Ally Aldridge Novel, Writing

Jewel of the Sea – Chapter 11

My main time to write is in the evenings. I started working on this chapter on Wednesday but since then there have been a number of personal distractions.

One of my best friends is in hospital with her baby and I wanted to do something to cheer her up. I gave up an evening to work on creating her a special letter and gift. Another evening was lost to looking at my families finances and trying to work out how we will afford everything this month as I am no longer bringing in any money on maternity leave.

Today, I have taken every chance I have had to get some writing done and I have finally finished editing the chapter to post on Wattpad. If you have time to take a look, please do give it a read and let me know what you think.

How are you progressing towards your writing goals?

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Comma ‘gain!

How much development do you give you Secondary characters?

Hand write to boost creativity

My best kept writing secret of last year (Happily Ever Author)

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Ally Aldridge Goals, Novel, Writing

Camp NaNoWriMo Diary (midpoint April 2019)

Here is my midpoint diary on my Camp NaNo project, how I prepared and how I am progressing told through my Instagram photos.

Project – Red Dresses

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Are you doing Camp NaNoWriMo? I am going to take a break from editing to do what I love most, writing. I've set my goal low at 15k because this week has reminded me how hard it is to find time when one of my kids are poorly and I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I'm planning to join #hustlingwriterscommunity cabin with @midnightstarlight #fellowcreativeminds #writerslife #writersofInstagram #writerscommunity #writerschallenge #writersofig #instagramwriters #igwriter #writingcomnmunityofinstagram #writerslifeforme #WriteWriteWrite #WritersWrite #NovelWriting #hustlingwriterscabin #amwriting #workinprogress #writingproject #redheadwriter #GoalSetter #GoalDigger #writinggoals #nanowrimo #campnanowrimo #campnano #wordcount #wordcountgoal

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Preparation

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I have been busy prepping for Camp NaNoWriMo but still have a long way to go. I'm pleased with how my MC is coming together although still don't have a name for her. She is a Journalist student in her final year of Uni – feel free to suggest names. Tonight, I've started outlining. This is the first time I've used Save The Cat method to do this. In the video you will see question marks where I need to go back as I'm not finished. I got to Act 2, Beat 8. I estimate the full novel will be 70k to 100k. For Camp NaNo I'm only aiming to do the first 15k to 30k. I want to finish my outline before I start but those first beats are the most important for April. How is your Camp NaNo Prep going? #campnanowrimo #campnano #campnanowrimo2019 #campnanoprep #newadult #newadultfiction #newadultromance #paranormalromance #urbanfantasy #vampire #workinprogress #writingproject #savethecat #outlining #outliningyournovel #novelplanning #plotter #instagramwriters #writersofinstagram #writerschallenge #writerscommunity #writersgram #writingcomnmunityofinstagram #discoverunder3k #redheadwriter #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity

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Update 1

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Day 3 – Camp Nano Progress! Oh dear! I actually have not started yet. Anyone else in this position? My month started out super busy with my evenings stolen by other commitments. I'm doing a course and I promised someone feedback on their project. These aren't excuses and I'm not going to quit due to a poor start. Other campers will come across obstacles in the coming days and those that make it to the end are the ones that remember there is always tomorrow. But, any progress is better than no progress so tonight I shall write! @jodie_at_home are you word sprinting tonight on Twitter – can I join you? I need some motivation to get started. #campnano #campnanowrimo #campnanochallenge #campnanoapril #instawrimo #campnano2019 #campnanowrimoapril2019 #wrimo #wrimosofig #wrimosofinstagram #instawrimo2019 #instawrimoapril #HustlingWritersCabin #nanowrimo #namowrimo2019 #noprogress #nanoprogress #writerslife #writerschallenge #discoverunder3k #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #writerswrite #wordsprint #writerssupportingwriters #paranormalromance #newadultfiction

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Update 2

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Last night, I made a start on my Camp Nano project and wrote 1,166 words! I'm pretty pleased with my first chapter. I feel I've manged to clearly set my MCs challenges, needs and a catalyst already. I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter where she's going to seek a job at Scarlet House to enable her to work undercover. My chapters at the moment are just scenes as that is how I draft. I've loved free writing and can't wait to add to my story tomorrow. #hustlingwriterscabin #discoverunder2k #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #paranormalromance #urbanfantasy #fictionwriter #campnano #campnanoApril #campnanoapril2019 #nanowrimo #nanowrimoapril #nanowrimoapril2019 #writewritewrite #writerswrite #wordcountgoal #goaldigger #novelwriting #firstdraft #workinprogress #writerschallenge #writersofinstagram #igwriters

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Update 3

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Early this month I blogged about the importance of updating your ‘about me’ section on your website and other social media platforms. Online, I am quite social and on a number of sites so updating them all is going to take a while. An example is my NaNo profile which I created in a rush last year. It already needs updating as not only is it sparse but it only mentions my son as my daughter didn’t exist then. In addition, I’ve developed some new interests. It’s amazing how much can happen in a year. Tell me something new about you from the last 12 months? #campnanowrimo #campnanowrimo2019 #hustlingwriterscommunity #hustlingwriterscabin #nanoprofile #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #writer #redheadwriter #fellowcreativeminds #wrimo #nanowrimo #nanowrimo2019 #aspiringauthor #nanoproject

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Update 4

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Who are your cabin mates? My cabin mates are are all part of the #hustlingwriterscommunity , a group of writers that have other responsibilities that make it challenging to find time to write. The struggle is easier when you have a supportive cabin cheering you on. It helps me get over the bad days quicker and focus on my achievements instead of giving up. We can relate to each other’s time problems. We have fallen a little behind target but we are still making steady progress and I’m confident we will achieve our goals together. We will certainly have done better than if we had never tried. I think these are the Instagram handles of my cabin mates (I’m not sure who the others are on IG): @midnightstarlightwrites @wordsaremagic88 @jenjeng89 @annamlancaster @colleen.is.writing @mommajedi2382 @aliceinthewillowtree #hustlingwriterscabin #discoverunder2k #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #paranormalromance #urbanfantasy #fictionwriter #campnano #campnanoApril #campnanoapril2019 #nanowrimo #nanowrimoapril #nanowrimoapril2019 #writewritewrite #writerswrite #wordcountgoal #goaldigger #novelwriting #firstdraft #workinprogress #writerschallenge #writersofinstagram #igwriters #writingchallenge #amwriting

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Update 5

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I’m so pleased, tonight I’ve managed to get in a good hour of writing. I wrote 1,338 words taking my total to 6,197 words. Looking at the graph I would say I’m pretty much on track. I’m glad I did the outlining before starting as it is helping know what to work on next although tonight I think I jumped the timeline a little so when I edit I’ll need to add some build up in before tonight’s scene. Nevermind. You can edit a bad page but you can’t edit a blank page. Better written than not. How’s your writing going? #campnano #campnanowrimo #campnanochallenge #campnanoapril #instawrimo #campnano2019 #campnanowrimoapril2019 #wrimo #wrimosofig #wrimosofinstagram #instawrimo2019 #instawrimoapril #HustlingWritersCabin #nanowrimo #namowrimo2019 #noprogress #nanoprogress #writerslife #writerschallenge #discoverunder2k #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #writerswrite #wordsprint #writerssupportingwriters #paranormalromance #newadultfiction

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I hope when I post in early May on how I got on that I will have good news and be able to share my success with you. Wish me luck!

Update: Click here to read my diary for middle to the end.

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Ally Aldridge Competition, Novel, Writing

A plea for your help…

About the competition:

So, I entered Jewel of the Sea into a competition. I am in Group One for SciFi, Fantasy Paranormal, Werewolf and Vampire stories.

The competition has six rounds. Each round, the stories will be judged for different things.  Each round the contestants will be halved so that by the final (sixth) round there are only two contestants competing to win. The criteria for each round is:

  1. Title, Cover, Blurb
  2. First Chapter
  3. Characters
  4. Plot
  5. Overall Story
  6. Judges’ Review

Round One for Group One Starts On: 27 March 2019 to 5 April 2019

I have ten days to spread the word and encourage my followers to visit the competition and comment on why they like my novel’s title, cover and blurb.

Jewel of the Sea

Blurb:

One kiss is all it took to wake Mariah’s weather manipulation powers.

Mariah is crushing on her best friend, rivalling with the swim team star and Gwyn in meddling in her life using spells. With no idea what she is, this mermaid could lose control and kill!

When your deadly powers are connected to your emotions, it gives a new meaning to “It’s complicated.”

How you can help:

Please can you visit the Cliche Press Competition and comment on what you like about my novel’s title, cover and blurb. Click here to visit the competition.

Also, if you have time to give me feedback on my project it is always welcomed. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve so please don’t hesitate to let me know what is working and what is not.

Please let me know if you are on Wattpad as I would love to follow you.

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