Tag Archives: ROW80

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 3

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for the third check-in of this round! I hope you had a good and productive week…

Quote of the Week

“All the elements in your body were forged many many millions of years ago in the heart of a faraway star that exploded and died. That explosion scattered those elements across the desolations of deep space. After so, so many millions of years, these elements came together to form new stars and new planets. And on and on it went. The elements came together and burst apart, forming shoes and ships and sealing wax and cabbages and kings.

Until, eventually, they came together to make you.

You are unique in the universe.”

The Doctor in Doctor Who, “The Rings of Akhaten”

Picture of the Week

EM Castellan April 2013

Daffodils in the park… it’s springtime!

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week, I managed to write

2/7 days

Word Count of the Week

Camp NaNoWriMo 2013

I added 3000 words to my Work In Progress. Well below my goal, but still better than nothing…

TV Show of the Week

The Borgias

The Borgias (Showtime)

The Borgias are back! I LOVE this show. Can’t wait to find out what they are up to this season.

Good news of the Week

This week my wonderful Critique Partner Jessica Montgomery has launched her Editorial Services! Need  help with your query, your synopsis, your manuscript? She’s your girl!

Links of the Week

This week on my blog I’m holding a giveaway to celebrate my 400th Blog Follower! You can still enter here and win a signed copy of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

Since it was also a week full of sad events around the world, I blogged about Kew Gardens, one of the most beautiful and peaceful man-made places on earth.

Elsewhere, you can watch Thirty Seconds To Mars new music video, Up In The Air. You know how much I love them.

And the Undiscovered Voices competition (for UK and EU Children’s Unpublished Writers) is coming up soon, so check out the website for information.

Next Week

Only ten days left of Camp NaNoWriMo… how is it going for you? Will you meet your goals?

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 2

Hello gentle reader,

this week’s post will be short because I am in London for the London Book Fair…

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week, I managed to write

4 days out of 7.

Word count of the Week

Camp NaNoWriMo 2013

My goal during CampNaNoWriMo is to write 1500 words a day. This week again I only wrote an average of 1000 words a day.

TV Show of the Week

Hannibal NBC

Hannibal (NBC)

I started watching this thriller this week and found the first two episodes very promising…

Good News of the Week

I am now on Pinterest! If you are too, let me know, I’ll be happy to follow you!

Next Week

Next week I’ll have my 400 Followers Giveaway! Drop by to see what awesome bookish prizes you could win…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week in Review – ROW80 Check-In 1

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for the first check-in of this second round! I hope you had a good and productive week…

Quote of the Week

Yes, it’s terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Season 2, Episode 7 “Lie To Me”)

Picture of the Week

M.LIN Nature - Snow

Photo by my friend M.LIN

Look! It’s springtime! (Or not)

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week, I managed to write

every day!

Word Count of the Week

Camp NaNoWriMo 2013

My goal during CampNaNoWriMo is to write 1500 words a day. This week I only managed to write an average of 1000 words a day.

Movie of the Week

From Hell

From Hell (2001)

I watched this movie for research (it’s about the Jack The Ripper murders in Whitechapel). It turned out to be a decent movie!

Good news of the week

DestinyGift-AMAZON-684x1024

This week my friend Juliana Haygert published her NA Paranormal Romance DESTINY GIFT! Find out more about it here.

Links of the Week

This week on my blog I wrote a recap of the SCBWI Europlitan Conference.

On There And Draft Again, I discussed Gender Bias in Fantasy novels.

On her blog, Carissa Taylor talked about rejection in a fantastic post quoting best-selling YA authors.

The amazing Summer Heacock also wrote a blog post entitled When You Wish Upon A Book… and you should read it!

Next week

Next week I’m attending the London Book Fair! Stay tuned for a recap…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 11

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for the last ROW80 check-in for this round! Where did the time go?… I hope you had a more productive week than I did…

Quote of the Week

   “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

J.K. Rowling, 2008 Harvard Alumni Association Commencement Address.

Picture of the Week

 EM Castellan - Paris

I was in Paris this week (for my day job).

ROW80 Check-In

 ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week, the day job was crazy, and I only managed to write

2 days out of 7.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 3000 words to my Work In Progress.

Book of the Week

 Skylark

Skylark by Meagan Spooner

This one had been sitting on my TBR pile forever. I won a copy a few months ago thanks to a giveaway organised by the lovely Ayesha Schroeder.

Good News of the Week

This week I entered my YA Epic Fantasy THE LAST QUEEN in the Write On Con Pitch Fest and got a nice comment from an agent. It is also a contest, and results should be announced this week…

Links of the Week

On my blog this week I celebrated my birthday with a book giveaway (still accepting entries!) and I explained the genre of my Work In Progress: Gaslamp Fantasy.

On There And Draft Again this week, Kathi discussed first drafts and Raewyn explained tropes in Fantasy.

On her blog, YA writer Amanda Foody wrote a hilarious post about her Perceptions About Writing.

And Thirty Seconds To Mars (did I mention I adore them?) have a new single out and you can listen to it here.

Next week

Next week on my blog I shall share a snippet from my Work In Progress… if you’re interested.

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 10

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week…

Quote of the Week

    “Richard had noticed that events were cowards: they didn’t occur singly, but instead they would run in packs and leap out at him all at once.”

    Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

This week was indeed very eventful in my corner of England…

Picture of the Week

M.LIN Light

Light by my friend M.LIN

ROW80 Check-In

 ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week, the day job was crazy, but I still managed to write

5 days out of 7.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 2800 words to my Work In Progress.

TV Show/Movie of the Week

veronica-mars

Veronica Mars

Thanks to an incredible 24-hour Kickstarter campaign, the once cancelled TV show Veronica Mars is to become a movie in 2014. And this is awesome news!

Good News of the Week

This week the amazing Kat Ellis organised a pitch contest on her blog. I entered my Work In Progress Lily In The Shadows and won not one but TWO first-pages critiques, by Jani Grey and Bridget Shepherd.

Links of the Week

On my blog this week I finally revealed the title and plot of my Work In Progress.

On There And Draft Again this week, new member Rachel explained how to draw inspiration from other genres when writing fantasy.

On the Corsets, Cutlasses and Candlesticks blog, YA Author Jennifer McGowan explained How and Why She Fired Her Writing Process (an got published).

On the YAvengers blog, Amanda Foody wrote a great article on how to show, and not tell.

Finally I also recommend YA writer Carissa Taylor’s blog, full of writing tips and books recommendations.

Next week

Next week on my blog I will celebrate my birthday with a book giveaway! Come back on Tuesday to see which books you’ll be able to win…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review and ROW80 Check-In 9

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week…

Quote of the Week

    “Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring.”

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Basically my blogging philosophy.

Picture of the Week

M.LIN Lights

Lights in London by my friend M.LIN

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

6 days out of 7.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 2680 words to my Work In Progress. I also edited it a lot, and wrote a synopsis for it.

TV Show of the Week

vikings-tv

Vikings (History Channel)

Honestly, I watched this show because of its title. I LOVE Vikings stories. The first two episodes aired this week and they were quite enjoyable, if you don’t mind a slow start and ridiculous hairstyle. I know I don’t, as long as there are, you know, VIKINGS.

Good News of the Week

 I had again a lot of good news this week! First a fellow member of There And Draft Again, Kathi, awarded me the Very Inspiring Blog Award. If you recall, I have already received it twice (!) so you can read my acceptance post here. Then the awesome Veronica Park offered (!!) to critique my synopsis and she gave me some amazing feedback to improve it. And finally after 4 months of silence, my wonderful CP Jessica Montgomery started blogging again! Go and follow her here! She’s awesome, I promise.

Links of the Week

On my blog this week I celebrated World Book Day and I introduced you to the main character of my YA Historical Fantasy novel set in Victorian London.

On There And Draft Again this week, Mara shared tips on finding the perfect Critique Partners and Jessica reviewed her favourite Fantasy book.

Also YA author Laura Lam blogged about How To Help Debut Authors.

Susan and Tyler Rose over at The Feather And The Rose celebrated their 200th post with a Mysterious Giveaway.

Finally you should check out Serena Lawless’s awesome Tumblr. And while you’re at it, you may want to follow her on Twitter. You won’t regret it.  

Next week

Next week on my blog I will (finally) reveal the title and plot of my Work In Progress!

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 8

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week…

Quote of the Week

    “I’m not running away. But this is one corner in one country in one continent in one planet that’s a corner of a galaxy that is a corner of a universe that is forever growing and shrinking and creating and destroying and never remaining the same for a single millisecond. And this is so much, SO MUCH, to see, Amy. Because it goes so fast. I’m not running away from things. I’m running to them before they flare and fade forever.”

Doctor Who, The Power of Three written by Chris Chibnall

Picture of the Week

Lea Kaspar - In London - Gordon Sq

Gordon Square, London by my friend Lea

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

6 days out of 7.

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 2250 words to my Work In Progress. I don’t know… it was a slow week.

Book of the Week

Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (YA Historical Fantasy/Steampunk)

This week I finally started to read the first book in The Infernal Devices series. And so far I like it!

Good News of the Week

 I had a lot of good news this week! First I won not one but TWO query critiques, one by The Writer Diaries ladies and one by Lit Agency Intern Lauren Spieller. I also celebrated the first anniversary of my blog with a book giveaway. Finally the lovely Vikki Thompson gave me the Very Inspiring Blog Award. I had already received it back in November 2012 and you can read my post here.

Links of the Week

On my blog I posted about which movies inspired me to write a YA Historical Fantasy novel set in Victorian London.

On There And Draft Again this week, Kathi talked about characters in fantasy and I shared the list of SFWA awards’ nominations.

The ever awesome Rachel O’Laughlin is self-publishing her Epic Fantasy Coldness of Marek and its sequel Knights of Rilch and she explained when you will be able to buy them here.

Finally The Evolution of Mara Dyer is now out in the UK and if you haven’t read it GO AND BUY IT NOW!

Next week

Next week on my blog I will celebrate World Book Day!

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 7

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week…

Quote of the Week

    “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

As a writer obsessed with her books, I find this quote reassuring.

Picture of the Week

M.LIN Nature

Nature, by my friend M.LIN

Is it springtime yet?

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 4000 words to my Work In Progress, but because I also deleted 2000 words of backstory, it is now at 20,000 words. Considering I had a crazy week at work, I see this good progress.

TV Show of the Week

TVDS4promo

The Vampire Diaries (CW)

This week on The Vampire Diaries, a major character died and the episode was about grief. It wasn’t as good as the Buffy episode on the same topic (The Body, S5E16) but it did make me cry.

Film of the Week

Lincoln Movie Poster

Lincoln

I was disappointed with this movie. Not with the quality of it (it’s undeniably a great movie) but because of how boring it was. I just felt it was a very, very long lecture. Maybe it’s because I know the topic so well. But still.

Good News of the Week

This week, I won something! I won a first-page critique via the YAvengers blog and the lovely Stephanie Diaz commented on the first page of my Secret WIP. And it was positive feedback! *Cue happy dance*

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

4 days out of 7. Again.

Links of the Week

On my blog I posted about what inspired me to write a novel set in London.

On There And Draft Again this week, Mara shared some Editing Tips and Rachel gave advice on How to design a book cover.

If you haven’t watched Kelsey Macke’s vlog series on writing you’re missing out. Her weekly videos are both funny and informative, and always inspiring.

Have you heard about a YA Sword and Sorcery debut called Poison by Bridget Zinn (coming out on March 12th 2013 from Disney Hyperion)? Bridget died in 2011 and her friends, agent and publisher are trying to spread the word about her novel. If you’re interested in joining the effort, check out this blog post by YA author Inara Scott.

Finally, Game of Thrones Season 3 has a trailer and OH MY IS IT MARCH 31 YET?

Next week

Next week on my blog there will be a book giveaway! Stop by on Thursday to enter!

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 6

Hello gentle reader,

It is time for another weekly check-in! I hope you had a great and productive week. Mine was… crazy.

Quote of the Week

“I think I’ll try defying gravity.”

Wicked, The Musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman

Trying to get traditionally published sometimes feels like trying to defy gravity. This week I received one too many rejections and was tempted to throw my flying broom in the fire. But then I didn’t, partly thanks to the support of Jessica Montgomery, Rhiann Wynn-Nolet, Kate Michael, Rachel O’Laughlin, Juliana Haygert and Rachel Horwitz. These ladies are awesome and I’m so grateful I have them…

Picture of the Week

EM Castellan- Russell Hotel

Hotel Russell, Russell Square, London

I went to London this week, and I stayed at a beautiful Victorian hotel. That was quite fitting, since I’m working on a novel set in Victorian London…

Word Count of the Week

This week I had some time off work and I added 9000 words to my Work In Progress, which means it is now at 18,000 words. I’m very pleased with that.

TV Show of the Week

DowntonAbbey

Downton Abbey (ITV)

Slowly but surely, I am catching up on the latest seasons of this awesome show…

Film of the Week

Warm Bodies

Warm Bodies

I went to see it last Friday and I loved it! Such a fun, adorable and thought-provoking movie.

Good News of the Week

This week, Rachel O’Laughlin decided to self-publish her Epic Fantasy and wrote an excellent post about it.

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

4 days out of 7.

Links of the Week

On my blog I posted about movies that taught me something about writing, and I added pictures of handsome actors. It was Valentine’s Day after all this week.

On There And Draft Again this week, Mara shared some World Building Resources and I gave advice on how to write a 200-word pitch for a Fantasy novel.

On her blog, Emily Wenstrom interviewed the awesome YA writer Aimee L. Salter about her creative process. Worth a read!

Literary agent Carly Watters posted about When to revise your manuscript and when to keep submitting It was exactly the post I needed to read this week.

And YA author Maggie Stiefvater revealed the cover of the sequel to The Raven Boys here.

Next week

Next week on my blog I shall take part in the Thursday Children meme for the first time. It’s “a weekly blog hop where writers come together to talk about whatever inspires them.” I’m very excited about it…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!

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My Week In Review – ROW80 Check-In 5

Hello gentle reader,

It is already time for a weekly check-in. I hope you had a great week (despite the snowstorm for those of you who are on the US East coast!). Mine was busy and productive…

Quote of the Week

“Despite herself Winnie was looking at life as if for her book. She was double-living through a day with genuine concerns because the needs of her fictions were as strong as those of her life, or stronger.”

Lost by Gregory Maguire.

That pretty much sounds like me at work this week…

Picture of the Week

M.LIN London 1849

London – A Clock (by my friend M.LIN)

I’m still working on my YA Historical Fantasy, which means I’m still obsessed with Victorian London…

Word Count of the Week

This week I added 5000 words to my Work In Progress, which means it should now be at 11,000 words. However since I deleted 2000 words (I realised one character could be taken out of the story without harming the plotline) it is now at 9000 words.

TV Show of the Week

Ripper Street

Ripper Street (BBC)

This mini-series is set in Whitechapel (London’s East End) in 1889, six months after the Jack the Ripper murders. I find it highly enjoyable, and I can pretend it’s research… 🙂

Good News of the Week

This week, both Brianna Shrum and Emmie Mears got an agent!

Reading their post recounting “how they did it” is quite inspirational, I recommend it.

ROW80 Check-In

ROW80 Logo

My goal for this round is to write every day. This week again I managed to write

4 days out of 7.

Music of the Week

snow-white-and-the-huntsman

Finding a relevant music to my Secret WIP has proven hard.

This week I have listened to the soundtrack of Snow White and the Huntsman (by James Newton Howard) quite a lot, and I like it.

Links of the Week

On my blog I made a list of 5 books I think should be movies. Stop by and let me know which book you’d like to see turned into a movie.

On There And Draft Again this week, Jessy tackled The Creation of a New World: Believability and Raewyn discussed The Role of the Epic Fantasy in a Byte-Sized Future.

On her blog, Authoress Anon wrote a beautiful post about writing the story you want: The Story Inside You. Read it.

If you need motivation to write every day, Twitter sprints are a good way to get writing along other writers. I especially like Lauren Garafalo’s #ROW80 sprints (twice a day) and Susan Dennard’s  #BAMFWordBattle (all day long when she is on a deadline!)

And finally, because your week wouldn’t be complete without this picture:

Wedding dress and bouquet made entirely from the pages of The Princess Bride

Next week

Next week on my blog I shall be discussing how having a crush on an actor can make your book better. The post will thus include pictures of handome actors. Hey, it’s Valentine’s Day on Tursday after all…

How was your week? Make sure to share your writing progress and what inspired you this week in the comment section below!