Here is where I will post my research for Warrior Born (Nano Novel 2012).
Path of the Sacred Warrior
Spirit Walking/ Astral Projection
http://www.spiritwalkministry.com/
http://www.kaiara.com/what-is-spirit-walking/
Demons
http://www.logoschristian.org/demon.html
The Watchers
http://www.philipcoppens.com/watchers.html
http://www.fabrisia.com/thewinds.htm
http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/ethiopian/enoch/1watchers/watchers.htm
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
On Writing--October
So, I've decided that since I've been reading a lot of writing blogs I decided I would share some of the things that I found that helped me, in hopes that it could help someone else.
On Writing
Write your way out -- Author Scott Westerfeld writes about not being afraid to write the same book more than once. (This really hit home with me because I have been thinking about re-writing my very first Nano novel, and going in a different direction with it. But i was conflicted because there was so much of the original that I love).
The Benefits of writing everyday- Lynda R Young writes about the benefits we gain from writing everyday.
Write Every Day -- Jeff Goins writes about why you need to write everyday and how you can make it a habit. (I especially have trouble with this, I'm horrible at routines. I'll do things everyday for about a month and then they just fall by the way side. But i"m trying to turn around.)
List of Master Plots -- A list of basic plot lines from authors.
Writing Lectures by Brandon Sanderson -- Video lectures of Brandon Sanderson, fantasy author extraordinaire, filmed during his 2012 creative writing class at Brigham Young University.
8 Step Plot Outline
--How to assemble a plot outline in 8 easy steps.
On Editing
The Novel Doctor -- Great Editor, and has some great info for writers.
Project Team Beta -- Great place to have your novel read by a couple Betas. You can also fill out an application to become a beta.
On Writing
Write your way out -- Author Scott Westerfeld writes about not being afraid to write the same book more than once. (This really hit home with me because I have been thinking about re-writing my very first Nano novel, and going in a different direction with it. But i was conflicted because there was so much of the original that I love).
The Benefits of writing everyday- Lynda R Young writes about the benefits we gain from writing everyday.
Write Every Day -- Jeff Goins writes about why you need to write everyday and how you can make it a habit. (I especially have trouble with this, I'm horrible at routines. I'll do things everyday for about a month and then they just fall by the way side. But i"m trying to turn around.)
List of Master Plots -- A list of basic plot lines from authors.
Writing Lectures by Brandon Sanderson -- Video lectures of Brandon Sanderson, fantasy author extraordinaire, filmed during his 2012 creative writing class at Brigham Young University.
8 Step Plot Outline
--How to assemble a plot outline in 8 easy steps.
On Editing
The Novel Doctor -- Great Editor, and has some great info for writers.
Project Team Beta -- Great place to have your novel read by a couple Betas. You can also fill out an application to become a beta.
Halloween-NanoEVE
So here we are, we're almost to the starting line! Are you panicked yet? I am. I've been working on plotting and characters this whole month but I thought for sure that I would be done or at least prepared at least. Well, to be honest, I was ready until I had a sudden idea. But I think I'm pretty much done planning, at least I'm done with as much planning as I am going to do. We'll see how it goes.
It's about 9:30 here, so I have a couple more hours left before the official begin, but here's to hoping we all write without pause and ignore the backspace.
Good luck everyone!
Happy Halloween!
Monday, October 22, 2012
9 days
So here we are at the end of planning month and i can honestly say that im scrambling, trying to figure the remaining parts of my plot that have been evading me as well as getting to know my characters. I honestly can't believe that October is almost over. Where did it go?
So in these last days before the madness begins im going to really try and pin down who my characters are. I think that's one of the things that have really hurt me as far as my writing has gone. I just don't go in knowing who these people are and let them develop on their own in the course of writing just like I've been known to do with my plot.
Also, I've been reading/listening to The Host by Stephenie Meyer, the book and audiobook. I honestly have no idea how this book isn't more popular than Twilight. Seriously if you haven't read it please for your own good, do.
Well, I think that's all for now. I hope to see you at the starting gate.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Love
We all know that writing is a very solitary task. Its just you sitting behind your computer, or at your desk with a pen and paper, or typewriter (I could go on forever.), pounding away at the story that's in your head. Maybe sometimes you feel like after writing a ridiculous amount of words, what you've just written is horrible and you just want to delete it and never go back. Maybe you've been working for years, writing everyday and reading as many books as your brain can handle and still you feel like you're getting no where. I want to tell you that you're not alone.
This thing that we love is at once beautiful and terrible. It's hard and easy and fast and slow. It has the ability to make us feel like we're standing 10 feet tall and at a moment like we're nothing. So it's easy to get discouraged. But the thing that makes this whole process great is that yes, we will all suck. It's just a given (unless you're just abnormally awesome in which case good for you.) but if we just keep going, eventually one day we'll sit down and write something great.
I'm calling this series Love because I wanted to send you all a little of bit of love ( or a hug, a pat on the back, a shot of Jack, whatever you like.) to you from someone who is right where you are.
Here's a little love from Ira Glass:
This thing that we love is at once beautiful and terrible. It's hard and easy and fast and slow. It has the ability to make us feel like we're standing 10 feet tall and at a moment like we're nothing. So it's easy to get discouraged. But the thing that makes this whole process great is that yes, we will all suck. It's just a given (unless you're just abnormally awesome in which case good for you.) but if we just keep going, eventually one day we'll sit down and write something great.
I'm calling this series Love because I wanted to send you all a little of bit of love ( or a hug, a pat on the back, a shot of Jack, whatever you like.) to you from someone who is right where you are.
Here's a little love from Ira Glass:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
10.11.12
Nano Novel Update 10.11.12
I had a pretty good day today. I was finally able to pin down my plot. It's been a slippery little thing that I haven't been able to catch, but today I had a break through. For some reason I was having trouble with understanding the fact that it's entirely possible to have a main plot as well as a sub plot and that just because it's a subplot doesn't mean that it's not as important to the story as the main plot. I'm not sure why that failed to sink into my brain but I guess that's how it goes. As this will be my first time going into Nano with more than just a spark of an idea I hope all the work I'm doing now will prove to make my first draft better.
Also, I was finally able to decide on my two main character's names. Going into this, I knew immediately that I wanted someone's name to be Kai. The name just fit. Though I didn't know who since the name is unisex and could very plausibly go either way. But as I was doing a couple of plot exercises and creating back story for both of my characters I just caught a flash of an image where my MFC was screaming "Kai", so obviously there was no argument that that was his name. Long story short, after a long laborous search through name websites I finally decided on Brielle.
I'm really excited to begin Brielle and Kai's story. Is it November 1st. yet?
On another note, I'm happy to say that last night I was able to write over 1,200 on one of the novels I had put on the back-burner because I just didn't think i could save it. I love this time of year. It's like there's magic in the air.
I had a pretty good day today. I was finally able to pin down my plot. It's been a slippery little thing that I haven't been able to catch, but today I had a break through. For some reason I was having trouble with understanding the fact that it's entirely possible to have a main plot as well as a sub plot and that just because it's a subplot doesn't mean that it's not as important to the story as the main plot. I'm not sure why that failed to sink into my brain but I guess that's how it goes. As this will be my first time going into Nano with more than just a spark of an idea I hope all the work I'm doing now will prove to make my first draft better.
Also, I was finally able to decide on my two main character's names. Going into this, I knew immediately that I wanted someone's name to be Kai. The name just fit. Though I didn't know who since the name is unisex and could very plausibly go either way. But as I was doing a couple of plot exercises and creating back story for both of my characters I just caught a flash of an image where my MFC was screaming "Kai", so obviously there was no argument that that was his name. Long story short, after a long laborous search through name websites I finally decided on Brielle.
I'm really excited to begin Brielle and Kai's story. Is it November 1st. yet?
On another note, I'm happy to say that last night I was able to write over 1,200 on one of the novels I had put on the back-burner because I just didn't think i could save it. I love this time of year. It's like there's magic in the air.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tips on Writing Buddies
Today, I received a few requests to be a writing buddy. I'm so excited! I've never had writing buddies before, but since I'm trying to take my writing more seriously I thought they would be able to help. Writing is such a solitary task it's easy to feel like you're the only person in the world doing what you're doing and having the same problems that you're having, even if you know that's not true.
So i have been watching a few writing lectures by Brandon Sanderson (here) and he has given a couple tips that will help when you're reading someone else's work.
1) Remember to give good feedback.
2) Be specific.
3) Be descriptive, not proscriptive.
Describe your reaction to what you're reading, not what was wrong with it. (ex. I was confused here, I was bored here, I was frustrated here."
4) Ignore the small stuff.
Lead with Plot, Characters, and setting. Don't talk about Prose unless it's a big issue.
5) Try to look at what the book is trying to be rather than what you want it to be.
Just try and remember that you're reading and commenting on someone else's "baby". Just as your writing means the world to you, your writing buddy's writing means the same to them. You just have to remember to be truthful, but not hurtful. You never want to make someone feel bad about what they're writing, it's hard enough to put yourself out there and let someone else read what you've been working on.
If you have any other tips I would love to hear them.
So i have been watching a few writing lectures by Brandon Sanderson (here) and he has given a couple tips that will help when you're reading someone else's work.
1) Remember to give good feedback.
2) Be specific.
3) Be descriptive, not proscriptive.
Describe your reaction to what you're reading, not what was wrong with it. (ex. I was confused here, I was bored here, I was frustrated here."
4) Ignore the small stuff.
Lead with Plot, Characters, and setting. Don't talk about Prose unless it's a big issue.
5) Try to look at what the book is trying to be rather than what you want it to be.
Just try and remember that you're reading and commenting on someone else's "baby". Just as your writing means the world to you, your writing buddy's writing means the same to them. You just have to remember to be truthful, but not hurtful. You never want to make someone feel bad about what they're writing, it's hard enough to put yourself out there and let someone else read what you've been working on.
If you have any other tips I would love to hear them.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Structure
Let's talk about Structure. Yes, yes I know, go ahead and groan, I'll wait.
Finished?
Good.
Structure is something that can either make your novel great or make it into a terrible mess of strung together words that sometimes make you fell goodby mostly make you grimace. That is before you give up and throw the thing away because you can't read it.
Through my quest to learn everything that I can about writing and mastering the basics, Ive found that story structure is one of those things that I really struggle with. And that's pretty tragic because structure is the bones of pretty much everything that I write. So I decided to read as much as i could about structure and hopefully someone somewhere out there will explain it in a way that will just click.
Here are a few of my resources:
First of all I took advantage of Holly Lisle's infamous How to think Sideways class right before it was no longer available as a weekly online course. It's still available in ebook format, and you can purchase them here. I love Holly, and the course, so I would definitely recommend it.
Second, I purchased Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell.(It's actually the first book on writing that I ever bought!) I would recommend this book to everyone if you want to improve your writing. It is seriously worth it's weight in gold.
Finally, I recently stumbled upon Kristen Lamb's blog, and saw that she was posting a weekly blog about structure. If you don't take any of my other advice I would seriously advise you to check this series out. She seriously breaks down the concept and gives examples that really help you grasp everything. It's definitely a must read before Nano. Also, check out her book We Are Not Alone-The Writer's Guide to Social Media if you are thinking of starting an author's blog that helps create your author's platform.
Structure Part I , Part II--Plot Problems , Part III--Introducing the Opposition , Part IV--Is Your Idea Strong Enough? , The Pitch and Your Seed Idea
Finished?
Good.
Structure is something that can either make your novel great or make it into a terrible mess of strung together words that sometimes make you fell goodby mostly make you grimace. That is before you give up and throw the thing away because you can't read it.
Through my quest to learn everything that I can about writing and mastering the basics, Ive found that story structure is one of those things that I really struggle with. And that's pretty tragic because structure is the bones of pretty much everything that I write. So I decided to read as much as i could about structure and hopefully someone somewhere out there will explain it in a way that will just click.
Here are a few of my resources:
First of all I took advantage of Holly Lisle's infamous How to think Sideways class right before it was no longer available as a weekly online course. It's still available in ebook format, and you can purchase them here. I love Holly, and the course, so I would definitely recommend it.
Second, I purchased Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell.(It's actually the first book on writing that I ever bought!) I would recommend this book to everyone if you want to improve your writing. It is seriously worth it's weight in gold.
Finally, I recently stumbled upon Kristen Lamb's blog, and saw that she was posting a weekly blog about structure. If you don't take any of my other advice I would seriously advise you to check this series out. She seriously breaks down the concept and gives examples that really help you grasp everything. It's definitely a must read before Nano. Also, check out her book We Are Not Alone-The Writer's Guide to Social Media if you are thinking of starting an author's blog that helps create your author's platform.
Structure Part I , Part II--Plot Problems , Part III--Introducing the Opposition , Part IV--Is Your Idea Strong Enough? , The Pitch and Your Seed Idea
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Why write?
I've read a lot of writer's blogs and aspiring author's blogs and one of the things i've noticed was the various reasons why people write. I've always been interested in the reasons people do the things that they do. It was probably the reason I took psychology in high school and again in college. Because I liked to figure out the real reasons behind the things that people do what they do.
I mean some people go to school for a long time to become doctors and lawyers, and some don't and work at McDonalds and then some of the lucky few don't have to work at all. They spend their time wandering the world discovering new species of spider monkeys. Or something. But I've read tons and i mean tons of reasons why people have started writing novels.
So, I started to think about why I wanted to write; why I began to write. I thought about it long and hard because I wanted to understand why I'm doing this painfully beautiful, amazing yet excruciating thing.
At first it was because I loved to read. Sounds pretty strange but really the only thing that i've found is a constant is that writers are readers, no matter if they're published or not. We all love to read.
Then it was because I had a story in my head, one that i'd always wanted to read. And the only way that i was going to get to read it was if I wrote it myself.
And finally it's because ultimately I am selfish. I want someone to read my words and remember me. I want them to remember the way that my words made them feel. I want to matter to a person that I have never met. That's ultimately the reason why I write. It's not glamorous or the Miss America I want to save the world with peace answer but it's real. And since I've decided to be real with myself, and you (whoever you are) I figured I had to cite my reasons. Because if I want to be successful, I have to take this seriously.
Why do you write?
I mean some people go to school for a long time to become doctors and lawyers, and some don't and work at McDonalds and then some of the lucky few don't have to work at all. They spend their time wandering the world discovering new species of spider monkeys. Or something. But I've read tons and i mean tons of reasons why people have started writing novels.
So, I started to think about why I wanted to write; why I began to write. I thought about it long and hard because I wanted to understand why I'm doing this painfully beautiful, amazing yet excruciating thing.
At first it was because I loved to read. Sounds pretty strange but really the only thing that i've found is a constant is that writers are readers, no matter if they're published or not. We all love to read.
Then it was because I had a story in my head, one that i'd always wanted to read. And the only way that i was going to get to read it was if I wrote it myself.
And finally it's because ultimately I am selfish. I want someone to read my words and remember me. I want them to remember the way that my words made them feel. I want to matter to a person that I have never met. That's ultimately the reason why I write. It's not glamorous or the Miss America I want to save the world with peace answer but it's real. And since I've decided to be real with myself, and you (whoever you are) I figured I had to cite my reasons. Because if I want to be successful, I have to take this seriously.
Why do you write?
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Ideas for Nano
I'm currently going through Holly Lisle's 'How to Think Sideways' course, and this is one of the ways that she gets some of her ideas on a deadline. While I won't be explaining her methods since that's her work and I fully recommend that you buy it if you're interested I will be giving you some of my results.
This post will be updated as things go along.
Young adult/ Fantasy
Something different. Something that will start a series.
Word count- 85,000 words (50,000 words in November)
Deadline- January 1, 2013 (First Draft)
---edited 10.5
Okay, my first thought going into this was about a girl who could leave her body behind. Immediately after that i got an image of a sickly thin boy cowering on the dirt floor of a cell.
So i have Spirit walking girl (that's what I'll call it for now) and Beaten Boy.
I haven't quite worked out how they will work together, but the muse is working on it. I seriously didn't plan anything that felt this dark. I was hoping for something light this time but my muse wants what she wants.
---edited 10.6
Characters:
Spirit walking girl-- My first thoughts of her, were that she is a warrior. She's not one of those girls that need to be saved, she does the rescuing. She is brave, because she has to be.
-Her mother recently had a heart attack and has suffered brain damage because of lack of oxygen when they were trying to resuscitate her. She's had to grow up quickly and take care of herself and her mother.
-Her father is forced to move back to where they live to help, but they don't get along very well. He somewhat resents the fact that he has to relocate his whole life to take care of them. (I really like that conflict, between doing what you're supposed to do but hating every moment of it.)
Beaten Boy who will now be known as Captive Male-- I changed his working name because at this point I'm not really sure if i want him to be human (actually I'm pretty sure i don't want him to be human) and also because I'm not sure how old he is.
--edited 10.7
I've been thinking today about my opposition, or the BBT as Kristen Lamb describes it. I think i have finally figured out who i want it to be. I have always loved the juxtaposition of both doing something wrong for the right reason. I'm not sure if that makes sense. Having noble intentions but hurting people for those intentions.
--edited 10.8
Okay, so yea. Pretty much everything that I wrote yesterday about my BBT, was incorrect. For this novel at least. I've decided I want the MFC to have her going against herself, in that she needs to relinquish the tight reign she holds on every part of her and her mother's lives in order to complete her goal. I have also nailed down what that specific goal is. I think I've had a pretty productive day, even though I had to take some meds for my allergies ( Damn Tennessee pollen and weather) which promptly put me to sleep for five hours after I got home from work.
I was also able to nail down some other facts about my MFC. Here is a conversation I had with my muse:
Who is he?
-He is very tribal.
What does that mean?
-He has never lived in the modern, or real world at all.
Okay, what else?
-He has tan/cinnamon skin. but more grey and sickly than sunkissed.
Does he speak English?
-He speaks whatever she speaks. He is evertthing that she is.
Does that mean he's just a male copy of her?
-No.
Okay, what else?
-He has dark eyes, long hair. Black.
What is he called?
-He was never named. She will name him.
What does she name him?
-I don't know.
Okay, what is he doing?
-Waiting. For her. He's waited a long time. two hundred years.
Anything else?
-Not right now.
--edited 10.9
So last night I was getting pretty frustrated with my plot. It was still in that muddy, foggy phase where nothing is clear and your squinting and straining your eyes trying to make out the tiny light through the fray. So i was looking through some writer's blogs, as I have taken to doing these days and saw that someone was recommending Holly's Create a Plot Clinic and of course I could have and probably should have slapped myself. Of course my first thought should have been Holly's course! But it wasn't. Which is how my brain works (or doesn't work).
I paid for and downloaded the pdf, and the worksheets, got everything printed out and made sure I had enough paper and let the book just chill on my ipad for the night. When i got to work this morning i could hardly contain my excitement and began to read. Since I'd already read most of the beginning in the How to Think Sideways Course i knew the basics. But as i began to read the Tools and do the exercises my plot just began to unfold like an accordion. It was pretty awesome, so If you're having problems with your plot i would suggest the Create a Plot Clinic. It's only 9.95. If that's too much for you you can try the Professional Plot Outline Mini Course for .99.
From now on I am just going to make seperate posts about all my further planning for Nano, since I've been adding to this one every day it won't take very long before this is massive.
----------Now playing: Come On by Will Young
This post will be updated as things go along.
Young adult/ Fantasy
Something different. Something that will start a series.
Word count- 85,000 words (50,000 words in November)
Deadline- January 1, 2013 (First Draft)
---edited 10.5
Okay, my first thought going into this was about a girl who could leave her body behind. Immediately after that i got an image of a sickly thin boy cowering on the dirt floor of a cell.
So i have Spirit walking girl (that's what I'll call it for now) and Beaten Boy.
I haven't quite worked out how they will work together, but the muse is working on it. I seriously didn't plan anything that felt this dark. I was hoping for something light this time but my muse wants what she wants.
---edited 10.6
Characters:
Spirit walking girl-- My first thoughts of her, were that she is a warrior. She's not one of those girls that need to be saved, she does the rescuing. She is brave, because she has to be.
-Her mother recently had a heart attack and has suffered brain damage because of lack of oxygen when they were trying to resuscitate her. She's had to grow up quickly and take care of herself and her mother.
-Her father is forced to move back to where they live to help, but they don't get along very well. He somewhat resents the fact that he has to relocate his whole life to take care of them. (I really like that conflict, between doing what you're supposed to do but hating every moment of it.)
Beaten Boy who will now be known as Captive Male-- I changed his working name because at this point I'm not really sure if i want him to be human (actually I'm pretty sure i don't want him to be human) and also because I'm not sure how old he is.
--edited 10.7
I've been thinking today about my opposition, or the BBT as Kristen Lamb describes it. I think i have finally figured out who i want it to be. I have always loved the juxtaposition of both doing something wrong for the right reason. I'm not sure if that makes sense. Having noble intentions but hurting people for those intentions.
--edited 10.8
Okay, so yea. Pretty much everything that I wrote yesterday about my BBT, was incorrect. For this novel at least. I've decided I want the MFC to have her going against herself, in that she needs to relinquish the tight reign she holds on every part of her and her mother's lives in order to complete her goal. I have also nailed down what that specific goal is. I think I've had a pretty productive day, even though I had to take some meds for my allergies ( Damn Tennessee pollen and weather) which promptly put me to sleep for five hours after I got home from work.
I was also able to nail down some other facts about my MFC. Here is a conversation I had with my muse:
Who is he?
-He is very tribal.
What does that mean?
-He has never lived in the modern, or real world at all.
Okay, what else?
-He has tan/cinnamon skin. but more grey and sickly than sunkissed.
Does he speak English?
-He speaks whatever she speaks. He is evertthing that she is.
Does that mean he's just a male copy of her?
-No.
Okay, what else?
-He has dark eyes, long hair. Black.
What is he called?
-He was never named. She will name him.
What does she name him?
-I don't know.
Okay, what is he doing?
-Waiting. For her. He's waited a long time. two hundred years.
Anything else?
-Not right now.
--edited 10.9
So last night I was getting pretty frustrated with my plot. It was still in that muddy, foggy phase where nothing is clear and your squinting and straining your eyes trying to make out the tiny light through the fray. So i was looking through some writer's blogs, as I have taken to doing these days and saw that someone was recommending Holly's Create a Plot Clinic and of course I could have and probably should have slapped myself. Of course my first thought should have been Holly's course! But it wasn't. Which is how my brain works (or doesn't work).
I paid for and downloaded the pdf, and the worksheets, got everything printed out and made sure I had enough paper and let the book just chill on my ipad for the night. When i got to work this morning i could hardly contain my excitement and began to read. Since I'd already read most of the beginning in the How to Think Sideways Course i knew the basics. But as i began to read the Tools and do the exercises my plot just began to unfold like an accordion. It was pretty awesome, so If you're having problems with your plot i would suggest the Create a Plot Clinic. It's only 9.95. If that's too much for you you can try the Professional Plot Outline Mini Course for .99.
From now on I am just going to make seperate posts about all my further planning for Nano, since I've been adding to this one every day it won't take very long before this is massive.
----------Now playing: Come On by Will Young
Not trying to be a wannabe
Okay, so I decided to start this blog to chronicle this year's Nano and to hopefully give myself a little bit of accountability with my writing. I will readily admit that I have started and also pretty quickly killed several of the blogs that I have started in my life. I don't know what it is about blogs that i just never stick to them.
The only thing that I've seemed to keep going back to is pinterest and I am seriously convinced that it has some kind of subliminal messaging that keeps me addicted or something, but I just find myself going back again and again. However that is neither here nor there.
I have successfully completed two Nano's and won both ( '10 and '11 ). However neither of those wins were easy. In fact they were seriously messy and painful. The first week I'd pretty much stick to the word count and then something happens and two weeks go by where I haven't even opened the word document, let alone write any words. Then I'm left with the task of writing 40,000 words in two weeks. It's not pretty, and honestly I'm not even sure how I do it, but somehow I end up on November 30, with 50,000 words and a novel that is not finished but somehow remarkable.
I have no idea where the words, the sentences, the scenes come from in the wee hours of the morning when I can barely keep my eyes open, yet my brain is still making my fingers fly over the keyboard, but it's awesome. That's the magic of Nano. You see what you are made of, what you're capable of if you just push yourself, and its beautiful.
But I need to try and actually finish a novel. That's the goal, it always has been, but for some reason I never get there. I want to publish and be successful at this thing that I love to do but without actually finishing, I'm nothing but a wannabe. So this is it. This is me saying that I am finally going to succeed somehow whether it kills me. I'm going to do it. By any means necessary.
First up... pinning down an idea.
------------------------
Now playing--Anything could happen by Ellie Goulding
The only thing that I've seemed to keep going back to is pinterest and I am seriously convinced that it has some kind of subliminal messaging that keeps me addicted or something, but I just find myself going back again and again. However that is neither here nor there.
I have successfully completed two Nano's and won both ( '10 and '11 ). However neither of those wins were easy. In fact they were seriously messy and painful. The first week I'd pretty much stick to the word count and then something happens and two weeks go by where I haven't even opened the word document, let alone write any words. Then I'm left with the task of writing 40,000 words in two weeks. It's not pretty, and honestly I'm not even sure how I do it, but somehow I end up on November 30, with 50,000 words and a novel that is not finished but somehow remarkable.
I have no idea where the words, the sentences, the scenes come from in the wee hours of the morning when I can barely keep my eyes open, yet my brain is still making my fingers fly over the keyboard, but it's awesome. That's the magic of Nano. You see what you are made of, what you're capable of if you just push yourself, and its beautiful.
But I need to try and actually finish a novel. That's the goal, it always has been, but for some reason I never get there. I want to publish and be successful at this thing that I love to do but without actually finishing, I'm nothing but a wannabe. So this is it. This is me saying that I am finally going to succeed somehow whether it kills me. I'm going to do it. By any means necessary.
First up... pinning down an idea.
------------------------
Now playing--Anything could happen by Ellie Goulding
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