Category: NaNo

Loose Ends

The first draft of the Witches sequel is done! It comes in at 135k, which is less than half the word count of the first draft of Witches. It even has a title: Shadows of Winter. The title came to me a couple of days ago, like a bolt from the blue. No, Witches still doesn’t have a title, although I’m getting glimmers of an idea in that direction. I try not to push it. It will give me its name when it wants to, sort of like my characters do. I also finished up the first draft of the werewolf story last week. I had computer issues with it that meant I lost about 15k of it, but since I was aware that the story had some issues in the front end, I decided not to worry about that (not that worrying would have done me any good at all anyway), and just put in quick and dirty summaries for the last chapters, since I know good and well there are going to be major changes made during the revision. It’s all good.

So, that leaves getting ready for NaNo as my only loose end. With two weeks left, there’s plenty of time. Except that for seven of those days, I’m gong to be out of town, and for three days before that, I’ll need to be getting ready to leave. So, that really only gives me three days to finish my outline and get everything ready for the madness. No sweat, right? Right. Ah…Need to go look at that outline again. I think I have, oh, the first chapter planned. But I do have some really nasty things in mind to inflict upon my characters…If they’d just finish telling me their names, this would be so much easier!

The Sky Is Falling

I’ve read in a couple of places that one of the most annoying questions asked of writers is “Where do you get your ideas?” Frankly, hearing other writers’ answers to that question is fascinating. I mean, who wouldn‘t want to know where Stephen King gets his ideas? (I mean, where does he come up with some of this stuff? Of course, I’m eagerly anticipating the release of his new novel. Every time I read one and scare myself silly, I swear I won’t ever read another one. And yet, every time, I simply HAVE to.) But, having only a vague idea of where my own story ideas come from, I know why this question is so frustrating to writers. Because, really, who wants to hear “I don’t know” in response to this question? Precisely no one. But it’s hard to put such a nebulous concept into words.

For example: At least three of my story ideas (with complete drafts done) have come from dreams I had. One of these is Witches. One of these is Through Shadowed Stone. After I started researching Heart of the Sea, but before I started writing it, I had a dream about the story, where I was actually Nerina running through the forest. As for the others, well, sometimes they just seem to fall out of the sky. And sometimes…they come from a place a little bit more earthly.

With NaNo looming on the horizon, I’m been mulling over ideas for this year’s story. I’ve known what it’s going to be about (basically) since before LAST NaNo, but now some of the details are coming clear. It’s going to be urban fantasy, probably with a lot of comedy and a mystery aspect (how’s that for convoluted?). The MC is an elf, and her best friend/sidekick is a fairy. It’s set in New Orleans, of course. What better place to research? A couple of weeks ago, some friends of mine were in town for their first visit here. Naturally, I had to take them to the French Quarter. As strange as some of the things you can see there are, it’s easy for me to believe something paranormal could be going on at any time. So, I’d like to say a big thank you to the 300-pound man wearing a green halter top and long green skirt, with Mimi-esque makeup (a la The Drew Carey Show), and dancing, literally, to the beat of music only he could hear. You’ve given me a wonderful idea for the fairies in my story and how they derive their power. You also deserve a thank-you for the laugh I got while watching the expressions on my friends’ faces when they saw you. (And one of said friends is the basis for the MC in this story, too. She’s the most accident-prone person EVER.) And also? The Red Dress Run, which I witnessed two weeks before that, will also be making an appearance in this story. Men in dresses are not that unusual in the Quarter. Approximately 400 men in red dresses wearing competitors’ numbers IS a teensy bit strange. (And honestly, the explanation is quite funny and still strange.) You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a sight like that. So, thanks to all those men in red dresses as well.

So, yeah. THAT’S where story ideas come from: out of the clear, blue sky.

Life After NaNo

Actually, there’s not a whole lot going on, at least not on the writing front. I’ve been editing my NaNo 2007 story (which is still untitled). I’m… surprised by it. I think the beginning of it is very strong, and although it’s early yet, I have hopes that it is better than I remember. (Of course, last year I had big goals for NaNo and for whatever reason, I lost all motivation two weeks in and barely got 50k. Good to know the story is stronger than that.).

I’m in the very early planning stages for a new story, and this one came out of nowhere, and has taken over my brain, demanding to be written now. So, I’m going to start it in January. Just as soon as I get a few more things figured out, and the characters named, and the plot in some sort of rational order. You know, the usual things. It’s something a little new for me. Another YA, but an urban fantasy this time. And, of all things, it’s about a werewolf. Or two. Or six. Not sure, but at least three. I don’t know why it’s grabbed me so much, but it has. Now I need to do some research on Goths to start with. That should be interesting. At least the characters that showed up weren’t emo…

The End, or 100,025 Words

I feel like either my brains are about to fall out, or my eyes are. Not sure which. But I finished! Yay! Dang, but the last 1,000 words were the worst. I know there are a lot of “he said” and “she said” that will need to be ruthlessly weeded out in edits, but I am proud of myself. I wrote every single day this month. Every day. Even that one brutal 15-hour work day. Woot! Congratulations to everyone else out there who finished (Way to go Walkingstick! I know your son is proud.) Now I can finally get some rest.

Today’s Word Count: 5,376
Total Word Count: 100,025

Day 29

Again, the writing flowed really well today. I hit my word count. The story is moving, and I am right in the middle of the action-packed ending. Is it sad that I feel like “only” having to write 5,000 words tomorrow is a good thing? I have three chapters left as well, one with quite a bit of action, and two wrap-up chapters. But I’m feeling okay with the writing right now.

Today’s Word Count: 7, 627
Total Words: 5,014
Words Remaining: 94,986

Day Twenty Eight

Another good writing day, thankfully, since I’m so close to the end. The words really flowed well today, and I hit my word count goal without too much trouble. I’m looking forward to finishing this story, though. And my brain is already burning with editing ideas. I did have a slight mishap this afternoon. There was some kind of error when I was saving a chapter, and my Word program closed. When I reopened it, the file was corrupted. Part of it was still there, mixed in with little boxes and funny symbols. I wanted to bang my head against the keyboard, but I managed to resist. I’ll just have to go back and fix it later. And yes, I did count those words.

Today’s Word Count: 7,563
Total Word Count: 87,359
Words Remaining: 12,641

Day Twenty Seven

Just as I was getting ready to post here last night, my computer randomly disconnected the internet. I decided that was a sign, and went to bed. I did get quite a lot of writing done yesterday, thankfully, and a little bit on Wednesday as well. I made a pretty good dent in it, actually, although I do have a nice chunk left to go. But the writing went well yesterday, and so far, it is going well today. The end is in sight!

Wednesday’s Word Count: 1,501
Yesterday’s Word Count: 7,526
Total Word Count: 79,496
Words Remaining: 20,504

Day Twenty Five

Okay, so I had another dismal writing day yesterday. I did make up for part of it today, but I have a grueling five days ahead of me to meet my goal. And I will meet my goal. I am determined. I have not come this close and this far to fail at the end. Is it a bad thing that I’m already mentally making notes about everything that will need fixed in the next draft?

Yesterday’s Word Count: 111 (I seem to like that number on bad days.)
Today’s Word Count: 4,015
Total Word Count: 70,469
Words Remaining: 29,531

Day 23

Apparently, I was still exhausted yesterday, since I got barely any words, even though I was off. I did a little better today. I’m going to have to work pretty hard to hit my goal, though. Only a week left!

Yesterday’s Word Count: 403
Today’s Word Count: 2,525
Total Word Count: 66,343
Words Remaining: 33,657

Days 20 and 21

I have to admit, the last two days were not good writing days. Not because the words didn’t flow, but because there wasn’t time for the words to flow. The 14-hour day I had on Thursday turned into a 15-hour, super-busy day. I did write when I got home, a whopping 111 words, but then had to immediately crawl into bed and try to get some sleep so I wouldn’t be a zombie for the 11-hour day I ended up on yesterday. (That didn’t exactly work, either, because I was a zombie. And I had a headache from about 5 p.m. Thursday, until I woke up this morning. Not a fun experience.) Yesterday, I wrote all of 101 words. This brings my NaNo total up to 63,415. I am now behind schedule for my word count, but at least I did write both days, and I’m proud of that. Now I’ll just have to work a little bit harder to try to catch up to where I want to be.