Tag: Writing

I can have a dark side if you want me to.

Sara Mazariegos


Luis* and I are going to see Tim Minchin in August! I’ve been a fan of him** since 2011 when I saw him on Conan. I’m so excited. I wonder if we’ll get to meet him afterward…

We’re going to see Inside Out 2 this weekend. I told Luis that Fear and Anxiety should be in a relationship because they go hand-in-hand. They’re the two emotions I feel the most. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’re probably SHOCKED to read that. 😉

In Writing Update news, things have been going well. It’s starting to be summertime, so my thoughts are more distracted by sunshine and fun places we could go, but I’ve been good about writing my daily word total each day. I’m following Pacemaker’s recommendations so I’m not writing my brain ragged. I write about 1,766 words per day, which is nearly the NaNoWriMo amount.

I’m 72% of the way through this draft. And there’s still a lot of good bits I’ll be writing in it. It’s not winding down yet. I think I’ve tried to wind down too early in the past, making the end kind of… fizzley. I can’t stress the Save The Cat outline strategy enough.

Aside from writing, I’m beta/arc reading for two other authors. And reading probably too many books at the same time.

How’s your early-almost-summer going?

*My husband
**Tim, not my husband. I’ve been a fan of my husband since January 28, 2012.

I promised me.

Sara Mazariegos


The other day, I checked out the audiobook of The Devil Wears Prada (the library doesn’t have a physical copy.) It’s interesting to hear the book version after seeing the movie version a few times. Andy is not very likable in the book. I think it’s mostly because being inside her head shows how judgmental and whiny she is. Also, the audiobook has quite a few questionable stereotypical accents.

I used to think my novel was a little similar to this one, but my story is nowhere near as focused on work stuff. I think I’d lose my mind if I wrote about the characters’ tasks more than I needed to.

My writing is going smoothly. I’m over halfway through the new first draft! The new, tighter plot outline has made a big difference. I also changed the title again (haha) because my older title was pretty generic. It probably won’t surprise you that my new title is inspired by Kermit. 🐸

It struck me for the first time last week that my word count goal doesn’t have to be the total word count of my finished novel. I’ll hit 84K words and then I not only can but should go back in and add scenes I want to add while I’m revising it. I used to think (for some reason) that the word count I was aiming for was hard and fast. My real word count that I shouldn’t go over is around 90K, which gives me plenty of room for refining details, closing plot holes, etc.

I’m getting there,

We are gathered here today to get through this thing called “life.”

Sara Mazariegos


It is finally the end of May. This month has been rough. One of my friends died, then my parents’ young cat died, then my grandfather died.

But it’s about to be June! My parents got a new kitten, to be friends with their other cat who was very confused where her brother went. 🥲

Focusing on writing this month hasn’t been the easiest, but I just crossed over 38K words. That’s something! My goal is 40K total by the end of the day. This go around, I’ve been leaning into “the weekend will be catch-up time” mentality. So far, so okay.

My outline is easier to follow this time, so I’m not left sitting there in front of my manuscript thinking, “Now what?” It’s amazing what a clear plot can do. I went into it thinking it would be loosely based on Cinderella. Now I think the “loosely” really needs to be emphasized. I don’t even think it’s worth mentioning in my query letter*.

Here’s to a better and even more productive June!

*I’m not even thinking about sending those out again until this new version has been edited and beta’ed and probably rewritten at least one more time. Isn’t writing FUN?

It’s more fun to share.

Sara Mazariegos


Rewriting my novel, I’m focusing on a few new points. I’ve also been thinking about giving it a new title that’s more in keeping with the themes in the story. One of the ideas I had is a lyric from the above song. I love that song, scene, and Muppet so much. :’)

But Taylor Swift has a song with a similar title and I don’t want anyone thinking I meant that connection.

I’ve read people saying not to worry about the title because the editor and publisher will likely change it anyway. But I want it to be perfect.

The current title is fine. It serves its purpose. I should focus on the writing, because that’s what will ultimately grab people, right?

I’m currently in the middle of a scene involving a beautiful dress from my past. I still have it somewhere in storage at my parents’ house. It doesn’t fit me anymore. Ah, but it does in my imagination. ✨

This post is all over the place.

Give these moments back to those we love.

Sara Mazariegos


I’ve stretched myself a bit too thin with making blog posts and videos, so I’m only going to make videos sometimes.

My writing is going well. This new plot is fun to write and I keep creating quirky little scenes that make me smile. I hope this is the version of my novel that sticks. It’s definitely the most malleable. Sometimes a simple idea is the best one to grow.

Can I get real for a second?


My novel is based on Nerdfighteria, specifically my local group of Nerdfighters that I joined in January 2012. It’s a romance novel, but it’s also a love letter to them, because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have met my husband or had all of these wonderful, life-altering things happen to me. It’s more than just a fan group, or an Internet friend group. We’ve gone to each other’s weddings and helped each other move and been a family for so many years.

Last week, some of us came together to say goodbye to one of us. It was heartbreaking and confusing, but also touching to see so many familiar beloved faces returning for our friend. It made me nostalgic, and it made me wonder if that magical time from the mid-2000s was just gone. Obviously, it’s not the mid-2000s anymore, but the feeling has changed with time. A lot of us in the local group have moved away and moved on. It’s bittersweet. I hope to see my friends again (in better circumstances) and I am happy to see them doing their things and making their own lives.

That’s why I wrote about them. I wanted to create a literary snapshot of sorts, because it was a time and a group of people in my life that meant everything to me. Still does.


Until next time,

Looking for a spark.

Sara Mazariegos


Whoo boy, have I made some changes.

Remember when I said I was working on my holiday-themed story? I was hit by a creativity spark while reading my beta reader’s feedback on my other novel, so I’m planning to finish the holiday novel’s rewrites in November now (for NaNoWriMo+) and I’m working on rewriting the first story again.

I got a burst of inspiration last Friday as I looked through my notes for a romantasy story I was slowly starting to piece together. It clicked! I could combine elements of that story with my first story. My first story is so personal and matters so much to me. Like they discussed in today’s episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, taking the time to really focus and hone the story I want to publish is important.

I don’t want to give up on it and leave it in a closet to die.

Since Friday, I’ve completely retooled the plot outline, making it follow the Save The Cat beat sheet. It has a real flow now, and the themes jump out much more than they used to. The conflict is much clearer. I’m so excited to work on this draft! I only wish I’d discovered STC sooner, so I wouldn’t have been such a strugglesaurus these past few years. But I know, thanks to WriterThreads, that I’m not alone.

I changed the title of the novel for the fourth time, too. Ha. It fits the story better, though it could’ve worked with the older drafts as well. That’s part of how I know it’s a good one. Titles change a bunch of times, though. I’m not getting attached to any of the ones I come up with.

Thanks to Carly Watters, I have another genre I can add to my pitch paperwork, too: autofiction.

Don’t be afraid to work on something else if you’re feeling stuck on something. Even if that something else is the thing you’ve already “finished” twice. 😉

That’s just the way it is.

Sara Mazariegos
Daily writing prompt
Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
View all responses

I give myself permission to suck.


Full disclosure: I discovered Maureen Johnson through her short stint as John Green’s stand-in during his first paternity leave from his YouTube channel (Vlogbrothers.) As a writer, the video above is so valuable. I think about it every time I’m in the midst of a writing sprint. It’s so important to allow yourself to power through when things aren’t clicking the way you thought they would in your mind. No one’s first, second, third, eighth* draft is as good as they want it to be. You just gotta keep going, keep writing, and eventually the kinks will be ironed out and it will become the story you were going for.

Why am I posting this today?

I started rewriting my second novel (the one from last November/Christmastime.) It’s been… a challenge. This time of year is busy. But I’ve started it! I’m about 5,000 words in. My goal is to be kind to myself this time. I don’t have to write 2,000 words a day if I really can’t. I’ll still do my best, but some days are just not great and that’s okay!

My goal is to be finished with this second draft by the end of June. That’s plenty of time! I found my groove yesterday, so I’m past the blank-first-page mental hurdle.

How’s your writing going? I assume you’re also a writer. You might actually be a welder. That’s cool, too. What’s that like?

Until next time,


*not necessarily hyperbole. Some novels take a lot of drafts before they’re finished. It really does take time.

Wish I knew what you were looking for.

Sara Mazariegos


My goal this week has been to take it easy. I’ve created a novel outline; I’ve thought of things to include in this new draft. I’m not letting myself start writing it until Monday.

Meanwhile, I’ve been reading The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn. It’s so good. I need to read everything she’s ever written. Her writing style matches mine and my preferences in novels I like to read. I’m still obsessed with Georgie, All Along.

This go-around, I’m not going to worry so much about the publishing side of things. I want to focus on my writing and enjoy it. I figure the more “business” side can come later, once I’m sure I’ve got a manuscript worthy of the effort.

Short post this time. I said everything I wanted to say in the video above. Plus, I said it through burned lips.

That’s not a figure of speech.

Vladimir collects ceramic unicorns.

Sara Mazariegos


I both won and lost my personal book game for my birthday. I got so many new books. Ah, loopholes. If I was really serious about not getting any books for a while, I wouldn’t ask for them for my birthday. 😇

You can see my excitement about one of them in the video above. I will take it to Disney World and Guatemala, not that I foresee having much extra time to read it while on vacation. Perhaps during the flights, while I’m awake. One of my flights will land at 4 something in the morning!

I’m already feeling grateful for taking a recovery day after our trip. I’m mostly going to use it for sleeping.

As I’ve mentioned, I’m going to jump right into reading the draft of my other novel as soon as I’m back and conscious. I have so many ideas, but I’m pacing myself and being organized about them this go-around. Because “Write all the things!” leads to a mess and/or burnout.

See? I’m learning!

This trip may just fill me with further inspiration. Isn’t that always the way, for authors? Inspiration can be found everywhere.

Until next time,

“I’m thirty-seven.” “What?”

Sara Mazariegos


“Well, I can’t just call you ‘Man.'” “You could say ‘Dennis.'” “I didn’t know you were called Dennis!” “You didn’t bother to find out, did you?”


It’s my birthday! 🥳 Today, my husband and I are going to our favorite Italian restaurant and then we’re going to watch Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. (It came out in 1937. That’s my theme this year.)

This weekend, we’re going to celebrate with friends and see the new Ghostbusters movie and do an escape room. It’s going to be a lot of fun. And then next weekend, we’re heading to Disney World!

I’m spoiled.

Currently, I’m listening to Carly Watters talking about how to get started in the publishing industry. That’s right, I know how to party.

Luis finished alpha reading my manuscript, so I have a few more tweaks to make, and then I can send it out to a few more beta readers. Then I can enter the query trenches again.

When we come back from our trip, I’m going to switch gears and work on rewriting my other novel. It’ll be a nice change of pace. I’m excited to play with those characters again and use what I’ve learned to make the story better.

I’m feeling optimistic. ✨