Sonoma Wine Trip: Carneros & Valette

Before I get into my trip, I just want to say, LOVE IS LOVE IS  LOVE IS LOVE IS  LOVE IS LOVE<3. Let us not forget that.

As for my trip, it's been almost a week since I landed in Oakland, California, and drove up to the Sonoma/Carneros area with Michael. Our yearly summer wine trips are my favorite, and I was especially excited to do the Sonoma area! Deep down I have this dream of Michael and I with our little own vineyard and a small home on a hill with a wraparound porch. I'd pen my latest novel and he'd cycle the rolling hills. We'd make delicious local food and great wine. I can dream,right? Not to mention the location would be perfect; about an hour and a half from my family, the coast, and the bay area.

But alas, I should snap out of my day dream and get on with my post! We started at Gloria Ferrer to taste some sparkling wines. I loved it so much, I became a member of their wine club.

For lunch, we went to OSO Sonoma to fuel up before heading for our wine taste/tour at Domaine Carneros.

After, we went to Arrowood for our last taste, but when we got there I was like, whoa! Dream home right here ;)

For dinner, we went to Valette and did the chef's tasting menu. It was AMAZING. A must-go if you're in the area and want a fancy/romantic/date night, or if you just want some delicious food.

By the end of the day, I was totally wiped. We got up at 4 a.m. that day to head out to the airport and did a full day of tasting. You bet I crashed by the time 9 p.m. rolled around.

TGw9L - Week Six & The Celebratory End

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, then you know this happened:

Nothing feels better than typing those two words and actually being proud of the work and time you put in. The moment was so different from finishing ADKOU (aka the trashed manuscript from this year). I was equal parts relieved, excited, but also really, really tired.

Let's see how I did my final week!

Week 6: 15,300
Total: 75,423

I owe the motivation of this week to all the support from my 2 handsome boys and the PVRIS concert.

Blaire, though annoying at times, was a constant companion on my lap, and Michael supported me the whole way, letting me spend hours in the cave. He even went to the PVRIS concert with me (despite not having slept in two days so I wouldn't be alone), got me a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate, and took me out for dessert.

The concert though, was even better than I thought it'd be. There's just something about seeing a performance live that transcends listening to the record. Even more so, when I'm able to imagine all these scenes in my head from my MS that correlated with some of their tracks (see my post last week here, to see what I mean).

All these things helped me get to the finish line that I ended up making it before my self-imposed deadline of June 1st! So that's something to feel good about, especially with vacation around the corner.

The first draft is always the 'magical' draft. It belongs fully and completely to you despite all its flaws. But if you want to make it even better and go through revisions, you'll have to take off your rose-colored glasses and get other eyes on it. That's the hard part.

For my own process, this would be the time where I take a break before going back to do a read-through and creating my own revision plan to get it ready for CP's. I'm doing things a little differently this time around because I want to know if there's 'something there' in my story. Is the story and the characters compelling enough? Not only to snag my own interest, but the interests of others that they would go along with the MC's journey? So this time, I actually sent my first three chapters and pitch out with a few trusted CP's and then to my agent.

Though I enjoyed every minute of writing this MS and am already thinking of revision ideas, I know that if I have to let this project go, then I will. It's a hard thing to do, but I'm prepared to do so if need be. But I am also prepared to work hard on it and give it everything I have, if all signs point to yes.

Either way, I've learned two important lessons this year with these two complete first drafts (ADKOU & TGw9L):

1. Write passionately. Do not write for the sake of writing. Write with your whole heart and nothing less than that. Because if you don't, it'll show in your writing. You can't fool the reader.
2. Know when to let things go. Making decisions are never easy, but when it's time to pull the plug on something, do it with respect. Don't think of it as a waste of time, don't think that it has to do with you. Stories work in different ways, and maybe it's not the right time for you or it to be fully realized. Seek opinions you trust to help you make the hard choices if need be, but don't be afraid to leave something behind. It's not quitting. It's moving on to give yourself the best possible chance to grow and thrive.

TGw9L - Week Five & Epiphanies/Inspiration

High-five! Because I completed week five! Okay, that was corny, but hey! I made it! And I'm posting early instead of waiting for Friday. So go me!

So my progress...

Week 5: 13,388
Total: 60,128

It was a really great week for me! The 18th especially because I had an epiphany about how to end my MS in a way that ties everything together, so I couldn't be happier! I wrote up to 3K that day so I could get closer to writing it, but even ending the week at 60K, I still have a ways to go. So much farther to go, I found myself procrastinating on the 21st. A part of me just wants it all to be perfect, but I have to accept that this is only a first draft and I will make it better. I just need to get it out, finish--while still keeping the flame I have for this book alive--before I run out of stamina. And also, another part of me just wants this done, done, done! So I can hold this precious, but dark story in my hands.

So to fuel up for the finish line, I'm using some inspiration. If you follow me on twitter, you may remember this tweet from my first week of drafting:

The song is 'You and I' (stripped version) by PVRIS. It basically captures the relationship between Elias and Delilah (who is actually Jane, and who actually doesn't have a 'real' name--long story). Anyway, the thing is, when I draft, it's usually done in silence. Usually I'll create a playlist to listen to when I work out or take lunch break walks to get me thinking about the story. This time, I found myself gravitating to PVRIS's 'White Noise' album all the time.

Like, seriously. It just speaks to me. Lyrics written for the album were highly inspired by ghosts and spirits, so I guess it's fitting that I would connect my MS to this album, since my MC is akin to a ghost/spirit herself. Now, I've been listening to the album non-stop to get me in the zone as I finish up the MS. 

But get this! I found out on Monday that PVRIS has a concert this week in Seattle! Must be fate, right? So I got tickets, and now I'm so excited because I get to see these songs--that have filled me with inspiration for the past month and a half--live! It's like a pre-celebration bash before I knock out 'The End'!

Gahhhh! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. Just for funsies, I've listed some of my favorite songs and what they mean to me in respects to my MS:

You and I (stripped & regular version) - My two MC's courtship/romance.
Empty - My MC's character ARC.
My House - Delilah's dark thoughts that lead to her demise.
Holy - Eliza's 'poor unfortunate soul'.
Fire - My MC's dark past/confrontation. 
Eyelids - Bittersweet moment scene for my two MC's.
Only Love (Acoustic-not on the album) - The ending + epilogue of the MS.

Really though, I love the whole album <3

In other good news, I've accepted a job offer and will be switching to my new role in July! May has been very good to me, and I am so grateful.

To end, here's some epic brunch pictures this past weekend at The London Plan (which was delicious. I have to say, it's my new fave brunch place!).

TGw9L - Week Four & Different Paths

Week 4 was perhaps the most difficult drafting week thus far. I struggled to find balance in my daily life and in weaving the middle of the story. But before I get into that, let's see where I'm at.

Week 4: 11,699
Total: 46,740

This week, I managed to salvage stuff I had to trash in week 2. I had to tweak a lot of it, but I think it fit in nicely. What I thought was a waste, ended up being material I could use later. That's the main reason why I don't trash anything I write, I never know when it can be useful.

I also bounced a couple of storylines in my head. I knew where the characters were all going to end up, but how to get them there resulted in many paths to choose from. Of course, I went with the path that would wind up putting my MC in the worst situation possible. So it was fun when Friday the 13th came around, because I conjured something wicked for her, that worked out really, really, well. Too well, actually.

The thing is, once you get from a really intense traumatic scene, how do you get the character to come back from it in a very plausible and believable way? That's something I had to think long and hard about because it brought her to a turning point, and the execution would result in the agency of her actions for the rest of the book. It was difficult. Heck, middles for me are always difficult.

By the time Sunday came around, I was wiped and had meager words down to show for my time. I decided to just take the day off from drafting. I basically felt like Blaire.

On top of working out this middle, life also got busier. It's the high season at work, which left me feeling tired when I went home after to write.

On the bright side, vacation is coming up, and I think I'll be done with this draft before I fly out. It'll be marvelous. I can't wait to print this draft out and read it on hard copy while on my trip. I think just being excited about this draft and future revisions shows how passionate I am for this story. It's a different feeling from ADKOU, and I am so relieved. I hope I'm onto something.

It's funny how I felt so dejected about my trashed MS (ADKOU), thinking I'd never feel passionate about any other MS that wasn't TJE. But here I am. It's another different path I've taken, but it's worked out, and I'm curious to see where it leads me.

TGw9L - Week Three & Growth

So during week three I got sick. Like super sick. The sneezing, aching, hacking phlegm kind of sick, that still lingers. Spring colds are the worst. One day I was so sick and bedridden, I didn't even have the energy to turn on my computer and write even one word. Instead, I watched season 1 of Mr. Selfridge while falling in and out of sleep. It was horrible and awful, and I hope I don't get sick for a very long time!

So my progress....
Week 3: 10,045
Total: 35,041

I have reached the halfway mark! Whoo!

Week three was all about growth for me. Expanding the characters and setting up the environment for them to grow and change. The character arcs are taking shape and I am so excited to see where they go.

In this MS, I'm dealing with a big and intricate cast of characters, so it's interesting to see how all of their lives intertwine and how they affect the trajectory of each other's arcs. There's one scene where there's a huge fallout between two characters that truly made the MC doubt herself and what she believes in. It's a huge turning point for her, and though she regains her confidence in the face of doubt, she finds that she's also changed from that moment. It's a good change, but also bad, as it leads to her letting her guard down. Which is awesome, because as a writer, I get to make things very bad for her. *evil laugh* Show me your mettle, MC!

I didn't get a whole lot of words written this week, but it's okay, because I found the quality of words made up for it (so nothing to trash this week, which is a relief).

So this past weekend I tweeted this:

Last week, I was all about the cooking and baking metaphors, this week I'm all about the plants. The image of a leaf sprouting from the dirt came to me this week because my basil seeds have finally sprouted! I have a tiny herb garden and I've been waiting for the basil to show that it's, you know, alive and not just wet dirt. It's exciting to see that vibrant color pop up against the brown earth, and it's the same feeling I got this week while writing.

I got to the point in this chapter where I was like whoa, this character man, she's so complex and my heart weeps for her, but she can totally stand on her own. It was the first time she popped on the page--as if to say, I'm real; take notice! From then on, she ceased to be just a character on the page. These momentous character turning points are like little leaves. And like a plant, more leaves will emerge from the stalk, growing and growing until it finally blooms. And man, I can't wait to see her bloom. She just has to get through all the crap I throw at her, but once she does, her perfume will be unforgettable.

Which brings me to another point about growth. I've been reading The EveryGirl's Guide to Diet & Fitness by Maria Menounos and she had this quote in the text: If you aren't growing, you're dying. This one quote really stuck with me and made me examine my life. When you think about a plant, it continues to grow, right? Because if it isn't, then it's dying. Shouldn't this relate to every aspect of our life? For example, if I'm not working on a story, or reading a book, I feel like I've wasted time that I'm never going to get back. I've lost the opportunity to grow as a writer and a reader. But if I continue to do it every day then I will feel better about my productivity and will see my growth as I progress. It's not about doing things quickly, rather, it's about doing a little bit each day. It's like the saying goes: 'to be a writer, you must be writing.'

This frame of thought has helped me this past week because it allowed me to slow down and not rush my writing. It also led me to think about my lifestyle. I always say I want to eat better, or be more active. I'm always up and down with it though. Sometimes I'll be really good, and then really bad and stop caring. This is an awful cycle. I get discouraged because I don't see immediate results. However, growth takes time, and if I don't respect that, I'll never bloom in the way I want to.

Think about aspects in your life where you can continue to grow. How do you feel when you aren't in constant pursuit of it? Do you ever feel like you're dying (figuratively) when you aren't working toward a dream or goal? Comment below if you'd like, or connect with me on social media via Direct Message. I'd love to hear your take on your own growth.

TGw9L - Week Two & Food For Inspiration

Week two of drafting and getting to ~25K! AKA the point in drafting where the idea is going somewhere so might as well finish the darn thing ;)

Week 2: 11,036
Total: 24,996

So the week started pretty great as I started to build the frame of the narrative and the layers of the characters. But then toward the weekend, I wrote myself into a corner. It happens. And when it does, it sucks majorly. So what should you do? Well, I can't speak for all writers, but here are my suggestions:

• Take a break. Step away from your work so you can get a fresh mind and a clear perspective. You'll find that doing so will often (if not most likely) help solve the issue.
• Figure out the point in which you deviated in the plot that led to the dead end. Ever get lost when you're on the road driving? Same situation. You drive along, scenery looks great until it doesn't anymore. You get an inkling that you aren't headed where you want to go. You pull over, try to get your bearings, and realize where you went turned out to be the wrong way, and it helps to back track.
• Do something else that you love or inspires you. Sometimes you just need to switch gears to avoid burnout. For me, it's playing my guitar, reading, or good food. Which brings me to my next topic.

Food for thought. No seriously. Do you ever think about the food you eat and how it can affect you or your creative spirit? When I wrote myself into a corner I turned to food. But not in the binge and eat my feels kind of way (though I'll admit I do that sometimes). I like to think of food as a sensory art. Ever had that moment when you ate something that brought up a memory, or was so delicious you thought you might cry? Food, like books, tell a story. From the ingredients that make it up, to the time it takes to prepare, to the final presentation. It's beautiful and such a wonderful, momentous experience, like reading an amazing story that touches your soul.

Michael and I ate some amazing food during the weekend when I wrote myself into a corner (note I will probably trash like 3K of what was written this week), and it really consoled and reassured me that it's okay sometimes to get lost. It's okay to accidentally add too much salt in a recipe, you'll just know not to the next time you make it. To get a recipe at its absolute best, you need the exact measurements, the perfect temperature, and the necessary amount of time, to pull that tasteful masterpiece together; and that happens with a little tweaking, a dash of practice, and a sprinkle of experimentation.

So yeah, I wrote myself into a corner this week. But it wasn't so bad once I had some amazing food to give me a tasteful perspective. The lesson I learned this week: making delicious food is like creating a magical manuscript. Once you get it just right--the flavors, the colors, the scents, the sights--all of it will be an unforgettable and sensory experience.

TGw9L - Week One

So, I'm drafting again. I know, I know. I should take a break, but I'm too addicted to writing to stop completely. But, I am taking it slower. No more rushing for me. No more writing scared.

But you remember Delilah, right? The character I can't stop talking about? Well, I'm writing her complicated and twisty tale, and it's been challenging and different. Michael read an excerpt of it this past weekend, and I asked him, "If you didn't know I wrote this, would you have expected this to come from the writer of TJE?" He said no, but in a good way. I am pulling off the voice of the character--a voice so different from my own.

So, week one!

Week 1: 13,960
Total: 13,960

I've been pretty steady. Trying to aim for 1,430 words a day so I can get to approx. 70,000 words by the end of seven weeks (10K per week). Considering I about killed my social life to draft ADKOU, this is pretty doable. And if you've been with me on the blog long, you'll notice that this is the same wc and length of time for TJE. Even crazier, I am starting this whole journey during the same time I did TJE last year. I guess you can say I have a thing for cycles, so it's only natural that I do these weekly progress summaries like I did for TJE, right? Ha, okay. Maybe I'm going overboard with the cycles, but hey, I hope it all works out.

With all drafts, I love writing the set up, and I always have an end/climax in mind. The middle is where I hit the panic button (but more on that next week). First 10K is relatively easy. You get so excited about everything, but it also needs to be carefully done. It's the groundwork, the first impression--it sets the tone. Thankfully, I love my beginning! After sharing it with some CP's, their enthusiasm really got me excited to see how the story pans out.

How about you? Are you currently drafting, revising, or editing? How do you mark your progress? Comment below!