40,000 Words (PARTY!)

I looked up today and realized that November is drawing to a close. The good news? Me reaching my goal of 50,000 words in my Monster Project is actually looking probable. I hit the 40K mark this evening, and I thought I'd take a moment to celebrate.
I've been working hard this past month, editing nearly everyday, I've added some new scenes and I like to think I've made it better. However, I've reached the point where I understand what's going on, but I'm not sure I've told the reader what they need to know...
But 40K! That's awesome! Only 10,000 more words (5 to edit 5 to pull from thin air)  and I'll have punched my goal in the face (in a triumphant, kindly way).
So yay for attainable goals! Feel free to eat a cookie or a whole cake in my honour, you know you want to. ;)

Monthly Report Cards: November 2015 GOALS

It's November already! This month I only have one goal, and that is:

Finish editing my Monster Project 
November is Na No Wri Mo month, so I'm buckling down to get version 8.5 under my belt. This will take a lot of effort as I'm tweaking the plot as well as fixing 44,900 words.
Wish me luck!

The Pain! The Agony! (the emotional sting of cutting good scenes)

I have a story novel  headache that I’ve been working on since January 2015. I’ve worked on it exclusively, and as of September I had around 44,900 words.
November is National Novel Writing Month, and instead of writing another story, I’ve decided that I will spend this month editing my Monster Project.
 And that was going really, really well.
Until a few days ago.
it was then that I entered the Problem Zone. The Problem Zone has given me trouble since day one, it’s the part of the story where a lot of important information is introduced and my MC (main character) learns of her father’s death.
I’ve spent hours and hours writing, editing and weeping over these few chapters, trying to make my favourite scenes work with my ever evolving plot. And because of all those hours, I couldn’t bear the thought of removing those scenes.
But tonight I faced the facts and started cutting.
I cut the scene that has two really funny lines.
I cut the scene where my elderly guardian ships the MC and her male friend.
I cut the well written scene where I give an answer that was supposed to be a surprise.
I cut and cut and cut.
And it hurt while I did it, but now I’m starting to think that it was the right choice. The bulk of those scenes supported plot devices I abandoned months days ago. They were just dead weight, holding me back.
If this goes sour and I realize that I really do need some of these scenes, I can always go dumpster-diving in my ‘out takes’ file. But to find out for sure, I need to try the story without those scenes.
So yeah, Johanna you were right. I did have to kill my darlings. 

Reasons to love Prince Charming from Once Upon a Time

He's Snow White's prince, and he's awesome.


 He teaches the Evil Queen how to dance.
 


He cleans up goooood


He has plenty of personality, sometimes he gets mad and kicks things.


He and his daughter make a pretty sweet team


The actor who plays him is married to the actress who plays Snow White in real life.

Hello again

No, I didn’t forget about this blog; I keep on meaning to write something, but I’ve had a stunning lack of motivation lately.
In spite of my indifference, October has been shaping up into a fairly interesting month, what with school starting, my birthday and octopuses. (You can read about that here.)
I brought back a ton (it literally felt like a ton) of new art supplies and fabric in my suitcase. I’ve got several projects in mind for my new stash, but when I’ll get to them is still a mystery.
I’ve been participating in Inktober this month and you can see some of my work here.
That’s all for now, folks.

-Nicole

10 Reasons to LOVE Strange Magic

Johanna and I have been trying to watch Strange Magic since June. Every time she/we went to the movie store it was checked out. HOWEVER all of that changed and we were able to watch it.

So now, without further ado:

10 REASONS TO LOVE STRANGE MAGIC

#1 There's this thing. I can't even remember what they called it.

#2 There's a lot of singing.

#3 A lot of singing.

#4 There was a duel!

#5 There was an annoying brat who was obsessed with his hair

#6 ...who does impressions 

#7 The sisters have a sweet relationship 

# 8 SO MUCH SINGING

#9 Everyone on the internet is mixing it with Frozen.

#10 The Main Character was as confused about the movie as me.

BONUS #11 It written by George Lucas

. 

All in all a very fun, entertaining movie with lots of older music. 

Summer Bucket list: The end result

Summer is officially over and almost everyone is back to school. I'm sad that the warm weather has come to an end, but at the same time I'm excited to see what this year will bring.
Look at all the things I managed to accomplish! 

- Go camping (YEAH Stumpy) 
- Have lots of photo shoots

-Make a video (We tried, but it just refused to come together...)

- Have a dessert night (And it was gooooooood)
- Learn  how to use a film camera   (Every time I turn around someone has another film camera for me. I think I have ten now. I'm pleased to report, however that I've been using one :)

-Record some songs on the piano (Not yet! I did however make a cover of Beautiful Scandalous Night )

- Vlog/video diary (I didn't vlog per say but I'm crossing it off because I have lots of random clips that I'll make in to a video)

- Go to the Westerner 

- Go somewhere in costume (Johanna and I went garage saleing as a pirate and Princess Anna.)
- Get my drivers license (I have yet to take the test)
-Watch movies with Johanna (AAAGONYYYYYY also Big Hero 6 made me cry a little.)

- Get some library books/ hang out at the library (Guess where I am right now?)
- Make brownies  (I'm 90% sure I did...)

- Make nachos ( I did, a few times)

- Get completely soaked in a river  (Quinne and I washed our hair in the river on several occasions) 

- Get some bruises ( None so impressive as last year, though I did fall off a horse.)

- Make cupcakes

- Try hair chalk

- Sleep sometimes

- Ride a horse

- Take pictures of the stars   (I did, though I wish I knew the summer stars better.) 

All in all it's been a pretty darn great summer. I'm thankful for all the things I've done and all the laughs I've shared with people. In person. 

I can't tell you how good it is to look someone in the eye, and not at a screen.