Happy New Year!

Hello and happy new year!

I hope 2017 will be a better year than this year. I hope to be finished editing my story by March but maybe those are high hopes. (=  I'm doing well though! I am on page 25 of my editing and my page count keeps going down. My margins were too big in my story so editing that as well has been cutting down on the size of the book.

Maybe I can get my story done by 2018? *Laughs hysterically* Lets shoot for 2020 and if I get it done before then it'll be a pleasant surprise.

So, thanks for reading!
Sam

Writing Disabilities

Today I am talking about how to write disabilities. I am obviously no expert, but I think some of these things could help other authors with writing. (Published or unpublished)

I have two disabilities I have written before (unpublished/fanfiction) and I think there is always something to be learned about writing it.

1. Blindness.
You need to be very careful with how you depict any person with a disability. It can become very easy to offend people by acting like they are unable to do things. (Driving is a given but even some legally blind people can, technically, drive.)
The first thing you need to do is get educated on the subject. If you aren't informed you will come off the wrong way.
The second thing you should do is get to know the people. Go out of your way to meet blind people. Be transparent about what you're doing. Being honest is the best way to go.
The third thing you should do is read literature (fiction) that focuses on blindness. It will give you a general idea on how to write it.

2. Deafness
Again, you need to be extremely careful with how you depict any group of people. This applies for deafness as well.
The first thing you need to do with this is take some ASL courses and/or a Deaf culture class. This will help you become mildly educated on the subject. I would also suggest reading a variety of books on the subject.
One such book is called: Inside Deaf Culture. This particular book brings you back to the eighteen hundreds and earlier (if I remember right) and details Deaf culture from that point forward. I am currently a little more than halfway through it.
The second thing you should do is go meet some Deaf people. Take an Interpreter with you if you know you won't be able to understand. Be transparent about what you are doing, they will appreciate your honesty.
And the third thing is read literature that focuses on it. I haven't read much literature with Deaf people in it, unfortunately, but there is a Manga called A Silent Voice and is an excellent manga. I am very picky about what type of Manga I will read but that particular one is and always will be one of my favorites. I have read the first three and will soon have more on hold at my Library.

Thanks for reading. This just scratches the tip of the iceberg but I hope it can be of some help.

Sam

Editing

Greetings!

Today I am editing my story. I have started on it and have made it one page in, so that is good. So I'm now on page 19 instead of 18. I imagine if I stopped procrastinating I could go further. 

Anyways, lets move on. 

Today I got on Postcrossing and saw I could send more postcards! I swear, the post office is going to hate me for the mail but love me for the money. Today I used my last two overseas stamps so I'm going to have to purchase more. I think I should check my bank funds before I go making anymore purchases. 

Lately I've been thinking about photography. Why, you ask? Because I want to make a good cover for my own book. The only problem is then I'd need to edit it to fit the thing on Inkitt. Which is hard enough as it is. Especially since it seems nearly impossible to find a good editing tool that won't cost an arm and a leg. If you know of a good one (without a monthly subscription) please feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear it. (=

Thank you for reading!

Sam

Editing update

Hello!

I have been editing over the past few days but got distracted today because of some things I had to catch up on. I had to finish editing my essay for college today so I did that and added it to my application. I'm still trying to light a fire under my current college's butt so I can transfer with ease. Which isn't turning out well since I'm an introvert.

I was sad to find out that Carrie Fischer passed away this morning. My prayers go out to the family and friends of this wonderful actress. When my father told me we both broke down into tears. I didn't actually expect her to die. I was convinced that she would live.

I have been disturbed to see people saying that, as Christians, we should not say "Rest in Peace" because she was an agnostic. What am I supposed to say? I am expressing my sorrow and grief of a human life gone. As Christians we are supposed to weep with those who weep. Right now her family is weeping after losing a wife, mother, friend.
It is nothing short of cruel to deny people the right to extend condolences.

So, Rest in peace Carrie Fischer.

Sam

Unpublished story on Inkitt

Hello again!

I have decided to unpublished my story until future notice. I still have it up in my editing area but it currently cannot be read. I want it in top shape for people to read. You can read my fanfiction on there or my prequel to the story (or what I have of it).

The reason I made this decision was because I've been having trouble with editing it recently. Tonight I plan on editing it and tomorrow (hopefully).

I am sorry if this causes problems. I hope y'all have a blessed Christmas!  I will be getting the story up soon.

Sam

Updates

Greetings!

A few days ago I joined Goodreads so that way I could get personalized reading lists. I'm going away at the beginning of January so I wanted to be able to borrow books from the library that would entertain me.

I am hoping that after my book is published I can get it on that website. Then I can have an author profile. (=   Dreams, wishes. Possibly not a reality. But it would be fun, right?

Today I went through my entire backpack so I could figure out what I needed after the school year. I discovered most of the books I had were ASL (as a rule I like to keep those) and the other books are either lost in my house or for sale at my Dad's bookstore.

So, that's what's going on. Stay tuned for my book. (=

College, Writing, Editing

Hello! I have not been on very much and for that I apologize. My baby sister was born and then life went crazy. I had projects almost every day that I had to do and presentations in ASL. I was not able to work on my story until now. I will get as much done as possible before the Spring semester.

I am currently editing my story. I put it into a word document and discovered that it was 87 pages and a little over 30,000 words. This shocked me! I am not even halfway done. I printed the document and gave it to my mother so she can edit it. I am hoping that with the extra help it won't take as long.

I apologize again for my absence but I hope to be buckling down within the next few weeks.