Whew!
I've been having trouble keeping up with my wordcount. I'll neglect it for as couple days and get behind, then catch up, then get behind again, argh! I've almost caught up again, I'm about 200 words from the 18k and some odd words total that's required for today.
My novel is coming along. Already, I know there's going to be some changes going on in the beginning but it's nice to actually be putting words to paper for once, finally I'm using the world that I've created! It's fun. My character Drae is finally leaving his little villages, earlier than planned because his father is more or less kicking him out (with the expectation that he'll return. That's not gonna happen :p). Now that I think about it, it's probably time to bring in my other POV character, Siron.
So, so far so good, though I'm lagging behind in wordcount at times.
I'm about to have to start writing an essay for school. Yay. More writing, for something that isn't my novel. And reading for research. And a memoir to write. Oh my gosh, so much writing!
11 days down, 19 to go! I can do this! >:D
Showing posts with label NaNo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NaNo. Show all posts
Monday, November 11, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
NaNo Day 7!
Oh my God! I've been so busy! School has taken up most of my time and I went two days without writing a word!! But! Last night/this morning I wrote about 3700 words! If I can write about 3k more words today, I'll be caught up.
And! Well, I decided to kinda start over with my story. Remember how last post I was talking about how the main character was talking to this stranger that had come to his village? Yeah. Well, now I've sorta rewound the story back to the beginning and am now writing from that strangers perspective instead of Drae's. And, it's been more interesting. Like, the words have been pretty much flowing from my fingers. AND! I've even gotten the first idea of what the magic in the world could be like! Where I had no idea before (and in past Nanoing years have pretty much done a vague, generic magic 'system') I now have something a bit less generic! It just came out of nowhere. I was reading the sentence I had just wrote and was like, "If that word was capitalized it could mean something different," and, well, it's kinda awesome.
So, I currently find myself with about an hour and a half of unexpected free time with nothing to do. Let's see how much I can write! :)
Good luck everyone!
And! Well, I decided to kinda start over with my story. Remember how last post I was talking about how the main character was talking to this stranger that had come to his village? Yeah. Well, now I've sorta rewound the story back to the beginning and am now writing from that strangers perspective instead of Drae's. And, it's been more interesting. Like, the words have been pretty much flowing from my fingers. AND! I've even gotten the first idea of what the magic in the world could be like! Where I had no idea before (and in past Nanoing years have pretty much done a vague, generic magic 'system') I now have something a bit less generic! It just came out of nowhere. I was reading the sentence I had just wrote and was like, "If that word was capitalized it could mean something different," and, well, it's kinda awesome.
So, I currently find myself with about an hour and a half of unexpected free time with nothing to do. Let's see how much I can write! :)
Good luck everyone!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
NaNo Days 1 and 2
Whew!
I made it! Kinda.
Day one was a bit of a failure. I had to get up early and go to class. I wrote about a hundred words before class and then didn't get home until around seven o'clock. I didn't get to write anything else until right before bed. I only managed 800 words, I was so tired.
Today, I managed to catch up. I'm currently at 3421 words! I almost gave up when I got to around 2k words and had to motivate myself by promising that I'd play a video when I finished. It worked. ;)
I'm going into this story with a very, very vague idea, it's pretty much a flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants thing going on. I have a good idea of the world and some of the characters but not really much about the plot.
So far, I'm starting out with main character Drae. He's currently seven years old. He's the son of a horse breeder in a small village that doesn't get many travelers, but when they do, Drae is all over it. Asking questions and what not. He wants to get out of the village and go to a city.
Where I left off in the story, Drae is talking to a stranger that just got to the village. The stranger is showing Drae a map of the continent which he's never seen before and is probably about to show him where's he's been and where he's going.
Anyway, it's still just the beginning. I've got to get Drae out of the village. I'll probably fast forward a little to where he's older between fourteen and seventeen somewhere.
So far so good! :)
I hope everyone else is off to a decent start! I'm having a blast so far! :D
I made it! Kinda.
Day one was a bit of a failure. I had to get up early and go to class. I wrote about a hundred words before class and then didn't get home until around seven o'clock. I didn't get to write anything else until right before bed. I only managed 800 words, I was so tired.
Today, I managed to catch up. I'm currently at 3421 words! I almost gave up when I got to around 2k words and had to motivate myself by promising that I'd play a video when I finished. It worked. ;)
I'm going into this story with a very, very vague idea, it's pretty much a flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants thing going on. I have a good idea of the world and some of the characters but not really much about the plot.
So far, I'm starting out with main character Drae. He's currently seven years old. He's the son of a horse breeder in a small village that doesn't get many travelers, but when they do, Drae is all over it. Asking questions and what not. He wants to get out of the village and go to a city.
Where I left off in the story, Drae is talking to a stranger that just got to the village. The stranger is showing Drae a map of the continent which he's never seen before and is probably about to show him where's he's been and where he's going.
Anyway, it's still just the beginning. I've got to get Drae out of the village. I'll probably fast forward a little to where he's older between fourteen and seventeen somewhere.
So far so good! :)
I hope everyone else is off to a decent start! I'm having a blast so far! :D
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Twas the Night Before NaNo
Twas the night before NaNo and all through the night,
Every Wrimo was waiting for the stroke of midnight.
Computer and paper was out and prepared,
For NaNo was, finally, practically there.
Coffee was brewed, or tea steeped if you wished,
Work was forsaken and school was dismissed,
Sleep would not come on this night of the year,
For NaNo was, finally, practically here.
Wrimos waited, breath bated, fingers twitching to type,
On this one and only most anticipated of nights.
Time went by slowly like water through stone,
NaNo was so close yet it seemed so remote.
Browsing the forums of the NaNo website,
Eyes constantly flicking to the clock on the right.
It's 11:59, so close to the start,
NaNo's finally upon us, it will finally start.
--
Just something that kinda popped into my head. :) It makes me smile so maybe it'll make some of you all smile.
Unfortunately, I can't do like the poem says and dismiss school tonight. I've got an early start tomorrow and haven't had any good rest for weeks so I need all I can or I will fall asleep during class. I might, might, be able to get some writing in, in the morning before class but I probably won't get to write anything until the afternoon or evening. (It's a six hour class. Unfortunately. Argh!)
I hope everyone has a merry, merry NaNo! :D
Every Wrimo was waiting for the stroke of midnight.
Computer and paper was out and prepared,
For NaNo was, finally, practically there.
Coffee was brewed, or tea steeped if you wished,
Work was forsaken and school was dismissed,
Sleep would not come on this night of the year,
For NaNo was, finally, practically here.
Wrimos waited, breath bated, fingers twitching to type,
On this one and only most anticipated of nights.
Time went by slowly like water through stone,
NaNo was so close yet it seemed so remote.
Browsing the forums of the NaNo website,
Eyes constantly flicking to the clock on the right.
It's 11:59, so close to the start,
NaNo's finally upon us, it will finally start.
--
Just something that kinda popped into my head. :) It makes me smile so maybe it'll make some of you all smile.
Unfortunately, I can't do like the poem says and dismiss school tonight. I've got an early start tomorrow and haven't had any good rest for weeks so I need all I can or I will fall asleep during class. I might, might, be able to get some writing in, in the morning before class but I probably won't get to write anything until the afternoon or evening. (It's a six hour class. Unfortunately. Argh!)
I hope everyone has a merry, merry NaNo! :D
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Say Hello to. . !
Only a few more days (omgomgomgomg)!
And for the first time in history I know (omg, I know!) what one of my human character look like!!
Now perhaps I haven't said anything about this but I'm usually extremely indecisive when it comes to what my characters look like, particularly the main characters (I don't really have a problem throwing out some random looks for a random character). One day I think their eyes are blue, the next green. Later, hazel. Brown hair? Blonde hair? Black hair? Who knows.
Consequently, if you were to read most of my stories, you'd notice that there is very vague or no explanation at all for what some character physically look like. You may know what their presence feels like, but not really anything like eye color, hair color or facial structure.
But, lately, I've become a bit more decent at drawing human faces and while I was doodling some random ones, trying some different nose shapes, I found one of my characters!
I was doodling some random dude and was like "Hey, this guy looks sorta cool," so I redrew him a bit better and I was just like, "Oh my God this is one of my characters." I knew exactly who it was just all of a sudden, it was pretty cool.
The character is a relatively new addition, added probably in the last year or two. I couldn't think of any name for him until the last week or two and has before been referred to in my head as simply 'The Mentor.' Now, I'm tentatively calling him, last name Quivyr (Qui as in quiver, vyr as in veer), first name currently unknown.
This is the prototype sketch of him:
Not anything like I would have imagined him to look like. I mean, for one- bald?? Would have never, ever guessed that. Ever. And yet, somehow, this is definitely him.
It's pretty awesome how this sort of things happens. :)
And for the first time in history I know (omg, I know!) what one of my human character look like!!
Now perhaps I haven't said anything about this but I'm usually extremely indecisive when it comes to what my characters look like, particularly the main characters (I don't really have a problem throwing out some random looks for a random character). One day I think their eyes are blue, the next green. Later, hazel. Brown hair? Blonde hair? Black hair? Who knows.
Consequently, if you were to read most of my stories, you'd notice that there is very vague or no explanation at all for what some character physically look like. You may know what their presence feels like, but not really anything like eye color, hair color or facial structure.
But, lately, I've become a bit more decent at drawing human faces and while I was doodling some random ones, trying some different nose shapes, I found one of my characters!
I was doodling some random dude and was like "Hey, this guy looks sorta cool," so I redrew him a bit better and I was just like, "Oh my God this is one of my characters." I knew exactly who it was just all of a sudden, it was pretty cool.
The character is a relatively new addition, added probably in the last year or two. I couldn't think of any name for him until the last week or two and has before been referred to in my head as simply 'The Mentor.' Now, I'm tentatively calling him, last name Quivyr (Qui as in quiver, vyr as in veer), first name currently unknown.
This is the prototype sketch of him:
Not anything like I would have imagined him to look like. I mean, for one- bald?? Would have never, ever guessed that. Ever. And yet, somehow, this is definitely him.
It's pretty awesome how this sort of things happens. :)
Monday, October 21, 2013
Ten Days 'Till
Oh my, it's ten days from Nano. Already.
I'm going to be working on my four year epic The Chronicles (previously The Chronicles of Siron but now just The Chronicles). So, thankfully I already know some of the characters and where it's going to take place and a vague idea of who the bad guy is and stuff but not really what the plot is. I mean, I don't want to do the whole 'someone's trying to take over the world' thing. I want to do something on a smaller scale. Something where the world isn't at stake. And then the potential bad guy will be the sort of mentor to the main character but I have to figure out why the mentor is so interested in the main character and why he wants to corrupt him. Why be the MC's mentor at all? Why?
Also, this years Nano is going to be particularly interesting since this is the first year I can be considered as 'busy'. I'm currently a full time college student doing twelve credit hours and on campus all day three days a week. I've always wondered if I would be capable of doing Nano while busy, now I'll finally be able to see. I think I'll make it. I have a decent amount of free time, I"ll just have to read a bit less and watch less tv.
The only things I'm dissapointed in so far this year is that I won't be able to stay up till midnight on the 31st of October and start writing. I have school on the 1st of November (curses!) so I can't do that. :(
I hope I get caught up on my planning in the next week. I want to have a pretty good idea of what I'm writing before I start. :)
I'm going to be working on my four year epic The Chronicles (previously The Chronicles of Siron but now just The Chronicles). So, thankfully I already know some of the characters and where it's going to take place and a vague idea of who the bad guy is and stuff but not really what the plot is. I mean, I don't want to do the whole 'someone's trying to take over the world' thing. I want to do something on a smaller scale. Something where the world isn't at stake. And then the potential bad guy will be the sort of mentor to the main character but I have to figure out why the mentor is so interested in the main character and why he wants to corrupt him. Why be the MC's mentor at all? Why?
Also, this years Nano is going to be particularly interesting since this is the first year I can be considered as 'busy'. I'm currently a full time college student doing twelve credit hours and on campus all day three days a week. I've always wondered if I would be capable of doing Nano while busy, now I'll finally be able to see. I think I'll make it. I have a decent amount of free time, I"ll just have to read a bit less and watch less tv.
The only things I'm dissapointed in so far this year is that I won't be able to stay up till midnight on the 31st of October and start writing. I have school on the 1st of November (curses!) so I can't do that. :(
I hope I get caught up on my planning in the next week. I want to have a pretty good idea of what I'm writing before I start. :)
Sunday, October 13, 2013
A Long Absence
Well, I fell off the face of the earth for awhile.
It was just, well, it wasn't a very good time for me back then. There was a lot of stuff going on and I was a bit depressed. And then so much time had passed that it seemed awkward to try to blog again. Plus I was never really good at it, always having trouble thinking of what to blog and what not.
But, NaNoWriMo is upon me (us!) again and I just couldn't stay away any longer. I remembered how much I enjoyed the blog at the times when it didn't feel like an obligation and thought, why not?
So here I am! NaNoWriMo will be here in eighteen days and I can't wait for it!
Also, as a wrap up for last years Nano, I barely squeaked by with 50,570 words. I hope to do better this year, but I'm also more busy this year so I'll just have to wait and see.
(Is anyone else about to burst with anticipation for NaNoWriMo or is it just me?!?!?)
:D
(Oh, and on a side note there was a lot of spam comments on my blog so I've changed things so that if you want to comment you've gotta do the image identification thingy. Sorry, I know it's annoying , but there was like hundreds of spam comments. Also, I apologize if I deleted any legit comments. There was so much spam it was difficult to really look at each individual comments.)
It was just, well, it wasn't a very good time for me back then. There was a lot of stuff going on and I was a bit depressed. And then so much time had passed that it seemed awkward to try to blog again. Plus I was never really good at it, always having trouble thinking of what to blog and what not.
But, NaNoWriMo is upon me (us!) again and I just couldn't stay away any longer. I remembered how much I enjoyed the blog at the times when it didn't feel like an obligation and thought, why not?
So here I am! NaNoWriMo will be here in eighteen days and I can't wait for it!
Also, as a wrap up for last years Nano, I barely squeaked by with 50,570 words. I hope to do better this year, but I'm also more busy this year so I'll just have to wait and see.
(Is anyone else about to burst with anticipation for NaNoWriMo or is it just me?!?!?)
:D
(Oh, and on a side note there was a lot of spam comments on my blog so I've changed things so that if you want to comment you've gotta do the image identification thingy. Sorry, I know it's annoying , but there was like hundreds of spam comments. Also, I apologize if I deleted any legit comments. There was so much spam it was difficult to really look at each individual comments.)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Just Writing
I have been terribly sidetracked from writing by some other hobbies. Thus, my writing is progressing slowly. I can only wonder how long my interest in this stuff will last before I return solely to writing again.
But, despite this, I have written nearly 5k so far, have three different versions of the prologue, and the first chapter. I'll soon be re-writing the first chapter to fit with the prologue I've chosen, though.
I'm really excited about writing this, I love writing it and wonder when this feeling will go away. Will it be like Nanowrimo, and three weeks into this I'll be all like 'Oh no! What have I done?! It's horrible!!!! D:' I sure hope not.
But, I don't think that will happen. Since, this time around, I'm not just focusing on quantity, but quality as well, giving into that inner editor some. It's really quite pleasant to actually think about the words I'm about to write before I start spitting them out. And going back through to reread and fix errors when I see them, satisfying and stress free. Well, mostly stress free. Lets not get into the actual plotting and planning.
And you know what makes me really happy? When I write a chapter and realize it was in the wrong POV or needs to be written in a future time frame or whatever, and I rewrite it, it all still counts towards my word count for the year and it's what I want! It's a win-win!
So in conclusion, while I dearly love Nanowrimo for the deadline and excitement and all, it's just been so wonderful to write without deadline or word count only in mind.
Do you guys feel the same way?
But, despite this, I have written nearly 5k so far, have three different versions of the prologue, and the first chapter. I'll soon be re-writing the first chapter to fit with the prologue I've chosen, though.
I'm really excited about writing this, I love writing it and wonder when this feeling will go away. Will it be like Nanowrimo, and three weeks into this I'll be all like 'Oh no! What have I done?! It's horrible!!!! D:' I sure hope not.
But, I don't think that will happen. Since, this time around, I'm not just focusing on quantity, but quality as well, giving into that inner editor some. It's really quite pleasant to actually think about the words I'm about to write before I start spitting them out. And going back through to reread and fix errors when I see them, satisfying and stress free. Well, mostly stress free. Lets not get into the actual plotting and planning.
And you know what makes me really happy? When I write a chapter and realize it was in the wrong POV or needs to be written in a future time frame or whatever, and I rewrite it, it all still counts towards my word count for the year and it's what I want! It's a win-win!
So in conclusion, while I dearly love Nanowrimo for the deadline and excitement and all, it's just been so wonderful to write without deadline or word count only in mind.
Do you guys feel the same way?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Getting a Proof Copy
I've just submitted year '09 NaNo, Angels, to createspace to get a free proof copy. The reason why I've submitted the NaNo from '09 and not the one from '10 is because I accidentally let last years free proof copy code go to waste. I had totally forgotten about it, kept putting it off because I didn't think it was ready to be in such a printed form. And before I knew it six months had passed and the code was no good.
Anyway, I didn't do a proof of The Chronicles because I'm actively working on it and the first draft is bad. Well, Angels is bad too, horrible really I cringe every time I read some of it, but it'd still be nice to have an actual copy of it. I'll probably begin to rework it, I've got so many different ideas on what I could do with angels, maybe I'll work on it during those times I get tired of working on The Chronicles.
So here's the cover that I made for the proof copy:
Anyway, I didn't do a proof of The Chronicles because I'm actively working on it and the first draft is bad. Well, Angels is bad too, horrible really I cringe every time I read some of it, but it'd still be nice to have an actual copy of it. I'll probably begin to rework it, I've got so many different ideas on what I could do with angels, maybe I'll work on it during those times I get tired of working on The Chronicles.
So here's the cover that I made for the proof copy:
(Click it to make it bigger)
That's the spine and back cover too. I don't really like the summary, but couldn't really think of how to make it better. . . Otherwise I really like it! I think it's a lot better than the one little cover I made back in '09, right before I wrote the book. The book in total also came out to 190 pages after it was formatted. That surprised me because I thought it would be 150 pages at the most. So I'm really excited and can't wait to get the proof! Has anyone else gotten a proof copy of their book(s)? Did it come out good?
I've also found this really awesome place called the Cartographers Guild, a forum for people who like to draw maps. There's some really useful tutorials there for doing things in photoshop or gimp and stuff and many of the people there are very talented. Some of the maps are really artistic and beautiful.
Hope everyone's doing well!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Making Progress (Day 1)
Well I have to say that I am doing waaaay better than last year so far. I have written five thousand words today, the first day of NaNoWriMo and I'm going to write just a bit more to finish the chapter. Another thing I'm loving is that I've written five thousand words consisting of only the prologue and first chapter, though when I go to edit I'll have to add in a very important part I forgot to write in the prologue (silly me, I should go write it in right now!). The next chapter is when the really interesting things start happening though. And guess what? My MC, Siron, got himself a friend! This is very good because in the outlines and stuff he didn't have a friend which, let's face it, is unrealistic when living in an orphanage. So that problem is fixed, which has also fixed some future problems I was worried about. The world is really coming to life as well, it's kinda a mixture of the things we're familiar with and the regular high fantasy stuff like no vehicles or technology, etc. I really like how it's going so far.
It took five cups of tea (two of which I chucked after one taste cause they did NOT taste good) one mini kitkat which I rewarded myself after making the NaNo daily goal, and all the word sprints and tweeting to keep me going so long, so thank you NaNoWordSprints and the other wrimos I follow on twitter!
I think I'm going to make five thousand my daily word goal so I can definitely finish my book and possibly start on the next one as well. That would be awesome! To get part of book two done this month!
And you know, despite all the writing, today has felt somehow normal. I didn't feel like I was rushing to get words in (which may be because I actually have an outline!) but it was nice. I'm sure it won't feel like this at the middle of the month.
I hope everyone is having success with their word counts! May the force be with you (the NaNo force that is :P).
It took five cups of tea (two of which I chucked after one taste cause they did NOT taste good) one mini kitkat which I rewarded myself after making the NaNo daily goal, and all the word sprints and tweeting to keep me going so long, so thank you NaNoWordSprints and the other wrimos I follow on twitter!
I think I'm going to make five thousand my daily word goal so I can definitely finish my book and possibly start on the next one as well. That would be awesome! To get part of book two done this month!
And you know, despite all the writing, today has felt somehow normal. I didn't feel like I was rushing to get words in (which may be because I actually have an outline!) but it was nice. I'm sure it won't feel like this at the middle of the month.
I hope everyone is having success with their word counts! May the force be with you (the NaNo force that is :P).
Day 1
Well, the first day is here! I stayed up until 12am last night, as planned, and at 12:35am I had 1,243 words and the prologue done (prologue might be too short dang it!). Then I went to sleep. So now I've only got 424 more words to do (I love that nifty status thing on Nano now :D) to make the Nano daily word goal but I'm going to try to aim higher, I would like to actually complete my entire novel this month and that entails more than 50k words.
Otherwise I have to go out today and get some tea cause I'm out of the black stuff (good for the mornings) and return a game to half-price books and then I shouldn't have to leave the house for while (hermit-ness here I come :D).
And did you know that the NaNoWriMo collective wordcount is already over 800,000?
Otherwise I have to go out today and get some tea cause I'm out of the black stuff (good for the mornings) and return a game to half-price books and then I shouldn't have to leave the house for while (hermit-ness here I come :D).
And did you know that the NaNoWriMo collective wordcount is already over 800,000?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Waiting for Midnight
Well, Nanowrimo is only hours away.
I finished my fingerless gloves just minutes ago, I ended up having to sew them instead of knit (I was horrid at knitting gloves Dx). But here they are, they turned out nice:
And I have my incentives in place so I'll finish my writing goals:
The PC game isn't a grand prize (though i wish I'd thought of that), I'll just get to play it at the end of the day if I get my writing in :)
My chapter-by chapter outline isn't done but the wipey board one is, the one that covers the major stuff:
My inspirational picture:
I finished my fingerless gloves just minutes ago, I ended up having to sew them instead of knit (I was horrid at knitting gloves Dx). But here they are, they turned out nice:
And I have my incentives in place so I'll finish my writing goals:
The PC game isn't a grand prize (though i wish I'd thought of that), I'll just get to play it at the end of the day if I get my writing in :)
My chapter-by chapter outline isn't done but the wipey board one is, the one that covers the major stuff:
My inspirational picture:
(lolz! I has no face!)
One day that'll be me signing my books!
My sticky note chain:
And everything else:
So all that's left to do is clean my room, and that shouldn't take to long!
So everything is ready for Nano! I'm going to relax and watch TV, play games, indulge in things that shall be forbidden come 12am. I hope everyone's prepared! Who else is going to write at the stroke of midnight tonight? Or if it's already November where you live have you started writing and how much have you done so far?
(I think I did too many photos, hope it didn't bug you but I was in the mood to take pictures of everything)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
My Inner Critic and No More Reading
Has anyone read leofair's post on the inner critic? Well, that little bugger has just begun attacking me. I was looking at my wipey board outline and the inner critic suddenly appears and tells me: "No one's going to like that! That's a bunch of trash, why are you even working on it? You should just give up right now because everyone will think it's a stupid story!"
You see, this fell little voice has done many things to me in the past. It has gotten me to give up stories and ideas that were probably good, only allowed me to write a chapter or so before viciously attacking me and making me give up. It didn't attack me for most of last years Nanowrimo though because there was no time to concentrate on anything other than clicking the keys on the keyboard. But halfway through the month it did end up attacking me and I almost gave up, if it wasn't for my writing buddies I probably would have abandoned it and all of Nanowrimo. But now its attacking me before Nano has even started and I have to remind myself that it is a good idea and to ignore it's depressing words. The voice has left me alone for now but I'll just have to keep the uplifting thoughts in store for when it returns.
Does anyone else face the inner critic? What do you do to get rid of that foul little voice?
So is everyone else just to twitching in excitement for November to start? Twitching in horror? Is November coming too fast for some of you or not fast enough? I can't wait for November to get here, even if my outline is unfinished! Speaking of I've gotten to chapter ten on my outlines, but the complicated chapters are just coming up so we'll see how I deal with those. . .
Also what are some things you wont be able to do during Nano? (other than the general not able to clean/eat/sleep/etc.) I won't be able to read. I mean, I've got this pile of unread books that I've just gotten in the last month that I haven't even cracked open even though I've been dying to. Why you ask? Well, every time I read a book while trying to write something a large piece of that book makes it's way into my story. Whether it's the writing style or physical objects, they somehow sneak into my stories. You should see the poor idea I was writing when I was reading the Lord of the Rings! Poems and riddles were suddenly all over the place, you should see the poor bit of manuscript they made it into DX So I'm gonna have. . . at least 8 books that I'll want to read once November is over (don't let that number fool you, there is numerous more, those were just the ones I haven't started reading yet =O). So what are you distancing yourselves from this Nanowrimo for one reason or another?
Oh, one more thing. I'll be trying to post everyday during Nano to document my experience through it and I'll try to make things interesting for all you guys reading my blog.
Anyways, I'm off to knit some fingerless gloves, last year my hands were freezing cold while I was trying to type, too bad I didn't think about fingerless gloves last year :(
You see, this fell little voice has done many things to me in the past. It has gotten me to give up stories and ideas that were probably good, only allowed me to write a chapter or so before viciously attacking me and making me give up. It didn't attack me for most of last years Nanowrimo though because there was no time to concentrate on anything other than clicking the keys on the keyboard. But halfway through the month it did end up attacking me and I almost gave up, if it wasn't for my writing buddies I probably would have abandoned it and all of Nanowrimo. But now its attacking me before Nano has even started and I have to remind myself that it is a good idea and to ignore it's depressing words. The voice has left me alone for now but I'll just have to keep the uplifting thoughts in store for when it returns.
Does anyone else face the inner critic? What do you do to get rid of that foul little voice?
So is everyone else just to twitching in excitement for November to start? Twitching in horror? Is November coming too fast for some of you or not fast enough? I can't wait for November to get here, even if my outline is unfinished! Speaking of I've gotten to chapter ten on my outlines, but the complicated chapters are just coming up so we'll see how I deal with those. . .
Also what are some things you wont be able to do during Nano? (other than the general not able to clean/eat/sleep/etc.) I won't be able to read. I mean, I've got this pile of unread books that I've just gotten in the last month that I haven't even cracked open even though I've been dying to. Why you ask? Well, every time I read a book while trying to write something a large piece of that book makes it's way into my story. Whether it's the writing style or physical objects, they somehow sneak into my stories. You should see the poor idea I was writing when I was reading the Lord of the Rings! Poems and riddles were suddenly all over the place, you should see the poor bit of manuscript they made it into DX So I'm gonna have. . . at least 8 books that I'll want to read once November is over (don't let that number fool you, there is numerous more, those were just the ones I haven't started reading yet =O). So what are you distancing yourselves from this Nanowrimo for one reason or another?
Oh, one more thing. I'll be trying to post everyday during Nano to document my experience through it and I'll try to make things interesting for all you guys reading my blog.
Anyways, I'm off to knit some fingerless gloves, last year my hands were freezing cold while I was trying to type, too bad I didn't think about fingerless gloves last year :(
The "NaNo Mood"
Well I'm starting to get in the NaNo mood. I wasn't even aware I had one until today, seeing as this is only my second time around. But I suddenly got the urge to break out my fuzzy knitted scarf and soft faux fur hat that I seemed so fond of last year in November and just wear them around the house. Weird. I have actual writing totems that I didn't know I had. I'm wearing them right now as I type and am getting a tad nastolgic thinking about last year and excited about next month. Let me snap a picture of the items real quick. . .
So there they are in all their glory!
Another tradition I think I'm developing is buying a whole album of soundtrack songs to listen to will writing my novel. Last year I got the twilight score and soundtrack (but don't worry, no vampire made their way into my story), and later into the month the Avatar score. I've been getting the urge to get a soundtrack for a week or so now and today I finally did! I got the soundtrack to Assassin's Creed II. Despite it being a video game soundtrack it is very good and very movie soundtrack-esque sounding, more of a score than anything else. The songs on the album had more of the feel I was leaning towards and many of the songs have a thoughtful emotional edge that I'm loving, I can't wait to write to this soundtrack!
What do you guys listen to while writing? Does anyone else buy songs especially for their books? And does anyone else have certain items they use or have near them during Nanowrimo?
And guess what everyone!? I actually got some outlining done today! I've outlined up to chapter four and, believe it or not, I filled a gaping plot-hole up while outlining the prologue/chapter one! It was amazing! I had been worrying about this for awhile cause whether I could fill this plot-hole or not would decide whether Aurenna, a woman who lives in Siron's (the MC) head, would remain or be thrown out and I am rather fond of her. But now she's staying cause that worry has gone and a lot of other things have come up that could potentially fill up other plot-holes I have, so hurray! And to think I got all this from outling only four chapters! Imagine what I'll get from all the rest :D
Only 3 more days till Nano, I hope everyone is having the good luck I've happened to catch (compare this attitude to yesterday's (yes I just totally linked myself :P))
Have fun!!
So there they are in all their glory!
Another tradition I think I'm developing is buying a whole album of soundtrack songs to listen to will writing my novel. Last year I got the twilight score and soundtrack (but don't worry, no vampire made their way into my story), and later into the month the Avatar score. I've been getting the urge to get a soundtrack for a week or so now and today I finally did! I got the soundtrack to Assassin's Creed II. Despite it being a video game soundtrack it is very good and very movie soundtrack-esque sounding, more of a score than anything else. The songs on the album had more of the feel I was leaning towards and many of the songs have a thoughtful emotional edge that I'm loving, I can't wait to write to this soundtrack!
What do you guys listen to while writing? Does anyone else buy songs especially for their books? And does anyone else have certain items they use or have near them during Nanowrimo?
And guess what everyone!? I actually got some outlining done today! I've outlined up to chapter four and, believe it or not, I filled a gaping plot-hole up while outlining the prologue/chapter one! It was amazing! I had been worrying about this for awhile cause whether I could fill this plot-hole or not would decide whether Aurenna, a woman who lives in Siron's (the MC) head, would remain or be thrown out and I am rather fond of her. But now she's staying cause that worry has gone and a lot of other things have come up that could potentially fill up other plot-holes I have, so hurray! And to think I got all this from outling only four chapters! Imagine what I'll get from all the rest :D
Only 3 more days till Nano, I hope everyone is having the good luck I've happened to catch (compare this attitude to yesterday's (yes I just totally linked myself :P))
Have fun!!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Reminiscing and My Synopsis
So let's reminisce for a moment.
It was a small bit less than a year ago that Justine Larbalestier, an authors blog whom I followed, started posting tips for this strange thing called NaNoWriMo. I never got to read on her blog what, exactly, NaNoWriMo was cause I hadn't visited her site for a week or so. She was on tip #7 I believe when I finally decided to google this strange NaNoWriMo. What I discovered was the wonderful thing that is National Novel Writing Month! As I read about the website and the challenge it immediately appealed to me, and I thought that I just had to join this, I had too! So after joining I tried to decide what I would write, finally choosing Dk27, an old sci fi/fantasy idea I had. I didn't start writing until the next day though and that day I wrote somewhere around 800 words before I decided I could not write this story any longer; it just wasn't working! So I abandoned that idea and looked through my journal for something else to write, deciding on an idea I had just discovered a week or so earlier, having to do with angels. But, being disappointed with that day I didn't write until the next day. So the next day, I wrote a lot knowing that I needed to pass up the measly 800 words from the day before! (I was also embarrassed that I gave up on my story and didn't tell anyone. This is what gave me the motivation to pass up DK27's word count) And I made over one thousand words that day! And then I just kept going and going - but don't be mistaken, there was a place in the middle where I very nearly gave up because I fully believed that I could not do it and that my story was stuck anyway. . . But due to the inspiring words of one of my writing buddies I kept on and eventually made it to the end at 50,028 words! I was so proud of that book (named Angels)!
(Whew, that was long)
And so here I am back to do it again! It really is addicting I suppose, despite all the stress and headaches and the freaking out cause of writers block. The sense of excitement and happiness you have when your writing that scene that you couldn't wait to write, or the adrenaline rush when that perfect idea just hits you out of nowhere - that all makes up for it. And then when you get to the end of that 50,000 and know that you actually did it, that just makes it all worth it. Even if your not done with the book yet, even if you still have 10, 20, or even 50 thousand more words to go, it was still worth it.
That's why I'm back!
I've also finally filled out my novel info on NaNo, but I'll post the synopsis here for everyone, I've been dying to get this out. I still think it needs some work, but I'll fix that later when the book is more. . . well, known to me.
It was a small bit less than a year ago that Justine Larbalestier, an authors blog whom I followed, started posting tips for this strange thing called NaNoWriMo. I never got to read on her blog what, exactly, NaNoWriMo was cause I hadn't visited her site for a week or so. She was on tip #7 I believe when I finally decided to google this strange NaNoWriMo. What I discovered was the wonderful thing that is National Novel Writing Month! As I read about the website and the challenge it immediately appealed to me, and I thought that I just had to join this, I had too! So after joining I tried to decide what I would write, finally choosing Dk27, an old sci fi/fantasy idea I had. I didn't start writing until the next day though and that day I wrote somewhere around 800 words before I decided I could not write this story any longer; it just wasn't working! So I abandoned that idea and looked through my journal for something else to write, deciding on an idea I had just discovered a week or so earlier, having to do with angels. But, being disappointed with that day I didn't write until the next day. So the next day, I wrote a lot knowing that I needed to pass up the measly 800 words from the day before! (I was also embarrassed that I gave up on my story and didn't tell anyone. This is what gave me the motivation to pass up DK27's word count) And I made over one thousand words that day! And then I just kept going and going - but don't be mistaken, there was a place in the middle where I very nearly gave up because I fully believed that I could not do it and that my story was stuck anyway. . . But due to the inspiring words of one of my writing buddies I kept on and eventually made it to the end at 50,028 words! I was so proud of that book (named Angels)!
(Whew, that was long)
And so here I am back to do it again! It really is addicting I suppose, despite all the stress and headaches and the freaking out cause of writers block. The sense of excitement and happiness you have when your writing that scene that you couldn't wait to write, or the adrenaline rush when that perfect idea just hits you out of nowhere - that all makes up for it. And then when you get to the end of that 50,000 and know that you actually did it, that just makes it all worth it. Even if your not done with the book yet, even if you still have 10, 20, or even 50 thousand more words to go, it was still worth it.
That's why I'm back!
I've also finally filled out my novel info on NaNo, but I'll post the synopsis here for everyone, I've been dying to get this out. I still think it needs some work, but I'll fix that later when the book is more. . . well, known to me.
Synopsis: The Chronicle of Siron - Book I - Remnants
Siron is an orphan in the small country of Dimor having no knowledge of either of his parents or anything else far beyond the borders of the small orphanage. But he knows there's something different about him, and not only because of the woman Aurenna who lives inside his head but something else. . . something he can feel in his very soul. And lately he has been hearing whispers. . . Telling him things. . .
But not too long after he can hear these whispers a man finds him. Damen. He says he's a master mage, and that Siron is a mage as well, and together they leave the orphanage and the small country behind to journey to the Islands so that Siron can be made Damen's apprentice. But the whispers are following Siron and are chasing him in black shadowy forms. They say they need him, that Siron has what they need, that they will give in return whatever he might wish. Power. . . Knowledge. . . The world. . .
And Siron is beginning to believe it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Waiting for NaNo
(Fixed)
I've finally made a cover for the first book of the Chronicles of Siron. It took two or three very wrong tries but I finally did it:
(Note: Image used does not belong to me)
I think it came out very good, a lot better than last years Angels cover by a long shot! I especially love how eerie the eyes came out :D I also made a signature banner thing for it:
I didn't do that texture thing I did with the cover but it came out better without it.
Gosh I'm just so exited! Waiting for NaNo to come up! I've just barely started to outline. I've done this major event outline on a wipey board, an idea from someone on the forums, but I'm still going to try and outline chapter by chapter. I just feel the need to because the wipey board isn't detailed enough, though it is good to glance at for reference. Like in chapter one the outline will be like, 'Be sure to include this or that, etc' That's what I think it'll be like anyway. I haven't actually written it yet. . . <.<
Haha, anyway. I know a lot of other people are just as exited as me, you can tell by looking at the forums, all the topics for 'Countdown to the Wipe' and 'Farewell Forums' and some others.
Um, I might be able to talk about something else tomorrow (or maybe after the new site is up) but for now I CAN'T WAIT!!!1! XD
I've finally made a cover for the first book of the Chronicles of Siron. It took two or three very wrong tries but I finally did it:
(Note: Image used does not belong to me)
I think it came out very good, a lot better than last years Angels cover by a long shot! I especially love how eerie the eyes came out :D I also made a signature banner thing for it:
I didn't do that texture thing I did with the cover but it came out better without it.
Gosh I'm just so exited! Waiting for NaNo to come up! I've just barely started to outline. I've done this major event outline on a wipey board, an idea from someone on the forums, but I'm still going to try and outline chapter by chapter. I just feel the need to because the wipey board isn't detailed enough, though it is good to glance at for reference. Like in chapter one the outline will be like, 'Be sure to include this or that, etc' That's what I think it'll be like anyway. I haven't actually written it yet. . . <.<
Haha, anyway. I know a lot of other people are just as exited as me, you can tell by looking at the forums, all the topics for 'Countdown to the Wipe' and 'Farewell Forums' and some others.
Um, I might be able to talk about something else tomorrow (or maybe after the new site is up) but for now I CAN'T WAIT!!!1! XD
Friday, September 24, 2010
Crazy
I am crazy.
No, really, I am. As if doing nanowrimo itself wasn't crazy enough I want to write two books within that thirty day time frame. Two. Books. . . .Two. In thirty. Days. *Terrified Shriek* Why do I have to do this to myself? I mean, I know I don't have to write two of them but it just sounds like a new challenge! Interesting and twice as hard! I could write one after the other or work on both at the same time, which, according to some people is easier because if you get bored with one book you work on the other. Sooooo. . . What should I do? Should I try it? I mean seriously, in the last two or three days I have come up with. . . Four (FOUR!) ideas! Three of which are already decently formed ideas with their different worlds already very distinct in my mind and their different plots taking shape. One of these three ideas may actually be a reincarnation of an older story that I gave up on but it now has what it didn't have before: an actual plot! And then I have the Chronicles of Siron on top of these new ideas *mumblegrumble* Here, I'll give a quick summary of my three new ideas (please don't take them) and probably the Chronicles too (don't take that either).
#2
Earth is not the only world in existence, the problem is they don't know that. Yet.
No, really, I am. As if doing nanowrimo itself wasn't crazy enough I want to write two books within that thirty day time frame. Two. Books. . . .Two. In thirty. Days. *Terrified Shriek* Why do I have to do this to myself? I mean, I know I don't have to write two of them but it just sounds like a new challenge! Interesting and twice as hard! I could write one after the other or work on both at the same time, which, according to some people is easier because if you get bored with one book you work on the other. Sooooo. . . What should I do? Should I try it? I mean seriously, in the last two or three days I have come up with. . . Four (FOUR!) ideas! Three of which are already decently formed ideas with their different worlds already very distinct in my mind and their different plots taking shape. One of these three ideas may actually be a reincarnation of an older story that I gave up on but it now has what it didn't have before: an actual plot! And then I have the Chronicles of Siron on top of these new ideas *mumblegrumble* Here, I'll give a quick summary of my three new ideas (please don't take them) and probably the Chronicles too (don't take that either).
#1
In the near future it is manditory for every person to have a chip put in them at birth. These chips are used for transactions of any kind as well as information about you, etc. It's illigal not to have them. What they don't tell everyone is that you can be tracked with them and they can also kill you. There is an underground group that is utterly against these chips and are often causing the government great trouble and they are trying to get people to believe that the government has the absolute power to kill them, this group wishes to start a revolution. The leader of the underground group is one of the people who helped create the chip.
(If you know what's on page 1,001 of the health care, you know how this idea came about >.>)#2
Earth is not the only world in existence, the problem is they don't know that. Yet.
There are many worlds, many different planets and earth does not know because they have been 'protected' from knowing of the other planets and lifeforms because of their inability to perform certain abilities. Namely magic. But in a time of war the leaders of each planet have decided that it is time to let the humans know, to let earth realize that they aren't the only ones. Because during this war they can't protect them any longer and they are running out of soldiers so they wish to recruit humans for their own battle as well.
And on earth, there will come a day when hundreds of planets suddenly appear all over their solar system.
(This idea is still very subjective on certain parts but this is the main deal)
#3
A journalist who decides to travel with some one trying to do something (i.e. searching for something/going after someone/travelling to a place no one goes) so he can write up the great article. But he gets more than what he bargained for, when the person he's accompanying ends up discovering major things and everything takes a nose dive as they travel through dangers and peril into the unknown and the very brink of death.
And the journalist? Well, he was there to write about all of it.
(This would be coming from the journalists POV, of course.)
The Chronicle of Siron
In the world of Ailon a young mage, Siron, discovers his magical abilities and travels to the islands to be taught in the ways of magic. Another better learned mage travels with him fortunately, as dark shadows seem to be tailing them on their journey to the islands. They whisper to Siron, tempt him. . . And he soon wonders if he should join them.
(That's the main thing of it but there's a lot more that goes on. I'm afraid if I try to sum it all up here this post will become very, very long)
So, what do you think? The Chronicles of Siron is definitely getting written but what of the other three? I love them all and I want to write! Actually, I want to start writing now so I'm wondering if I should start writing one of them now to pass the time. . . If you can, please comment with your thoughts!
In case you don't know, on twitter NaNoWordSprints is doing sprints every evening (I think) and they'll be doing sprints all day saturday. Join them if you can! I haven't yet because I can't decide if I should start writing something now.
Oh! There's this cool website I recently found called TV Tropes that I find both mildly funny and partially helpful. Especially the Applied Phlebotinum. You guys should check out that website!
Anyway, I think this post is more than long enough, so I shall end it here.
Best writing!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Outlining. . . Maybe
I haven't exactly started on my outline yet, it's still in my head :p I just don't really know where to start, never having outlined before. Well, I suppose you start from the beginning of course. I think an outline might keep me on track, if only I could start it. . . I should do that, like right after this post.
I'm also going to start making my book cover! I love making covers for my books, it's just so fun! This is my cover for last years NaNo Angels:
I would've uploaded the larger version but my computer recently broke and I lost nearly everything. . . Here's the signature banner that went with it:
This years NaNo shall be the first book of my trilogy Chronicles of Siron. The first book is going to be named 'Remnants' unless something better comes up. I wont give out a summary of it just yet but it's fantasy and does have magic. But it's going to be awesome.
OH! There's this awesome website you should check out. You post in some of your writing and it tells you which famous writer you write like. I don't know how reliable this thing is but it's fun and inspiring! It told me Angels was like J. K. Rowling and Stephen King! Yay! xD
Now, about that outline. . .
I'm also going to start making my book cover! I love making covers for my books, it's just so fun! This is my cover for last years NaNo Angels:
I would've uploaded the larger version but my computer recently broke and I lost nearly everything. . . Here's the signature banner that went with it:
This years NaNo shall be the first book of my trilogy Chronicles of Siron. The first book is going to be named 'Remnants' unless something better comes up. I wont give out a summary of it just yet but it's fantasy and does have magic. But it's going to be awesome.
OH! There's this awesome website you should check out. You post in some of your writing and it tells you which famous writer you write like. I don't know how reliable this thing is but it's fun and inspiring! It told me Angels was like J. K. Rowling and Stephen King! Yay! xD
Now, about that outline. . .
Sunday, September 19, 2010
And So We Meet
Suppose I should first say hello. Hello (>_>). I had a lot of trouble trying to find an owl layout or header of some kind before deciding to make one myself. I think it turned out wonderful, better than I expected anyway!
So, the reason I made this blog in the first place was because NaNo is coming up (Notional Novel Writing Month). Great place that is, the best thing I have found for writing so far! It takes place in the month of November, you try to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Fun, very very fun, but equally as stressful!
This will only be my second year (last year was a win!) and I already can't wait! I'm itching to write so many different stories right now! But I'll wait. I don't want to exhaust myself only a month and a half before November, that would just be a waste!
So right now I'll just keep myself busy with plotting and outlining. Quite a new thing for me, outlining. I know it's easier and much more fun and stress free to write when you know step by step, I figured this out while rewriting a novel of mine, but I haven't ever outlined before I wrote the story. Very hard for me cause I can't really imagine what will happen step by step until I start writing. This strategy usually leads to dead stops when I have no idea what's suppose to happen next.
Not to say I don't have the plot! I usually already have the plot all done but the problem is that I don't know how to get from point A to point B. I'm good at writing the beginning and the end but suck at writing middles. . . So that's why I'm going to try outlining!
So, the reason I made this blog in the first place was because NaNo is coming up (Notional Novel Writing Month). Great place that is, the best thing I have found for writing so far! It takes place in the month of November, you try to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Fun, very very fun, but equally as stressful!
This will only be my second year (last year was a win!) and I already can't wait! I'm itching to write so many different stories right now! But I'll wait. I don't want to exhaust myself only a month and a half before November, that would just be a waste!
So right now I'll just keep myself busy with plotting and outlining. Quite a new thing for me, outlining. I know it's easier and much more fun and stress free to write when you know step by step, I figured this out while rewriting a novel of mine, but I haven't ever outlined before I wrote the story. Very hard for me cause I can't really imagine what will happen step by step until I start writing. This strategy usually leads to dead stops when I have no idea what's suppose to happen next.
Not to say I don't have the plot! I usually already have the plot all done but the problem is that I don't know how to get from point A to point B. I'm good at writing the beginning and the end but suck at writing middles. . . So that's why I'm going to try outlining!
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