Category Archives: Daily Update
Daily Update: A day off.
Yesterday I took the day off. Originally I had some personal business to attend to, but it became much less urgent. I’ll still need to deal with it, just not as soon as I have anticipated. I got up early and had to deal with a work email that I should have sent on Friday (okay, two emails). I also took a broken mirror to get fixed/replaced. Ok, two mirrors really. It’ll be nice when they’re fixed and back in place. The wife and I also got a few loads of laundry washed and put away. I watched three episodes of Ancient Aliens (love that show). My Favorite Daughter and I went to the work out room. I managed 3.4 miles on the elliptical in 30 minutes (even though it took us 45 minutes to go from the school, to the workout room, back home for a personal issue, and back to the workout room). I did my weights. I went to the grocery store and bought some fruit and made fruit salads for all of us.
I did something else yesterday…hmm…
Oh yeah! I wrote nearly 5000 words! Yesterday was a lot of up and down, but I wrote and wrote and wrote whenever I found a few minutes here or a few minutes there. I’m only 1200 words off my JuNoWriMo goal and I know I can get caught up and surpass that. Maus and Willie are a blast to write and now I’ve introduced Slick. Soon Maus and Willie will ‘encounter’ Slick and things will start to take off from there.
I’m having a lot of fun writing this story again. Not a lot has changed other than I’m including a lot of what I had in my mind and never wrote. I’ve introduced some characters that I only ever hinted at. There’s a lot more dialog and action and the pace still feels right. I’m sure much will change as I write, but already I’ve done some foreshadowing because I know what’s going to happen in the upcoming books.
I’ve got two characters left to introduce that will have bit roles in the book(s) but will play larger roles as time goes on. Those are the Black-Robed man that I will name later and the Gray-Bearded man that I will also name later. Their parts aren’t coming up just yet, but when they do, it’ll add a whole new layer to the story. I had included the two characters before, but never really fleshed out their personality or their purpose. They were just there. They did things. They moved on and did something else. I now have a better purpose for those two characters.
So if you ever wonder how do you fit writing in with all the other things you’re doing, you just need to look at where you have spare time and fit it in. It’s not always easy. It’s not always fun. But if you want to be a writer you need to sit down and actually write. If you’re not writing on a daily basis it’s that much harder to actually get started. If you’re writing daily it’s much easier to keep going.
By the end of the day (when I went to the store and made those fruit salads) my brain was pretty tired after the very long weekend and even though I wanted to write more, my body wanted to go to sleep. So that’s what I did. I will write more tonight. I will work out again. I will lift weights again. I’m also going to the Millicans house for dinner tonight. The wife made some yummy chicken that we’ll all partake of. But I will still write. I doubt I’ll knock out another 5000 words, but I’ll get as may done as I can.
My point here is, if you want to do it, do it. Writing doesn’t have to be work. I had to struggle through the first part of the year to get to this point. You will need to have your own struggle. Will it be as difficult as mine? Maybe. Might be harder. Might be easier. I can’t tell you that. That is something you’ll need to experience for yourself. It’s a journey that you and you alone must start. No one can start it for you.
With all that time off yesterday you’d think I’d have download more pictures of duck, wouldn’t you? Instead, here’s a link of how Donald Duck has affected the movies throughout the years. I laughed, I cried, I dreamt. www.cracked.com/article_19021_5-amazing-things-invented-by-donald-duck-seriously.html
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update: It feels good.
It feels good to know that My Favorite Daughter is done with volleyball for a little while. This means I’ll have a few more hours of my week back which I will be dedicating to taking her out running each day, push-ups and sit-ups to work on her core strength, and jumping rope to work on her leg strength. I will be doing these things with her so we’ll both be getting in shape. Obviously she’s in far better shape than I am. We just need to work on getting her mile down below 8 minutes for the varsity tryouts. It’s going to be a long summer, but it’ll be fun and worth it.
Yesterday I had intended to sit and actually write some words. That didn’t happen. I sat at the keyboard and typed five words and fell asleep at the keyboard. Rather than fight it, I was to bed very early (around 8) and got up at 5:30. Been doing some work related items even though I’m off today. Now that I’ve got those done, the wife and I are going to get ready to do some errands that need doing. Tonight I will get in my writing time and work on getting caught up for JuNoWriMo. Even though I’m not officially participating, I’m still going to write as many words as possible in Of Gnomes and Dwarves during the month. I have a vacation planned for the end of the month that will shave off 7 days, but I’ll still do my best.
I’m still tired from this weekend. I’m sure that’ll wear off as the day goes on and I get the old blood flowing through the veins. There is much to do today and I have a day off to get it done. I may even get some more pictures of ducks and get that duck post written. We’ll have to see how it goes.
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update: …and boy are my arms tired
This was a very long weekend. Today was the last day for club volleyball. The girls did awesome! It was a long, tiring weekend and they did outstanding. It was frustrating in the end, but I’m sure they were all exhausted and quite ready to go home. Yesterday was the qualifier for regionals and they made it to the 1st/2nd place qualifiers. They made it again to the 1st/2nd place qualifiers for that group. They got to the finals, but didn’t make it to the final game. So close. But like I said, they played so well I’m not at all disappointed with how well they performed.
So this weekend (starting Friday) saw a lot of driving, a lot of games, an evening at the beach, more driving, and now I am just plumb wore out. Tomorrow won’t be quite as busy.
I’m going to spend a little time writing and then I’m going to veg out in front of the TV. Something I haven’t done in a while. I think I have a few episodes of Mythbusters and That Metal Show to watch. Probably a couple other shows as well.
I’ll post a longer post tomorrow.
I didn’t get a picture of a duck this weekend, but I have a grainy picture of two baby owls in a palm tree. I showed them to my favorite daughter and the wife last night when we got home fro mthe beach (and stopped for gas). It was so cute to see them up there in their nest. I’ve seen baby owls before, but not in a palm tree.
I’m tired. I need to write and go to bed.
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update:a Beach and Volleyball
Just not at the same time.
Today we got up super early to get my favorite daughter to her volleyball tournament. We states up in Huntington Beach where the tournament was. The team did great. They were the 4th seed and beat the 2nd and 3rd seeds in two games and pushed the number 1 seed in both games but lost to them. They got second place and it is more volleyball tomorrow. It will be closer to home though so we’ll not have to drive as far.
On the way home we got word that the family was at the beach so after a quick pit stop at home we headed to the beach. We are currently making smores and enjoying the fire on the beach.
It’ll be time to head home soon and get to bed. I took Monday off and I will need it. This weekend is going to wipe me out.
I’m going to go back to enjoying the fire. I got pictures of seagulls but didn’t see any ducks.
Until tomorrow!
Woo Woo!
Daily Update: I have new toys!
I hit my 225,000 word goal ahead of schedule. Not just ahead of schedule, but a whole month ahead of schedule. I’m super excited about that. Of Gnomes and Dwarves is coming along so nicely. I’m very happy with not only how fast I’m getting it written, but how well I feel I’m writing it. I’m sure I’ve got errors and mistakes, and probably a continuity error or two, but using Scrivener I know it’ll be easy editing. If I need to move something around, it’ll be a piece of cake.
So having hit my goal yesterday, I allowed myself to open up the package that arrived and dig into its contents. When I say it took all my willpower not to open them, I’m not kidding. I wasn’t even going to open the amazon box until I had hit my word count. I couldn’t hold back and I had to tear into the box just to see them. I left them sitting there, taunting me, challenging me to hit my word count.
To compound my frustration I had to work, go to my favorite daughter’s volleyball practice after school, do some house work, take my favorite daughter to her regularly scheduled volleyball practice, book a hotel for tonight (she has her last away game this weekend) and still get my writing done.
I hit my word goal, plugged in the devices, and I’ve been happy ever since. OMFG! How did I live without these before? I spent an hour this morning programming the mouse buttons. Now all the tasks that I normally do with multiple keystrokes of key combinations I can do with a movement of my thumb or a click of a button. I made a macro that opens up all the applications that I need open at the start of the day. One click. I have a button that will auto fill forms for me with specific information. Programming either of these is a breeze! The only complaint I have so far is once I set up a macro, I cannot add something in the middle or reorder the items in the list. I must delete and rerecord. But hey, that’s a minor thing.
So you’ve looked at the picture, here’s what I got as my half-way goal prizes!
1) The Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse
3) The Steelseries 4D mouse surface.
I could not be happier at this point with my purchases. I’ve only scratched the surface with what these tools can do for me. I know as time goes on I’ll be doing more and more with them. I just need to give me hands time to adjust to them. But seriously, I could NOT be happier with my purchases. That was the main reason for getting them. To give me a moment of happiness. Heck, this moment will last a LONG time.
I bought these to use mainly with work. Obviously when I’m writing, I’m doing just that; writing. I don’t need anything else other than the keyboard and (now) Scrivener. I don’t know how I got by with Scrivener before either. But when it comes to work, I’m a programmer. I use my mouse all day every day. I wanted something that did more than just point and click and I found that mouse. This one is larger than I’m used to, but I’m quickly adapting. The gamepad, on the other hand (literally) is currently being used for multi-key commands that I used infrequently. I’m sure as I get used to having it, I’ll discover more and more that I can do with it. I can attach ‘run’ command and execute .BAT files to execute really complex commands, open programs, launch web pages, heck, basically anything I need to do. I’ll keep you posted as to how I set these up.
Am I excited about my new toys? You betcha. Will I get full use out of them? Time will tell but I’m guessing not because I’m not a gamer. At some point in my life I might pick up gaming again and I’ll be happy I have these devices.
Welcome to June! I hope you have an awesome day. Some ducks flapped by my window this morning, but I didn’t get a picture of them. Perhaps tomorrow!
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update: New Toys
Today I will be getting a package in the mail. It will contain a couple of toys. I will not allow myself to touch those toys until my word count is at 225,000 or above. I’m presently at 224,000 (give or take a hundred words). I will make that happen in short order. I know I will. Not because the toys are showing up (though they are great motivation) but because I’ve been writing daily for five months now without fail. I’ve not missed a day. Sure I’ve had a couple days that were extremely light, but I’ve written daily and will continue to do so with or without the toys.
At they start they will be toys. Why? Because I’ll be playing with them to get them set up and discovering new uses for them. At present I’m not a gamer, but the two toys I’ve ordered (I’ll post about them tomorrow) will be used more for productivity with both my work and my writing. I know I won’t be utilizing them to their fullest, but they’re cool, I wanted them, I had a couple ideas what I’d be using them for. That and I felt that for sticking to my goal and getting way ahead of schedule, I deserved to spoil myself a little.
I know I ask this a lot, but if you’re a writer, what’s stopping you from writing daily? You can come here daily, see that I’m getting words out and those words add up quickly. Very quickly.
I won’t push and pry. Well, probably not until tomorrow’s Unorthodox Writing Tip anyway.
Of Gnomes and Dwarves is just as much fun to write as I remember. The original text only had one viewpoint with some head hopping. That was pretty much from Maus and Willie’s Point of View. I’ve changed that slightly. I’m now in Maus’s head a majority of the time and I’ve added scenes for Reeg and Semal. Semal is the main villain and we’ll get to see his mental breakdown in glorious detail throughout the book just as well see Maus come to grips with his own fears and preconceived notions about others. Willie, well, he’s Willie and always will be.
I asked my favorite daughter about Slick and Dorg. If you recall I was going to change the sex of these characters. I explained to her how they played in the book and she didn’t like the change. Based on her input and my own thinkings on the topic, they will not be changing. I don’t think the story will suffer for it. It will still be a fun story. I’m almost at the first scene with Slick
One thing I’ve noticed in the original writing. It was very fast-paced to the point where a lot of details were either glossed over very briefly or completely left out. I am, of course, filling in the blanks that I left behind in the original writing without even thinking about it. Things like descriptions, character’s feelings and inner monologue, background history, introspection, and better narration. And lots more dialog. I didn’t realize just how much the story was lacking. From what I can tell the story will probably come in around the 90,000 word mark without even trying hard.
Currently I’m 9 chapters in and already at 17,000 words. Compared to the original at the same point in the story where I was at roughly 6500 words. Granted there are new scenes, but the ones I’ve re-written are much richer and fuller than the previous writing. I don’t feel I’ve lost the original feel of the story, only improved upon it. I would think it difficult at this point to write the story worse. As I’ve said, I think I’m finally at the point as a writer where I can tell the story I want to tell.
This isn’t a bad thing, but I had many friends and family read the original. I got a lot of “This is really good”, “I liked it”, etc. I did get a couple “It’s missing something, but I’m not sure what” responses that I took to heart when I kept writing on this story over and over and over for many years. It wasn’t until I stopped working on it and started writing more words and more works that I realized what it had been missing. For some reason I was afraid to basically throw away the story again and start over. I’d done that a dozen times before and starting over seemed like work. Now, I look at it as needed and a fun trip back to where it all began.
I’ve got a lot to do today, so I’d better get at it. Sorry I didn’t post a duck picture today.
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update: Who is the Jay person anyway?
I ask myself strange questions all the time. One of the biggest is why do people stop by here and listen to me ramble. Then I figure they might have discovered me from something I’ve done and perhaps want to know more about me. Let me give you a quick run down.
Author and podcaster of V&A Shipping, Billy Barbarian, and Murdockian Tales.
Author of Astel (available in ebook and print formats)
Author of a few eshorts available on smashwords.
I’ve written a lot of books. Six are currently with a publisher for review. I’m anxiously waiting to hear word back. I have several more than are in progress at some stage and I’m currently in the re-writing phase on my first books in the Of Gnomes and Dwarves series.
To date I’ve written over 100 short stories and 13 novels. I have 4 that are started and I’m aiming to get those done one day. I’ve been writing in some form or another since 1985. I was serious for brief periods over those years and completed a lot of words during all that time.
It wasn’t until this year (2012 if you’re reading this from the future) that I got serious enough to track my progress and write on a daily basis. I came to the determination that I’ll never succeed as a writer if I don’t take it as seriously as any other job. In this year I have planned to write 450,000 words. So far I’m at 225,000 words. I will meet my goal and most likely surpass it. I’ve written more than ever before and I’m much happier about my writing than I ever have been.
I was always in love with the dream of being a writer, but now I’m seeing that dream become a realization as I get more and more works completed and sent out to be reviewed and hopefully one day soon, accepted. I have gotten my momentum down and I have no plans of letting up now. 2012 is the year I get the ball rolling and keep it rolling.
That’s who I am as a writer. I’m also a father of my favorite daughter and married to the wife. Both complete me in ways I cannot explain and I enjoy spoiling my babies. I live in Southern California which is as close to paradise as I can get. I grew up in Minnesota and Colorado so I have enough of the woods and snow for a lifetime. We have two poodles (both white) and they also keep me busy.
Now is your turn. Who are you? Let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
Tomorrow I’ll talk about ducks.
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update: Back to the grind
Today after a long weekend I’ve got the nose to the old grindstone.
I say that, but I do love my job. Obviously my dream job would be to sit around all day writing the words I want to write instead of the ones that make me money, but I still love my job. Writing code is still a creative outlet. Writing documentation and requirements, well, I can do it even if it’s dull work. At least I’m sitting inside on the computer and I can get up and grab something from the fridge when I want it.
Do you want to know what my favorite part of this weekend was? I’m sure you do. It was taking a picture of couple of ducks.
NO! Wait.It was my favorite daughter learning to ride a bike. Mostly riding a bike.
When I was a kid and I wanted to go somewhere, I didn’t ask Mom or Dad “Hey, can you take me over there?” They had their own things to do and as a boy I was left to my own devices if I wanted to go somewhere. If I walked it could take a painfully long time to get from point A to point B. So if I didn’t want to walk somewhere, I had to learn how to ride a bike. It was a powerful motivator for me. Living in the sticks like I did meant everything was a good distance away and to get there took a good deal of time on foot. So I learned how to ride a bike.
My favorite daughter never had that motivation because we drove her to school, drove her to her friend’s parties or she got picked up. We live in the city and even though it’d be a short bike ride, it’s in the city. I’m not a fan of my favorite daughter out there on the road where some driver not paying attention could run her down. Call me over protective, but I’ve seen too many bad drivers.
It wasn’t from lack of trying. We used to spend a lot more time camping and she did have a bike with training wheels, but where we camped it was just as easy to bike as it was to walk. Again, not a lot of motivation.
This weekend was different. We’d bought her the bike some time ago and she’d been on it a couple of times, but never for very long and she never really got the hang of it. So I took her out bike riding and had her run with her legs down and balance. Then put one foot on the pedals. Then two feet. Just coasting, not pedaling. She knew she had to pedal so she started doing that on her own. Sure it took the better part of a day and we started and stopped many times, but she got the hang of it enough that the next time her friends said “Hey! Let’s go ride bikes” She was able to go with.
It was a proud dad moment, that’s for sure.
In other news, I’ll be writing like a madman again this week.
In even more news, I interviewed Mike Plested about his book, Mik Murdoch. Check out the interview here.
I’m off to go find more pictures of ducks.
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update: Thank you to Servicemen and Veterans
I spent my four years in the military. As I’ve said here before, it wasn’t a lifestyle for me. Having spent some time in the military I can appreciate the sacrifice the men and women are given and have given. It’s not easy being in. At least it wasn’t for me. For men like my brother, it was a difficult 20 years, but he finished out his time. I’m thankful for what he did for his country and for me. He spent more time overseas and in the Gulf Wars than he did back home. Though he got to see so many different countries, he spent a greater amount of time looking at nothing but water for days and weeks on end.
If you ever have a chance, thank a military man or woman. One who has given up a piece of his or her life to do something that most people can’t do, won’t do, or wouldn’t even think of doing. It is because of them that you actually have a choice. It is because of them that I can spend a majority of my time sitting in from of a computer writing code, writing books, surfing the web, and having a better life for myself. I was once part of their ranks, but chose a different path when the time came.
If you are in the U.S. Military, any branch, I say “Thank you.” For everything you do or have done or will do. Putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation and often life threatening you ensure that I can live the life that I choose to live. There are no words that can express how grateful that I am for all you do. If you were here, I would not shake your hand, I’d give you a hug. It means that much to me. I know a little of what you’re doing and what you’re going through. Because of you, I got to go camping this weekend and eat too much, get too much sun, and need more rest now than when the weekend began. I can play silly games on my phone (Temple run is addicting. #justsaying). I can read a book. Listen to a band, take pictures of ducks, and enjoy my family and friends.
Thank you.
Until Tomorrow!
WOO WOO!
Daily Update: Camping Day Three
The sun and I have never really gotten along. When I was a kid and in the sun all day (and never without sunscreen) I would tan a golden color that my favorite daughter now does. Now if I don’t slather on sun screen on an hourly basis I turn a n interesting shade of pink that will start to itch and then I know it’s too late.
Today I am a little itchy and a nice shade of red. I will do my best to avoid the sun but I’m confident that I will darken a little more.
The wife is getting some spray sun screen and I will do my best to spray and slather as often as possible as we will be spending a good amount of time at the beach.
I had a crazy dream last night that had me as the star as my dreams often do. I was in an insane asylum. They thought I was insane as they do at these places. My neighbor had his wife living with him but ninjas came and killed his wife. I tried to explain this to the attendants but they threatened to lock me away.
Before I could escape, three ladies that looked as much like old hags as any old hags have looked gave me a test with some tiny sculptures that they claimed I made as a kid. I knew the work was far too good for my uncoordinated hands and before I had arranged them all in the box I smashed them all and escaped.
I found musket upon stairs trying to tell the person in charge that ninjas were trying to kill me. He didn’t believe me and they killed him. I was back on the run.
I found a white.backhoe and started digging a hole next to a white, picket fence when the white ninja found me. I smashed and hurried him. The person with me said “I’m glad that’s over.” But I had to explain that just because they appear dead doesn’t mean they are dead.
Once again I was o. The run.
Then the Millikan’s son got up, stumbled around the tent and nearly fell on me. I was face down in my pillow so I misses the entertaining fall, but still got a good laugh out of it.
Today will see more camping fun. I am off to go take more pictures of ducks.
Until Tomorrow!
Woo Woo!
J.R. Murdock 