I am SO excited to be able to say, I am officially DONE with school and back to writing! And it feels SO GOOD!!!
I'm actually splitting my time between re-writing book 1 to remove spelling and grammar errors (of which I have found way too many already!) and finishing up book 2. I'm hoping book 1 is re-released by the end of June and book 2 is on shelves (both virtual and physical) by the end of September.
Then, of course, it is on to book 3!
If you are interested in helping edit book 2, and you have had experience with this in the past, please feel free to contact me with your details.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Monday, May 9, 2016
ZOMBIES!!!!
So, if you follow this blog, I'm going to assume you are a fan of sci-fi and the like. Which, of course, includes the walking dead ;)
And yes, there is an app just for people like us!
Zombies, Run! is a super fun app that is great for running outside just to make it a little "funner". With this app, you can listen to your music in-between story lines. Then, when zombies are on your tail, if you don't run they can take away any of your supplies you might have "found" on your trek. It really does a great job of making running into a fun game!
They also sponsor a couple of great 5k and 10k virtual races over the year and you can participate and receive a medal AND a fun shirt for around $35.
And yes, there is an app just for people like us!
Zombies, Run! is a super fun app that is great for running outside just to make it a little "funner". With this app, you can listen to your music in-between story lines. Then, when zombies are on your tail, if you don't run they can take away any of your supplies you might have "found" on your trek. It really does a great job of making running into a fun game!
They also sponsor a couple of great 5k and 10k virtual races over the year and you can participate and receive a medal AND a fun shirt for around $35.
Friday, March 18, 2016
But Running is HARD!!
When I first started out running, I could barely go an entire block without having to stop. I thought it was HORRIBLE! How was I ever going to like (let alone LOVE) running? There was seriously nothing fun about it the way I was trying to train.
Then, I discovered the Couch 2 5k (C25K) program.
I'm sure there are several apps that help you do the same thing, this is just the one that really got me finally into running. It helped me to realize that I didn't need to run an entire mile from the start. I could run for 30 and then walk for a while the first day and it was OK! It gradually worked me up to being able to run an entire 5k in just under 30 minutes. Nothing record breaking - but I was pretty proud of myself. :)
Now I'm using 5k2-10k. This is the next app that helps you train for a 10k after you have "mastered" (using that term loosely!) the 5k. I had actually finished this program and was excited to start the NEXT one (10k2-21k) when I ran out of time for running while I was finishing my degree. So now, I've started over.
Yes, I'm bummed, but yes, I will get over it!
So, for anyone that is really seriously interested in running, but hasn't done much before, I really recommend starting with the C25k program - it will change your running life. :)
Then, I discovered the Couch 2 5k (C25K) program.
I'm sure there are several apps that help you do the same thing, this is just the one that really got me finally into running. It helped me to realize that I didn't need to run an entire mile from the start. I could run for 30 and then walk for a while the first day and it was OK! It gradually worked me up to being able to run an entire 5k in just under 30 minutes. Nothing record breaking - but I was pretty proud of myself. :)
Now I'm using 5k2-10k. This is the next app that helps you train for a 10k after you have "mastered" (using that term loosely!) the 5k. I had actually finished this program and was excited to start the NEXT one (10k2-21k) when I ran out of time for running while I was finishing my degree. So now, I've started over.
Yes, I'm bummed, but yes, I will get over it!
So, for anyone that is really seriously interested in running, but hasn't done much before, I really recommend starting with the C25k program - it will change your running life. :)
Monday, February 22, 2016
Running AND Raising Money - Doesn't Get Much Better!
I've always thought it was a shame that I couldn't do more with my running. I mean - my kids always brought home their Math-a-thon papers and people could "sponsor" them so much money for each mile or lap they ran/walked around the track. Wouldn't it be great to be able to do that as an adult?
Well - you actually CAN. In a couple of different ways.
One of my newest favorite apps is Charity Miles. This app is GREAT because you can choose what charity you are donating your time and miles to and the list to choose from is pretty extensive. From ASPCA to the American Diabetes Association to Habitat for Humanity and St Judes - so many to choose from. And, the one you do choose gets 25¢ per mile you run or walk or even bike!
St first I was kinda like "Only 25¢?" Then I started thinking about it. I typically run/walk 4-5 miles a day... so that would be at least $30/mo... and (obviously) $360/yr. Which - no - is not a lot - but it might be that little bit that makes a HUGE difference... and - if I can get 10 of my running friends to do the same... and then THEY get 10 friends... you see where this is going ;) - but seriously, think of the difference we could make!
The other way you can help with running is through virtual runs. And there are lots of sites to choose from that provide you an avenue to not only help raise money for a charity, but also get some awesome racing bling to show that you helped. Some of the ones I've used in the past are:
• www.virtualstrides.com
• www.willrunforbling.com
• www.racesforawareness.com
And these are not the only ones, just check how much of the money you are forking out is actually going to the charity before you click "buy now" and you should be good.
Happy Running and Reading!
Well - you actually CAN. In a couple of different ways.
One of my newest favorite apps is Charity Miles. This app is GREAT because you can choose what charity you are donating your time and miles to and the list to choose from is pretty extensive. From ASPCA to the American Diabetes Association to Habitat for Humanity and St Judes - so many to choose from. And, the one you do choose gets 25¢ per mile you run or walk or even bike!
St first I was kinda like "Only 25¢?" Then I started thinking about it. I typically run/walk 4-5 miles a day... so that would be at least $30/mo... and (obviously) $360/yr. Which - no - is not a lot - but it might be that little bit that makes a HUGE difference... and - if I can get 10 of my running friends to do the same... and then THEY get 10 friends... you see where this is going ;) - but seriously, think of the difference we could make!
The other way you can help with running is through virtual runs. And there are lots of sites to choose from that provide you an avenue to not only help raise money for a charity, but also get some awesome racing bling to show that you helped. Some of the ones I've used in the past are:
• www.virtualstrides.com
• www.willrunforbling.com
• www.racesforawareness.com
And these are not the only ones, just check how much of the money you are forking out is actually going to the charity before you click "buy now" and you should be good.
Happy Running and Reading!
Thursday, February 18, 2016
And I was RUNNING...
So, besides going to school and working (and trying to get some writing time in) I spend a lot of my time running. Yes, my family thinks I'm crazy - but it is super relaxing for me to go out on a run. Not only that, but as my Dr pointed out to me yesterday - it does wonders to control my cholesterol :P
So, in my running journey over the last 6 years I've came across a LOT of running apps. Some have helped me so much that I continue to use them almost daily. Others... not so much help. I thought this might be the case for a lot of runners, so I decided to do just a short blog each week about some of the apps I have found to be the most helpful.
This first app is actually pretty well known I think by most people wanting to get into shape and/or loose weight (no - those do not always go hand in hand).
My Fitness Pal is a great app for either of those purposes. You can track anything and everything you eat and do. One of my favorite things is, it has a barcode scanner! YES! You can simply scan an items barcode and it knows all the information for that product. So handy! You can also adjust your macros to whatever type of diet you are currently on (such as Keto or Paleo) and there are charts to help you keep on track.
It also syncs with several trackers (such as my Fitbit) so you know how your daily movement (or lack of) is effecting the number of calories you have to eat in a day. And it keeps track of your friends too so you know you are not alone in this long journey to health and fitness.
If you are interested - simply check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ and no - I don't get ANYTHING for sharing their link - just trying to help out. :)
So, in my running journey over the last 6 years I've came across a LOT of running apps. Some have helped me so much that I continue to use them almost daily. Others... not so much help. I thought this might be the case for a lot of runners, so I decided to do just a short blog each week about some of the apps I have found to be the most helpful.
This first app is actually pretty well known I think by most people wanting to get into shape and/or loose weight (no - those do not always go hand in hand).
My Fitness Pal is a great app for either of those purposes. You can track anything and everything you eat and do. One of my favorite things is, it has a barcode scanner! YES! You can simply scan an items barcode and it knows all the information for that product. So handy! You can also adjust your macros to whatever type of diet you are currently on (such as Keto or Paleo) and there are charts to help you keep on track.
It also syncs with several trackers (such as my Fitbit) so you know how your daily movement (or lack of) is effecting the number of calories you have to eat in a day. And it keeps track of your friends too so you know you are not alone in this long journey to health and fitness.
If you are interested - simply check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ and no - I don't get ANYTHING for sharing their link - just trying to help out. :)
Friday, January 8, 2016
Run, Work, Run, School, Sleep, Repeat
Well, as you probably know by now I did not get the 2nd book wrote before Christmas. Actually - I'm still not even done with the entire rough draft (although I'm SO close!). And the title of this blog says it all - that is my life right now.
I decided in December to start school full time as of Jan 4, 2016. This will have me graduating on April 22nd of this year! YAY! And, that means, that as of May I will be back to writing on more of a full time basis. I'll be honest - I can't wait!
This will be great for my sanity because these characters have a story to tell and they are getting really impatient hanging out in my head. I get asked all the time if I know what is going to happen and yes... to a degree I do know what is coming up in the 2nd book, but that doesn't mean it won't change as the characters evolve and start to take over my life again.
So, we will all just have to wait to see together exactly how things are going to turn out. And remember - as soon as book 2 is done, I'll be starting on book three! I've got an idea of what is happening in that book as well... but, again, that might all change.
I just want to thank everyone for being so patient with me on this journey. It has taken me way longer than I ever thought it would to get to this point, but we are almost there! It will be worth it - I promise! :)
I decided in December to start school full time as of Jan 4, 2016. This will have me graduating on April 22nd of this year! YAY! And, that means, that as of May I will be back to writing on more of a full time basis. I'll be honest - I can't wait!
This will be great for my sanity because these characters have a story to tell and they are getting really impatient hanging out in my head. I get asked all the time if I know what is going to happen and yes... to a degree I do know what is coming up in the 2nd book, but that doesn't mean it won't change as the characters evolve and start to take over my life again.
So, we will all just have to wait to see together exactly how things are going to turn out. And remember - as soon as book 2 is done, I'll be starting on book three! I've got an idea of what is happening in that book as well... but, again, that might all change.
I just want to thank everyone for being so patient with me on this journey. It has taken me way longer than I ever thought it would to get to this point, but we are almost there! It will be worth it - I promise! :)
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Slacking
I have seriously been slacking... I am working on book #2 (Nowhere Is Home) as much as I can... in-between my "real" job and my homework. Yes, I decided to go back to school a year ago and that seems to be taking up a lot of my writing time. I am hoping (and praying and not sleeping much) to get #2 done before Christmas... if that happens is yet to be seen - but it is a goal.
I've also been training for my first 1/2 marathon. So, time that used to be spent in the early mornings writing are now being spent out on the road. Good news is - I've gone back to my earlier mornings, so I'm hoping to get an hour of writing in every morning before work now... again - it is a goal.
If you are interested in helping re-proof book #1 for it's second addition OR be a beta reader/proofer for #2 (once it is ready) please let me know. I know #1 had several issues so I'm hoping to get those all worked out before it is re-released along side #2.
Thank you so much for all your continued support and patience... I promise - I'm anxious to see what happens next as well ;)
JamesMarie York
I've also been training for my first 1/2 marathon. So, time that used to be spent in the early mornings writing are now being spent out on the road. Good news is - I've gone back to my earlier mornings, so I'm hoping to get an hour of writing in every morning before work now... again - it is a goal.
If you are interested in helping re-proof book #1 for it's second addition OR be a beta reader/proofer for #2 (once it is ready) please let me know. I know #1 had several issues so I'm hoping to get those all worked out before it is re-released along side #2.
Thank you so much for all your continued support and patience... I promise - I'm anxious to see what happens next as well ;)
JamesMarie York
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)