Today marks the end of NaNoWriMo.
I finished my latest book's first draft a couple of days ago, but I added a few scenes and ideas and padded the word count with an exercise to reveal another side of my main character. Doing this allowed me to reach my monthly goal of 60k.
My official NaNoWriMo-2008 word count was: 60, 086.
I've enjoyed this fast-paced writing exercise. I will likely try this again--perhaps before next November. I'm tossing around the idea of doing another attempt on my own in May 2009. We'll see...
For the time being, I'm going to let this draft rest for a few days, catch up on some reading and sleep, and then start editing/rewriting on Draft #2.
Oh -- and I have a tentative working title for this latest book.
...Test of Will...or maybe...A Test of Will...or...A Test of Wills.....or something...I figure it will come to me before I get the final draft done.
Thanks for joining me on this month-long journey.
Take care all -
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
NaNoWriMo
It's offical.
I copy/pasted the NaNo manuscript into the NaNo's word count computer--they have me at:
54,520.
Just a few hundred shy of what I had on my computer, but what does that matter (though it's odd how different computers count differently, isn't it?)
I'm only about 5k shy of 'the end'. It would be nice to get it done before the big Turkey day, but I've got a lot of projects I need to finish around the house before Thursday....so, I might not reach 'the end' until this weekend.
Either way, I'm amazed I (will) finished the rough draft in approximately one month. I've never written this way before. I'm usually a careful, cautious writer. A plotter. A tweaker. An edit-as-I-go type of writer--but this way of writing has shown me that I 'can' write fast, I 'can' write a couple of thousand words each day for multiple days/weeks in a row even while working and being home with the kids---and even if the first draft is crap (I'm sure most of it is), I at least have the story out of my head and now I have something I can work on.
Time to celebrate a little (with breakfast-I'm hungry). The kids are waking up--gotta run.
Take care all (and to those participating in NaNo - good luck reaching the 50k by Nov 3o. I wish you all the best!).
I copy/pasted the NaNo manuscript into the NaNo's word count computer--they have me at:
54,520.
Just a few hundred shy of what I had on my computer, but what does that matter (though it's odd how different computers count differently, isn't it?)
I'm only about 5k shy of 'the end'. It would be nice to get it done before the big Turkey day, but I've got a lot of projects I need to finish around the house before Thursday....so, I might not reach 'the end' until this weekend.
Either way, I'm amazed I (will) finished the rough draft in approximately one month. I've never written this way before. I'm usually a careful, cautious writer. A plotter. A tweaker. An edit-as-I-go type of writer--but this way of writing has shown me that I 'can' write fast, I 'can' write a couple of thousand words each day for multiple days/weeks in a row even while working and being home with the kids---and even if the first draft is crap (I'm sure most of it is), I at least have the story out of my head and now I have something I can work on.
Time to celebrate a little (with breakfast-I'm hungry). The kids are waking up--gotta run.
Take care all (and to those participating in NaNo - good luck reaching the 50k by Nov 3o. I wish you all the best!).
Saturday, November 22, 2008
NaNoWriMo
NaNo Update:
Day 22:
Word count (unofficial count--official word count will come sometime after Nov 25): 51,102.
I did it.
Actually, I passed the 50,000 word mark yesterday, Friday, Nov 21 at about 5:30pm.
Yea!
But, the book's first draft isn't complete yet. I'm near the end. I can see it. I know how it needs to end. I'm just still working out how to actually get to that end point.
I can't wait to write, "The End".
I also can't wait to start rewriting it. Parts are mildly good. Some parts are okay. Large chunks---really, really bad! First draft bad. Don't want anyone else to read it bad. So bad, sometimes I'm afraid to read it because I know it will be cringe-worthy bad.
Did I mention, some of it is bad?
Overall, I like the story. I like the characters. I like the world the book is set in. I know, I know--I'm being vague, but I don't want to talk the book to death here. I want to get a second draft maybe a third draft done before I start talking specifics (or let anyone read it!). I don't even have a title for it yet. I've had a few ideas, but nothing I've fallen in love with yet. When I do think of something, I'll post it here.
I'm tired.
50,000 words in three weeks while working part-time at night and being a stay-at-home dad with two small and wildly energetic children and only getting 3-5 hours of sleep each night has been challenging to say the least. I'll probably still try to keep up with a similar writing routine now that the NaNo challenge is basically done with only a few modifications to allow me an extra hour of sleep each night. (Falling asleep at the computer while writing really doesn't accomplish anything!)
Speaking of children--mine are running around demanding my attention now. Gotta go.
Take care all -
Day 22:
Word count (unofficial count--official word count will come sometime after Nov 25): 51,102.
I did it.
Actually, I passed the 50,000 word mark yesterday, Friday, Nov 21 at about 5:30pm.
Yea!
But, the book's first draft isn't complete yet. I'm near the end. I can see it. I know how it needs to end. I'm just still working out how to actually get to that end point.
I can't wait to write, "The End".
I also can't wait to start rewriting it. Parts are mildly good. Some parts are okay. Large chunks---really, really bad! First draft bad. Don't want anyone else to read it bad. So bad, sometimes I'm afraid to read it because I know it will be cringe-worthy bad.
Did I mention, some of it is bad?
Overall, I like the story. I like the characters. I like the world the book is set in. I know, I know--I'm being vague, but I don't want to talk the book to death here. I want to get a second draft maybe a third draft done before I start talking specifics (or let anyone read it!). I don't even have a title for it yet. I've had a few ideas, but nothing I've fallen in love with yet. When I do think of something, I'll post it here.
I'm tired.
50,000 words in three weeks while working part-time at night and being a stay-at-home dad with two small and wildly energetic children and only getting 3-5 hours of sleep each night has been challenging to say the least. I'll probably still try to keep up with a similar writing routine now that the NaNo challenge is basically done with only a few modifications to allow me an extra hour of sleep each night. (Falling asleep at the computer while writing really doesn't accomplish anything!)
Speaking of children--mine are running around demanding my attention now. Gotta go.
Take care all -
Sunday, November 16, 2008
NaNoWriMo Update
Update: Day 16.
To be on schedule with NaNo you should be at 26,667 words. I am currently at 33,724. Yea!
Just past the midway point of writing this month and I'm still doing pretty well. I really like this story--the characters, the wacky storyline and now, I have a fairly good idea how it's all going to end. It came to me in the shower. Most of my better story ideas come to me while I'm standing under the hot water. Hot water on my brain seems to loosen up the thoughts.
Now, if only they had waterproof computers/laptops...
Of course, if they did, my water bill would be astronomically high, and I'd look like a prune, but I just know those stories would sell!
The thing is, by the time I get out of the shower and dry off enough so as to not get water all over the floor and the computer, the best bits of story--especially dialogue--just don't seem to hold up. The dialogue that sparkled in my head when hot water is running all over me seems a little drier when I'm a little drier.
I wonder if it's like singing in the shower. Songs always sound better when they're sung in the shower...
Anyway. I'm rambling. I should be writing. I need some food. Something to drink. And eventually a nap--running on too few hours of sleep these past two weeks (also fighting off a lingering cold - bad cold, go away!).
To all of you working on a NaNo book - good luck! I wish you all the best on this amazing endeavor.
Take care -
To be on schedule with NaNo you should be at 26,667 words. I am currently at 33,724. Yea!
Just past the midway point of writing this month and I'm still doing pretty well. I really like this story--the characters, the wacky storyline and now, I have a fairly good idea how it's all going to end. It came to me in the shower. Most of my better story ideas come to me while I'm standing under the hot water. Hot water on my brain seems to loosen up the thoughts.
Now, if only they had waterproof computers/laptops...
Of course, if they did, my water bill would be astronomically high, and I'd look like a prune, but I just know those stories would sell!
The thing is, by the time I get out of the shower and dry off enough so as to not get water all over the floor and the computer, the best bits of story--especially dialogue--just don't seem to hold up. The dialogue that sparkled in my head when hot water is running all over me seems a little drier when I'm a little drier.
I wonder if it's like singing in the shower. Songs always sound better when they're sung in the shower...
Anyway. I'm rambling. I should be writing. I need some food. Something to drink. And eventually a nap--running on too few hours of sleep these past two weeks (also fighting off a lingering cold - bad cold, go away!).
To all of you working on a NaNo book - good luck! I wish you all the best on this amazing endeavor.
Take care -
Sunday, November 9, 2008
NaNoWriMo Update
The first week of NaNo ended yesterday.
I've heard the second week is the 'hard' one. Well, I've reached a bit of a tight spot on my NaNo novel, but I wouldn't consider it 'hard' to get through - it just requires a bit more thinking/plotting/planning to make sure the details all fit. Perhaps that's why 'they' say that week two is the hard one. Week one is a lot of set-up, introducing new characters, getting the story moving, throwing a lot of balls in the air - but by week two, you have to start making connections with the story, you have to have some sort of reveal, some sort of revelation, something to hook the reader again to get them moving into the 'middle' of the book, something 'big' to get you into week three...and beyond...
I have a fairly good 'a-ha' moment coming--and since I don't want to make a complete mess of it, I've found myself slowed from my earlier speedy pace. Last week I was averaging between 800-1500 words an hour. Now -- not quite that.
Current Word Count: 18,421.
Well - since I don't want to fall behind, and this upcoming week is filling up fast (I have two writer's meetings this week - Wednesday and Thursday evening), I'd better get back to writing.
(Just Say NO to Procrastination!....today, not tomorrow!)
Take care all -
I've heard the second week is the 'hard' one. Well, I've reached a bit of a tight spot on my NaNo novel, but I wouldn't consider it 'hard' to get through - it just requires a bit more thinking/plotting/planning to make sure the details all fit. Perhaps that's why 'they' say that week two is the hard one. Week one is a lot of set-up, introducing new characters, getting the story moving, throwing a lot of balls in the air - but by week two, you have to start making connections with the story, you have to have some sort of reveal, some sort of revelation, something to hook the reader again to get them moving into the 'middle' of the book, something 'big' to get you into week three...and beyond...
I have a fairly good 'a-ha' moment coming--and since I don't want to make a complete mess of it, I've found myself slowed from my earlier speedy pace. Last week I was averaging between 800-1500 words an hour. Now -- not quite that.
Current Word Count: 18,421.
Well - since I don't want to fall behind, and this upcoming week is filling up fast (I have two writer's meetings this week - Wednesday and Thursday evening), I'd better get back to writing.
(Just Say NO to Procrastination!....today, not tomorrow!)
Take care all -
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
NaNoWriMo
NaNoWriMo Update
Day 4:
Still writing ahead of schedule, but sleep is suffering. Word Count: 7705.
I might be able to break the 8k mark before the end of the day, but I almost fell asleep on the computer after lunch. (No, no drool landed on the keyboard!)
And in keeping with the title of this blog, I have actually composed a good one third of this NaNo book with an ink pen and paper. Someday I hope to have an actual notebook (computer), but right now, I'm carrying around a green 70-sheet, 1 subject, college rule (paper) notebook and whenever I have any free time, even if it's only five or ten minutes, I'm scribbling away.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog post (I think--it's funny the tricks the mind plays on you when you're tired), I've noticed that this NaNo book is surprising me. I only had a rough idea what I was going to do with it and at the last moment, I decided to write it in first person rather than third. I knew I wanted to write some sort of fantasy -- perhaps urban fantasy -- and have some sort of bizarre murder investigation -- and I knew the main character fairly well and some of the secondary characters but only a shadow of the villain(s). I'd have to say that this is the least planned I've ever approached writing a book, and while at times I wonder if I'm crazy to write this way--it's quite a freeing experience. Large chunks of it may be complete and utter crap--but then I've always enjoyed the rewriting process. Soooo, I'm going to keep charging forward this month...keep pushing toward 50k by Nov 30th...and with any luck, I'll have a good chunk (if not all) of the crappy first draft done so I can start rewriting it in December.
Good luck to all you fellow Wrimos (I believe this is right)!
Day 4:
Still writing ahead of schedule, but sleep is suffering. Word Count: 7705.
I might be able to break the 8k mark before the end of the day, but I almost fell asleep on the computer after lunch. (No, no drool landed on the keyboard!)
And in keeping with the title of this blog, I have actually composed a good one third of this NaNo book with an ink pen and paper. Someday I hope to have an actual notebook (computer), but right now, I'm carrying around a green 70-sheet, 1 subject, college rule (paper) notebook and whenever I have any free time, even if it's only five or ten minutes, I'm scribbling away.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog post (I think--it's funny the tricks the mind plays on you when you're tired), I've noticed that this NaNo book is surprising me. I only had a rough idea what I was going to do with it and at the last moment, I decided to write it in first person rather than third. I knew I wanted to write some sort of fantasy -- perhaps urban fantasy -- and have some sort of bizarre murder investigation -- and I knew the main character fairly well and some of the secondary characters but only a shadow of the villain(s). I'd have to say that this is the least planned I've ever approached writing a book, and while at times I wonder if I'm crazy to write this way--it's quite a freeing experience. Large chunks of it may be complete and utter crap--but then I've always enjoyed the rewriting process. Soooo, I'm going to keep charging forward this month...keep pushing toward 50k by Nov 30th...and with any luck, I'll have a good chunk (if not all) of the crappy first draft done so I can start rewriting it in December.
Good luck to all you fellow Wrimos (I believe this is right)!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
NaNoWriMo
NaNo Update: Day 2.
Things are going well, relatively speaking. Most of yesterday I spent in a writer's meeting (which I thoroughly enjoyed), but obviously it limited the time I could write. Today, I spent the morning hanging out with the family, but got to the computer around lunch time. Hmmm...now that I'm done writing, I realize I'm hungry. Must get something to eat soon. Stomach isn't feeling well from yesterday's diet coke incident. Long story mildly shortened - artificial sweeteners and me do not agree, at all! I get very sick if I ingest any of it. Diet sodas, sugar-free gum, a lot of energy drinks....I just can't have any of them. Anyway, yesterday, on accident, a waitress gave me the wrong drink at lunch. After a couple of swallows I realized the coke didn't taste right. It was diet.
Sooooo....though I'm not feeling 100% today, I did manage to write for a couple of hours and my NaNo word total is now:
3254.
Okay, okay. I know it's not 'impressive!' but at least it's on target. One must average about 1667 words a day, every day to reach 50k by Nov 30. I'm a little shy of that daily average goal, but I'll reach it later before I go to bed.
To those of you doing NaNoWriMo-2008 -- good luck! Keep at it! From what I hear, it's week 2 that's going to be the hard one! Don't quit!
Take care (and keep writing!)
Things are going well, relatively speaking. Most of yesterday I spent in a writer's meeting (which I thoroughly enjoyed), but obviously it limited the time I could write. Today, I spent the morning hanging out with the family, but got to the computer around lunch time. Hmmm...now that I'm done writing, I realize I'm hungry. Must get something to eat soon. Stomach isn't feeling well from yesterday's diet coke incident. Long story mildly shortened - artificial sweeteners and me do not agree, at all! I get very sick if I ingest any of it. Diet sodas, sugar-free gum, a lot of energy drinks....I just can't have any of them. Anyway, yesterday, on accident, a waitress gave me the wrong drink at lunch. After a couple of swallows I realized the coke didn't taste right. It was diet.
Sooooo....though I'm not feeling 100% today, I did manage to write for a couple of hours and my NaNo word total is now:
3254.
Okay, okay. I know it's not 'impressive!' but at least it's on target. One must average about 1667 words a day, every day to reach 50k by Nov 30. I'm a little shy of that daily average goal, but I'll reach it later before I go to bed.
To those of you doing NaNoWriMo-2008 -- good luck! Keep at it! From what I hear, it's week 2 that's going to be the hard one! Don't quit!
Take care (and keep writing!)
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