I’m Back (However Temporary)

So it’s been a few years, I’ve finished the second draft of that one book. And I’ve started like 3 new books in the meantime.

But I’ve also started to read a lot more again. Which is great cause I think I was losing the ability to actually write by both not writing but also not reading. So I joined Storygraph to keep track of books I’m reading and also to see what I might enjoy next despite having like 70 books on my TBR. But that’s okay, I’ll get through them eventually.

I also started a full time job as a pharmacy assistant, which has been eating up a lot of my time. One day I’ll have my ideal job at 4 days a week with benefits. But for now 5 days a week with no benefits will have to do.

First Draft Finished!

I know I don’t post a lot about my writing on here. The writing process is not an exciting or consistent one in my books. But this is a milestone!!

I finally finished the first draft of an original novel, it’s rough and horrible and I love it! Characters are basically non-existent and bleed into one another but I’ll fix it on the next draft. And the next. And the next.

Oh man, I’ve got so many plans and so much to flesh out. I’m going to edit the first draft and then send the second draft to a friend to beta for stupid little things. Write the third draft. Then find some beta readers for my genre. Write the fourth draft. Find more beta readers, editors too. Write a fifth draft and do it again.

I’m hoping the sixth draft will be good enough to send somewhere and maybe be officially published!

In between stages I’ll have to write another book, just to keep myself sharp. I stopped writing for a little under a year once and my writing became so sloppy. It was rigid and gross and even now I’m still getting back into it.

I hope to give more updates as I keep going.

Until next time,

Eve

First Ballroom Dance Competition – Costs

Okay so I said I’d break down some of the costs for my first ballroom dance competition. But honestly that’s pretty hard to do when you simply hand a studio money and they sort out what is entry fees, and what is pro fees. I don’t have a full time partner so my dance instructor was my partner for the pro-am competition which increased my costs a bit.

Entry fees + Pro fees = $1, 130 (tax included)

Shoes = $95

I ordered the shoes at least 3 months in advance to break them in. I ordered them from danceshoestore.com. Link below. They’ve got a lot of options with different levels of ankle support. Plus free shipping on almost all their stuff. I went with black satin ones because they were my first real pair of dance shoes that I got second hand from a young women at my studio. Though for my next competition I may go with the satin + mesh. Keep that baby toe in its place for once.

Click here to visit DanceShoesStore.com

The shoes took about… A month and a half to break them in enough that I was comfortable wearing them for a class. I wore them on and off around the house but I wasn’t super good at doing it every day or even every two days. It was a ‘I’ll wear them when I remember moment’. I still got a tiny blister the first class but it wasn’t a big deal. I just wore them more around the house.

Dress = $30 for the base dress, and about $60 for fringe and gemstones. $30 for soft cups sewn into the dress.

I was lucky enough that we found a good red base dress at a second hand shop in town. My mum and my dance moms (2 very caring aunts) knew how to sew and gem things up so I saved a lot of money on the dress. For first competition I didn’t want to go all out, I wanted to be comfortable and sort of blending in. Fringe helped a lot with that. I think typically a dress would have been closer to $150 to $200? So really I only saved like $30 but still.

Make up + applicators = Close to $40.

Again I was lucky. My cousins used to do competitions (not ballroom) so my Aunts still had some make up and they used their own foundation (porcelain is one shade darker than my natural skin tone ugh I’m basically translucent). So I only had to buy a few additional things like eye shadow applicators, and eyelashes + glue. Typically this would probably run someone the first time about $100. If you want the mid-range stuff. If you get it done at the competition its about $60 for the pros to do it. Which is good if it’s a one time deal. But if you plan to go more than once or do multiple competitions per year, it may be a good investment to get your own stuff and learn to use it.

Hair = $65

Again dance moms to the rescue. My aunts love to do their hair, plus each one had at least two girls in competition to practice on. So they had the hairspray, the combs, the brushes. I just needed to get some hair bling stuff, strong hair pins that could probably pierce my skull, hair nets, and some gel. Hair bling was the most expensive part at $24. My aunts also had this weird perfume bottle looking thing with a poof. Literally looked like the stereotypical perfume bottles from before my time. Except instead of perfume it held glitter dust. Tons and tons of glitter dust. I have no clue how much it cost or where she got it from but that glitter got everywhere and it stuck. I’m pretty sure I inhaled a good portion of it, and I’m sure it was an environmental hazard.

Transportation = $10 for gas.

It was a local competition so I wasn’t all that worried for transportation costs. We got there and back on maybe a half a tank. Probably less.

Accommodation = N/A

We were only an hour away. My heat started at 10:40am and we were told to get there at least half an hour before hand. It was also only one day so I was done by 1:30pm.

Food = $50

We like to eat. We needed a good but light breakfast, a good snack or five for in between heats, and a good lunch after the last one. So individually, I probably ate $50 worth. Oh and for drinks. I brought two refillable water bottles but I only touched the one.

Where you enter onto the floor they typically have plastic cups and giant coolers of water ready for dancers to take a quick sip before they get back on.

Admission = $35

Admission into the event is not always included in the dancers entry fees. Each person needed a wrist band and it was $35 to get in the door.

Program book = $15

This book is optional but I found it useful to have to see all the heats. Plus its a nice memento of the occasion. Some places I’m sure would have free program guides but this was a fundraiser for Sick Kids so they were trying to get as much money as possible.

In total = $1, 560

For a single day, local competition where I cut costs wherever I could, this is pretty good. I’ve read online that most competitions run around $3, 000.

Next competition will be less expensive in some areas and more expensive in others. My aunts took tons of pictures of dresses and make up styles while there so I’m a little worried what they plan to do. I’m hoping to always keep my competition costs under $2000. But who knows, I may want a professional dress one year or professional make up.

Until next time,

Eve

 

First Ballroom Dance Competition

It’s been a while since I’ve written any sort of update on here. But I’m back and ready to talk!

This past weekend I was lucky enough to participate in a small, local ballroom dance competition. I’ve been in ballroom dance for about a year and half now. But this was my first competition. (I’ll probably do a post on the break down costs because it was sort of hard to find anything similar online).

I entered as a newcomer in 4 single dances Cha Cha, Merengue, Argentine Tango, and Salsa. I was also entered as a newcomer into two Bronze sets. Cha Cha/Rumba/Swing for both. I was the only newcomer in the last of the two sets so I got gold haha.

But it was a lot of fun, it was like a large dance party where everyone knew the steps. Some better than others of course. There was one girl and she nailed all her lines, she was phenomenal. I want to be able to get my arms into position as quickly and confidently as she can. I probably still look a little awkward on the dance floor.

By the last dance, I was super relaxed. It was just too much fun, I almost wished my studio had signed me up for more dances. Probably best they didn’t I’d already spent quite a bit on entries just with those few.

Oh and there was a very young couple, and by young I mean like 10-12? They were so cute! And they knew the steps, how to move, how to look so happy while doing it. The lead was counting under his breath though, but I’m sure I was doing it too haha.

I want to participate in another one as soon as possible. But my bank account says no, so I’ll be limiting it to one competition per year at least until I get a higher paying job lol.

Until next time,

Eve

Progress is Progress

I’ve been working with my dance instructor for over 8 months now, and I think I’m finally starting to understand what settling my weight means.

My instructor told me I needed to shift my center of gravity lower. I needed to go from light and airy to heavy and dramatic.

I did ballet years ago. You had to keep yourself light on your toes. You had to convey the impression of a cloud, a butterfly, a bird. Quick, light feet. Rounded, softened shoulders. You could be breaking a sweat but the audience couldn’t know it.

Latin ballroom dance is all about sticking to the floor, keeping your center of gravity low, and settling in the pauses. You have to be striking, you have to tease. My feet stick to show hesitation. My partner will pull but in some cases I have to wait and fall into the step.

It took almost 9 months for me to understand this. It also took a good 20 minutes of practice before I could do it right and feel comfortable. But somehow it feels like a big step forward. My timing is getting better, my confidence is increasing. For such a small detail it feels like a big piece of the puzzle has finally settled in.

Now I just have to remember it in each dance. Sticky feet, hesitation, and settle back on the heel.

We’ve almost finished the choreographed dance for the Argentinian Tango and will be moving on to Rumba next.

I kinda can’t wait to see where this goes.

Group Lessons vs Private Lessons

So when I first started, I jumped right into private lessons but was always curious about the group lessons. Not only that but it was more economical to have two classes per week. By doing the group lesson on top of a private lesson classes were about $55.

I didn’t know how big of a difference group lessons would be in comparison but they really were. The 3 major differences I noticed were:

1. You’re partner won’t be perfect

The hold, grip, lead. It all changes with a new partner. In most cases, they will be a beginner and not a pro like your teacher. So the hold will be loose, the grip won’t transition through steps as easily, and the lead will most likely be weak. You won’t have the same connection so there will be more missteps and some confusion as to where they may be leading you. They think they’re leading you for a turn, but it feels like a normal box step. Silent communication no longer works as well so you’ve got to speak up a bit more. Maybe dictate each step with a count while saying things like ‘Box’, ‘ half turn’, new yorker’ etc.

2. You learn fewer steps, but you practice them more

In private lessons you typically fly through dance steps and styles. In three months you could know anywhere from 3 up to 10. It all depends on how fast you learn. I was around 3 or 4 at that time. Probably 3. But in private you’re more likely going to learn the basic steps for more than a month of lessons before moving on. If the whole class picks up the dance fast you may spend 3 weeks on it but typically it’s closer to four. You can only learn 3 or less steps in one group lesson. But you end up practicing that step for 10 minutes each class before adding it to the full choreography. In private lessons, it’s more like 2 minutes per step and you automatically build the choreography as you go. Unless it’s a more professional looking dance aka not just the basic steps.

3. Your form will be neglected

Since I started doing group lessons, I’ve noticed my rigid posture will relax through most of the lesson now. It’s only in private that I’m reminded of it. My connection will be loose so I won’t be able to follow direction. I won’t move my hips at all in group lessons, but I need to remind myself in the private lessons. I forget how sharp certain moves have to be or even how quick they are. In some cases I won’t come to a full rest or shift my weight from leg to leg. It’s mostly little things that make the dance flow smoother and keep the aesthetic.

Group lessons have some flaws but they are a ton of fun. They have a friendly atmosphere with great people. The slower pace is always a nice break from private lessons. Not only that but different days of the week are typically learning different dances. Tuesday may be Rumba, while Wednesday is Tango, and Thursday’s Cha-cha. It’s a good chance to experiment with different lead styles as well as dances you may not have covered in private lessons yet.

If anyone wants to join ballroom dancing – and wants to learn quick – I suggest doing at least an intro of private lessons before signing up for any group lessons. If you like a slower, more relaxed pace, then maybe group lessons are the way to go.

Personally, I prefer a faster pace with more personalized instruction. But I don’t think I’ll ever give up on group dance lessons either. If anyone wants to add their own experiences, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

 

Tango Tantrum

Tango is ridiculous. It looks seamlessly simple, until you find out there are two types and one of those types happens to be backwards to almost everything you know.

Take a step forward on left instead of backward on right. Keep some distance vs cling like your life and toes depend on it. Luckily there are less hip swivels so I can actually do this dance rather well.

Until the original choreography got involved.

We went from easily dancing each new step to a dance with precision and solitary sounds that denote a new step. The intro is what’s getting me.

The intro to this musical masterpiece:

by Csilla Gulyás & Astor Piazzolla

This song is beautiful. But there are half counts in the beginning for the occasional bang and zig-a-zig-ah. Those half counts are what’s tripping me up.

I can barely stay on count let alone, keep half counts too. That or my counting is very very wrong, which could also be the case.

The best my teacher can do is let me count “in-an” like “in an eight” as a count to place my foot right.

Once the intro is done, it should be smooth sailing.

If anyone has any hints as to how to stay on count please let me know, I struggle.

 

Mixing Mediums

So for a novel I’m writing, I’m trying to mix together traditional writing with a modern social media insert (Twitter). But it’s so difficult. I’ve tried to place them at the start of chapters, in the middle, at the end. Even trying to find a good balance is hard.

So to help me get this in order I’m giving myself some rules:

Rule one: Give it a space

Don’t just throw them in all crazy wild. Give them a space. Make sure it adds to the narrative, and doesn’t detract from the traditional narrative. Whether the time is at the beginning, middle, or end of a chapter doesn’t matter just keep it as consistent as possible.

Rule two: Keep it short

Don’t have 6 pages of social media posts, comments, or chains. Try to keep it to a page maybe two. Again you don’t want to take away from the story. It’s the sprinkles on a cupcake. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Rule three: Be consistent

Kinda slides in with rule one. Make sure that if you do have the characters using facebook, twitter etc that they use it consistently and with purpose.

Rule four: Keep with the scene

It may be funny. But does it belong. Garlic bread is delicious. Chocolate milk is delicious. That does not mean they go together. (Unless that’s your thing, which I will judge you for).

Highly anticipated (and not recommended) Rule five: Ignore everything

Ignore everything in favor of being spontaneous and forget you even added this medium to your story until the bitter end. Edit it out or edit it in during the second, or third draft.

If anyone has any advice or book recommendations dealing with this sort of thing please leave a comment.

Rumba Walks

Link to If you’ve ever taken Latin ballroom, you’ve heard of rumba walks and I can guarantee they were the ban of your existence.  As they are now the bane of my existence.

If anybody doesn’t know, rumba walks are the stylistic walk of most latin dances. The exaggerated swing of the hips, the turn of the foot, and the impression that you are the hottest thing on the dance floor.

Experienced dancers make this look easy.

It is not.

They could be practicing rumba walks for up to 3 months before they even start to look somewhat natural. Sadly, they also kind of make the dance look how it looks. So everybody at some point needs to struggle through them. There are loads of youtube tutorials up for how to practice a rumba walk and I’ll probably link one in here (or just paste the video right into the page. No difference).

It won’t be mine, and I have no affiliation with the person, but they are a pro so they know how to move it on the dance floor.

Hopefully with a bit of practice any beginner can feel confident enough to move their hips to the Latin rhythm.

The Epic Cost of Dance

So without any hesitation I am going to pay for 40 lessons with a CAD$3800 + tax price tag. This is no surprise to me, as I have no impulse control and a huge curiosity – which should have a ‘u’ in it but doesn’t because this is an American site and they make me doubt the most basic rules of spelling.

But aside from that I work for minimum wage and have thankfully never budgeted in my life.

Now I have to.

Between gas for the car, rent, and now these classes, I will have very little money. I could stop going to the classes but I don’t want to and I am a selfish human being who cares very little about future mes plans.

Future plans including: A trip! Anywhere not on this continent. To self-publish! Who even knows how much I’m going to be spending on editors and such. Move out! Honestly the least likely to happen and the most expensive.

At least my crash and burn will be documented so others will take heed – or not, it’s their life not mine.

If anyone has advice or maybe wants to donate to me, let me know. Both will be graciously  accepted.