so, moments ago, i finished NaNoWriMo. it was definitely not what i expected. for one thing, i hate my novel. like, really really hate it. and here's why. flashback!!!!
once upon a time, (aka last fall) i hadn't sewn a stitch in my life. and then i got this really, really insane idea. i thought, 'hey, my sister is a very good seamstress. she can teach me.'
yeah, we're getting to the crazy part soon.
then, i thought, 'hey, halloween is coming up in like a month. why don't i make a costume?'
still not thinking i'm crazy? just wait.
then, then i thought, 'i don't care how hard it is, i'm going to make an epic victorian style one. in under a month'
yeah, it gets better.
oh boy, the real kicker. at the last second, meaning a week before, i decided i was going to make one for my best friend to. yeah, i'm insane.
but the thing is, i did. sure, by the skin of my teeth. but i finished. and they were pretty dang awesome too. i'm famous for almost never backing out of a crazy whim/dare like that. and then i epicly fail at a realistic goal of say, exercising more. i've always been proud of my ability to stick with things like that. sure, not so much of the fail part, but i've taken pride in never backing out on a whim. (/flashback)
but not this time......
you see, i signed up for NaNoWriMo. i don't remember where i first heard of it, but it sounded pretty cool. so i thought 'hey, why not? what's the worse that could happen?' oh boy! it was on a whim, totally not planned, with less than two weeks to get a story idea, and an outline before it started. ugh
for the first week, everything was going great. sure, i switched the timing around about a bagillion times, but hey, you know what they say. that's what december's for.
then the second week, things started getting a little whacked out. i started hitting walls i didn't know how to demolish. i didn't know precisely where to go next in my story, so i started rambling. then, i started taking dares. i started writing about random subjects just to get my word count in. things i knew i would just cut out later. this worked ok, i guess.
but it got worse and worse from that day on. i was just putting random scenes in. describing things in huge detail, just to boost the words. week three, i knew i was just running it into the ground. but that stupid inner determination of mine just wouldn't let go. of course, i couldn't quite see that then.
by week three, nano had completely slipped from my 'want to do' list, to my 'should do' list.
week four it slipped to 'have to do'
i killed my NaNo story, and the joy of writing (for the time being, don't worry i'll still write.) just because of the pride i took in not quitting.
where's the cow come in you say? well, i was talking to a friend of mine, and i often use the term 'what's his cow?' or 'i'm having a cow with this'
cow meaning problem.
so i had a major cow with my nano. my friend and i decided it must be a very ugly cow. and i named it NaNo 09, which has a certain ring to it.
ok, so that was supposed to be the funny part....fail!!!!
and the empty victory? i was so blinded by that stupid pride, that i missed the real victory, of writing a good story, even if it was a lot less than 50k. next year baby....
and also, i learned a lot from NaNo, even though i epicly failed the intended purpose of it. so, here's to unexpected lessons.
PS-sorry for the incredibly emo post. this is NOT a trend i will continue, i just really needed to get that off my chest. wow, this is really not like me..... thanks for listening any way :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
a win, a fail, a win, and tassels! also boots.
win: went to craft store to look for yarn that would go with my NaNo scarf. as i searched the shelves, my sister, being the ninja that she is, found the exact yarn! i mean, my mom bought that yarn at least ten years ago! what are the odds that they'd carry it? man, talk about luck.
fail: got home. i was very excited to start work so i rushed to get my crochet hook. i tried futilely for about five minutes to get the knot on the scarf undone, but to no avail. so i got the scissors out and cut just two little stitches out. you know, just to undo it. it was then that i realized that the reason i couldn't get it to come undone was because i was at the bottom >_< i had just ruinated the scarf.
win: after a good ten minutes of freaking out (it took forever, ok!) i decided to try to re-weave it. so, crocheting backwards if that makes any sense. and, i did it! i figured it out, and now no one would be able to tell you anything was wrong. phew!
tassels: somewhere in the time of me freaking out, my sister suggested that i just add tassels to the bottom so no one would see it. i didn't have to use this tactic, but i have decided to add tassels. because they're cool.
oh, and after the trip to the fabric/craft store, we went to get shoes. because my sister and i were in need of some new ones. the verdict, i have really weird feet/body. and fat calves.
shoes don't like me. i have wide feet, and really really high arches. despite this, i did find shoes that fit. the funny part, so did my sister. no, i mean we found the same shoe. we're matching.
then came the boots *glare of doom* i've been searching for boots for a while now, but they all don't fit once i try to pull it up over the giant gelatinous blob that is my calf X(. but, today, i found a pair that fit *trumpet* the funny part? so did my sister. yep, you guessed it. we're matching again *face palm*
i think the shoe manufacturers are in on a conspiracy. the whole fashion world is. they are trying to make me feel inadequate, so that i might not realize the full potential of my ninja powers. ha! i defy them all! my ninjaness shall be know....*sticks tongue out*
annnnnnnnnnnd this is why i should really start getting more sleep.
PS-before i forget to mention it, The Bookshelf Muse is having a pretty sweet contest right now. you should go look *points at links in side bar* -->
that site is really helpful for description, and has helped me get my stupid, contrary characters in line a little bit. for now....
fail: got home. i was very excited to start work so i rushed to get my crochet hook. i tried futilely for about five minutes to get the knot on the scarf undone, but to no avail. so i got the scissors out and cut just two little stitches out. you know, just to undo it. it was then that i realized that the reason i couldn't get it to come undone was because i was at the bottom >_< i had just ruinated the scarf.
win: after a good ten minutes of freaking out (it took forever, ok!) i decided to try to re-weave it. so, crocheting backwards if that makes any sense. and, i did it! i figured it out, and now no one would be able to tell you anything was wrong. phew!
tassels: somewhere in the time of me freaking out, my sister suggested that i just add tassels to the bottom so no one would see it. i didn't have to use this tactic, but i have decided to add tassels. because they're cool.
oh, and after the trip to the fabric/craft store, we went to get shoes. because my sister and i were in need of some new ones. the verdict, i have really weird feet/body. and fat calves.
shoes don't like me. i have wide feet, and really really high arches. despite this, i did find shoes that fit. the funny part, so did my sister. no, i mean we found the same shoe. we're matching.
then came the boots *glare of doom* i've been searching for boots for a while now, but they all don't fit once i try to pull it up over the giant gelatinous blob that is my calf X(. but, today, i found a pair that fit *trumpet* the funny part? so did my sister. yep, you guessed it. we're matching again *face palm*
i think the shoe manufacturers are in on a conspiracy. the whole fashion world is. they are trying to make me feel inadequate, so that i might not realize the full potential of my ninja powers. ha! i defy them all! my ninjaness shall be know....*sticks tongue out*
annnnnnnnnnnd this is why i should really start getting more sleep.
PS-before i forget to mention it, The Bookshelf Muse is having a pretty sweet contest right now. you should go look *points at links in side bar* -->
that site is really helpful for description, and has helped me get my stupid, contrary characters in line a little bit. for now....
Saturday, November 28, 2009
a mini post, and a half decent funny story
so, i have a funny story to tell. ok, well not that funny. it might just give you a slight chuckle.
on thanksgiving, when all the cousins were over, we were playing a game called Curses! heard of it? no? well it's a game where you give people these curse cards (well, you do other stuff too, but this is the important part.) these curse cards are pretty funny. like, one is that whenever someone touches you, you shout 'You're always after me lucky charms!' in a irish accent. funny things like that.
well, i got some pretty amusing curse cards.
1)every time someone claps their hands, you must howl like a wolf.
2)when anyone makes an animal sound, shout a random lunch meat.
3)every time someone says the name of a food, give them a round of applause.
>_< it was an amazing, once in a blue moon coincidence of awesome. an unbreakable circle of curses. i was forced to break one, which contributed to me losing the game. but hey, who's going to continuously do that, for like half an hour or so? sheesh. that would sooooo not be fun.
PS-and i'd like to add, that i am very grateful to my followers! you guys are amazing! :D thanks for listening!
on thanksgiving, when all the cousins were over, we were playing a game called Curses! heard of it? no? well it's a game where you give people these curse cards (well, you do other stuff too, but this is the important part.) these curse cards are pretty funny. like, one is that whenever someone touches you, you shout 'You're always after me lucky charms!' in a irish accent. funny things like that.
well, i got some pretty amusing curse cards.
1)every time someone claps their hands, you must howl like a wolf.
2)when anyone makes an animal sound, shout a random lunch meat.
3)every time someone says the name of a food, give them a round of applause.
>_< it was an amazing, once in a blue moon coincidence of awesome. an unbreakable circle of curses. i was forced to break one, which contributed to me losing the game. but hey, who's going to continuously do that, for like half an hour or so? sheesh. that would sooooo not be fun.
PS-and i'd like to add, that i am very grateful to my followers! you guys are amazing! :D thanks for listening!
Friday, November 27, 2009
the mad ramblings of a pied-out dork
today was a most excellent thanksgiving.
i slept in deliciously late (which was offset by how late i stayed up to get my word count in >_<)
i ambled down the stairs and watched the Macey's thanksgiving day parade. which was interesting for two reasons. one, it was so boring i almost fell asleep. and two, i also felt an interesting sense of excitement, for watching the parade is the way thanksgiving has always started at my house, and it felt like the day was about to snow ball into an amazing adventure of some sorts. where is the interesting part you say? the fact that it bored me to sleep and got me all excited for the day at the same time. the exact same time. simultaneously. it was an odd sensation, let me tell ya. it made me think about how important family traditions really are. they are the things that tie us together in important ways.
after that, the day did indeed snow ball. there was a turkey to be basted, things to be dusted, tables to be set (yes, our family is big enough to take more than one ginormous dinning room table), etc. the day flew by with all the craziness of preparing. the turkey filled the air with intoxicating scents that tickled your taste buds. the pies were set out, tempting any one who walked by them to take just one taste. the preparation it self was a blast.
then all the crazy in-laws showed up. phew! boy did it get crazy, but that to was a blast (though i will admit that i was relieved when they left and there was a delicious quiet.) that was interesting (two pieces of wisdom in one post? what is the world coming to?) for out of all the cousins, i'm not what you would call popular. i mean, just read my hobby list. i'm a nerd of sorts. a proud nerd, but a nerd non the less. they are on the, well, cheer leading, football side of things. so i usually kind of find an out of the way spot at family gatherings and watch. this time, we all just played together. we told jokes from our favorite comedians, played card games and such. it was very fun, and it made me think about people, and personalities and the like. it's interesting that even the most incompatible people can find at least something they have in common, and have a blast with each other. i came out of this with a greater resolve to not 'brand' people on first contact/sight, and to try harder to find that thing we have in common with the people i already see.
then we ate. it was good. my cousin makes a mean chocolate pie. nom.
after everybody left (meaning the extended family, including all the cousins) i sat in the family room with all my family (close family, mom, dad, and siblings) we all just sat and talked. a lot of my siblings were trying to figure out some computer problem with my dad, and the rest of us put our feet up. don't get me wrong, i'm very interested in computers, but i was too tired to comprehend what was said. so i peacefully crocheted.
and announcing *trumpet sounding* the NaNo scarf.
the NaNo scarf is a very fuzzy, very warm scarf i starting crocheting in the late october/early november. i found that when my characters were giving me fits, or the plot took a nose dive, crocheting would give me something repetitive to do with my hands, somehow helping free my mind up. it helped me relax, and i would just mull ideas over until some inspiration hit me, and i'd be typing again. i don't know how it works, but i'm not complaining. so that is how it got it's name.
ok, so after all the extended family left (yay tangent there....) i sat crocheting my NaNo scarf. and i ran out of yarn/cry. it isn't nearly long enough to actually be called a scarf. so i guess i'll rename it the NaNo half-scarf until i can figure out some magical way to make it longer. it was a good project for NaNo, but i'm sad that i can't wear it. it is long enough to make one of those weird, scarf thingies that just barely go around your neck, and often connect with buttons. those are fine, but they annoy me. so i guess it's back to the drawing board.
the fail that is the scarf:
i would like to end this post with something awesome. so here is a list of things that i am grateful for today.
pie. maybe something more spiritually deep or what not should go on the top of the list, but seriously? can you imagine thanksgiving without pie? *shudders*
family. sure they're a pain in the rear a lot of the time, but they make up for it in their sheer awesome moments. they support you, they have fun with you. and in your turn, you are a pain in the rear for them, and support them, and have fun. it's just a good set up.
friends. they are much like family, but with less pain in the rear, and fewer eye rolls. but then again, they aren't required to stick by you like family is. i'm not sure if this improves their standing or not..... i guess it says something that they stick by you voluntarily. any way, i love all my friends in all their craziness.
being crazy. i love being crazy. you just have so much fun! the whole world is your play ground. and much like on real play grounds, we old people play on them, do childish things, and generally look silly. but it's fun. and i'd rather have fun and look silly, than look cool and be a stuffed up old 'mature' (aka boring) person.
uh.... more pie. yeah. that's good stuff. cookie dough icecream's pretty good too. yumminess.
warm fuzzy feelings. you know those days where it's a saturday or something, so you don't have school. there's snow falling, you have a warm sweater on. you get some hot chocolate and a good book, preferably by a crackling fire. yeah, that's the feeling i'm talking about. the holiday season makes me think of all those days, and that feeling of, mmm, warm. or when you talk to that one friend/family member that you haven't gotten the chance to talk to in a while, that you've missed a lot. ^_^
well, that's it. well no, that's not it. i am grateful for a lot of things. those are just the most important ones that pop into my head on thanksgiving (cept the icecream. not really sure where that came from.)
well, it's kind of late. and i should finish up my word count for the day.
PS-for the record, i consider anytime before you go to bed (even if it's technically after 12 midnight) to be the night of the day before. that really didn't make any sense. uhh....
wake up on thursday=thursday
bedtime at 1:00=still thursday
so this is thursday. not friday, even if the little date thingy says it is. blerg.(note: to any of you who are not familiar with my vocabulary, blerg is a guttural sound that is meant to express frustration.)
PPS-as a sneak peek into the future blog posts, i am going to do something i like to call the 12 days of christmas. i haven't worked out all the ideas and stuff, but i'm going to be doing something cool on everyday dec. 1-12
i think it may involve making my gifts for christmas, and thanking people and other awesome things. it shall be awesome.
PPPS-if i do happen to make gifts, than you'll have to wait till after christmas to hear about them, because people i'd make them for read this blog. talk about spoiler.
i slept in deliciously late (which was offset by how late i stayed up to get my word count in >_<)
i ambled down the stairs and watched the Macey's thanksgiving day parade. which was interesting for two reasons. one, it was so boring i almost fell asleep. and two, i also felt an interesting sense of excitement, for watching the parade is the way thanksgiving has always started at my house, and it felt like the day was about to snow ball into an amazing adventure of some sorts. where is the interesting part you say? the fact that it bored me to sleep and got me all excited for the day at the same time. the exact same time. simultaneously. it was an odd sensation, let me tell ya. it made me think about how important family traditions really are. they are the things that tie us together in important ways.
after that, the day did indeed snow ball. there was a turkey to be basted, things to be dusted, tables to be set (yes, our family is big enough to take more than one ginormous dinning room table), etc. the day flew by with all the craziness of preparing. the turkey filled the air with intoxicating scents that tickled your taste buds. the pies were set out, tempting any one who walked by them to take just one taste. the preparation it self was a blast.
then all the crazy in-laws showed up. phew! boy did it get crazy, but that to was a blast (though i will admit that i was relieved when they left and there was a delicious quiet.) that was interesting (two pieces of wisdom in one post? what is the world coming to?) for out of all the cousins, i'm not what you would call popular. i mean, just read my hobby list. i'm a nerd of sorts. a proud nerd, but a nerd non the less. they are on the, well, cheer leading, football side of things. so i usually kind of find an out of the way spot at family gatherings and watch. this time, we all just played together. we told jokes from our favorite comedians, played card games and such. it was very fun, and it made me think about people, and personalities and the like. it's interesting that even the most incompatible people can find at least something they have in common, and have a blast with each other. i came out of this with a greater resolve to not 'brand' people on first contact/sight, and to try harder to find that thing we have in common with the people i already see.
then we ate. it was good. my cousin makes a mean chocolate pie. nom.
after everybody left (meaning the extended family, including all the cousins) i sat in the family room with all my family (close family, mom, dad, and siblings) we all just sat and talked. a lot of my siblings were trying to figure out some computer problem with my dad, and the rest of us put our feet up. don't get me wrong, i'm very interested in computers, but i was too tired to comprehend what was said. so i peacefully crocheted.
and announcing *trumpet sounding* the NaNo scarf.
the NaNo scarf is a very fuzzy, very warm scarf i starting crocheting in the late october/early november. i found that when my characters were giving me fits, or the plot took a nose dive, crocheting would give me something repetitive to do with my hands, somehow helping free my mind up. it helped me relax, and i would just mull ideas over until some inspiration hit me, and i'd be typing again. i don't know how it works, but i'm not complaining. so that is how it got it's name.
ok, so after all the extended family left (yay tangent there....) i sat crocheting my NaNo scarf. and i ran out of yarn/cry. it isn't nearly long enough to actually be called a scarf. so i guess i'll rename it the NaNo half-scarf until i can figure out some magical way to make it longer. it was a good project for NaNo, but i'm sad that i can't wear it. it is long enough to make one of those weird, scarf thingies that just barely go around your neck, and often connect with buttons. those are fine, but they annoy me. so i guess it's back to the drawing board.
the fail that is the scarf:
i would like to end this post with something awesome. so here is a list of things that i am grateful for today.
pie. maybe something more spiritually deep or what not should go on the top of the list, but seriously? can you imagine thanksgiving without pie? *shudders*
family. sure they're a pain in the rear a lot of the time, but they make up for it in their sheer awesome moments. they support you, they have fun with you. and in your turn, you are a pain in the rear for them, and support them, and have fun. it's just a good set up.
friends. they are much like family, but with less pain in the rear, and fewer eye rolls. but then again, they aren't required to stick by you like family is. i'm not sure if this improves their standing or not..... i guess it says something that they stick by you voluntarily. any way, i love all my friends in all their craziness.
being crazy. i love being crazy. you just have so much fun! the whole world is your play ground. and much like on real play grounds, we old people play on them, do childish things, and generally look silly. but it's fun. and i'd rather have fun and look silly, than look cool and be a stuffed up old 'mature' (aka boring) person.
uh.... more pie. yeah. that's good stuff. cookie dough icecream's pretty good too. yumminess.
warm fuzzy feelings. you know those days where it's a saturday or something, so you don't have school. there's snow falling, you have a warm sweater on. you get some hot chocolate and a good book, preferably by a crackling fire. yeah, that's the feeling i'm talking about. the holiday season makes me think of all those days, and that feeling of, mmm, warm. or when you talk to that one friend/family member that you haven't gotten the chance to talk to in a while, that you've missed a lot. ^_^
well, that's it. well no, that's not it. i am grateful for a lot of things. those are just the most important ones that pop into my head on thanksgiving (cept the icecream. not really sure where that came from.)
well, it's kind of late. and i should finish up my word count for the day.
PS-for the record, i consider anytime before you go to bed (even if it's technically after 12 midnight) to be the night of the day before. that really didn't make any sense. uhh....
wake up on thursday=thursday
bedtime at 1:00=still thursday
so this is thursday. not friday, even if the little date thingy says it is. blerg.(note: to any of you who are not familiar with my vocabulary, blerg is a guttural sound that is meant to express frustration.)
PPS-as a sneak peek into the future blog posts, i am going to do something i like to call the 12 days of christmas. i haven't worked out all the ideas and stuff, but i'm going to be doing something cool on everyday dec. 1-12
i think it may involve making my gifts for christmas, and thanking people and other awesome things. it shall be awesome.
PPPS-if i do happen to make gifts, than you'll have to wait till after christmas to hear about them, because people i'd make them for read this blog. talk about spoiler.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
we interupt this NaNo broadcast......
O_O i got to see john schmitt (or however you spell his last name :P) on saturday! woohoo!
i can't believe it! i was about ten feet away or so!
Pictures:
Him doing his famous upside down playing:
the only sad part is i had to leave before it ended, or i might of gotten some of his other funny poses :)
anyhoo.....
in other exciting news, my camera is not actually dead, yet. i think it's on it's last leg. but, i did manage to get some pictures of my halloween costume in all its awesomeness ^_^
these are some mediocre shots of the skirt. i'll add the full body shots after i edit out my face (paint my good friend....) isn't it just so awesome!? sorry, not trying to brag too much. then again it did take me like five hours on the skirt alone :P
yes, i'm insane
i can't believe it! i was about ten feet away or so!
Pictures:
Him doing his famous upside down playing:
the only sad part is i had to leave before it ended, or i might of gotten some of his other funny poses :)
anyhoo.....
in other exciting news, my camera is not actually dead, yet. i think it's on it's last leg. but, i did manage to get some pictures of my halloween costume in all its awesomeness ^_^
these are some mediocre shots of the skirt. i'll add the full body shots after i edit out my face (paint my good friend....) isn't it just so awesome!? sorry, not trying to brag too much. then again it did take me like five hours on the skirt alone :P
yes, i'm insane
Friday, November 20, 2009
WORD! i'm caught up ^_^
sooooo, yesterday (at an hour too late to blog about) i finally broke through the red bar of doom! wewt! i am so excited! i was worried that i'd be a day behind until the very last minute, and then have to work my butt off to get across the 50k line before 12:00 midnight on the 30th. *happy dance* in other news, i took another dare. i shall be working a tea party into the novel, at the moment where they are being chased by their enemies XD. i has a silly.
i really should write humor.....
any way. in other news, i am getting random boosts to my self confidence lately. don't know why, but hey, i'll take it. *shrug*
life is good for dork vader. aside from school. i'm more behind than i'd like to be. eek.
anyhoo! seriously, life is good, i'm hyper, and plotting evil plots.you should join me! it's fun. and i'll give you cookies* for visiting my virtual evil lair (the real one is too secret to share it's location here)
so yeah, life is being good to me :D
*cookie may or may not actually exist
i really should write humor.....
any way. in other news, i am getting random boosts to my self confidence lately. don't know why, but hey, i'll take it. *shrug*
life is good for dork vader. aside from school. i'm more behind than i'd like to be. eek.
anyhoo! seriously, life is good, i'm hyper, and plotting evil plots.you should join me! it's fun. and i'll give you cookies* for visiting my virtual evil lair (the real one is too secret to share it's location here)
so yeah, life is being good to me :D
*cookie may or may not actually exist
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
bring your party hats
so yesterday i crossed 25k, half through NaNo. i can't believe it, seriously. i can't believe i've written that much, nor can i believe that i've stuck with NaNo for two weeks! two weeks of pure insanity. i'm officially impressed with myself. *happy dance* it's party time!
in other news, today i painted my nails purple, which is something i never do. paint my nails that is. i have nothing against the color purple. this is what happens when you're with your cousin and you're bored....
in other news, today i painted my nails purple, which is something i never do. paint my nails that is. i have nothing against the color purple. this is what happens when you're with your cousin and you're bored....
Monday, November 16, 2009
ahh, that new blog smell
so, as you might of noticed, i got a new template/back ground/what ever you wanna call it. isn't it so shiny? i got it from this wonderful site called pYzam (lol, i think of it as pie-zam! :P) http://www.pyzam.com/bloggertemplates
the stars category alone has 40 different choices. it's pretty epic. want a new look? check it out!
in other news, NaNo is half over, and i'm only about a day's-worth in word count behind (still, i've been trying to catch up for five days *sad face*) i can't believe that i've held with it. i've written 22,068 words right of this second. that's probably triple what i've ever written before. sheesh. that's a lot of words.
the story itself goes ok. i changed some of the timing, so the first half of my NaNo is kinda screwy, but hey, that's what december's for, right?
i'm also having a hard time with the description. it seems dreadfully flat, and i tend not to add much, because i feel it's flat *rolls eyes at one's self*
what makes a scene come alive? what makes you feel like you're right there living it? or even get a picture in your mind of what it looks like, because i can't even manage that too well.
the stars category alone has 40 different choices. it's pretty epic. want a new look? check it out!
in other news, NaNo is half over, and i'm only about a day's-worth in word count behind (still, i've been trying to catch up for five days *sad face*) i can't believe that i've held with it. i've written 22,068 words right of this second. that's probably triple what i've ever written before. sheesh. that's a lot of words.
the story itself goes ok. i changed some of the timing, so the first half of my NaNo is kinda screwy, but hey, that's what december's for, right?
i'm also having a hard time with the description. it seems dreadfully flat, and i tend not to add much, because i feel it's flat *rolls eyes at one's self*
what makes a scene come alive? what makes you feel like you're right there living it? or even get a picture in your mind of what it looks like, because i can't even manage that too well.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Bunnies, Squirrels, and Mutiny
so i've been keeping up with the word count pretty well, i'm only about 200 word behind, and i plan on fixing that tomorrow (ya weekends!)
the problem i'm having is my story and characters are being dreadfully flat. Revekkeh did this, then she did that etc. it's frustrating beyond belief. so yesterday, it was about 9 pm, and i had only gotten 100 words in for the day. i grumbled and decided to take a dare. to work a squirrel into the current scene, and make it more than 'a brown squirrel ran across the path.' so i wrote a rather amusing scene with a squirrel named geoffry. it got the book moving again, but the problem is that geoffry is a plot bunny in disguise. he is trying desperately to get me to add him in as a permanent character. gar!
and if that wasn't bad enough, he's trying to organize a mutiny. my story is fantasy/epic feel to it. he's trying to make it a comedy! what is this! AGGG! stupid geoffry....
beware the squirrels....
the problem i'm having is my story and characters are being dreadfully flat. Revekkeh did this, then she did that etc. it's frustrating beyond belief. so yesterday, it was about 9 pm, and i had only gotten 100 words in for the day. i grumbled and decided to take a dare. to work a squirrel into the current scene, and make it more than 'a brown squirrel ran across the path.' so i wrote a rather amusing scene with a squirrel named geoffry. it got the book moving again, but the problem is that geoffry is a plot bunny in disguise. he is trying desperately to get me to add him in as a permanent character. gar!
and if that wasn't bad enough, he's trying to organize a mutiny. my story is fantasy/epic feel to it. he's trying to make it a comedy! what is this! AGGG! stupid geoffry....
beware the squirrels....
Monday, November 2, 2009
writing from day one
Echoes of Magic
Chapter 1
Revekkeh waited breathlessly with a hundred other students of the academy. The spacious room was lined with old wooden benches that wound around and around in a spiral, so that every student could see over the heads of the ones sitting in front of them. The room was dimly lit with candles on stands around the walls. The smoke slowly drifted up to the ceiling, making the room look slightly colorless. On the floor was a small dais with an ornate table. On top was a chest made out of wood so darkened with age it was almost black. It was covered in strange symbols that no one could read. Revvekek felt a shiver go up her spine. She had worked for five years just to be able to sit in this room. Would she be among the lucky to see inside the box? She looked around, observing the other students around her. Some were fidgety. Some were wide eyed. Some looked ready to pass out. All were nervous.
The giant double doors opened up, startling most everyone. The elders of the academy filed in, with their robes trailing behind them. Revekkeh held her breath as they formed a circle on the dais. The Duke of Renshone, head master, unrolled a scroll and began to read the list of names of those who would get to see the contents of the chest. His voice was rough and gravely, but it had a kind of musical ring to it. Every name sounding in Revekkeh's ears like a death sentence. Only twenty students were on that list, and only two or three were every chosen. As every name was read, the student would jump up with zeal, and rush down to the dais.
“Robyn Onuk.”
“Patrik Simon”
“Isaias Payne”
“Geoffry Hall”
“Merlin Rowland
“Edmund Rayek” Revekkeh shivered. The house of Rayek was known for being cold hearted and very proud. True to this reputation, Edmund stood up calmly and walked down the isle with perfect disdain for everyone he passed. Revekkeh glared, although she knew he could not see her. Edmund and her were on opposite sides of the social scale, and it was no secret she disliked him. She shook her head and focused on counting names..
“Johnathan Hampton”
“Jarrod Ayers”
“Christopher Shaw”
“Samuel Richards” A smile split her face. She searched for her friend in the crowd, and found him just in time to see Peter poke a dazed Sam in the ribs. She stifled a laugh and watched him take his turn in rushing down to the floor.
“Darius Tristan.” Revekkeh bit her lip, concerned. That was the fifteenth name.
“Thomas Fowler”
“Rosalyn Acosta”
“Revekkeh Ceriss” Her jaw dropped open and she starred, believing it to be a dream, yet hoping desperately it wasn't. She got up and rushed down the stairs and then took her place among the circle surrounding the dais. After a few more names were read. Then it was time to start the test.
Each student took a turn going up to the chest and trying to open it. If it didn't open, they took their seat. after five students went dejectedly back to their seats, the elders nodded at her. she could hear her heart pounding in her ears as she slowly walked forward. she climbed the steps slowly and deliberately. she had waited and wanted this for so long. Revekkeh gently put her hand on the table and let it slide as she walked forward. 'what if i don't make it? i'd have to do the training all over to get another chance. the country needs solders, they can't afford for everyone to go back and try again.' she thought to herself. she took a breath to steady her nerves and laid her hands on the chest. she started, with drawing her touch. it had, almost stung. but not physically, something else. she glanced back at the elders. her arms teacher raised his eye brow at her. she shook her head and tried again. it felt normal now. for all her attempts at calming herself, at this moment she closed her eyes and gave the lid a sudden tug. it opened quite easily. she heard gasps from the elders and the students who were close enough to see. she slowly opened her eyes. the chest was empty. the dragon egg was gone. revekkeh teetered as if she were going to fall. sam rushed on to the dais and caught her arm, though he felt no calmer. the Duke rushed forward, followed by the others. they all started whispering and discussing all at once. Edmund glared at her, as if it had been her fault. she stood up straight, and glared back. Samuel let go of her arm, knowing that if nothing else would steady her nerves, it would to avoid looking weak in front of Edmund. after a few minutes of confusion, the Duke turned to the students in the audience and said
"may i have everyone's attention! there is a slight problem. the egg is missing. there will be much further investigation, and the Choosing will be rescheduled. Revekkeh looked at him in bewilderment. he made it sound like an every day announcement about the new horses or some such. as the student body began to file out, he turned back to the elders.
"It has to be the Nennimars. No one in Aridon would dream of it." he said
"How would they have gotten past the guards? you yourself inspected the box when it arrived. it was the same, as all ways?" the arms teacher, Sir Theodore, questioned skeptically.
"i don't know. the guards who handled it and transported it were the elite guards, and sworn under oath to report anything in the slightest degree that seemed out of the ordinary." the Duke responded.
"then maybe it happened after it arrived."
"how could the Nennimars possibly get to it then?"
"they could have someone on the inside," Revekkeh said quite a bit louder than she intended. they all stopped and stared at her. she turned quite red.
"one of the studdents?" the riding instructor asked incredulously
"it could be the answer, however unlikely. we will investigate more. don't shoot ideas down because they come from one of your students, George." after that they scooted away, and talked low enough that the students who still surrounded the dais could not hear. Edmund looked at her with conceited pity.
"do you really think the elders would listen to you? even if you were the one to discover the egg was gone? if anything, i would be more suspicious. what better way to throw off suspicion than to be the one to shout the alarm?" Revekkeh responded without any false civility,
"Edmund, you would suspect a cow of taking it if that is what the rest of your level of 'civilized' acquaintances would look on as in the slightest bit likely. you're opinion is based on previous prejudices, and therefore is useless." Edmund turned purple with rage
"how dare you say something like that?" then, regaining some composer he said, as if to dare her to action.
"then again, what more could be suspected of a commoner?" unfortunately for edmund, Revekkeh had seen this tactic too many times before. she smiled sweetly and replied in a stickily sarcastic voice as she walked away
"you are TOO kind, my dearest edmund. i must be going, though i can hardly bare to be out of your company." Edmund fumed as she walked away.
"He makes me so mad! how can he think himself that above other people? i just don't get it! how can one human being be so conceited?" Revekkeh ranted to Sam. sam just smiled good natured and said,
"i don't know revekkeh, any more than the last time you got in a tizzy about it." Revekkeh rolled her eyes.
"sorry, you know it bugs me."
"you bet i know. how could i forget" Revekkeh glared and threw a roll at him.
"ahh, sorry! i take it back. no, no more!" after she thoroughly pelted him with rolls and other things from her lunch, she said,
"what do you thing happened to the egg? it sound like it just disappeared." sam thought for a little and then replied,
"I don't know, it does seem rather impossible. but do you really think someone from the school could've done it?"
"if you can think of another possibility, i'll listen. but you heard the elders just as well as i did. there seems to be no holes in the security. they egg farriers are the most trusted, cunning scouts we have." samuel sighed and said,
"i don't know Revekkeh, i really don't. and if i were you, i would leave it to the elders. they know what they're doing. i have to go. Sir Theodore wants me to get some extra fencing in."
"fine, i'll see you later." after sam left, Revekkeh sat deep in thought. after she could think of nothing else on how the egg could've disappeared, her mind wandered back to the chest itself. how could it have stung her? it seemed utterly impossible. yet, she knew that what she had felt was real. she shook her head, and went off to do some fencing of her own.
"Revekkeh! stop!" Revekkeh stopped, startled. Sam lay on his back desperately trying to fend her off as she swung quickly and powerfully. she shook her head.
"sorry, i was distracted" she replied embarrassed.
"you have a gift for the blade my friend. no matter how i practise, Sir Theodore always shakes his head and mutters something about why couldn't i be more like you," Sam replied, laughing. Revekkeh smiled and was about to change the subject when Sir Theodore walked toward them.
"Hey, i'm glad to see you practicing Samuel. maybe you can pick up some things from Revekkeh." she and Sam looked at each other with amused expressions.
"Anyway, you two are to report to the Duke's office. we think there might be a clue to the egg's disappearance." Sam and Revekkeh looked at each other with wide eyes and rushed off to the Duke.
so there it is. and if any of you were wondering about the country's names mentioned right after the egg was discovered to be missing, let me just say that i love random name generators.
Chapter 1
Revekkeh waited breathlessly with a hundred other students of the academy. The spacious room was lined with old wooden benches that wound around and around in a spiral, so that every student could see over the heads of the ones sitting in front of them. The room was dimly lit with candles on stands around the walls. The smoke slowly drifted up to the ceiling, making the room look slightly colorless. On the floor was a small dais with an ornate table. On top was a chest made out of wood so darkened with age it was almost black. It was covered in strange symbols that no one could read. Revvekek felt a shiver go up her spine. She had worked for five years just to be able to sit in this room. Would she be among the lucky to see inside the box? She looked around, observing the other students around her. Some were fidgety. Some were wide eyed. Some looked ready to pass out. All were nervous.
The giant double doors opened up, startling most everyone. The elders of the academy filed in, with their robes trailing behind them. Revekkeh held her breath as they formed a circle on the dais. The Duke of Renshone, head master, unrolled a scroll and began to read the list of names of those who would get to see the contents of the chest. His voice was rough and gravely, but it had a kind of musical ring to it. Every name sounding in Revekkeh's ears like a death sentence. Only twenty students were on that list, and only two or three were every chosen. As every name was read, the student would jump up with zeal, and rush down to the dais.
“Robyn Onuk.”
“Patrik Simon”
“Isaias Payne”
“Geoffry Hall”
“Merlin Rowland
“Edmund Rayek” Revekkeh shivered. The house of Rayek was known for being cold hearted and very proud. True to this reputation, Edmund stood up calmly and walked down the isle with perfect disdain for everyone he passed. Revekkeh glared, although she knew he could not see her. Edmund and her were on opposite sides of the social scale, and it was no secret she disliked him. She shook her head and focused on counting names..
“Johnathan Hampton”
“Jarrod Ayers”
“Christopher Shaw”
“Samuel Richards” A smile split her face. She searched for her friend in the crowd, and found him just in time to see Peter poke a dazed Sam in the ribs. She stifled a laugh and watched him take his turn in rushing down to the floor.
“Darius Tristan.” Revekkeh bit her lip, concerned. That was the fifteenth name.
“Thomas Fowler”
“Rosalyn Acosta”
“Revekkeh Ceriss” Her jaw dropped open and she starred, believing it to be a dream, yet hoping desperately it wasn't. She got up and rushed down the stairs and then took her place among the circle surrounding the dais. After a few more names were read. Then it was time to start the test.
Each student took a turn going up to the chest and trying to open it. If it didn't open, they took their seat. after five students went dejectedly back to their seats, the elders nodded at her. she could hear her heart pounding in her ears as she slowly walked forward. she climbed the steps slowly and deliberately. she had waited and wanted this for so long. Revekkeh gently put her hand on the table and let it slide as she walked forward. 'what if i don't make it? i'd have to do the training all over to get another chance. the country needs solders, they can't afford for everyone to go back and try again.' she thought to herself. she took a breath to steady her nerves and laid her hands on the chest. she started, with drawing her touch. it had, almost stung. but not physically, something else. she glanced back at the elders. her arms teacher raised his eye brow at her. she shook her head and tried again. it felt normal now. for all her attempts at calming herself, at this moment she closed her eyes and gave the lid a sudden tug. it opened quite easily. she heard gasps from the elders and the students who were close enough to see. she slowly opened her eyes. the chest was empty. the dragon egg was gone. revekkeh teetered as if she were going to fall. sam rushed on to the dais and caught her arm, though he felt no calmer. the Duke rushed forward, followed by the others. they all started whispering and discussing all at once. Edmund glared at her, as if it had been her fault. she stood up straight, and glared back. Samuel let go of her arm, knowing that if nothing else would steady her nerves, it would to avoid looking weak in front of Edmund. after a few minutes of confusion, the Duke turned to the students in the audience and said
"may i have everyone's attention! there is a slight problem. the egg is missing. there will be much further investigation, and the Choosing will be rescheduled. Revekkeh looked at him in bewilderment. he made it sound like an every day announcement about the new horses or some such. as the student body began to file out, he turned back to the elders.
"It has to be the Nennimars. No one in Aridon would dream of it." he said
"How would they have gotten past the guards? you yourself inspected the box when it arrived. it was the same, as all ways?" the arms teacher, Sir Theodore, questioned skeptically.
"i don't know. the guards who handled it and transported it were the elite guards, and sworn under oath to report anything in the slightest degree that seemed out of the ordinary." the Duke responded.
"then maybe it happened after it arrived."
"how could the Nennimars possibly get to it then?"
"they could have someone on the inside," Revekkeh said quite a bit louder than she intended. they all stopped and stared at her. she turned quite red.
"one of the studdents?" the riding instructor asked incredulously
"it could be the answer, however unlikely. we will investigate more. don't shoot ideas down because they come from one of your students, George." after that they scooted away, and talked low enough that the students who still surrounded the dais could not hear. Edmund looked at her with conceited pity.
"do you really think the elders would listen to you? even if you were the one to discover the egg was gone? if anything, i would be more suspicious. what better way to throw off suspicion than to be the one to shout the alarm?" Revekkeh responded without any false civility,
"Edmund, you would suspect a cow of taking it if that is what the rest of your level of 'civilized' acquaintances would look on as in the slightest bit likely. you're opinion is based on previous prejudices, and therefore is useless." Edmund turned purple with rage
"how dare you say something like that?" then, regaining some composer he said, as if to dare her to action.
"then again, what more could be suspected of a commoner?" unfortunately for edmund, Revekkeh had seen this tactic too many times before. she smiled sweetly and replied in a stickily sarcastic voice as she walked away
"you are TOO kind, my dearest edmund. i must be going, though i can hardly bare to be out of your company." Edmund fumed as she walked away.
"He makes me so mad! how can he think himself that above other people? i just don't get it! how can one human being be so conceited?" Revekkeh ranted to Sam. sam just smiled good natured and said,
"i don't know revekkeh, any more than the last time you got in a tizzy about it." Revekkeh rolled her eyes.
"sorry, you know it bugs me."
"you bet i know. how could i forget" Revekkeh glared and threw a roll at him.
"ahh, sorry! i take it back. no, no more!" after she thoroughly pelted him with rolls and other things from her lunch, she said,
"what do you thing happened to the egg? it sound like it just disappeared." sam thought for a little and then replied,
"I don't know, it does seem rather impossible. but do you really think someone from the school could've done it?"
"if you can think of another possibility, i'll listen. but you heard the elders just as well as i did. there seems to be no holes in the security. they egg farriers are the most trusted, cunning scouts we have." samuel sighed and said,
"i don't know Revekkeh, i really don't. and if i were you, i would leave it to the elders. they know what they're doing. i have to go. Sir Theodore wants me to get some extra fencing in."
"fine, i'll see you later." after sam left, Revekkeh sat deep in thought. after she could think of nothing else on how the egg could've disappeared, her mind wandered back to the chest itself. how could it have stung her? it seemed utterly impossible. yet, she knew that what she had felt was real. she shook her head, and went off to do some fencing of her own.
"Revekkeh! stop!" Revekkeh stopped, startled. Sam lay on his back desperately trying to fend her off as she swung quickly and powerfully. she shook her head.
"sorry, i was distracted" she replied embarrassed.
"you have a gift for the blade my friend. no matter how i practise, Sir Theodore always shakes his head and mutters something about why couldn't i be more like you," Sam replied, laughing. Revekkeh smiled and was about to change the subject when Sir Theodore walked toward them.
"Hey, i'm glad to see you practicing Samuel. maybe you can pick up some things from Revekkeh." she and Sam looked at each other with amused expressions.
"Anyway, you two are to report to the Duke's office. we think there might be a clue to the egg's disappearance." Sam and Revekkeh looked at each other with wide eyes and rushed off to the Duke.
so there it is. and if any of you were wondering about the country's names mentioned right after the egg was discovered to be missing, let me just say that i love random name generators.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
NaNo begins...1714
NaNo started today. wow, it's going to be a heck of a ride. i'm so excited! as the title would make you think, i wrote 1714 words today. only about 48,000 more to go. *jazz hands*
write or die is amazing! beginnings are hard for me, so i used it to get off the ground today. http://writeordie.drwicked.com/ check it out. it is really useful, and not just for NaNo. it would be amazing for homework etc.
i also now have a working title. Echoes of Magic. it's not the most creatively original thing ever, but i like it.
and thanks to a friend of mine i have a name for my main character. her name is Revekkeh.
and today was awesome. in the beginning, i was trying to edit as i went. i got just about no where. then i realized what i was doing (that's where write or die came in.) and then i realized i was worrying about whether or not this was publishable (i think i just made a word, wewt) after i got past that, i realized just how much fun it was to just...write. for no reason other than to have fun and to tell a story. no homework, no deadline (meaning a deadline that the story would have to be finished/sound good/edited by. i'm still going for 50,00 words by the end of nov.) it was very liberating. i rediscovered how much i love writing.
you should try it. try to just write, with or without an outline. don't care if it's publishable. the 11th draft of a story could stink, and still make it to the best sellers list someday. just let your creativity go absolutely insane. if you enjoy it as much as i do, then NaNo may be for you. just try it as an experiment. don't compare your story to any one else's. do it for fun. if you do anything else with this (i.e. see, i have no talent) then i'll have to hunt you down and hit over the head, because that is NOT why i said this. jeez, don't look for exuses to be down on yourself. that is lame. and i don't like things that are lame. *smack*
and above all, tell me about it! if i inspire, i so deserve to give you a pat on the back for being awesome and trying it. (NOTE: i'm not saying i need to read whatever you write, because it's not like my story is going to see human eyes for another three drafts. that is, unless you want to, which i would not mind in the least.)
go be awesome!
write or die is amazing! beginnings are hard for me, so i used it to get off the ground today. http://writeordie.drwicked.com/ check it out. it is really useful, and not just for NaNo. it would be amazing for homework etc.
i also now have a working title. Echoes of Magic. it's not the most creatively original thing ever, but i like it.
and thanks to a friend of mine i have a name for my main character. her name is Revekkeh.
and today was awesome. in the beginning, i was trying to edit as i went. i got just about no where. then i realized what i was doing (that's where write or die came in.) and then i realized i was worrying about whether or not this was publishable (i think i just made a word, wewt) after i got past that, i realized just how much fun it was to just...write. for no reason other than to have fun and to tell a story. no homework, no deadline (meaning a deadline that the story would have to be finished/sound good/edited by. i'm still going for 50,00 words by the end of nov.) it was very liberating. i rediscovered how much i love writing.
you should try it. try to just write, with or without an outline. don't care if it's publishable. the 11th draft of a story could stink, and still make it to the best sellers list someday. just let your creativity go absolutely insane. if you enjoy it as much as i do, then NaNo may be for you. just try it as an experiment. don't compare your story to any one else's. do it for fun. if you do anything else with this (i.e. see, i have no talent) then i'll have to hunt you down and hit over the head, because that is NOT why i said this. jeez, don't look for exuses to be down on yourself. that is lame. and i don't like things that are lame. *smack*
and above all, tell me about it! if i inspire, i so deserve to give you a pat on the back for being awesome and trying it. (NOTE: i'm not saying i need to read whatever you write, because it's not like my story is going to see human eyes for another three drafts. that is, unless you want to, which i would not mind in the least.)
go be awesome!
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