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.

Starving for Writing

Well, I haven't had time to work on NaNoWriMo, so I guess I'm out of luck as it is well past the 15th. But, much worse than that is that I haven't been working on my first novel. It's been over a week now, and except for editing a piece for my writer's group, I haven't touched it. I'm so hungry I could faint. I need to get my priorities in order!

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.

Description

My word for today is Description. I don't have enough of it in certain areas of my book. I know 1160 some odd pages - what am I writing? Lots of dialog, lots of description of how characters are feeling and what they are thinking. What I'm missing is more about their physical appearances, their surroundings, and the characteristics of the world they live in. Don't get me wrong. That sort of stuff is in there, but for the size of the book, it is woefully lacking. So, my word is Description. Got to get to work on that.

In A Word

The March theme for NaBloPoMo is "In a Word" I think my word for today would be "behemoth". My novel is currently topping 1165 words and I'm still writing. I've slowed down a bit recently. It think it's because I'm in new territory. Until recently, I had already decided on the story in my head, so it was easy to write. Now, I'm having to create new situations as I go along. And I have to constantly go back to make sure my characters don't act out of character and don't do the same thing twice. It's definitely a labor of love though. I think when you can get caught up in reading past chapters of your book and they bring you to tears, you must be doing something right. Anyway, that's my word for today. I'll try to have another ready for tomorrow. I realize I'm behind again, but that's the story of my life.

Blogging Bust and Computer Crash

Well, I have utterly failed to to keep up with my blogging. In my defense, I have been totally absorbed in my book. In fact, I was up to 719 pages before my computer came up with a fatal system error. I freaked out. I had 5 chapters that I hadn't backed up on my flash drive yet. My computer guy has had it for 4 days now. He says he was able to back up all my info, so I think my book is saved, thank goodness! But I don't know yet if my computer can be saved. I'm using my son's old broken computer. I'm writing on an older version of word, trying to write new chapters that I can paste into the book later. I also have a few unfinished chapters that I can work on. Let me tell you. As soon as I'm done every day, I copy them to the flash drive.

I'm still really nervous about those five chapters. I really did a lot of cross over of the story lines, bringing things together. Once the book is more integrated, I will start working on the ending. But I think there is still quite a bit yet to go. I imagine I will break the book up into two or three books in the end.

Thank you to those who are following. Sorry for the blackout.

Writer's Block

I have it! I did a million and 1 things today, but when I sat down to write, all I could do is stare. I have three story lines going and a fourth I left hanging earlier and I'm completely blocked. I've got nothing - bupkiss. I know where I'm going with the most recent story line, but the style I've been writing in sort of requires a switch to another storyline at this point. That's why I'm stuck. I suppose it may be time to introduce another character. I have three more to go before the book can be finished, maybe four. I've already got over 200 pages. I'm telling you, it's going to be too big. I may have to break it up into two books. Once I have it written, I'll know better. So, wish me luck and send the inspiration fairies my way. Thanks!

As for ZeitGeist, I think part of the mood of the times at least is fearful because of the economy. I can't tell you how many times I work and rework my budget. I'm obsessive about it. I just have to see the figures on paper, or excel in my case. What do you think about the economy?

So November Dies

Arrrgh! I missed a day. Kept it up all month until the second to last day. I don't suppose confusion is a good enough excuse. Ah well. What's done is done. I will tell you what had me so rapt last night. I made a pot roast for the first time. After all these years, I've never made one. So, I bought all the stuff and went to it. Do you have any idea how expensive a 3.38 pound chuck roast is? It's criminal! So naturally I was under a lot of pressure not to screw it up. It took way longer than mom said, but it came out pretty good. Julia Child has nothing to worry about from me.

Today, I'm just trying to get things done. I have this whole long list. I've done like 3 or 4 things. I just don't want to go out in the rain to drop off the stuff to Goodwill or go shopping. I have 4 or 5 places to go. I don't want to do it in the rain - just not up for it. So that leaves the dishes and laundry - yuck! Why don't these lists ever include really fun things? I did have writing on there, but I've already spent a couple of hours doing that and I just can't justify any more. I suppose I could do the shredding while I watch a movie. That might work. lol. My luck, I'd miss a staple and cause a meltdown.

Wish me luck. It's the last day of November. December is going to be even wilder.

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.

The Long Road Home

Well it was another long, long, day on the road. We had to come back today because one of my kids has to work tomorrow - bummer. But, still, it was a good visit. I've REALLY missed my writing. I've been tempted to do it by hand! We'll that's all for me for one week. Hope it was great for you all.

Family Reuinion

Today we had our whole family together for the first time in the same place in years. It was awesome. All the kids had grown and changed so much. But like I told mine, children do that. Glad I brought my camera! Didn't really get any writing done though, as you can imagine. I tried a bit in the morning, but it wasn't too fruitful.

Quitting Early to Pack for Thanksgiving

I had to quit early today because my start time just got moved up to tomorrow morning. Long drive ahead - 11 hours. Yikes! But, it will be worth it in the end. My whole family will be together for the first time in years. Today I managed 4,009 before I had to quit for a total of 108,780. I hope I'll be able to post while I'm away. I may not be able to pick up a signal. It will ruin my NaBloPoMo run.

Breaking 100,000 Words

I did it and I did it pretty big. I wrote 4,965 words today and did my other work too: budgets, dishes, eBay listings lol. Actually, this week eBay is listing for free. You don't pay unless you sell. So, I did a few listings and did some Christmas shopping too. My total words are now 104,771. I still haven't settled on an ending. I have to find a way to tie all the storylines in together.

Can You Say Double NaNo?

I am 194 words away from hitting 100,000 words. I'm just too tired to do any more tonight. Too funny. I wrote 6, 444 words today, for a total of 99,806. Watch me go over the top tomorrow. I need to go back to a languishing story line and let the poop hit the fan. Then I can come back here and let romance blossom.

A NaNoWriMo Comeback

Yeah, I making a comeback! I managed 4,676 words over two storylines today. The bad guys are being very bad. Things are heating up. Hopefully tomorrow will be a banner day. My total now is 93,362. I must say though, if my son keeps playing his screamo "music" for hours on end, my nerves won't be able to take it. There's only so much your natural filters can deal with before you snap.

Slowing Down

I'm definitely slowing down. Of course life is keeping me busy lately, but the story lines are screeching to a halt on me as well. I've started a new one, but it isn't what I'd hoped. I may have to abandon it and go with another. Ah, the perils of noveling. The word count for today is a whopping 2882. Not stinky, but not what I have been capable of so far. My total is 88,686.