Monday, October 31, 2016

NaNoWriMo

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who reads my blog. You guys are amazing. :)

October has been a pretty exciting month for me. I joined a writer's club and I am one of the top 5 winners!
I also decided I wanted to be a part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this year. It begins November 1st, and lasts until November 30th. I hope to stay motivated and if not complete, come close to completing my book, Beyond The Veil. If anyone reading this is participating in NaNoWriMo as well, I'd love if you added me as a writing buddy. I'm pretty easy to find, just search my name, Vanessa Paige Yorba. :)

I wanted to inform you guys that I'll be taking a break from my blog for a little while. NaNoWriMo is going to be intense. I'll be spending most if not all of my spare time writing. I've already been prepping, staying up later than usual as a result, and now I'm sick. Lord help me, I might die of madness!! November is going to be great!!
Everyone joining NaNoWriMo seems to be talking about coffee and caffeine influenced imagination, etc.. I actually don't like coffee, but that may change - we'll see.


Since NaNoWriMo is only a month, I won't be gone too long. I hope to find you guys still here when November comes to an end and I give you all an update. In the meantime, you can add me as a friend on Facebook for occasional updates. 

Thank you so much for reading. I look forward to the months ahead!! ;)

Yours truly,
Me

Thursday, October 20, 2016

About My Writing.

To my dear family, friends, and followers who read my blog: I noticed it's been more than two months since I've told you anything about my book. I have written about my other interests and what I've been up to, however I believe it's time for more about my progress on Beyond The Veil. Don't you??

For a while, I had writer's block; and then my writing was just going very slow. I didn't feel inspired. One thing I've learned though is that I can't wait for inspiration to hit me in the head. Sometimes I just have to go after it and grab hold of it. I just have to sit down at my desk, reread the last few sentences I wrote to refresh my mind where I left off, and then let the muses fill me as I begin writing. Waiting to be inspired is rubbish. I'd never get the story written, as I hadn't in a while. Let me also say that it's rubbish to force yourself to write when there's nothing there. That's called writer's block. There's a difference.


Little more than a month ago, I had a publisher reach out to me. They asked what type of story I'm writing, what inspired me to write it, who my target audience is, if I am hoping to publish the book and some other decisions regarding that. I answered a few of their questions, however I told them that my manuscript is not far enough along to seriously consider one specific publisher or publishing options at this point. They understood my point of view and agreed with me, later emailing me to say that I was chosen to be a part of their writer's club for the month of October!!

The goal is to write 10,000 words by the end of the month. Some people chose to write short stories, others are submitting part of the novel they are working on. I did the latter obviously. I get feedback from other members of the writer's club. I also am encouraged to read their entries and post comments/feedback for them. Everyone also receives feedback from professionals. I love the club and I'm super happy I am a part of it. I joined mostly to stay motivated.

For the month of November, I am joining NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I'm not entirely sure what that is yet, but I know that the goal is to have written 50,000 words within the month. I know it's a great way to keep on track and stay motivated with one's writing and to interact with other writers out there within your genre and in your area. Maybe Beyond The Veil will be completed come December or the new year. Either way, that would be exciting!!

Please follow me if you like reading my blog!! Unfortunately, when someone subscribes, I don't know about it. But if you click the follow button near the top of the right sidebar, I can see that you read my blog. I'm also on Facebook now, so you guys should check that out!! :) Thank you!!

Yours truly,
Me

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Celtic Thunder - best birthday ever!!

Hello everyone!!
I hope you have all been well. I was sick a few weeks back, but I'm better now. I'm super excited that autumn is here. Am I alone?? :) Autumn is my favorite season for various reasons. I love how one can see the skies sparkle with stars more clear than any other season. I love the beautiful hues of nature. I love the cool crisp nights. I love the rain. I love Sprites, which are autumn fairies!! And my birthday is in the autumn. :D

This year though, I was excited for another reason. I believe it was in May of this year, that I found out one of my favorite groups, Celtic Thunder, would be touring in North American and playing at a venue only about 6 hours from me!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I received tickets to see Celtic Thunder for my birthday this year!!
For my 18th birthday, my family and I went to Disneyland. Every year since, I have been joking that we need to do something to top that like ANOTHER trip to Disneyland or a trip to Ireland or England or something crazy expensive.
Anywho, in the car on the drive home from the concert, we were talking about how amazing it was and I said, "That topped Disneyland." My parents didn't understand that. My dad said something along the lines of, "No way, Disneyland is way better!" My sister agreed with me though. I mean, she better agree with me, we went to see Celtic Thunder not just for my birthday, but for hers as well - after all, our birthday is the same day. ;)
While still at the concert, we stopped at the merchandise table. The guys at the table had Irish accents!! <3 Between my sister and I, we bought 2 T-shirts and 2 DVD's. As much as I'd like to listen to the guys in the car on long drives, I absolutely love the energy of actually watching them perform. DVD's are the way to go in my not so humble opinion. :D

Seriously though, if you've ever been to a Celtic Thunder concert (and to Disneyland) then you know I'm right. If you haven't, then you need to!! I really don't know how to express how great it was. The guys are extremely talented vocalists and they're funny. It was such a surreal experience. My sister and I kept looking at each other because we couldn't believe that we were actually seeing the guys perform LIVE!! EEEEEEEEE!!!! They sang songs I knew with new twists, covers of songs I knew, and songs I had not heard before.
I got to see Neil Byrne, Ryan Kelly, Damian McGinty (which some of you may remember from Glee), Emmet Cahill, and the newest member, Michael O'Dwyer. Sadly, Keith Harkin wasn't there. Despite his absence though, still best show ever. At one point (before the concert started I believe), my dad asked me if I needed a tissue. I half-jokingly said yes.

For those of you who don't know, Celtic Thunder first formed in 2007. They have since released 12 DVD's, and 14 albums. There's so much I could tell you about the group, but that could get pretty boring very quickly to a lot of you. I will say, however, that I first "discovered" the group in 2014. The first Celtic Thunder song I ever heard was called "The Island" with Keith Harkin taking the lead vocals.

Here are a few songs by Celtic Thunder that you guys should check out. Also, they're still on their North American Tour 2016, so if you're interested, you can still get tickets here. Thanks so much for reading!! ;)

If you enjoy reading my blog, please follow me!! You can do so by clicking "Follow" near the top of the right sidebar.

Yours truly,
Me