Awwwww yeah! That's right! I crossed the 50,000 word finish line! Uh huh, boo yah! Doo do do do, do do, doo do, can't touch this! Hee hee! I'm so excited!
Of course reaching the "finish line" doesn't spell out the end of my story, pardon the pun. ;) I still have a few thousand words to write and in addition to the 50,000 that I just wrote this month, (pause for victory dance,) I already had about 25,000. I would love for it to reach 100,000 by the time I'm finished with it. Hopefully I have enough story left for it to make it that far. We'll see.
I must say, this has, (and will continue to be, I'm sure,) been a wonderful adventure! You know, I heard a lot about the "downs" of writing. But really, I didn't experience too many of these this month. It was really tough not to edit the first couple of days, but I got used to it somewhat.
Well I really want to gush a bit more, but bedtime is lurking, haha. Goodnight! =D
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Almost There
My word count sits at a happy 42.6K right now. I'm . . . almost . . . there!
We're leaving the day after tomorrow for our trip and tomorrow I'm going to be gone all day so I still have quite a ways to go today towards my final word goal. And in between now and tonight when I go to bed, (really I won't be going to bed until "today" becomes "tomorrow" but you get the idea,) I have to pack, clean the house, do some laundry, school, and write several thousand words. Yikes!
So what is my battle strategy you may ask? I'm dropping every last responsibility in favor of writing. Just kidding! My folks have given me some leeway this month, but not that much! Haha. Seriously, though, my real strategy is to use Write Or Die.
I was dubious and more than a little scared when first looking at this thing that makes you write and if you stop blasts you with car horns or crying babies. *shudders* But having that convenient little timer constantly ticking down on you really does help you stay focused in. I have averaged around 450 words in ten minutes when using this.
The only bad thing about it is that I feel my quality is lessened and my words are less thought out, but hey, it's a first draft, right? I just remind myself, quantity, not quality. Quality comes later. Honestly though, not to sound too boastful or anything, I think it's going to be one heck of a first draft!
We're leaving the day after tomorrow for our trip and tomorrow I'm going to be gone all day so I still have quite a ways to go today towards my final word goal. And in between now and tonight when I go to bed, (really I won't be going to bed until "today" becomes "tomorrow" but you get the idea,) I have to pack, clean the house, do some laundry, school, and write several thousand words. Yikes!
So what is my battle strategy you may ask? I'm dropping every last responsibility in favor of writing. Just kidding! My folks have given me some leeway this month, but not that much! Haha. Seriously, though, my real strategy is to use Write Or Die.
I was dubious and more than a little scared when first looking at this thing that makes you write and if you stop blasts you with car horns or crying babies. *shudders* But having that convenient little timer constantly ticking down on you really does help you stay focused in. I have averaged around 450 words in ten minutes when using this.
The only bad thing about it is that I feel my quality is lessened and my words are less thought out, but hey, it's a first draft, right? I just remind myself, quantity, not quality. Quality comes later. Honestly though, not to sound too boastful or anything, I think it's going to be one heck of a first draft!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
That Scene
You know that scene? The one scene that started it all? The catalyst that sparked your creative musings and somehow blossomed into an entire plot? Well, *inhales dramatically* today is the day that I write that scene.
I'M SO EXCITED!!!! I've imagined it so may times and now I can finally write it!
It all started innocently enough. A hooded and disguised girl running through the forest, a man chasing the darkly clad figure, a mischievous root sticking up just a little too high.
You can see it coming can't you? She falls, crashing to the ground. He slows his approach, relishing the victory, knowing he will win. And then, discovery! The slow horror of realization. Oh no, not her! She can't be!
When I first imagined that scene I didn't have a clue who either person was. Slowly and sometimes agonizingly slower, the plot revealed itself. And from that pivotal scene was birthed The Hawk and The Hunter.
And now I'm thinking, wait, I get to write that TODAY?! Wow! It was probably about three years ago that I first saw it. I'm so excited!!!
But of course, before I get to write it I have to clean the kitchen, and do math, and start a load of towels, yadda, yadda, yadda. Guess I'd better get at it, eh?
I'M SO EXCITED!!!! I've imagined it so may times and now I can finally write it!
It all started innocently enough. A hooded and disguised girl running through the forest, a man chasing the darkly clad figure, a mischievous root sticking up just a little too high.
You can see it coming can't you? She falls, crashing to the ground. He slows his approach, relishing the victory, knowing he will win. And then, discovery! The slow horror of realization. Oh no, not her! She can't be!
When I first imagined that scene I didn't have a clue who either person was. Slowly and sometimes agonizingly slower, the plot revealed itself. And from that pivotal scene was birthed The Hawk and The Hunter.
And now I'm thinking, wait, I get to write that TODAY?! Wow! It was probably about three years ago that I first saw it. I'm so excited!!!
But of course, before I get to write it I have to clean the kitchen, and do math, and start a load of towels, yadda, yadda, yadda. Guess I'd better get at it, eh?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Blood, Sweat, Tears, and Shuddery Sighs
Four days into my NaNo journey. Wow. Well, I'm still sane and breathing so I'm doing well. I'm having a hard time silencing my inner critic. I locked her up in a padded room, but I keep sneaking back down to the basement with the keys to her freedom twitching eagerly in my fingers. I've got to quit doing that! Haha.
I tell you what, this whole no editing thing is tough! Really tough! Every writing bone in my body is screaming in my ear "GO BACK AND FIX THAT!" So I'm wearing Oren Lavie songs as earmuffs and doing my very best to focus on the word count.
Seeing those wonderful numbers rising is very very gratifying. Much more than I expected it would be. I'm not going crazy over what I've written, necessarily, but the fact that I'm writing and crankin' those words out is encouraging. I just broke the 8,000 mark this morning.
Despite my dubious opinion of my own work, there are a few scenes that I'm proud of. And so far, my characters are behaving themselves. Conner is being so amazing, more than I ever intended him to be. He decided that he didn't want to spend ten chapters being angry and has shown me and Daphne a much softer side. And Daphne, in return is much more vulnerable and affected by him than even she wants to admit.
Lydia grew a backbone! Wonder of wonders! How did she do that? I mean really? That one totally sneaked up on me. Of course, this means I may have to amend a few things in my earlier chapters in December, but I'm so proud of her that I don't care! Way to go, girl!
So yes, the rewards are well worth the struggles. I'm so glad to be doing this!
I tell you what, this whole no editing thing is tough! Really tough! Every writing bone in my body is screaming in my ear "GO BACK AND FIX THAT!" So I'm wearing Oren Lavie songs as earmuffs and doing my very best to focus on the word count.
Seeing those wonderful numbers rising is very very gratifying. Much more than I expected it would be. I'm not going crazy over what I've written, necessarily, but the fact that I'm writing and crankin' those words out is encouraging. I just broke the 8,000 mark this morning.
Despite my dubious opinion of my own work, there are a few scenes that I'm proud of. And so far, my characters are behaving themselves. Conner is being so amazing, more than I ever intended him to be. He decided that he didn't want to spend ten chapters being angry and has shown me and Daphne a much softer side. And Daphne, in return is much more vulnerable and affected by him than even she wants to admit.
Lydia grew a backbone! Wonder of wonders! How did she do that? I mean really? That one totally sneaked up on me. Of course, this means I may have to amend a few things in my earlier chapters in December, but I'm so proud of her that I don't care! Way to go, girl!
So yes, the rewards are well worth the struggles. I'm so glad to be doing this!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
The Adventure Begins!
So last night my sister and I stayed up late NaNo-ing with three other participating friends, using Skype to cheer each other on. Roughly two adrenaline laced hours later, I had roughly 2700 words. Yay me!
I cannot vouch for the quality of these words, but the fact that I wrote them is what I'm choosing to focus on and celebrate. It was so much fun! Heart pounding, fingers flying, and a lot of lip gnawing when we got stuck.
Today I continued writing and boosted my word count up to about 3500. Yay me again! Haha.
Mom and Dad left the house around 11:00, presumably to run some errands. When they got back, Dad had a large, rectangular box with the word Acer on it tucked beneath his arm. With a smile he placed it in my hands and helped me set up my brand new laptop. I think I giggled with sheer excitement for the next hour or so.
He said it was an early birthday gift, (I'll be 18 mid November,) and that he wanted to support my writing. I wanted to cry I was so happy! Thank you Daddy!
I cannot vouch for the quality of these words, but the fact that I wrote them is what I'm choosing to focus on and celebrate. It was so much fun! Heart pounding, fingers flying, and a lot of lip gnawing when we got stuck.
Today I continued writing and boosted my word count up to about 3500. Yay me again! Haha.
Mom and Dad left the house around 11:00, presumably to run some errands. When they got back, Dad had a large, rectangular box with the word Acer on it tucked beneath his arm. With a smile he placed it in my hands and helped me set up my brand new laptop. I think I giggled with sheer excitement for the next hour or so.
He said it was an early birthday gift, (I'll be 18 mid November,) and that he wanted to support my writing. I wanted to cry I was so happy! Thank you Daddy!
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