Here is a contest for either unpublished or self-published novels. The first round is a 300 word pitch due before February 7th. Grand prize is a $15,000 publishing contest. Two categories General Fiction or Young Adult Fiction. Might just send my novel that way. It’ll do good to work on my pitch anyway.
Yep, just like everyone else I’m looking at the new year and looking at what I need to do this year. So, I’ve decided on a word for this year:
By this I mean to take responsibility for my actions. And to act. I’ve a terrible habit of procrastinating and letting myself just drift along in life. I know it won’t be perfect, but it’s a start. Right now I’m on vacation, so, as far as I’m concerned it really starts when I set foot back in my house, but even here there are things I can do. So, hey look, a blog post. I think I might also start posting some of my photography here too, we’ll see.
I know, Guy Fawkes day. But for a nanoer I remember that the fifth of November I should be at 8,335 words. I’m doing fie so far, sitting at 10, 518, but I know that dreaded week two is just around the corner. I’m having a bit of trouble keeping motivated, but word wars help me through. Still have no idea how this story is going to end. Just as long as it ends somewhere after 50,000 words I’ll be happy.
And this is helping me get interested again in my own work. I’d quit shopping “The Unthinkable” around, so maybe I’ll take another crack at it, or else look at self publishing.
How is everyone elses nano’s going?
I just realized that my favorite character building list “The 100 Most Important Things To Know About Your Character” was on Geocities. Thank God for Archive.org
Here’s the Archive.org link:
The 100 Most Important Things To Know About Your Character
I’m going off to print a hard copy now…
Over on my friend Benjamin Solah’s blog he posted a link to questions about nanowrimo and how you participate in the event. So here’s me taking a crack at it.
When and how did you find out about NaNoWriMo? How did you go?
A friend of mine heard about nano on NPR and told me. I failed miserably that first year, but learned a lot about how I had to write to meet the goal.
How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
I’ve done it 6 times (every year since 2003) so this will be number 7
How many times have you won? If you haven’t won, what was your best result?
I’ve won three times. Usually if I fail, I fail it’s in a big way.
How did you go last year?
I got off to a good start, then didn’t like the idea and dropped it. I tried again a week later and again got a good start, but nothing ever jelled and so I failed.
Where do you write and with what do you write?
Most of my writing is on my trusty laptop with Open Office. I’ve also been known to write in email and send it to myself, or on anything else I have handy. Even pen and paper if I have to.
As for where, usually it’s on my couch in my living room, though I’ve made it to a few write ins.
How do you find time to write?
Right now I’m working part time, that leaves plenty of time to write.
Are your partners, friends and family allies or enemies?
My husband tends to roll his eyes at the whole thing, but he tolerates it. I have many online friends that help me out and offer servings of encouragement or beatings when I deserve it.
What are you strengths and what do you use to help you get to the end?
There’s the fact that I’ve done this many times before so I have a fair idea of what to expect. And not just nano novels, but stories in general. One of my problems is often finishing things, so I use that as a goal as well. And one of my favorite tools is the Nanowrimo spreadsheet. I suck at making spreadsheets myself, but I find that this helps me figure out how far I’ve come and how far I’ve got to go.
What are you weaknesses, obstacles and challenges that hinder you from finishing?
Laziness? Procrastination? Usually just wandering off in far directions that have nothing to do with writing. My biggest hinderence is always myself.
Do you plot/outline/plan or do you write by the seat of your pants? How much do you plot or how unprepared are you?
I find I do best if I semi-outline. That is if I have some idea of what’s going to happen next. If I plot the whole book it’s no longer interesting to me and I fail (this happened last year). I need that sense of wonder when I discover something I didn’t know about a character or a situation. But I need at least some idea of where things are going.
So far all I’ve done for this one besides a general plot is worked out the background.
Do you participate in the real life community, go to write ins and meet ups in your area?
I always try to. Working retail right now that’s difficult, but I always try to attend at least one. The Nanowrimo chatroom is usually where I get most of my encouragement from.
What are your writing aids? Special snacks, music, totems, rewards or punishments?
I always try to just plug along. Word wars are my friends. I can’t listen to music unless it’s wordless. As far as totems…well, I always try to have at least one nano sticker on my laptop?
This was my cat, and he did try to help
Feel free to pass it along, link it back if you do. Bonus points for including a nano related picture!
I was inspired by my friend Sonja’s blog post today on Premise Lists and decided to take a crack at my own. Pretty much these are movies related to my nano in some way.
1. Payback (1999)
A man betrayed by his wife and partner and left for dead gets messy, bloody revenge.
2. Boondock Saints (1999)
Twins find themselves heroes after defending themselves and go after all those who commit crimes and somehow always skate free.
3. Star Wars (1977)
You know this one. An orphan farm boy finds himself caught up in a destiny he never knew he carried as he fights off the evil empire.
4. The Return of the King (2003)
Lots of stuff in this of course, but I’m going with the Aragorn repairing the sword that was broken and finally accepting his destiny as king.
5. The Matrix (1999)
A hacker discovers the world is not what it appears and learns of his destiny (yeah, that word again) as the One.
6. Braveheart (1995)
After losing his lover, a man plots revenge and finds himself guiding the fortunes of his nation.
7. Blood Alley (1955)
A rough sea captain helps a village escape from their oppressive government.
8. African Queen (1951)
A man, a woman, a boat and WWI. He learns that there is a reason to fight as the go further down the river.
9. The 13th Warrior (1999)
A stranger in a strange land finds himself drawn into a fight against a mysterious force with his new allies.
10. The Patriot (2000)
An old warrior is forced to take up his sword again, first for vengeance , then gradually for faith in something bigger.
11. Savior (1998)
After losing his wife and child a man fights for vengence. After saving a pregnant woman he begins to regain his humanity.
This list took waaay to long to come up with, but I’m glad I did it. I have a few more ideas then I started with and maybe just a little more idea of where my story is going to go when I start writing it.
Just as an aside, 1999 was a GREAT year in movies.
*blows dust off things*
Wow I haven’t posted since mid-December of last year. Hrm, well those of you that know me shouldn’t be horribly surprised that it’s the rapid of approach of Nanowrimo that’s brought me out of hibernation.
*pokes muse*
I think she’s still in deep freeze. I may well go for The First Line that’s due November 1st as a way of waking her up. At least I’ve got an idea for nano, based on one of my older ideas. It’s maybe recycling, but it’s Nanowrimo, I think it’s allowed. Anyway, look for my posts sooner then 10 months from now.
Yes, still alive. I will attempt to get back to posting here more often. But today I wanted to alert you to this Query Holiday. Firebrand Literarry Agency between December 15 and January 15 will be accepting first chapters instead of query letters. Just follow the directions on their website. They also want only completed manuscripts. And they promise to read every one. So, if your looking for an opportunity, this might be it. I plan on submitting myself.
We all have those well worn phrases that drives us crazy. Here’s a list of twenty from the bbc.
Cliches are one of those things that it’s easy to fall into for many of us. They are well worn and comfortable and that is just why they are so dangerous and should fall to the editors pen.
I think it’s appropriate that Nanowrimo starts at the witching hour right after Halloween is technically over. I’ve been somewhat avoiding thinking about mine because if I think about it I’m going to want to write it, but I think I have an idea of how I want to start it. So, you can probably expect random ramblings about steamships and inter-dimensional travel, if I blabber here about my novel.
Hey, it’s Nanowrimo, anything goes. To all you playing, the best of luck, to any of you that aren’t, well, why aren’t you? it’s only a bit less then two-thousands words a day!