It's freezing

Just a little post to tell you all some of what you already know...

IT IS COLD.

It is currently -3 degrees Fahrenheit in Morgantown today.

The sun is already up.  It is still below zero.

It is freakin' cold.  So cold that I didn't want to leave my bed this morning, and after staying home yesterday, it was really, really hard to get out of bed.

I powered through and made it to work, unable to feel my face.

Could someone let me couch-surf in a warmer place until spring, please?

Pssst.....I updated!

Yes, that's right, dear readers!  I updated "What is Right: Year Two!!!"  WOOOT!!!

The chapter is short, I'm afraid, but it is an update!  :)

It was difficult, especially since I've taken such a long break from that story, but it's there.  It's updated.  *Dances*

Enjoy!

New Year, New Semester....now what?

Hello dear readers!

For those curious about how my class turned out last semester, I received an "A" for my troubles.  I've started a new class now and I'm pretty sure that it will be a similar experience.  From what my advisor says, this will be my last class. (It better be....)

All told, this class should be a lot more fun because it is a giant research project.  I get to write a really long paper.  The syllabus states that my paper should be about 20+ pages.  There was no maximum page limit.  I'm one of those people that have had teachers institute maximum limits because my enthusiasm for such projects usually carry over into "I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY I NEED TWENTY MORE PAGES!!!!"

Have I ever told you I had a professor call me "Hermione" for an entire semester?

True story.

My current predicament is the fact that I'm torn between two different topics for my project.  My first idea is the role of the creator in Shelley's "Frankenstein" and my other idea is if the classic hero's journey is present in the "Hunger Games."  I'm not sure which topic I'd have more fun writing, but both are kind of stuck in my head.  Suggestions?  (Or something else completely random?)  I have to pin down the topic pretty quickly, but if you have a suggestion, I'm all ears.

I did it!

Hello dear readers!

I am happy to report I have turned in my last assignment for the semester.  I am free!  Woot woot!

I did not dislike the class by any stretch of the imagination.  It was fun dipping my toes back into academia, but at the same time, the class was a freshman level class.  It felt like going back to first grade for me.  A lot of the assignments were busy work to get people to think about how to write a paper.  I already knew that, so this was more of a refresher for me.

I did have some fun, though, and now that the final assignment is turned in, I'm sure I'll miss the class.  The professor was a great person to talk with and we had a couple of nice conversations about literature and writing.

By the way, if you're looking for something new to read, I can recommend Joan Didion's work.  She's an amazing author. Go check her out.  ;)

Nanowrimo is dead....long live Nanowrimo!

Hello dear readers!

Emma has been a busy girl lately, and I am sorry to say that ALL writing has taken a back seat to recent events.

First, there is a full time job at which I spend roughly forty hours per week, followed closely by my second "job" at the dance studio.  I don't get paid except through free dance lessons, but I've finally decided to get my teacher certification for both early childhood dance programs at my studio.  The certification won't happen until the summer, so I have some time before I have to go through training.

I am also taking a college class this semester.  After I walked at graduation and received my little envelope that was supposed to contain my diploma, I discovered my envelope contained a notice that I hadn't met requirements.  So now I am taking the last two courses to finish my requirements.  I'm taking   Why they couldn't have told me that BEFORE graduation remains a mystery.  I didn't realize how much time a simple course would take.  There is a lot of busy work assignments and I can understand the reason behind them, but I seriously don't need to list my thesis, block out my paragraphs, and explain the reason I chose to structure my essay that way.  I've written papers of about thirty pages.  I can handle five without having to break it down.

Therapy is going well, and we're talking about how to wrap it up.  My therapist is concerned that I'm reaching burnout (not sure how it happened.....but I managed to over schedule myself again).  I think it's because I didn't realize how much time my college class would take.

Needless to say, something had to go.  Nanowrimo ended up being the thing on the chopping block.  Nanowrimo takes a ton of time, especially when I did almost no preparation because lack of time.  That's right - it's pantsing.  I'm not sure where the term came from, but it means to undertake a Nanowrimo project without any preparation.  It's HARD.

Well, dear readers, here's hoping that the upcoming holiday (and break from dance!!) means I'll get a little rest, and a little time to focus on writing!

Gearing Up for Nanowrimo

Hello dear readers!

It's almost November, and you know what that means!  NANOWRIMO!!!

Yes, it is that time of year when millions of people take an almost complete leave of their senses and attempt to write a novel of 50,000 words in just thirty days.

Yes, we know it's crazy.

Yes, we know it's masochistic.

All the same, it does get me writing, which usually leads to more writing.  That writing may lead to updates.

Also, would anyone like to beta read for me?  I have a chapter ready to go, but there's a few things I'd like to bounce off someone in the fandom.  Any takers?

Still Alive

Hello dear readers!

I am still alive and well.

Actually, I'm a little better than well. It's hard to explain.  My doctor is trying a new medication that is supposed to help the depression and anxiety at the same time (What a magical substance!!  Must be from the wizarding world...), and I have a feeling that it may just work.  My last round of meds had a few side effects that were less than desirable.

Life is extremely busy.  This was probably the wrong time to sign up for so many teaching hours at the dance studio or start taking a college class, but I am confident that I will be able to meet all of my obligations.  I even wrote this weekend!  And it was in "What is Right: Year Two!!"

I know what you're all thinking:  "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!"

And you're right.

Still, I am happy with the progress it's making and hopefully will find some free time to update soon.  Perhaps this weekend.  (Do NOT hold me to that.  Anything could happen between now and Saturday.)

I do have a paper due this week, so I must focus on that first.  School is important.  :)

All the same, keep your comments and reviews coming.  They inspire me quite a bit and make me consider things this brain has forgotten.  In the meantime, I'll continue writing.