so after a much needed rant, talking to some encouraging friends, and a good night's sleep (which i really haven't gotten since sometime in october) i feel much, much better. i actually feel kinda embarrassed at the intense emoness of that last post, but if it helped me get in a much better mood, then i'm ok with it.
yesterday was for realizing my mistake. i think the weight of that mistake (i spent at least three hours a day, for thirty days on that "novel") was what made me so angry at myself, mostly for not seeing it sooner.
today is for fixing it. i'm taking a break from writing, making a few christmas gifts, cleaning for once, and generally making a fresh start. then in a while i'll have another go.
and today, i can honestly say i'm pretty pleased with my NaNo experience. sure, i wish i'd seen this earlier and saved myself a few hours of wasted time, but i learned a very important lesson. one that i don't know if i would be able to learn as well any where else. i don't think this would be a good one to learn for say, a school project, or what have you. so i'm glad i did NaNo. and next year, i'll do it right.
and in other good news, i went so far off my intended story line, i think i can rewrite without any problems what so ever. in january though.
wow, i'm actually kinda tempted to edit that last post. it's really emo, and really not like me. but i think i'll keep it, just as a reminder for my future mistakes that it can get really hard, but it gets much better.
in other news.....
i have nine followers! and i've only had this blog for about two months. this fact makes me insanely happy, and i'd like to thank everyone! and thanks for listening to my random emoness ^_^ you guys rock!
Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
a revelation, an ugly cow, and an empty victory
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 :)
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 :)
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....
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.
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!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
NaNo approaches
as Nov. 1 gets closer, i'm getting more scared. to put it bluntly, my inner editor is trying so very hard to escape the little box i've locked him in. my characters are all mary-sues, the plot has no point, i can't write worth anything etc etc. how do i get him to shut up?
another thing, though this is good news, i've figured out that writing the required 1667 words a day isn't actually as hard as it seems. i did a little experiment. i just sat down and wrote about literally the first thing that popped into my head "hmmm, a girl standing on a street corner in Manhatten, with her dog, in the winter. because of a fortune cookie. waiting for someone. aaannnndddd...that someone is in the military" *rolls eyes* anyway.....i just wrote, no idea what was going to happen. what do you think? is my inner editor lying to me about the quality of my writing? or is he right? if so, tell me what's wrong, so i can fix it before november!
it was a cold afternoon. Jane pulled her coat tighter and sniffed her nose. her golden retriever pulled on the leash, urging her to go forward. but Jane wasn't ready to leave just yet. she wasn't superstitions by nature, but for some reason she put stock in the mass-produced fortune that she had got at the Chinese restaurant the night before. as the sun set the temperature dropped, but still she waited. her dog, Maisey made a whining noise. she flipped her straight, brown hair out of her face as the wind kicked up. with a sigh, she turned away from the street corner and headed back to her Manhattan apartment. she couldn't believe herself. she had gone and caught cold because of a stupid fortune cookie. 'you will meet the person you are missing where you last said goodbye' pah! who would believe such rubbish? she sighed again. something inside of her had begun to hope, but no. she knew john had died in iraq, but why was she still expecting to see him everywhere she went? she picked up the pace, partially to keep warm, and partially to burn off the anger she felt toward herself at that moment. maisey picked up the pace too, until Jane was flying down the street behind a half frozen dog racing to get to the warm apartment and dinner she knew awaited her.
the thing Jane did not know, was that an army veteran had just stepped on to the corner that she had left. but he wasn't john.
------------
Jane blew her nose hard into a tissue. her cat jasmine was intertwining herself around her legs. Jane was home late, and this disrupted jasmine's usual routine, and she was not happy about it. Jane got her pets dinner, and sat on her old green couch to have her own. out of habit, she reached for the tv remote, but stopped as she realized she didn't want to watch.
"Am i crazy or something? what makes me think that he's suddenly going to come back, huh?" Maisey looked at her with what seemed to be an amused expression.
"yeah, i'm crazy. even my dog thinks so. aren't you guys supposed to be extremely loving?" Maisey just licked her lips and went back to eating her kibble. Jin pressed her mouth into a thin line. she knew she had to get over this. it had been a year. if for nothing else, she knew that john would not like to have her still wrapped up in the past. if she couldn't do it for herself, she'd do it for him.
she got up and stretched, and headed for her computer. she had a deadline to make, and her characters were getting impatient. as her antagonist started threatening to kidnap her cat if she didn't start writing his story soon, she said,
"i'm coming! i'm coming! give me a minute to put this in the sink!" this was probably precisely why she could never get a boyfriend. she was a freelance fiction writer, and her characters frequently talked to her. what was the real problem was that she talked back. no one but john ever understood that. not even her father, who was a author as well.
Jane shook her head as she sat down at the computer in her bedroom. she needed to write about her characters, and their problems and thoughts. she needed to keep herself out of this. but try as she might, she couldn't. she kept thinking about that corner, that deserted corner, save a silly woman and her freezing dog. and this time, no matter how her characters complained, she wouldn't even try to take her mind off it.
--------------
the next day, Jane walked into her friends cafe. she glanced down at her watch. Nancy should be on break soon. meanwhile, she sat at a table and pulled her laptop out. she set it up and wrote about whatever came to mind. half an hour later, Nancy came and sat facing her.
"Hey, what's up?" Jane started. she groaned as she realized she had written absolutely nothing in twenty minutes. Jane replied, frustrated,
"i don't know nancy. i just can't seem to get anything out anymore. i'll have these stories running around in my head, but when i sit down to write, nothing. it's like i've lost my voice." Nancy looked puzzled.
"i'm not sure i know what you mean," she replied as gently as she could.
"i'm stuck. i can't write anything worth keeping, i talk to you and my pets, and i'm still expecting john to come home any day. you know the fortunes we got?"
"oh no, do honestly believe those? you know that they're just made up my some guy who still living in his parent's basement, right? please don't tell me you went to that corner."
"i did nancy. i went there. it's not like i honestly expected john to show up. i don't know what i was waiting for. some sort of sign, i guess. did it ever bother you that he just disappeared? poof! with out a clue what happened?" a waitress came over and handed them some hot chocolate. after they sipped for a minute, nancy replied.
"Jane, those kind of things happen some times. it's part of the risk of serving in the military. you knew it, and john knew it. and he went any way. he knew it was the right thing to do. honey, you've got to accept that he's gone. you can't live your life in the past. you've got to let go so you can have peace. it's affecting your whole life. you're becoming a social recluse. you can't write, which has always come to you easily. you haven't been on a date since the letter came."
"i'm trying nancy, nothing's working. just when i think i've let go, i get a stupid fortune, and i go freeze my butt off, waiting for who knows what."
"Jane, you're not really trying. you're still in that apartment. you've got pictures everywhere. he gave you that coat for your last birthday. et cetera! you don't want to let go. you've got to! it's taking over your life."
"nancy, honestly tell me, why would you let go of something so wonderful?" to this, nancy sighed and said,
"i gotta go, my breaks over." even though she knew perfectly well that she still had half an hour.
another thing, though this is good news, i've figured out that writing the required 1667 words a day isn't actually as hard as it seems. i did a little experiment. i just sat down and wrote about literally the first thing that popped into my head "hmmm, a girl standing on a street corner in Manhatten, with her dog, in the winter. because of a fortune cookie. waiting for someone. aaannnndddd...that someone is in the military" *rolls eyes* anyway.....i just wrote, no idea what was going to happen. what do you think? is my inner editor lying to me about the quality of my writing? or is he right? if so, tell me what's wrong, so i can fix it before november!
it was a cold afternoon. Jane pulled her coat tighter and sniffed her nose. her golden retriever pulled on the leash, urging her to go forward. but Jane wasn't ready to leave just yet. she wasn't superstitions by nature, but for some reason she put stock in the mass-produced fortune that she had got at the Chinese restaurant the night before. as the sun set the temperature dropped, but still she waited. her dog, Maisey made a whining noise. she flipped her straight, brown hair out of her face as the wind kicked up. with a sigh, she turned away from the street corner and headed back to her Manhattan apartment. she couldn't believe herself. she had gone and caught cold because of a stupid fortune cookie. 'you will meet the person you are missing where you last said goodbye' pah! who would believe such rubbish? she sighed again. something inside of her had begun to hope, but no. she knew john had died in iraq, but why was she still expecting to see him everywhere she went? she picked up the pace, partially to keep warm, and partially to burn off the anger she felt toward herself at that moment. maisey picked up the pace too, until Jane was flying down the street behind a half frozen dog racing to get to the warm apartment and dinner she knew awaited her.
the thing Jane did not know, was that an army veteran had just stepped on to the corner that she had left. but he wasn't john.
------------
Jane blew her nose hard into a tissue. her cat jasmine was intertwining herself around her legs. Jane was home late, and this disrupted jasmine's usual routine, and she was not happy about it. Jane got her pets dinner, and sat on her old green couch to have her own. out of habit, she reached for the tv remote, but stopped as she realized she didn't want to watch.
"Am i crazy or something? what makes me think that he's suddenly going to come back, huh?" Maisey looked at her with what seemed to be an amused expression.
"yeah, i'm crazy. even my dog thinks so. aren't you guys supposed to be extremely loving?" Maisey just licked her lips and went back to eating her kibble. Jin pressed her mouth into a thin line. she knew she had to get over this. it had been a year. if for nothing else, she knew that john would not like to have her still wrapped up in the past. if she couldn't do it for herself, she'd do it for him.
she got up and stretched, and headed for her computer. she had a deadline to make, and her characters were getting impatient. as her antagonist started threatening to kidnap her cat if she didn't start writing his story soon, she said,
"i'm coming! i'm coming! give me a minute to put this in the sink!" this was probably precisely why she could never get a boyfriend. she was a freelance fiction writer, and her characters frequently talked to her. what was the real problem was that she talked back. no one but john ever understood that. not even her father, who was a author as well.
Jane shook her head as she sat down at the computer in her bedroom. she needed to write about her characters, and their problems and thoughts. she needed to keep herself out of this. but try as she might, she couldn't. she kept thinking about that corner, that deserted corner, save a silly woman and her freezing dog. and this time, no matter how her characters complained, she wouldn't even try to take her mind off it.
--------------
the next day, Jane walked into her friends cafe. she glanced down at her watch. Nancy should be on break soon. meanwhile, she sat at a table and pulled her laptop out. she set it up and wrote about whatever came to mind. half an hour later, Nancy came and sat facing her.
"Hey, what's up?" Jane started. she groaned as she realized she had written absolutely nothing in twenty minutes. Jane replied, frustrated,
"i don't know nancy. i just can't seem to get anything out anymore. i'll have these stories running around in my head, but when i sit down to write, nothing. it's like i've lost my voice." Nancy looked puzzled.
"i'm not sure i know what you mean," she replied as gently as she could.
"i'm stuck. i can't write anything worth keeping, i talk to you and my pets, and i'm still expecting john to come home any day. you know the fortunes we got?"
"oh no, do honestly believe those? you know that they're just made up my some guy who still living in his parent's basement, right? please don't tell me you went to that corner."
"i did nancy. i went there. it's not like i honestly expected john to show up. i don't know what i was waiting for. some sort of sign, i guess. did it ever bother you that he just disappeared? poof! with out a clue what happened?" a waitress came over and handed them some hot chocolate. after they sipped for a minute, nancy replied.
"Jane, those kind of things happen some times. it's part of the risk of serving in the military. you knew it, and john knew it. and he went any way. he knew it was the right thing to do. honey, you've got to accept that he's gone. you can't live your life in the past. you've got to let go so you can have peace. it's affecting your whole life. you're becoming a social recluse. you can't write, which has always come to you easily. you haven't been on a date since the letter came."
"i'm trying nancy, nothing's working. just when i think i've let go, i get a stupid fortune, and i go freeze my butt off, waiting for who knows what."
"Jane, you're not really trying. you're still in that apartment. you've got pictures everywhere. he gave you that coat for your last birthday. et cetera! you don't want to let go. you've got to! it's taking over your life."
"nancy, honestly tell me, why would you let go of something so wonderful?" to this, nancy sighed and said,
"i gotta go, my breaks over." even though she knew perfectly well that she still had half an hour.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
ATTACK OF THE PLOT BUNNIES!!!!
they've arrived. the dreaded plot bunnies. i thought i had a hard time getting my plot figured out before now, but boy was i in for a surprise.
for those of you who don't happen to know what a plot bunny is, let me explain. plot bunny is the name NaNoers have given to the annoying bits of random plot ideas that try to either hijack your plot, until it's a mess of unconnected subplots that don't have much to do with each other, or try to get you to write about a completely different story, distracting from your NaNo as nov. 1st draws ever closer. and as their name would have you think, once there are just a few, they start to breed, and a plot bunny army invades your mind. then the subplots aren't only a mass of confusion, but they become strange mutants that have combined themselves in insane ways. these guys can show up even before october, but for most people, they start making appearances around the second week of october and stay till NaNoWriMo is done. then for some they scatter, leaving you with absolutely no ideas for other novels now that you have the time to think about them. those pesky little buggers......
that being said, what do you think is essential in a story? what ties it all together? help! if you don't, i'll be overun with these guys, and my characters will be lost in a strange and confused world, with no point or actual plot.
oh, and i need a title. i'm drawing a major blank on this one, so any ideas will have a good shot at winning.
for those of you who don't happen to know what a plot bunny is, let me explain. plot bunny is the name NaNoers have given to the annoying bits of random plot ideas that try to either hijack your plot, until it's a mess of unconnected subplots that don't have much to do with each other, or try to get you to write about a completely different story, distracting from your NaNo as nov. 1st draws ever closer. and as their name would have you think, once there are just a few, they start to breed, and a plot bunny army invades your mind. then the subplots aren't only a mass of confusion, but they become strange mutants that have combined themselves in insane ways. these guys can show up even before october, but for most people, they start making appearances around the second week of october and stay till NaNoWriMo is done. then for some they scatter, leaving you with absolutely no ideas for other novels now that you have the time to think about them. those pesky little buggers......
that being said, what do you think is essential in a story? what ties it all together? help! if you don't, i'll be overun with these guys, and my characters will be lost in a strange and confused world, with no point or actual plot.
oh, and i need a title. i'm drawing a major blank on this one, so any ideas will have a good shot at winning.
further insanity
when i started my insanity, i had no idea what to write my novel about. now, a little under a week later, i have a pretty good idea of what to this novel is going to be about. it's strange how things work out. i had a lot of help with plot ideas etc from the NaNo forums, but it was mostly my rather random mind.
my novel is fantasy (no surprise coming from me :P) it is about a girl who is a die hard perfectionist and an over the top tom-boy, who has to go with two fellow school mates (one her best friend, and the other her bitter rival), seeing as they're at war and are therefore a bit short handed, to retrieve a dragon egg from the enemy soldiers. as they race across the country, the rivalry gets ever stronger, the solders ever closer, and the stakes ever higher. in a twist of events, the main character (still unnamed, AGGG!) comes in contact with the egg. after all she's been through to get to this point, she begins to wonder, is she truly rescuing it? or enslaving? she must make the choice, and face the consequences.
they're are still an abundance of plot holes that need fixing, so feel free to make some suggestions. who knows, it might end up in a best-seller some day.
my novel is fantasy (no surprise coming from me :P) it is about a girl who is a die hard perfectionist and an over the top tom-boy, who has to go with two fellow school mates (one her best friend, and the other her bitter rival), seeing as they're at war and are therefore a bit short handed, to retrieve a dragon egg from the enemy soldiers. as they race across the country, the rivalry gets ever stronger, the solders ever closer, and the stakes ever higher. in a twist of events, the main character (still unnamed, AGGG!) comes in contact with the egg. after all she's been through to get to this point, she begins to wonder, is she truly rescuing it? or enslaving? she must make the choice, and face the consequences.
they're are still an abundance of plot holes that need fixing, so feel free to make some suggestions. who knows, it might end up in a best-seller some day.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Oh the insanity....
i am officially insane. if it wasn't official before this point, it is now. i have signed up for something called NaNoWriMo. that stands for National Novel Writing Month. (link if you'd like to look at their site http://www.nanowrimo.org/ )
the point is to write a novel in one month. the requirement is 50,000 words, which is roughly six pages a day, give or take some. yeah, i'm crazy. it takes place in november, so i'll be a little dead during that month. i'm working on the outline, so hopefully i'll be up to this. though i might not post so much about crafty/other stuff, i'll be sure to give you guys updates. and maybe, just maybe, this thing won't eat me, and all my creativity to boot. wish me luck!
the point is to write a novel in one month. the requirement is 50,000 words, which is roughly six pages a day, give or take some. yeah, i'm crazy. it takes place in november, so i'll be a little dead during that month. i'm working on the outline, so hopefully i'll be up to this. though i might not post so much about crafty/other stuff, i'll be sure to give you guys updates. and maybe, just maybe, this thing won't eat me, and all my creativity to boot. wish me luck!
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