I have two immediate coworkers. One has started reading more often, and as such has spread the fire to me and our other coworker. So far, I've only read one book that they've both read. It was called "The Woman in the Window." I enjoyed it well enough, although I don't think I would have chosen it as a book to read on my own. Like the other gal pals of mine, I found the plot twists surprising, but the writing of the final twist felt a little rushed. I felt like it could have been written with language that was a little more parallel to the set up.
The personal resurgence in reading has motivated me to fall back into utilizing my "Something Old, Something New, Something Random, Something True" routine. The book previously mentioned was published in 2018 and I happened to be rereading The Mill on the Floss. I next picked up a copy of Ender's Game (a second copy, unbeknownst to myself until I started reading, but it was $1 and my other copy was/is still packed away) and the other night I put away some of my nonfiction books from the boxes from a year ago, so I chose a book my mom got me for my birthday a few years ago. It's on par with other books my mom has gifted/loaned me: subpar.
Tonight, I have begun to come back to my writing group. Just in time for Camp NaNo next month. And, like so many other months, I've got an idea! I'm going to do some autobiographical humorous stories/essays. In the next few days, once this flooding news has come down a bit, I'm going to pose a question to my facebook friends and ask which is their favorite of the stories that I tell. I think. I may make those decisions on my own. Perhaps, I should do that, anyway.
Definitely going to include when my roommate bought a couch and we tried carrying it in the trunk of a car. Also needing to include the story of my golden birthday turning into a spontaneous moving party for a stranger. (Well, technically a coworker of one my friends, but she was the only one who knew the person.) Will need to also include an essay on each of my vehicles: Clarence, the T-bird that my friend backed into in her driveway when she was taking me out to teach me stick shift; Casey the Cutlass, the grandma car I ended up driving around with one and half spinners; Pamela the Pontiac, who went through two timing chains and was paid off on my birthday; Lucille the minivan I bought for $500 on my birthday and drove for three years; LuAnn, my current van that I bought with $100 and my tax return. That ought to keep me busy enough for the month of April. I'll need to save something for July and November!
Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo. Show all posts
2019-03-16
2015-11-12
Writing Journal
Today, while I was at work, I came up with a great line. For a book and a story that is not the one that I am currently writing. I mean, I may be able to work it into some memories of Grandma Betty's, but that's about it. It just doesn't sound like anyone else. And, since Chiraq and Grandma Betty were both going as far as Chicago, there's no real need for me to bring in any more characters, like I've been doing between Sacramento and Salt Lake (which is the stop I'll be writing about tonight. It'll be interesting to take the story off the train for a while.)
I'm considering putting it up for adoption on the appellation station, but I selfishly want to keep the line for myself for a future story. One that actually involves a budding romance.
"S/he went from not trying to flirt with him/her to trying not to flirt with him/her."
Maybe used as a direct quote in dialogue as two characters discuss their relationship: I went from not trying to flirt with you to trying to not flirt with you.
It's beautiful, and I just want to use it, but I can't!!!!!
On the plus side, I thought I was going to have to drive to Norfolk to write again, but then one of my coworkers invited me over to use her kitchen table and keep her company while she makes a cheesecake. She said those were her plans, and I said that mine were to try and find a place to write 10k words (really closer to 6k) tonight. She said, "How about my kitchen table?" I said, "Ok. I'll give you my number and you can text me your address."
That's how my life works, people.
I'm considering putting it up for adoption on the appellation station, but I selfishly want to keep the line for myself for a future story. One that actually involves a budding romance.
"S/he went from not trying to flirt with him/her to trying not to flirt with him/her."
Maybe used as a direct quote in dialogue as two characters discuss their relationship: I went from not trying to flirt with you to trying to not flirt with you.
It's beautiful, and I just want to use it, but I can't!!!!!
On the plus side, I thought I was going to have to drive to Norfolk to write again, but then one of my coworkers invited me over to use her kitchen table and keep her company while she makes a cheesecake. She said those were her plans, and I said that mine were to try and find a place to write 10k words (really closer to 6k) tonight. She said, "How about my kitchen table?" I said, "Ok. I'll give you my number and you can text me your address."
That's how my life works, people.
2015-11-03
Writing Journal
Craaaaaaaaap.
In February of 2014, I took the train from Omaha to SLC and back. The return trip is the entire basis for my novel. I've known since it happened that this story needs to be told, and now I'm wishing I had actually finished it last year. Because.....one of the people I met on the train introduced himself as "Chiraq." That's what he asked us to call him because, in his own words, the part of Chicago (south side) he was from was more violent that Iraq. When I asked him what he did for work (as a small talk question), he said that he was in the, uh, distribution business. (nudge, nudge) One of my college classmates posted a status about how he wasn't going to "knock Chi-raq" until he had "seen it." Figuring it was a movie, I went to imdb, and, sho' enough, that was one of the featured trailers on the site. Directed by Spike Lee, due to come out December 4. A modern-day adaptation of the Greek play "Lysistrata" about the violence in Chicago's Southside.
One more odd bit of insight about tonight's learned lesson is that I was on the floor in the living room, avoiding writing, and realizing just how white-washed my movie collection is. The only movies I have that my MC could possibly even come close to identifying with is Akeelah the Bee and Drumline, which stars Nick Cannon, who is playing the character Chi-raq in the movie.
....and now, after a bit more research into the term, I've found some homework to do.
Namely, watching this.
I also have to put up my map to track Lawrence's journey by train and I realized today at work that I forgot to assign them all families. Like, I know that Lawrence has an older brother who doesn't live with their mom and I think a younger sibling or two, Chiraq has step grandkids, and Zoeyanna has a younger brother, a stepdad, and a mother. But do they have names? Not yet in my NaNo world.
And I also only have only about half of the timeline up on my wall/storyboard. Have to finish that before too long.
Yeeesh.
In February of 2014, I took the train from Omaha to SLC and back. The return trip is the entire basis for my novel. I've known since it happened that this story needs to be told, and now I'm wishing I had actually finished it last year. Because.....one of the people I met on the train introduced himself as "Chiraq." That's what he asked us to call him because, in his own words, the part of Chicago (south side) he was from was more violent that Iraq. When I asked him what he did for work (as a small talk question), he said that he was in the, uh, distribution business. (nudge, nudge) One of my college classmates posted a status about how he wasn't going to "knock Chi-raq" until he had "seen it." Figuring it was a movie, I went to imdb, and, sho' enough, that was one of the featured trailers on the site. Directed by Spike Lee, due to come out December 4. A modern-day adaptation of the Greek play "Lysistrata" about the violence in Chicago's Southside.
One more odd bit of insight about tonight's learned lesson is that I was on the floor in the living room, avoiding writing, and realizing just how white-washed my movie collection is. The only movies I have that my MC could possibly even come close to identifying with is Akeelah the Bee and Drumline, which stars Nick Cannon, who is playing the character Chi-raq in the movie.
....and now, after a bit more research into the term, I've found some homework to do.
Namely, watching this.
I also have to put up my map to track Lawrence's journey by train and I realized today at work that I forgot to assign them all families. Like, I know that Lawrence has an older brother who doesn't live with their mom and I think a younger sibling or two, Chiraq has step grandkids, and Zoeyanna has a younger brother, a stepdad, and a mother. But do they have names? Not yet in my NaNo world.
And I also only have only about half of the timeline up on my wall/storyboard. Have to finish that before too long.
Yeeesh.
2015-10-26
Writing Journal
I'm doing NaNoWriMo prep, which, right now, means cruising the forums.
One of the reasons FFaD failed last year is because I tried telling Lawrence's story from my perspective. I can't. I wasn't there with him before or after I got on the train, you know? I can't tell his experience from my perspective. I have to tell his story from his POV. But, I've never been a seventeen year old black kid in Detroit. I've actually done quite a bit of research about this, and have come to terms with the fact that I can imagine myself in his shoes. I can do a lot of research into how someone with his demographic makeup might act or react to certain things. That part, I'm getting to feel confident about. Maybe not comfortable, but confident. If that distinction makes any sense.
There is still one problem, though. Really, it's just one word. It's when the climax hits him, he reacts by mumbling, "Nigga gotta lie down," repeatedly. I don't feel comfortable or confident using that word. It makes me nervous even here, on my own little blog. I don't like that word. I don't use it, I don't like hearing it, but I generally feel the same way about most other heavy cuss words. (The difference is, those cross my thoughts on rare occasions.)
But, as a white, female author, I feel like I need to ask the black community for permission to use that word. I feel like I need to get someone's stamp of approval before I quote him on that. Even if there were one person or organization to grant me that permission, it wouldn't be easy because even within the black community, there are mixed feelings about that word. Some people feel it's acceptable use is based upon whose mouth it comes out of. Some feel it's not acceptable in mixed race company (i.e., black people will say it around their black friends but not their white friends). Some people want to do away with all forms of the word (with and without the hard "r" sound at the end).
I foresee many more sleepless nights trying to figure out if "Brother gotta lie down" packs the same punch. I want to be authentic, but I also want to be positive and not perpetuate anything offensive. Overall, I expect to portray Lawrence as a kind, loyal young man with potential for good works, even though he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Because that's how I saw him. But now I feel like I'm "justifying" my use of that word. I don't know; maybe disillusioned Chiraq can give him a talk about not using that word in front of white people.
I don't want people to dismiss the entire work because of that one word. But I don't want to dilute the experience, nor do I want to censor the characters. Like, if that's what he's would (did) say, that's what he should say, right?
*sigh*
Like I said, many more sleepless nights.
One of the reasons FFaD failed last year is because I tried telling Lawrence's story from my perspective. I can't. I wasn't there with him before or after I got on the train, you know? I can't tell his experience from my perspective. I have to tell his story from his POV. But, I've never been a seventeen year old black kid in Detroit. I've actually done quite a bit of research about this, and have come to terms with the fact that I can imagine myself in his shoes. I can do a lot of research into how someone with his demographic makeup might act or react to certain things. That part, I'm getting to feel confident about. Maybe not comfortable, but confident. If that distinction makes any sense.
There is still one problem, though. Really, it's just one word. It's when the climax hits him, he reacts by mumbling, "Nigga gotta lie down," repeatedly. I don't feel comfortable or confident using that word. It makes me nervous even here, on my own little blog. I don't like that word. I don't use it, I don't like hearing it, but I generally feel the same way about most other heavy cuss words. (The difference is, those cross my thoughts on rare occasions.)
But, as a white, female author, I feel like I need to ask the black community for permission to use that word. I feel like I need to get someone's stamp of approval before I quote him on that. Even if there were one person or organization to grant me that permission, it wouldn't be easy because even within the black community, there are mixed feelings about that word. Some people feel it's acceptable use is based upon whose mouth it comes out of. Some feel it's not acceptable in mixed race company (i.e., black people will say it around their black friends but not their white friends). Some people want to do away with all forms of the word (with and without the hard "r" sound at the end).
I foresee many more sleepless nights trying to figure out if "Brother gotta lie down" packs the same punch. I want to be authentic, but I also want to be positive and not perpetuate anything offensive. Overall, I expect to portray Lawrence as a kind, loyal young man with potential for good works, even though he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Because that's how I saw him. But now I feel like I'm "justifying" my use of that word. I don't know; maybe disillusioned Chiraq can give him a talk about not using that word in front of white people.
I don't want people to dismiss the entire work because of that one word. But I don't want to dilute the experience, nor do I want to censor the characters. Like, if that's what he's would (did) say, that's what he should say, right?
*sigh*
Like I said, many more sleepless nights.
2014-11-26
Writing Journal
Long story short, I've failed NaNoWriMo this year.
I'm only recording my excuses/reasons so I can do my best to not repeat them.
1. I didn't prep as well as I needed to in October. This includes my outline and my writing space(s).
2. I got off to a slow start. I let a few consecutive days go by without writing.
3. I got sick. A nasty cold knocked me out for about 5 full days. It probably only would have been 2 or 3 were I in a position to call sick to work.
4. I didn't set word count goals or a reward system. This probably falls under not planning well.
5. I didn't create a support base. At best, 5 people I come face to face with knew about my challenge. No one was asking me how I was doing or telling me they wanted to read it when I was done. Which is sad, because I might actually have let them with this one.
I'm only recording my excuses/reasons so I can do my best to not repeat them.
1. I didn't prep as well as I needed to in October. This includes my outline and my writing space(s).
2. I got off to a slow start. I let a few consecutive days go by without writing.
3. I got sick. A nasty cold knocked me out for about 5 full days. It probably only would have been 2 or 3 were I in a position to call sick to work.
4. I didn't set word count goals or a reward system. This probably falls under not planning well.
5. I didn't create a support base. At best, 5 people I come face to face with knew about my challenge. No one was asking me how I was doing or telling me they wanted to read it when I was done. Which is sad, because I might actually have let them with this one.
2014-09-20
Writing Journal
Well, I've started thinking about NaNo for this year. I recently moved to a place that is 90 minutes from any WriMo region, which means I'm equally viable in the Nebraska: Omaha, Lincoln, or Elsewhere regions. Since I have a few remaining ties to Sioux City, I'd probably get along there, too, since it falls into that 90 minute web.
My point in explaining all that isn't to showcase the "where do I want to pledge my allegiance" question, but because the Municipal Liaison (captain) who led both the Lincoln and Elsewhere regions has bowed out for this year. She'll still be participating, but I guess being President of the Nebraska Writer's Guild, managing a bakery, and going through chemo is a bit much. So they're looking. For someone. And I'll admit: I'm tempted.
Also, I'm preparing my fourth church-related speaking assignment since November. It'll be my first time speaking with interpreters for Spanish-speaking members of the congregation.
2014-04-11
Writing Journal
I'm still struggling a little bit with my keyboard. Especially the shift key, the apostrophe/quotation mark key and the sensitivity of the keys. Sometimes I get more than I bargained for and sometimes I'm halfway through the word before I realize it didn't recognize my tap on one of the letters.
This wouldn't be so bad if I were writing in word, which auto corrects a lot of those kinds of errors, but I'm not. Which is slowing me down significantly. The NaNo gurus are all like "don't edit as you go, not even typos," but they do not understand how utterly gruesome it would be to read what would appear as a result. I'll give you an example, using a very well-known first line of a novel.
"It i sa truth universally ackknowledged, thaht a single man in posession of a good fortune, must be in wawnt of a wife.?"
Could you imagine 80 pages like that?
Um, that would be a big, fat NO.
As such, I signed up for free typing tests online at www.typingweb.com
When I hit blocks, I go there and keep my fingers limber, especially that right pinky.
This wouldn't be so bad if I were writing in word, which auto corrects a lot of those kinds of errors, but I'm not. Which is slowing me down significantly. The NaNo gurus are all like "don't edit as you go, not even typos," but they do not understand how utterly gruesome it would be to read what would appear as a result. I'll give you an example, using a very well-known first line of a novel.
"It i sa truth universally ackknowledged, thaht a single man in posession of a good fortune, must be in wawnt of a wife.?"
Could you imagine 80 pages like that?
Um, that would be a big, fat NO.
As such, I signed up for free typing tests online at www.typingweb.com
When I hit blocks, I go there and keep my fingers limber, especially that right pinky.
2014-03-06
Writing Journal
Long story short, I took a vacation from Omaha to the SLC metro area at the end of February. Knowing that I wanted it to be relaxing (and nervous that I would get distracted by the beauty of the mountains and accidentally drive myself off a cliff) and having no desire to deal with the hassles of airlines (also, it was February and I didn't want to risk cancellations), I decided to cross a thing off the bucket list and take a train.
Best decision I could have made. Will probably blog about it at some point.
The ride from Salt Lake back to Omaha...I can think of no single word to describe it. The cast of characters is absurd and gave me the idea for a story. I can't help but tell it, in novel (or at least NaNoWriMo) form. Thank goodness for Camp NaNo in April! The cast of characters is small (Terrence, Grandma Betty, Helen, and Chiraq) but vibrant. The scenery is mundane enveloped in the grandiose, and the climax is astounding.
My intention is to stay true to the events that happened on the train, and give wide speculation as to each individuals interpretation of those events, as well as their backgrounds. I'm going to title it "Family for a Day." I haven't decided as of yet how I want to format the story. I'm going to be oing a lot of reading in March to help me figure it out.
Do I want each character to have their own section for each plot point? Or do I want to tell it third person omniscient? Do I want to introduce their backgrounds straight away, or interweave those details into the storyline?
So many questions, and not much time to answer them!
Best decision I could have made. Will probably blog about it at some point.
The ride from Salt Lake back to Omaha...I can think of no single word to describe it. The cast of characters is absurd and gave me the idea for a story. I can't help but tell it, in novel (or at least NaNoWriMo) form. Thank goodness for Camp NaNo in April! The cast of characters is small (Terrence, Grandma Betty, Helen, and Chiraq) but vibrant. The scenery is mundane enveloped in the grandiose, and the climax is astounding.
My intention is to stay true to the events that happened on the train, and give wide speculation as to each individuals interpretation of those events, as well as their backgrounds. I'm going to title it "Family for a Day." I haven't decided as of yet how I want to format the story. I'm going to be oing a lot of reading in March to help me figure it out.
Do I want each character to have their own section for each plot point? Or do I want to tell it third person omniscient? Do I want to introduce their backgrounds straight away, or interweave those details into the storyline?
So many questions, and not much time to answer them!
2013-11-18
Reading/Writing Journal
Reading....
I anticipate being able to do more of this now that I have a job that allows me to read while I'm working. (I'm a personal care companion for the elderly, so I can read after they've gone to bed, so long as I'm attentive to their needs.)
Writing....
Was over a week behind on NaNo, due to this.
Have made significant progress. Still haven't hit any of my word count goals, though.
My next one is for 30k by EOD tomorrow, which I probably won't hit. I'm only at 21k. Thanks to Friday, I know I can write 11k in a day (much to the displeasure of my wrists), but....I have to work from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. tonight and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, then go straight to the temple.
After which I will come home and promptly go to bed. Yoishka.
I anticipate being able to do more of this now that I have a job that allows me to read while I'm working. (I'm a personal care companion for the elderly, so I can read after they've gone to bed, so long as I'm attentive to their needs.)
Writing....
Was over a week behind on NaNo, due to this.
Have made significant progress. Still haven't hit any of my word count goals, though.
My next one is for 30k by EOD tomorrow, which I probably won't hit. I'm only at 21k. Thanks to Friday, I know I can write 11k in a day (much to the displeasure of my wrists), but....I have to work from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. tonight and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, then go straight to the temple.
After which I will come home and promptly go to bed. Yoishka.
2013-11-07
Reading/Writing Journal
I kinda got burned out on reading. I've had bookmarks in "Temples from on High" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for...oh,....probably at least a month now. I'm a little more than half way through the latter and not quite half way through the former. I was hoping to be in Cather and have finished a reread of Card so I can go see Ender's Game in the theater.
I'm trying my hands at NaNoWriMo again this year. I was going to do literary fiction with a story about multigenerational friendships built on common faith. But then life issues crowded my brain. Including writing a ten minute extemporaneous speech to be given this Sunday in front of about 1500 people.
So I set aside the litfic in favor of YA, which may or may not prove semi autobiographical, with an extra shot of Lizzie Bennett into the main character, Shelby.
I'm super far behind at 1,367.
I'm trying my hands at NaNoWriMo again this year. I was going to do literary fiction with a story about multigenerational friendships built on common faith. But then life issues crowded my brain. Including writing a ten minute extemporaneous speech to be given this Sunday in front of about 1500 people.
So I set aside the litfic in favor of YA, which may or may not prove semi autobiographical, with an extra shot of Lizzie Bennett into the main character, Shelby.
I'm super far behind at 1,367.
2013-07-11
Writing Journal
I would say my experience with Camp NaNo is successful so far. I say successful in that I'm deeply connecting with my plot and characters. I'm not even that far behind in my page count goals when I think about it. We're about 35% through the month, and I'm at about 30% of my page count goal. Don't have any setting studies yet, though.
I've made two discoveries this round, the first being how useful the NaNo forums are. It's good for my story, and I really like being able to help other people with their writing and story problems, too.
The second discovery is something that I'm glad is happening during the planning stages rather than the writing stages. I am shocked at how much my story has evolved. I originally thought it would be about 2 young professionals growing together (probably romantically) with the aid (and comic relief) of a sassy Korean war vet.
Now my story is looking to be more about that sassy widower and his widowed friend developing a relationshp (platonic at this point). I'm currently undecided about how involved they themselves will be in the development of a relationship between her grandson and a young woman the vet has a connection to. (The relationship will happen; I'm just not sure how cognizant of it I want the older pair to be.)
Trivia: the character of the war vet is based on a man I know in real life. I met him about 6 months ago when I started working in the temple, and it hasn't been until recently that he could remember my last name. About a week ago, he took to lightheardedly calling me by the last name of "Cedarmore" to help him remember. It was such a hit amongst our peers (yes, a widowered Korean war vet and I have peers; how amazingly bizarre is my life?!) that one of them commented it was such a nice last name, she might accidentally think it actually was my name. That's when I decided to use it as "his" character's last name.
I've made two discoveries this round, the first being how useful the NaNo forums are. It's good for my story, and I really like being able to help other people with their writing and story problems, too.
The second discovery is something that I'm glad is happening during the planning stages rather than the writing stages. I am shocked at how much my story has evolved. I originally thought it would be about 2 young professionals growing together (probably romantically) with the aid (and comic relief) of a sassy Korean war vet.
Now my story is looking to be more about that sassy widower and his widowed friend developing a relationshp (platonic at this point). I'm currently undecided about how involved they themselves will be in the development of a relationship between her grandson and a young woman the vet has a connection to. (The relationship will happen; I'm just not sure how cognizant of it I want the older pair to be.)
Trivia: the character of the war vet is based on a man I know in real life. I met him about 6 months ago when I started working in the temple, and it hasn't been until recently that he could remember my last name. About a week ago, he took to lightheardedly calling me by the last name of "Cedarmore" to help him remember. It was such a hit amongst our peers (yes, a widowered Korean war vet and I have peers; how amazingly bizarre is my life?!) that one of them commented it was such a nice last name, she might accidentally think it actually was my name. That's when I decided to use it as "his" character's last name.
2013-06-29
Writing Journal
Yes, I still do these.
July is another Camp NaNo. Between November and April, I learned that I am more successful as a planner than a pantser.
I really like what NaNoWriMo did for me and for my life. I think it's something that I'll like every year. It helps me revert from a social butterfly back into my social cocoon. To clarify, it helps people around me adapt to my absence for a few months. Writing a novel is a more concrete reason to not attend a social gathering than something as abstract as a mental disorder. (I don't know why, but that sounds icky to me. Society, can we plese do something about the stigma of all mental disorders? Thanks.) Both are quite legit, but one requires far less exploitation.
Anyway...just as I intend to partake in NaNoWriMo for years to come, I hereby state my intentions to use July's Camp NaNo as a planning month.
By the end of this July, I hope to have:
Anyway...just as I intend to partake in NaNoWriMo for years to come, I hereby state my intentions to use July's Camp NaNo as a planning month.
By the end of this July, I hope to have:
- 15 pages of plot outline (with the distinct possibility of chapter divisions)
- 10 pages of character analysis
- 5 pages of setting studiees
2013-04-02
Reading Journal: Land of the Free!
It isn't often that I title any posts on this blog, other than to identify them as they relate to reading or writing, but this, I couldn't help.
This morning, I got an e-mail from MMM (which is, like, the most interactive blog on the planet) saying that their most recent giveaway winner hadn't responded with an address, and was the address from the last time this happened still good?
Sure is! I seriously am not sure what I'm going to do with 5new more books. I already need another bookshelf. I'm pretty sure the tall one started to bow the last time I added books. ....although....I did just clear out a shelf in one of my closets; I could probably move my journals there. Then I could use the enclosed shelf they're on now for my antique collection, which might allow for some breathing room. But probably not much.
I think I'm most excited about the 1945 edition of Temples of the Most High by N.B Lundwall. Not only do I love temples, but I've been pondering a lot about the history of temples since the Industrial Revolution. And I love old books. I seriously had to talk myself out of spending $20 on 2 sets of 5 books each circa ~1940s at the thrift store last night. If they had been in better shape, I hadn't walked to the store, and I knew I had room for them, I would've bought them.
This afternoon, Kjerstin Gruys offered a copy of her book, Mirror, Mirror, Off the Wall for free. Well, essentially free. She's asking bloggers/recipients of the book to take the challenge to not look at their reflection for one day and blog about it the week of May 6th. Which I'll do here.
Guess I'd better hurry up and finish Of Thee I Zing and The River at the Center of the World so I can move on to the next segment of the cycle.
Oh, and I know it's early, but I may have to drop out of Camp NaNo. I'm just not feeling it, and not in that "I'm just not feeling it" way. I mean, I'm thinking this is a challenge I'm not up for just quite yet. I'm thinking I should stick to just November.
This morning, I got an e-mail from MMM (which is, like, the most interactive blog on the planet) saying that their most recent giveaway winner hadn't responded with an address, and was the address from the last time this happened still good?
Sure is! I seriously am not sure what I'm going to do with 5
I think I'm most excited about the 1945 edition of Temples of the Most High by N.B Lundwall. Not only do I love temples, but I've been pondering a lot about the history of temples since the Industrial Revolution. And I love old books. I seriously had to talk myself out of spending $20 on 2 sets of 5 books each circa ~1940s at the thrift store last night. If they had been in better shape, I hadn't walked to the store, and I knew I had room for them, I would've bought them.
This afternoon, Kjerstin Gruys offered a copy of her book, Mirror, Mirror, Off the Wall for free. Well, essentially free. She's asking bloggers/recipients of the book to take the challenge to not look at their reflection for one day and blog about it the week of May 6th. Which I'll do here.
Guess I'd better hurry up and finish Of Thee I Zing and The River at the Center of the World so I can move on to the next segment of the cycle.
Oh, and I know it's early, but I may have to drop out of Camp NaNo. I'm just not feeling it, and not in that "I'm just not feeling it" way. I mean, I'm thinking this is a challenge I'm not up for just quite yet. I'm thinking I should stick to just November.
2013-03-06
Writing Journal
Whoops, I did-it-a-gain....
I signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo.
Essentially the same thing, but in April instead of November.
This round, I'm aiming for a script (or series of scripts) drawing inspiration from Jane Austen and SNL's "The Californian's."
"Mr. Darcy! What are yeeewww doing here?!"
Which means I'll be spending March doing research.
Watching/reading Austen (as my recipe permits)
Watching The Californian's
Learning the geography of Austen's England.
As you can guess, I haven't touched "Family Lies" since I finished the draft. Not true; I think I have once or twice. I just don't think there was enough life in the plot.
Hopefully I can turn that around at Camp NaNo.
First up: deciding which scenes I want to rewrite, taken mostly from P&P and S&S.
Elizabeth and Darcy's unexpected meeting at Pemberley
Lucy, Elinor, and Edward's first scene together. (I may take some creative liberty and have the secret outed here.)
I signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo.
Essentially the same thing, but in April instead of November.
This round, I'm aiming for a script (or series of scripts) drawing inspiration from Jane Austen and SNL's "The Californian's."
"Mr. Darcy! What are yeeewww doing here?!"
Which means I'll be spending March doing research.
Watching/reading Austen (as my recipe permits)
Watching The Californian's
Learning the geography of Austen's England.
As you can guess, I haven't touched "Family Lies" since I finished the draft. Not true; I think I have once or twice. I just don't think there was enough life in the plot.
Hopefully I can turn that around at Camp NaNo.
First up: deciding which scenes I want to rewrite, taken mostly from P&P and S&S.
Elizabeth and Darcy's unexpected meeting at Pemberley
Lucy, Elinor, and Edward's first scene together. (I may take some creative liberty and have the secret outed here.)
2012-12-04
Writing Journal
(A repost for those who follow my general blog.)
I'm only about 40% pleased with the title of my NaNo: Family Lies
Then again, I'm probably my worst critic since I judge myself against who I want to be (like) and who I am/have been.
Anyway...you're probably going to ask if I finished it.
Well....my answer is: I hit the 50k, but the story I wanted to tell is not yet complete. (Which, by the way, is not that uncommon.)
My intentions are to toss the dross* in December, mostly to see how many worthwhile words I wrote. I aim to finish telling the story in January and go back through it in February. March I'll design the cover and then look into getting 5 free copies of it from createspace, which is a deal they offer through June for NaNoWriMo winners. Everything for 2013 is a pipe dream, though. We'll see if I get to smoke it.
Just for fun, here are links to my word count rewards. I hit every one of them on time, except for the 40k, which was due to my not taking the project with me on vacation. But I'm saving it for if I finish the doss tross by the end of December.
5k by Nov. 3
10k by Nov. 6
20k by Nov. 12
30k by Nov. 17
40k by Nov. 23/24 (can't remember)
50k by Nov. 30
(haven't partaken of this yet, but did find it rather entertaining that the label-typer switched "is" and "never," despite placing the label directly next to the words on the case.)
*(I so wish I could take credit for that phrase, but my buddy Diane introduced it to me)
I'm only about 40% pleased with the title of my NaNo: Family Lies
Then again, I'm probably my worst critic since I judge myself against who I want to be (like) and who I am/have been.
Anyway...you're probably going to ask if I finished it.
Well....my answer is: I hit the 50k, but the story I wanted to tell is not yet complete. (Which, by the way, is not that uncommon.)
My intentions are to toss the dross* in December, mostly to see how many worthwhile words I wrote. I aim to finish telling the story in January and go back through it in February. March I'll design the cover and then look into getting 5 free copies of it from createspace, which is a deal they offer through June for NaNoWriMo winners. Everything for 2013 is a pipe dream, though. We'll see if I get to smoke it.
Just for fun, here are links to my word count rewards. I hit every one of them on time, except for the 40k, which was due to my not taking the project with me on vacation. But I'm saving it for if I finish the doss tross by the end of December.
5k by Nov. 3
10k by Nov. 6
20k by Nov. 12
30k by Nov. 17
40k by Nov. 23/24 (can't remember)
50k by Nov. 30
(haven't partaken of this yet, but did find it rather entertaining that the label-typer switched "is" and "never," despite placing the label directly next to the words on the case.)
*(I so wish I could take credit for that phrase, but my buddy Diane introduced it to me)
2012-12-03
Writing Journal
Partai!
I finished NaNo!
In that I wrote 50,200 words of a novel. I did not, however, finish telling the story I wanted to.
Since validating my novel, I added an acknowledgements page (and a half). It's some of my best work, and perhaps I'll share that excerpt here. I've perused some of the pages, and I've cut probably 1,000 words already. I did take out a scene that took up an entire page and a half because it made me uncomfortable, and not in a good way, but I've also removed a lot of "that"s, which is a great fluff word. One of the biggest whoopsies I noticed was that I kept switching the names of the towns.
There is a larger town and a smaller town. Sometimes I called the larger town Harbringer and sometimes I called it Colbion. Sometimes I called the smaller town Harbringer and sometimes I called it Colbion. So you can see some need for clarification.
It also wasn't until the very last scene I wrote that I gave one of my characters a last name. (Come to think of it, Justin doesn't have one, either, I don't think.) The last sentence I wrote was:
I finished NaNo!
In that I wrote 50,200 words of a novel. I did not, however, finish telling the story I wanted to.
Since validating my novel, I added an acknowledgements page (and a half). It's some of my best work, and perhaps I'll share that excerpt here. I've perused some of the pages, and I've cut probably 1,000 words already. I did take out a scene that took up an entire page and a half because it made me uncomfortable, and not in a good way, but I've also removed a lot of "that"s, which is a great fluff word. One of the biggest whoopsies I noticed was that I kept switching the names of the towns.
There is a larger town and a smaller town. Sometimes I called the larger town Harbringer and sometimes I called it Colbion. Sometimes I called the smaller town Harbringer and sometimes I called it Colbion. So you can see some need for clarification.
It also wasn't until the very last scene I wrote that I gave one of my characters a last name. (Come to think of it, Justin doesn't have one, either, I don't think.) The last sentence I wrote was:
"He was very proud of the people that is children had becomed."Not literary's finest, but it will be finished someday.
2012-11-20
Writing Journal
Just real quick....I'm at 38,332 words. I need to be at 44k by tomorrow at dinner if I want to stay on track with my goals.
The NaNoWriMo official website has regular (I think daily) pep talks, and today's came from Marissa Meyer, a published Wrimo. My favorite part was this, cleverly hidden at the end:
The NaNoWriMo official website has regular (I think daily) pep talks, and today's came from Marissa Meyer, a published Wrimo. My favorite part was this, cleverly hidden at the end:
I advise you to keep your head in the clouds and your hands on the keyboard, and to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. But if NaNoWriMo had been around back then, it very well might have been built in thirty
2012-11-13
Writing Journal
So a real quick update on NaNo...
I hit kind of a block over the weekend/yesterday. I could've written something between Jeopardy and Wheel, but chose to read instead. I just felt as though there was this large, raging river between where my story was and where I wanted it to go, but I just could not find the bridge over it. How frustrating.
I tried for about half an hour before Castle and half an hour after. I started the day where I wanted to end, so the little I wrote makes me less ahead than I was when I started the day. Just pushed words out, most of them meaningless and doing nothing to take the story forward. I was dragging my knuckles through the words, I guess you could say.
Since I've been feeling this way since, oh, Saturday-ish, I had been including a request for guidance in my prayers. I knew my heavenly Father knows this story is important to me, and wants to help me, so I figured I'd ask. Just in case He had any advice to impart. I mean, he created the earth, so He's got some imagination, ya know?
Well, last night's prayer was cut short by an epiphany (crap! I just realized I left my laptop in my car. I hope the 40 degree weather doesn't do any damage!) as to where to take my story next. I wrote down the ideas, expressed my gratitude and opened up my Bible to this verse:
I hit kind of a block over the weekend/yesterday. I could've written something between Jeopardy and Wheel, but chose to read instead. I just felt as though there was this large, raging river between where my story was and where I wanted it to go, but I just could not find the bridge over it. How frustrating.
I tried for about half an hour before Castle and half an hour after. I started the day where I wanted to end, so the little I wrote makes me less ahead than I was when I started the day. Just pushed words out, most of them meaningless and doing nothing to take the story forward. I was dragging my knuckles through the words, I guess you could say.
Since I've been feeling this way since, oh, Saturday-ish, I had been including a request for guidance in my prayers. I knew my heavenly Father knows this story is important to me, and wants to help me, so I figured I'd ask. Just in case He had any advice to impart. I mean, he created the earth, so He's got some imagination, ya know?
Well, last night's prayer was cut short by an epiphany (crap! I just realized I left my laptop in my car. I hope the 40 degree weather doesn't do any damage!) as to where to take my story next. I wrote down the ideas, expressed my gratitude and opened up my Bible to this verse:
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
emphasis added
2012-11-09
Reading/Writing Journal
So, I looked at the reading list widget over there ------->
for the first time in a long time. I thought I was okay with starting this year's round of O! Pioneers after I finished Mayor of Casterbridge, but I was wrong. It was a New that was next up, and I can only count O! Pioneers as either an old or a random. Flubzies!
Looks like I've got more reading to do than I thought.
Which is okay, since I'm practically an entire day ahead of my lofty NaNo goal. I didn't want to write on Sundays or Thanksgiving, so I set my daily word count at 2000 a day, rather than the 1666/7 a day set by the "officials." The goal was to reach 16k by the end of today, and I reached 16,308 last night!
I think I'm starting to plateau, though.
NO! Don't say that!!
Just because the story isn't moving as quickly as you'd like, and you've found yourself unable to tell it any way but chronologically, that doesn't mean anything. Okay, all four MC's have finally met each other, and it's only a matter of time before the connections are made. Yes, that's the goal for tonight: make the connections, especially between Justin and Candy. (Last night's work kind of ended with Marcus and Corby.)
Here's a fun little anectdote, now that I'm done talking to myself....
I was dozing off a little between my write-in and a meeting, when I caught myself thinking it was September for some reason. As soon as I realized it was not September, I wondered why I would think such a thing. Maybe the weather? But could it also have been that I had just finished writing about something taking place in September? I think that might have actually had more to do with it than the weather....
for the first time in a long time. I thought I was okay with starting this year's round of O! Pioneers after I finished Mayor of Casterbridge, but I was wrong. It was a New that was next up, and I can only count O! Pioneers as either an old or a random. Flubzies!
Looks like I've got more reading to do than I thought.
Which is okay, since I'm practically an entire day ahead of my lofty NaNo goal. I didn't want to write on Sundays or Thanksgiving, so I set my daily word count at 2000 a day, rather than the 1666/7 a day set by the "officials." The goal was to reach 16k by the end of today, and I reached 16,308 last night!
I think I'm starting to plateau, though.
NO! Don't say that!!
Just because the story isn't moving as quickly as you'd like, and you've found yourself unable to tell it any way but chronologically, that doesn't mean anything. Okay, all four MC's have finally met each other, and it's only a matter of time before the connections are made. Yes, that's the goal for tonight: make the connections, especially between Justin and Candy. (Last night's work kind of ended with Marcus and Corby.)
Here's a fun little anectdote, now that I'm done talking to myself....
I was dozing off a little between my write-in and a meeting, when I caught myself thinking it was September for some reason. As soon as I realized it was not September, I wondered why I would think such a thing. Maybe the weather? But could it also have been that I had just finished writing about something taking place in September? I think that might have actually had more to do with it than the weather....
2012-11-01
Writing Journal
NaNoWriMo kicked off at midnight!!!
I had considered taking a nap and going to the First Chance Midnight Write-in.
I ended up not going because I knew I wouldn't be able to stay much after midnight if I wanted to function at work today. I also knew that, with as excited as I was about my NaNo, I wouldn't be able to write just a few (hundred) words, and that it would get me too keyed up to go to bed.
Instead, I went to bed relatively early (10:30) and woke up early (5:30) to write for about an hour this morning.
That's going to be hard to turn off.
Oh, and I also wrote a poem yesterday and 3 on Saturday (while waiting for my roommate's plane to get in).
The one yesterday I especially like because it was challenging to say what (I thought) I wanted to say with the rhythm I set with the first two lines. Then I noticed some patterns that ocurred naturally and wanted to keep those, too. It was only 8 lines, but it took me about 3 hours as a secondary or tertiary thought item. (During those 3 hours, I was also processing claims, day plotting and communicating with other people in a social manner.)
Still veerrrrrrrrrrry far behind my 366 goal, though.
I had considered taking a nap and going to the First Chance Midnight Write-in.
I ended up not going because I knew I wouldn't be able to stay much after midnight if I wanted to function at work today. I also knew that, with as excited as I was about my NaNo, I wouldn't be able to write just a few (hundred) words, and that it would get me too keyed up to go to bed.
Instead, I went to bed relatively early (10:30) and woke up early (5:30) to write for about an hour this morning.
1,722 words, baby!!I was surprised at how easily they came, as well as how easy it was to let my internal editor sleep. I never went more than a paragraph back to change anything, and only added or changed a few things as I went. Going back to it tonight is going to be difficult, though. I think the best way to keep my editor out of it is to not read much of what I've written, which is unusual for me. Call it egotistical, but I like reading what I write. But I know when I do, I automatically look at ways I could have said it better or differently.
That's going to be hard to turn off.
Oh, and I also wrote a poem yesterday and 3 on Saturday (while waiting for my roommate's plane to get in).
The one yesterday I especially like because it was challenging to say what (I thought) I wanted to say with the rhythm I set with the first two lines. Then I noticed some patterns that ocurred naturally and wanted to keep those, too. It was only 8 lines, but it took me about 3 hours as a secondary or tertiary thought item. (During those 3 hours, I was also processing claims, day plotting and communicating with other people in a social manner.)
Still veerrrrrrrrrrry far behind my 366 goal, though.
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