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Sunday, November 13, 2011

NaNoWriMo in a nutshell.

It has certainly been a wild two weeks for me. I'll just copy and paste my live journal entries here to catch everyone up on what's been happening.

NaNoWriMo Update II

Oct. 29th, 2011 at 6:43 PM


Well here we are Down to the last couple days before the big bang starts. I've got my plot planned out. I know each of my characters pretty well. I even know how the first five chapters will play out down to the last detail. I'm taking a four day long absolute breakaway from all writing and editing endeavors {minus this update} as well. So come the contest, I'll be starting fresh. Wish me luck. XD

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NanoWriMo Update III

Nov. 1st, 2011 at 9:31 PM


It's official, Nano started at midnight. From midnight until two am was the Nano writer's midnight kick off. Today is also the first official check in for nano. The rest will be bi weekly. The daily word goal is 1667 words. Most of us have already surpassed that goal. So we are technically ahead of the game. XD

I will try to update this post from time to time with a chart of my progress. But no promises. this month my main focus will be Nano.

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NanoWriMo Update IV

Nov. 5th, 2011 at 9:47 PM


So here it is nearing the end of day Five and I've just updated my submitted words. I just broke the 24,000 word mark today. Yay! I have ten chapters completed and an eleventh one started.

I'm realistic enough to know that thing won't keep going this smooth, so I'm glad I've managed to almost reach the halfway mark already. I have notes for finishing chapter eleven and even for chapter twelve wrote out already. Past that I'm flying by the seat of my pants.

I've already discovered two big things. One: Shutting off my inner editor is proving to be the most difficult part of everything thus far. And Two: I had originally planned for Kanda {My MC} and Tohon {her intended love interest} to marry, but as the story moves along it's looking like it will most likely end up with them as friends and Kanda {My MC and her best friend/protector Elan who end up together. Their relationship has taken a very unexpected twist given certain circumstances.

The last thing I want to do is to try and force the characters onto a set path, that will only stifle the story and ruin the rest of the experience in writing it. I have given my characters full reign and will follow their lead and see where it goes. After all this is just the rough draft of the novel and I'm curious to find out how it will play out.

Tomorrow is my husband's Birthday and I've promised to completely break away from writing for the entire day and spent the day with him. I'm looking forward to the break after cranking out nearly half the intended goal in just five days. It will also help me get some perspective on the writing before I continue typing away.

Just last night my regional Liaison challenged us to hit the 15K mark by midnight tomorrow. Since I've exceeded even that I think one day away will do me good and I know it will please my husband.

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NanoWriMo Update V

Nov. 11th, 2011 at 9:00 PM


So it's nearing the end of day 11. Happy Veteran's day to all of our wonderful Veterans. XD

Unfortunately I've been sick the past few days so two of those days I was lucky to manage a total of 1,000 words each. However do not despair. For I have just started my fifteenth chapter tonight and when I submitted my words I broke the 40,000 mark!

I'm so happy. This week hasn't been very kind to me or my word count, but I'm still on track for where I wanted to be at this point.

Most of the Nanoers this year have opted to do something special today like the 11 hours of writing, or 11,111 words for the day. Other are opting to add a simple 1,111 words to their daily count and others still are opting for 11 sprints of 11 minutes of of solid writing each. Most are also adding a Veteran or reference to them in their novels.

Since I'm still a bit sick and so are both of my children, I can't dedicate 11 hours or even 11,111 words. Since I hit my 15K by last Sunday and am well ahead of where I needed to be for the 50K by the end of the month goal, I opted for the 1,111 words added to my daily count. Tonight I submitted a total of 7,670 words. So I'm happy with that.

Reaching the 11,111 words would have put me under 6K away from the finishing goal. As much as I'd have loved to do it, life had other ideas for me today. Mommy and wife duties must come first. I'm just really glad I broke 40K tonight. All in all I'm very pleased with how well I've done thus far.

As far as the plot line goes, I've hit another major twist I never would have expected and now Kanda {my MC} seems to be developing feelings for Tohon as well as Elan. Both relationships have taken unexpected turns and changed drastically, so at this point even I can't guarantee which one she will end up with.

Currently she's at odds with both of them for different reasons. Plot wise I'd say I've at least reached the halfway point if not a bit past it.

Being a pantster {someone who writes without turning back and without a plot set in stone} has proved entertaining to say the least. XD

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NanoWriMo Update VI

Nov. 12th, 2011 at 9:56 PM


YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! I saved my progress after completing chapter seventeen which put me a little over 3,669 words away from the 50K goal when I submitted my progress. I checked back and *poof* the ENTIRE chapter seventeen was just gone! As in completely vanished...

After I got over my little panic attack while making dinner, I sat down and typed up notes for a rewrite of chapter seventeen and then sat down to rewrite the entire chapter again. Thank God I had the little nuances and important details still fresh in my head. As I rewrote the chapter little things equally important were re-jogged in my mind and I added them to the notes.

Finally almost three hours later I have completed the rewrite of seventeen. I even somehow added 22 words to my tally. I also add a smidgen more depth to the emotional turmoil in the chapter. *wipes brow* So As far as I can tell the new version of seventeen has everything important from the first chapter and a few new things.

I'm so glad I was able to calm down {thank you Japanese garden music and the Indian music i found on youtube a couple nights ago.} I had played them the first time around so I decided it couldn't hurt to listen to them again while I worked on the rewrite.

I had hoped to finish the last 3, 647 words I now need to reach the 50K mark by tonight, but after panicking over a completely ghosted chapter. THE most crucial one thus far since it's really the turning point of my entire plot line, mind you... and rewriting said vanished chapter, I'm totally drained for the night.

I just know that if I try to force out the last bit tonight I'm going to hit writer's block. Despite the fact that I planned out the remaining nine chapters earlier today and made notes for each chapter in the chapters, i;ve decided to settle for tomorrow instead and will spend the rest of the night relaxing amidst tending my sick hubby and kids.

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NanoWriMo Update VII

Nov. 13th, 2011 at 5:05 PM


Victory is mine! *does a little victory dance* I submitted chapter nineteen tonight, which ends with a major cliffhanger and is the first of two chapters not in the MC's POV. My word total as of this moment is 50,356. I am so relieved I made it and before the month was even half over.

Of course I have every intention of trying to type out the remaining seven chapters before this month is over, but now I can relax and not have to stress over word counts so much. *pats self on the back* It only took me thirteen days, despite the whole household now being sick. Yup I'm sick again... Ah the joys of being a mother. XD

Now I'm going to start dinner and figure out how to reward myself for reaching the first intended goal of 50K words. I won't allow myself to read my newest book that hubby got me until after I finish the final seven chapters of this novel. So, maybe a new movie to watch or a special desert? Hm, I'll figure out something. ;)

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So as you can probably tell from reading everything up above, Nano has been a very interesting writing adventure for me thus far. The month isn't over yet either. I'm nervous and excited to see what will happen next. XD