NaNoWriMo

That time of year has rolled around, as many writers know: National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). This is my first year participating, and I must say I'm finding it rather fun. 

For those of you who don't know what it's about, here's a basic run down:
During the month of November, participants such as my self write as many words per day to reach the goal: 30 000 or 50 000 words. I wasn't even aware we could change it, and I wanted to really challenge myself, so I'm sticking with the 50 000 words. It also has to be on something new, not something we've already started. So I've decided to give life to a flash fiction/story outline I wrote a couple weeks ago. Two days in, and as you may see up the top left corner, I'm already 10 003 words in. I'm quite pleased with these efforts, considering the minimum I would have to be at by now to finish on time is 3 334, a third of what I have. I have the goal of reaching 15 000 words tomorrow to get well and truly ahead, since Sunday is a family barbecue, and Monday-Wednesday will be taken up with study and grocery shopping (though I will try to write the daily minimum those afternoons if I can concentrate). So all goes to plan, I should be half way by this time next week, with three weeks to spare. I'd love to be able to get well ahead with two major essays looming right at the end of the month. 
If only it was NaNoWriMo every month, the time limit is kicking my muse in to gear to actually write for once!
For anyone interested in keeping track of my progress, I'll be updating on the NaNo site everyday that I write, which automatically updates the widget on here. As for other participants, I'm happy for more writing buddies, so feel free to find me on there, Phoenix Johnson. Enjoy the challenge, and I look forward to being able to get Persephone submitted by early December!
~Phoenix

Another Update Monday!

That's right, once again it's purely an update day.  Study has kept me pretty busy lately, with two assignments due at the end of the week but I've been lucky enough that all my hard work recently means that I've been able to submit both early! Leaves plenty of time to work on this second proof, as well as write some more on Leader of The Pack and geared up for my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). With everything going on, I'm unsure how well I'll be able to hit the goal, but it's worth a shot!
Planning on having a go at a new story, one I've started recently as a short, inspired by a competition by a friend on Facebook. I've also used it for an assignment for my writing unit in university. So hopefully I can expand it in to something fantastic and worth publishing! 
I've also recently discovered a fantastic band! A friend has been going on about them for a number of months now, but I only just got around to checking out their music yesterday. And now I'm hooked! Steam Powered Giraffe is quite a good band; their music is very catchy, and has me in a real mellow mood while I listen to them. I have their Youtube channel doing loops! Go check them out! This is Honeybee, the first song of theirs that I heard. They make me want to dress up in steampunk clothing and robot make up and do a photo shoot with some friends!
Some of you may remember that a couple months ago, we had a small car crash that resulted in our car being written off. Well, it's been 3 months now, and we've had the new car for about two weeks. The little Civic is doing great! An excellent bargain, and in better condition than the Commodore was when we got it. One less thing to worry about, now!

Well, I think that's all, I really should go get some study, proof-reading or writing. Something more productive than Facebook games!!

Update Monday

Well due to my super distracted week last week, I was unable to book in a Promo Monday, so instead, today is UPDATE Monday!
Where to begin.. How about with why I was so distracted last week: We had the weekend (plus half the week) kid-free, so planned on doing a picnic lunch on Monday up in the mountains. Unfortunately, as we drove out of the parking lot after buying a picnic set and blanket, we got side swiped by a ute. Panel damage! So spent a lot of the week getting insurance quotes and getting the info off to the other guy's work insurance. Add to that viewing a house for when we move, AND two major essays for uni due, and I was super distracted! Had to get time extensions for both units, one until yesterday, the other for today (both were due Friday), but thankfully only needed a 1 day extension on one of them, and those units are now finished! On to the fun units as of today!
So what am I doing this study period? Introduction to Writing (I've peeked ahead at the essays, and I am so excited about them!) and Engaging Media (also excited, but not as much as my writing ones!!), for which I have set up a blog as part of the assessment. If you're interested in getting an idea of just what I am doing, then head on over to Engaging Media in SP3 2012. I know, not the most creative name, but you will start seeing creative ideas flowing as the unit progresses!
So for now, that is all. Hopefully back with Promo Mondays next week. Have a good one, everyone!

Friends and Family: Do they support your writing?

I have seen so many status updates from fellow writers upset that they lack support from friends and/or family. Time and again I am heartbroken for them. I understand that the genres might not sit too well with a lot of people, but surely, as people who claim to love you, shouldn't they at least provide token support? They don't have to read the books if the genre and subject makes them uncomfortable, but is it too much to ask that they say "Well, although it isn't to my taste, I'm pleased that you have found something you enjoy doing and I wish you success with it"? Is it really too much to ask that?


We all say that we're supportive of our friends and family, but when it comes to topics that society thinks is taboo, or something that makes us personally uncomfortable it seems most people are willing to degrade each other and try to get them to quit it. At certain times trying to get someone to quit something is acceptable: ie a drug addicted family member, someone with a gambling problem etc. Things that cause financial/health issues. That is fine. I'm not calling that in to question here. I'm talking about support for hobbies/jobs that make the person happy and yet people around them are uncomfortable about. 

I consider myself lucky that those who know I write erotica and romance do support it. My dear other half isn't much of a reader so I don't expect him to read everything I write, but if I'm stuck we'll often bounce ideas off each other until I find a path that works for the story. My family has expressed real interest in buying my work when it is published (a few months off yet, but it's coming!) and my mother has said that it's a pity it's only in digital format (they're reluctant to get the internet, though maybe my sisters and I should consider splitting costs for an e-reader for her birthday...), and my friends love what I've allowed them to read so far, so I find it hard to grasp the concept of non-supportive people. But I know they exist.

To these people out there who are having trouble accepting that someone in your family is doing something you're uncomfortable about (ie writing "smut"), know this: As long as they aren't causing any actual harm to anyone (they don't allow their kids to know until they're old enough to handle it, and they don't make their kids read it or anything like that, so don't claim it's not good for the kids!), then there is no harm. They're doing something they love, bringing in a little extra cash (or in some cases it is their job, and main source of income), and it wouldn't hurt for you to just say to them that, although it isn't something you would read, you are happy for them that they are doing something they love. It won't cost you ANYTHING and it will mean A LOT to them. And if you don't want them talking details about it to you, let them know there are boundaries, and they will respect it. Just let them know you are happy for them to be doing something they enjoy. It isn't that hard!

If anyone is willing to post personal experiences, The Phoenix would love to hear about it. Change names or leave the comment anonymously if you'd prefer. But I'd like to hear from all sides: the writers, those who support them and those who are having trouble supporting them!

Fantastic Company Breeds Success!

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Well, it's pretty obvious, isn't? When we're surrounded by others doing well, it inspires us to do well. And when we're all doing well, nay-sayers and doubters only make us strive to do better to prove them wrong. Can you say you disagree? I sure hope not!
I have been surrounded by quite a few successful authors for months now, and I do believe it is rubbing off. 


Warning: This is a total suck up, gratuity blog! I love my fellow authors and will take every chance to brag about them that I can get!


So who do I start with? Well, I won't put these in any particular order, just random. 

Cassandre Dayne: A wonderful author published with many presses and a truly wonderful lady. Cassandre was one of the first authors I reviewed, and that book, Spankdown, opened me up to the world of BDSM. She is a fantastic role model for aspiring authors, and a testament to just what one person can do when they put their minds to something. In my opinion, she is the poster girl for success!
Sherry Tooker: A fellow starting author. We have become super close over the past few months and are so similar it is a little spooky at times. Being so new to writing for publishing, we both have a lot of moments where we are filled with self-doubt. Sherry has helped me out of some severe funks, and I will always be grateful that I can call her friend and writing sister. We bounce ideas off each other, read over snippets from the other to make sure they read ok and are always ready to give a shoulder to lean on. That is what true family is about. 

Vampirique Dezire: A naughty Mother Hen, in my eyes. Without her, I wouldn't have met Gina (whom I shall speak about momentarily), and been encouraged to get back in to writing. I wouldn't have ever considered reviewing. And I certainly wouldn't be writing books two and three of Wolf Smitten since The Wolf In The Neighborhood was accepted by Naughty Nights Press. My first submission accepted. I cannot tell you how thrilling that was, but I owe a lot of my success to this wonderful lady. She, like Cassandre, is supremely busy as Director of Marketing for NNP, as well as writing her own blog, writing her own stories from time to time and spending time with her family. (And I'm not just talking about her writing family) This lady is definitely an inspiration and a wonderful person I'm honoured to call friend.

Gina Kincade: What can I say about this woman. She's strong, professional, intelligent and knows what she wants, when she wants it and how she wants it. Gina is the CEO/Owner of Naughty Nights Press, a writer, a mother, and a good friend. We all jokingly refer to her as the Bosslady, but it is a term of endearment. This is one woman who will give everything she has to something she is passionate about. She has one of the highest levels of commitment I have seen in anyone. This company is only six months old and most of the feedback any of us have received has been positive. She is doing really well as the captain of this ship, and I am excited to see just where she steers us: Success! 
Pablo Michaels: A wonderful writer, and a loving friend. He has so much going on in his life and yet he still tries to keep up with his friends. Pablo gives so much, and I am honoured to know this man. He was one of the first people to sign up for The Twelve Days of Naughty Giveaways, and one of the first participants to submit his Naughty Shorty, a beautifully naughty tale involved the Greek Gods and Demigods. His participation in Six Sentence Sundays paved the way to my willingness to start reading m/m, and I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity to read from him. Pablo always has something nice to say and is ever encouraging. He has got a lovely way of writing that warms the heart and opens eyes. I can not wait until he starts writing again. 

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Brenda Woody and Steve Tindle: Another couple of authors, these two write books together. It is quite wonderful the way they work together to produce such fantastic writing. I had the pleasure of reviewing them a few months back, and was delighted when Brenda nominated me for Xcite Books awards for Best Reviewer. I didn't make the final six, but it truly is an honour to be nominated. I know, only losers say that. That's far from the truth. To be nominated goes to show that there are people out there who recognise your work and appreciate the time you take. I am so touched to have been nominated by Brenda. I also have to admit it comes in handy having the two of them as friends, because if I ask one a question and they aren't sure, they work together to get an answer. It's brilliant and another inspiration.


There are so many other people I would love to mention, but I don't want to bore everyone. I just wanted to say thank you to all those who have, in one way or another, helped me strive towards success. This time last year I was struggling to write. Now, I have my first accepted work, two follow up novellas, a short story just written, two full sized novels started and an idea for my own compilation. With so much success surrounding us all and so much encouragement from others, may 2012 be our year! 

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To everyone wanting to achieve something, surround yourself with wonderful people who are revelling in their own success and celebrate with them. That positive energy will then reward you with your own celebrations. The Universe rewards positivity, and we must all strive to shake off negativity. If someone is doubting you when you know that you will succeed, ignore the doubting. If you make a mistake, that's just life. Shake it off and keep on going. And when you're feeling down, crank up some inspirational music like Katy Perry's Fireworks or Blue Lagoon's Break My Stride, and dance like crazy. Absorb the positive messages and use it in your life! You'll be amazed at how much things will change for the better!
And to all the doubters out there, stand aside and let us pass. As someone once said "The one who says 'It cannot be done' should never interrupt the one who is doing it."