New Year Resolutions/Acknowledgments

Hello Readers. It has been about three month since I started blogging. And it is now the end of 2014. So I am going to do my New Years Resolutions. Brett Michael Orr and Adriana Gabrielle did this, and I think a couple of others. So I wanted to jump on the boat and do a list too.

So First I would like to make a couple of acknowledgments. 

First i would like to thank the friends that have stood by me over this year: Hayley, Diana, MJ, Ellie, Lachie, Vicky, for being supportive and standing by me, even though I've gotten angry, and over the top emotional, etc. Just thanks for being there. (And for dealing with me)

I would also like to give a HUGE shout out to my amazing Mother. Thank you Mum for being there through my entire life. To being such a great friend. And listening to my ramblings about how my story works, and how I see things. Love you!

Shout out to my Youth Group at CB. For being the bubbly exiting and entertaining bunch. And for being a great community of teens for me to spend my Friday nights with. Also we cant forget the Youth-Pastor Kate! And all the great times spending time with you and the Barker girls before youth, and letting me have an inside view of how the church runs.

And last but not least: All the super awesome teens over at GoTeenWriters. Without you guys in the Facebook group; I would still know nothing about writing. I have learned so much. And Its been great to be in a community of writers on the same journey as me. (Plus my NaNoWriMo writing buddies. You guys are awesome.)

New Years Resolutions 

Revise Clandestine, Re-draft it, and polish it up for (maybe) publication 

I am so close to finishing writing my first-ever-novel. I'm currently at 60,000 words and counting. And hoping to get that finished in early January. I'm planning on jumping straight into revising/editing. Since I will have about two months till I start with my studies (Need to take that time)
I really want to have this piece of work published some-day. And I'm hoping that I get it at least reader worthy this year.


Create a reading list 

Yes lady's and gents: There are many book I want to read in the new year. And I am going to make a long list. (I will make a post early next year with that list)
There is so much out there. And I need to read them!!!


Get a Job

Yeah. Sadly I'm getting old, and it turns out you have to work if you want to live (I know right) I'm hoping I can get a job in: re-tale, or waitressing, or if I'm luck: In the library (Please!)


Get my Drivers Licences

I've got a car, but no drivers licence. Not even my learners! (I'm getting it guys.) But my goal is to have that full licence by the end of this year. (I need it)


Camp NaNoWriMo 

I am planning on attending Both of the camps, and do NaNoWriMo again in November. Go Me! And everyone else that plans on doing it again in 2015 :)


Become better at the Piano 

I taught myself how to play. I'm not the best. But I can do it. I can play: John Legends All of Me, Taylor Swift Safe and Sound, Down-Ton-Abby Theme song, Beethoven Fur Elise, and a couple of other randoms.


Work to become a better writer 

I am so new. When I started, I had no idea what I was doing. But like always, I surprise myself. But even now, I'm in need of so much work with the way I format my work. So I'm going to work on getting better over this year.


Do Good in my Studies 

I'm going to work to my fullest ability in my studies. I'm going to work, and get good grades with everything I do. And I'm going to enjoy it. (Go Graphic Design)


I'm going to enjoy myself 

I'm really good a being boring. So this coming year, I want to break out of my comfort zone and have some fun. I want to break free, and just be me in-front of people. (This is going to be the harder one)


Extend my Faith beyond measure

I want to be a better Christian. Though I know no one can be that. But I want to put more trust in Christ than I had in the previous year. I want remember why I got baptized.


That that is it. (There must be more, cause there always is with me) But thanks for reading. And let me know what your goals are. Or you could do a post like this (I will find it, and read it,)

Happy New year

-Rachel

My Writing Wishlist

I'm going to do My Writing Wishlist! Created by Kara@ Diary of a Teen Writer. Which was such a cool idea, cause I had been thinking of doing something like this, but just write it down on a private Doc. But blogging about it sounds like more fun.

• A Fantasy, Called: Dead in The Water

I love making up stories to go with my favorite songs. And one of my Favorite songs is Dead in the Water by Ellie Goulding. So I want to write an Fantasy/Romance about it. Ohhh so exited about it! 

• Epic Dystoia about Rebels and a girl Prophetess 

I've been trying to write this one since the start of this year. Its about a girl called Ella who has nightmares, and discovers that everything she dreams about, and what she does in those dreams will effect events in real life. Then Ella and her friend Jase join a group of Rebels who are on the fight for survival. And Ella is the one that will effect everything that happens. (So on, and so on. Its my Baby, and I am going to finish it...one day) Its got guns! And weapons, and GUH, so over the top with this one.

• Historical fiction, a story about a Jewish girl in the 2nd world war 

A bit like the book thief. But I have always had a deep love for that time period (Even though it was evil) Iv'e always wanted to write a story about someone who lived in the time, and all the stuff that they were put through, making history through the lives of people who lived. (Sobs) I want to write this from a child's perspective, cause children see the world in such a different, magical way.

• The second and third book in the Neverland Trilogy 

I am currently finishing the first book in the Neverland Trilogy. (Just check out my blog, Its full of it) Yeah, the second and third one are going to be amazing! The Neverland trilogy is a Utopian/Dystopian story about a girl called Iris who discovers the secrets of herself, and the secrets of the people and the world around her.

I have a whole Pinterest Board on it, Book Ideas: Clandestine, it just keeps on getting bigger and bigger. 

• A Book about Angels  

This something I've wanted to write for a long time! I don't know quite how, but it will happen, sometime, in the future... 

• A story about mental patients who try to escape the prison 

Don't worry! I'm still half sane! But this was an Idea that kept coming back to me. But after watching Sucker Punch (Horrible title: Good movie) I was inspired by the way that they treated the girls who were not all mad. It was a heart wrenching thing to watch the movie. Cause I'm a girl, I could look past the way they made them sluts, and felt very deeply for them all. (Is was on the bridge of crying at the end of it)

• An orphanage, where they take children's dreams  

 This one was inspired by a dream I had: Where I was in a school like building, and was injected with serum that enabled the runners of the place to rob me of my dreams. So when I dreamed, they would download the dream, and use it for something. But I don't know what. So I started writing it down. It was frighting, but inspiring.   

And that is all I have (or can think of) Hope you all enjoyed this list. And I encourage you all to do it as well! 

-Rachel 

Christmas Tag

So do that I am going to catch up on some super amazing TAGS. This my friends is an excuse to do a blog post (I have not done any in a while)
Fun fun!

Today I' going to do the Christmas Tag! I was tagged by Adriana. This will be exiting. Simply cause I am still trying to get into the Christmas spirit (what? Are you telling me its only 2 days away?" Seriously?) So thanks for the Tag!  

Christmas Tag

• Rules  
• Post the picture on your blog(on the left).
• Answer the questions.
• Tag up to 12 bloggers.
• Make up 10 questions for the other bloggers.

And on to the questions:

Is there one thing you did this year (that you don't normally do) that you go super exited about Christmas?

Nothing really stuck to me this year. But I have enjoyed the cooking that Mum has been doing over the month. 

 

What is your favorite Christmas Desert/Treat?  

I would have to say ambrosia. My Grandmother makes it each year for Christmas when ever we go over. So its kind of the taste of my childhood. (Its so yum... And I know how to make it now!!!) 

Are you going to be doing things a little different this year? Or are your Christmas Traditions pretty solid? 

We do the same thing just about every year. And I don't think anything is going to change. So you could say we are pretty solid in traditions. 

Favorite Christmas Carol?

For me it would be Breath of Heaven sung by Amy Grant. Its so beautiful, and I fall in love with it every time I listen to it. Also this song is one of the songs that bring me into the Christmas mood. 

Favorite Christmas Album?

Its going to have to be the Pentatonix Christmas Album. I love there music. They just seem to bring the Carols to life.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping already? If so, when did you finish it?  

Hahaha I feel like such a bad friend and family member. I have spent no money on any Christmas presents this year. But that does not mean I give no one anything. I actually make everything I give to the people I love. So loved ones and friends will get drawings and stories and other-what-not items that I have made.  

 What is one thing you are really hoping you get for Christmas?

To be honest, I don't really know. All I wanted was books. But what I really want now is a hug. I think that would be a really good Christmas present. 

What is your favorite part of Christmas?

Ummm... Well... Mum asked me this question, and I couldn't answer it. I think I would have to say, watching all my younger siblings getting all exited. I thrive off their energy. I just like watching them be happy, like there is not a care in the world. 

What is your favorite Christmas decoration on your Christmas Tree?

 I just had to take a look now. And I think I would have to pick the Hand Made Angle my sister Tessa made last year. Many of our Christmas decorations are hand made and sewn. I think it gives it characteristics. (I would show a photo of the tree. But our PC is busted, and wont load photos.)

What is your Favorite Christmas-y drink to have during Christmas?

I like L&P. Cause its summer, its always nice to have a Kiwi kind of drink for the hot summer day. And we have it each Christmas.

Nominations: Morgan@Back to the Drawing Board  Aimee@To the Barricade! Wild-Horse@Opal Swirls 

Questions: 

1. Favorite Christmas (Childhood) memory? 
2. Favorite Christmas song?
3. Favorite Christmas film?
4. One Christmas food that you have every year without fail?
5. What makes you think of Christmas? 
6. For you, what is the most important part of Christmas?
7. What is the most meaningful Christmas Gift you have ever received?
8. What is the best Gift you have ever given to someone?
9. Can you recite the Twelve Days of Christmas?
10. What do you want to get this year?

Have a merry Christmas! 

-Rachel 

2014's Reading List

So the other day I was thinking over the list of books I have read over this year. In fact, I have read a lot more books this year that I have any other year. So here is a list of books (all the ones I can remember) that I have read over the year.

The Fault in Our Stars

So I read this book round June or July. In fact I read it twice. I enjoy the way that John Green writes. And I liked Hazel. It was not as sad as I thought it would be, in fact I laughed a lot while reading it. The movie was great and enjoyed watching it for my birthday. 

The Hunger Games Trilogy 

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, MockingJay 

I seriously loved these books. With these ones I did a lot of deep research into a understand the deeper meaning of what Suzanne Collins was trying to bring across. But all in all, I loved these ones to pieces. I just love Katniss. And to be honest Katniss is one of my favorite heroines. 

Divergent Trilogy 

Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant 

Everyone was in this Divergent craze. I had watched the trailer, and for me it was exiting cause it was a danger truck sci fi looking movie. So I read the first book and loved it! I have also read the second book, but am yet to read the third cause everyone else at the library wan'ts to read it. Veronica Roth is amazing. 

Shatter Me Trilogy 

Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite me  

Take some time to breathe. I just adore the way that Tahereh Mafi writes. And these books just kept me on my toes till the very last sentence. If you like Dystopian Sci Fi, then you will love these book, (Cause I loved them)

Beastly

I had watched the movie to this book. Then found out that there was a book, so I got it out and read it. It was really good. Its the modern version of beauty and the beast. 

Spark

This one was just the best (I say that about all of them) but I loved Spark so much. Even better to find out that the Author is/was from New Zealand. I'm so exited for the second book to come out next year. I'm going to be one of the first people to read it. 

The Book Thief

I can't remember whether I read this one this year or last year. But I keep on reading it, so it can go on my reading list. I love this book so much, I have a special place for it in my heart. (I die every time) 

The Selection

The Selection was better than I thought it would be. And I really want to read the other books in the series. It was pretty and a very girly book. But as I read a little more about the series I saw that there was a little more to it. 

The Jewel

This out of all of them was my top read of 2014. I love the cover, but love the story even more. And it ended so frighteningly that I simply have to read the second book, (that comes out 6th October 2015) The world the characters, everything I just loved it.

So that is my reading list of 2014. :)))

-Rachel   

Clandestine, Chapter one

Hello readers. I am coming to you with yet another chapter from my work in progress Clandestine. This is chapter one: In fact I owe a lot to this chapter. The thing is I had no idea what the first chapter was going to be. I was starting to get really worried that I was going to be behind on the first day of NaNoWriMo. I had tried a couple of attempts to start, but none of them sounded right. 

So to get to the point, this chapter ended up highly influencing the direction of the story (in a very good way)

Again I am going to say sorry for any punctuation/spelling/sentence structure mistakes. This again is from my first draft. Though this chapter is one of the best worded ones I have written. Let me know what you think in the comments below, I would appreciate the feed back.

Picture source Pinterest. All text and editing credits Rachel Day.

Best Blogging Buddy Award

Wild Horse Awarded me for this! Thanks so much, I really love doing these!

Rules
☼You must make a post to show your award on your main blog.

☼You must tag the person who nominated you in your post (also take the cute owl on the left with you!).

☼You must nominate all of your best buddies, and those whom you want to become best buddies with, who, to your knowledge, have not been nominated for this award.

☼You must ask your buddies at least 15 questions in your post.

☼You must answer all of the questions your buddies ask you on your post.

Why do you blog? 

I blog cause I like sharing my thoughts, my work, and little random things. And I know that only people who really want to know will read it (not like on Facebook, things like that just annoy people) Its a fun thing to get into the swing of! It's becoming a hobby. Did I even answer the question? Any how to answer the question, its because it makes me happy! 

Purple or Pink?

Okay this is an odd one, simply cause it all goes for shades. If its a light baby rose pink, then yeah. But if the purple is a royal rich dark purple then I will choose that. So if I have to chose, I think I would have to go with the purple. (But I still like baby pink)

Summer or Winter?

Oh my! The two seasons! Well I'm going to have to go with summer, cause in New-Zealand we get nice summers, and I like being able to break free from the clamped in winter. If it snowed in Palmy (it did once and it was the most amazing thing in the world!) then I might say yes. But I'm going to have to go with summer for this one! 

Have you read/watched The Book Thief? (Tell me if it ripped you up like it ripped me up) 

Yes! I have both read and watched the Book Thief! I have watched it more than once, and read it more than once. When I first read it (before I watched the film) I was heart broken. It hurt so bad in the last part of the book. Its the best book I've ever read. And I will keep on loving the story to the day I die! (I can quote it)

A book you keep re-reading?

Well! The Book Thief. I bought it on audio, so technically I listened to it. But I still count that as 'reading' it, (I just don't read the pages) cause I have listen to it. And I do it over and over and over again!  

Do you have any pets?

My sibling have tons of pets. We have chickens, a cat, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, (I think the fish died) I have just come into ownership of a baby bunny, I named her Alice, and she is so beautiful!

Type or Hand-write?

When it comes to writing, I like it better to type. I'm a pretty good at touch typing. Though I still like to write somethings by hand! 

Has a book ever made you cry?

Yes! I cried my way though all the Hunger Games (more than I did The Fault in Our Stars) 

Favorite school subject?

School: Well being homeschooled I really don't have to take a ton of a lot of subjects. But I like English, and art. :)))

The best sport in the world is.... 

SOCCER! And I am only saying this cause its the only sport I can get my head around, in which case, makes it the best! 

Do you live in town or the country?

Country! I've always been a country girl, living out in the stick and what-not (jokes, we are usually 20 -30 minutes out of town) 

What is better: Sun rise or sunset?

Sun set. I never get up early enough to see the sun rise... but sunsets I class as the most romantic...slowly fading off...  

It's midday, you're still in your PJ's, at home alone, when some knocks on the door. What do you do?

I would run to get something covering on. Looking out the window to see if there was a car I knew at the gate. Then I would answer the door and try to act natural as possible, while my Panic attach is having a panic attach along with a heart attach!  

A quote that is important to you?

I love so many quotes! I know I will think of another one later... But I think the quote by Kurt Vonnegut, “We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.”

If you had to eat one food forever, you would eat... 

I want so badly to say chocolate, but I would end up getting sick, so I have to say potato, cause you can make so much out of it. 

That was fun! :) So now for my set of questions:

• Do you use Pinterest? 
• Facebook or Twitter?
• Favorite genre to read/write?
• Favorite book series?
• Song that makes you cry?
• Do you play an instrument? If so, what?
• Favorite season? (winter, spring, autumn, winter) 
• What are your Fandoms?
• What book could you just not put down?
• Did you cry when you read/watched The Fault in Our Stars?
• What gives you a thrill?
• Dream job?
• What word processor do you use to write on?
• Favorite Flower? (post picture)
• What year did you start blogging?
• Favorite poem?

Now to nominate some bloggers!!! These are a list of some of the amazing bloggers I follow. (So don't forget to check them out) 

Adriana @ Adriana Gabrielle Writes
Aimee @ To the Barricade
Morgan @ Back to the Drawing Board
Tayla @ The Hungry Firefly
Victoria @ Stori Tori's Blog

That's a really small list... But have fun with my questions! (Take as long as you need)

-Rachel

How to Write Romance?

The answer to the title is, I have no idea. That is the truth!

So this is a post I have been wanting to write for a while. The question/thought floats around when writing. And I really don't know! 

Being a writer, this is the most awkward of them all!

I'm that 16 year old girl that has never been kissed (or anything like that) I have chosen not to date till I'm older. (Like my late teens, or twenty's) Though that does not help my case with the whole "writing that romance stuff" 

Picture source Pinterest 

Over the course of writing Clandestine, there has been two kissing scenes! Yes, two kissing scenes. I am going to have to say, they are amazing scenes. For someone who has never been kissed, or hugged, (I've been hugged by my guy friends. But the buddy type.) 

I had been talking to my friend Diana, (who also writes) I was complaining about how hard it was, while I was sitting on her bedroom floor writing my second love scene. Lucky for me, she agreed with me. I just love it when friends can help share those struggles... I asked her how she did it. And the answer was pretty simple: She reads lots of books, so she already had the general idea of how to write one. 

(My kissing scenes are not sloppy. Its just a kiss, noting more. Thought I might put that out there.)

Tips for writing them:

• Read lots of books: This will help you get the gist of how to sentence one such scene. Describing words, feelings and other such notions. 
• Watch movies: Now I know that might sound lame. But watching films will give you a feel for it. See how the characters act in the romantic situation. Over NaNoWriMo and writing Clandestine, I watched lots of romantic clips on YouTube. And oddly, they really helped! 
• Listen to music: I like listening to music when writing. Though some people don't. But for me I do, so when it comes to these scenes, I listen to the love songs. *Coughs* Taylor Swift.... Oh and Christina Perri!
• Seriously, don't worry. Write from the bottom of your heart, wish the best for your characters. And you can always rewrite later. :)    

That's all I can think of at the moment. Let me know what you do when coming to these scenes?! I would love to know what others do with this. :) 

-Rachel 

Beautiful Book: NaNoWriMo Editing Questionare

Hey! So I'm back with the last lot of questions to answer for the 'Beautiful Books' link up!
The Notebook sisters/Now: Paper Fury (which I love by the way)

So here we go. After a week or so of not touching my unfinished draft of Clandestine; I am feeling more confident to finish it up, and move on to the editing stage! EXITING!

Link up to Beautiful Books #3 Here


Question one: On a scale of 1 (worst) to 10 (best) how well do you think this book turned out?

Well, considering the fact that I am so close to finishing it: I can rate it. To be completely honest Clandestine turned out alright for a fist draft! It's just a first draft, its aloud to be bad!
So I am rating it a 7 out of 10. Cause as stressful as it was, I still really like it!!!  


Question two: Have you ever rewritten or edited one of your books before? If so, what did you do to prepare yourself? If not, whats your plan? 

I have never edited or rewritten any of my novels. (Mostly, cause I have never finished on!) So I have thought over my game plan.

Game plan: First I plan to finish the novel! Then I am going to have it printed off, so that I can read it over. I feel like reading something on the computer, to reading it on paper is very different. So I am going to read through my entire novel. And while I do that, I am going to take notes, highlight paragraphs due to how they need to be edited. Etc. The game plan will come as it needs!


Question three: What's your final word count? Do you plan to lengthen or trim your book?

I stopped NaNoWriMo bang on 50,000 words! But its now on 50,635 words. I do plan to add more. It is going to be about 60,000 words on the finished first draft! I plan for the second draft to be about 80,000 words (that's a goal)


Question four: What are you most proud of? Plot, characters, or pacing?

For me this is going to have to be plot. I love my plot, and my world. When I fist came up with my plot, all I could think was "You my girl, are a genius!"
But I still love my characters. But they need loads of work. (Like a lot!)


Question five: What's your favorite bit of prose or line from this novel? 

I had good feed back on this quote! So I am going to share the chapter of this on
Right here! Quotes Chapter 

Question six: What aspect of your book needs the most work?

Characters! They need the most work. I need to work on their voices, gestures and movements. Their everything. I need to work on the way I'm writing. And getting points across. So on and so on. It needs lots of work! :)


Question seven: What aspect of your book is your favorite?

My message. I explained it in one of my Na-No-Progress. Every time I go to write something, it always gets really deep!!! Oh and I love my plot and some of my characters!


Question eight: How are your characters? Well rounded, or do they still need to be fleshed-out?

I don't know. I think most of them are half fleshed-out. But there are some that really need work. Especially my MMC and FMC.


Question nine: If you had to do it over again, what would you change about the whole process?

I would have posted and read more in the NaNoWriMo forums. But other wise, I think I would do it all the same. Cause the way I wrote, was the way I write.
Oh and one more thing: I would write more than before. I would try and indulge myself fully in it, and just write!!!

Question ten: Did anything happen in your book that completely surprised you? Have any scenes or characters turned out differently to what you planned? Good or Bad?

Yes this did happen. Characters that were small, became huge parts for the other books, and in the lives of Iris.
To my surprise, there is a lot going on in the back ground. (But that would be spoiling the story!)
Like I had said earlier, I created a character at the very start of the book, them killed him. Yeah, that happened. But I don't regret that! (I'm so evil)


Question eleven: What was the theme or message? Do you think it came across? If not, is there anything you could do to bring it out more?

Like I said in question seven (with the link) I love my message. But I can say it here. The message comes down to human depravity. No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed -Imagine dragons. That no human is ever going to be perfect. That even if we try to create a perfect race of human, they too will fall. And that is what I see coming through with my story. :) :) :)

Question twelve: Do you like writing with a deadline? (Like NaNoWriMo) or do you prefer to-write-as-it-comes? 

Writing with a deadline helps me get it done! Simply cause if I don't have one, I will just drift. But sometimes, I like to just write as it comes.


Question thirteen: Comparative title time! What published books, movies, or TV shows are most like (EX: Ink heart meets X-men, etc)

This is so hard, cause I have no idea what my novel matches up to. Its so different to anything I've ever read or seen. My book is about a school girl who finds out her true identity, and the truth of the world she lives in, and what she really is!
So world wise, I think Under the Never Sky inspired the 'safe city' and 'dangerous out side.' But other wise, I really don't know! 

Question fourteen: How do you celebrate a finished novel?!? 

Well I have not finished a novel yet. But after I finished NaNoWriMo, I have slept a lot since then (thank you school holidays)
When I do finish writing Clandestine, (hopefully soon) I want to go and see MockingJay part one! Oh and Chocolate! But seriously, I think finishing a novel is the best feeling, so for me that would be the greatest reward!


Question fifteen: When people are done reading your book, what feeling do you want them to come away with?  

I want to them to want to read the second book! And I them to still be able to breathe after finishing. I want my readers to come away with knowing that there is more to a person than you see on the surface, that everyone has there secrets. That the world that we live has a lot of underlined things going on.
  
-Rachel

Chapter from Clandestine

Hello Readers! 

I have been going on about Clandestine for about 2 months! And I have had some request to share some of the story. So I thought I could to that today! 

Here is a chapter: I don't know what number it is. I have to confess if something does not make any sense, or a word is misspelled. (This is a snippet from my first draft) Its not perfect! 

But Hope you guys enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think, in the comments below!  

Youth Group Inspired Dance with Me

Its coming to the end of the year. I'm getting this weird feeling of freedom now! So I am in this deep thinking process of both of my novels. But mostly on Dance with Me.
Writing Dance with Me is kind of giving me the opportunity to think over my year. To think over the struggles, and the good things.

As I have said; I go to a christian youth group each Friday night. This is a great way to catch up with my church friends, play games, do bible studies and small groups.
I am still, even now getting use to it. Even though this will be my, I think second year of attending. I am learning to give myself the chance; not only to be a better person, but to get to know people, build friendships, even if they are just small acquaintance ones. I don't want to look back on my teen years and see a big pile of regret, and things I never did.

The song by One Republic: I Lived, Makes me think very much of that. And I know that I have ditched 3 perfectly good years of being a teenager, but there are still more to come.

Me and my friend Mary Jane, get the opportunity to help set up, due to us getting there early.
So today we got to set the tables (again) and felt the need to make sure all the cups were aligned.
I love this shot I took! Even though it was just on my tablet!

Back to the title of this blog post! (I need to stay on track) 

Dance with Me is inspired by many events. Ones from my Mothers youth group, ones from my own, ones from others, or simply ones that I have made up myself! 

Youth Group is not everyone's thing. I have friends that just don't want to go. I know people that go to my youth now, that refused to be budged from there home! It comes in many cases. Mine was; I wanted to go so bad! 

But its the later for Lacy. She doesn't want to go. Lacy is that seemingly stubborn character. And just wont do it. (But she does! Of course she does)

And I think, we all have had one experience or another where we don't want to go to something. And there will be that person behind you crying "just do it!"

Stay tuned for more on Dance with Me, and more on Clandestine. So really what I mean, is just keep reading my ramblings! 

I will be posting a snippet or two on Clandestine, in my next post! 

-Rachel  

A fresh Start

Hey my beautiful's! Yes, I am back. I have been gone for a while, simply recovering from NaNoWriMo. I have to day, that November was the longest month of my life. Its felt like months since then. (I'm am still recovering)

Recovering NaNoWriMo has come down to: Sleeping in to the last hours of the afternoon, wondering what to do with my life! I think you get the point. So there was one question I had; How in the world do I recover NaNoWriMo?
So I don't regret doing it this month, I mean, it was the biggest achievement of this year. (Even though I didn't finish writing Clandestine)

I had been talking to Wild Horse about writing progress over the month. And she had said that she cant do just one project at a time, that she needed to do more than one to keep her on her feet. The thought buzzed through my mind over the last couple of days of December.
And that was when it struck me, I need a break from Clandestine, Seriously, I've spent an entire month, living, breathing, sleeping, Clandestine. And I just need a break, I need time to think over the story!
So that is what I am doing! I am taking a break! (Ah, it was good to say that)

NaNoProgess: Day twenty-nine & Thirty

Word count day 27: 48,827

Word count day 30: 50,036

So I am doing another double up in my post! Its the first day of December, I mean, this is crazy! Its felt like a lifetime since last month!

I hit 50,000 words on my beloved novel! Though I didn't finish it... That's right, Clandestine is still in the writing process. I manged to reach my climax at 45,000 mark. So that means that the story is going to be longer than 50,000, and heading towards 60,000 to 70,000 words. I knew this would happen!
So over the month of December I am going to finishing writing it. I want to have a finished draft my January!
The good thing about writing the end of the novel in December, is that I will have more time to go over the dramatic turn of events. I realized that I need hours to just go over one scene. Just to come to grips with the matter at hand...

All that matters though, is that I WON NaNoWriMo!!! This was my first year! And I really cant wait to do it next year. (I will make the time)

I will continue to add my word count in the top left corner of each blog post, for catching up with my word count and such. 

I was talking to Mum today about revision. I am so exited to start revising, but will not lay a hand on it till its done! Any how, I was talking to her about how I was making a bucket list of things I want to experience in my novel. Every thing (expect for the feeling part, that was all me) I have written in this novel has been due to pure imagination. Many of the events, places, and experiences are things I simply had to imagine with great force! 

So over the next year, I will be revising and re-writing my novel. And gaining experience in some of these plausible areas. 

List of some of the things I am going to do: 

• Ride in a tram, or a train.
• Learn how to speak some Latin. And gain the understanding of the ancient language. 
• Look inside a school, either a public or private. 
• Go into an alley. To see what it feels like to be crammed in-between two buildings. 
• Stand in an Ice cold river.
• Take a look in an abandoned clock tower.
• Feel snow falling.
• Go to a proper grave yard!
• Take a tore of a Victorian house (going to do that soon)
• Go to a BIG library. (Thinking the university's bound to have one)
• Go to a chapel.
• Go to a convent. 

So that is all I can think of at this moment. And as you can tell, I have a bit of a road a head of me! (I'm crazy)

I'm looking forward to this new adventure. Not only for my characters, but for me as well.  

-Rachel