So I figured that, because I pretty much disappeared off the face of the earth for the past little while, I ought to give you a run-down on what's been happening on my end.
It's the last week of term, and then I'll have a two week holiday (in which I am required to attend practice exams at school and commit myself to a lot of private study) and then two more weeks of classes before, boom, it's over. My first exam is on November 1st. So I'm studying up and I'm going to have to read over the texts I'm writing on for my English and Literature exams. But that's okay, I'm happy. It's just scary and stressful, but I know that I can do this.
But then come my applications for university next year. I've been saying I'll do the Bachelor of Professional Communications and Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing and my mum really wants me to do it because it's closer to home than most other things I've been looking at, and my auntie lives close to the campus so I can stay with her (not likely, I'm not staying in a household with two of the most out of control kids to ever exist..). But I've been looking more closely at the other courses I've got on my list, and I want to do Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing) more. Problem? Apparently so, because it's "too far away from home". Well, I like this course more, I can actually major in what I want to major in (editing) and I WANT to move to the city, even if it is away from home. *sigh* Family dramas...
On a more positive note: I've written some more on Katherine. Slow and steady wins the race: I have eight or so chapters with word-counts around the 1000-2000 mark. Study comes before writing at the moment, but I really want to finish it in time to submit to a Novella competition my teacher gave me info about. Hopefully I don't overshoot the 20,000 word limit...
Meanwhile, a fanfiction I've been working on over at my Fanfiction.Net account is going well, and I'm thinking of transforming it into an original (it already basically is, I'm just using the characters to my favourite T.V show instead of making some up).
I've also made a pretty big decision about Evergreen. I'm putting it on hold for now. No matter what university course I choose, I'm going to improve my writing and editing skills. Evergreen needs a lot of work, and there is a lot I want to change, add and take out. I'd like to get those skills under my belt before I cause any damage. My mind is racing with ideas and I want to make this manuscript the best it can be before I throw it to the sharks at an agency. So wish me luck.
So that's my run-down. What's everyone else been up to lately? I apologize for not reading other people's blogs lately, I'll come back to you all soon. But please do expect an inconsistency in my attention to Blogger until after my exams.
- Bonnee.
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Personally I think you should go for the second option. Getting away from home is such a good thing. If you're living on campus then you'll meet so many more people, you'll get a lot more of the independence that comes with going to university and you should study what you think you'll love!
ReplyDeleteIf you really want to go for it, put your foot down. Tell your mum and your aunt that you don't want to stay at home. You'll probably move away at some point in your life, so why not now? I know it's tough (this is coming from somebody who is moving two hours away from home this Saturday to go to university, so believe me I know it's tough), but in the long run, I think you'll be glad you didn't stay at home.
Also, one of my friends is staying at home for university, and personally I think she's making a big mistake. She's already found it so awkward to make friends. I wouldn't want you to be in the same position.
Great news on Katherine! Definitely focus more on your studies right now, but even if you manage to get only a 100 words done a day, it's still great progress.
Good luck with Evergreen too! I think that's a good decision. Sometimes taking time away from an MS can make it so much easier when you come back to it as well.
I've just been packing for university and I've finally gotten out of my plot rut with Erase which is great. Sorry for the super long message! Think long and hard about your choice for university, because trust me, it comes around so quickly it's unreal.
Talking to some of my friends at school, we're agreeing with you; it's my future, and I should go with the option I want, not what my mum wants. I feel so ready for the independence it will get me!
DeleteI tend to be sitting down at least once a week to work on Katherine and end up cranking out about 1000 words or so each time. Hopefully I can keep the progress up without letting it interfere with my exams and studying!
Time away from Evergreen has proven to be really useful in the past, so this time around, I'm thinking I couldn't be making a better decision: Time away AND developing skills I can apply to the next edit when the time comes.
Thank you so much for your support and long messages aren't a problem to me :) I like keeping in touch with blogger-buddies were I can. I seriously wish you the absolute best of luck with moving away for university and I hope it will be an awesome experience for you. Have fun and get learning!!! :D
I figured you were busy with school. You're making good choices as far as your focus. The stuff with family is tough, and does have to be considered, but in the end, it's really your future, thus what you want should be the top consideration. As someone who just sent his first kid off to school, it's not easy to do. It's a very emotional time for a parent.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for continuing to progress on Katherine despite all the other stuff going on in your life. Enjoy those last few weeks of school, and good luck!
I've already figured that a great part of my mum's dilemma over me moving away is because she will miss me. I've been away for up to two weeks on camps and stuff, and she just bawls her eyes out when I get home... makes me feel loved, but I need more than two weeks to pass before I can feel homesick enough to return that much emotion! *hides away in guilt*
DeleteThanks for the encouragement and support :) It means a lot. Hope the Magpie is going well with her own studies away from home and hope to see you over on your own blog soon!
I'm not getting much blogging done at the moment either - some things DO take precedence. :) Have fun with your exams and everything [:)] -hope you do well!! :)
ReplyDeleteAlways best to have our priorities straight and do what we must before what we want. Thanks for the kind support and best wishes to you! :)
DeleteMost important is to do well on your exams and finish school. So best wishes in all your exams. Staying at home while going to university is much cheaper than moving to the big city. So that's something to consider. I don't know the system in Australia, but here in North America you can study the first year in one university and then transfering for the second year to another university. You start writing at such an early age, so putting aside Evergreen untill it's get better isn't a problem. Really, if you get your first novel published at age 25, you will be a head than most writers. A good blog for you to follow (and all those posting here) is the one by "Brenda Drake Writes". She does a lot of contests and really help authors. Check her out.
ReplyDeleteExams are definitely my focus at the moment. I made a list of everything I need to revise between now and my exams today. I know that staying at home could be seen as cheaper, but the downside to that is that I'd have to commute by train: that's 2-3 hours one way, and then back again. That's 4-6 hours of proper study gone every day at the time of day I would be most productive. Transferring universities isn't a problem, but it is a matter of finding one with the course I want. Nearby universities don't offer the kind of courses I'm looking for. To be honest, the second course I'm considering is only an extra 35 minutes further than my original choice, by car anyway. Money is going to be an issue, but I know of situations a lot worse than mine that have gotten through. Hmm. Thanks for the blog suggestion, I'll check it out at some point :)
DeleteIn that case, you better live close to the university. Taking the train for 4-6 hours a day is also expensive, so you don't save much staying at home and you'll also get tited doing this. When I was in university I worked part time in the university's library. If you can find a part time job in the universty, like in the library, then living close to the campus will be cheaper financially. Check this site for cheap accomodation in Australia
Deletehttp://au.easyroommate.com/
I will most likely have to get a part time job while I'm up there and that's okay with me. Thanks for the link too :)
DeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're busy for shure... but I suppose that's better than sitting bored at the house with the two out of control kids :)
PS... for what it's worth (and I haven't read any other comments) when it comes to making this BIG decision re. Uni., >>>Follow Your Heart<<< Everyone will (eventually) come to understand and yes, it is your life and you need to live it the way *you* want to live it :)
Just sayin' :)
Hey,
DeleteThanks Mark, that means a lot to me. I put my foot down tonight and told my mum I was changing it. She's not too happy, but she's allowing it... for now.
Good for you :)
DeleteGood luck with your exams and Evergreen. It certainly sounds like you have a lot on your hands!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest it doesn't feel like all that much, but then it feels like all too much at the same time. A really strange feeling... Haha thank you though :)
Deletehope exams go well! and hope you get clarity on the university situation.
ReplyDeleteI've got practice exams all of this week and then the real things are less than a month away. Wow!!!!
DeleteUniversity situation has been fixed... for now. :) Thank you.
"""Leverkusen want Sead KolasinacAouar is interested in coming to London.>> Arsenal's latest game He was just a backup."""
ReplyDelete