Beginning is set and the plot is going where it needs to go. Now that I have that wall in smables, it is safe to say that I am on to Plot twist number one. where the action takes a big turn and first blood is spilled.
about 18 words away from Novemeber 9th's 15,000 word milestone.
Issues to tackle:
I have segmented my story so much that it will be difficult to find a way to connect the pieces I have.
I have focused my attention on Kyle White in the beginning. I am wrestling with the idea that I need to have him be the MAIN character, with switching focus only for certain scenes (most of which are already written).
Reaching 30,000 by the 18th.
I don't know what Thanksgiving break will hold for me, or how much time I will spend on writing, but I hope that I will stay on task enough to either stay ahead (as I am now) or stay with par.
That's all for now, folks! I hope that I haven't bored you too much with my updates. I feel that I'm the only one checking my own progress now. I need support!!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Day 4: The writer's wall
So I've been writing the beginning of the story, and will probably throw it to the fire. It just sounds too quick, too short, perhaps. I don't know. It takes me a very long time to "rev-the-engines" so to speak. And the fact that my in-laws are here, and we've had a busy weekend. So perhaps I'll hit another spike in creativity on Tuesday when I'm stuck at work in an office.
Word count is over 12,000. Not impressive when the chunks I have could be considered 7 different stories.
So to keep you entertained, here's a little tid-bit of information about the book:
The story begins in a town much like the dusty ones we all know and fondly remember. Those rusted American towns that sit in quiet hills and valleys, thick woodlands and fields, are much like Spring Meadow.
I haven't decided on the state, and I probably won't mention it. It'll just be an aside to the fact that America has many Spring Meadows, just as they have Richmonds, Philadelphias and Springfields.
The plot will center around five students at Spring Meadow High School with numerous others that will come into the show later. The voice in the piece will change between the five different students, as they don't all hang with each other. Think Game of Thrones with much less tossing around.
Characters:
Kyle White- New kid to Spring Meadow High School as of the year prior to things going down. He's originally from Seattle Washington, and has a step-brother overseas. He's mostly a loner, and enjoys being by himself much more than being stuck in a place with hundreds of other kids.
June and Tyler- Brother and sister. They are two years apart in age, with June being older. Tyler is struggling with his sexuality, and in result, his social life. June is a soft spoken, but very sociable teenager. She's part of the track team and trying to date the biggest line backer in the school's football team.
Shelby- A mischievous free spirit with a sister named Holly. She spends most of her time at school talking to boys, or in the Library brushing up on her reading. She hates going to the cafeteria, and finds every excuse to take her lunch elsewhere. This sometimes means getting into trouble by trying to eat outside on the grounds, near the woods.
Charlie- The biggest linebacker in the school, if that rings any bells. A senior at Spring Meadow High. He's the oldest of the five main characters, and hopefully if done right, you'll see he's the most misunderstood.
All of these characters have something in common with each other, something dark and mysterious that looms under their skin. More will be revealed about them later, but I promise:
No Vampires, Werewolves, Vampire Babies, or any "woe is me I'm so dark and lonely" backgrounds.
Word count is over 12,000. Not impressive when the chunks I have could be considered 7 different stories.
So to keep you entertained, here's a little tid-bit of information about the book:
The story begins in a town much like the dusty ones we all know and fondly remember. Those rusted American towns that sit in quiet hills and valleys, thick woodlands and fields, are much like Spring Meadow.
I haven't decided on the state, and I probably won't mention it. It'll just be an aside to the fact that America has many Spring Meadows, just as they have Richmonds, Philadelphias and Springfields.
The plot will center around five students at Spring Meadow High School with numerous others that will come into the show later. The voice in the piece will change between the five different students, as they don't all hang with each other. Think Game of Thrones with much less tossing around.
Characters:
Kyle White- New kid to Spring Meadow High School as of the year prior to things going down. He's originally from Seattle Washington, and has a step-brother overseas. He's mostly a loner, and enjoys being by himself much more than being stuck in a place with hundreds of other kids.
June and Tyler- Brother and sister. They are two years apart in age, with June being older. Tyler is struggling with his sexuality, and in result, his social life. June is a soft spoken, but very sociable teenager. She's part of the track team and trying to date the biggest line backer in the school's football team.
Shelby- A mischievous free spirit with a sister named Holly. She spends most of her time at school talking to boys, or in the Library brushing up on her reading. She hates going to the cafeteria, and finds every excuse to take her lunch elsewhere. This sometimes means getting into trouble by trying to eat outside on the grounds, near the woods.
Charlie- The biggest linebacker in the school, if that rings any bells. A senior at Spring Meadow High. He's the oldest of the five main characters, and hopefully if done right, you'll see he's the most misunderstood.
All of these characters have something in common with each other, something dark and mysterious that looms under their skin. More will be revealed about them later, but I promise:
No Vampires, Werewolves, Vampire Babies, or any "woe is me I'm so dark and lonely" backgrounds.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Day 3: Beginnings
So my word count is up to a little over 11,000 and I still don't have a way to start my story. I have ideas, sure, but nothing that really starts the story the way I want it to. I've talked to many people, mostly writers or avid readers, about how I should start something so... weird... and I get mixed responses from accross the board:
"You need to set the pace early, so go into the whole thing by giving the reader something action packed. Throw them in kicking and screaming!"
"You're story is weird, and has a lot to take in. Best to explain some 'rules' of your story before giving them any kind of action to chew on. They might choke."
"What's the title? Start with that."
"Focus on one character, and branch out."
"Confuse the ever loving shit out of your readers. They love that."
"I hate being left to 'figure things out' in the beginning. If I wanted that I would've played a board game or something. Give me the answers and let me enjoy the damn plot."
So what do I do? Who do I listen to? I really don't have an answer, so if you were looking for one to solve your own dilemma, you're SOL. But perhaps my real problem is that I don't have a solid enough STORY. I have a concept, sure, but to actually have something from start to finish in my head that I can sit down and say "Once upon a time, this shit happened and it was pretty friggin sweet" might just be what I need. But again, I have no idea. I've been winging this shit since day one. And it's Day 3. That's a lot of winging. So tomorrow? I work on the beginning. I work on starting the story with something that is good enough where a person will open the book, read the first paragraph and says "I need this book". Maybe I can just start by saying "You need this book." What if I scrapped my ENTIRE IDEA and started making an advice-- nope. Let's not even think about that. On to other pursuits. Like food. mmmmmm lasagna.
"You need to set the pace early, so go into the whole thing by giving the reader something action packed. Throw them in kicking and screaming!"
"You're story is weird, and has a lot to take in. Best to explain some 'rules' of your story before giving them any kind of action to chew on. They might choke."
"What's the title? Start with that."
"Focus on one character, and branch out."
"Confuse the ever loving shit out of your readers. They love that."
"I hate being left to 'figure things out' in the beginning. If I wanted that I would've played a board game or something. Give me the answers and let me enjoy the damn plot."
So what do I do? Who do I listen to? I really don't have an answer, so if you were looking for one to solve your own dilemma, you're SOL. But perhaps my real problem is that I don't have a solid enough STORY. I have a concept, sure, but to actually have something from start to finish in my head that I can sit down and say "Once upon a time, this shit happened and it was pretty friggin sweet" might just be what I need. But again, I have no idea. I've been winging this shit since day one. And it's Day 3. That's a lot of winging. So tomorrow? I work on the beginning. I work on starting the story with something that is good enough where a person will open the book, read the first paragraph and says "I need this book". Maybe I can just start by saying "You need this book." What if I scrapped my ENTIRE IDEA and started making an advice-- nope. Let's not even think about that. On to other pursuits. Like food. mmmmmm lasagna.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Day 2: Technology
Trying to work with a computer with a left shift button that doesn't work... is a little difficult. Why haven't I switched to a more functional work space? meh. In fact, that's the reason I usually give when I don't have a reason to give. My writing project? Oh that. Let's call today more of a meditation and material gathering day. There's a neat program on the website that gauges the word count and projects what day I should finish if I continue to putter out at 6,000 words a day. As of now, I'm due November 9th. I feel that perhaps I'm ahead of schedule. But I'm not going to play the hare and get behind that much-- I'll probably have many more days like this. uneventful. MEH if you will. Kudos, though, to a Sir William Sams Young (annoying to write without a functional left shift button). He's one of my friends from home who caught word of my wife's challenge to me and decided to join in. Huzzah and good fight to him. maybe he's reading. No idea, but luck to him.
Anyway, I've got lots more nothing to do, so I'll be getting to that! Happy Friday! (oh now the SHIFT on the right doesn't work , but the left one works. ugh.)
Anyway, I've got lots more nothing to do, so I'll be getting to that! Happy Friday! (oh now the SHIFT on the right doesn't work , but the left one works. ugh.)
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Set up my account on National Novel Writing Month's website
The title says it all, but I can go into detail if you wish:
What's the prize for 'winning'?
The definition of 'winning' is reaching 50,000 words before midnight November 30th. The prize from the Website is a certificate I believe. Or just my name up on their website in pretty font. However, chances of motivating me to finish a novel worthy of publication is enough to say that I have a hefty carrot to run after.
In the special offers page though, they give you access to companies that reward writers for reaching their 50,000 word goal. So my prize could theoretically be a bunch of coupons for finishing the book. Pretty neat yeah? If I don't finish I still get discounts on some coupons, just not nearly as much as a 'winner' (reach your 50,000 goal).
Offers (coupon) page:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/offers
Anybody around the area that are also doing NaNoWriMo (that's what they call it. it's wierd)?
Some, actually, and I'll be posting interviews from my fellow writers from the area soon!
What's your word count for the day?
Well, I kind of cheated, but I think people use this place as a forum to continue, start, or work on something that they personally wrote. Since there is no tangible prize, I feel that bringing an old work back to life and kickstarting it back up again isn't wrong, but indeed the best thing I can do as long as the idea is still fresh and cool. And it is, because it's mine. All my ideas are fresh and cool. so my word count for the book as of Nov. 1st? 5,047 of 50,000. Starling start if you don't know that I've only actually typed maybe 4 of those today. My projected goal (if I spurt out 5,000 words a day) is November 9th.
What's the prize for 'winning'?
The definition of 'winning' is reaching 50,000 words before midnight November 30th. The prize from the Website is a certificate I believe. Or just my name up on their website in pretty font. However, chances of motivating me to finish a novel worthy of publication is enough to say that I have a hefty carrot to run after.
In the special offers page though, they give you access to companies that reward writers for reaching their 50,000 word goal. So my prize could theoretically be a bunch of coupons for finishing the book. Pretty neat yeah? If I don't finish I still get discounts on some coupons, just not nearly as much as a 'winner' (reach your 50,000 goal).
Offers (coupon) page:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/offers
Anybody around the area that are also doing NaNoWriMo (that's what they call it. it's wierd)?
Some, actually, and I'll be posting interviews from my fellow writers from the area soon!
What's your word count for the day?
Well, I kind of cheated, but I think people use this place as a forum to continue, start, or work on something that they personally wrote. Since there is no tangible prize, I feel that bringing an old work back to life and kickstarting it back up again isn't wrong, but indeed the best thing I can do as long as the idea is still fresh and cool. And it is, because it's mine. All my ideas are fresh and cool. so my word count for the book as of Nov. 1st? 5,047 of 50,000. Starling start if you don't know that I've only actually typed maybe 4 of those today. My projected goal (if I spurt out 5,000 words a day) is November 9th.
Day One of The Challenge
So today, on Facebook of all places, my wife decided to challenge me to write a novel in 30 days. I'm at work, or else she'd be pushing her laptop in my face and shouting "Do this!". So here I am, creating this blog so that not only I, but my friends as well, can keep up to date on my progress. I will share some excerpts, probably a sample chapter or two when I actually get writing, but as of now I'll keep you in the dark for the protection of my story.
For this post, however, I will educate you on what the hell my wife was thinking when she challenged me to write a novel in 30 days. Well, it wasn't her idea. She found this website, and decided, because I have abandoned several stories and hundreds of other concepts I don't even think made it to the "let's tell my wife about it" phase, that I should accept this challenge. Want in on the game?
Check it out:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en
That's a safe link that takes you directly to National Novel Writing Month Challenge or whatever-- anyway, it'll explain everything there. So I'm going to go look at some notes I have compiled and decide just which story I'm to do for the next 30 days.
Wish me luck people.
For this post, however, I will educate you on what the hell my wife was thinking when she challenged me to write a novel in 30 days. Well, it wasn't her idea. She found this website, and decided, because I have abandoned several stories and hundreds of other concepts I don't even think made it to the "let's tell my wife about it" phase, that I should accept this challenge. Want in on the game?
Check it out:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en
That's a safe link that takes you directly to National Novel Writing Month Challenge or whatever-- anyway, it'll explain everything there. So I'm going to go look at some notes I have compiled and decide just which story I'm to do for the next 30 days.
Wish me luck people.
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