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How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

-Winnie The Pooh

Now I am completely done writing, and almost done with revising and editing. There are only a few more things to do, one being making the presentation which is mostly pictures. Plus, I have yet to fulfill the mentor requirements. There is one big issue with the project that is whether or not I decide to publish Arthur and the Sword or not? If I am then I need to be completely confident about it, so I might end up publishing in a few years.

Over the course of this project I have made some success and failures. It has taught me many things, such as doing things at the last minute can have affect. One of my successes is the story itself because I actually accomplished writing a story. A failure that I had is having to change My original SMART goal requirements from 100 pages in the novel to 25 pages in the novel. I felt that it would be too hard, and not a reasonable goal to have for one’s self. Lastly, I am very self-conscious about my writing, so I think naturally that I failed at everything like, the plot, characters, and SO much more.

Overall this was a very fun project and I would definitely choose it again, just probably I would choose a different subject to write about. I think my inspiration for this project was my teacher Miss. Rivera, she would always help me with my writing, and encouraged me when I had no faith in myself. So, I would like to dedicate my book to Miss. Rivera, the best teacher in the world.
Thank you for taking this ride with me,
Meg Stitzel

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There are only 3 steps left to complete in my 20-Time career. They are the same steps that have haunted me from the beginning. One being: To finish the story. I’m so close to finishing. The last two go together they are revising, and editing. These shouldn’t take too long, just a week or 2. We were given these mentor logs at the beginning of the project, we needed to meet with our mentor for at least 5 hrs. through the project. If Mr. Hartl, and I meet just 2-3 more times then I will have met the requirements, and can put an A on that portion of the 20-Time project.
I’d like to show you a sneak peak of Arthur and the Sword; here you go. Enjoy! =)
She swayed with the air, she chanted in a language that not even the most enriched polyglot wouldn't know. She dropped to her knees, onto the sand under her. The water in the ocean was lifted up to the heavens. The liquid snake started to swirl into a cyclone of power, and elements. She picked up the foreign scepter in the water, and placed into the cyclone. It was molding into a weapon of some kind. A sword!
I have 23 pages worth of this story, and it is officially the longest story I have ever written. Wow!!! The next step, as you know, is revising and editing that I have talked about to you before.
Where has the time gone. I feel like I should be just starting my story, instead of finishing. Today in class we started to talk about how we are presenting our projects. Our new teacher Mr. Moore (long story)      Said we have to make power points, so I’m excited.
See you later,
Meg Stitzel

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This week I was majorly influenced by a show called "Merlin". It takes place in the time of king Arthur. It gives me more ideas and more of Arthur's personality. The best part of it is that I can write about king Arthur while watching him on T.V . To me this is the best thing ever.
I regretfully have failed to follow my timeline. When writing stories, you have no idea when inspiration will come to you. For example, when i'm on the swing I daydream about my story, and what will happen. I write very slowly unfortunately, so am very low on pages. The next step for me would be revising and editing what writing I have. In order to meet the 5hr mentor requirement I will have to meet with Mr. Hartel for 6 Baron Times I plan to do that over the month of May.
To revise and edit I will use my 2 column notes and, also my STAR revisions checklist. In my notes I wrote that revising is the changing of ideas and large chunks of text, and that editing is the changing of spelling, and makes it more professional looking. I am very thankful that I have Mr. Hartel to help me with all the revisions I have to do.
In conclusion, even though I have missed my goal I think that this project will turn out well. I have been writing a lot lately, so maybe I will eventually reach my goal. Next on my story I will be writing about how Arthur meets the lady of the Lake.
Thanks for reading,
Megan Stitzel

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“Failure is a detour, not a dead end” - Zig Ziglar 

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“Failure is a detour, not a dead end” - Zig Ziglar 

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So far in this project I have fallen gotten back up, and have fallen again. Today I found out how hard writing can be. I have ideas to fill the pages but how to give them meaning; give them life I have no idea. In the summer I would write as if it were a sport, but now I have no time, and my writing has lost all meaning. But my failure, in fact is not a failure at all it’s a try; try again.
I am ashamed to say I will not be reaching my S.M.A.R.T goal. I will try my best though. So far with what I have got in my story there is about 10 pages with a few on the way. It’s not anywhere near the number I should have, but fear not, I will rise again. The world has not seen the last of me, and I will write until my fingers are raw. Even after the project is over and done I will continue to write, because this book means a lot to me, and all the people helping me with it.
A good thing happening lately is that I know what I want to write. I can picture it in my head like a movie, and sometimes when I stare off into space I continue to think about what my story needs. I can see the woods where the story takes place, and smell the strawberry patches on the rolling hills outside of Camelot. I guess what I’m trying to say here is that I hope when I complete the book others will read it, and picture exactly what I wanted them to see. That’s what I really enjoy when I read books from other authors.
In conclusion, I don’t like making excuses, so I won’t instead I will simply say I will try my best. I have been lazy with writing this book. Writing used to be special to me but when a lot is riding on my writing it all looks wrong, and then I have to start again. In about two months this project will me over and done, much like the PSSA’s.  I’m looking forward to what I have written then.

Love,
Megan Stitzel

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I use to have this horrible habit of waiting to the last minute to finish my homework. For example I'm doing this on Thursday night at 10:24 P.M. Another example is the 20Time project, That’s why I named this Blog Post Falling into old Habits. I only have 2 chapters done and like 4 on the way.
The successes I have had this week are very few because I have chorus on day 4 and day 5, also have student council on day 3, Lastly I have class meeting on day 1. In the chapter I was working on today I realized that when it’s finished it will be over 5 pages long. It’s about the antagonist Morgan LeFay. Sorry People no spoiler alerts this time, you have to read the tory if you want the full picture.
This week I’ve had some setbacks as well. One of them being nowhere near done. I’m on chapter 2 that’s why I have to apply the 2 pages a day rule. And I have absolutely no time to do these things. I know all of these reasons are like excuses but trust me I feel really bad about not being as far along on my project that I should be.
Because I am a very slow typer I asked my mom for some help. We both decided that it would be best if she would help me type, so I’m the only making the book and she would be the one typing. With her on the job this 20Time project is going to go faster than I thought it would go (hopefully).
In conclusion, Although I have had some setbacks meaning a lot I think I'm going to dominate this project. I have complete faith in myself, and also the people who are helping me. Speaking of, I would like to thank my mom, and Mr. Hartl for helping me with this project. Mr. Hart is the best mentor ever and I can’t wait for a Baron Time when I’m free to come up ask him for advice.
By,
Meg Stitzel

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Hey remember when I had the worst writer’s block? Well after losing my computer I gained great ideas and I completely redid my novel. In the rewrite I changed the introduction Arthur's day dreaming i the first chapter. I also chose to wait to introduce his mother later in the story, as well as Lancelot,and Guinevere.

I chose to changed the events of the second chapter entirely. I was worried about introducing the antagonist Morgan Le Fey. So I wrote back in time to introduce the Lady of the ake, Morgan, and Excalibur. In the chapter I like to describe my writing as very descriptive. I take pride in adjectives, sometimes I think I describe too much and I miss the blatant detail.

I have been making a lot of steps towards my SMART Goal. In Baron time better known as homeroom I have been writing like crazy. Without distractions (otherwise known as my family) around I can really concentrate. I even started writing on google docs so I can take my story anywhere without a flash drive.

In conclusion, This week has really been a success in the terms of coming towards my SMART Goal. One setback this week was time. Due dates are always  creeping up on me. It’s hard to keep track of them all. So that affects the time I have to work on my novel. See you next week for my next post.

Bye,

Meg Stitzel

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Have you ever had one of those days where all you wanted to do was scream and rip your hair out because nothing (and I mean nothing)is going your way.I have them; I have them all the time. Frankly it’s just sad. I finally got some inspiration over the Christmas break, and wrote about the interesting meeting between Arthur and Guinevere. In the chapter Guinevere almost shoots Arthur but when he sees her it is love at first sight. Is there a spark igniting between them? You’ll just have to read the book and see.

Last Blog post I was talking about my unexpected writer's block. Although I found the slightest bit of inspiration it doesn’t mean that the writer’s block is gone. In fact now i’m confused on how the antagonist meets Arthur. The inspiration to work this week is the pressing weight of the upcoming due dates, along with all of the other classes, and projects. Overall I think the book is pretty good there need to be some changes here and there, plus I need to add all of the characters including the Lady of the Lake, Lancelot, Merlin the wizard, and the surprise antagonist.

There  was one setback. It was major and is going to be really tough to endure the breaking of my laptop (No; please don’t cry). Sadly the story was lost and now I need to start over again. Don’t worry loyal fans Miss Rivera said that losing it could be a good thing. It could help my ideas form and leap from my brain onto the paper. This tragedy happens over the break when I decided to shut my screen, little did I know an earbud was on top of the keyboard. I didn’t realize that the laptop was broken until I wanted to work on My story and the screen was cracked. I was so glad when I realized I have the story on a Flash Drive ( thank you for suggesting that Mr. Hartl). I will fix the story when I have time.

Currently in the story the narrator or Arthur is telling the readers about his life. It's not particularly the life of a king but he ensures, I believe that his home life as well as the death of his father contributes to his harmless and relatively shy personality. The way i described him makes him look like a stick figure with facial features. (Meaning he suffers from malnutrition). Of course he’s not getting much to eat but cabbage stew and strawberries ( native foods in Camelot).

My friends really help me and are the inspiration for this project. In fact my friend Kenzie is writing a book for 20Time as well . She is so great at everything so great in face she gave me a mini bio to help me develop my characters. Apparently her mentor gave it to her; she’s is an famous author. My mentor is better though his name is Mr. Hartl. He is a 5th grade English teacher at my school. He has been one of my favorite teachers for a very long time. He has been helping me along the way and I thought he deserves a shout out. Thank You Mr. Hartl! You made Arthur and the Sword possible.
By,
Megan Stitzel

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This week was full of successes. First of all my computer was fixed, second I had my S.M.A.R.T goal changes, and lastly I am ready to start revising and editing. And although I didn’t follow the timeline exactly, I still think that in the end I will achieve an awesome grade.

Since Christmas my computer screen had been broken, and I had lost the original version of Arthur and the Sword. But my parents found out they could fix my computer, so they bought me a new screen. In other words, I have the original story and can add it to the new one.

Miss. Rivera was checking in on our projects, and she asked if I needed to change my S.M.A.R.T goal. I gladly accepted her offer, and changed the goal from 100 pages written in the book, to 25 pages in the book. So now I am creeping up on accomplishing my goal, and submitting the final draft.

Speaking of a final draft, I am ready to start revising and editing. I am usually a very good speller but there are many typos in my rough draft. That is because my research said NO SPELLCHECK!!!!! Grammar checks, and spell checks tend to mix up there, their, and if they’re, as well as, Too, two, and to. I don’t think I will need to revise on a large scale, but there is a possibility. The last step is to have others read my story, and give me their comments.

In conclusion, before this project is finished I will need to publish my story, and peer edit. There is still much to do and very little time left. I believe there is only a little less than a month left.

So Long,

Meg Stitzel

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  The twist to the modern story of Excalibur ...                   Writers block...

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  The twist to the modern story of Excalibur ...                   Writers block...

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Have you ever completely forgotten what you were going to say. I have that’s why the title of this post is Writers Block. The inspiration of what I have in Arthur and the Sword right now is film scores, my friends, and my teachers. Music is a big part of my life so of course different types of music make me feel certain ways. Film Scores from Narnia, Harry Potter, and Lord on the Rings trilogy make me feel adventurous and that’s what this book is all about; the adventures of Arthur. My friends have a huge impact on my life. McKenzie Miller (fellow Author) sometimes gives me ideas for my writing and is helping me along the way. My best friend and sister Krysta Harris is always there for me any way that she can and sometimes her characteristics are reflected in my writing (so watch out for it). Miss Rivera and Mr. Hartl help me with ideas, and when I’m stressed they calm me down.
So far in my book I am an astounding two chapters in. But I have been thinking about the outline the book. I’m thinking of combining the two legends of the Lady of the Lake, and the sword in the stone.  There is a surprise character within the pages of Arthur and the sword so be careful. There will also be a romance between characters, but I’m not revealing who those people are until later in the year.
Because I am not where I should be in my writing I am going to be working vigorously over Christmas break. In the next two weeks, I want to have chapters 3+4 finished so I can edit everything.  Before in the 20Time process we set a timeline but for right now I have a timeline in my head for the parts of the book. The book hopefully is finished My May 5th so I can reach my SMART Goal, but I’m not making any promises this is hard work.
How I am going to do all of this. I don’t know, but I will try my very hardest until everything is done and published. A lot of heart is poured into my writing so when I have a writer’s block even though I know what I want in different parts of the story stresses me out. This goes along with my other classes, and extracurricular activities. So I’m surprised I haven’t pulled out all of my hair yet. Some questions I still have for myself are how am I going to type about 10 pages a chapter as my mentor has instructed me to do? I am still asking myself why I chose this project instead of easier projects. I have the tendency of biting off more than I can chew. I also do things at the last min that’s why almost everything I do looks rushed. I can’t wait for when Arthur and the Sword is finished and I can share to the war my version of history to the rest of the world, and put my spoilers to good use.
Love, Meg Stitzel