-EJG
So, as I am sure you have figured out by now, I have taken a little hiatus from writing. I just haven't felt the creativity recently and don't want to push it if its not there. So, in the mean time I have taken up another form of self expression: crafting. So far I have made many knit items and some jewelry. I created an Etsy page. Etsy, if you've not heard of it, is a wonderful place for beginning craftsman like myself to display and sell their work. My shop, Magpie Nest Crafts, has been a great way to get my crafts out there. If you would like to view it, simply click on the text that says Magpie Nest Crafts. I really hope to inspire other people to follow their dreams and get their work out there!
-EJG
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I guess I can't really call the past few months slacking since so much has happened! Since I last wrote in October, all the holidays happened. I spent Thanksgiving with my (now) fiance's family in beautiful southern California. I then decided to move to Washington state with him. We got engaged on December 29th, and I was on the road driving cross country on the 1st. It took 6 days to get across. It was a crazy experience that I hope I don't have to do again anytime soon, especially not in the winter. Now that I'm here and settled I really need to get cracking with the end of this book. I started it five years ago and it really needs to be done. I think I'm over my fear of finishing it, it just needs to be done! So, before I get a job and get busy again I'm going to try my very best to finish it. Here goes nothing...
-EJG So, I have decided that half is better than none in a lot of aspects of life, but especially in writing. Sunday is a tough day to write, with the work week and traveling imminent, I have too much on my mind. However, I still managed to write half of chapter 25 and there is an excerpt for your viewing and reading pleasure waiting on the brand spanking new Chapter 25-Epilogue tab! Have a gander and let me know what you think, leave me a comment, send me a carrier pigeon, a sled dog team, anything! All thoughts and comments are appreciated and welcome. Also, don't forget to follow me on Facebook at Guay Writing, on Twitter @elise_guay, and on Instagram at eguay27! I look forward to hearing from you and I hope you all enjoy the newest excerpt and page tweeks.
-EJG A couple things here today:
*As the title suggests, 25, 26, and the Epilogue (as of right now) are all I have left to write and then I am done with my first draft! Only took four years but I guess late is better than never! *A couple minor edits around the site, added Montreal to the Making My Own Path section, and changed the Words of Wisdom quote. I keep going through stages of ups and downs with my creativity. Some days I'm like, "Yeah! I could write a whole other book today!" and other days I'm like, "What? How was I ever creative enough to do any of this?" I think that's just part of life. Work puts stress on you which tends to unhinge any creativity you were feeling, as well as various other life issues, but in struggle comes motivation. I only have 3 chapters left on this four year long journey, this relationship with this novel, this discovery of myself, and the changes that come along with it. It is truly amazing to read my writing from four years ago and remember what inspired certain characters, or dialogues, or mannerisms. Inspiration has to come from somewhere, so word to the wise: be nice to me, or you'll end up as one of my characters! Just kidding, but back to the point- my characters embody so many people I have known and loved over the years and they have grown and changed and developed just like their namesakes. Maybe after this is all over I'll reveal some of my inspirations...or maybe I won't...I haven't quite decided yet. Maybe I'll just keep it secret for a while and wait until the people read my book, then say, "Hey, thanks for giving life to ______." Hopefully they will be flattered! Okay, enough emotional shenanigans, time to write! -EJG After nearly 6 hours of writing and 4000 words, both chapters 23 and 24 are up! This will be short and sweet so you can get to reading them, as I'm sure you're all anxious to see what happens next! I will say, there are a few important things revealed here, but not enough to give everything away! Still plenty more
Well, the inevitable is finally happening. I am nearing the end of writing my first draft. Four years, thousands of words, hundreds of hours, many layout changes, tons of new ideas. I can't believe it! If I continue to follow my chapter structure (which I have been and it has been working out really well since my memory is goldfish-esque at best) I will end up with 26 chapters and an epilogue. So 27 in total...funny how these things work out! 27 is my lucky/family number for those of you who may not know. I just started chapter 24 and I'm sure you'll have noticed that 23's excerpt has not been uploaded yet. I understand you're all waiting with baited breath, however, I have a plan. I'm just going to write today and see how it goes. When I am getting to the end of the creative stretch, as those of you who are writers will understand, sometimes you could write 30 pages without stopping and others you struggle through a paragraph, I will put up the excerpts I have which will be (hopefully) more than one!
On another note I just want to take a moment to encourage everyone to do something creative today. If you enjoy crafts, writing, knitting, splatter painting, welding, jewelry making, whatever it may be, do something you are passionate about and enjoy. What I have discovered lately is that the more I do that tickles my creative side, the happier I am. The worst thing for a "right brainer" to do is to be stifled. Much like birds in cages, we just want to fly. Don't let the stresses of life clip your wings. If you do end up doing something creative today, I would love to see it or read it! Feel free to message me, post on my Facebook page, send me something on twitter, a carrier pigeon, an owl, whatever you want! Happy creating! -EJG I was certainly on a roll for a while! I got so much done, but then a new job, visitors, and adventures kind of got in the way (not in a bad way!) However, things have begun to calm down and get back to normal. I hope to begin writing for what could be the last time before making final edits. I looked back through my blogs and I saw that I had hoped to be done writing by last Christmas. That obviously did not happen. I am going to set the new goal of having it done by THIS Christmas, because what a Christmas present that would be to finish this finally. I need to at least finish it before the four year mark in February, that would just be embarrassing! Then its the task of finding an editor, then a publisher, then getting the thing published. All in time, all in time.
In other news, one of my favorite book series by the incredibly talented and inspirational Diana Gabaldon has become a TV series! "Outlander" has become a part of the Starz family and I must say the first episode was amazing. They are staying about as close to the book as the possibly can. I was most definitely riveted and cannot wait for the next episode this Saturday. If you missed the first episode, they've been airing it frequently so definitely catch up! Also, I highly recommend reading the book before watching the show. Although they are doing a very good job with it, you'll understand the show better should you read the book first. Off away home now after a long day at work! Will write soon and keep all of you, whoever all of you may be, updated on my progress (hopefully I will have some progress to update you on soon). -EJG Hello dearies! Chapter 22's excerpt is now up for your viewing pleasure. This was an extremely dynamic chapter in which a lot happens which made choosing an excerpt very difficult. I'm giving away a little bit, as I do with most of my excerpts, but I promise you there is so much more to this chapter. This was actually my longest chapter in a while, I'm not entirely done editing it and it's 11 pages! So rest assured that there is plenty to look forward to when I actually publish this thing! Well, I hope you all enjoy reading my newest piece to the puzzle! As always, feel free to leave comments, like my Facebook page, Guay Writing, follow me on twitter, elise_guay, on Instagram, eguay27, or send me a message/add me on my actual facebook, Elise Julia. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, ideas, random thoughts, or cute pictures of animals. I look forward to hearing from you!
-EJG Hello my dear loyal friends and followers! I have come down with whatever wonderful flu is going around, complete with body aches and chills. Looking at the screen right now is making my eyeballs hurt. Just a little update, I haven't got much writing done this week as I've been extremely busy and now sick. Hopefully I'll be bale to pick back up by the end of the week or start of the next! I'll keep you all posted!
-EJG There is nothing more in life I want than to become a published author. Not because of the money or the fame- both of which would be nice considering how many student loans I have!- but more so to get my writing out there, and maybe be an inspiration to up and coming authors like my predecessors were to me. I am very thankful that a fellow, and successful, author has taken the time to check out my page and view some of my work! Mackenzie Crowne, author of romance novels such as "That Dating Thing," and "Gift of the Realm," took the time to contact me and wish me well! This meant a lot and has given me more of a push in the right direction. It is possible to become successful doing something you love, and that's all I need!
-EJG |