I decided not to post a Monday Blog here this week, since the post on Woolaston Entertainment’s site is about The Witch of Fulton Lane, and I just posted about that here, a few days ago. So, rather than being redundant, there will not be a Monday Blog posted here this week. Instead, I encourage you to visit http://www.woolastonentertainment.com instead. See you next week!
Category: Uncategorized
Yes, I Changed This Site
With another book nearing completion, I find myself with more time on my hands than I would care for. I’m so used to working on a book, that when I finish one, it’s time for a much needed (but not wanted) break. So, here I am, with nothing better to do than play around with my Word Press site…again. If you’ve been keeping up with me, you may have noticed I have changed the background color several times over the past two weeks. Today, I changed the entire theme. I’m happy with it…for now. We’ll see.
The Witch of Fulton Lane
One good thing has come out of this year’s NaNoWriMo for me. I actually managed to finish a book! I had the idea for The Witch of Fulton Lane floating around in my head for several months before I sat down to commit it to paper. Yesterday, I completed the first draft. Now I’m editing and adding a few more details. While I continue to work on the manuscript itself, I decided to go ahead and work on the cover. The image featured above, is what the cover currently looks like. I may or may not change it. We’ll see.
Monday Blog: Tips For A Successful NaNoWriMo
This week I wanted to share some of the tips that have helped me with my writing. Since November is NaNoWriMo, this is perfect time to focus on the novel you’re currently working on, and try to get it done. Hopefully, these tips will make writing your novel, a little easier.
Outline Your Novel
There was a time when I hated—and I mean hated—outlining anything, especially a book I was working on. I felt like it was a waste of time. The time I was spending on the outline, was time I could have spent just writing the book! But, as I became older, I began to appreciate outlines. Now, I outline all of my books, from simple cut-and-dry outlines, to detailed outlines. You have to use whichever method works for you. Working without an outline, is like driving from New York to L.A without a roadmap. Sure, you know you need to head west, but which route will get you there the fastest? For some of my books, I simply wrote the number or title of the chapter, and a sentence or two describing the main events that needed to take place on that chapter. When I started doing this, I realized, the entire book was practically done. I already had the foundation for each chapter mapped out, and all that was left to do, was fill in the gaps with some details and dialogue.
Pace Yourself!
Writing a novel should be enjoyable, not stressful. It’s okay to set a deadline, and it’s also okay not to meet that deadline. If you haven’t finished your novel by the end of November, the world will not come crashing to an end. Pace yourself. I have found, when I rush through my writing, my writing turns into crap. Plus, you don’t want to overwhelm yourself. Take your time, and write the best story you can possibly write.
Don’t Be Afraid to Collaborate
The writing community is filled with amazing writers with a variety of talent. Don’t be afraid to reach out for encouragement, advice, or help with editing.
Keep Reading
I’m constantly reading books that fit into whatever genre I’m currently writing. This includes magazines as well. For Our Lady, I read books on the history of punk rock, and punk related magazines such as Alternative Press. For The Witch of Fulton Lane, I’m reading books about witchcraft and studying tarot cards. It doesn’t hurt to read books related to what you’re writing. It may even inspire you.
I hope this helps. Until next week…
Monday Blog: NaNoWriMo 2017
Welcome to the first Monday Blog for the month of November! November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. This is the month writers push themselves to finish their current project. Some writers are concerned with the number of words their novel contains, while others focus on pages or chapters. Generally, I don’t focus on words. While I try to write a lengthy book, I also know when its time to stop. I don’t know about you, but I become bored very easily with a story which contains too much “filler”. The goal of good writing, should be telling the story. You don’t want the story to move too quickly, however, you don’t want to drag it out, either. I’m currently working on The Witch of Fulton Lane, and I already know I need to go back to the earlier chapters and add more details.
If you want to visit the NaNoWriMo website, here is a link: https://nanowrimo.org/. Their website helps you track your progress , and provides tips and support.
I’m going to track my word-count for The Witch of Fulton Lane on the top of the Woolaston Entertainment website homepage. My goal is 50, 000 words or more.
Until next week…
Too Much Perfume…
I love this!!!!
Today must be some sort of holiday; one I was unaware of. It’s National Drown Yourself in Perfume or Cologne Day! Yeah! At least, that’s how it seemed on the subway this morning. Nearly every guy I encountered, was wearing way too much Burberry or Cool Water or Axe. And ladies, you’re celebrating too: a woman sat next to me on the train, drenched in Angel (I knew the scent because I happen to have a bottle of it at home). Don’t get me wrong: perfumes and colognes smell wonderful, in moderation. But people, please! You only need to spray a little. Feel free to spray a little extra towards the middle of the day. But you don’t need to drown yourself or your clothes in it. Especially if you’re planning to be around the general public…in a closed space.
Monday Blog: Recommended Reading; NaNoWriMo 2017
Here we are: the final Monday Blog post for the month of October. I decided to end “Emo Month” with a few recommendations for books, and a reminder that NaNoWriMo 2017 is coming! Here we go…
Recommended Reading
These are books I have read, or am currently reading. To me, they are either emo-related, or goth-related, or punk (let’s throw grunge into that category, while we’re at it).
Nothing Feels Good: Punk Rock, Teenagers and Emo by Andy Greenwald. This one is loaded with interesting information, interviews, and song and band references.
Please Kill Me: The Uncenseored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain . TONS of interviews from Richard Hell, Tom Verlaine, the Ramones, etc.
The Goth Bible: A Compenduim for the Darkly Inclined by Nancy Kilpatrick. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about being a Goth.
Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge by Mark Yarm . Plenty of interviews with the musicians who started the grunge movement, including Chris Cornell.
Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture by Leslie Simon. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about being Emo.
If you have any recommendations you’d like to share, hit me up on Twitter: @NicoleWoolent
NaNoWriMo 2017
Next month is NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, for those who don’t know. This is the time of year when writers kick everything into high gear, and do their best to finish that novel they started back in January (or February, or whenever…). My novel to complete, is The Witch of Fulton Lane. Some writers obsess over the number of words they write. I’m planning to keep track of the number of words for my current book, but if I don’t meet my goal, I’m good with that. The important thing, is FINISHING the book. That’s my goal. If you would like to join the NaNo community, here is a link to their website: https://nanowrimo.org/
See you next month!!
Monday Blog: Erin’s Emo Playlist!
It’s another Monday in the fabulous month of October (sort of, I’m late!), so it’s time for another Monday Blog. This week, I’m using Erin from Our Lady as a medium, and I’m posting a playlist of her favorite music to listen to, when she’s feeling extra Emo. Some of the songs may not make anyone else’s EMO list, but I think they still work. If you find a song here you’ve never listened to before, give it a try! And feel free to share your own playlists on Twitter , @NicoleWoolent.
Sugar, We’re Goin Down–Fall Out Boy
Ohio is for Lovers–Hawthorne Heights
Helena–My Chemical Romance
Boulevard of Broken Dreams–Green Day
At Your Funeral–Saves the Day
The Middle–Jimmy Eat World
Screaming Infidelities–Dashboard Confessional
Miss Murder–AFI
Spaceman–The Killers
I Don’t Wanna Be in Love–Good Charlotte
Sign of the Times–Harry Styles
Still Breathing–Green Day
That Black Bat Licorice–Jack White
Desert Song–My Chemical Romance
Millions–Gerard Way
Drugstore Perfume–Gerard Way
The Reason–Hoobastank
Creep–Radiohead
Sleep–My Chemical Romance
Expand Your Readership With The Public Library!
I wanted to share some info with my fellow indie authors. Self-e, is a terrific program, which helps authors connect with new readers, by making their books available through the public library. I have had success with this system, and two of my titles are currently available as ebooks through the Queens Public Library, in New York. So, if you’re an indie author, and you have published an ebook, you may want to consider using this program. Here is a direct link to their website: https://selfe.librariescreate.com/self-e/
FYI: you will need to fill out a short form, which includes agreeing to their terms and conditions, entering your name, email, state and name of your local library, and uploading a copy of your ebook (ex, PDF), and info about the book (ISBN, etc). Best of luck to everyone!
Monday Blog: Symbols and Witchcraft in “The Witch of Fulton Lane”
It’s Monday, so it’s time for the Monday Blog. This week, in honor of Emo Month, I wanted to talk about the use of symbols and witchcraft in The Witch of Fulton Lane.
We’re surrounded by symbols. Some of them are obvious, while others are not easily recognizable. One of the most misunderstood symbols, is the pentacle, the star inside a circle. In Fulton Lane, Dylan wears a pentacle around her neck for protection. This is NOT an evil symbol. If the star was inverted, that would be associated with the devil, or Satanism. Here’s a fun fact: the symbol on Converse high-tops, is a pentacle. Give yourself a moment to absorb that.
Witchcraft is an important part of Fulton Lane. Dylan is a witch, and she does cast a few spells throughout the story. She also performs tarot card readings, and speaks with the dead. Don’t worry: I didn’t throw a bunch of random information into this story. I did my homework for this one. I wanted to incorporate witchcraft into this story, not just for entertainment purposes, but because I wanted to cast a positive light on the subject. People tend to fear the unknown and the things they don’t understand. I hope, after reading this book, people will become more interested in learning about the subject, rather than simply dismissing it as evil.
Next week: Erin’s Emo Playlist!
woolastonentertainment.com 