Tag: writing

New Year, New Goals

authorledelano

We all know 2020 was a rough year, and writing-wise, it was a mixed bag for me.

Overall, I managed to:

  • Finish 2 YA manuscripts
  • Draft a new YA manuscript (and complete NaNoWriMo)
  • Query 3 YA manuscripts
  • Write and publish 2 romance novels
  • Write and publish 3 romance novellas
  • Publish a romance novella collection

All during a pandemic while dealing with a special needs child virtually learning next to me while I’m working from home at the full-time day job. It’s been a challenging year, but damn. I’m proud of what I got done now that I see it all written out.

So here’s the tentative plan for next year:

  • Continue querying my YA manuscripts
  • Self-Pub my Contemporary YA title
  • Complete another YA manuscript
  • Draft and hopefully complete a MG book
  • Write and publish 3 romance novels
  • Write and publish 3 romance novellas
  • Publish a romance novel collection
  • Try not to lose my mind

Along with the writing goals come the usual life stuff: eat healthy, exercise more, declutter, save more money. I might as well get a tattoo with all that since it repeats every year. I’m going to add in “travel more” as soon as it’s feasible to do so, finish all the online writing courses I have access to (Masterclass, various writer conferences, etc.), and just generally look for joy every day, even if it’s only in a small way or a brief moment.

What about you? What are you working toward in the new year?

A Quick & Easy Guide To Twitter Writing Events in 2019

authorledelano

writingtips

This is the list I put together for myself, and I’m happy to share with you. I’ll come back and add as I find new hashtags, I promise.

Pitch Hashtags:

When submitting a pitch, do not favorite anyone else’s pitch. Favoriting is for agents and editors. If your pitch has been favorited, check the publisher/agent’s website for submission guidelines before submitting, and be sure to mention that you were favorited in #[WhateverPit].

#DVPit (for diverse books) Upcoming Dates: 4/23: Children’s/YA  4/24: Adult readers runs again in Oct. Update here.

#PitDark (horror/mysteries) May & Oct – no official dates yet. Update here. Continue reading “A Quick & Easy Guide To Twitter Writing Events in 2019” →

Sometimes Just A (Foreign) Word Will Do

authorledelano

couple at dinner

Last week, I came across the word “Mamihlapinatapai.” This word exists in the Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego and is listed in The Guinness Book of World Records as the “most succinct word”, and is widely considered one of the hardest words to translate.

The basic gist of it is this: Continue reading “Sometimes Just A (Foreign) Word Will Do” →

A Writing Tip That (Oddly) Worked For Me: Use Comic Sans

authorledelano

comicsans

I saw this tip on Reddit and hell if it doesn’t work. Change the font on your manuscript to Comic Sans.

First, it makes it easier on the eyes (Comic Sans is known to be a ‘friendly’ font for those with dyslexia), but it honest-to-God forces you to look at the manuscript differently. It turns it new-ish and sort of reroutes your brain because you know this just ain’t right.

I can’t explain how it works, really. I only know it does. Some divine acts you simply shouldn’t question.

So give it a try, and I’ll leave you with this.

NaNoProcrastinator Extraordinaire – That’s Me!

authorledelano

procrastination.jpg

NaNoWriMo is in full swing and I got waylaid by an overnight trip to the hospital. It’s all okay now, just an overnight observation thing in the wake of a medication issue, but it’s been a few days now and I’m really having trouble getting back in the groove.

This is one of those times where you just have to take yourself firmly in hand and hammer it out. I know that. And I’ll get there. Continue reading “NaNoProcrastinator Extraordinaire – That’s Me!” →