Me and NaNoWriMo

Well, In a Flash went absolutely nowhere. I'm beginning to think Nano was created to torture me, to make me want to write new novels every year right when my business is kicking into high gear and I just don't have the time.

Time, you say? A novelist makes time to write, right? Eek!

However...the novel I began in November, 2015 is still alive an kicking. I have an outline, of sorts, as you know I am a "pantser" (i.e. - I write by the seat of my pants). I have great characters, a funky plot, and lots of adventure.

Currently, I am working on getting inside my characters heads a bit more, learn more about what motivates them beyond the obvious. I've written sixteen chapters, and they've all grown a lot, but I think some of that information, emotion and motivation needs to manifest earlier in the book or my readers won't want to keep turning the page.

And, I still haven't finished editing my first novel. Dumb, huh. My son tells me to just finish it and publish it myself. Not too bad of an idea, really. With a great cover - I need a new one - and an even greater description, it could work.

Okay, so maybe it's not so bad having two complete novels and three partial novels (not counting the ones I was motivated to write or begin at other times).

Nanowrimo got me started writing novels in the first place. I was strictly poetry and short stories before Nano. So, ix-nay on the torture and hats off instead.

Another Disappointing NaNoWriMo Word Count

I just can't make myself do it. I feel terrible. The only reason I'm writing this is to vent. I'm so sick of being sick. Make it end! I want to write again.

NaNoWriMo is Returning

On November 1, 2011, all the novelist hopefuls who have signed up for this awesome adventure will be hitting their laptops with abandon.  Many will be returning winners, like myself.  I have returned ever year for the past three years and now I'll be at it again.  Each year marks a return to a state of frantic creativity.  Trying to find that one great idea that is book material.  50,000 words is no easy task if you don't have the right premise.  I think I've got one that will fly.  I still have to work out some details in my mind.  I hate outlines.  Wish me luck.  Here's one of the goodies I got for "winning" last year.

Return to Solvency - I Hope

Well, it's September 3rd already!  I've been so caught up in my shrunken budget that I didn't realize I should "return" to my blog. Ha, Ha.

The most important return for this month, however, is the return of my most recent writing job.  It sort of fizzled out last month, along with the income it would have generated.  Now it's back, and I'm thrilled.  In fact, I should be working right now.  I'll return tomorrow and tell you how it's going.  :)  Thank's for reading and have a safe Labor Day weekend.

Sprouting Frustration

As time goes by without my replacement computer I'm getting more and more frustrated because I can't work on my book.  I went 5 months writing every single day to not writing at all.  It's maddening.  Right now the feeling is still in the sprouts colossus stage, but it's going to be in full bloom soon.

I think I'll write a short story.  That might appease my mighty need.  Who knows?.

Bloomin' Sprouts

The thing about sprouts is they often go on to bud, and then to bloom.  The sprouts "colossus" that I posted earlier are now buds and blooms colossus.  Check them out.

You know, ideas are alot like these flowers.  They sprout, they form into little buds, then, if you're lucky, they can bloom into something as amazing and beautiful as these Amayrillis.  

I'm still frustrated, not being able to work on my book.  Some time next week I'll get my replacement computer and probably go into shock trying to get my writing fix.

Phantom Sprouts

As I sit here writing this, I have so many ideas for the book I've been working on, fleeting thoughts, concrete plot points. Unfortunately, I received the word yesterday that my computer is officially DOA. I'm typing this on my son's uber old Precision M60 Workstation that I got from the Dell warehouse more years ago than I can recall. It is the back-up, back-up computer. The keyboard is lifted up and the screen is wonky. I hope it holds out until I can replace my Dell Latitude.

I'm afraid to work on my book on this machine because I have an older version of Word on here, and although I own the licence, I'm having difficulty getting it registered, so I have only 32 more uses before it shuts down. Fun. I don't want to lose my work.

Luckily, I saved my book to a flash drive every day, so I didn't lose anything when I lost the computer. Plus, the hard drive is okay, so my computer guy can transfer my data to the new computer anyway. Yeah! But it's going to be the end of next week at least before I can get a replacement.

It's just so difficult not being able to put my ideas down on paper. It's as if they sprout and then go back into the ground. I hope they will lie dormant there until I can write again.

Villain

My word for today is Villain. My villain is about to get his comeupance. It's only taken 1212 pages, but it's going to be good. All of the story lines should be involved in this. Things are finally coming to a head, a big one anyway. Hopefully, I can put an end to this puppy.

What is my Book About?

For the kind person who asked this question, I will tell you. It is an erotic fantasy, though I'm afraid it has evolved into a more traditional romance. The fantasy part is alive and well I'm happy to say. I've got lots of conflict, adventure, betrayals. But now that I think about it, I am going to have to start spicing it up again.

As for February's challenge, right now I'm working with a character who is in love with one woman, obsessed with another, and taking up with a third to hide his relationship with the second. It's great fun. And, he's a good man, not a sleeze bag. But remember, this is fantasy.

Christmas Shopping and the Almighty Budget

Well, naturally I missed the Friday sales because I was on the road. Probably a good thing in the long run. But now I have to try to find other sales to get something decent for my kids. The rest of the family is getting cookies. lol. I have these beautiful tins I bought on like 90% off, so that's covered. Now I just have to make the cookies.

Oh, and did I mention my son's birthday is only a few days from Christmas? Isn't that just peachy? I don't even really know what he wants. I've gotten him an 8 GB jump drive (USB drive) and I need to get him a mouse, but those aren't that exciting. I think there may be a concert coming to town soon. I need to check on that. The big ones usually skip us. I'm not making a cake this year. I'm making him two pecan pies. One to hoarde and one to share. He loves pecan pie. Might as well give him what he wants, right. What he really needs is a pair of shoes. But at 13 1/2 you can imagine what they cost and how hard it is to find a decent pair. He'd really be mad if I called it one of his birthday presents - darn!

I started decorating outside yesterday and I'm so proud of me! Unfortunately, I hammered my thumb a little more than the little nails I was using to hang the decorations on the brick mailbox. Oh well. I got them up. That's what counts. Right? Now for the hard part. I have to start putting out the decorations with lights. So far, it's just been wreaths and topiaries and what not. Now, I'm going to get serious.

And, I'm going to do some writing too.

Slow NaNoWriMo Day

Well, it was a slow day for me on the novel. Life intruded. I had shopping, work and laundry. Worse, I didn't even get the dishes done - oh no! Well I guess there's always going to be days like these. Still, I got a respectable word count: 2577 with a total of 42,595. I'm almost done with this story arc, so I'll be moving on to another one soon. Should be a lot of fun.

Early on, I felt like this book stunk, but now I think it's definitely salvageable. I'm looking forward to fleshing it out and glitzing it up a bit. After all, it is supposed to be "erotic." lol

Word Blitz

Yesterday I wrote 5,215 words. Amazing since my kitchen lights shorted out. That's where my desk is. I'was afraid that I was going to have to go back to work soon, so I worked as long as I could. I'll do the same thing today if I can.

Now I've got to hire an electrician to fix the lights. They've shorted out in three rooms. Can't catch a break. Oh well. That's life.

NaBloPoMo

It's time for November's NaBloPoMo. I'm going to try - again - to be a daily poster. I've noticed that they have daily prompts now which should help if I run out of things to say about NaNoWriMo and my eBooks. They also have this great web badge which definitely fits my theme this month.

My neighbor across the street recently lost her husband. I knew he was sick. I bought a sympathy card, but I don't know how to give it to her. I feel like if I give it to her in person, it should be with another gift or at least a casarole, which I don't know how to make. I'm really lost here. I just don't think it's right to slip it in her mail box.

eBook heaven

I did it! I finally finished the draft of eBook number two. Now I can take a day off. I wish tomorrow was November 1st so I could start NaNo. I really want to get some words down.

Sigh

Well, It looks like I'm going to finish the first draft of that eBook by the first of November after all. Of course, I'll have the revisions of the first book I wrote to do soon - alas. In any event, I will do my best to tap out my 50,000 words anyway. I have a vague idea what to write about.

In the meantime, I've got two nights of trick-or-treaters to contend with. One town nearby decided to do it a day early, so we expect they will descend on us tonight while our town will hit us tomorrow. Fun, fun, fun. Happy Halloween everyone!

NaNoWriMo Time

Well, it's nanowrimo time again and I'm in a real pickle. I've gotten two really choice ghost writing jobs, but there is no way I'll be finished by November 1st. I haven't even had time to come up with a plot. I have a vague idea, but no time to outline. I also don't know if I'm going to be able to make the time to write while I'm supposed to be writing for my jobs. I may have to start late and really hump it to catch up. I just don't know. Anyway, I am determined to participate again this year and win if humanly possible. Wish me luck.

I Did it! I "Won" NaNoWriMo.

I've crossed that 50,000 mark for the second year in a row. I can't tell you how good it feels. It's going to feel even better if I can make something marketable out of what I've written. lol.

Stuck at the 11th Hour

I'm stuck. I can't seem to even think about my novel. I need to outline what happens next and I haven't a clue. I know what happens in the end, but there's a large chunk of space in between the middle and the end that isn't accounted for. And NaNo starts in 2 days! Help!

NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo is in five days and I have managed to waste the entire morning twittering and commenting on other sites around the net. I've done my shopping for the day, checked my mail and driven my son to swimming. Now it's time to get down to business. I've got to get my first novel firmly in my head - no more living dead villains, lol. I want the sequel to flow naturally from the first book. The only way that is going to happen is if I'm back into the first book as much as possible. Working on that now. Can't help editing while I'm there though, darn it. Enough talk, it's all work for me from here on in today. Well, except maybe for a nap that is. :-). NaNo on!

NaNoWriMo Cover Art

Well, I've finally hit upon something I like. My model has given me the go ahead, so I'm posting it. NaNo is only 7 days away, I'm still outlining and I just realized one of my bad guys is already dead! Ha. Ha. Time to raise up another boogey. It's all in good fun. I certainly intend to have some.