This new project has taught me to do my homework first. I had to give it a try blindly, but now find i want to change alot of things a quarter of the way through. In the future, i will stick to creating the character sketches (not snapshots) keeping mindful to three page limit. (If you know me, you know i LOVE the character research part. I have in the past written sketches three times as long as the actual story!)
My weak point is plot. Plot and structure. I definitely write from the "know your characters well and they will tell you the story" school of thought. Which is why my first month long project went so well. I stuck to the limited character sketch, had a basic idea of the theme of the story and let the characters lead me in their actions.
In the end, i finished the story before the deadline. But i found it to be... boring. Granted, it is only a first draft and i can always add firework displays later, but what if i want my storyline to be a bit more exciting?
Which leads to the current project.
It is a far more exciting premise. And unlike the first one needs more than just a group of great characters, it needs a strong structured plot as well.
So i'm going back to school! Independent study tho it may be. I've refereed back to my old issues of writer's digest and found a useful excerpt taken from a book that luckily was at my local library.
I'm studin' plot folks! Hopefully this story will make it to the second... and then third draft and i'll be able to share it with you!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
as Aug comes to a close
Well folks, i have one week left in August's writing project. I believe it's safe to say i won't make the 50 thousand word count this time. But no worries.
I have learned a lot second time around with this formula. Personally, i think my writing is improving and my creativity is opening up.
This mounths story was (and i suppose more correctly i should say is as i am not abandoning the project but rather continuing it on) far edgier than April's project. I jumped into it blindly knowing only i wanted to name the characters after people loved by people i love, mainly my closest friends children.
It's a unique expierence and one that has taught me i can do this. I can start blindly and like many authors have stated in the past, just let the characters talk.
But this month has been about more than just writing. As happens, life doesn't stop just because i choose to start a project. The world keeps turning, days and time fly by and ... well, as they say it, "Life Happens"
So as the sun sets on August and the cooler winds of September begin to blow in i am not considering this a failure. This month still held lessons for me to learn, as a writer and moreso as a person.
Please stick with me and i guarentee in the end you won't be dissapointed!
I have learned a lot second time around with this formula. Personally, i think my writing is improving and my creativity is opening up.
This mounths story was (and i suppose more correctly i should say is as i am not abandoning the project but rather continuing it on) far edgier than April's project. I jumped into it blindly knowing only i wanted to name the characters after people loved by people i love, mainly my closest friends children.
It's a unique expierence and one that has taught me i can do this. I can start blindly and like many authors have stated in the past, just let the characters talk.
But this month has been about more than just writing. As happens, life doesn't stop just because i choose to start a project. The world keeps turning, days and time fly by and ... well, as they say it, "Life Happens"
So as the sun sets on August and the cooler winds of September begin to blow in i am not considering this a failure. This month still held lessons for me to learn, as a writer and moreso as a person.
Please stick with me and i guarentee in the end you won't be dissapointed!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
hello again friends!
I started another novel this month. YAY!!! A friend and I are trying to both meet the challenge. It's exciting and fun to say the least. This time i entered into the task slightly different than i did back in April. (April was it... wow, time flies) Last time, when i wrote "Don't Know if You Noticed...But" i had done full sketches on all the characters. Characters i've actually had swimming in my head for over a year now. I knew them like i knew the back of my hand, and i knew the story was about (yes, i can talk about that one now) how a family and a community really, deals with the suicide of the a father. Nothing overly dramatic, if you know me (and if you're reading this i assume you do) it's nowhere near as fantastical as the stuff usually mulling around my brain. (No creepy ghosts, vampires, flesh eating virus's you know, the scary stuff.) It was't scary but writing it was. It was a challenge i gave myself and i did it... and it was actually a lot easier than i thought it would be.
This time however, i went into the novel virtually blind. I found an idea two days before hand on which to base the story and just went with it. Allowed my creative juices graced upon my by my artistic mother and incredibly gifted writer father flow.
Well, I'm happy to say, flow they did! This month i'm very excited about what's coming out onto the pages. In my opinion, it's far better than April's expedition. It is still a rough first draft, but i think i'm improving, which is, after all the point of the challenges.
This month my characters are all named after people in my life, or mostly rather people pereffially in my life. All my nieces and nephews namesakes are in there. Same with my aunts and uncles, even my dad and step mom have characters named in their honor.
I've also taken to name some after my friends children, kids i've never even met for the most part, but love dearly because i love my friends! EVERY CHARACTER, no matter how small is named after someone... which is a first for me. It has endured me to the characters even more! Even tho the characters in most cases are nothing like their namesakes!
It's going well, but i need to get back to it.
Tune in, more to come!!
This time however, i went into the novel virtually blind. I found an idea two days before hand on which to base the story and just went with it. Allowed my creative juices graced upon my by my artistic mother and incredibly gifted writer father flow.
Well, I'm happy to say, flow they did! This month i'm very excited about what's coming out onto the pages. In my opinion, it's far better than April's expedition. It is still a rough first draft, but i think i'm improving, which is, after all the point of the challenges.
This month my characters are all named after people in my life, or mostly rather people pereffially in my life. All my nieces and nephews namesakes are in there. Same with my aunts and uncles, even my dad and step mom have characters named in their honor.
I've also taken to name some after my friends children, kids i've never even met for the most part, but love dearly because i love my friends! EVERY CHARACTER, no matter how small is named after someone... which is a first for me. It has endured me to the characters even more! Even tho the characters in most cases are nothing like their namesakes!
It's going well, but i need to get back to it.
Tune in, more to come!!
Monday, April 19, 2010
day 19
Hello all.
Sorry i haven't posted in a few days. Life, as we all know often continues to roll on whether or not we are ready for it.
The good news is i did meet my word count goal last week and am currently over half done! Supposedly the rest is down hill from here.
I'll keep you all posted with the results.
Thanks!
Sorry i haven't posted in a few days. Life, as we all know often continues to roll on whether or not we are ready for it.
The good news is i did meet my word count goal last week and am currently over half done! Supposedly the rest is down hill from here.
I'll keep you all posted with the results.
Thanks!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
day thirteen
Holy Crap!
I did it. I hit 20 thousand words today. (A day earlier than the syllabus suggested.) It surprised me because i had taken the weekend off.
I'm learning that scheduling the writing sessions works best. I may work at a more leisurely pace, but the work itself seems overall better.
Something has crept up however. It's the first bit of "dark clouds moving in" feeling i've gotten from my writing. I'm scared the story is beginning to morph into something different. While i realize, the novel i write will not be the novel i had set out to write, i fear this one is going places i don't want it to go. I'm afraid it's going to send a message i don't necessarily want to send.
But i'm sticking with it. I'm following the advice of both my inner feelings and my bestest friend and i'm just going to let this story play out. I'm gonna trust these characters, i mean they haven't let me down yet. They've spoken over 20,000 words so far and there is no reason for me to doubt them!
So carry on my wayward children. Mommas listening.
I did it. I hit 20 thousand words today. (A day earlier than the syllabus suggested.) It surprised me because i had taken the weekend off.
I'm learning that scheduling the writing sessions works best. I may work at a more leisurely pace, but the work itself seems overall better.
Something has crept up however. It's the first bit of "dark clouds moving in" feeling i've gotten from my writing. I'm scared the story is beginning to morph into something different. While i realize, the novel i write will not be the novel i had set out to write, i fear this one is going places i don't want it to go. I'm afraid it's going to send a message i don't necessarily want to send.
But i'm sticking with it. I'm following the advice of both my inner feelings and my bestest friend and i'm just going to let this story play out. I'm gonna trust these characters, i mean they haven't let me down yet. They've spoken over 20,000 words so far and there is no reason for me to doubt them!
So carry on my wayward children. Mommas listening.
Monday, April 12, 2010
day twelve
I took the weekend off as it was my roommates boyfriends birthday weekend. Did a little too much partying. (For me, since i'm not much of a drinker, that simply means staying up too late watching horror movies and eating way too much junk food. Believe me, it gives you a different kind of hangover!)
But i'm back.
I was worried. I like writing everyday and think i am finally in the groove to do just that. I found without it i was more depressed. (or maybe that was the excess junk food!) I was scared that after going two whole days without writing as much as a sentence i wouldn't be able to get my writing groove back on.
Happily, i was wrong. It was choppier than normal at first. But i found it was not unlike my first day of writing. Once it started to flow. It really flowed. And the great thing was, it WAS like writing the first day. That first session i wrote more words than any writing session that followed. If you can believe it, it actually came even faster tonight and i came dangerously close to the same number of words.
Because i have been padding my words each day going above my goals, i wasn't too worried about making my 20,000 count by Thursday, but i had hoped to pad the total even more.
I'm very excited to report tonight i wrote 2013 words! (800+ words over the daily goal) Back on track feels good.
The next few days i have scheduled out actual writing time. Trying to see if i can discipline myself a bit more.
But i'm back.
I was worried. I like writing everyday and think i am finally in the groove to do just that. I found without it i was more depressed. (or maybe that was the excess junk food!) I was scared that after going two whole days without writing as much as a sentence i wouldn't be able to get my writing groove back on.
Happily, i was wrong. It was choppier than normal at first. But i found it was not unlike my first day of writing. Once it started to flow. It really flowed. And the great thing was, it WAS like writing the first day. That first session i wrote more words than any writing session that followed. If you can believe it, it actually came even faster tonight and i came dangerously close to the same number of words.
Because i have been padding my words each day going above my goals, i wasn't too worried about making my 20,000 count by Thursday, but i had hoped to pad the total even more.
I'm very excited to report tonight i wrote 2013 words! (800+ words over the daily goal) Back on track feels good.
The next few days i have scheduled out actual writing time. Trying to see if i can discipline myself a bit more.
Friday, April 9, 2010
day nine
Today was GREAT. I became inspired watching a TV show and added a whole other dimension to the story. It was wonderful and a lot of fun. The characters arrived when i called them in and everyone behaved. Again, i was able to write beyond my word count goal (went over 800+ words!). I'm glad that i am still excited about it. So far i haven't had a day where i have dreaded the keyboard.
Please, anyone who reads this, i am not the type to toot my own horn. I don't like that behavior and often i tend to go in the other direction. (Truth be told, this blog thing is a big step for me. I only began it because in my instructions i received "extra credit" by doing it) The reason why i am so upbeat and positive about it is i am trying to keep my momentum going. So far so good.
Please, anyone who reads this, i am not the type to toot my own horn. I don't like that behavior and often i tend to go in the other direction. (Truth be told, this blog thing is a big step for me. I only began it because in my instructions i received "extra credit" by doing it) The reason why i am so upbeat and positive about it is i am trying to keep my momentum going. So far so good.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
day eight
Chris Baty (the author of the kit) has warned that week two is the biggie. It's the one he says where most people bow out gracefully. Week one was fun. It was new. We met the new characters and they had so much to tell. Week two on the other hand is actually following their story. In layterms, establish the plot.
I am usually no good at the plot part and it was great to hear that i am not alone there. So as i sat down to my computer tonight i tried to keep that in mind.
The good news is i did have a brief albeit losely written, plot evolution outline to follow and kept it in mind last week as i wrote so it's a bit of a leg up for my team.
My word count goal (suggested by Baty) for each day this week is considerably less as it is such a tough week. i met it today and even wrote an additional 700+ words.
Here's hopin it will continue to flow.
I am usually no good at the plot part and it was great to hear that i am not alone there. So as i sat down to my computer tonight i tried to keep that in mind.
The good news is i did have a brief albeit losely written, plot evolution outline to follow and kept it in mind last week as i wrote so it's a bit of a leg up for my team.
My word count goal (suggested by Baty) for each day this week is considerably less as it is such a tough week. i met it today and even wrote an additional 700+ words.
Here's hopin it will continue to flow.
Day seven
Well folks. I have successfully completed my first week of the project. Each day i met my word count goal and i am happy to report after my first week, i have written a total of 12,910 words.
Today's writing was exciting because i had somewhat of an emotional day. For the first time, i was able to use my writing and turn that emotion into something creative. Mirroring what was going on in my life into the life of my character. Obviously, it was a slightly distorted, twisted, and contorted mirror used to manipulate the situation so it worked with the character.
I've always wanted to do that.
It was cool.
Today's writing was exciting because i had somewhat of an emotional day. For the first time, i was able to use my writing and turn that emotion into something creative. Mirroring what was going on in my life into the life of my character. Obviously, it was a slightly distorted, twisted, and contorted mirror used to manipulate the situation so it worked with the character.
I've always wanted to do that.
It was cool.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Day 6
Tonight's writing went far better than the past few days. I really like the security of knowing my computer won't crash mid sentence.
I just love how the character's surprise me. One of the things i do is intentionally stop either just before or just after introducing an important scene, character or plot point. This assures me that the next session i won't start completely from cold. i already have something in mind. But today, while continuing on where i left off yesterday, another situation came up that demanded attention.
As the first week of the project begins to wind down, i am still excited. Here's hoping that excitement will continue.
Oh, and i almost forgot. Tonight i passed the 10,000 word count. (I'm at 11,227 to be exact. YAY ME!)
I just love how the character's surprise me. One of the things i do is intentionally stop either just before or just after introducing an important scene, character or plot point. This assures me that the next session i won't start completely from cold. i already have something in mind. But today, while continuing on where i left off yesterday, another situation came up that demanded attention.
As the first week of the project begins to wind down, i am still excited. Here's hoping that excitement will continue.
Oh, and i almost forgot. Tonight i passed the 10,000 word count. (I'm at 11,227 to be exact. YAY ME!)
Day 5
(originally written April 5th, taken from personal journal)
Second day with out full use of computer. Hating it.
Pop Ups still annoying, but i didn't have as much anxiety this time.
A friends asked today if i was happy with the progression of the story. I love it. I love how the characters are coming to life and leading me all the way. They are taking me down roads, through river bends and behind buildings.
Writing, I'm learning is a lot like working a customer service job. When you go into work, you have a plan in your head. Things you want to accomplish before the day is done. Maybe you need to do an inventory of stock, or revamp your catalog for print. But when you get to work, you're faced with customers. If you're lucky, a lot of customers and they all have needs.
Characters are to writers, what customers are to retail workers. When they approach you you really must abandon what you're doing to listen and accommodate them.
I know I'm a damn good customer service rep. (Hell, i have a whole folder full of written accolades from customers!) but I'm learning I'm a pretty damn good writer too. (Have a new folder of characters stories to prove that!)
Truth be told, and don't tell my customers this, but i like characters better. ;)
Second day with out full use of computer. Hating it.
Pop Ups still annoying, but i didn't have as much anxiety this time.
A friends asked today if i was happy with the progression of the story. I love it. I love how the characters are coming to life and leading me all the way. They are taking me down roads, through river bends and behind buildings.
Writing, I'm learning is a lot like working a customer service job. When you go into work, you have a plan in your head. Things you want to accomplish before the day is done. Maybe you need to do an inventory of stock, or revamp your catalog for print. But when you get to work, you're faced with customers. If you're lucky, a lot of customers and they all have needs.
Characters are to writers, what customers are to retail workers. When they approach you you really must abandon what you're doing to listen and accommodate them.
I know I'm a damn good customer service rep. (Hell, i have a whole folder full of written accolades from customers!) but I'm learning I'm a pretty damn good writer too. (Have a new folder of characters stories to prove that!)
Truth be told, and don't tell my customers this, but i like characters better. ;)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Day Four
While i wasn't able to access the Internet, i did keep notes in my personal journal so i could share each and every bit of creative "fun"(Sarcasm intended :) )
with you!
Without further ado here's what went down:
Day Four: (Originally written April 4th, 2010)
Today's writing had a new challenge. One I never anticipated. Last night some "Mal ware" attached itself to my Internet explorer.
I can still access my word document (where i do all my writing) just nothing online. I do admit i occasionally use the internet during writing session for brief referencing purposes. So while i can still do the actual writing, i rather enjoy easy access to information.
My main problem with this evenings session was pure and simple distraction.
Incidentally, i did indeed meet my word count goal for the day, but the entire time, i feared i was racing the clock. Not knowing much about my computers ailments, I worried the whole computer was going to seize up on me and die right out from under my fingers!
Not to mention, about every 30 seconds or so, a new small screen would pop up alerting me to the danger i was in of losing my vital information if i continued staying what they were calling "unprotected".
(Now, before you go thinking i am a complete ninny, i do have virus protection and you gotta give me credit for that. I am instead only a half ninny as i didn't realize i still needed additional protection from spy and Mal ware!)
So with each poke of the keyboard, my heart raced thinking at any moment i could lose it all and just as I'd get into my characters heads and release to the screen everything they'd dictate, POP UP ALERT...
In the end as I've said, i met my 1667 daily word goal. (Even wrote a few extras which always helps.) They weren't pretty and most will probably get edited out in the re-write, but that's not for now. I did it. I met my first large challenge in this project. Stared down the scary beast and wrote right through it!
with you!
Without further ado here's what went down:
Day Four: (Originally written April 4th, 2010)
Today's writing had a new challenge. One I never anticipated. Last night some "Mal ware" attached itself to my Internet explorer.
I can still access my word document (where i do all my writing) just nothing online. I do admit i occasionally use the internet during writing session for brief referencing purposes. So while i can still do the actual writing, i rather enjoy easy access to information.
My main problem with this evenings session was pure and simple distraction.
Incidentally, i did indeed meet my word count goal for the day, but the entire time, i feared i was racing the clock. Not knowing much about my computers ailments, I worried the whole computer was going to seize up on me and die right out from under my fingers!
Not to mention, about every 30 seconds or so, a new small screen would pop up alerting me to the danger i was in of losing my vital information if i continued staying what they were calling "unprotected".
(Now, before you go thinking i am a complete ninny, i do have virus protection and you gotta give me credit for that. I am instead only a half ninny as i didn't realize i still needed additional protection from spy and Mal ware!)
So with each poke of the keyboard, my heart raced thinking at any moment i could lose it all and just as I'd get into my characters heads and release to the screen everything they'd dictate, POP UP ALERT...
In the end as I've said, i met my 1667 daily word goal. (Even wrote a few extras which always helps.) They weren't pretty and most will probably get edited out in the re-write, but that's not for now. I did it. I met my first large challenge in this project. Stared down the scary beast and wrote right through it!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Day Three
Wow. Today i got close. Reached my word could goal at 11:50 pm!!! (Actually i even went over today's goal by 75 words- *phew!!)
Busy day. Had a hockey game to watch (Sabres lost... boo, hiss and adding salt to the wound it was a shut out for Montreal) then some errands and lastly a bit of harmless retail therapy. I didn't even start tonight's writing session until 10pm and had to stop for dinner!
But I did it.
One of the biggest surprises I've come across doing this project is just how tired writing makes me. I once heard it put as "mental sweat". Lemme tell you, you want a mental work out that will exhaust you mentally as well as physically, take on this challenge.
It will kick your ass.
And you'll love every moment of it!
Busy day. Had a hockey game to watch (Sabres lost... boo, hiss and adding salt to the wound it was a shut out for Montreal) then some errands and lastly a bit of harmless retail therapy. I didn't even start tonight's writing session until 10pm and had to stop for dinner!
But I did it.
One of the biggest surprises I've come across doing this project is just how tired writing makes me. I once heard it put as "mental sweat". Lemme tell you, you want a mental work out that will exhaust you mentally as well as physically, take on this challenge.
It will kick your ass.
And you'll love every moment of it!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Day Two
I'm a little nervous today. Heavy winds and i'm afraid the computer will go out in the middle of writing. Pushed back todays session till later (which will actually help me figure my ideal writing time anyway) and i'm considering the ole pen and paper alternative. I can always transfer to computer later.
Will update later as the session goes on...
Later, as promised.
So i just finished my goal for the day (plus 200+ words) Yay me. I ended up writing out ole school using pen and paper, then later, after the storm settled, transferring it to the computer. That allowed me to pad it slightly and i was close to my goal. I just kept the flow going and did it. Very exciting.
Will update later as the session goes on...
Later, as promised.
So i just finished my goal for the day (plus 200+ words) Yay me. I ended up writing out ole school using pen and paper, then later, after the storm settled, transferring it to the computer. That allowed me to pad it slightly and i was close to my goal. I just kept the flow going and did it. Very exciting.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Day One
So today i started my writing project. I've been struggling the past year trying to find a program that works best for me. A few weeks ago i found "No Plot? No Problem!" kit at the bookstore. I know, i know, i had promised myself no more "how to" books or writing kits. (I have so many) This one, however was unlike anything i have ever read. Chris Baty (Founder of National Novel Writing Month) put together this kit to use any month. It was great. I was excited. And because i bought it towards the end of a month, it gave me enough time to throw together some character and setting sketches as well as a brief plot evolution outline.
Today's writing went well. Not only did I write over my goal word count. I felt (for the first time in months) energized. Excited. (And not just about writing!!) I even did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. (Even though Mr. Baty in his instructions names such activities as excused as long as i am writing. I like him!)
So wish me luck as i embark on this quest. I intend on keeping this blog as an online journal of this experience. It may seem boring now, but stick with it. I'm sure there will be days full of tears and days full of laughter. And it would be great to have someone along for the ride.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)