I have goals, which are things I want to focus on at least early on within the year, so will post here too as part of the goal is to remember to keep putting up posts here. I like to make goals for the year and break it down to each month. We'll start for now with the wanted focus for 2018.
Fitness
Deadlift - 315
Squat - 230, then... 250
Bench - BW and 135, not sure which will come first
Push Press, Clean&Jerk, Snatch - 100+
Run a Half-Marathon
Weigh - 120 (first get to 132 weight class, then worry about the rest)
Reading/Writing
Read 18 books
- 3 from Wheel of Time
- 2 nonfiction
Rewrite/Edit Novels
- Boys Read Romance
- North West
- Aeon Fading
Submit to Agents
- BRR
- NW
World Build
- Aeon Fading, Xan, other books in series
- Tattle Tell, Standing Ground, Rogues of Revolution series.
Finish First Draft
- Snow
- List 13
- Under Paper Stars
- In the Horizon He Saw Rain
Youtube/Blog
Make progress on both and post at least once a month. Portion some of the time each week to work on this along with writing, reading and exercise.
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Monday, January 29, 2018
Friday, August 25, 2017
Online Presence Priorities
We all know that we have to prioritize in order to get things done. While some say they don't have time, others of us see it as knowing what things they find more of a priority than others. This also goes for what time we spend online and to which sites we give the most attention to over the weeks.
Clearly, blogging hasn't had my priority thus far this year. Was not my initial intention but it is something I can't deny the fact either. I'm still making fiction and fitness my priority, after work, of course but where I spend online is limited and that's okay.
Question time:
Which website(s) do you use the most?
For me, it has been mostly bodybuilding.com and some with myfitnesspal or sparkpeople. I post in the forums on bodybuilding.com including having my own journal where I put up my lifting sessions and some every day babble. I often read other posts and do comment on occasion as I've made online friends on the site, and the other ones too.
Then there is Youtube. Had a slight setback with the laptop struggles. I have a power cord issue as in, I don't have a working one right now. Have to use someone else's until get my own again. Makes it hard since editing takes time and power. I have videos, just need to put the priority in getting them polished and posted.
Diet is a struggled priority as well, but that's a different topic. ;-)
We all have priorities and that goes for our online presence as well as the every day life elements. It is up to us to decide what needs to come first. Now get to it!
Clearly, blogging hasn't had my priority thus far this year. Was not my initial intention but it is something I can't deny the fact either. I'm still making fiction and fitness my priority, after work, of course but where I spend online is limited and that's okay.
Question time:
Which website(s) do you use the most?
For me, it has been mostly bodybuilding.com and some with myfitnesspal or sparkpeople. I post in the forums on bodybuilding.com including having my own journal where I put up my lifting sessions and some every day babble. I often read other posts and do comment on occasion as I've made online friends on the site, and the other ones too.
Then there is Youtube. Had a slight setback with the laptop struggles. I have a power cord issue as in, I don't have a working one right now. Have to use someone else's until get my own again. Makes it hard since editing takes time and power. I have videos, just need to put the priority in getting them polished and posted.
Diet is a struggled priority as well, but that's a different topic. ;-)
We all have priorities and that goes for our online presence as well as the every day life elements. It is up to us to decide what needs to come first. Now get to it!
Monday, April 3, 2017
List 13 Update and Retro April
We are over 4 weeks into the 13 week challenge, so it's time for an update. So far things are making good progress but have quite a bit to get done in order to reach my goals.
I've made some progress on the novel. List 13 has about 10,000 words so far and I'm finishing up chapter 5. I've been studying for the PTCE and can cross it off the list but need to study more. Made it through the class sponsored by work. I read the book from class but haven't finished a fiction book yet. However, for sure I can cross off the new intro for my youtube channel.
Weight wise, I started the month at 135-136. Ended the month at 131-132, though today's weight was 133.4 as body weight tends to fluctuate. Plus hormones are involved right now. Still, making progress and that's what we're hoping to see.
Measurements
I didn't take my measurements until the 18th of March, so this is more of a two week update on those than anything else but since I'm doing the month log for SizeSlim, I'll measure every two weeks just to get more than one point for that forum posting. I'm not pulling the measuring tape very tight and I do measure two areas on the stomach since I have a dip in my stomach.
2-18-17
hips - 38
waist (smallest) - 36
waist (upper) - 38
chest (over bust) - 35
chest (under bust) - 33
thigh - 22
bicep - 12
wrist - 6
neck - 13
weight - 135.4
3-3-17
hips - 38
waist (smallest) - 36
waist (upper) - 37.5
chest (over bust) - 34.5
chest (under bust) - 32.5
thigh - 21.5
bicep - 11
neck - 13
wrist - 6
weight - 133.4
I was provided a bottle of a weight loss supplement from SizeSlim to log over on bodybuilding.com. The disclaimer is I don't normally take a diet supplement nor do I think anyone needs that in order to lose weight. Supplements are extra and one can reach their goals without taking a pill. Still, I'm going to give this a try to see about the claims of appetite suppressing, mood enhancement and focus.
Company site: https://sizeslim.com
My supplement log: https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=173803371
I also got to taste test some protein cookies. Triple chocolate by Muscletech. They are pretty good. Not quite a replacement for Lenny and Larry cookies for me as the Muscletech ones are whey based and the other brand are vegan. Still, a nice treat that includes a little protein too and very chocolately tasting.
Muscletech link: http://www.muscletech.com
Retro April
One thing I forgot to mention in my youtube video was that for the month of April I'm doing a sort of throwback, retro, childhood type of month. Let's call it Retro April, just to give it some type of "creative" name.
TV shows to watch: Rugrats, Doug, Care Bears and many more. I also am going to watch some Anime shows that aren't from my childhood but still, enjoyable. Going to check out some new ones too. Also going to watch Disney movies like Mulan. I want to go see the new Power Ranger movie too as I used to play that when I was in elementary school. I rarely get to go out so will be nice if I can find a reasonable priced theater to see the movie in, even if I go alone.
Full day of eating is a possibility in the works too for the nostalgia month.. Maybe include a lunchable. Definitely need to find some gushers or fruit roll ups, something along those lines, or all of them. mmm fruit snacks!
Summary: Work in progress on List 13 and plenty to come. Diet log started and more taste tests to come. Check out the videos over on my youtube channel for more.
Fiction and Fitness Youtube Channel
What are your favorite shows from your childhood?
What was your favorite food/snack?
I've made some progress on the novel. List 13 has about 10,000 words so far and I'm finishing up chapter 5. I've been studying for the PTCE and can cross it off the list but need to study more. Made it through the class sponsored by work. I read the book from class but haven't finished a fiction book yet. However, for sure I can cross off the new intro for my youtube channel.
Weight wise, I started the month at 135-136. Ended the month at 131-132, though today's weight was 133.4 as body weight tends to fluctuate. Plus hormones are involved right now. Still, making progress and that's what we're hoping to see.
Measurements
I didn't take my measurements until the 18th of March, so this is more of a two week update on those than anything else but since I'm doing the month log for SizeSlim, I'll measure every two weeks just to get more than one point for that forum posting. I'm not pulling the measuring tape very tight and I do measure two areas on the stomach since I have a dip in my stomach.
2-18-17
hips - 38
waist (smallest) - 36
waist (upper) - 38
chest (over bust) - 35
chest (under bust) - 33
thigh - 22
bicep - 12
wrist - 6
neck - 13
weight - 135.4
3-3-17
hips - 38
waist (smallest) - 36
waist (upper) - 37.5
chest (over bust) - 34.5
chest (under bust) - 32.5
thigh - 21.5
bicep - 11
neck - 13
wrist - 6
weight - 133.4
I was provided a bottle of a weight loss supplement from SizeSlim to log over on bodybuilding.com. The disclaimer is I don't normally take a diet supplement nor do I think anyone needs that in order to lose weight. Supplements are extra and one can reach their goals without taking a pill. Still, I'm going to give this a try to see about the claims of appetite suppressing, mood enhancement and focus.
New Product: SizeSlim
Company site: https://sizeslim.com
My supplement log: https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=173803371
I also got to taste test some protein cookies. Triple chocolate by Muscletech. They are pretty good. Not quite a replacement for Lenny and Larry cookies for me as the Muscletech ones are whey based and the other brand are vegan. Still, a nice treat that includes a little protein too and very chocolately tasting.
Muscletech link: http://www.muscletech.com
Retro April
One thing I forgot to mention in my youtube video was that for the month of April I'm doing a sort of throwback, retro, childhood type of month. Let's call it Retro April, just to give it some type of "creative" name.
TV shows to watch: Rugrats, Doug, Care Bears and many more. I also am going to watch some Anime shows that aren't from my childhood but still, enjoyable. Going to check out some new ones too. Also going to watch Disney movies like Mulan. I want to go see the new Power Ranger movie too as I used to play that when I was in elementary school. I rarely get to go out so will be nice if I can find a reasonable priced theater to see the movie in, even if I go alone.
Full day of eating is a possibility in the works too for the nostalgia month.. Maybe include a lunchable. Definitely need to find some gushers or fruit roll ups, something along those lines, or all of them. mmm fruit snacks!
Summary: Work in progress on List 13 and plenty to come. Diet log started and more taste tests to come. Check out the videos over on my youtube channel for more.
Fiction and Fitness Youtube Channel
What are your favorite shows from your childhood?
What was your favorite food/snack?
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Motivation and Priorities Q&A from WDC part 1
I posted an item on writing.com in order to get questions for a Q&A Youtube video with a focus in particular on writing. I'm also posting here in the blog to put those answers down in longhand form along with my video rambles. Granted, the questions were a while ago but hoping to play catch up and hey, this means I need to post more often. This first post deals more with motivation and connecting fitness with writing.
Question posted by jiminicritic: Keeping physically fit is obviously important, but at what point does it interfere with one's writing? How do you stop from overdoing it?
Answer: This will depend on the individual, like many other things in life. Honestly, it can interfere with writing in that one can't always do everything at the same time. When it comes to getting things done, some will get priority over others. At times, writing had more of a priority. I will admit that the year of focusing on weight loss and starting to lift did meant that I wrote much less. For NaNoWriMo 2015, I only got about 30,000 words. I finished the first draft recently, which is a plus considering sometimes it takes me years to finally get the draft done even if I hit the magic 50k number during NaNo. Plus, the novel was YA contemporary so the first draft wasn't going to get to any crazy numbers, unlike the fantasy one I have.
As for what point is it an interference? That I can't pinpoint. One of the good parts of being unpublished is it's not like I'm missing deadlines or anything. And to be honest, I feel in some ways the thing that interferes both my writing and fitness goals both is the thing I have to do: work. Having to make money to pay bills unfortunately takes priority over writing and lifting because those can't quite help with rent or student loans at this point in time.
Overdoing it can be a challenge for some people in any given venue. For me it's often a one thing gets big focus and others lay awaiting for a little then the tides shift. It's the same with novels. NaNoWriMo gives me a chance to focus on one single novel (or two) for a month and that is a big main focus in November, so a couple of other things go to the side. It can feel like overdoing it when doing things like writing over 100,000 in a month but then things shift again. Fitness was a big focus and I still have my cycles where it's more of a forefront and other times where it's on the side.
Though have to be careful not to go overdo it to the point of injury. Have to be cautious when doing things like training for powerlifting. I've done it mostly when trying to lose weight, which means a calorie deficit and that can sap some of the energy as food does equal energy.
Question posted by Octobersun: How do you motivate yourself to train regularly?
Answer: The main method of staying motivated to train on a regular basis was that I found something I enjoyed. If I tried to force myself to do something I'm not as fond of, like say I decided to do spinning as I didn't enjoy that when I tried it, then I'd struggle to keep going. Even with running where it's a challenge and not what I thought I'd like, it gives me the chance to create music playlists and was a good time for thinking of novels and other things. Weightlifting, I had enjoyed in the past. My first time was with bench press and a few machines back in high school when I competed in track where I was doing throwing, which involved lifting as part of the training. While I hadn't done deadlifts, it was interesting to try the other lifts and I quickly found I liked the challenge. And it gave me something to focus on besides the scale while trying to lose weight. Plus, I also have goals which helps with the focus. Getting ready for a meet or a long distance run, that helps push me to keep going even on the days when I might want to just stay home.
Question by Ruwth: How has your weightlifting experience impacted your writing?
Answer: I don't think that weightlifting has impacted my writing much except maybe it distracted me from writing. Now, when I'm not at work, a few hours a week are spent in the gym instead of at the computer. Health wise, it's probably for the better though. However, it does help at time with ideas and doing physical activities can help when writing more action type elements in a story. Granted I can't do magic or anything but I know how some things feel and can expand from there when I'm writing what a character is going through in certain scenes. I also have a romance story that is between a long distance runner and a body builder, which is inspired a little by the anti-cardio weightlifters and the runners who don't do weight training. So, it has both helped and hindered my writing a little but for the most part is a separate entity in my life.
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/zHONFtGbDP4
Question posted by jiminicritic: Keeping physically fit is obviously important, but at what point does it interfere with one's writing? How do you stop from overdoing it?
Answer: This will depend on the individual, like many other things in life. Honestly, it can interfere with writing in that one can't always do everything at the same time. When it comes to getting things done, some will get priority over others. At times, writing had more of a priority. I will admit that the year of focusing on weight loss and starting to lift did meant that I wrote much less. For NaNoWriMo 2015, I only got about 30,000 words. I finished the first draft recently, which is a plus considering sometimes it takes me years to finally get the draft done even if I hit the magic 50k number during NaNo. Plus, the novel was YA contemporary so the first draft wasn't going to get to any crazy numbers, unlike the fantasy one I have.
As for what point is it an interference? That I can't pinpoint. One of the good parts of being unpublished is it's not like I'm missing deadlines or anything. And to be honest, I feel in some ways the thing that interferes both my writing and fitness goals both is the thing I have to do: work. Having to make money to pay bills unfortunately takes priority over writing and lifting because those can't quite help with rent or student loans at this point in time.
Overdoing it can be a challenge for some people in any given venue. For me it's often a one thing gets big focus and others lay awaiting for a little then the tides shift. It's the same with novels. NaNoWriMo gives me a chance to focus on one single novel (or two) for a month and that is a big main focus in November, so a couple of other things go to the side. It can feel like overdoing it when doing things like writing over 100,000 in a month but then things shift again. Fitness was a big focus and I still have my cycles where it's more of a forefront and other times where it's on the side.
Though have to be careful not to go overdo it to the point of injury. Have to be cautious when doing things like training for powerlifting. I've done it mostly when trying to lose weight, which means a calorie deficit and that can sap some of the energy as food does equal energy.
Question posted by Octobersun: How do you motivate yourself to train regularly?
Answer: The main method of staying motivated to train on a regular basis was that I found something I enjoyed. If I tried to force myself to do something I'm not as fond of, like say I decided to do spinning as I didn't enjoy that when I tried it, then I'd struggle to keep going. Even with running where it's a challenge and not what I thought I'd like, it gives me the chance to create music playlists and was a good time for thinking of novels and other things. Weightlifting, I had enjoyed in the past. My first time was with bench press and a few machines back in high school when I competed in track where I was doing throwing, which involved lifting as part of the training. While I hadn't done deadlifts, it was interesting to try the other lifts and I quickly found I liked the challenge. And it gave me something to focus on besides the scale while trying to lose weight. Plus, I also have goals which helps with the focus. Getting ready for a meet or a long distance run, that helps push me to keep going even on the days when I might want to just stay home.
Question by Ruwth: How has your weightlifting experience impacted your writing?
Answer: I don't think that weightlifting has impacted my writing much except maybe it distracted me from writing. Now, when I'm not at work, a few hours a week are spent in the gym instead of at the computer. Health wise, it's probably for the better though. However, it does help at time with ideas and doing physical activities can help when writing more action type elements in a story. Granted I can't do magic or anything but I know how some things feel and can expand from there when I'm writing what a character is going through in certain scenes. I also have a romance story that is between a long distance runner and a body builder, which is inspired a little by the anti-cardio weightlifters and the runners who don't do weight training. So, it has both helped and hindered my writing a little but for the most part is a separate entity in my life.
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/zHONFtGbDP4
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
First Powerlifting Meet and Youtube
At long last, the blog post about the experience I had at my first powerlifting meet. I took part in Elite Spring Challenge within the APA-WPA federation. It was held in Oregon and was a qualifier competition for another meet that will be held in October. Here is the video I put together with the lifts someone was nice enough to film for me along with the details of my experience at my very first and definitely not last powerlifting meet.
Had a great first meet experience. Another lifter offer to have her friend film me too and email it to me, so that was super nice because I had no one (friends or family) there with me. I didn't get all 3 attempts on all of the lifts but overall am pleased with how it went. Considering making notes on kg during training instead of just lbs to practice cause that conversion was a little rough at times when making decisions on my next attempts, maybe.
Squat - 3 white lights on the first two but failed on near 210, started to lean forward when trying to grind it out but that's okay. Got 198 on second attempt and all of my attempts were kinda slow, so things to work on.
Bench - First attempt 3 white lights, 1 red on second (not sure reason but eh, still counted) and failed the attempt at close to 125 (pesky conversions). That pause is just too long for me at that weight for now. 115 was my second attempt so that's still my max for good reps though I've done 125 touch and go.
Deadlift - Got all three attempts with just 1 red light on one attempt. I ended up going for a little more than planned on the third attempt as the second went well and trying to pick a decent weight with the conversion. Managed around 248. Not quite at goal of 2 times body weight but getting closer.
For a half minute or so, held a total record, which was kind of fun in the moment as he announced when your attempt was for a record before the lift.
Results, I don't remember the exact kg total but around 560ish lbs. Ended up placing second in the open division for the 132 weight class. This meet was also a qualifier for a "world" meet that is held in the same location in October. So, I'm qualified to compete in that one and can focus my training in preparation for APA-WPA World. Maybe I can get my total to above 600 if I get those last attempts worked out in bench, squat (okay, increase a little on both) and get over 2xbw deadlift. #goals
Really enjoyed the meet. Everyone is nice and encouraging. I had a good time, lots of nerves and energy and can't wait to compete again.
My Youtube Channel
Aside from the video of my lift and a couple lifts I'd put up for a little competition on bodybuilding.com, there are other videos along with future plans. I decided to start my own youtube channel in connection with the topics of this blog.
Fiction & Fitness Youtube Channel
The channel will have similar topics as the blog with a little more emphasis on the fitness than writing as it's a little easier to show video of lifting and food compared to the writing side. There will be writing ones too though, I can guarantee that. I have many plans in how to use topics for the video along with the longer worded stuff for here on the blog. It is a little weird filming myself and hearing my voice on the videos because you sound so very different in your head compared to recordings. Taking time to get used to it but should be more consistent with content as I learn programs, editing and get to posting different videos and blogs.
Coming soon: LA, Music Festival and Novel Updates.
Had a great first meet experience. Another lifter offer to have her friend film me too and email it to me, so that was super nice because I had no one (friends or family) there with me. I didn't get all 3 attempts on all of the lifts but overall am pleased with how it went. Considering making notes on kg during training instead of just lbs to practice cause that conversion was a little rough at times when making decisions on my next attempts, maybe.
Squat - 3 white lights on the first two but failed on near 210, started to lean forward when trying to grind it out but that's okay. Got 198 on second attempt and all of my attempts were kinda slow, so things to work on.
Bench - First attempt 3 white lights, 1 red on second (not sure reason but eh, still counted) and failed the attempt at close to 125 (pesky conversions). That pause is just too long for me at that weight for now. 115 was my second attempt so that's still my max for good reps though I've done 125 touch and go.
Deadlift - Got all three attempts with just 1 red light on one attempt. I ended up going for a little more than planned on the third attempt as the second went well and trying to pick a decent weight with the conversion. Managed around 248. Not quite at goal of 2 times body weight but getting closer.
For a half minute or so, held a total record, which was kind of fun in the moment as he announced when your attempt was for a record before the lift.
Results, I don't remember the exact kg total but around 560ish lbs. Ended up placing second in the open division for the 132 weight class. This meet was also a qualifier for a "world" meet that is held in the same location in October. So, I'm qualified to compete in that one and can focus my training in preparation for APA-WPA World. Maybe I can get my total to above 600 if I get those last attempts worked out in bench, squat (okay, increase a little on both) and get over 2xbw deadlift. #goals
Really enjoyed the meet. Everyone is nice and encouraging. I had a good time, lots of nerves and energy and can't wait to compete again.
My Youtube Channel
Aside from the video of my lift and a couple lifts I'd put up for a little competition on bodybuilding.com, there are other videos along with future plans. I decided to start my own youtube channel in connection with the topics of this blog.
Fiction & Fitness Youtube Channel
The channel will have similar topics as the blog with a little more emphasis on the fitness than writing as it's a little easier to show video of lifting and food compared to the writing side. There will be writing ones too though, I can guarantee that. I have many plans in how to use topics for the video along with the longer worded stuff for here on the blog. It is a little weird filming myself and hearing my voice on the videos because you sound so very different in your head compared to recordings. Taking time to get used to it but should be more consistent with content as I learn programs, editing and get to posting different videos and blogs.
Coming soon: LA, Music Festival and Novel Updates.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Z is for Zeal
We made it. The end of the month and the alphabet. Woot!
Link: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-to-z-challenge-sign-uplist-2015.html
Z is a tough one and I'm going to use similar words for both of my blogs. They do work well though and I think will be a good last post for the challenge. For this one, we are going to talk about fiction and fitness in relation to...
Zeal
Definition: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.
Fiction
In fiction we pick the story we work on and hopefully it is one that we have enthusiasm or zeal towards in order to have the drive to get the work down. Each draft takes pushing and effort. A little zeal towards the project helps, though one can't rely on just enthusiasm the whole time, but it certainly can help the process.
Characters can have zeal too, whether it's for the good or the bad. Conflict can be incorporated when two different great energies/passions go against each other. There is plenty of room for zeal in fiction.
Fitness
I think it's also pretty common for people to have zeal when it comes to fitness. When posting on forums asking about how to force oneself to do a type of activity they hate because it's healthy, the most common answer is: don't. Find something that you will enjoy and try out different things because you never know. Something you didn't expect to enjoy might be a type of fitness that you have zeal towards in the future. And our goals can be something we need zeal towards in order to reach. So, get zealous and enjoy your fitness.
Do you have zeal?
Link: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-to-z-challenge-sign-uplist-2015.html
Z is a tough one and I'm going to use similar words for both of my blogs. They do work well though and I think will be a good last post for the challenge. For this one, we are going to talk about fiction and fitness in relation to...
Zeal
Definition: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.
Fiction
In fiction we pick the story we work on and hopefully it is one that we have enthusiasm or zeal towards in order to have the drive to get the work down. Each draft takes pushing and effort. A little zeal towards the project helps, though one can't rely on just enthusiasm the whole time, but it certainly can help the process.
Characters can have zeal too, whether it's for the good or the bad. Conflict can be incorporated when two different great energies/passions go against each other. There is plenty of room for zeal in fiction.
Fitness
I think it's also pretty common for people to have zeal when it comes to fitness. When posting on forums asking about how to force oneself to do a type of activity they hate because it's healthy, the most common answer is: don't. Find something that you will enjoy and try out different things because you never know. Something you didn't expect to enjoy might be a type of fitness that you have zeal towards in the future. And our goals can be something we need zeal towards in order to reach. So, get zealous and enjoy your fitness.
Do you have zeal?
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Y is for Yet
Almost to the end but we aren't there quite yet. Will I be able to find a Z topic for both fiction and fitness? You will have to come back tomorrow to find out but also check out the other blogs to see who has survived the month over at the A to Z Challenge.
Y is for Yet
I picked this word after a few hours of trying to come up with a good topic that could work for both fiction and fitness for a reason. Often times we hear not to let the word "can't" get in our way. It even has become a slogan or saying to take the word "can't" out of our personal vocabulary. And while I get the sentiment, I actually do not agree. In fact, I get a little teen angsty and want to tell people to stop trying to limit my vocabulary. lol
To some degree, there are going to be things that we may not be able to do for varying reasons. That, however, is not my focus either because well, that doesn't start with a Y. Instead, I want to offer that sometimes instead of not using the word at all, instead that we add one to it.
I can't... yet.
It is usually something we may not be capable of at this time but that doesn't mean we can't work towards accomplishing it in the future. There are lots of things I can't do now but if I want to work towards them then can't will be come can.
Fiction
I can't submit a novel... yet.
I can't write finish a world building project... yet.
I can't decide which novel to write for NaNoWriMo... yet.
Fitness
I can't kayak... yet.
I can't coordinate a fist fight... yet.
I can't jog a 10k... yet.
What is something you can't do... yet?
Y is for Yet
I picked this word after a few hours of trying to come up with a good topic that could work for both fiction and fitness for a reason. Often times we hear not to let the word "can't" get in our way. It even has become a slogan or saying to take the word "can't" out of our personal vocabulary. And while I get the sentiment, I actually do not agree. In fact, I get a little teen angsty and want to tell people to stop trying to limit my vocabulary. lol
To some degree, there are going to be things that we may not be able to do for varying reasons. That, however, is not my focus either because well, that doesn't start with a Y. Instead, I want to offer that sometimes instead of not using the word at all, instead that we add one to it.
I can't... yet.
It is usually something we may not be capable of at this time but that doesn't mean we can't work towards accomplishing it in the future. There are lots of things I can't do now but if I want to work towards them then can't will be come can.
Fiction
I can't submit a novel... yet.
I can't write finish a world building project... yet.
I can't decide which novel to write for NaNoWriMo... yet.
Fitness
I can't kayak... yet.
I can't coordinate a fist fight... yet.
I can't jog a 10k... yet.
What is something you can't do... yet?
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
X is for Xena
Yep, that's right. Time to find something to talk about that uses the letter X and somehow relates to both writing and fitness. Woot. Check out the other blogs in the A to Z challenge in order to see other X topics. Bet I'm not the only one who picked Xena this year.
Xena, Warrior Princess
Yep, that's the one. I did watch some of the show growing but though I have to admit that I didn't see very many and only had a passing interest overall. I know a few people who really liked the show though and the character in particular. Let's get into the two topics for today...
Fiction
One of the main elements I liked of the show was the story involved. There were some interesting episodes and the character dynamics were entertaining. It's a good example of fiction that included fantasy elements along with lots of action. I liked the friend characters a little more at times, Gabrielle, which oddly the same goes for Buffy as I saw a couple but thought the friend (Willow) was cute. hmm Anyways, as for fiction writing we can learn a lot from this show and it has inspired some of my stories (along with the strong female YA books I read growing up).
While I write mostly m/m fiction, including YA. I have two fantasy novels that have a female main character. One of them is a raven warrior, or wants to be but girls don't get trained. That story is probably my nod to characters like Xena and Alanna.
Though I should try watching an episode some time to look at the action. That's something I want to work on in my own writing.
Fitness
Xena had to be fit in order to do the many things she did in the show, and to wear the outfit. Fantasy does have strange fashion for female warriors as they seem to do battle well with minimal clothes at times. Not the point. One can have inspirations for fitness that are fictional and for some, the thought of being a physically strong woman like Xena, is a good source of inspiration.
I want to learn some form of combat, preferably hand to hand though it would be interesting to get into some weapon handling. I don't know when I will do it, but maybe in the next year or two. Right now I'm working on getting strong in the gym and lifting those weights. Though, I probably won't be trying to follow the same fashion sense when I do. hehe
Have you ever seen Xena Warrior Princess? What fictional character gives you fitness inspiration?
Xena, Warrior Princess
Yep, that's the one. I did watch some of the show growing but though I have to admit that I didn't see very many and only had a passing interest overall. I know a few people who really liked the show though and the character in particular. Let's get into the two topics for today...
Fiction
One of the main elements I liked of the show was the story involved. There were some interesting episodes and the character dynamics were entertaining. It's a good example of fiction that included fantasy elements along with lots of action. I liked the friend characters a little more at times, Gabrielle, which oddly the same goes for Buffy as I saw a couple but thought the friend (Willow) was cute. hmm Anyways, as for fiction writing we can learn a lot from this show and it has inspired some of my stories (along with the strong female YA books I read growing up).
While I write mostly m/m fiction, including YA. I have two fantasy novels that have a female main character. One of them is a raven warrior, or wants to be but girls don't get trained. That story is probably my nod to characters like Xena and Alanna.
Though I should try watching an episode some time to look at the action. That's something I want to work on in my own writing.
Fitness
Xena had to be fit in order to do the many things she did in the show, and to wear the outfit. Fantasy does have strange fashion for female warriors as they seem to do battle well with minimal clothes at times. Not the point. One can have inspirations for fitness that are fictional and for some, the thought of being a physically strong woman like Xena, is a good source of inspiration.
I want to learn some form of combat, preferably hand to hand though it would be interesting to get into some weapon handling. I don't know when I will do it, but maybe in the next year or two. Right now I'm working on getting strong in the gym and lifting those weights. Though, I probably won't be trying to follow the same fashion sense when I do. hehe
Have you ever seen Xena Warrior Princess? What fictional character gives you fitness inspiration?
Monday, April 27, 2015
W is for Week
Getting there. W is an interesting letter as it has more options than say Z but at times it's hard to get ones that fit certain themes. And no, I don't know what to do for X yet, lol. Check out all of the other blogs still posting as we near the end of the challenge here.
Fiction
I chose week in part because how we view time is actually important in fiction writing. It's common to just think of the days, weeks and months the way we do in our own lives. However, if you write fantasy and science fiction, those concepts might not be the same. And even in the real world, not everyone has the same week. A lot of people work mon-fri and have the weekend off but there are those like me who work all weekend and have their days off at different times. So, how one labels their week varies and characters might have different views as well.
Sometimes, when writing a story, I do struggle with how to convey time going by without making it too obvious or overdone. There are some aspects of the reader will be able to catch on without putting up glaring signs, but other times, it's just part of the process. I have to go back and figure out how long certain parts take and how long the whole story takes overall because a story can span a day, a week or many years, it's all in how you tell it.
Fitness
The fitness week is important because many programs recommend following a certain type of schedule. Lifting programs are often 3-6 days depending on the type of program though the more common ones I've seen are 3-4 days and the rest are light rest days where activity is okay. Even with running, the couch to 5k training and other distance programs have set days and weeks to follow.
My weeks have varied over the few months for a few reasons. My work week, how our schedule is set up is Thursday-Wednesday (yeah, it's weird). Most I know follow Monday-Sunday schedules so the do certain exercise splits and often have one or two days off on the weekend. I'm trying to be more consistent on my schedule. Right now, my fitness week is: Mon-Wed-Fri is C25k Training and Tues-Thurs-Sat is lifting. Sunday is rest. This was pretty good when my days off were Thursday and Friday as that gave me gym on one day and cardio on the other. But my days off during the week vary, so that isn't always the case. But that is how my week looks at the moment for fitness. Who knows how that will change.
How was your week? Do you plan your fitness week the same as your work week, and what about your fiction week?
Fiction
I chose week in part because how we view time is actually important in fiction writing. It's common to just think of the days, weeks and months the way we do in our own lives. However, if you write fantasy and science fiction, those concepts might not be the same. And even in the real world, not everyone has the same week. A lot of people work mon-fri and have the weekend off but there are those like me who work all weekend and have their days off at different times. So, how one labels their week varies and characters might have different views as well.
Sometimes, when writing a story, I do struggle with how to convey time going by without making it too obvious or overdone. There are some aspects of the reader will be able to catch on without putting up glaring signs, but other times, it's just part of the process. I have to go back and figure out how long certain parts take and how long the whole story takes overall because a story can span a day, a week or many years, it's all in how you tell it.
Fitness
The fitness week is important because many programs recommend following a certain type of schedule. Lifting programs are often 3-6 days depending on the type of program though the more common ones I've seen are 3-4 days and the rest are light rest days where activity is okay. Even with running, the couch to 5k training and other distance programs have set days and weeks to follow.
My weeks have varied over the few months for a few reasons. My work week, how our schedule is set up is Thursday-Wednesday (yeah, it's weird). Most I know follow Monday-Sunday schedules so the do certain exercise splits and often have one or two days off on the weekend. I'm trying to be more consistent on my schedule. Right now, my fitness week is: Mon-Wed-Fri is C25k Training and Tues-Thurs-Sat is lifting. Sunday is rest. This was pretty good when my days off were Thursday and Friday as that gave me gym on one day and cardio on the other. But my days off during the week vary, so that isn't always the case. But that is how my week looks at the moment for fitness. Who knows how that will change.
How was your week? Do you plan your fitness week the same as your work week, and what about your fiction week?
Saturday, April 25, 2015
V is for Victory
But not so much for doing blog posts beforehand like I had planned back in March. Nope, I have some other victory aspects in mind for the V day in the A to Z challenge.
Fiction
There are different victories in writing fiction. Some are for the writer and others are found within the stories themselves as sometimes we let characters succeed/win. Just writing the story is a victory. I remember my first time making it to 50k for NaNoWriMo. That was quite the victory though now it can't even compete with the 155k and 165k years. Doing a rewrite or edit is also a victory. In fact, sometimes just working on the story for like 200 words can count as victory for the writer. It's all in how you look at success and progress.
Characters can have victories too and it doesn't just have to be at the end either. Much like how it is useful to increase the conflict and have it develop throughout the whole story instead of dropping just one major problem on the characters all at once near the very end, it's also useful to let there be varying amounts of success along the way. Giving the characters set backs and victories (no matter how big or small) help to move the story along and also give the reader hope of what may come in the end.
Fitness
There are many different victories on the road to health and fitness. Some of them are measurable by scales or other devices. These are ones like weight, body fat percentage, and other measurements that people use to track success. I'm working on all of them as I've lost just over 50 lbs, inches have gone down and I hope to some day get a dexa scan for a more accurate body fat measurement. However, the number victories aren't the only ones to focus on in fitness.
Some of the victories I enjoy even more than seeing that device in the bathroom change numbers are types known as NSV (non-scale victories). In particular, I would call them: I can't believe I did it. These are things like: "wow, I jogged 22 whole minutes" and "I deadlifted 200 lbs for 4 reps, that is more than my own weight." There are many things we do that once might have been less possible when working on fitness. Each one is awesome and I can't wait to find more victories along the way.
Victory if mine! I mean, what was your most recent victory?
Fiction
There are different victories in writing fiction. Some are for the writer and others are found within the stories themselves as sometimes we let characters succeed/win. Just writing the story is a victory. I remember my first time making it to 50k for NaNoWriMo. That was quite the victory though now it can't even compete with the 155k and 165k years. Doing a rewrite or edit is also a victory. In fact, sometimes just working on the story for like 200 words can count as victory for the writer. It's all in how you look at success and progress.
Characters can have victories too and it doesn't just have to be at the end either. Much like how it is useful to increase the conflict and have it develop throughout the whole story instead of dropping just one major problem on the characters all at once near the very end, it's also useful to let there be varying amounts of success along the way. Giving the characters set backs and victories (no matter how big or small) help to move the story along and also give the reader hope of what may come in the end.
Fitness
There are many different victories on the road to health and fitness. Some of them are measurable by scales or other devices. These are ones like weight, body fat percentage, and other measurements that people use to track success. I'm working on all of them as I've lost just over 50 lbs, inches have gone down and I hope to some day get a dexa scan for a more accurate body fat measurement. However, the number victories aren't the only ones to focus on in fitness.
Some of the victories I enjoy even more than seeing that device in the bathroom change numbers are types known as NSV (non-scale victories). In particular, I would call them: I can't believe I did it. These are things like: "wow, I jogged 22 whole minutes" and "I deadlifted 200 lbs for 4 reps, that is more than my own weight." There are many things we do that once might have been less possible when working on fitness. Each one is awesome and I can't wait to find more victories along the way.
Victory if mine! I mean, what was your most recent victory?
Friday, April 24, 2015
U is for Unique
I'm a bit late on this one and I had a hard time coming up with a U topic dealing with both writing and fitness for my contribution to the A to Z blog challenge.
Fiction
What makes your story unique? What aspect about it will make the reader want to read more? There are many different factors and even a familiar story can take a different spin. How many Snow White or Cinderella stories are there? I've lost count and I'm sure there are even more. I'm working on a Snow White story even with a male main character. It's fun to play with the familiar and put some unique spins to it. Boy snow white character, boy servant love interest and both male and female dwarves are keeping me well entertained as I slowly write the novel.
Fitness
Sometimes it's okay to not go the unique route in trying to make something spectacular. Like being a newbie weight lifter and starting out first with already known programs instead of picking random lifts to do. However, you can make your experience and time doing fitness activities unique. Each walk doesn't have to be the same and you will come across different events over time. You could look at it as just another walk or hour on said cardio machine, or just more lifting but how you conduct yourself and the secret thoughts you have can make it more of a unique experience. Probably why something like Run Zombie has become a popular app, getting the experience of a zombie threat/story while walk/jogging is more entertaining than the hum drum of just more time spent on pavement.
How do you make your story unique? What is unique about your fitness?
Fiction
What makes your story unique? What aspect about it will make the reader want to read more? There are many different factors and even a familiar story can take a different spin. How many Snow White or Cinderella stories are there? I've lost count and I'm sure there are even more. I'm working on a Snow White story even with a male main character. It's fun to play with the familiar and put some unique spins to it. Boy snow white character, boy servant love interest and both male and female dwarves are keeping me well entertained as I slowly write the novel.
Fitness
Sometimes it's okay to not go the unique route in trying to make something spectacular. Like being a newbie weight lifter and starting out first with already known programs instead of picking random lifts to do. However, you can make your experience and time doing fitness activities unique. Each walk doesn't have to be the same and you will come across different events over time. You could look at it as just another walk or hour on said cardio machine, or just more lifting but how you conduct yourself and the secret thoughts you have can make it more of a unique experience. Probably why something like Run Zombie has become a popular app, getting the experience of a zombie threat/story while walk/jogging is more entertaining than the hum drum of just more time spent on pavement.
How do you make your story unique? What is unique about your fitness?
Thursday, April 23, 2015
T is for Technology
Another, slightly delayed, blog post with this time the letter emphasis is on T. Had a few potentials with that, talking, tall, time, and such. However, I went with technology for my A to Z Challenge blog post.
Fiction
Many uses for technology in fiction no matter the genre. We use technology as writers such as internet, computers, blogs, cell phones (I can blog from my cell phone now) and many other options to both do the task of writing and to inspire more tales of fiction. Laptop wise I am both Mac and PC, as I have a macbook and a regular netbook. However, with technology comes problems. Macbook has a keyboard attached to it now cause some of the letters won't work and the mousepad stopped working over a year ago. May some day be able to get it fixed, but for now, do what it takes to get by while still being able to write.
Technology can be many different things in our stories as well. The world might be the old style epic fantasy with horses for transportation and no guns, but they still have their own versions of technology. Magic can also use tools, which is technology. Then there is science fiction, which is a whole playland for tech creation. Have fun with your technology while still keeping the reader interested in the overall story.
Fitness
Some technology can come in hand for fitness too. My favorite one is the Ipod, which I use for couch to 5k training and while lifting weights. I've had my Ipod for around 10 years and it still works great. I've got through a few different sets of headphones and my armband is already coming apart from overuse, but the music player? That is working just fine.
We also use technology to help get in shape. I don't use exercise bikes, but I have done my fair share of walking on a treadmill. I like it as a form of cardio, though outside is better. In fact, some day I wouldn't mind a home gym with lots of weights and a purple treadmill (yeah, I've seen them, hehe). There are other gadgets as well and phone apps can help, but I am old school in keeping track of my workouts as I use a pen and paper.
What is your favorite fictional technology? What tech equipment do you use for fitness?
Fiction
Many uses for technology in fiction no matter the genre. We use technology as writers such as internet, computers, blogs, cell phones (I can blog from my cell phone now) and many other options to both do the task of writing and to inspire more tales of fiction. Laptop wise I am both Mac and PC, as I have a macbook and a regular netbook. However, with technology comes problems. Macbook has a keyboard attached to it now cause some of the letters won't work and the mousepad stopped working over a year ago. May some day be able to get it fixed, but for now, do what it takes to get by while still being able to write.
Technology can be many different things in our stories as well. The world might be the old style epic fantasy with horses for transportation and no guns, but they still have their own versions of technology. Magic can also use tools, which is technology. Then there is science fiction, which is a whole playland for tech creation. Have fun with your technology while still keeping the reader interested in the overall story.
Fitness
Some technology can come in hand for fitness too. My favorite one is the Ipod, which I use for couch to 5k training and while lifting weights. I've had my Ipod for around 10 years and it still works great. I've got through a few different sets of headphones and my armband is already coming apart from overuse, but the music player? That is working just fine.
We also use technology to help get in shape. I don't use exercise bikes, but I have done my fair share of walking on a treadmill. I like it as a form of cardio, though outside is better. In fact, some day I wouldn't mind a home gym with lots of weights and a purple treadmill (yeah, I've seen them, hehe). There are other gadgets as well and phone apps can help, but I am old school in keeping track of my workouts as I use a pen and paper.
What is your favorite fictional technology? What tech equipment do you use for fitness?
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
S is for Sleep
One of my hobbies: sleep. For when I sleep, I dream and on the off chance I remember some of them the next morning, I get ideas for things like a new novel or a scene in one I already have started. Make sure, when not sleeping, to check out some other blogs and comment on their S topics over at A to Z Challenge.
Fiction
As a writer, sleep can both inspire and hinder progress. I am one who can remember a fair number of my dreams over time, with the occasional morning where I remember more than one even. A number of my novels had scenes and more inspired by dreams, including the one I'm editing. After I wake up, if I can remember the dream and it catches my interest enough, then I spend part of the day thinking about it and developing the story idea. On the other hand, if I'd not needed to sleep so much then maybe I would get more writing (like I could have finished a novel chapter last night) and be further along in my edits.
Characters sleep too. And one thing the writer has to do is decide if and when to mention it because except for the occasional dream (which can be overdone in stories) often times, when the character is sleeping not much is going on to hold the readers attention. We like to know that they do need rest like us and such but at the same time, don't need to see it a lot. One of my romance novel edits, I needed to cut back on how many chapters ended with them going to sleep cause that is too many obvious times to put the book down and we don't want that.
Fitness
Sleep is good for fitness. There is a reason many programs emphasize taking a rest day. While I am doing 3 days of cardio and 3 days of lifting, I also have 1 day dedicated to rest where all I do is go to work and such. I don't do anything extra fitness wise on that day and I do cardio in between lifting days so that muscle groups get time to rest since that is when the body repairs itself. I'd not walk and such but that would be hard since I work on my feet all shift anyways, so legs are used to far less rest overall. Every now and then, it's good to take more than one day off, to give the body a break, when you're doing a lot of lifting and cardio. A rest set of days or week does the body good too and it may come whether planned or not.
Sleep is also known to help when working on getting healthier. Many studies have been done to show how much we do really need sleep. Even the ones who joke about how the will "sleep when I'm dead" and such, they do need sleep.
So make sure to rest on your journey as well. It all is part of how we get there.
How well did you sleep/rest last night/today? Did you have any good dreams?
Fiction
As a writer, sleep can both inspire and hinder progress. I am one who can remember a fair number of my dreams over time, with the occasional morning where I remember more than one even. A number of my novels had scenes and more inspired by dreams, including the one I'm editing. After I wake up, if I can remember the dream and it catches my interest enough, then I spend part of the day thinking about it and developing the story idea. On the other hand, if I'd not needed to sleep so much then maybe I would get more writing (like I could have finished a novel chapter last night) and be further along in my edits.
Characters sleep too. And one thing the writer has to do is decide if and when to mention it because except for the occasional dream (which can be overdone in stories) often times, when the character is sleeping not much is going on to hold the readers attention. We like to know that they do need rest like us and such but at the same time, don't need to see it a lot. One of my romance novel edits, I needed to cut back on how many chapters ended with them going to sleep cause that is too many obvious times to put the book down and we don't want that.
Fitness
Sleep is good for fitness. There is a reason many programs emphasize taking a rest day. While I am doing 3 days of cardio and 3 days of lifting, I also have 1 day dedicated to rest where all I do is go to work and such. I don't do anything extra fitness wise on that day and I do cardio in between lifting days so that muscle groups get time to rest since that is when the body repairs itself. I'd not walk and such but that would be hard since I work on my feet all shift anyways, so legs are used to far less rest overall. Every now and then, it's good to take more than one day off, to give the body a break, when you're doing a lot of lifting and cardio. A rest set of days or week does the body good too and it may come whether planned or not.
Sleep is also known to help when working on getting healthier. Many studies have been done to show how much we do really need sleep. Even the ones who joke about how the will "sleep when I'm dead" and such, they do need sleep.
So make sure to rest on your journey as well. It all is part of how we get there.
How well did you sleep/rest last night/today? Did you have any good dreams?
Monday, April 20, 2015
Q is for Quest
The Impossible Dream, also known as the Quest, is a feat worth typing and traveling. Whether fighting a dragon windmill or finding the basin/helmet, there are many quests out there we can take or in some cases, consume. Check out the other Q topics over at the A to Z Challenge.
mmm Quest. hehe
Fitness
This time we will go with fitness first cause it's fun. Quest was an easy pick for Q day because often times when one is focusing on improving their health and fitness, they are on a quest in some ways. Making goals is another way to put it too but I almost think I need to call my goals quests from now on. It sounds more fun to say my quest is to kayak, instead of my goal. hmmm
A single trek through the mountains can also qualify both as fitness and a quest, even if there is no destination or promise of finding gold coins. Sometimes the experience of the journey is worth taking the steps.
As you can see from above, there is also Quest nutrition, as it's the name of a company that makes protein bars and other similar supplements. I do actually like the protein bars and a couple times a week, they help me reach my protein goals for the day since I'm trying to get around 90 grams of protein per day. I don't have them more often, nor have I tried some of the other products because I technically have a mild dairy allergy. I limit all dairy products to just a couple of days a week in order to cut back the risk of itching all over for a couple of weeks at a time. But the other products do seem appealing and they even have the protein powder in single servings. It's nice to have ways to try protein powders instead of needing to by huge gallons at a time.
Fiction
Fiction and quest go hand in hand as well. Fantasy is well known for its use of the quest as a main plot that has created many different stories. The reasons all differ depending on the characters, world and conflicts, but often times there will be a quest involved. I can think of a few quests in my own writing, for example.
In sci-fi story, one character goes on a quest to save his boyfriend knowing no agency will be able to help him as the villain wants to use him for his genetic mutation.
In fantasy young adult story, I have a character who is on a quest to discover his real identity, find out why he can't pass the mage test and to just survive as others seek him out for their own uses.
In a romance novel, I have a character who is on a quest to not just get laid but have the courage to build a relationship with the guy he first falls for from near the beginning.
It works for many different genres and it's up to us, the writer, in order to give those challenges to our characters.
Do you give your characters a quest? What is your quest?
mmm Quest. hehe
Fitness
This time we will go with fitness first cause it's fun. Quest was an easy pick for Q day because often times when one is focusing on improving their health and fitness, they are on a quest in some ways. Making goals is another way to put it too but I almost think I need to call my goals quests from now on. It sounds more fun to say my quest is to kayak, instead of my goal. hmmm
A single trek through the mountains can also qualify both as fitness and a quest, even if there is no destination or promise of finding gold coins. Sometimes the experience of the journey is worth taking the steps.
As you can see from above, there is also Quest nutrition, as it's the name of a company that makes protein bars and other similar supplements. I do actually like the protein bars and a couple times a week, they help me reach my protein goals for the day since I'm trying to get around 90 grams of protein per day. I don't have them more often, nor have I tried some of the other products because I technically have a mild dairy allergy. I limit all dairy products to just a couple of days a week in order to cut back the risk of itching all over for a couple of weeks at a time. But the other products do seem appealing and they even have the protein powder in single servings. It's nice to have ways to try protein powders instead of needing to by huge gallons at a time.
Fiction
Fiction and quest go hand in hand as well. Fantasy is well known for its use of the quest as a main plot that has created many different stories. The reasons all differ depending on the characters, world and conflicts, but often times there will be a quest involved. I can think of a few quests in my own writing, for example.
In sci-fi story, one character goes on a quest to save his boyfriend knowing no agency will be able to help him as the villain wants to use him for his genetic mutation.
In fantasy young adult story, I have a character who is on a quest to discover his real identity, find out why he can't pass the mage test and to just survive as others seek him out for their own uses.
In a romance novel, I have a character who is on a quest to not just get laid but have the courage to build a relationship with the guy he first falls for from near the beginning.
It works for many different genres and it's up to us, the writer, in order to give those challenges to our characters.
Do you give your characters a quest? What is your quest?
Saturday, April 18, 2015
P is for Practice
Another day with many options. I almost went with Play because it's fun to play outside and do activities that also are fitness, but in the ended decided on something else. Make sure to check out other blogs here.
Both fiction writing and fitness require some levels of practice. While there are some activities when can jump into feet first with no base, there are many others where practice will give much better results. And even on some of the easy stuff to get started, there can still be improvement from practicing or doing the activity often with different measures to show improvement.
Fiction
Each draft in a way is practice. However, some are more practice than others. Many writers will say that their very first novel (or several) were more of practice novels and ones that are best left in the dark trunk hidden from daylight. While the first novel I ever finished a draft of, during nanowrimo nonetheless, is still one I may consider publishing, it definitely was practice. I have learned a lot from each attempt at finishing a first draft. The same goes with each rewrite and edit. Every stage of the writing process has involved learning and practicing the skills on short stories and novels helps improve my skills each step of the way.
Practice writing. Do flash fiction, short stories and genres that may not be your strongest or even one you plan to publish. They all have elements that can help you improve the skills for the one you want to get to the readers. Give things a try and you might be surprised were they take you.
Fitness
Many things can be practiced in fitness. Playing sports is an obvious ones because they even call the times taken in preparation as practice. I used to go to practice for many different sports when I was younger, like volleyball and basketball. While playing the games were a part of them, there were other elements involved that were geared towards helping improve our abilities for the game. Even in the gym now, at times, doing a practice can help. I first worked on learning form, which is in essence practicing a move at a really light weight in order to get the motion down before working on lifting heavier. Between stages of New Rules of Lifting for Women, I did also do a couple practice sessions in order to practice the new set of lifts to see what they were like and where I'd need to go in my gym to find the required equipment. Even the couch to 5k training I'm doing is practice, helping me learn to jog so one day I can jog just over 3 miles. Practice is good for our fitness and along the way, we get better because we took the time to work on our skills.
How do you practice?
Both fiction writing and fitness require some levels of practice. While there are some activities when can jump into feet first with no base, there are many others where practice will give much better results. And even on some of the easy stuff to get started, there can still be improvement from practicing or doing the activity often with different measures to show improvement.
Fiction
Each draft in a way is practice. However, some are more practice than others. Many writers will say that their very first novel (or several) were more of practice novels and ones that are best left in the dark trunk hidden from daylight. While the first novel I ever finished a draft of, during nanowrimo nonetheless, is still one I may consider publishing, it definitely was practice. I have learned a lot from each attempt at finishing a first draft. The same goes with each rewrite and edit. Every stage of the writing process has involved learning and practicing the skills on short stories and novels helps improve my skills each step of the way.
Practice writing. Do flash fiction, short stories and genres that may not be your strongest or even one you plan to publish. They all have elements that can help you improve the skills for the one you want to get to the readers. Give things a try and you might be surprised were they take you.
Fitness
Many things can be practiced in fitness. Playing sports is an obvious ones because they even call the times taken in preparation as practice. I used to go to practice for many different sports when I was younger, like volleyball and basketball. While playing the games were a part of them, there were other elements involved that were geared towards helping improve our abilities for the game. Even in the gym now, at times, doing a practice can help. I first worked on learning form, which is in essence practicing a move at a really light weight in order to get the motion down before working on lifting heavier. Between stages of New Rules of Lifting for Women, I did also do a couple practice sessions in order to practice the new set of lifts to see what they were like and where I'd need to go in my gym to find the required equipment. Even the couch to 5k training I'm doing is practice, helping me learn to jog so one day I can jog just over 3 miles. Practice is good for our fitness and along the way, we get better because we took the time to work on our skills.
How do you practice?
Friday, April 17, 2015
O is for Outside
Today is an easy one. I like to do my cardio outside when possible and a lot of stories have things that happen outside. Makes for a great O topic. If you wonder what other O words work great for the challenge, check out some of the blogs taking part in the A to Z blog challenge.
Fitness
This time, we do fitness first. I started my little journey back in September with the task of walking and posted about it last month in a post on walking as a good starting form of cardio. While I don't mind the treadmill in the gym (it's not dreadful for me), I can also easily admit that I would much rather walk/jog outside.
There are many outside activities that help with fitness. Some sports are played outside, like soccer, softball, and such. There are fun outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, swimming and kayaking that are all done outdoors.
Granted, weather will affect abilities to do things outside along with safety, location and physical health. It's okay to do fitness activities inside too, but if you have a chance to get away from the computer for the outdoors, go ahead. And who knows, maybe that little walk or game will inspire some writing later.
Fiction
A fair amount of fiction involves scenes and conflict that happens outside. There are the many instances where characters walk for longer distances than may be realistically feasible. Then there are the survival situations that require living and traveling in the outdoors, often running from something or trying to get somewhere to achieve an important part of the plot. It can even be as innocent as building friendship by spending time in a park. The outside scene can be full of action or represent a slight pause for the characters, it all depends on the world and the story.
Outdoors also can help the writer. Whether it's bringing laptop/notebook outside to write in the comforting rays of the sun, or taking a break to enjoy some fresh air, it can help invigorate ones writing.
What happens outside in your story? What is your favorite outside fitness activity?
(Tulip Field in Skagit Valley, Washington)
Fitness
This time, we do fitness first. I started my little journey back in September with the task of walking and posted about it last month in a post on walking as a good starting form of cardio. While I don't mind the treadmill in the gym (it's not dreadful for me), I can also easily admit that I would much rather walk/jog outside.
There are many outside activities that help with fitness. Some sports are played outside, like soccer, softball, and such. There are fun outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, swimming and kayaking that are all done outdoors.
Granted, weather will affect abilities to do things outside along with safety, location and physical health. It's okay to do fitness activities inside too, but if you have a chance to get away from the computer for the outdoors, go ahead. And who knows, maybe that little walk or game will inspire some writing later.
Fiction
A fair amount of fiction involves scenes and conflict that happens outside. There are the many instances where characters walk for longer distances than may be realistically feasible. Then there are the survival situations that require living and traveling in the outdoors, often running from something or trying to get somewhere to achieve an important part of the plot. It can even be as innocent as building friendship by spending time in a park. The outside scene can be full of action or represent a slight pause for the characters, it all depends on the world and the story.
Outdoors also can help the writer. Whether it's bringing laptop/notebook outside to write in the comforting rays of the sun, or taking a break to enjoy some fresh air, it can help invigorate ones writing.
What happens outside in your story? What is your favorite outside fitness activity?
Thursday, April 16, 2015
N is for Needs and Nap
Welcome back. We're getting through the alphabet and made it all the way to letter N. Make sure to go here to see how the other bloggers are managing with the challenge. Needs and naps are things that both can be found in fiction and fitness that start with N.
Fiction
Characters have needs and so do writers. Like everyone else, you have to figure out what the characters actually need versus what they may want, as they are not the same all of the time. Maybe the character needs a nap in order to heal from an injury. Or maybe the character just wants a nap to get away from a stressful situation caused by another character.
Writers have needs too, though some are probably wants. I need coffee or feel like napping right after getting up in the morning. lol Or more so, I like and want coffee and can use it as incentive to keep myself from napping. The story has needs too and it's our job to tell when the story needs something or when we just like it.
Fitness
There are wants and needs in fitness too. Sometimes we need a nap, a rest break from whatever activity we've been doing for weeks on end. Sometimes we can want to do something so bad that we push ourselves too far and later learn a lesson about ignoring things our body needs the hard way. It's good to take breaks every now and then. Plus, certain activities like with weight lifting, part of the awesome improvement comes during the rest time when the body heals from what the activity worked to accomplish. We need to get out and moving but what we do can be based on want instead of need. Have fun or else that nap may be too tempting.
Don't forget to rest on occasion though. I thought about resting around the 12 week mark when I was doing the stronglifts lifting program. I ended up needing to because of a cold, which meant a whole week away from the gym when I had planned to just take 3-4 days off. Sometimes we need that rest whether we want to take it or not.
What are your (or characters needs)? Did you nap today?
Fiction
Characters have needs and so do writers. Like everyone else, you have to figure out what the characters actually need versus what they may want, as they are not the same all of the time. Maybe the character needs a nap in order to heal from an injury. Or maybe the character just wants a nap to get away from a stressful situation caused by another character.
Writers have needs too, though some are probably wants. I need coffee or feel like napping right after getting up in the morning. lol Or more so, I like and want coffee and can use it as incentive to keep myself from napping. The story has needs too and it's our job to tell when the story needs something or when we just like it.
Fitness
There are wants and needs in fitness too. Sometimes we need a nap, a rest break from whatever activity we've been doing for weeks on end. Sometimes we can want to do something so bad that we push ourselves too far and later learn a lesson about ignoring things our body needs the hard way. It's good to take breaks every now and then. Plus, certain activities like with weight lifting, part of the awesome improvement comes during the rest time when the body heals from what the activity worked to accomplish. We need to get out and moving but what we do can be based on want instead of need. Have fun or else that nap may be too tempting.
Don't forget to rest on occasion though. I thought about resting around the 12 week mark when I was doing the stronglifts lifting program. I ended up needing to because of a cold, which meant a whole week away from the gym when I had planned to just take 3-4 days off. Sometimes we need that rest whether we want to take it or not.
What are your (or characters needs)? Did you nap today?
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
M is for Music
Music is great for almost everything. It can inspire and motivate to continue. For me it also sparks the interest to write and by having a playlist, I can associate songs to particular novels. I also have found certain songs work for certain lifts at the gym as well. I wonder how many other people picked Music for M over in the A to Z blog challenge..
Fiction
I make playlists for my fiction writing. I have too many to list in fact and I've posted probably 3 or more blog posts over the years about the playlists, so I will just post a couple novels and songs that are specific to them (or artists and such).
Snow - Evanescence and Within Temptation, in particular The Howling
Aeon Fading - Help, I'm Alive by Metric and No Light, No Light by Florence & the Machine
Standing Ground - Second Chance by Shinedown
Every novel has at least 5 songs if not more than 10 on the playlist, which I listen to whenever writing that novel.
Fitness
I make playlists for fitness activities. I have a variety too with a couple that are for walking, one is more rock/alternative and the other is a much shorter pop one. I have a musical playlist along with a disney one, which needs more music. I also am now building running ones which will probably be a rock focused on and an alternative.
Good running songs include: Help, I'm Alive by Metric, The Howling by Withing Temptation and Welcome to the Jungle by Guns n Roses.
Good lifting songs so far are things like: Scream by Avenge Sevenfold, Rock You Like a Hurricane by Scorpion and from Jekyll & Hyde the musical both This is the Moment and Alive.
Do you use music for fiction or fitness?
Fiction
I make playlists for my fiction writing. I have too many to list in fact and I've posted probably 3 or more blog posts over the years about the playlists, so I will just post a couple novels and songs that are specific to them (or artists and such).
Snow - Evanescence and Within Temptation, in particular The Howling
Aeon Fading - Help, I'm Alive by Metric and No Light, No Light by Florence & the Machine
Standing Ground - Second Chance by Shinedown
Every novel has at least 5 songs if not more than 10 on the playlist, which I listen to whenever writing that novel.
Fitness
I make playlists for fitness activities. I have a variety too with a couple that are for walking, one is more rock/alternative and the other is a much shorter pop one. I have a musical playlist along with a disney one, which needs more music. I also am now building running ones which will probably be a rock focused on and an alternative.
Good running songs include: Help, I'm Alive by Metric, The Howling by Withing Temptation and Welcome to the Jungle by Guns n Roses.
Good lifting songs so far are things like: Scream by Avenge Sevenfold, Rock You Like a Hurricane by Scorpion and from Jekyll & Hyde the musical both This is the Moment and Alive.
Do you use music for fiction or fitness?
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
L is for Lessons
There are many lessons that come along. Some we ask for and others happen whether we want them to or not. This post and other letters of the alphabet are brought to you in part by: A to Z challenge.
I've learned my fair share of lessons over the years for both fiction and fitness. Some of them were ones I wanted to learn, like how to write a first draft of a novel or how to play a sport, while others just kind of happened along the way. So, let's look at some intentional and unintentional lessons learned.
Fiction
Intentional - How to write. Okay, that was an easy one. But really, I have taken classes on writing even if the novel class wasn't as helpful as I had hoped in college. I've taken formal classes and random classes taught by others trying to write on the writing web site. I have focused on different aspects of writing and taken on different challenges in order to improve my skill by the process of doing.
Unintentional - I've also learned that it takes time and sometimes I'm going to take years on drafts in order to make progress. I learned it's easy to get distracted and there are far more ideas than there are finished products. I'm sure there are other lessons I've learned without trying but they can be harder to focus on since they weren't intended to be learned in particular.
Fitness
Intentional - I have had many lessons over the years in fitness. I had to learn how to do different things like sports, lifting weights, zumba... I have done most of them intentional because they are things I want to do or at least want to try out. I have some I want to learn in the future: kayak, hand to hand combat, etc. Taking lessons helps get a basic understanding of the activity then doing it further helps with the continued learning process.
Unintentional - I've learned the hard way that some clothes are not well suited for different fitness activities. It can be as simple as the wrong shorts that get too tight around the thighs during squats. I've learned some people won't notice you, others will be nice and on the occasion some will be rude. And that no matter what, it's up to you to make the moves in order to achieve your goals. (Okay, I probably knew the last one a little but it's a general life lesson we learn as we go along.)
What lessons have you learned?
I've learned my fair share of lessons over the years for both fiction and fitness. Some of them were ones I wanted to learn, like how to write a first draft of a novel or how to play a sport, while others just kind of happened along the way. So, let's look at some intentional and unintentional lessons learned.
Fiction
Intentional - How to write. Okay, that was an easy one. But really, I have taken classes on writing even if the novel class wasn't as helpful as I had hoped in college. I've taken formal classes and random classes taught by others trying to write on the writing web site. I have focused on different aspects of writing and taken on different challenges in order to improve my skill by the process of doing.
Unintentional - I've also learned that it takes time and sometimes I'm going to take years on drafts in order to make progress. I learned it's easy to get distracted and there are far more ideas than there are finished products. I'm sure there are other lessons I've learned without trying but they can be harder to focus on since they weren't intended to be learned in particular.
Fitness
Intentional - I have had many lessons over the years in fitness. I had to learn how to do different things like sports, lifting weights, zumba... I have done most of them intentional because they are things I want to do or at least want to try out. I have some I want to learn in the future: kayak, hand to hand combat, etc. Taking lessons helps get a basic understanding of the activity then doing it further helps with the continued learning process.
Unintentional - I've learned the hard way that some clothes are not well suited for different fitness activities. It can be as simple as the wrong shorts that get too tight around the thighs during squats. I've learned some people won't notice you, others will be nice and on the occasion some will be rude. And that no matter what, it's up to you to make the moves in order to achieve your goals. (Okay, I probably knew the last one a little but it's a general life lesson we learn as we go along.)
What lessons have you learned?
Monday, April 13, 2015
K is for Killjoy
This topic is thanks to a writing buddy of mine who also knows the struggles that come along with trying to lose weight. He gets to hear about all the health stuff from me along with some flailed attempts at writing and when I needed a topic for K, this is what he suggested. Check out other K posts in A to Z challenge.
Killjoy in Fiction
There are characters who serve this role but for today, we are just going to focus on the people that affect the writer on the topic of their writing. This is the person who takes the wind out of your sails by just the slightest off hand comment. You finish a first draft of a dystopian and they have the comment about how you must be trying to catch the trend before it dies and no one wants to read those anymore. Or you mention thinking of doing another edit and they wonder why you are being a perfectionist instead of just sending the first draft out. The killjoy person comes in many forms and whether intentional or not, has the right comment to cause the moment of joy to suffer when approached. They give advice on writing and publishing but have never done anything in the industry. They have comments based on their preference though may caveat with, well it's your book do what you want. They are there and like ninjas you never know quite when one will appear. Don't let them harm the ego too much but also don't let the ego block the way of honest opinion that you may need to hear.
Killjoy in Fitness
Tell someone you're working on a fitness goal or trying to lose weight and there is a high chance you'll find a killjoy or at least someone who has to comment on what they think is best for losing weight. The comments can be subtle as eggshell paint or as subtle as being hit by a semi truck, you're mileage and experiences may vary. Say you lost a couple of pounds and they might need to tell you what they think is the best quick fix to lose weight. Order a dessert or have a higher calorie day and get asked if you fell off the wagon on the diet. Mention a protein shake that tasted really good and they might ask if that is sustainable way of eating that will be continued after weightloss. The comments and people come in many shapes and tones but there is that result that will occur, killjoy.
Either way: keep doing you. Write that book. Run that race. Do whatever it is you are working hard on and keep up the great work.
Have you experienced a killjoy recently?
Killjoy in Fiction
There are characters who serve this role but for today, we are just going to focus on the people that affect the writer on the topic of their writing. This is the person who takes the wind out of your sails by just the slightest off hand comment. You finish a first draft of a dystopian and they have the comment about how you must be trying to catch the trend before it dies and no one wants to read those anymore. Or you mention thinking of doing another edit and they wonder why you are being a perfectionist instead of just sending the first draft out. The killjoy person comes in many forms and whether intentional or not, has the right comment to cause the moment of joy to suffer when approached. They give advice on writing and publishing but have never done anything in the industry. They have comments based on their preference though may caveat with, well it's your book do what you want. They are there and like ninjas you never know quite when one will appear. Don't let them harm the ego too much but also don't let the ego block the way of honest opinion that you may need to hear.
Killjoy in Fitness
Tell someone you're working on a fitness goal or trying to lose weight and there is a high chance you'll find a killjoy or at least someone who has to comment on what they think is best for losing weight. The comments can be subtle as eggshell paint or as subtle as being hit by a semi truck, you're mileage and experiences may vary. Say you lost a couple of pounds and they might need to tell you what they think is the best quick fix to lose weight. Order a dessert or have a higher calorie day and get asked if you fell off the wagon on the diet. Mention a protein shake that tasted really good and they might ask if that is sustainable way of eating that will be continued after weightloss. The comments and people come in many shapes and tones but there is that result that will occur, killjoy.
Either way: keep doing you. Write that book. Run that race. Do whatever it is you are working hard on and keep up the great work.
Have you experienced a killjoy recently?
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