I’ve had a few people telling me how I should do it for a while now… so I figured, what the heck? Even if I only make a dollar a month… that’s a dollar that I didn’t have before! Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about doing this just yet… but I knew if I didn’t go ahead and DO it, I wouldn’t be able to figure out how I felt about it. I think that all writers deserve to make a living doing what they love, honestly. If I get enough money off of this, I’ll be putting it into helping other people do the same.

I will copy/paste the content that I am using here, and then I’ll probably do a follow-up blog tomorrow of how I feel about having launched it! So… enjoy below the content of my Patreon!   (CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ACTUAL SITE!)

 

 

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Hey there, my name is Amanda! I’ve been writing for well over a decade – it seems like I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember.

It is what I do. It’s what I am passionate about. I want, more than anything in this world to tell you a story that will burn into your mind and keep you on the edge of your seat. If I can bring you a moment of joy, then I’ve done my job. This Patreon page was created so that I could continue to do just that!

Four years ago, I left my home and everything that I owned in Kentucky and moved to California – things here have been fantastic. When I moved here, I started a commission business, and I’ve been running that steadily… but I want more now. I want to create my own content. I want to share my dreams made tangible by way of story with the world! You can help me do that – you can help me live my dream.

Any amount of monthly donation that you make will grant you access to my monthly content. I promise to upload the following:

• One Chapter from the two novels that I have a current copywrite on and am in the process of editing for publication! (Either a Fantasy called Cerulean Darkness or a Zombie Apocalypse novel entitled Limbo.)
• At least One short story of my own creation (and your suggestion!)
• I will also put up at least one blog post per week on my blog, located Here. These blogs posts give writing advice, writing tips, writing tricks, writing prompts, and just general discussion. I also include creative writing here, so it’s double your rewards, double your fun!
• When goals are met, I will also post one vlog a week, either reading some of my creative writing content or talking about writing tips, tricks, and strategy.

Your support honestly means the world to me – you are making it possible for me to continue doing what I love, what I dream of, and what I truly feel I was put on this earth to do. I’m here to bring you joy, laughter, sadness, tears, emotion. Will you help me do that for the world?

Pledge $1.00 or more per month

$1 will gain you access to my Creative Writing, Novel, and all other offered content!

Pledge $3.00 or more per month

$3 will grant you access to all Patreon content, as well as a follow and thanks on my twitter (with over 700 followers!) at least once per month! When my novel is finished, I will email you a PDF version of it, as well as PDF of any short story you would like!

Pledge $5.00 or more per month

$5 will grant you access to all Patreon content, as well as a follow and thanks on my twitter (with over 700 followers!) at least once per month! When my novel is finished, I will email you a PDF version of it, as well as PDF of any short story you would like! You will also gain early access to the novel chapters as I work on them!

Pledge $10.00 or more per month

$10 will grant you access to all Patreon content, as well as a follow and thanks on my twitter (with over 700 followers!) at least once per month! When my novel is finished, I will email you a PDF version of it, as well as PDF of any short story you would like!You will also gain early access to the novel chapters as I work on them! You will also have a mention/thank you in my blog each week! With this, you will also have the ability to request/suggest the next idea for my short story. Though I can’t promise to get to everyone immediately, all ideas will be taken into consideration!

Each person who meets this reward tier will also have a mention in my novel if/when published!

Pledge $20.00 or more per month

(Limited 25 of 25 left)

$20 will grant you access to all Patreon content, as well as a follow and thanks on my twitter (with over 700 followers!) at least once per month! When my novel is finished, I will email you a PDF version of it, as well as PDF of any short story you would like! You will also gain early access to the novel chapters as I work on them! You will also have a mention/thank you in my blog each week! With this reward, I will also have a 15 minute Skype conversation with you, whether you want to simply chat, get help with your own writing, or question me about mine!

Each person who meets this reward tier will also have a mention in my novel if/when published!

Pledge $50.00 or more per month

(Limited 10 of 10 left)

$20 will grant you access to all Patreon content, as well as a follow and thanks on my twitter (with over 700 followers!) at least once per month! You will also gain early access to the novel chapters as I work on them! You will also have a mention/thank you in my blog each week! With this reward, I will also have a one-hour Skype conversation with you per month, whether you want to simply chat, get help with your own writing, or question me about mine!

Each person who meets this reward tier will also have a mention in my novel if/when published!

Pledge $100.00 or more per month

(Limited 5 of 5 left)

$100 will grant you access to all Patreon content, as well as a follow and thanks on my twitter (with over 700 followers!) at least once per month! You will also gain early access to the novel chapters as I work on them! You will also have a mention/thank you in my blog each week! With this reward, I will also have 2 one-hour Skype conversations with you per month, whether you want to simply chat, get help with your own writing, or question me about mine!

This reward will also grant you the ability to have a 4 hour RP Session with me once a month, writing about whatever you would desire!

Each person who meets this reward tier will also have a mention in my novel if/when published!

Pledge $250.00 or more per month

(Limited 2 of 2 left)

$250 will grant you access to all Patreon content, as well as a follow and thanks on my twitter (with over 700 followers!) at least once per month! You will also gain early access to the novel chapters as I work on them! You will also have a mention/thank you in my blog each week! With this reward, I will also have a weekly one hour Skype session with you each month, whether you want to simply chat, get help with your own writing, or question me about mine!

This reward will also grant you the ability to have a 4 hour RP Session with me once a month, writing about whatever you would desire!

Each person who meets this reward tier will also have a mention in my novel if/when published!

Blogging with my Sis, 2000 Words Word Goal, and Bout of Books

 

 

Allow me a moment to lift my eyes up to the title to make sure that I got everything covered. I think so. Anyway, so, this is a little update (I’m going to try to at least have a regular blog every Monday, if I can’t handle it for any other day.)

Anyway! What is going on in my life. I am continuing my binge read of the Laurell K Hamilton Series (reviews of the books can be found Here (books Five and Six), Here (Books Three and Four), Here (Book Two), and Here (book One). I am actually up to Book Nine in the series, but I’m a little behind on my book reviews. I will be getting those caught up this week! Talking about those leads me to the first little snippit on my blog title.

My sister-in-law and I are going to start a joint blog where we post our book reviews/book discussions etc. We’re even thinking about having an accompanying blog! We thought that, since we read a lot in the same genre, and since we’re both interested in blogging and letting our opinions out to the world, it would be fun to have a joint blog. It would give us a way to hang out more (since we live on opposite sides of the US now), and something to do in common! Also, I’ve spoken before about how important it is to have someone to hold you accountable for the goals you set out… so to have someone blogging with you? I think that would certainly help out!

Second on my little list of ‘to do’ in my title is my goal count of 2,000 words per day. It seems like a small amount when you look at it, but I know it’s going to be a challenge. I will be giving you all weekly updates of how I did, how I did it, when I fail… so, every Monday be expecting an update, and hopefully some advice on how you can achieve a word goal count as well!

And last, but certainly not least… I’ve been thinking about doing Bout of Books! I actually read about it on a blog that I follow, and I thought that it would be really fun to enter into a read-a-thon, since I never have before. If anyone has any thoughts on that, whether it would be good for me or not, let me know!

Anyway, I think that’s all that I have for this update! I have some work to get done so I can get that 2,000 word goal hit! 

Until next time, guys! Keep reading and writing!

Author Amanda McCormick

New Blogs Coming Monday!

Starting Monday, I’m going to be getting back to my daily blogging! I’l have my Creative Writing Challenge, updates on NaNo, and book reviews (I have a few to get up). I’m also going to start my vlog with book hauls, discussions, writing advice, etc! We’re finally getting everything unpacked and organized, and my desk area is starting to look like a desk again, lol.

Until Monday!

Keep reading and writing!

Author Amanda McCormick

Preparing for Camp NaNoWriMo

Phew, so! Camp NaNoWriMo is just around the corner. What are you doing to prepare? I especially feel that scramble, what with the fact that we are moving into a new house starting the 27th. I have to manage to get everything moved, the internet properly hooked up, my work station back in order, my room near and organized… and everything else that comes with a new house completed BEFORE the beginning of July. Throw into that the fact that I need to get at least an equal amount of words written for work as I do NaNo, the fact that it’s my Birthday month (whee!) and that I’m going to be going to a concert for the first time?

That makes for one pretty complicated month.

I think that’s why I scaled my word count back to a rather conservative 20,000 (though I’m thinking of upping it to 25,000). I figured that I could get that many words done on my novel alone, then I could get another 20,000 done for work. Technically I’ll have a total word count to do of at least 40,000 for the month! I’m only hoping that the chaos of what is going on in my life isn’t going to stop me from doing NaNo… it’s something that I really enjoy!

So, what do you do to prepare for NaNo? For me, I have a bit of a checklist.

First of all, idea plotted out on Scrivener, at least in part! Check!

Notebooks, fresh clean paper, charged laptop, pens! Pens! Highlighters! Check!

The ability to stay off of the internet for at least 2 hours a day to write. Ummm, I’ll get back to that later >_>.

Candy. CHECK! Minicandybarsaremylove.

LOTS of Coffee! That’s a huge check! I have my Keurig stocked with Frappe mixes and ready to go.

And last but not least… creativity, drive, CHECK!! The ready and willing anticipation that NaNoWriMo brings me. There is something so exciting about having a word goal, a group of friends to write with. I’m planning on doing word wars and actually starting a Vlog for Camp! I’m super excited… and even more excited for November when the real and official NaNoWriMo takes place again!

I think the excitement and eagerness to get the month started is one of the most important things. Something that gets you that pumped about writing is always an amazing thing, after all! So, if you have your coffee and your anxiousness to begin writing ready, who wants to come to camp with me?

Until then – let me know what YOU do to prepare for NaNoWriMo!

Keep reading and writing, y’all!

Author Amanda McCormick