Tag Archives: chit-chatting with Cat

Merry Writing and Updates!

chit-chatting with Cat, My project, poetry December 26, 2017 Leave a comment

Hello everyone,

Here is a quick note to wish you a merry Christmas and best wishes!

Also, I have made huge progress with my novel Heaven’s Army: Down to Earth last week in terms of plot and characters. I will update you more when the holidays are over.

There are two or three book reviews coming soon too.

And the poetry workbook I told you about recently? Yes, I did write some of it! It’s coming together. I will tell you more when I am back from the holidays.

Again: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

See you next post!

A Poetry Workbook For You & Translators ‘ Annual Conference

chit-chatting with Cat November 27, 2017 Leave a comment

cat hello cat gif GIFs

Hello, everyone! I have such important stuff to tell you. We'd better start now, then!

Annual Conference and Continuing Education Day

I went to the OTTIAQ's (Quebec in Canada's professional translators' association) annual conference and continuing education day last weekend! It was fabulous, inspiring, and motivational. I learned a lot to help me in my future career and simply about the translation world. It might have been exhausting, but it was well worth it. Plus, it sounds as though I might have found a few freelance job opportunities too. I met four great women (including two students, just like me!) and we are staying in touch. Networking in your own field can be truly amazing. For the first time in my life, I saw I was not alone in my little corner of the world, loving languages so much it hurts and makes me fly high at the same time. There are others where I am! I got to talk with them, listen to them, to our shared passion. It was both uplifting and eye-opening. Find what you love, folks. And do it.

Want a Workbook? I'll Make One!

I've been thinking about creating a workbook for you guys for a while now… Since my poem was published (read it here) on Selcouth Station, it made me realize poetry is something I do very well! There isn't enough poetry guides or help in the world for it and I figured I could give you some tips, tricks, and guidelines to write poetry. So, how about a poetry workbook, fellows?! I'm still outlining everything, but I learned how to use the tools to make it. Let's say I'm getting closer to the final product. It'll have information, my own tips and tricks, examples, and exercises (of course!) to get you going at producing your own masterpieces! Should I make a poetry workbook that focuses on delivering emotions or how to tell a micro-story within its lines? Or perhaps just about poetry in general? Also, what would you like to see covered in its pages? Please leave your answers below! I love discussing with you, ladies and gents.  

Well, Well… Look Who ‘ s Not Stuck Anymore!

chit-chatting with Cat, Nightshade (My Series) August 9, 2017 Comments: 2

Hello, folks! Remember I said that whenever there were news and updates concerning my writing I would tell you? Believe it or not, there are! I'm psyched! You know how I've been stuck with my novel (first in a pentalogy) Down to Earth for months now? I have finally written myself out of that infernal corner! YES! That means I now know where the story's going and more importantly what to do in order to get there. I just need to sit down and do the timeline of big events and relationships, but other than that I've solved the big issue. Isn't it fantastic?!

Résultats de recherche d'images pour « fantastic gif »

Also, my Nightshade series is very close to my heart and has quite a strong presence in my mind… You know where I'm getting at, of course. Because of that, I'll try to outline and write the first book (Nightshade: The Death Stone) in that series at the same time as Down to Earth. Call me crazy… I'll just say you're right, but it feels so good. Lastly, I told you a week and a half ago I had an idea for a novella. Whilst it's still true, this ''novella'' of mine seems to be expanding into either a full book or a duology or something of the like. I'm still trying to keep it at its current size, but really it's counterattacking me to get bigger, so I'll look at what to do with it. Moreover, I started researching (I've even got a notebook for that purpose!) fairies, Ireland, and the Seelie Court. I'm having much fun! Although I don't give myself deadlines when it comes to writing (unless it's for a contest or a magazine), I am working hard on disciplining myself. It might seem odd coming from a woman who's studying her bachelor's degree in translation online (no, really!) and who needs a high level of discipline to succeed at it, but when it's about my writing, I'm quite sporadic and spontaneous. I'm quite proud to tell you I've been writing every day of the last week, so it's coming along!

And that's all for today! Watch out for another book review this week. I'll also keep you updated about my writing projects (those three main I just talked to you about!). As always, thank you for being interested in what I have to say and accompanying me on my writing journey. It's an immense pleasure to have you here with me. Where is your writing at? Is it hard for you to be disciplined for your writing?    

It ‘ s Raining News… Hallelujah, It ‘ s Raining News!

chit-chatting with Cat April 16, 2017 Leave a comment

lfHello, everyone!

I have some good news for you all.

Do you remember when I told you I started learning Greek a few weeks ago? Well, my full Greek kit just came in last week! I'm simply delighted at spending nearly all of my time learning Greek. So far it's going quite well. I've tackled numbers and plurals, people and family, and some essential expressions (along with a bit of grammar). Today I'm onto the verb ''to be'' and the expressions ''there is/there are''. All I'm missing is a dictionary, then I'll be all set up.

Moreover, I told you I'd keep you updated about my short story for the contest so here I am. Yes, the one I got edited! I found the courage to work on it again today after two weeks spent avoiding it – wait for it – intentionally! Yes, intentionally. I was so afraid of not getting the sentences and words right, that I looked to every distraction. But I faced myself yesterday, telling myself that I would miss the deadline if I didn't put my pants on and go back to it! And so, I took a shower and forced – yes, forced! – myself to sit down at the computer and write what needed to be written according to the editing. God, am I glad I did it! My short story is now done! All that's left for me to do is format it and write a cover letter following the guidelines I found in ''Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript'' excerpt from the Writers' Digest Shop. I give myself one week to do all this, then I'm off to submit my work to the contest. I'm so excited! I'm so near the goal I gave myself this year: professionally participate in contests! One click on Friday and… hop! I reach my goal of participating professionally. It is a huge step for me. And one I'm glad I'm not letting go of like I was doing these past two weeks by avoiding reviewing my short story.

P.S.: Two reviews are coming your way in a few days. One for an awesome teen & YA fantasy book and the other for a sweet lesbian romance.

P.S.2: I'm currently juggling between three ideas for a novel. It's a tough choice! I'll let you in on my decision when I've finally made up my mind.

Thank you for reading and being with me on this journey!

A Quick Update & a Big Leap for Me

chit-chatting with Cat, Short Stories March 26, 2017 Leave a comment

Hello, folks! I hope you're all doing well. As for me, I just sent my short story for the contest to my editor. It's the first time for me sending any writing of importance to an editor, so it's a big leap. I am both thrilled and nervous, although I can't wait to get it back. I asked them to be as tough as possible to make it the best version it can be. Plus, this is how I'll learn what works and what doesn't. I'll let you know how it went once I get it back from the editor! They say I should receive it by Wednesday. I'm so excited I can barely stay still.

Until next time!

P.S.: Expect a few reviews for I have many that are due in the beginning of April.

Be understanding. Thank you!  

A Pinch of Greek and Worldbuilding

chit-chatting with Cat, My project February 5, 2017 Leave a comment

Hello, folks!

I know it’s been a while but my life has been pretty rocky lately. But I’m here now, that’s all that matters. I wanted to let you know how hard I’m working on my novel Nightshade: The Death Stone. I am currently worldbuilding, yes! Not one world: four. And you want to know the best thing about it? It’s fun and going great!

Moreover, this has nothing to do with writing but I figured it’d be fun to share: I have started to learn Greek this week. It’s such a marvellous language! I printed free sheets about Greek and I’m practising. I’ll even order workbooks and CDs for it. I love learning languages: it’s thrilling! Just like an adventure. 🙂 Oh heck, it’s one! I already speak French, English (obviously), Italian, and Spanish.

So that was for my update ^.^

Thank you for staying with me! I love you, people!

P.S.: I am thinking of a poem I’ll soon write for you, guys. I’ll keep you updated about it too.

Something New and Cold

chit-chatting with Cat, poetry January 6, 2017 Leave a comment

I’ve got a little something for you today. It’s a poem. However, it’s quite a dark one so don’t expect anything uplifting or neutral. But to me, it’s one of my best works of poetry so far! Oh, I also meant to tell you that I shall be learning the proper way to write poems, such as sonnets, haikus, sestinas, etc. So I’ll post them online for you to see me grow into that lovely field that is poetry. Moreover, I seriously plan to make a collection of poems, which I have been thinking about for a long, long time.

Here is today’s poem. Enjoy!

 

Cold

Lowering my head to the side

In shame,

Your woe is clear through your crying out.

 

It has reduced you to a bawling lump,

Unattractive and pathetic,

Wounded and huddled up,

Blood continuously pooling around your mass.

 

It slowly flows to me,

Surrounding my body.

I wipe the blood off my feet

On the entrance mat.

 

Then, I lift them,

One after the other,

And walk out the miserable house,

Leaving you alone with your grief.

 

But I don’t care you see,

You never meant much to me.

With a disdainful grimace,

I glance at you one last time.

 

Your bloodied hand reaches up

Don’t you know you’re on your own?

You always were and always will be.

 

I put on my top hat,

My scoffing echoing in the night.

The air is as cold as my soul,

But I don’t feel anything at all.

A Year? But It ‘ s Too Short!

chit-chatting with Cat October 28, 2016 Leave a comment

Hello, folks! After much thought, I won't be doing NaNoWriMo like I was supposed to. It was making me too stressed out – it even made me lose my love for my story! So, this was no good for me (and my studies!). I also decided that my novel Nightshade deserved better. So, I have found a great alternative: Shaunta Grimes' A Novel Idea course! It is a year-long novel-writing course and I am so glad to be part of it. Shaunta Grimes is the author of the Viral Nation series, a YA dystopian. I'll take the whole year to write and polish my manuscript. This way, I'll be prouder of my work. I hope you all understand. With this said, know that tomorrow is Friday: your writing tip day!

 

P.S.: I'm still working on the surprises I talked to you about and the free ebook and workbook! 😉  

Pin This Author and A Few Surprises!

chit-chatting with Cat October 12, 2016 Comments: 4

Hello, dears!

I’ve recently decided to revive my Pinterest account. I am currently working on it; as it grows, it will include writing tips, how to write fantasy, YA, and other genres, interesting facts, quotes, and more! If you want, you can check it out here. I’ll be pleased to see you over for the journey that is writing! ^.^

Moreover, I have a Goodreads account I forgot to talk to you about! Here it is. 🙂 As soon as I publish my first novel, I’ll change my account to an author one. But for now, I am content just adding books to my shelves, chatting with people, and writing reviews. I can’t wait to see you there! Oh, and I’ll also post a few of my writing excerpts, so be on the lookout for them.

Speaking of which, I have surprises for you…

First, I will (re)start the Writing Tips series on Friday. Yes! THIS Friday. I find that it’s been too long since I’ve given you guys and gals some help with writing. And these tips, I always try them first-hand in order to give you the best information I can come up with. I know you liked it, so there you go, surprise!

Second, once NaNoWriMo starts, I shall post the very first chapter for you to read. Yup. The whole first chapter of Nightshade: The Death Stone. Why? As a treat. 🙂 I love having you with me on the journey to publish my novel, so I figured this was a sweet thing to do and a thank-you present.

I hope you like what I have for you and I can’t wait to see you over at Pinterest and Goodreads!

Thank you, as always.

It’s All About Love

chit-chatting with Cat August 24, 2016 Leave a comment

Indeed, everything’s about love! And so is this cute poem I wrote. It’s entirely different from what I usually write, which is darker and more mysterious.

In this case, it’s a poem about a young woman who’s head over heels in love with someone (may it be a man or woman, you choose).

You can find it here too.

As for my stories, I am quite confused… I don’t know which way to go anymore. Whether to keep continuing or start a new one.

I’ll tell you more next Sunday.

Let’s hope things are better then.

I wish you enjoy my poem! 🙂