Today's Earworm:
Today's Date: December 19, 2016
Well now, we're about halfway through December and I'm just...exhausted. Straight up tired. Why?
Because I've been baking (which you can check out the pics of the goodies and all sorts of things here), decorating, and trying to stay up to date on my writing.
On top of that, I got new flooring! Finally! I swear. I'm so happy to have new flooring. I really am. Which means that I've been unpacking all the shit that I had to pack up to lay it down.
But I've done it and I'm sitting here and was thinking about what to write this round.
And then I remembered that in a part of my Story List (coming on Jan 2nd, guys) that I talk about rewriting.
To be precise, what I have to do to rewrite A Butterfly's Dream. Which is a really old story that can be found running around online. I find that the story line is interesting. The story itself needs a LOT of work.
And I mean a lot of work. Enough so that I've decided to do the following rewriting process. Mind you, it's what I'm planning on doing, just probably not in this order.
1: Collect all of the chapters into one file.
What this means is you're consolidating the various versions of a story. That's what I did already. I took the original story (which is only partially written), the rewritten file with new chapters, and my information all into 3 files.
Mostly because that's what my OCD tells me to do.
I have those files and they're formatted for easy of use.
2: Print out the file.
That's right, I'm going to print out the files in full, punch holes into the sides and stick them into a binder for ease of keeping it in place and access. It will be much easier in the long run.
Especially if you're like me and like to read something on paper. Even if you don't, sometimes working from actual paper works a lot better when it comes to working out what needs to be changed.
3: Buy/find all of your supplies.
I need to pick up some sticky notes actually. I learn this from the lovely Inky Laurens (@InkyLaurens) and Liana Brooks (@LianaBrooks) on twitter. They did a video where they took Inky's story, broke it down and used post its for each scene.
I'm going to adopt this style of rewriting once I get the first round of rewriting/expanding done.
I'll find some proper pens and a clear wall and start.
But first I'll need to find an empty notebook or two.
4: Make notes.
This step will include those empty notebooks or two. I'll sit down with my printed out file and start to make notes on characters, settings, plot ideas, and what I need to fill in or add. I'll do this chapter by chapter.
5: Take those notes and put them onto sticky notes.
Once I have those notes written out and ready for this part, I'll pick up the post its and start to write out my scenes, which goes down into part 6.
6: Arrange sticky notes onto flat surface and start to work out the new outline.
Yes, once I have started on part 5 part 6 also starts. I'm going to lay them out in rows and get them all laid out.
It'll take time and it'll drive me insane, but I'll do it. Because once I'm done, it's time to start with part 7.
7: If need be, remove/consolidate/break up sticky notes.
When I start creating a new outline, I'll start to go over the various scenes to work out what needs to go where, how and when. I'm going to clean up the outline and move scenes around.
But...I'll also combine scenes or break some up or even just straight up remove them. It all depends on the scene and what I'm trying to do.
This is where having a solid plot idea with subplot's is a good idea.
8: Do it with a friend.
This part isn't so much a step as it is a good idea when it comes time to start rearranging your outline. It makes life easier. So I'm going to steal my friend Tonya for a day and sit there planning out A Butterfly's Dream.
It's going to take a while since I also need to figure out what I'm doing with the plot in the long run. It's going to be interesting that's for sure.
But again, this is just what I'm going to do.
How do you edit? Rewrite? What works best for you?
For me, this is going to be a new try. It's going to be fun.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Monday, December 12, 2016
Special Edition: Novels and Stories
Today's Ear Worm: Bauhaus "She's In Parties"
Today's Date: December 12, 2016
Okay, so this is kind of a special The Writing Process blog but yet it's not. It's about...the time that someone takes in writing a novel. And mind you, I wrote this back in September, but I had other things to post.
And this is more geared to the readers of the world, not the writers of the world. Because as a writer, we know how much work goes into a novel.
Though I swear if I hear "But writing is so easy and fun!" from someone the world may explode. It won't be pretty okay? Cause those types of writers tend to have some rather poorly edited stories out there.
Which is just URGH! It's enough to make a person rip out their hair.
First and foremost: What is a writer?
Well, when you put the word Writer into a Google Search, you get the following definition from them.
But there are all sorts of writers out there.
There are those who write articles of all sorts, from literature to English Language to Science to Education and everything in between. There are those who write poetry or who write self-help books or This Subject for Dummies. There are writers who write to sell their stories and there are those writers who write for a fandom.
Fanfiction writers that is.
But there are still others who create these amazing worlds on their own and share it for free or on their websites.
And that's the beauty of the internet you guys! We have all of these beautiful, wonderful delightful stories and worlds and information at our fingertips.
But...as a reader...do you ever wonder just how much the writer behind those worlds' put into each story?
I mean, really think about it?
Not really, I'm betting. Not a lot of readers do. They see that they have this story on their computer, in their hands, or just a tap away on their tablets and phones, and they're good. Until they find that the story isn't done yet, or is on hiatus due to issues. Or something.
Then they sit there and go "Where's the rest of it?"
And yes, this is actually going to be, mostly, geared towards an readership that gets their stories from such sites as Fanfiction.net, Fictionpress.net, Adult-Fanfiction.org (Must be 18 years of age or older to join much less be on this site), and ArchiveOfOurOwn.com (AO3). But in a way, this to can be geared towards the publishing world to.
Now, when a reader gets a story, it's usually been written, edited, rewritten, edited some more, gone over by a couple editors/beta readers, edited some more and then put out there. Or in the case of published books, edited and rewritten to a point that looking at the first draft and the final product, you wonder how it came to be from the trash pile of the first draft.
But they don't really see that. All they see is that there's a good story there and it's not done or it's done but the next book/story in the series isn't out and won't be out for however long.
I'm sorry to say, this has happened way to often to me as a fanfiction writer. I put out a new chapter and am promptly asked:
And yes, that was a real conversation that I had with someone. It was interesting and actually kick started this idea a long time ago.
But I never had the time to write it because hey, research is needed.
Let's break it down shall we?
Question 1: How long does an average novel take to write?
Well, first of all, it all depends on length. The average novel is somewhere between Sixty (60) thousand and Ninety (90) thousand words.
Now, let's say someone of average speed writes about 5 thousand words in a day, six days a week a minimum.
This is a job you guys. We need to make money.
So 5,000 times six means that in a six day period, they will write 30 thousand words. That means they can write a full first draft novel between 2 to 4 weeks.
Wait a minute though: This is a PERFECT scenario though. Writers don't often experience a perfect scenario though.
So let's go for a little bit more of a realistic number. 2 thousand words a day average, 7 days a week, between life and obligations in any way possible.
So 2,000 times 7 gives us 14 thousand words a week. Times 14,000 by 4 and you get 56,000 words a month. That's actually about average for what I get in a good month myself. Usually.
On average, the first draft takes a month minimum to write.
Okay, so question 2: Is the novel done after that month?
Not even close. Sorry to say it guys, but not even close. Even the most prolific of writers usually take up to six months to have a novel ready to publish. But they have this amazing team behind them and while it's sitting there, they've already started to write the first draft of their next book.
Some writers take years to get a book ready for publishing. They also tend to have a backlog of books that are just finishing going through the editing process.
Myself when I get to that point? I'll have at least one series fully written, several others with at least one book written and editing, and a bunch of stand-alones to fill in some gaps. That's my plan. It's a good plan to since I'm not doing the traditional route, but it also means that I'm liable to have about 10 different readers and editors for the damn things.
Then what are you doing with the novel?
Well, first of all, I'm letting it flee from my brain. All of my notes are packed up and put away, the files are saved, moved and tucked out of sight, and I forget about it for anywhere from two weeks to a month.
Why? Because I want to come at this novel to rewrite or edit it with fresh eyes. I know some writers who edit it a few days after they finish it. I could never do that actually. Not really. It would still be to fresh for me to be objective enough to tear it apart.
Yes, I said, tear it apart. I'm going to sit there and make my manuscript bleed red. I'm going to do it at minimum 3 times. With at least two full rewrites that will take me around 2 to 3 weeks to do each time.
I'll then send to my editor and wait for her to make her little green marks and her comments while I work on the next story.
It's a never ending cycle of write, write, edit, write, rewrite, write, edit, write, wait for the editor, write, and then edit some more.
Once I get the file back, I go through all the pages (usually around 200+ pages on a long fanfiction and just as much for an original), and fix the little things, catch a few others, rewrite a few sentences.
Then it's ready to go out.
Question the 3: But does that work for saleable publishing writings though?
Yes actually. Because it's the same process that the better fanfiction writers employ. And the same process that a published author uses. The difference is: the published authors usually have those who are paid to focus on their book and to tear it apart for them even after they themselves tear it apart.
Fanfiction writers are usually the ones who tear their own works apart to put them back together before a volunteer beta goes over it for them.
A good story is good because of the time taken to edit it. Writing the first draft is like putting up the foundation, basement and skeleton of a house. The potential to be something great is there, but it takes that editing, the detail work, to make it truly worth anything.
4: So how long DOES it take a writer to get out a story or book?
That's actually a really good question.
And one that depends on the person. On average, a fanfiction writer who lives their lives and have things going on will have a story once every month or two. Or if they're like me, and they have a story fully written and spread out a chapter to every week or so, they're already working on the next story if they're still writing.
For me, and this will probably carry over into a publishing career, I will have a story ready to read in about 6 months to over a year. But it'll be added to the queue for publishing.
Guys, readers all over, we love you. We love your reviews. But we want you to understand something. We take a extremely long time to get a book or a story just right for you guys, so to see a review demanding the next chapter right now is just kind of like telling us that our work is good but our time should be dictated by your needs and wants.
Calm down. You'll get your story.
Just let us writers know that you're loving the story or book. Reviews are our lifeblood after all. And keep patient. We'll get it out there. It just takes us time to get it to where it's not bleeding red each time we take a damn editing tool to it.
Today's Date: December 12, 2016
Okay, so this is kind of a special The Writing Process blog but yet it's not. It's about...the time that someone takes in writing a novel. And mind you, I wrote this back in September, but I had other things to post.
And this is more geared to the readers of the world, not the writers of the world. Because as a writer, we know how much work goes into a novel.
Though I swear if I hear "But writing is so easy and fun!" from someone the world may explode. It won't be pretty okay? Cause those types of writers tend to have some rather poorly edited stories out there.
Which is just URGH! It's enough to make a person rip out their hair.
First and foremost: What is a writer?
Well, when you put the word Writer into a Google Search, you get the following definition from them.
writ·er
ˈrīdər/
noun
noun: writer; plural noun: writers
a person who has written a particular text.
"the writer of the letter"
a person who writes books, stories, or articles as a job or regular occupation.So there you go. It's someone who sits down and puts words to paper, or in the case of the modern age, puts words to writing program in a form that creates interesting worlds or information for those who read them.
"the distinguished travel writer Freya Stark"
synonyms: author, wordsmith, man/woman of letters, penman; More
But there are all sorts of writers out there.
There are those who write articles of all sorts, from literature to English Language to Science to Education and everything in between. There are those who write poetry or who write self-help books or This Subject for Dummies. There are writers who write to sell their stories and there are those writers who write for a fandom.
Fanfiction writers that is.
But there are still others who create these amazing worlds on their own and share it for free or on their websites.
And that's the beauty of the internet you guys! We have all of these beautiful, wonderful delightful stories and worlds and information at our fingertips.
But...as a reader...do you ever wonder just how much the writer behind those worlds' put into each story?
I mean, really think about it?
Not really, I'm betting. Not a lot of readers do. They see that they have this story on their computer, in their hands, or just a tap away on their tablets and phones, and they're good. Until they find that the story isn't done yet, or is on hiatus due to issues. Or something.
Then they sit there and go "Where's the rest of it?"
And yes, this is actually going to be, mostly, geared towards an readership that gets their stories from such sites as Fanfiction.net, Fictionpress.net, Adult-Fanfiction.org (Must be 18 years of age or older to join much less be on this site), and ArchiveOfOurOwn.com (AO3). But in a way, this to can be geared towards the publishing world to.
Now, when a reader gets a story, it's usually been written, edited, rewritten, edited some more, gone over by a couple editors/beta readers, edited some more and then put out there. Or in the case of published books, edited and rewritten to a point that looking at the first draft and the final product, you wonder how it came to be from the trash pile of the first draft.
But they don't really see that. All they see is that there's a good story there and it's not done or it's done but the next book/story in the series isn't out and won't be out for however long.
I'm sorry to say, this has happened way to often to me as a fanfiction writer. I put out a new chapter and am promptly asked:
When is the next one coming out? Will it come out tomorrow?
What? No. No it won't.
Why? You have the entire story written so why not?
Just because I have the entire thing written doesn't mean I'm going to kill my self posting how many chapters is up. That and I post one chapter at a time so I have time to write other stories and get things done. That takes time.
How much time?
And yes, that was a real conversation that I had with someone. It was interesting and actually kick started this idea a long time ago.
But I never had the time to write it because hey, research is needed.
Let's break it down shall we?
Question 1: How long does an average novel take to write?
Well, first of all, it all depends on length. The average novel is somewhere between Sixty (60) thousand and Ninety (90) thousand words.
Now, let's say someone of average speed writes about 5 thousand words in a day, six days a week a minimum.
This is a job you guys. We need to make money.
So 5,000 times six means that in a six day period, they will write 30 thousand words. That means they can write a full first draft novel between 2 to 4 weeks.
Wait a minute though: This is a PERFECT scenario though. Writers don't often experience a perfect scenario though.
So let's go for a little bit more of a realistic number. 2 thousand words a day average, 7 days a week, between life and obligations in any way possible.
So 2,000 times 7 gives us 14 thousand words a week. Times 14,000 by 4 and you get 56,000 words a month. That's actually about average for what I get in a good month myself. Usually.
On average, the first draft takes a month minimum to write.
Okay, so question 2: Is the novel done after that month?
Not even close. Sorry to say it guys, but not even close. Even the most prolific of writers usually take up to six months to have a novel ready to publish. But they have this amazing team behind them and while it's sitting there, they've already started to write the first draft of their next book.
Some writers take years to get a book ready for publishing. They also tend to have a backlog of books that are just finishing going through the editing process.
Myself when I get to that point? I'll have at least one series fully written, several others with at least one book written and editing, and a bunch of stand-alones to fill in some gaps. That's my plan. It's a good plan to since I'm not doing the traditional route, but it also means that I'm liable to have about 10 different readers and editors for the damn things.
Then what are you doing with the novel?
Well, first of all, I'm letting it flee from my brain. All of my notes are packed up and put away, the files are saved, moved and tucked out of sight, and I forget about it for anywhere from two weeks to a month.
Why? Because I want to come at this novel to rewrite or edit it with fresh eyes. I know some writers who edit it a few days after they finish it. I could never do that actually. Not really. It would still be to fresh for me to be objective enough to tear it apart.
Yes, I said, tear it apart. I'm going to sit there and make my manuscript bleed red. I'm going to do it at minimum 3 times. With at least two full rewrites that will take me around 2 to 3 weeks to do each time.
I'll then send to my editor and wait for her to make her little green marks and her comments while I work on the next story.
It's a never ending cycle of write, write, edit, write, rewrite, write, edit, write, wait for the editor, write, and then edit some more.
Once I get the file back, I go through all the pages (usually around 200+ pages on a long fanfiction and just as much for an original), and fix the little things, catch a few others, rewrite a few sentences.
Then it's ready to go out.
Question the 3: But does that work for saleable publishing writings though?
Yes actually. Because it's the same process that the better fanfiction writers employ. And the same process that a published author uses. The difference is: the published authors usually have those who are paid to focus on their book and to tear it apart for them even after they themselves tear it apart.
Fanfiction writers are usually the ones who tear their own works apart to put them back together before a volunteer beta goes over it for them.
A good story is good because of the time taken to edit it. Writing the first draft is like putting up the foundation, basement and skeleton of a house. The potential to be something great is there, but it takes that editing, the detail work, to make it truly worth anything.
4: So how long DOES it take a writer to get out a story or book?
That's actually a really good question.
And one that depends on the person. On average, a fanfiction writer who lives their lives and have things going on will have a story once every month or two. Or if they're like me, and they have a story fully written and spread out a chapter to every week or so, they're already working on the next story if they're still writing.
For me, and this will probably carry over into a publishing career, I will have a story ready to read in about 6 months to over a year. But it'll be added to the queue for publishing.
Guys, readers all over, we love you. We love your reviews. But we want you to understand something. We take a extremely long time to get a book or a story just right for you guys, so to see a review demanding the next chapter right now is just kind of like telling us that our work is good but our time should be dictated by your needs and wants.
Calm down. You'll get your story.
Just let us writers know that you're loving the story or book. Reviews are our lifeblood after all. And keep patient. We'll get it out there. It just takes us time to get it to where it's not bleeding red each time we take a damn editing tool to it.
Monday, December 5, 2016
National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 5 And Final Thoughts
Today's Earworm: Now or Never by Age of Days ft. Sal Costa and Cody Hanson
Today's Date: December 5, 2016
Word Count Widget
Today's Date: December 5, 2016
Word Count Widget
NaNoWriMo Status: Won!
Total Words For This Month: 51,515
Total Words For This Month: 51,515
Final Thoughts: A quick note on all of the music chosen for the weekly earworm was chosen from my Spotify NaNoWriMo list (which is a permanent list and changes every so often because I go to it occasionally outside of November, April, and July). I can link you to the list, but you can also just look for the bands. They're all wonderful.
What to say? I have finished Nano nearly 8 days ago, and the final word count came out to be just over 51K! Not bad for all of the trouble that I had for this month.
After the first week and a half, I had to turn my attention to a couple of other stories that I was working on before Bad Dog. One of them is Ages Bk 1. I'm on chapter 33 out of 36, so I'm almost done with the draft zero. I know that there is going to be a lot of rewriting in it, but I want to let it set until about April or May before I print it out and start to do the rewriting on it.
Which will most likely be by hand. Which is going to be fun. Ugh right?
Right.
Now, as for the coming year, I do have a post about what I'm going to do for 2017 but for now I'm working on a few things for this month. I have started a new Christmas based story but I'll be working on actually work on building the damn plot before I start writing on it. Why? Because I want to have plot beyond just what I have.
I have apparently started working on Paranormal Romances (PNR).
Thank you, Jennifer Amriss. You helped to reopen that particular door to that genre. It's not a bad thing, trust me. But I'm quite happy with it.
I'll keep you updated on what is going on with each of the stories that I'm working on, I promise. :D
Keep a look out, starting January 31st, for a monthly update on word counts and what I've worked on for that month. And keep a look out on January 2nd for the blog post for what I'm doing during 2017!
Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Holidays and may your days be blessed and bright.
What to say? I have finished Nano nearly 8 days ago, and the final word count came out to be just over 51K! Not bad for all of the trouble that I had for this month.
After the first week and a half, I had to turn my attention to a couple of other stories that I was working on before Bad Dog. One of them is Ages Bk 1. I'm on chapter 33 out of 36, so I'm almost done with the draft zero. I know that there is going to be a lot of rewriting in it, but I want to let it set until about April or May before I print it out and start to do the rewriting on it.
Which will most likely be by hand. Which is going to be fun. Ugh right?
Right.
Now, as for the coming year, I do have a post about what I'm going to do for 2017 but for now I'm working on a few things for this month. I have started a new Christmas based story but I'll be working on actually work on building the damn plot before I start writing on it. Why? Because I want to have plot beyond just what I have.
I have apparently started working on Paranormal Romances (PNR).
Thank you, Jennifer Amriss. You helped to reopen that particular door to that genre. It's not a bad thing, trust me. But I'm quite happy with it.
I'll keep you updated on what is going on with each of the stories that I'm working on, I promise. :D
Keep a look out, starting January 31st, for a monthly update on word counts and what I've worked on for that month. And keep a look out on January 2nd for the blog post for what I'm doing during 2017!
Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Holidays and may your days be blessed and bright.
Monday, November 28, 2016
National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 4
Today's Earworm: I Did It For Love by Age of Days
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget
This week is kind of a blur so I don't have much to actually say so I'm going to just summarize this weeks information.
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget
This week is kind of a blur so I don't have much to actually say so I'm going to just summarize this weeks information.
Nov 21: 3,244
Nov 22: 3,341
Nov 23: 0
Nov 24: 2,741
Nov 25 1,872
Nov 26: 0
Nov 27: 2,930
Total words so far: 48,783
So as you can see I am pretty much almost done. Since this is currently written around 3PM on Sunday, since I'm not going to be home most of Monday, I'll probably have claimed my words and my prize.
So swing by my NaNo Page and check out what I have going on!
Next week I'll have an actual blog post but the last few days have not been kind to me. Ugh.
Monday, November 21, 2016
National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 3
Today's Earworm: Bombs Away by Age of Days
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget
And another week to deal with this shit. I am not feeling well, but this is about normal for me during colds.
Once more: word counts.
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget
And another week to deal with this shit. I am not feeling well, but this is about normal for me during colds.
Once more: word counts.
Nov 14: 0
Nov 15: 3,127
Nov 16: 1,591
Nov 17: 1,511
Nov 18: 1,449
Nov 19: 3,420
Nov 20: 307
Total words: 34,661
Day 14 included me running up to Gilbert with my friend for her pain treatment and becoming Casper the Ghost. Literally my cold came back and knocked me flat. She came out, still giggly off of the anesthesia and goes "You're white".
And I was. I was straight up white. With no pinkish undertone, which is normal for my skin tone.
Yeah, so. Day 14 got no words but me falling into bed about 6:30 to 7 PM and not getting out of bed until about 11:30 the next day.
Day 15 was me playing catch up. I caught up.
Day 16 was okayish. I wrote some. Worked on some new ideas. Created a new story with the help of the lovely Jennifer Amriss. I now have a new M/M PNR on my plate. (PNR being Paranormal Romance)
Day 17 was another good day just to lounge around and write on things. So I did.
Day 18 was pretty good though for a while there it was like pulling teeth, but I got the words. Then I did some editing.
Day 19 was really good to me. 2 chapters and another bit of editing because the next day I got nothing.
Day 20 was a near zero count, but did get like 307 words on the new PNR story. Just no idea what to do with it or where to go with it so I'm kind of sitting here playing around with it.
But I'm still happy with the amount of words I have gotten so far.
But I'm still happy with the amount of words I have gotten so far.
Monday, November 14, 2016
National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 2
Today's Earworm: Too Late by Dead by Sunrise
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget
So I'm liking the way last week's post ended up. I decided because I liked it, I'll keep it like this.
Let's start with the word counts again.
Today's Date: November , 2016
Word Count Widget
So I'm liking the way last week's post ended up. I decided because I liked it, I'll keep it like this.
Let's start with the word counts again.
Nov 7: 1,478
Nov 8: 1,750
Nov 9: 3,305
Nov 10: 1,199
Nov 11: 2,015
Nov 12: 1,785
Nov 13: 1,763
Total words: 23,256
Day 7 was good. It worked well enough for me. I wrote another chapter in Bad Dog and made myself giggle. It was a lot of fun.
Day 8...well, if you were watching the shit going on there, yeah, you know how I'm feeling. Life is going to suck big time next year. Sighing so hard. But I did get words before I got up to the cluster fuck.
Day 9 was spent not doing much beyond writing and hiding from the world. My cold is not happy with me and I'm not happy with the world. It can fuck off for all I care. It was still a good day though.
I got two chapters typed up and saved, which makes me happy.
I got two chapters typed up and saved, which makes me happy.
Day 10, well I'm still sick on this day. I have added sneezing and coughing to my sore throat but I've been taking cold meds as needed and sipping good tea. I'm staying away from most social media so if I seem quiet that's why. I have issues and right now all off this stuff is making my issues have issues.
But still a good day of writing. I watched SHN Horror Network's "Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs playthrough" while writing. He doesn't do commentary while playing through his games and the videos themselves are usually all one video of the full playthrough, so it makes rather nice background noise.
Just...keep in mind the name. He does horror/thriller games.
But still a good day of writing. I watched SHN Horror Network's "Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs playthrough" while writing. He doesn't do commentary while playing through his games and the videos themselves are usually all one video of the full playthrough, so it makes rather nice background noise.
Just...keep in mind the name. He does horror/thriller games.
Day 11 was me laying around and puttering through a chapter. Which is about normal for when I'm sick.
Day 12 again was me laying around and puttering through a chapter. I felt like death warmed over but I got a long chapter and a good jump start on Day 13's count.
Day 13 was me writing a full chapter and preparing to head with my friend to an appointment today. So while you read this, I'm probably in Gilbert right about now, reading a book and ignoring people. Seriously. Just ignoring people.
But again, got a good jump on tomorrow's words while I wait for my IPod mini to charge up (the sucker takes 3 hours each time I kill the battery).
So far, I did pretty good this week on the word count and I'm very happy with this fact.
But again, got a good jump on tomorrow's words while I wait for my IPod mini to charge up (the sucker takes 3 hours each time I kill the battery).
So far, I did pretty good this week on the word count and I'm very happy with this fact.
Monday, November 7, 2016
National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 1
Today's EarWorm: Blood Red Roses by c21fx
Today's Day: November 7, 2016
Word Count Widget
So this time, I'm going to try something different. Instead of a kind of a daily thing put together in one blog, which I find kind of hard to deal with really, I'm just going to give you a summary of how I did and the what not.
Let's start with word count shall we?
Today's Day: November 7, 2016
Word Count Widget
So this time, I'm going to try something different. Instead of a kind of a daily thing put together in one blog, which I find kind of hard to deal with really, I'm just going to give you a summary of how I did and the what not.
Let's start with word count shall we?
November 1: 3,005
November 2: 760
November 3: 1,453
November 4: 1,604
November 5: 1,586
November 6: 1,478
Total: 9,882 words
Total: 9,882 words
So as you can see, I did pretty good on the 1st. I got my 3K starter and that's pretty much what has kept me afloat ever since.
Why? Eh, I was feeling ew on the second and had a hell of a time focusing enough to write a new prologue for Bad Dog; day 3 had a new chapter and me crashing out hard early (like 8 in the evening early) and a shopping run with a friend; another shopping run and another chapter, hurrah; the fifth included me staying home, rewriting one chapter and writing a new chapter for something other than Bad Dog.
Hey! All new words count damnit! I'm a rebel. That's what I'm saying to myself.
To go a bit more in depth about what went on.
Day 1 was pretty good all things considered. It was enough to get all the words that I needed and then some. Then again, it's always easy enough to get a good set of words down on the first day. It's easy enough.
Day 2 was spent writing a new prologue on Bad Dog, getting things down and out because I had to introduce my Idiot Villain and figure out just what I need to figure out about him. Let's just say that by the end of the series, you'll find out that he's not the main villain of the entire series. He's just the one that you see.
Day 3, again, was spent writing a new chapter, but I also had to run to the store with my friend to pick up some of her things for the month. I got home lateish and crashed soon after.
Day 4 was spent going to get the last of the things that she needed and getting yet even more words. Nothing amazing. And I also planned out a couple more chapters Bad Dog which is nice. I figured out some more things about the structure of my story to.
Day 5 I lounged around. Wrote. Or tried to do so. Did a jigsaw puzzle on my jigsaw app. Or three. I wrote. Got a chapter on something else. Got a rewrite done for one of my stories. Mourned the fact that I don't have the money to print out one of my stories so I can tear it down to the very foundation of what it is.
That's going to be...fun. I think. Maybe. Lots of work though.
Day 6 was just exhausting. Once more, I was shopping but this time I went food shopping for my household instead of helping my friend with her shopping. Which isn't any fun, trust me.
My hair hurt and that's saying something since hair doesn't feel.
But I got a good sized turkey (20+ lb bird) for about 89cents per pound so it was nice. It worked out in the good for me and my mom. I'm very happy with how things went in the long run.
And I barely squeaked in on my word count for the day even though it was a fight to the bitter end to get the words. Today, I hope to focus like nothing else and just WRITE.
I can hope yes? Yes.
I will see you next week with a fresh and new update! For now, enjoy life. Read a book. Treat yourself to a favorite snack. Watch a good movie. Enjoy life.
My hair hurt and that's saying something since hair doesn't feel.
But I got a good sized turkey (20+ lb bird) for about 89cents per pound so it was nice. It worked out in the good for me and my mom. I'm very happy with how things went in the long run.
And I barely squeaked in on my word count for the day even though it was a fight to the bitter end to get the words. Today, I hope to focus like nothing else and just WRITE.
I can hope yes? Yes.
I will see you next week with a fresh and new update! For now, enjoy life. Read a book. Treat yourself to a favorite snack. Watch a good movie. Enjoy life.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 5
Today's Earworm: Big Bad Wolf by Aesthetic Perfection
Today's Date: October 31, 2016
Widgets
What to write? I have no idea.
First: Happy Halloween, my little ghouls and ghosties! I hope that this year's Halloween is treating you well. :D
It's treating me okayish. I am getting over the colds (yay for flu shots messing with your system), and settling in for things to happen.
Unfortunately for me, I am also having to deal with people coming in to rip out my flooring and put new stuff down tomorrow. They were supposed to do it last Tuesday, or so we thought, but apparently not.
So I have to deal with that and promise to post pictures of that fun time process when I'm actually home. Which I'm going to have to be for most of the day outside of me running to the store with Tonya for the usual things on the 1st.
Hopefully we'll get that done kind of fast since we don't really have much to do so I'll be living off of massive amounts of coffee tomorrow. Fun. Right? Right.
But I'm not sure what to say since tomorrow it all starts and I will be busybusybusy for the first three days. This is going to be interesting, that's for sure.
Wish me luck, everyone! I'm going in!
Today's Date: October 31, 2016
Widgets
What to write? I have no idea.
First: Happy Halloween, my little ghouls and ghosties! I hope that this year's Halloween is treating you well. :D
It's treating me okayish. I am getting over the colds (yay for flu shots messing with your system), and settling in for things to happen.
Unfortunately for me, I am also having to deal with people coming in to rip out my flooring and put new stuff down tomorrow. They were supposed to do it last Tuesday, or so we thought, but apparently not.
So I have to deal with that and promise to post pictures of that fun time process when I'm actually home. Which I'm going to have to be for most of the day outside of me running to the store with Tonya for the usual things on the 1st.
Hopefully we'll get that done kind of fast since we don't really have much to do so I'll be living off of massive amounts of coffee tomorrow. Fun. Right? Right.
But I'm not sure what to say since tomorrow it all starts and I will be busybusybusy for the first three days. This is going to be interesting, that's for sure.
Wish me luck, everyone! I'm going in!
Monday, October 24, 2016
Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 4
Today's Earworm: "Eyes" by Kings 810
Today's Date: October 24, 2016
I don't really know what to say. I'm exhausted is the first thing that comes to mind.
The second is that I'm on a binge watching all sorts of documentaries on things. Ghosts and spirits and the such.
Fueling the thoughts for Bad Dog. Which is good yet bad since I'm still fighting with myself in regards to working on it. I can't. Not until the first of November and it's a week away yet.
So I'm kind of sitting here. Sick. Exhausted. Binge watching documentaries. Working on Bad Dog. And trying not to toss people off a cliff.
I hate the build up towards the next round of Nano. I always end up twitchy and growling. And I've been very anti-person lately. Which is kind of surprising but yet not?
Okay, so let's me tell you what insanity has been going on and how it has been utterly *censors the line of curse words that would make a sailor sniff in proudness but comes down to messing* with my life.
1) My friend is currently trying something to help with her chronic pain issues. She doesn't do needles and since these are about an inch long going into her back, she needs to be put under which means I have to go with her.
2) I lost my outline for my short piece set! I'm crying. I need to clean up some more and hope to find the bitch. I can hope yes?
3) As stated above, I have been very anti-person lately. I don't know why but it's starting to make me twitch. Which isn't good.
4) Depression has attacked me a bit but I'm working on getting through it.
5) The muses and will to write has been fluctuating.
I'm hoping though that by the time November comes around that I will be back on balanced ground again.
I'm hoping.
Anyways, I got thinking about if I've ever told you guys about my writing process...
And I don't think so! At least not in the last year. I've talked about my Plot Mountain (found here), but I don't think I've ever quite gone over what I do after that.
Well, let me explain that since I'm getting prepped for Nano in a week and the process after is just as important, if not more so in some cases, as the writing process.
Please remember, that what may work for me may not work for you. So experiment, learn, discover. Don't be afraid to find a new way if your current way just doesn't work for you.
Step 1: Write the First Draft
I went over this in my Plot Mountain Post all those months before. I write that first draft.
Step 2: Ignore the First Draft
Depending on the story and size that I wrote, I usually ignore that first draft from anywhere from a week to six months. Why? Because I want to forget what I wrote in that first draft so I can come back to it with fresh eyes.
Step 3: Reread (groan) over the first draft and make notes on changes like I'm a reader.
This is just what it says. After that time of forgetting the first draft, I stick the draft into a GDoc, make sure it's accessible on my tablet and sit in bed with pen and notebook to reread it while making notes.
I look at it like I'm a first reader (thus why I ignore it for so long) and I have to give this writer an honest critique. But then again, I'm meaner to myself and tend to rip the story apart in my notes.
I did this with my current M/M novella (which I'm in step 4 and 5 right now for it). It took me about 6 pages of legal pad paper; front to back; to write all the notes.
Step 4: Write out a new outline
This outline will include the old chapters and new chapters I want to insert.
For the old chapters, I tend to make notes on what I want to insert into them and if I want to split a chapter into two chapters instead of one.
For the new chapters, I make sure I know just how they would fit into it as I go along. This will be a long process because I'm going back and forth between the first draft and my notes to see just what I need to do.
This also includes about 5 different colored InkJoy pens so I can color code things.
Step 5: Start to fill in those chapters and write out the new chapters
AKA: Rewrite round 1.
Yep, time to rewrite. It's not fun. Nope. Not in the least. But I will do it! My page will bleed RED from this first round of rewrites.
Step 6: REWRITE!
This time I'm going from start to finish and literally rewriting each chapter to fix things such as tense, wording, some grammar (not really expected at the moment), characterization and making sure it all flows together.
It will take me anything from a month to four depending on length and how often I work on doing the rewrite.
Step 7: Rewriting AGAIN
Okay, this rewrite is pretty much a combination of step 3 and 5. I'm going to read through it after about a week of not touching it and making notes before inserting what I need.
It's pretty much a lighter version to help start to tighten things up.
Step 8: Actual editing
This is the step where I sit down and go through with grammar and punctuation in mind. I sit there and don't read like a writer or a reader (like above), but this time as an editor.
I had to train myself to stop from worrying about most editing bits during the last 7 steps. Thank you, NaNo for training that out of me.
This takes me about a week or two to finish from beginning to end. It's not that extensive.
Step 9: Send it to a first reader and get their opinion on the story.
I usually have someone in the background waiting to read my story and go over it, critique things and the such.
Step 10: Go over what they say and insert and maybe do some light rewriting.
Once I get that information back from them, I sit there and fiddle around with things, filling in holes or making it clear that a hole is there for a good reason for future books depending on what I'm working on.
Step 11: Repeat 9 and 10
Just that. I repeat 9 and 10 a few times (usually with more than one reader) and then I get to this step.
Step 12: Edit then send to editor/beta and forget about it.
This is where I wait for the editor to go over it, make their notes and tell me what I need to fix. I usually send it after I do another quick once over to catch anything.
Step 13: Fix what needs to be fixed.
I fix what needs to be fixed and once I get it to a point where I'm happy with it, where it reads well and looks good, it's done.
Yeah, 13 plus steps later (because sometimes there's a couple more rewrites and edits in there).
Now mind you, I figured this out over the course of my fanfiction writing career and I can tell you that yes, it works just as well for when it comes time to editing original worlds.
Again this may or may not work for you. If it works, great! I'm happy. If it doesn't or just parts works, that's all good! I'm happy you have discovered what works for you. As I have. We all have our own processes.
This is just my process.
So for now, I will see you next week with the start of Nano!
Today's Date: October 24, 2016
I don't really know what to say. I'm exhausted is the first thing that comes to mind.
The second is that I'm on a binge watching all sorts of documentaries on things. Ghosts and spirits and the such.
Fueling the thoughts for Bad Dog. Which is good yet bad since I'm still fighting with myself in regards to working on it. I can't. Not until the first of November and it's a week away yet.
So I'm kind of sitting here. Sick. Exhausted. Binge watching documentaries. Working on Bad Dog. And trying not to toss people off a cliff.
I hate the build up towards the next round of Nano. I always end up twitchy and growling. And I've been very anti-person lately. Which is kind of surprising but yet not?
Okay, so let's me tell you what insanity has been going on and how it has been utterly *censors the line of curse words that would make a sailor sniff in proudness but comes down to messing* with my life.
1) My friend is currently trying something to help with her chronic pain issues. She doesn't do needles and since these are about an inch long going into her back, she needs to be put under which means I have to go with her.
2) I lost my outline for my short piece set! I'm crying. I need to clean up some more and hope to find the bitch. I can hope yes?
3) As stated above, I have been very anti-person lately. I don't know why but it's starting to make me twitch. Which isn't good.
4) Depression has attacked me a bit but I'm working on getting through it.
5) The muses and will to write has been fluctuating.
I'm hoping though that by the time November comes around that I will be back on balanced ground again.
I'm hoping.
Anyways, I got thinking about if I've ever told you guys about my writing process...
And I don't think so! At least not in the last year. I've talked about my Plot Mountain (found here), but I don't think I've ever quite gone over what I do after that.
Well, let me explain that since I'm getting prepped for Nano in a week and the process after is just as important, if not more so in some cases, as the writing process.
Please remember, that what may work for me may not work for you. So experiment, learn, discover. Don't be afraid to find a new way if your current way just doesn't work for you.
Step 1: Write the First Draft
I went over this in my Plot Mountain Post all those months before. I write that first draft.
Step 2: Ignore the First Draft
Depending on the story and size that I wrote, I usually ignore that first draft from anywhere from a week to six months. Why? Because I want to forget what I wrote in that first draft so I can come back to it with fresh eyes.
Step 3: Reread (groan) over the first draft and make notes on changes like I'm a reader.
This is just what it says. After that time of forgetting the first draft, I stick the draft into a GDoc, make sure it's accessible on my tablet and sit in bed with pen and notebook to reread it while making notes.
I look at it like I'm a first reader (thus why I ignore it for so long) and I have to give this writer an honest critique. But then again, I'm meaner to myself and tend to rip the story apart in my notes.
I did this with my current M/M novella (which I'm in step 4 and 5 right now for it). It took me about 6 pages of legal pad paper; front to back; to write all the notes.
Step 4: Write out a new outline
This outline will include the old chapters and new chapters I want to insert.
For the old chapters, I tend to make notes on what I want to insert into them and if I want to split a chapter into two chapters instead of one.
For the new chapters, I make sure I know just how they would fit into it as I go along. This will be a long process because I'm going back and forth between the first draft and my notes to see just what I need to do.
This also includes about 5 different colored InkJoy pens so I can color code things.
Step 5: Start to fill in those chapters and write out the new chapters
AKA: Rewrite round 1.
Yep, time to rewrite. It's not fun. Nope. Not in the least. But I will do it! My page will bleed RED from this first round of rewrites.
Step 6: REWRITE!
This time I'm going from start to finish and literally rewriting each chapter to fix things such as tense, wording, some grammar (not really expected at the moment), characterization and making sure it all flows together.
It will take me anything from a month to four depending on length and how often I work on doing the rewrite.
Step 7: Rewriting AGAIN
Okay, this rewrite is pretty much a combination of step 3 and 5. I'm going to read through it after about a week of not touching it and making notes before inserting what I need.
It's pretty much a lighter version to help start to tighten things up.
Step 8: Actual editing
This is the step where I sit down and go through with grammar and punctuation in mind. I sit there and don't read like a writer or a reader (like above), but this time as an editor.
I had to train myself to stop from worrying about most editing bits during the last 7 steps. Thank you, NaNo for training that out of me.
This takes me about a week or two to finish from beginning to end. It's not that extensive.
Step 9: Send it to a first reader and get their opinion on the story.
I usually have someone in the background waiting to read my story and go over it, critique things and the such.
Step 10: Go over what they say and insert and maybe do some light rewriting.
Once I get that information back from them, I sit there and fiddle around with things, filling in holes or making it clear that a hole is there for a good reason for future books depending on what I'm working on.
Step 11: Repeat 9 and 10
Just that. I repeat 9 and 10 a few times (usually with more than one reader) and then I get to this step.
Step 12: Edit then send to editor/beta and forget about it.
This is where I wait for the editor to go over it, make their notes and tell me what I need to fix. I usually send it after I do another quick once over to catch anything.
Step 13: Fix what needs to be fixed.
I fix what needs to be fixed and once I get it to a point where I'm happy with it, where it reads well and looks good, it's done.
Yeah, 13 plus steps later (because sometimes there's a couple more rewrites and edits in there).
Now mind you, I figured this out over the course of my fanfiction writing career and I can tell you that yes, it works just as well for when it comes time to editing original worlds.
Again this may or may not work for you. If it works, great! I'm happy. If it doesn't or just parts works, that's all good! I'm happy you have discovered what works for you. As I have. We all have our own processes.
This is just my process.
So for now, I will see you next week with the start of Nano!
Word Count Widgets
The Month Long Word Count Widget:
Region's Word Count Widget:
Another Region's Word Count Widget:
Monday, October 17, 2016
Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 3
Today's Earworm: 9909 by Danger Silent
Today's Date: October 17, 2016
So I've been thinking about what to write about this week's prepping. And really? I had no real idea what to write.
Then someone asked in one of my closed NaNo groups "What is ADHD/ADD like?"
I got thinking about that. I know that I've talked about it before on twitter and on facebook, but I myself have ADD. What is ADD?
Again, ADD/ADHD is Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
And it does just like it sounds: It's a disorder where a person finds it hard to focus. All of those "I have focus...SQUIRREL!" memes are a funny way of saying it, you guys. There's a good reason why I have thirty things going on at a time. And why I have a dozen projects going at once.
But really? What does this have to do with preparing for NaNo?
It actually has a lot to do with preparing for Nano. Did you know that most often than not, I have my blogs ready to be posted at least a week before hand? And I tend to fiddle around with what I'm posting for the following week. It's so I know for a fact that I have something ready to post.
Now, what does it feel like to have ADD/ADHD? Well, it's different for everyone.
For me, it's like a normal adult having too much sugar and caffeine in a short time. I'm bouncy and jittery. I can't focus without putting some effort into it. I have to have something going on in the background to help me keep that focus once I found it. Usually it's a movie or show or some kind of music.
I don't react to caffeine and sugar like someone who doesn't have ADD. Caffeine tends to help me focus, sometimes, if I'm really tired, wakes me up when I have it along with some sugar and food. Just to keep the balance in my body. I could drink coffee all day and still go to bed at a decent hour.
But when I can't sleep (and I often can't until I'm so tired I'm seeing double), it's not because of the caffeine or sugar. Hell, I've had issues sleeping when I was just buzzed enough on wine (really, really fruity good wine to, cause hey, I'm a picky woman about my wine) to feel that nice sort of sleepy. The reason why I can't sleep?
My mind is overworking again. It's not shutting up. And not even sleeping medications work all the time. They work sometimes and I can't take them too often otherwise my body gets kind of used to them, which kind of defeats the purpose of taking said sleeping medications. I've been drugged up on morphine before (back when I've had my gallbladder taken out mind you) and still been unable to fully rest.
And if you've ever had morphine, you know that you will be OUT once it truly hits your system. It hit and I was still laying there, counting tiles and trying to get my brain to shut up, please and thank you.
This is what I feel every day. All day. And it makes preparing for Nano a bit of a pain in the ass. I'm not joking you.
I literally have this down to a science now. I kind of have to since otherwise things get...messy.
Let's break it down.
Week 1:
- Shift through all of my DVD's (which I've expanded this year by 9, give or take 1) and make a pile for the coming month to rewatch.
- Start a playlist (on spotify this year) for NaNo. Start going through songs I like and adding it to playlist. I'm usually looking for a certain tone.
- Create or update the GDoc that I'm going to use. Do the same with the file and folder for the saved story.
Week 2:
- Panic just a touch. Just a little.
- Continue to build my playlist.
- Go through some more of the DVD's if I haven't finished it.
- Start making notes on the outline as I need to. Usually this means bouncing ideas off of one of my friends. It's kind like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Week 3:
- Panic a bit more.
- Continue to forever built my playlist. I swear. I need to build it up ever more.
- Make some more notes. This time, it's more like throwing lime slices at the wall to see what sticks. Citrusy, annoying, and a pain in the arse to clean up.
Week 4:
- Panic once more. Then drag myself out of the state of panic to discover there is a distinct lack of tea.
- Find money (somehow) to buy a thing or two of tea. Tea and coffee if I'm low on it. Usually I have enough tea to last me at least the first week until I can get to the store with new monies.
- Flail around a bit with my fellow Nanoer's in Forward Motion chat.
- Plot some more. Or rearrange the outline. Whatever I'm happening to do.
- Set up the NaNo blog outlines for the coming month. This means I set up my usual setup for the days.
IE:
Date
Word count for that day
Total Word Count for Nano
My thoughts on that day.
- Flail around some more.
- Maybe rearrange my DVD pile. Find a few extra to add to it.
- Arrange paper, pens and pencils. (Actually I've already done this, mostly, when I went through my pens. And if you follow me on Twitter, you saw those pictures).
This round, I have an extra post since Nano starts on a Tuesday this time, so that'll be loads of fun.
But that's pretty much what I do. And between all of that, I write. I write on other projects. I write e-mails. I write tweets. I write facebook posts. I write comments. I write.
All to prepare for everything to come.
So yeah, ADD has a lot to do with my prepping since I have to set up so much and combat the need to go "Ooh, shiny!" at random times. Which is never a good thing.
Today's Date: October 17, 2016
So I've been thinking about what to write about this week's prepping. And really? I had no real idea what to write.
Then someone asked in one of my closed NaNo groups "What is ADHD/ADD like?"
I got thinking about that. I know that I've talked about it before on twitter and on facebook, but I myself have ADD. What is ADD?
Again, ADD/ADHD is Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
And it does just like it sounds: It's a disorder where a person finds it hard to focus. All of those "I have focus...SQUIRREL!" memes are a funny way of saying it, you guys. There's a good reason why I have thirty things going on at a time. And why I have a dozen projects going at once.
But really? What does this have to do with preparing for NaNo?
It actually has a lot to do with preparing for Nano. Did you know that most often than not, I have my blogs ready to be posted at least a week before hand? And I tend to fiddle around with what I'm posting for the following week. It's so I know for a fact that I have something ready to post.
Now, what does it feel like to have ADD/ADHD? Well, it's different for everyone.
For me, it's like a normal adult having too much sugar and caffeine in a short time. I'm bouncy and jittery. I can't focus without putting some effort into it. I have to have something going on in the background to help me keep that focus once I found it. Usually it's a movie or show or some kind of music.
I don't react to caffeine and sugar like someone who doesn't have ADD. Caffeine tends to help me focus, sometimes, if I'm really tired, wakes me up when I have it along with some sugar and food. Just to keep the balance in my body. I could drink coffee all day and still go to bed at a decent hour.
But when I can't sleep (and I often can't until I'm so tired I'm seeing double), it's not because of the caffeine or sugar. Hell, I've had issues sleeping when I was just buzzed enough on wine (really, really fruity good wine to, cause hey, I'm a picky woman about my wine) to feel that nice sort of sleepy. The reason why I can't sleep?
My mind is overworking again. It's not shutting up. And not even sleeping medications work all the time. They work sometimes and I can't take them too often otherwise my body gets kind of used to them, which kind of defeats the purpose of taking said sleeping medications. I've been drugged up on morphine before (back when I've had my gallbladder taken out mind you) and still been unable to fully rest.
And if you've ever had morphine, you know that you will be OUT once it truly hits your system. It hit and I was still laying there, counting tiles and trying to get my brain to shut up, please and thank you.
This is what I feel every day. All day. And it makes preparing for Nano a bit of a pain in the ass. I'm not joking you.
I literally have this down to a science now. I kind of have to since otherwise things get...messy.
Let's break it down.
Week 1:
- Shift through all of my DVD's (which I've expanded this year by 9, give or take 1) and make a pile for the coming month to rewatch.
- Start a playlist (on spotify this year) for NaNo. Start going through songs I like and adding it to playlist. I'm usually looking for a certain tone.
- Create or update the GDoc that I'm going to use. Do the same with the file and folder for the saved story.
Week 2:
- Panic just a touch. Just a little.
- Continue to build my playlist.
- Go through some more of the DVD's if I haven't finished it.
- Start making notes on the outline as I need to. Usually this means bouncing ideas off of one of my friends. It's kind like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Week 3:
- Panic a bit more.
- Continue to forever built my playlist. I swear. I need to build it up ever more.
- Make some more notes. This time, it's more like throwing lime slices at the wall to see what sticks. Citrusy, annoying, and a pain in the arse to clean up.
Week 4:
- Panic once more. Then drag myself out of the state of panic to discover there is a distinct lack of tea.
- Find money (somehow) to buy a thing or two of tea. Tea and coffee if I'm low on it. Usually I have enough tea to last me at least the first week until I can get to the store with new monies.
- Flail around a bit with my fellow Nanoer's in Forward Motion chat.
- Plot some more. Or rearrange the outline. Whatever I'm happening to do.
- Set up the NaNo blog outlines for the coming month. This means I set up my usual setup for the days.
IE:
Date
Word count for that day
Total Word Count for Nano
My thoughts on that day.
- Flail around some more.
- Maybe rearrange my DVD pile. Find a few extra to add to it.
- Arrange paper, pens and pencils. (Actually I've already done this, mostly, when I went through my pens. And if you follow me on Twitter, you saw those pictures).
This round, I have an extra post since Nano starts on a Tuesday this time, so that'll be loads of fun.
But that's pretty much what I do. And between all of that, I write. I write on other projects. I write e-mails. I write tweets. I write facebook posts. I write comments. I write.
All to prepare for everything to come.
So yeah, ADD has a lot to do with my prepping since I have to set up so much and combat the need to go "Ooh, shiny!" at random times. Which is never a good thing.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 2
Todays Earworm: "9 Crimes" by Damien Rice
Today's Date: October 10, 2016
Should work on that soon yeah?
I really, really should.
Anyways, I have a couple chapters written already, setting up the world and the such, but I need to create a notebook with character information and all those lovely notes. I luckily have a green binder that will make my life that much easier. Awesome.
I have Alex and Brinda/Brianna (I keep fluctuating on her name dang it!) and I have some other characters who will be introduced as we go along, along with introducing the main plot line that will work through the series. There is a lot that will be going on and I just have 3 books to start with. Good lord.
Now for the Synopsis that I put up onto the Nanowrimo site (My page, the main page):
Now, I should be plotting shouldn't I? I should be. My writing friend is waiting for me to rewrite after all!
I did do a little plotting. Not a whole lot and more for book 2 then book 1 since I have a feeling I'm going to be plansting this thing (half plotting it out, half pantsing the thing), so it's okay.
I did swing by the Nano Artisan's forum and have been puttering around in there. I came across Kage of RLyis' forum post offering Avatars, Signature Banners, Characters, Calendars and Book Covers.
I managed to snag one. She did a lovely job. I actually also managed to name the story to thanks to Forward Motion Writers chat.
Cause who doesn't want to read a comedy-horror called Bad Dog?
That's right, Bad Dog. I'm making jokes all throughout this book. From start to finish.
Starting with the title.
But anyways, you should check her Forum Post out and ask her for one if her style makes you happy.
Here's my signature banner:
Today's Date: October 10, 2016
So I'm sitting here and I decided to take a semi-rebel path and write on my Ex-Retail worker story. I still don't really have a name for the damn book much less a series name.
Should work on that soon yeah?
I really, really should.
Anyways, I have a couple chapters written already, setting up the world and the such, but I need to create a notebook with character information and all those lovely notes. I luckily have a green binder that will make my life that much easier. Awesome.
I have Alex and Brinda/Brianna (I keep fluctuating on her name dang it!) and I have some other characters who will be introduced as we go along, along with introducing the main plot line that will work through the series. There is a lot that will be going on and I just have 3 books to start with. Good lord.
Now for the Synopsis that I put up onto the Nanowrimo site (My page, the main page):
He had seen the worst of the worst!
He had dealt with couponers having melt downs in front of him.
He had done stocking during Black Friday.
He had worked a register during the Fourth when Barbie Moms came in to get their wine-in-a-box already three-sheets to the wind.
He had seen kids who run havoc all over the store while their parents just roll their eyes and toss in another candy bar into their baskets.
He had seen the worst of the worst.
A rampaging werewolf, a pissed off poltergeist and an idiot warlock with illusions of grandeur was nothing.
He had worked retail after all.And there we go! There's that for book 1!
Now, I should be plotting shouldn't I? I should be. My writing friend is waiting for me to rewrite after all!
I did do a little plotting. Not a whole lot and more for book 2 then book 1 since I have a feeling I'm going to be plansting this thing (half plotting it out, half pantsing the thing), so it's okay.
I did swing by the Nano Artisan's forum and have been puttering around in there. I came across Kage of RLyis' forum post offering Avatars, Signature Banners, Characters, Calendars and Book Covers.
I managed to snag one. She did a lovely job. I actually also managed to name the story to thanks to Forward Motion Writers chat.
Cause who doesn't want to read a comedy-horror called Bad Dog?
That's right, Bad Dog. I'm making jokes all throughout this book. From start to finish.
Starting with the title.
But anyways, you should check her Forum Post out and ask her for one if her style makes you happy.
Here's my signature banner:
Monday, October 3, 2016
Preparing for National Novel Writing Month 2016 - Pt 1
Today's Earworm: "Bones" by In This Moment
Today's Date: October 3, 2016
National Novel Writing Month.
Man, what a kick. Has it really been a year already since the last round of Preparing blog posts?
I have checked the calendar. Yes. Yes it has.
Damn, how time FLIES when you're busy. But...that's for another blog post. A special blog post set to be written and posted on January 1, 2017.
I have a confession.
I have no idea what the hell I'm going to write. No idea. At all. Unless I somehow finish the detailed, pages long outline. Or I get further into the darn outline.
But if you were anywhere near my twitter on the 28th of September, then you heard about the cry of writerly anguish of water.
All.
Over.
My.
Note.
Book.
I screamed in writerly anguish and horror about 4 in the morning and had to rewrite three of the damn pages, front and back.
I cried.
So, some pictures of what I was able to save.
Today's Date: October 3, 2016
National Novel Writing Month.
Man, what a kick. Has it really been a year already since the last round of Preparing blog posts?
I have checked the calendar. Yes. Yes it has.
Damn, how time FLIES when you're busy. But...that's for another blog post. A special blog post set to be written and posted on January 1, 2017.
I have a confession.
I have no idea what the hell I'm going to write. No idea. At all. Unless I somehow finish the detailed, pages long outline. Or I get further into the darn outline.
But if you were anywhere near my twitter on the 28th of September, then you heard about the cry of writerly anguish of water.
All.
Over.
My.
Note.
Book.
I screamed in writerly anguish and horror about 4 in the morning and had to rewrite three of the damn pages, front and back.
I cried.
So, some pictures of what I was able to save.
A semi far away picture of the basic outline that I'm building my detailed outline off of.
Luckily, it did get away with not being attacked. Hurrah!
Here's a close up pic of it. Yes, that's my handwriting and no, it's not as neat as it looks.
It's the angle and the way that my writings come out.
And these are the pages that didn't make it.
As you can see, my phone is holding the pages down but they were just to smeared and crinkled to be useful this coming November.
I was able to rewrite one page (the one with the least bit of writing there on the right).
But the others...wipeout man.
You see that red and white striped cup?
That's the culprit. Just tipped over when I went for water.
I cried so hard when the darn thing fell over. And it was full. That's about 10 oz of pure liquid water. I was lucky.
This time.
But I may or may not be going into this with less chapters detailed out than planned if I do go with this story.
Damnit.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Writing...Even When You Don't Wanna
Today's EarWorm:
Today's Date: September 26, 2016
I'm sitting here and thinking about how life can just suck all the inspiration out of a writer. In my case, a change of seasons has brought on a cold and I'm living in mostly a daze of cold meds so I can stop sneezing hard enough to jar my entire body, making my back spasm in hate.
Life isn't all that kind.
For the last few months I have had more days with no words than days with actual words because it's been so busy. Appointments, ER visits, shopping trips, birthdays, days of just trying so hard to get some sleep.
It all sucks the inspiration right out of you.
But that doesn't mean that I don't have some kind of word count going on each and every day. Drabbles, short pieces, and handwritten pieces that I'm not going to count until I've typed them up onto my computer have all been done.
But this is something that, I hate to say this, takes practice to get down. You need the willpower to pick up that pen or pencil and put it down onto paper, or to pull out your GDocs on your phone or open the file on your computer and get those words.
You need to commit yourself to it.
Today's Date: September 26, 2016
I'm sitting here and thinking about how life can just suck all the inspiration out of a writer. In my case, a change of seasons has brought on a cold and I'm living in mostly a daze of cold meds so I can stop sneezing hard enough to jar my entire body, making my back spasm in hate.
Life isn't all that kind.
For the last few months I have had more days with no words than days with actual words because it's been so busy. Appointments, ER visits, shopping trips, birthdays, days of just trying so hard to get some sleep.
It all sucks the inspiration right out of you.
But that doesn't mean that I don't have some kind of word count going on each and every day. Drabbles, short pieces, and handwritten pieces that I'm not going to count until I've typed them up onto my computer have all been done.
But this is something that, I hate to say this, takes practice to get down. You need the willpower to pick up that pen or pencil and put it down onto paper, or to pull out your GDocs on your phone or open the file on your computer and get those words.
You need to commit yourself to it.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Let's Talk...Sequels
Today's Date: September, 19, 2016
Today's Earworm: "Gansta" by Kehlani
I watched...or rather tried to watch Sinister 2. It's been about a week so far since I tired, and during that time I had to figure out why it didn't appeal to me while Sinister was so damn good.
Then I watched The Conjuring 2 and figured it out.
I didn't like Sinister 2 because when I was going in, I was expecting it to be like Sinister. I'm not talking plot. I know that the mythology in the story was set in stone and most likely they were going to continue on with the demon Bughuul. But I was expecting something more from the film.
Such as the same kind of pacing and seeing things happening at certain times. And a bit more happening with the mother and the kids.
Instead it felt off.
So this got me to thinking about my own sequels that I'm planning on writing. As most of this blog readers know most of my books have at least one sequel planned, and there are a few series that are in the works.
It got me thinking about keeping the pacing and style of the sequel(s) of the first book. Why?
Well, if you think about a series as a building, the first book is a cornerstone. It's what you build the future series off of later.
It sets the characters, the tone of the story, and the main plot points that are to carry into the next book and all following books of that series.
And you kind of have to follow that line through because if you don't it doesn't read right. It doesn't sound right. And it sure as hell looks odd if suddenly you're going off in another direction for the series.
Okay, look, I'm not saying that all series have to be about one character and one build up throughout. I'm talking it has to sound and look as if it's from the same world.
I personally have a couple of series that is more world series then character series.
Wait...what's a world series and what's a character series?
I heard that one coming from a mile away.
A world series is more of a story that is built in the same world but uses various characters as the main focal point of the story. Most often than not, the plot point of that story is different than the last book or the book that follows after it, but it's still tied into the world that was built in the first book.
And, again, most often than not, it is still tied into the recurring plot point that was built upon in the first book.
A character series is a series built upon the characters and uses those same characters throughout the series. The plot for each book can be a single point plot, where it's solved in just one book. Or it can build on a plot point and mix it with a longer point that will be covered in the full series with a single plot point.
It all depends on the writer and the stories.
I myself have a few mixes of both types. I also have world series and character series.
My Honey Drops series is, mostly, a world built series. Yes, I have the characters working towards a single goal for book 7 (I think, I don't have my list in front of me. It might be bk 6), but their own stories are different. They have different plots that they have to get through.
But the style of the story, the pacing and the world will be the same.
For my series Don't Look, again, it's a world built series but again, has an end point that I have no idea where it is. I don't know how many characters are going to end up in this series.
But for my new Comedy-Horror Ex-Retail Worker series, it's a character built series. Meaning that I have my main characters and they're going to be in all of the books to come. There are two plot points. One plot point is for the duration of the story but it ties into the plot point that will end up finishing in the last book.
It's what ties the rest of the books together.
But again, the pacing, the world and the style of the story will stay the same.
Because that's what builds the series. It's what makes the series good and cohesive.
At least that's what I've found in my writing career.
What are your thoughts on series? What makes a good series to you?
Today's Earworm: "Gansta" by Kehlani
I watched...or rather tried to watch Sinister 2. It's been about a week so far since I tired, and during that time I had to figure out why it didn't appeal to me while Sinister was so damn good.
Then I watched The Conjuring 2 and figured it out.
I didn't like Sinister 2 because when I was going in, I was expecting it to be like Sinister. I'm not talking plot. I know that the mythology in the story was set in stone and most likely they were going to continue on with the demon Bughuul. But I was expecting something more from the film.
Such as the same kind of pacing and seeing things happening at certain times. And a bit more happening with the mother and the kids.
Instead it felt off.
So this got me to thinking about my own sequels that I'm planning on writing. As most of this blog readers know most of my books have at least one sequel planned, and there are a few series that are in the works.
It got me thinking about keeping the pacing and style of the sequel(s) of the first book. Why?
Well, if you think about a series as a building, the first book is a cornerstone. It's what you build the future series off of later.
It sets the characters, the tone of the story, and the main plot points that are to carry into the next book and all following books of that series.
And you kind of have to follow that line through because if you don't it doesn't read right. It doesn't sound right. And it sure as hell looks odd if suddenly you're going off in another direction for the series.
Okay, look, I'm not saying that all series have to be about one character and one build up throughout. I'm talking it has to sound and look as if it's from the same world.
I personally have a couple of series that is more world series then character series.
Wait...what's a world series and what's a character series?
I heard that one coming from a mile away.
A world series is more of a story that is built in the same world but uses various characters as the main focal point of the story. Most often than not, the plot point of that story is different than the last book or the book that follows after it, but it's still tied into the world that was built in the first book.
And, again, most often than not, it is still tied into the recurring plot point that was built upon in the first book.
A character series is a series built upon the characters and uses those same characters throughout the series. The plot for each book can be a single point plot, where it's solved in just one book. Or it can build on a plot point and mix it with a longer point that will be covered in the full series with a single plot point.
It all depends on the writer and the stories.
I myself have a few mixes of both types. I also have world series and character series.
My Honey Drops series is, mostly, a world built series. Yes, I have the characters working towards a single goal for book 7 (I think, I don't have my list in front of me. It might be bk 6), but their own stories are different. They have different plots that they have to get through.
But the style of the story, the pacing and the world will be the same.
For my series Don't Look, again, it's a world built series but again, has an end point that I have no idea where it is. I don't know how many characters are going to end up in this series.
But for my new Comedy-Horror Ex-Retail Worker series, it's a character built series. Meaning that I have my main characters and they're going to be in all of the books to come. There are two plot points. One plot point is for the duration of the story but it ties into the plot point that will end up finishing in the last book.
It's what ties the rest of the books together.
But again, the pacing, the world and the style of the story will stay the same.
Because that's what builds the series. It's what makes the series good and cohesive.
At least that's what I've found in my writing career.
What are your thoughts on series? What makes a good series to you?
Monday, September 12, 2016
Brainstorming...With NO Idea of Plot But Maybe a Character
Today's Earworm: "Sur ma route" by Black M
Today's Date: September 12, 2016
Oh no! The horror! The Terror!
You need a story for an anthology submission, or a new book! Or you want to just write...
But you don't have any kind plots in the back burner. What do you do?
Well, you brainstorm. Okay, hold up, hear me out before you freak out about that suggestion.
This is how a plot comes to be. You brainstorm. You think about what you want to do and create a basic plotline and some characters. From there, you think of how things get from point A to point B in your story.
That's brainstorming.
But what if you don't have a plot point or anything but a character?
Well, that's where brainstorming comes from. Just randomly sitting down and typing a word. Any word and then building it up from there. Most times the character is going to give you jack all that can be used for a story, but you can still find a plot for them from there.
Let's see.
I can take a character and write out something for that character and turn it into a future plot. That's what I'm doing with my drabble series.
Yes, I'm working on them. I've just been scary busy lately so sorry you guys.
Anyways, you take a character.
Do you have an idea of them in some way? Looks? Personality? A line that they say? Their jobs or careers? Something?
Well, there's a good start. You have a character and something about them.
Let me give you an example. For Black Veiled Saviour, my murder-mystery, I didn't have a plot.
I had a character named Alexx, another character named Bo, and a pretty not quite pastel goth named Lollipop in my head. Her name has been since changed to something else mind you.
That's all I had.
So I sat there and went, "What does Alexx do? What does Bo do? And how does Lollipop bring these two boys together?"
Well, Alexx was easy. He was and always has been a bartender in my head. So I went "Alright, what is Bo?" Well, I didn't know so I started to read one of my many crime mysteries and one of them had a private investigator.
It clicked. That's what Bo was! He was a private investigator and poor Lollipop was a dead girl who the cops had no urge to discover why she had been killed.
So how to make them meet then?
Well, Lollipop was like any gothy girl who was of legal age. She went to a club. And since Alexx is a bartender, why not have him working at one of her favorite clubs? And Bo goes there on a lead and bam! We have our two main characters meet.
Now...don't think that this took me less then a few hours to come up with.
No. Oh no no no. It took me nearly two weeks of messing with this one idea while working on things that I actually had a plan for.
And then writing that first chapter took me four days to write because I kept stopping to make notes about what was going on. I actually ended up scrapping that first chapter after writing it because it didn't read right but I kept some parts of it for chapters 2 and 3.
See what I did though? I had characters so I built from there.
Sometimes you don't have characters either. Don't worry. If anything, find a random prompt generator and write drabbles, flash stories, or short pieces around that prompt.
That's actually how a few of my older stories came to be.
Or go on Twitter and ask for prompts. See what strikes and what duds on you.
Brainstorming is all about finding that spark that you can build into a roaring plot. Remember, fires aren't just magically created. You have to build with bits of this and that before you can get a proper fire going.
Writing is just the same as that.
Today's Date: September 12, 2016
Oh no! The horror! The Terror!
You need a story for an anthology submission, or a new book! Or you want to just write...
But you don't have any kind plots in the back burner. What do you do?
Well, you brainstorm. Okay, hold up, hear me out before you freak out about that suggestion.
This is how a plot comes to be. You brainstorm. You think about what you want to do and create a basic plotline and some characters. From there, you think of how things get from point A to point B in your story.
That's brainstorming.
But what if you don't have a plot point or anything but a character?
Well, that's where brainstorming comes from. Just randomly sitting down and typing a word. Any word and then building it up from there. Most times the character is going to give you jack all that can be used for a story, but you can still find a plot for them from there.
Let's see.
I can take a character and write out something for that character and turn it into a future plot. That's what I'm doing with my drabble series.
Yes, I'm working on them. I've just been scary busy lately so sorry you guys.
Anyways, you take a character.
Do you have an idea of them in some way? Looks? Personality? A line that they say? Their jobs or careers? Something?
Well, there's a good start. You have a character and something about them.
Let me give you an example. For Black Veiled Saviour, my murder-mystery, I didn't have a plot.
I had a character named Alexx, another character named Bo, and a pretty not quite pastel goth named Lollipop in my head. Her name has been since changed to something else mind you.
That's all I had.
So I sat there and went, "What does Alexx do? What does Bo do? And how does Lollipop bring these two boys together?"
Well, Alexx was easy. He was and always has been a bartender in my head. So I went "Alright, what is Bo?" Well, I didn't know so I started to read one of my many crime mysteries and one of them had a private investigator.
It clicked. That's what Bo was! He was a private investigator and poor Lollipop was a dead girl who the cops had no urge to discover why she had been killed.
So how to make them meet then?
Well, Lollipop was like any gothy girl who was of legal age. She went to a club. And since Alexx is a bartender, why not have him working at one of her favorite clubs? And Bo goes there on a lead and bam! We have our two main characters meet.
Now...don't think that this took me less then a few hours to come up with.
No. Oh no no no. It took me nearly two weeks of messing with this one idea while working on things that I actually had a plan for.
And then writing that first chapter took me four days to write because I kept stopping to make notes about what was going on. I actually ended up scrapping that first chapter after writing it because it didn't read right but I kept some parts of it for chapters 2 and 3.
See what I did though? I had characters so I built from there.
Sometimes you don't have characters either. Don't worry. If anything, find a random prompt generator and write drabbles, flash stories, or short pieces around that prompt.
That's actually how a few of my older stories came to be.
Or go on Twitter and ask for prompts. See what strikes and what duds on you.
Brainstorming is all about finding that spark that you can build into a roaring plot. Remember, fires aren't just magically created. You have to build with bits of this and that before you can get a proper fire going.
Writing is just the same as that.
Monday, September 5, 2016
Writing on the Move
Today's EarWorm
Today's Date: September 5, 2016
So I have to join(ed) my friend (who I love to bits and pieces, she is my sister without blood between us okay?) on trips. The first one was on the first. The second one is upcoming on the 12th. Fun times right?
Yeah, especially since I do have, you guessed it, writing to do while I do these.
I actually have a few solutions that work well for me so I thought I would talk about it here.
If you find that something works for you, tell me. I would love to hear that they worked. Or if you do something not on this list, tell me still! I would love to hear everything you have to say.
I don't bite, I promise.
Anyways, let's go over what I do when I'm out and about with no wifi.
Today's Date: September 5, 2016
So I have to join(ed) my friend (who I love to bits and pieces, she is my sister without blood between us okay?) on trips. The first one was on the first. The second one is upcoming on the 12th. Fun times right?
Yeah, especially since I do have, you guessed it, writing to do while I do these.
I actually have a few solutions that work well for me so I thought I would talk about it here.
If you find that something works for you, tell me. I would love to hear that they worked. Or if you do something not on this list, tell me still! I would love to hear everything you have to say.
I don't bite, I promise.
Anyways, let's go over what I do when I'm out and about with no wifi.
Tablet/Phone
I actually have both but the smartphone I have is more of a glorified mini-tablet since I don't have a data plan attached to it. Which is fine. It works for me.
Really it does.
Before my friend gave me the phone, I used a tablet with a keyboard. The keyboard, unfortunately, died a horrific death with half the keys not wanting to work. But now with the phone, I can just as easily type on that.
I have GDocs downloaded on it and I do have wifi capabilities, so that's not a problem. As long as I have power and the ability to get some wifi sometime, I can type on any of my files that I have set up for offline work. And I put that to good use.
I open the file I want and I start to write on it. I've done it in car's, on buses before, at the doctor's office, anywhere that the urge to write has taken over me. I pull it out and start tapping it out. Took me a while to get the hang of writing on the damn phone but I can even do it when I'm stuck in bed. Which sucks majorly but it can be done.
Paper and Pen
Ohhh yes, I write the old fashioned way to. Yes, I kind of have to. I have a small hoard of pens and I'm forever finding more to add to that collection. I go through a pen in a month if I'm not doing a lot of hand writing.
I've learned how best to write in a moving vehicle okay? I've learned how best to hold my pen and how to decipher my already messy writing when it came time to type up the words.
I never go out of the house without a backpack with a notebook or a binder full of paper, at least three pens, some chapstick, lactose pills (yay for lactose intolerance! Makes eating icecream a fun time), my phone, car charger and charging line, carpal tunnel glove, a clipboard (for a solid surface), a couple of my travel sized notebooks (for ideas), hair clip, hair ties, and a body spray.
Or two.
As me and my friend say "We don't carry purses for very good reasons. We have a lot of stuff that helps keep us sane". And this is true.
My writing keeps me sane while we wait for our ride to get to us when we have them leave us to shop while they do their thing.
Oh and lately I carry around a travel sized bottle of suntan lotion and a small thing of baby powder.
Look, it's not that hard to find a way to carry things around for your use. I use a sling shoulder backpack so I have options on how I want to carry the darn thing around. It has two pockets (one main one on the front and one small side one that usually carries my IPod mini, phone and headphones) and the big area that carries all that I need.
Cause I do also have to carry a wallet and a set of keys around with me. It's cute and it's durable, and mostly waterproof as proven by being caught in a sudden rain storm.
It's not that hard to carry around supplies. You carry one such supply on you. And if you can text, you can write on a phone with a GDoc app.
But how do you write when you're on the move?
Monday, August 22, 2016
Let's Talk Pantsing VS Outlining
Today's EarWorm:
Today's Date: August 22, 2016
So let's talk writing and Pantsing VS Outlining said story.
Why am I going over this thought process? Because I have my ex-retail worker turned supernatural hunter story that is giving me bits and pieces of story and no real outline as to what is going on and when it needs to happen.
No, instead it's giving me bits and pieces for the damn thing.
Yeah. Joy. Fun. Really...
Not.
BUT! It did give me an idea for this weeks blog. Pantsing VS Outlining.
First, what is Pantsing? And what is Outlining?
Well, pantsing is a writing term that is defined as "writing by the seat of your pants". Pretty much you're writing whatever comes to your head without any kind of plan.
Outlining is the writing term for planning out your story from start to finish in a linear fashion. Pretty much you have something like the following examples. (Note: This is actually how most of my outlines end up looking like, either or.)
Example 1:
Today's Date: August 22, 2016
So let's talk writing and Pantsing VS Outlining said story.
Why am I going over this thought process? Because I have my ex-retail worker turned supernatural hunter story that is giving me bits and pieces of story and no real outline as to what is going on and when it needs to happen.
No, instead it's giving me bits and pieces for the damn thing.
Yeah. Joy. Fun. Really...
Not.
BUT! It did give me an idea for this weeks blog. Pantsing VS Outlining.
First, what is Pantsing? And what is Outlining?
Well, pantsing is a writing term that is defined as "writing by the seat of your pants". Pretty much you're writing whatever comes to your head without any kind of plan.
Outlining is the writing term for planning out your story from start to finish in a linear fashion. Pretty much you have something like the following examples. (Note: This is actually how most of my outlines end up looking like, either or.)
Example 1:
- Character's Name
- Plot point
- SubPlot Point
- Plot point
- SubPlot Point
- Plot Point
- SubPlot Point
- Character's Name...
Example 2:
- Characters Name/Scene Name
- Plot point that's more a short summary of what is to be written on during the chapter. This allows you to just write an idea down but still leave it with some flexibility to go in and change things as you write.
- Characters Name/Scene name...
Okay, so we know what outlining and pantsing is. Which one is better?
Actually...neither is better.
Say what now?
Don't get your panties in a bunch. It all depends on one factor: The Writer. I know some people who can't outline for their life. It either kills their muse or they just can't figure it out if they try. I know other writers who can't write without one. The story doesn't work for them.
For me? I tend to go with whatever the story calls for. For my ex-retail worker story it's kind of a mix of pantsing and outlining it. I have 2 chapters written already and know what I'm going to do in about six chapters, but I don't know what I'm doing in those six chapters, so I'm pantsing them (somewhat) while I write it.
I know that the story itself is going to be shortish, around 20 to 50K in length and leads into two more books.
And I'm still mostly pantsing the damn thing.
But...I thought you outlined?
I do. But not all of my stories come with a handy outline and even then I tend to outline about 10 chapters and write notes down for future plot points along with where they land in the future of the outline.
This story is just mostly pantsing it. But I tend to outline.
In fact, I tend to outline in my files depending on where I'm writing the story. Since I write mostly in google docs (mostly for the fact that I can haul the sucker around with me on a mobile device to write when I don't have my computer), I can do that.
With that way, I tend to go with the Character name/Scene with a summary paragraph/sentence. It works for me.
But I have to say this (and if you follow me on Twitter at @SLStrailo) you'll know that I don't consider either way superior to the other. I've done both exclusively and found that I work best if I'm fluid in how I plan out a story. Depending on the story, the length, and the amount of information I have for the plot will state on how I go about doing my planning for the story.
So, for example, take When My Eyes Close. I am outlining about 5 chapters past the chapter that I'm writing, which is normal for my outlining. I have my notes for future plot points to.
But for the ex-retail worker story (yes, I still have NO name for it), I'm kind of writing as I go. The same goes with the next part of the current series of short pieces that I'm working on called Murder and Lust. I don't really know what I'm going to do with it, but I know that I'm going to continue this series and work out what I want to do with the book series.
Again: I don't consider either Pantsing or Outlining to be superior either or. There is no right or wrong way to plan and write your story.
This is just me putting forth what they are and how I use them for my own writing. I mix. Others pants. Others outline. Yet others used to outline but now pants, while others used to pants but they now outline their stories.
Guys, it's all about you and how you feel when you go to start a story. It's what works for you and for your stories. Don't try to shoehorn yourself into one or the other. Find what works.
And if flying by the pants while you write is your thing, embrace it.
Or if you need to plot out every single little detail of your story, work it! You plan to your hearts content.
Just get those words out. Write that novel that is lurking in your head and your heart and your soul. Do it. Go for it.
Now I'm going back to cursing at this story. I have some rewriting to do.
If you want to, don't forget to follow me at Twitter, on my Facebook Page, or my Tumblr Account! I don't bite and I love to talk with my readers and followers.
Enjoy yourselves you guys! Write. Read. Live!
Monday, August 15, 2016
Post CampNaNo July 2016 and Preparing for NaNo 2016
Today's EarWorm: "End of Me" by Ashes Remain
Today's Date: 8/15/2016
So I had to sit down and really think about what I wanted to write for today's blog.
I drew a blank.
Then I remembered that I had started a list of ideas for future blogs just in case I don't have an idea ready for the next blog. And the first subject on that list? "Preparing for NaNo after Camp". Thus this post was born!
For all of those who follow my twitter (@SLStrailo), you know that I've been working on a series called Murder and Love/Lust (yeah, I still don't know if it's going to end up being love or lust). It's a short piece series set pre-books. Said books really don't have a plot as of yet, but I am working on that.
I have characters. That's part of the harder part of the battle for me when it comes to writing.
But now that it's been a couple of weeks since the end of July's Camp National Novel Writing Month, with me sliding in under the deadline like usual, I'm turning my eye to November and what is going on there.
To be truthful...I have no idea. Absolutely none. Whatever.
No...wait...I have some ideas. But I'm not sure what is going to happen, so we'll have to see.
Let's go over what I have in options.
Thread the Needle
This was actually started as my April 2016 Camp, I think, but it came to a stop because I started working on others and need to figure out just what I'm going to do with it since things are a lot different then our world.
Which is kind of interesting since I'm going to have a lot of people crawling up my ass for messing around with history. But hey, that's the beauty of writing fiction.
The Retail Worker Turned Supernatural Hunter
Again, if you follow my twitter, you've seen me complain about a new series. Originally it was going to be with a homicidal poltergeist, but then I started to get bits for a werewolf and shared those bits.
From there, I changed the plan because I was getting that instead of homicidal poltergeist.
Fun times.
Crimson Shadows Rewrite
Actually I've been meaning to get back to this story but it's always been kind of on the backburner. I just need to pull out the original story and made some more notes about what I want to do with it if I do go with this one.
I know what I want to get to, and have the first three books mostly thought out, but seriously? It's driving me up a wall.
Superhero Series
I'm actually not sure where I'm going to be on book 1 when it comes time but it is on that list to finish it off before working on another story. So we're going to see where I go in the long run.
When My Eyes Close
I started this story last year, but I haven't picked it up yet, but I've been doing a lot of things lately. So it kind of fell off to the wayside while I did some rather...interesting research. I have a lot on my plate but now I have the research done and I know where I'm going (mostly) with this story. It's just going to take a bit of time to do this. Fun times.
Anyways, that's my options and thoughts. So we're going to see what I need to do for the NaNo. I have a couple of months and some time to think about what I'm going to do, much less plan for it. So here's hoping that I get SOMETHING done yes? I can hope. I really can.
Can you hear all of the sighing going on over here? I swear that if I sigh any more someone is going to pop up and ask if I'm yearning for some long lost love.
Or vampires.
Yeah, like I haven't heard that before. >>
Anyways, I'll keep you up to date on what I'm doing in regards to this. Keep an eye on the countdown in the bar next to this post and please feel free to comment. :D
And if you have any ideas for what I should write on these blogs, please, leave a comment with a suggestion!
I tend to answer.
Thank you for your time!
Today's Date: 8/15/2016
So I had to sit down and really think about what I wanted to write for today's blog.
I drew a blank.
Then I remembered that I had started a list of ideas for future blogs just in case I don't have an idea ready for the next blog. And the first subject on that list? "Preparing for NaNo after Camp". Thus this post was born!
For all of those who follow my twitter (@SLStrailo), you know that I've been working on a series called Murder and Love/Lust (yeah, I still don't know if it's going to end up being love or lust). It's a short piece series set pre-books. Said books really don't have a plot as of yet, but I am working on that.
I have characters. That's part of the harder part of the battle for me when it comes to writing.
But now that it's been a couple of weeks since the end of July's Camp National Novel Writing Month, with me sliding in under the deadline like usual, I'm turning my eye to November and what is going on there.
To be truthful...I have no idea. Absolutely none. Whatever.
No...wait...I have some ideas. But I'm not sure what is going to happen, so we'll have to see.
Let's go over what I have in options.
Thread the Needle
This was actually started as my April 2016 Camp, I think, but it came to a stop because I started working on others and need to figure out just what I'm going to do with it since things are a lot different then our world.
Which is kind of interesting since I'm going to have a lot of people crawling up my ass for messing around with history. But hey, that's the beauty of writing fiction.
The Retail Worker Turned Supernatural Hunter
Again, if you follow my twitter, you've seen me complain about a new series. Originally it was going to be with a homicidal poltergeist, but then I started to get bits for a werewolf and shared those bits.
From there, I changed the plan because I was getting that instead of homicidal poltergeist.
Fun times.
Crimson Shadows Rewrite
Actually I've been meaning to get back to this story but it's always been kind of on the backburner. I just need to pull out the original story and made some more notes about what I want to do with it if I do go with this one.
I know what I want to get to, and have the first three books mostly thought out, but seriously? It's driving me up a wall.
Superhero Series
I'm actually not sure where I'm going to be on book 1 when it comes time but it is on that list to finish it off before working on another story. So we're going to see where I go in the long run.
When My Eyes Close
I started this story last year, but I haven't picked it up yet, but I've been doing a lot of things lately. So it kind of fell off to the wayside while I did some rather...interesting research. I have a lot on my plate but now I have the research done and I know where I'm going (mostly) with this story. It's just going to take a bit of time to do this. Fun times.
Anyways, that's my options and thoughts. So we're going to see what I need to do for the NaNo. I have a couple of months and some time to think about what I'm going to do, much less plan for it. So here's hoping that I get SOMETHING done yes? I can hope. I really can.
Can you hear all of the sighing going on over here? I swear that if I sigh any more someone is going to pop up and ask if I'm yearning for some long lost love.
Or vampires.
Yeah, like I haven't heard that before. >>
Anyways, I'll keep you up to date on what I'm doing in regards to this. Keep an eye on the countdown in the bar next to this post and please feel free to comment. :D
And if you have any ideas for what I should write on these blogs, please, leave a comment with a suggestion!
I tend to answer.
Thank you for your time!
Monday, August 8, 2016
What Is Up With My Stories?
Today's Earworm: "Beautiful Loser" or "Strangers" by William Control
Today's Date: August 8, 2016
What is up with my stories?
To be truthful, my muses are being a bit of a bitch. Excuse the language, but I'm sure that you all can forgive me.
This is kind of normal for me though so I'm not too worried. There was a time where I didn't write a single original piece for like a year, but that was while I was rediscovering myself.
It's just gotten to a point where I need to stop thinking of publishing and just write. No more contemplating the future of publishing and all that I need to know. I will get to that point, I really will. But that time is not right now.
Right now I need to turn my focus to writing and finishing stories.
On that note, I'm creating a new series of short pieces under the Murder and Love banner, with the first 16 piece set called Just a Little Murder. It's a horror mystery with a lot of dark themes and the books to come will be much more descriptive.
As it is, in Short Piece 4 there is some rather callous thinking of forced slavery in the BDSM world, but that is the character.
I keep telling people that my stuff can be dark but do they believe me? Nope. Not until I pull something like this out and show them with all attached warnings. It's highly amusing to see their reactions while they read.
Anyways. I have decided that I need to put aside the thoughts of what I'm going to do with the stories when I finish them and just work on finishing them.
With that said, I've decided to work on When My Eyes Close, which is my 2015 NaNo novel, my zombie fic that was inspired by J.A. Marlow and Honey Drops bk 1. I'm plotting them out and have what I want to happen in them pinpointed.
Mostly.
It's taking me time, yes, but then again, everything takes time to happen, so I'm not to worried really.
I am working on several interesting stories, including a "Magical Girl" kind of world, a Magical Modern world, a dystopia that is based off of my story that I handed over to Forward Motion writers for publishing, and a few others, so no worries about that. Actually, you can see the full list of things that I have in the works here.
I'll try and create a newer list here by September, so we'll see how things go with that.
As it is, tomorrow I'm going to be heading over to my friend's place after some last minute shopping for foods so we can go see "Suicide Squad" in theaters. We're picking up some chips, dips, and adult beverages. My local Albertsons has a "Build your own 6 pack" set up for like 10 bucks? Little less than that. And considering there is Smirnoff, various Mike's products, ales, beers and other goodies? Worth it.
Are we going to drink our six packs? No. I'll probably drink one or two and bring the rest home to indulge in over the next few months. I'm odd like that. I rarely drink but when I do I do it sparingly.
Yes, I'm over 21. So yes, I'm legal. More than. Thank you.
But we're going to need something to relax with on the 11th because we're going to be out ALL day on the 10th. Fun times. Really.
Anyways, I hope to see you here next week! Keep an eye out on Fridays for when I start posting my short pieces. :D
Today's Date: August 8, 2016
What is up with my stories?
To be truthful, my muses are being a bit of a bitch. Excuse the language, but I'm sure that you all can forgive me.
This is kind of normal for me though so I'm not too worried. There was a time where I didn't write a single original piece for like a year, but that was while I was rediscovering myself.
It's just gotten to a point where I need to stop thinking of publishing and just write. No more contemplating the future of publishing and all that I need to know. I will get to that point, I really will. But that time is not right now.
Right now I need to turn my focus to writing and finishing stories.
On that note, I'm creating a new series of short pieces under the Murder and Love banner, with the first 16 piece set called Just a Little Murder. It's a horror mystery with a lot of dark themes and the books to come will be much more descriptive.
As it is, in Short Piece 4 there is some rather callous thinking of forced slavery in the BDSM world, but that is the character.
I keep telling people that my stuff can be dark but do they believe me? Nope. Not until I pull something like this out and show them with all attached warnings. It's highly amusing to see their reactions while they read.
Anyways. I have decided that I need to put aside the thoughts of what I'm going to do with the stories when I finish them and just work on finishing them.
With that said, I've decided to work on When My Eyes Close, which is my 2015 NaNo novel, my zombie fic that was inspired by J.A. Marlow and Honey Drops bk 1. I'm plotting them out and have what I want to happen in them pinpointed.
Mostly.
It's taking me time, yes, but then again, everything takes time to happen, so I'm not to worried really.
I am working on several interesting stories, including a "Magical Girl" kind of world, a Magical Modern world, a dystopia that is based off of my story that I handed over to Forward Motion writers for publishing, and a few others, so no worries about that. Actually, you can see the full list of things that I have in the works here.
I'll try and create a newer list here by September, so we'll see how things go with that.
As it is, tomorrow I'm going to be heading over to my friend's place after some last minute shopping for foods so we can go see "Suicide Squad" in theaters. We're picking up some chips, dips, and adult beverages. My local Albertsons has a "Build your own 6 pack" set up for like 10 bucks? Little less than that. And considering there is Smirnoff, various Mike's products, ales, beers and other goodies? Worth it.
Are we going to drink our six packs? No. I'll probably drink one or two and bring the rest home to indulge in over the next few months. I'm odd like that. I rarely drink but when I do I do it sparingly.
Yes, I'm over 21. So yes, I'm legal. More than. Thank you.
But we're going to need something to relax with on the 11th because we're going to be out ALL day on the 10th. Fun times. Really.
Anyways, I hope to see you here next week! Keep an eye out on Fridays for when I start posting my short pieces. :D
Friday, August 5, 2016
Short Pieces and Drabble Information You Need to Know
This is all about the Short Pieces and Drabbles that you will come across on here. This list is randomly updated as I come across things that I should have on this list, so bookmark or watch for when I tell you that I've updated this.
I'm hoping that I remember that each drabble and short pieces of writing needs to have a link to this post so that all new and old readers have an easy way to get to it.
Okay, so let's go down the list.
I don't know when the first drabble will be up, but it will be no later than September 3, 2016.
In General:
I'm hoping that I remember that each drabble and short pieces of writing needs to have a link to this post so that all new and old readers have an easy way to get to it.
Okay, so let's go down the list.
I don't know when the first drabble will be up, but it will be no later than September 3, 2016.
In General:
- I will post every Saturday and link it on my Twitter, Facebook Authors Page, and my Tumblrs Author Page.
- I do not want you to repost this elsewhere. I do not mind if you guys link to this post so please feel free to do so.
- Reviews and comments are a lovely thing.
- With my longer Drabble/short pieces strings (such as with my Murder and Love series), once the string is done, I will do one large post with links to each of the drabbles along with a more cleaned up version of each drabble. This way you can just read it one session without following links.
- I will have other bits that aren't connected, but those will be mostly filler and rather random for whenever I decide to do something different.
- Any pairings are usually slash, or male/male, pairings because that's what I write.
- Read the warnings on each of the posts. Any post with anything graphic or slightly more detailed will have the warnings at the top of the post before the title. I do moderate any comments to a point and if I think if you're being a troll or purposefully ignoring the big bold warnings, then I'm going to remove them.
- Each string will have the links to the first part, the previous piece, and the piece that follows it. This way you can find each of the drabbles as we go along.
- If you find a drabble without a link, please don't be afraid to tell me and I will fix that linking problem.
- I write horror, okay? This means, blood, mind-screwing, hauntings, ghosts, murderers, assassins, death, drugs. All sorts of goodies. Again, read the warnings. I add them to each of my posts after all.
- All of them will range between 400 and 1,200 words in length but will not be any longer than that. Or at least I'm hoping. If I have to, I will cut a part in half to keep the length down.
About the "Murder and Love" Series:
- Murder and Love actually started because of one line that is found at the very start of the first drabble in this world. The first set called Just a Little Murder is rather on the darker side. Since it uses assassins as main characters, this is true.
- There is some sex, but nothing too explicit.
- There is an insane character killing his one-night stand in part 9 of Just a Little Murder, but again, there are warnings.
- Please take your time and discover this world because it's looking like this might be a full on series that these short pieces are going to be a part of.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Camp National Novel Writing Month July - 7/25 to 7/30 and Final Thoughts
Today's EarWorm: "Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots
Today's Date: August 1, 2016
July 25, 2016
Words Gained Today: 1,898
Total Words Today: 32,211
Thoughts and Notes:
So, wow. Today was good to me. Or at least mostly good to me. I got up kind of late (because I went to bed kind of late, so whoospies), and started to write. It took me some time and a lot of cursing, but I did get the words down! Which is awesome since I just have over 2K to write and I can easily do that in a couple of days.
So that's what I'm going to do in the morning. I'm going to write. I am also, hopefully, going to get a few more of my short pieces written down. Hopefully.
And figure out what my plans for the next few Monday blog posts are. Joy.
July 26, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
7:06PM:
I have no idea what I'm going to say so I'll just list them off.
1: I have written another short piece for my future blog story bits. It's got big bold warnings at the top. Can't say I don't warn the shit out of you.
2: My back is full on "Fuck you, bitch" mode because I dared to sneeze. going to write a blog about being a spoonie and a writer. Not sure how that will turn out.
Might see it come next week. We'll see how it goes.
July 27, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: --
Thoughts and Notes:
See the 28th's post
July 28, 2016
Words Gained Today: 3,340
Total Words Today: 35,551
Thoughts and Notes:
I have made it over the hurdle of a muse not wanting to work with me. Please ignore the cursing muse. She has a large amount of hot chocolate, coffee and tea at her disposal along with several treats that she is allowed to have.
Now, what happened to me getting my word count done before the 27th as I usually do?
Well...my muse wanted to play with an interesting story subject that kind of formed from my Magical world. I have a duology/series (still trying to decide on what will happen past books 1 and 2 so it might just be a duology) that is very much a tumblr inspired series but with my own interesting twist. Well me and a fellow writer in the Forward Motion chat room got to talking about sexualities. I.E. asexuality, demisexuality, aromanticism, demi-romanticism, and so on.
Which sparked a rather interesting idea for a character who is an asexual witch who practices sex magic and how that would work for this character since they need the sex.
The rituals never said that the sex had to be fun while they were doing it after all. So it's going to be an interesting exercise in presenting this character without pissing everyone off. Because no, the sex in this book will not be for the fun of it between two characters. Rather it's for magical purposes.
It's like sacrificing an animal, fruits or other items to whoever they are calling to this character. It needs to be done for their magic to its job. Simple as that.
So I'm doing more research into asexuality.
Thus my muse wandered off to try to play with this idea. Luckily I got it under control and working on this last bit because I have a mini story (such stories are usually between 5 and 15 chapters in length) that is prodding at my brain so I'm going to go start that.
Get it out of my head for a while.
But I'm happy to have gotten my validation done and in and all that good shit! Hurrah me.
For July 29 and July 30th, please see my final Thoughts and Notes down below.
Final Thoughts and Notes:
What to say about this last month? Cause really? There isn't much TO say about it.
This month has been full of lots of ups and downs, both in my writing and in my personal life. I have been helping a friend get past the loss of the last family member that really cared for her while we wait for her therapy place to have another opening to get anti-depressants again. Which is hard enough to do when you're not doing good as it is, but this is just that much harder.
I've also been editing and fiddling around with a few videos that need to be posted but that does take time to do. Which kind of sucks but it happens.
I did get a story done, which is nice. Even though I wanted to get further into one of my stories, but that happens sometimes. For now though I'm doing a few days of rewriting to give my creative brain a bit of a rest.
I have been doing next to nothing but writing.
My head hurts and I'm exhausted. But this is normal.
Yes, I did get my verification in and I did get my goodies. Which makes me happy.
Now, mind you, I'm not normal when it comes to the amount of wins versus losses in that I have yet to lose a Camp or a Nano. I don't have much of a life outside of my writing okay? I really don't. Mostly due to the fact that I do have issues being around other humans and crowds, and getting around.
So to all those who have done this round, win or lose, congratulations on having joined us in this insanity that is Camp National Novel Writing Month.
See you in November for National Novel Writing Month!
Today's Date: August 1, 2016
July 25, 2016
Words Gained Today: 1,898
Total Words Today: 32,211
Thoughts and Notes:
So, wow. Today was good to me. Or at least mostly good to me. I got up kind of late (because I went to bed kind of late, so whoospies), and started to write. It took me some time and a lot of cursing, but I did get the words down! Which is awesome since I just have over 2K to write and I can easily do that in a couple of days.
So that's what I'm going to do in the morning. I'm going to write. I am also, hopefully, going to get a few more of my short pieces written down. Hopefully.
And figure out what my plans for the next few Monday blog posts are. Joy.
July 26, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
7:06PM:
I have no idea what I'm going to say so I'll just list them off.
1: I have written another short piece for my future blog story bits. It's got big bold warnings at the top. Can't say I don't warn the shit out of you.
2: My back is full on "Fuck you, bitch" mode because I dared to sneeze. going to write a blog about being a spoonie and a writer. Not sure how that will turn out.
Might see it come next week. We'll see how it goes.
July 27, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: --
Thoughts and Notes:
See the 28th's post
July 28, 2016
Words Gained Today: 3,340
Total Words Today: 35,551
Thoughts and Notes:
I have made it over the hurdle of a muse not wanting to work with me. Please ignore the cursing muse. She has a large amount of hot chocolate, coffee and tea at her disposal along with several treats that she is allowed to have.
Now, what happened to me getting my word count done before the 27th as I usually do?
Well...my muse wanted to play with an interesting story subject that kind of formed from my Magical world. I have a duology/series (still trying to decide on what will happen past books 1 and 2 so it might just be a duology) that is very much a tumblr inspired series but with my own interesting twist. Well me and a fellow writer in the Forward Motion chat room got to talking about sexualities. I.E. asexuality, demisexuality, aromanticism, demi-romanticism, and so on.
Which sparked a rather interesting idea for a character who is an asexual witch who practices sex magic and how that would work for this character since they need the sex.
The rituals never said that the sex had to be fun while they were doing it after all. So it's going to be an interesting exercise in presenting this character without pissing everyone off. Because no, the sex in this book will not be for the fun of it between two characters. Rather it's for magical purposes.
It's like sacrificing an animal, fruits or other items to whoever they are calling to this character. It needs to be done for their magic to its job. Simple as that.
So I'm doing more research into asexuality.
Thus my muse wandered off to try to play with this idea. Luckily I got it under control and working on this last bit because I have a mini story (such stories are usually between 5 and 15 chapters in length) that is prodding at my brain so I'm going to go start that.
Get it out of my head for a while.
But I'm happy to have gotten my validation done and in and all that good shit! Hurrah me.
For July 29 and July 30th, please see my final Thoughts and Notes down below.
Final Thoughts and Notes:
What to say about this last month? Cause really? There isn't much TO say about it.
This month has been full of lots of ups and downs, both in my writing and in my personal life. I have been helping a friend get past the loss of the last family member that really cared for her while we wait for her therapy place to have another opening to get anti-depressants again. Which is hard enough to do when you're not doing good as it is, but this is just that much harder.
I've also been editing and fiddling around with a few videos that need to be posted but that does take time to do. Which kind of sucks but it happens.
I did get a story done, which is nice. Even though I wanted to get further into one of my stories, but that happens sometimes. For now though I'm doing a few days of rewriting to give my creative brain a bit of a rest.
I have been doing next to nothing but writing.
My head hurts and I'm exhausted. But this is normal.
Yes, I did get my verification in and I did get my goodies. Which makes me happy.
Now, mind you, I'm not normal when it comes to the amount of wins versus losses in that I have yet to lose a Camp or a Nano. I don't have much of a life outside of my writing okay? I really don't. Mostly due to the fact that I do have issues being around other humans and crowds, and getting around.
So to all those who have done this round, win or lose, congratulations on having joined us in this insanity that is Camp National Novel Writing Month.
See you in November for National Novel Writing Month!
Monday, July 25, 2016
Camp National Novel Writing Month July - 7/18 to 7/24
Today's EarWorm: "Wear Me Out" by Skylar Grry
Today's Date: July 25, 2016
July 18, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
2:47AM:
I am exhausted. Drained. But I'm still up and working on a story. Which is about normal for me. I have gotten some words, so we'll see how I do with the rest of this rewrite on this long smutty smut.
Like 8 pages worth of smut okay? I'm on page 3. I'm sighing and whining so hard right now.
Just...*headdesks* Yeah.
July 19, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 21092
Thoughts and Notes:
I had an early morning appointment. I'm exhausted. I'm going to go to sleep now. Yes, without words. The next few months are going to drive me insane. *sighs*
July 20, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
8:37PM:
Hmm, let's see. I have gotten a chapter written (hurrah) and it's time to move to write something naughty. It's liable to add minimum 2K to my word count. To be honest? I'm still exhausted so I might crash out early again and see if I can't get some sleep in. Then get up tomorrow and write.
But for now I'm going to write. Here I go!
July 21, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 22500
Thoughts and Notes:
See the 23ed edition.
July 22, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 22500
Thoughts and Notes:
See the 23ed Edition.
July 23, 2016
Words Gained Today: 3,377
Total Words Today:26,967
Thoughts and Notes:
9:04 PM
I am not even going to try to fill in what I was thinking during the last couple of days because most of the last two days was spent in a pain filled or drugged up filled daze. I'm sure those of you who follow my twitter account saw that yes, I was working on a chapter. But since it was kind of an erotic scene and I was in pain, it took me until today to get it down and out.
Which really kind of set me back. Luckily, it was over 2K and I was able to get it down. Right now I'm working my way through a rewrite that I started but had to stop because I needed more than just a couple hundred words. But that's about normal for me.
I'm still tired. Still in pain. And very much want it to be the 10th of August so I can hang out with my best friend and go see "Suicide Squad". But I'll continue to wait.
And watch horror movies from South Korea because I love their horror movies.
11PM
Had to re-add all my word counts and figure out what my final word count was. Which was actually in the 26K+ range, so that helped me out a lot.
I am so glad that I keep such detailed wordcount information. I really am.
July 24, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
9:25PM
I am sitting here working on creating a series of drabbles and short pieces for Saturday postings. The first series is going to be called Just a Little Murder and it's actually spawning its own book series. The entire series (both book and short pieces) will be called Murder and Love (or Lust later on. We'll have to see how it goes in the long run.).
So be on the lookout for that. I have 16 short pieces that are currently ranging from 400 to 650 words a piece, and for the information post about what is going on with my short pieces and drabbles.
I'm actually really happy with how this world is coming together, but just remember, the Murder and Love/Lust series are pre-book, and just help fill in some information I'm thinking. That and giving me and you, the reader, a feel for the world.
But I also got a full chapter written. The drabbles alone gave me 1,677 words, but this newest chapter gave me another 1,671 words. So yay!
I'm going to go edit a few things, set up a few chapters for other things, plot the next set in the Murder and Love/Lust series, and maybe fiddle around with some rewriting since I'm now ahead in my word count.
We'll see.
Today's Date: July 25, 2016
July 18, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
2:47AM:
I am exhausted. Drained. But I'm still up and working on a story. Which is about normal for me. I have gotten some words, so we'll see how I do with the rest of this rewrite on this long smutty smut.
Like 8 pages worth of smut okay? I'm on page 3. I'm sighing and whining so hard right now.
Just...*headdesks* Yeah.
July 19, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 21092
Thoughts and Notes:
I had an early morning appointment. I'm exhausted. I'm going to go to sleep now. Yes, without words. The next few months are going to drive me insane. *sighs*
July 20, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
8:37PM:
Hmm, let's see. I have gotten a chapter written (hurrah) and it's time to move to write something naughty. It's liable to add minimum 2K to my word count. To be honest? I'm still exhausted so I might crash out early again and see if I can't get some sleep in. Then get up tomorrow and write.
But for now I'm going to write. Here I go!
July 21, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 22500
Thoughts and Notes:
See the 23ed edition.
July 22, 2016
Words Gained Today: 0
Total Words Today: 22500
Thoughts and Notes:
See the 23ed Edition.
July 23, 2016
Words Gained Today: 3,377
Total Words Today:26,967
Thoughts and Notes:
9:04 PM
I am not even going to try to fill in what I was thinking during the last couple of days because most of the last two days was spent in a pain filled or drugged up filled daze. I'm sure those of you who follow my twitter account saw that yes, I was working on a chapter. But since it was kind of an erotic scene and I was in pain, it took me until today to get it down and out.
Which really kind of set me back. Luckily, it was over 2K and I was able to get it down. Right now I'm working my way through a rewrite that I started but had to stop because I needed more than just a couple hundred words. But that's about normal for me.
I'm still tired. Still in pain. And very much want it to be the 10th of August so I can hang out with my best friend and go see "Suicide Squad". But I'll continue to wait.
And watch horror movies from South Korea because I love their horror movies.
11PM
Had to re-add all my word counts and figure out what my final word count was. Which was actually in the 26K+ range, so that helped me out a lot.
I am so glad that I keep such detailed wordcount information. I really am.
July 24, 2016
Words Gained Today:
Total Words Today:
Thoughts and Notes:
9:25PM
I am sitting here working on creating a series of drabbles and short pieces for Saturday postings. The first series is going to be called Just a Little Murder and it's actually spawning its own book series. The entire series (both book and short pieces) will be called Murder and Love (or Lust later on. We'll have to see how it goes in the long run.).
So be on the lookout for that. I have 16 short pieces that are currently ranging from 400 to 650 words a piece, and for the information post about what is going on with my short pieces and drabbles.
I'm actually really happy with how this world is coming together, but just remember, the Murder and Love/Lust series are pre-book, and just help fill in some information I'm thinking. That and giving me and you, the reader, a feel for the world.
But I also got a full chapter written. The drabbles alone gave me 1,677 words, but this newest chapter gave me another 1,671 words. So yay!
I'm going to go edit a few things, set up a few chapters for other things, plot the next set in the Murder and Love/Lust series, and maybe fiddle around with some rewriting since I'm now ahead in my word count.
We'll see.
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