Author R.A. Gasparac

-Dark/Paranormal/Fantasy/Horror AUTHOR -Human/Hyrax Hybrid -Dark Empress of Delayed Reactions

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  • Making art is a form of protest.

    Remember the last thing a fascist regime wants is people to make more art because art makes people think. It’s ok to use your art as an act of protest.

    #writingadvice

  • Soothing The Writers Soul

    Ok, I have yet to work on the most important part of my Query Letter for my Novel, but I have sated the sleeping dragon. I realized recharging my batteries was more important than the multitudes of deadlines I imposed on myself. So, as I left my day job, sleet ( a wintery mix of ice and rain) began to trickle down from the heavens. A familiar bone chilling wind hit my face, and I was brought back to a better time.

    I remembered myself as a child, coming in from the winter after hours of play on the south shore. I grew up in the suburbs between Montreal proper, and the end of the Appalachian ( for my US readers) mountains. I knew I wanted stew, but not just any kind – it wasn’t exactly French, but it was made with French technique. My father, a Serb/Croatian would favor thick hearty stews, and left me with the know how.

    I spent an hour preparing all of the ingredients, and subsequently another two hours of cooking time. All I had eaten was oatmeal for breakfast, and four chocolate chip cookies for lunch ( because we all try to eat healthy meals apparently.) Thirty minutes into cooking. I chastised myself every time I would reach to tear open the pot and devour whatever was there our of sheer survival, but my head won out. Patience would reward me with layers of flavor.

    Sitting down with that first bowl soothed something deep within me. I wasn’t judging myself for what I didn’t do for the day, and allowed myself to take in a bit of life before it starts all over again. This is my mental break. I know I’m no closer to being a bestselling Author the longer my Query collects digital dust, but I had to stop beating myself up about my unrealistic production goals. The Query will come, but like the stew, I have to layer the flavors, carefully prepare each sentence before I combine them all on the page to create something so savory, that I will have my choice of Agents and Publishers.

    So far it’s been three days in a row that I’ve actually written sequentially on here. I should feel bad for that, and calling myself a writer – but it’s ok. I am perfectly imperfect. Rome was not built in a day, and my writing career will not be either. One ingredient at a time.

  • Nano 2017 Day 6 Report

    In case you missed it, this post was not written or posted yesturday.  Real life got in the way unfortunatley (focused on day jobs.)  I did however find time to write a few hundred words I hate, but they were more  than I started with.

    So, I am using this as a great time to talk about the lesson of slow and steady progress.  I’m going to paint a picture for you.

    Imagine its a dark and stormy night- the wind is knocking feircly at your home, pelting it with rain.  That storm my friends is procrastination.  It is trying to overpower you into submition.  When it finds a way in you notice there is a leak in the ceiling.   You know if you dont get something to contain it ( like nano) it will seep everywhere and cause water damnage ( emotional havock we lay on ourselves.)  So we get a bucket or a bowl to contain the slow trickle.  Heres the thing, once we found a container ( our project) to direct that water, we take control. Over time those singular drops ( words) begin to fill the container (novel).

    Let the slow drops fall into the bucket. They dont look very impressive at first, but once it fills the bucket and threatens to pour over it looks rather noteworthy.  Keep typing. It IS worth it. Even those hundred words.

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

  • Nano 2017 Day 5 Report

    I woke up feeling exactly if not more lethargic than yesterday- but I wrote anyways.

    Today’s mantra was “if you wait until you are ready, you will never be ready.”  How true that sentiment is.  If we wait until we feel like doing something that thing will never really be done. In a world of endless distractions in our day to day lives, on the internet, and our headspace there will always be ‘valid’ distractions.

    Our brains want us happy, so it will offer more pleasant options like video games.  Work causes stress even if you love doing that work. So, at least our brains are trying to make us feel better no matter how bad it can be in the long run.

    I had a very good reason not to write today (yes I wrote down actual new words!). Even though there was an extra hour of sleep due to daylight savings time, I could not stay asleep for longer than an hour at a time with hours in between.  My brain was mush and I still feel like a zombie because of it. Peeper in on top of that, before I got my words for the day I had a bad drop in blood sugar.

    While I am not diabetic, if I do not remember to eat (yes I forget because I’m always focused on my projects), I will get migraines, heavy cold sweats, and vertigo.

    My point about all of this is that even though I did have the perfect reasons to not work today, I did it anyways. I couldn’t have two days off Nano in a row. Don’t give up.

    I know you want to give up- but don’t. Even if you only get ten words down (1k in my case), it is more than when you started. Just keep the momentum going.

    So, was today a good Nano day, or a bad Nano day for you? Let us know about it in the comments below!

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

  • Nano 2017 Day 4 Report

    :: Insert attempt at rationalizing taking a day off::

    Yeah. I’m not going to lie. I slacked off a bit. I  *MAY* have woken up and started playing ESO (Elder scrolls online)….

    Today my inner demons won.

    However I will still try to remind myself it is okay to not always be ‘on’. Some days you will not write a thing. While I did plan for this day to come, it still hurts. It feels like I’ve given up on myself and my dreams. It makes me scared I will not return to my project tomorrow.

    But I know this will pass. I *DID* accomplish more in these past four days than one year of working on this project. I have a story that brings me to tears. You don’t know me, but I don’t cry. The only time I cry is when I’m angry (insert Hulk quote lol.)

    The moral of todays story is that you can’t win them all. I do promise my fans that I will get back to it first thing tomorrow-

    Did you fall off the wagon? It’s ok. I’ll be limping right beside you! Tell me how the day went for you in the comments below! (I reply to all comments!!)

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

  • Nano 2017 Day 3 Report

    This one is going to be short today.

    While I don’t feel like I completed much, I resolved all plot holes and re arranged plot points for dramatic effect and pacing issues.   The reader shouldn’t feel too beat over the head with death and misery, as I broke it up with some good B story.

    Also, unlike yesterday I fixed my finale. That’s right- you read that correctly- alllllllllllllll of two years unable to resolve and finalize it- I completed in three days of focused work.


    I have also realized a hidden plot which makes the antagonist the protagonist of thier own story.  That’s what makes the best antagonist- one that is justified in why they do what they do.

    So- anyone else have a good/bad moment today? Let us know in the comments below! I respond to ALL comments!

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

  • Nano 2017 Day 2 Report

    So it started earlier than usual. That smooth voice in the back of my head, reassuringly told me to “take the day off”.

    I’m off today from both day job of mine (yes, you read that right… TWO day jobs on top of Nano.) It started only a minute after I opened my eyes this time. In the past, it waited a few hours. Today I started my day.

    “You’ve already done so much work…”, “All you have to do is post an updated number count from one more pre revised chapter”

    The nerve of that voice. Then it brought out the big guns:

    “Just take the day off and play Elder Scrolls Online for JUST AND HOUR.”

    Full disclosure, I am a MASSIVE gamer.  If video games were a religion, I would worship at the house of Bethesda. You name it – DOOM, Skyrim, Fallout- those are my crack cocaine.  This voice knew exactly what it was doing and gave the perfect escape route.

    Begrudginly, I weakly responded, “but I cant play any games until I work on the novel…”

    Luckily, that voice vanished into the void it came from – likley to regroup and attack another day.

    So today I gave myself the reality check I needed to begin in the form of pointing out to myself allllllllll the weak chapters and loose ends in the second half of my book.  Guys, this is self loathing level reality check. I do not recomend it for the weak minded.

    Shot of revisions before Act 2 before the midpoint of novel:

    Annnnnnnnndddddd after midpoint…:

    yeah. sobering.  Luckily I was conforted by my trusty sidekick Loki:

    So, I pulled up my master beat sheet (click HERE for where I found this gem and a treasure trove of other beat sheets):

    Made a visual with post its:
    Added previously settled on revisions ( fuchia), and new to this revision attempts (baby blue):

     

    With all of this I still noticed that my final boss fight is still up in the air.  I do have the previous version of this written, which will be slightly similar, but a LOT of new angles seasoned in, so I am calling today a win.

    Todays lesson has been to:

    1. Not give up first thing in the morning, even when it sounds so good to do so.
    2. its okay not to have all the puzzle peices in the very begining. you will get there eventually.
    3. trust in yourself as a storyteller.
    4. Even with a laudry list of things to do, it IS in fact possible to make time for your story, and even a blog. ( I am writing this at the kitchen prep counter as I am cooking dinner. if it MEANS something to you, you have to MAKE TIME for it in your life.

    Anyone else deal with the same obstacles today? If not, please weigh in on what obstacles you may or not be facing in the comments below! I ALWAYS respond BTW…. ::inserts guilt trip::

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

  • Nano 2017 Day 1 Report

    Day one was more than super easy for me (it won’t last- trust me…). As I am a Nano Rebel this year, and focusing on chapter revisions vs. word/pagecounts day one was a breeze writing-wise.

    Thankfully I revised this chapter a long time ago, and only tweaked it here and there. Act one and part one of Act two have been mostly revised as I have worked on it this last year in short bursts between building and running a buisness.

    I also created a tracker in my bullet journal to help me visualize my progress and note the areas that need more attention than others.


    As an artist of not only words, I love the visual arts as well- so I knew if I took the time to create something with color it would help motivate me to complete everything in my anal retentive love for color mingled with functionality.

    So what steps have you taken to get yourself motivated and to help track your progress? Some days you will need to see it to stop from quitting.

    Have any tips or tricks? Share them below!

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

  • The one word to DELETE from your vocabulary this NaNoWriMo

    This past year I have learned the most important word to Delete from my Vocuabulary.

    This year as I sit watching Netflix ( Big Mouth- BTW most factual representation of those pre teen years I have seen to date.), there is a slight drizle and chill in the air.  To non-writers or non-aspiring writers , it is a time to cower in fear as summer dies in the night.

    BUT to aspiring and seasoned writers alike we savor this time of year ( and not just because it means Nano Season).  This is a time of quiet introspection at what we have done this past year, and if we achived goals we set for ourselves.

    This past year I grew so much. A year and a half ago I was suffering from agoraphobia ( phobia of leaving the home). I knew my life wasnt where I wanted it to be and I realized I HAD to take a different course of action to get closer to where I wanted to be.  For six months I built the framework for a Publishing buisness with a friend, and forced myself to do panels at local conventions ( and even moderated panels with Voice over Celebrities currently working for Funimation.)  I put myself out there and forced myself to work through my anxiety, and phobias. How I grew…

    So what does this have to do with the title of this blog post?

    Everything I put myself through this past year I chose not to do one thing.  I chose to delete a word from my self talk.

    “Am I READY to do this?”

    The thing about the word ‘ready’ in this context; if we wait to be ready, we will never get anything done. Instead, try this:

    “Am I WILLING to do this?”

    See how much easier it is to wrap your brain over something as daunting as writing an entire novel in a short period of time?  Are you willing to do whatever it takes every day this month to comit to taking on small chunks of writing?

    For myself, the answer is and will always be, yes.

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

  • Making Time

    So here I sit at the desk of my day job wondering how I got into this situation.  After looking at my clock three seperate times, I misread it thinking I was late for work. So here I sit- thirty minutes early to my shift… waiting.

    Why the hell is that so important? Because time is relative. I knew getting to my shift on time was a major item in my day and I made getting to it a priority. In fact, it became such a priority that my brain sped up my perception of time.

    Tomorrow is October 31st, 2017. Halloween. It is also another important day. NaNoWriMo Eve.

    So this is my quick pep talk to you (and let’s be honest- myself as well), to make your writing a priority this November.

    I took a year off of my book to build a buisness. Now, it is time for it to receive all of my attention. The same goes for the words bubbling under the surface within you.  Only you can tell this story. That’s why you have it.

    If I don’t write this story, my fans will not experience the story needing to be shared. The final battle between the Chthonics and Olympians is dark and brutal- but if I don’t write it no one will know this story existed.

    Make your story a priority this November. Your story deserves it, and above all YOU deserve it.

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101
  • NaNoWriMo 2017 Announcement!

    NaNoWriMo 2017 Announcement!

    This year, instead of focusing on pages and words counts, I will simply be focusing on rewriting all remaining chapters. Put it on hold for a year and it is time to get this ready for an editor (post beta reader full read through). Hope this book cover makes you ask a few questions (if you were a beta reader you know what is actually on the cover).

    Be sure to follow my progress on NaNoWriMo.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

    Also be sure to catch up with my Nano prep series:

    So what did I cover?

    1. NaNoWriMo 101
    2. Why are you choosing to write?
    3. World building/ making your world rules.
    4. Plotting/Plot chains/Beat Sheets/ References
    5. Pinterest Boards for your Nano Novel
    6. Developing Characters
    7. Developing Settings
    8. Antagonists 101

    Di Inferi Reveille Devil Door Cover

  • Great Leaders