Jill Kemerer: vlog

Showing posts with label vlog. Show all posts

Friday, October 31, 2014

NaNo and Beyond: Creating Word Count Goals

It's almost November! Sure, the holidays are coming, but ask a writer why November is exciting and you'll probably hear, "NaNoWriMo," which stands for National Novel Writing Month. Most of us call it NaNo.

I'm not participating this year, but I apply some useful NaNo tips every time I write a first draft. My favorite tip is to pre-plan how long it will take me to write my book. It's pretty simple. I take out an index card and my calendar, and I assign a word count goal for each day and a target word count for each week until the book will be done.

When I'm actually writing, I highlight each day in either pink or yellow. Pink is for the days I meet or exceed my goal, and yellow is for the days I don't meet my goal.

This method keeps me on track. I write my books in a much shorter span of time when I map out the goals. Try it!

For my writer friends, are you doing NaNo? For everyone else, are you excited November is almost here? I am!!

Have a terrific weekend!

Fridays with Jill: New Vlog!

I'm super excited because I bought a new webcam! My old one was acting really funny, and I sure missed vlogging.

This means you have to put up with me and my webcam again. Sounds like a Mercer Mayer book, right? Me and My Webcam. Ha! I'm thinking of sharing a new webisode of "Fridays with Jill" on a regular basis, maybe weekly, maybe monthly. We'll see! :)

Fridays with Jill: October 10, 2014 Video

So what's new with you right now?

Have a great weekend!!

What's New with Jill May 2014 Vlog

Welcome to another webisode of What's New with Jill! Not sure why my eyes and shirt are purple in this beauty, but, hey, it's kind of fun!

What's new with you?

Have a terrific day!!

What's New with Jill: April Vlog

It's the April 2014 webisode of What's New with Jill!

(Spoiler Alert: not a whole lot! Ha!)

I'd love to hear what's new with you, so please leave a comment to fill me in!

Thanks!!

What's New with Jill February 2014 Vlog

Now that it's 2014, it's time for a new web-series! Welcome to "What's New with Jill"!

My dog keeps photo-bombing these things! Sorry you have to see so much doggy rear. :)

Wallpaper removal, anyone?

My mailbox is buried in snow. :(

Now you know what's new with me, I'd love to hear what's new with you!

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Candy Binge? 2 Minute Resolution Vlog

It's time for another two minute resolution, and since I'm drowning in Halloween candy, this month, I'm talking about the candy binge.

Candy Binge? November 2013's Two Minute Resolution!

Do you love candy too? What's your favorite snack?

Have a terrific weekend!!

Not Becoming a Recluse: 2 Minute Resolution

I've been too much of a homebody lately. When driving to the gas station seems too much of a bother, I know I need to get out more. So this month's 2 Minute Resolution is to Not Become a Recluse!

October 2103: 2 Minute Resolution

Not Becoming a Recluse

Do you ever get reclusive tendencies? How do you combat them?

Have a terrific weekend!!

Celebrating Small Successes: 2 Minute Resolutions Vlog

The 2 Minute Resolutions vlog series is back!

Today I'm sharing how to be mindful of small successes and why celebrating them is important.

September 2013: Celebrating Small Successes 2 Minute Resolutions

Do you celebrate small successes? Share your story!

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Flashback Friday

Normally, I post a new vlog on the first Friday of the month, but it's a holiday weekend. I'm basting ribs, cutting up cantaloupe, walking my energetic wiener-dog. The vlog will have to wait. :)

Here's a flashback from last July where I discussed my late grandmother's phrases.

"Grandma-ism's with Jill Kemerer"

(Could YouTube select a more unflattering snapshot to start the video? I don't think so...)

Have a terrific weekend!!

Preparing for Sports Season Vlog

April is here, and with it, the crazy sports' schedules of our two kids. I shuttle them to different activities all year round, but both kids gravitate toward spring/summer sports, so it gets intense this time of year.

I am not complaining, though! Allowing our kids to be involved with things they enjoy is a privilege I'm thankful to give them.

So I have my own way of "training" for this busy season. Here is my latest webisode of the 2 Minute Resolutions series!

Preparing For Sports Season

What extra responsibilities does April bring for you?

Have a terrific weekend!!

New Teas! 2 Minute Resolution Vlog

March is here and I'm trying new tea flavors! I drink a ton of hot tea, so it's fun to go beyond my usual and get a little exotic.

Black teas are my favorite. I love the depth and rich flavors. Herbal teas typically are too weak or something for me, but I have a few I sip now and then.

Last month, my resolution was to sketch every weekday. This didn't happen, but I sketched more than I had in three years, so I'm happy!

Do you have anything you're focusing on this month? I'd love to hear it! And let me know what you're sipping lately!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Brainstorming Fail

Shockingly enough, not all of my brainstorming sessions result in usable ideas. In fact, the majority of them don't!

Since I want to have three solid plots in my head before February, I've been spending a lot of aimless, brain-run-free time. I must admit, normally I'm oozing with ideas. At any given moment, I might have the next two books all plotted out in my head, but last fall the well started running dry, and I was too tired and mentally defeated to look for fresh water.

Though the ideas weren't leaping into my brain like salmon on a run, I never worried I wouldn't be able to come up with a good story line...eventually. So it meant a slew of brainstorming sessions chasing bunnies into dead ends. They eventually led me to two solid book concepts. I'm still working on a third.

I recorded one such failed session and am sharing it with you.

Creativity isn't a lightbulb that can burn out. It may dim, yes, but if you keep at it, you can nurture the smallest idea into a unique plot. Don't wait for inspiration to strike! Play with ideas, try them on, ask questions, throw away the generic ones, nurture the mediocre ones, and treasure the terrific ones!

Do you make time for brainstorming sessions? Have you ever recorded yourself, either via webcam, video recorder, or a voice recorder? Did it help?

Have an amazing weekend!

Memorizing Scripture: 2 Minute Resolutions Vlog

Welcome to my new vlog series, 2 Minute Resolutions!

Each month I'm sharing a quick webisode on one of my resolutions and how I'm achieving my goal.

First up? Memorizing Bible passages!

Any tips on making memorization easy as 1-2-3?

Did you make any resolutions this year? Or do you not believe in them?

I'm also excited to announce Jessica R. Patch is now offering a critique service! Head to her website for more information!

Have a terrific Friday!

Christmas Shopping Woes with Jill Kemerer: Vlog

Today's webisode of "...with Jill Kemerer" is all about my shopping woes. I'm not a good shopper. Never have been, probably never will be. Even online shopping gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Here's a slice of my shopping problems--and yes, my mini-wiener dog photo-bombed the video again!

December 2012 webisode: Christmas Shopping Woes with Jill Kemerer

How do you do it? How do you Christmas shop and maintain your sanity?? Help!

Have a terrific weekend!

Exercise Plans with Jill Kemerer Vlog

Now that November has arrived, I pretty much wear my winter uniform of sweaters and jeans. This can lull a midwestern gal into thinking she can hide any bulges. (I'm going to let you in on a secret: she can't.)

Unfortunately, Halloween just hit our house and I'm a candy freak. With Christmas right around the corner, I know I'll be shimmying into cute holiday clothes soon. That's why I'm being proactive this year. I'm getting my exercise plans together.

Here are my exercise plans to stay in shape before the holiday season!

Is this time of year a danger zone for you to drop exercising and overindulge? What are you doing to stay in shape? I'd love to hear your tips!

Have a terrific weekend!

Jill's Happy Five! Oct 12, 2012

I love Fridays!

In an effort to find gratitude and joy in the smallest places, I'm sharing my week's Happy Five--the five things that made me happy this week--vloggy style!

What makes your Happy Five list this week?

Have a fun weekend!

Surviving October of an Election Year with Jill Kemerer

I love being an American. I think it totally rocks that I get to vote! We live in a society where the barriers have come down--it doesn't matter what gender or race you are--as an American citizen (with some restrictions), you can vote. What a blessing!!

But with this voting ability comes relentless advertising, political maneuvering, and personal rants about why one party is better than the other. For years, I've been a firm believer that when it comes down to it, most Americans want the same things--safety, freedom, and security to name a few--we just have different ideas on how to achieve those things.

With that spirit, I've become more careful about how I share my views. I would never want people who don't share my political ideas to feel attacked or belittled by me. Too often, politics become weapons to hurt or shame others--or worse, to make us feel superior.

October of an election year ratchets up tensions. I'm here to help!

If you're struggling to tune out the meaningless chatter, here are my strategies on how to survive October of an election year!

Do you have any tips on how to survive the final month before a major election?

Please, no personal politics in the comments. Let's respect each other by keeping it neutral. Thank you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Self Check-out Lane with Jill Kemerer Vlog

Welcome to another webisode of "... with Jill Kemerer"!! This month we're discussing the self check-out lane.

June 2012: The Self Check-out Lane with Jill Kemerer

I apologize for the barking toward the end. My dog flipped out due to the cement trucks pouring a foundation across the street. She can't handle the construction noise!

What are your thoughts on the self check-out lane? Does it make life easier or can it be a time waster?

Happy June 1st!! Have a great weekend!

Setting a Watch Vlog

It's Good Friday! What an amazing, blessed day to celebrate! Every year, I'm in awe of God's gracious gift. To send His own son to die for us and save us from our sins? And three days later, to rise and overcome death? It's impossible to wrap my brain around, but so simple to wrap my heart around.
Although I should be keeping this post reflective, it's the first Friday in April and therefore time for another webisode of "... with Jill Kemerer." Today, we're setting a watch!

FYI, I did figure out how to set the watch, and at 12:03 AM, I learned I'd set the alarm too. Wonderful. A few days later, I'd accidentally pushed a few buttons and managed to set an alarm that beeped every hour. I'm pretty sure I've got the kinks worked out. I hope so at least!

To catch past webisodes of "... with Jill Kemerer," head to my YouTube channel which is linked! And feel free to subscribe so you don't miss any new webisodes. :)

In honor of Easter break, I am taking next week off from blogging. Come back on Monday, April 16 for a new post.

Have a blessed, happy Easter!