I was gone from this blog for two days, partially because of my own issues and partially because my parents didn't let me on the computer yesterday due to some infraction I had done against them, which I won't go into detail about.
The good news is I've gotten a bit further in my novel planning. The bad news is I still haven't been able to write the first chapter. Hopefully, if I can get some schoolwork done, I'll be able to get working on chapter one here soon.
Cheers to everyone who's followed me this far!
Monday, November 30, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
And This Time, We Plan: The Tiger Writes
My plan is, hopefully, to write 1,000 words today.
Unfortunately, it's past 10:00 PM where I live, and the total words I have written are zero. I'm also watching NCIS at the same time, which means I've got a nice, big, juicy distraction. Or perhaps, inspiration? I'm not writing on my crime series, though.
I'm actually going to be planning, and filling out novel worksheets. That's right: Ricky, the hardcore pantser, is actually going to plan! I've also got a word count ready: 25,000 words. Why? Well, according to the lovely people in the Writer's Cafe at KBoards, that's a good length of a novel that's going to be a part of a serial.
I'm also planning on writing something that's a mix of literary fiction and a memoir. More on that to come.
Stay tuned for more worksheet information! Also, follow my other blog where I'll be posting writing (if it ever happens).
Unfortunately, it's past 10:00 PM where I live, and the total words I have written are zero. I'm also watching NCIS at the same time, which means I've got a nice, big, juicy distraction. Or perhaps, inspiration? I'm not writing on my crime series, though.
I'm actually going to be planning, and filling out novel worksheets. That's right: Ricky, the hardcore pantser, is actually going to plan! I've also got a word count ready: 25,000 words. Why? Well, according to the lovely people in the Writer's Cafe at KBoards, that's a good length of a novel that's going to be a part of a serial.
I'm also planning on writing something that's a mix of literary fiction and a memoir. More on that to come.
Stay tuned for more worksheet information! Also, follow my other blog where I'll be posting writing (if it ever happens).
Thursday, November 26, 2015
New Series Idea: Currently Untitled
Today, while sitting at the Thanksgiving table (and subsequently going early Black Friday shopping), something struck me. Of course, as a writer, I grab onto these ideas like a terrier and refuse to let them go. This was partially inspired by the Westminster dog show going on this morning (congrats to Charlie the Skye Terrier!), and partially by my need to write a human series alongside the Feline Investigation Crime Unit.
This novel series focuses on a big cat sanctuary. The owner of the sanctuary employs marginalized people no one else will take in, troubled youth, and ex-cons to help take care of and bond with the big cats. Using a unique "hands on" approach, each handler is periodically assigned a big cat to work with. They go through a "trial period" to ensure their personalities match, then they get closer and closer to the cat and earn their trust. The cats are used for educational purposes, and sometimes commercial or movie shoots.
There will be five main characters for the first series. One will be the owner's daughter, who is a troubled mentally ill teen struggling with her illness and her sexuality. One will be a newly released ex-con, who went to prison for dealing drugs for a long time, and is trying to learn how to fit back in society. One is a transgender boy who comes from a broken and violent home, trying to recover from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. One is an autistic girl whose special interests are big cats, and who resents her parents for the way they treat her and her autism, as she is nonverbal. The last character is another troubled teenager, a girl who was kicked out of her parents' home for being gay. The main plot of the story involves their storylines combining, and how they treat their cats.
Does it sound interesting? Is there anything you want to suggest?
This novel series focuses on a big cat sanctuary. The owner of the sanctuary employs marginalized people no one else will take in, troubled youth, and ex-cons to help take care of and bond with the big cats. Using a unique "hands on" approach, each handler is periodically assigned a big cat to work with. They go through a "trial period" to ensure their personalities match, then they get closer and closer to the cat and earn their trust. The cats are used for educational purposes, and sometimes commercial or movie shoots.
There will be five main characters for the first series. One will be the owner's daughter, who is a troubled mentally ill teen struggling with her illness and her sexuality. One will be a newly released ex-con, who went to prison for dealing drugs for a long time, and is trying to learn how to fit back in society. One is a transgender boy who comes from a broken and violent home, trying to recover from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. One is an autistic girl whose special interests are big cats, and who resents her parents for the way they treat her and her autism, as she is nonverbal. The last character is another troubled teenager, a girl who was kicked out of her parents' home for being gay. The main plot of the story involves their storylines combining, and how they treat their cats.
Does it sound interesting? Is there anything you want to suggest?
No Days Off: Writing Lesson #1 & Money Problems
So today's Thanksgiving! Yay! A day with a muddled history that few know the truth about, but a day for spending with family, relaxing, and eating a ton of food.
Unless, of course, you're a writer. I'm learning one of the first lessons of writing as a career: you don't get days off. Personally, I hesitate to give myself any days off because I'm a master procrastinator and when you've got a deadline to reach, that's no fun. I'm currently writing this on the dining table at our family friend's house using my 5-MPH netbook and a charging cord that doesn't work. Alas, we must work with what we are given, and I'm no exception.
I've given myself a deadline of December 6th to finish the manuscript for my second novel, which brings me to my second point: money. I use a website called Reedsy to find professionals to work on my manuscript with me. You can find illustrators, editors, and marketing professionals (general categories, they have a ton of sub-categories) on there and request for them to send you a quote. Today, I got two quotes from two different cover artists. One totaled 1,500 dollars, and the other totaled 750 dollars. Totally fair prices, but money I don't have.
Guess it's time to look for a job on craigslist...
Unless, of course, you're a writer. I'm learning one of the first lessons of writing as a career: you don't get days off. Personally, I hesitate to give myself any days off because I'm a master procrastinator and when you've got a deadline to reach, that's no fun. I'm currently writing this on the dining table at our family friend's house using my 5-MPH netbook and a charging cord that doesn't work. Alas, we must work with what we are given, and I'm no exception.
I've given myself a deadline of December 6th to finish the manuscript for my second novel, which brings me to my second point: money. I use a website called Reedsy to find professionals to work on my manuscript with me. You can find illustrators, editors, and marketing professionals (general categories, they have a ton of sub-categories) on there and request for them to send you a quote. Today, I got two quotes from two different cover artists. One totaled 1,500 dollars, and the other totaled 750 dollars. Totally fair prices, but money I don't have.
Guess it's time to look for a job on craigslist...
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
About "Bloody Sunday"
I just realized I should probably tell you what my novel's all about, silly me.
The plot:
The plot:
In the sleepy seaside town of
Newsworth, South Carolina, if you're a cat who needs help, you go to
Jethro and Channary. The valued companions of the town's general
market owner, these two cats know all about Newsworth's residents,
both human and other. Even they are stunned, however, when someone
starts killing cats and leaving their bodies on the steps of
churches. The already puzzling case escalates when someone steals the
kittens of the cat church's reverend and holds them at ransom: the
kittens in return for the reverend's life. It's up to Jethro and
Channary to solve this mystery, and catch the killer, before it's too
late.
Sounds interesting? Awesome! I also have a live preview of the book on Wattpad and Createspace. On both sites, you can vote/rate the writing and tell me how good or bad you think it is. Feel free to click on either of those links and tell me what you think!
The Journey Begins
Today, I took my very first step into making my dream come true.
My name is Ricky, and ever since I was less than four feet tall, my dream has been to write a book and get it published. Today I finally finished writing my first novel. Now, I have to get it ready for publishing.
A little bit more about me: I'm 17, black, panromantic asexual, and a transgender boy living in Florida. I'm originally from South Carolina, and lived most of my years equally separated between Charleston (when I was 5 until I was about 8) and Chapin (when I was about 9 until I was about 13). I dictated my first "book" to my grandmother when I was about three, and she typed it on the computer. Ever since then, I've been a writer.
My novel, titled Bloody Sunday, is the first in the Feline Crime Investigation Unit series. I started writing the novel on November 19th, and finished it today, November 25th. Why so quickly? Easy: NaNoWriMo. This is the first year I've actually participated and even come close to winning (I'm still about 4,000 words away from winning but I can make that up quickly). This is incredibly significant to me for two reasons:
1. A few years ago, I was convinced I wouldn't be alive to see this moment.
2. I've never finished my own original novel before. I've published a novel-length fanfiction, but never a novel with my own original characters.
This is a momentous occasion, and I wanted to share it all with you. The process of self-publishing, thoughts about my book(s), and the writing process will all be documented here. If you'd like, you can follow this blog, or by joining my mailing list via the HTML form below. Thank you for accompanying me on my journey! Joining the mailing list will let you know when my novel is available for purchase.
One more thing: you may be wondering, "Why is this called the tiger's journey?" Well, it might have something to do with my true identity as a tiger...but we'll never know for sure!
My name is Ricky, and ever since I was less than four feet tall, my dream has been to write a book and get it published. Today I finally finished writing my first novel. Now, I have to get it ready for publishing.
A little bit more about me: I'm 17, black, panromantic asexual, and a transgender boy living in Florida. I'm originally from South Carolina, and lived most of my years equally separated between Charleston (when I was 5 until I was about 8) and Chapin (when I was about 9 until I was about 13). I dictated my first "book" to my grandmother when I was about three, and she typed it on the computer. Ever since then, I've been a writer.
My novel, titled Bloody Sunday, is the first in the Feline Crime Investigation Unit series. I started writing the novel on November 19th, and finished it today, November 25th. Why so quickly? Easy: NaNoWriMo. This is the first year I've actually participated and even come close to winning (I'm still about 4,000 words away from winning but I can make that up quickly). This is incredibly significant to me for two reasons:
1. A few years ago, I was convinced I wouldn't be alive to see this moment.
2. I've never finished my own original novel before. I've published a novel-length fanfiction, but never a novel with my own original characters.
This is a momentous occasion, and I wanted to share it all with you. The process of self-publishing, thoughts about my book(s), and the writing process will all be documented here. If you'd like, you can follow this blog, or by joining my mailing list via the HTML form below. Thank you for accompanying me on my journey! Joining the mailing list will let you know when my novel is available for purchase.
One more thing: you may be wondering, "Why is this called the tiger's journey?" Well, it might have something to do with my true identity as a tiger...but we'll never know for sure!
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