Research, research, research...

I've been working hard on my current WIP.  I had to narrow it down to just one for the time being.  Trying to work on 5 things isn't so productive for me.  I really wanted to focus on the story I used for NaNoWriMo.  I've grown it from and idea to an actual story and it's changed a lot since I started working on it.  I've been putting all of my writing time into editing what I'd written in November.  Which leads me to research...

If anyone were to check my Google search history they would probably think I was buying and selling ancient artifacts on the black market and possibly faking my own death or someone else's.  With that being said maybe I should give you a little about my current WIP.

Chloe Tanner is a spoiled rich girl that parties and lays around the pool when she'd rather be doing something useful with her life.  Her father finds and sells art and artifacts providing her with a very lush and easy life.  Leaving for a business trip and fearing looming danger for his daughter, Grant Tanner hires someone to make sure she stays safe. When her father doesn't return home Chloe embarks on a journey to Guatemala and Belize to discover what her father really did for a living and who she really is all while making a new friend.

I've learned a lot of things about Belize and Guatemala in the past few weeks.  I wish it were possible for me to take a trip there right now.  Unfortunately it's not.  But the history and the culture fascinate me.  I've also learned plenty about the Maya and the Aztecs.  I'm no history buff and want this story to be accurate and realistic so I'm suffering through the homework-like process of finding out everything I can.


  

Plans for the New Year...

I have to start this off by saying I'm not big on New Year's resolutions.  I kind of feel like it's setting myself up for failure.  I very rarely go through with them.  Most of the time I don't even make it out of January with them still intact.  I always have goals though.  Things in the back of my mind I know I want to do.

So, what are my plans for the new year?

I want to finish my current WIP (work in progress).  It was my NaNoWrMo project.  I didn't make the required 50,000 words to submit it and win, but I did come up with about 40,000 words.  Not too bad.  And it got me actually moving on a idea that was around before Tears in the Rubble.  I've been going back through and editing what I wrote during November and filling in the gaps where I jumped ahead.  I should be done with that soon and then I can really get to work on writing the end.  I'd really like have it out in the earlier part of the year.

I'd like to be better with my time management.  Now, considering all the things I do, a full time job, a part time job, writing, and working for my publisher, plus everyday things, I don't do too horribly.  But when it's all said and done I feel like I never stop.  I'm constantly on the go and pushing things to the side so I can get other things done.  Don't get me wrong I love my life, but sometimes I just want to sit down.

I want to enjoy my life and my time.  I'm surrounded by great friends and family and I want spend as much time as possible with them.  What's the point in working hard if you can't have fun too?  This goes back to time management I suppose.

I want to worry less.  I'm a worrier by nature and it seems there is always something new to worry about.  Hey, this might free up some time too.

What are you plans or resolutions for the new year?