This is an awesome video clip of Annie Trudeau, Max Pitruzella, Alice Mei and Thomas Blacharz doing a steal dance. There's follows leading follows, leads leading leads, double-wide woman lindy, and lots of great dancing!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Day 17 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1637
Total Words Written: 27149
Write-ins attended: 11
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 1637
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 15680
Cups of Coffee: 15
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 2
Number of Airships: 10
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Write-ins make me happy!
- I started playing with Scrivener today. Wish I'd found it before NaNo!
- Wish I could include the essays and emails that I've been writing for Grad School Applications in my Novel Word Count.
Small Snippet of Novel:
The two boys went up to the top deck and found a vantage point near the starboard wing mechanism and watched the scenery to the south. The sound of rifle shots and cannons was much louder now. Oliver pointed out across the sky and Jasper’s eyes followed to where he was pointing; there were several aerial warships engaging in battle. Jasper’s eyes identified three airships as Union ships and there were four that bore an unknown flag that must be the confederate flag. There were three or four other ships obscured enough that he couldn’t tell which nation they belonged to. Oliver gasped as a few aether the Union airships concentrated their aether cannons on a single conferate ship and confederate ship and the ship blew apart. Shards of metal flying through the sky to impale two of the other Confederate ships and raining hell down on the soldiers down below. One or two of the Union ships took considerable damage from the explosion as well. The ships's fire became far more disorganized as the Confederate Warships dropped out of formation and their fire became scattered and uneven. Oliver and Jasper watched in horror as the Union Airships pursued the Confederate ships and systematically blew them out of the sky.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Confereate
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Day 16 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1437
Total Words Written: 25512
Write-ins attended: 10
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 1437
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 14043
Cups of Coffee: 14
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 7
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- The stress of trying to do everything got to be yesterday, but today was a good step towards regaining momentum in all of my projects.
- Would have gotten more written if I hadn't had to type up the handwritten words from this weekend.
- Hurrah for reaching 25K!
Small Snippet of Novel:
"I didn't know that it was so dangerous. Traveling between towns. I didn't think." Jasper's eyes were wide and just a touch wild. "I didn't think that one more or less person with a weapon would matter. I," Jasper paused and took a deep shuddering breath. "I can't help but think that if I hadn't refused to fight, if I hadn't been stubborn that those men might be alive now. Someone Unnamed Yet was my friend. And my inaction got him killed." Jasper looked turned away, ashamed of his outburst.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Aishipr
Barresl
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Day 14 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 53
Total Words Written: 24074
Write-ins attended: 9
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 0
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 12606
Cups of Coffee: 13
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 7
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Busy day scurrying around Portland was not very conducive to writing.
Small Snippet of Novel:
The Valor of the Sky had landed in an empty field half a day away from Union City to lick her wounds and take care of her dead. Jasper watched the vaguely religious ceremony taking place before him with the wide eyes of a young child at a circus.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
None
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Day 13 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1178
Total Words Written: 24021
Write-ins attended: 9
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 1178
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 12606
Cups of Coffee: 12
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 7
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Handwriting bits of Novel gets complicated.
- Having a Write-in at OryCon was amazing!
- It was awesome getting to hear about some other novels.
Small Snippet of Novel:
"As a member of the crew of the Valor of the Sky, however temporary it may be, it is necessary for you to have a working knowledge of firearms." Flustered by the Captain's continued use of the word that he had no conceptual understanding of, Jasper extended his mental radius to brush the Captain's mind and extract the image that was near the surface of his thoughts and connected to the term firearm. The images connected to the term were those of a metal tube stuffed with black powder and metal slugs attached to a handle. Skimming a bit deeper, Jasper was disturbed by the images other images connected to the use of a firearm which he now understood to be a weapon that produced large gaping wounds and bloody messes that were once living breathing men. Jasper released the images and returned his concentration to the Captain's words. "Oliver is well versed in the use and maintenance of firearms and I am tasking assigning him the task of bringing you up to speed."
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Denfense
Navigatot
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Day 12 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1864
Total Words Written: 22843
Write-ins attended: 8
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 1864
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 11428
Cups of Coffee: 11
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 7
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Almost out of outline. That might prove problematic!
Small Snippet of Novel:
Frederic and Daniel are in the barracks room that they share with two of the Imperial soldiers, having been sent below deck for the duration of the battle between the Reckoning of the Cockatrice and the Herald of Despair. Daniel is flopped bonelessly on his bunk watching Frederic pace back and forth in the small enclosed space. Both boys are tense, listening to the sounds of the battles taking place right above their heads. The deck ship shakes are as cannon balls impact with the hull. Underneath the booming explosions of the cannons is the lighter sharper pops of rifles. Listening harder, Frederic and Daniel can hear the thundering scuffle of melee fighting; the clash of sword against sword, the scrape of deflected knives and the undeniable thump of wrestling. Frederic and Daniel meet each other's eyes and are filling with the knowledge that they are thinking the same thing. Carefully, in case the danger is closer than they know, the two boys sneak out of the barracks and creep up the stairs leading to the top deck. Hovering at the last few steps the boys crouch down and peek up and out at the skirmish merely feet away from them.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Dails
Stuble
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Day 11 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1421
Total Words Written: 20979
Write-ins attended: 7
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 0
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 9564
Cups of Coffee: 10
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 7
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Not a complete loss of momentum but I have definitely been Week 2-ed.
- I really love Write or Die.
- Naming Airships is kind of a pain.
- I have some awful Airship names:
- Reckoning of the Cockatrice
- Herald of Despair
- Reckoning of the Cockatrice
Small Snippet of Novel:
"Well, let's get you aboard the Reckoning of the Cockatrice before the General decides to butt his head into our business despite washing his hands of the matter." Captain Josiah Everett led the trio of teenagers through the fort and to the Airship docks.
"Is it very likely that the General will interfere with your decision to help us?" Elizabet asked shyly.
Captain Josiah Everett laughed, "The General would have to leave his nice safe desk to even discover that you are aboard the Reckoning of the Cockatrice. The likelihood of that is slim to none. You'll be safe enough from the General." Captain Josiah grinned at the teens. He led them past the Merchant Airships docked for the night, and the smaller faster courier airships, to the row of docking slips that housed the large powerhouses of the Imperial Airship Fleet. The Reckoning of the Cockatrice was one of the newest sips ships out on the Frontier patrols. She had the latest and greatest aether technology and the heaviest armament of anything but the Heavy Aerial Warships that solely patrol the city bounds of the capital, protecting the Queen and Parliament.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Doxks
Herlad (Easy to guess, but I get points for its frequent appearance)
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Professionals on NaNoWriMo
The topic of NaNoWriMo has not only been filling my blog but my blog reader has also been peppered with blog posts by published authors and other experts regarding their thoughts on NaNoWriMo. Here's what I've seen so far, and I'll come back to add anymore that get posted!
John Scalzi (Author of Old Man's War and many others)
In which John Scalzi gives his two cents about NaNoWriMo and the current trend of professionals nay-saying.
Kate from Kt Literary (An Agent)
This is a nice solid supportive post from a literary Agent who has been a NaNoWriMo participant in years past.
Maggie Stiefvater (Author of Shiver, Linger and more)
In which, Maggie Stiefvater expresses her dislike for NaNoWriMo and does a bit of ranting.
The response to the feedback that was recieved for the the previous post and asks the participants among her followers about NaNoWriMo
Maggie Stiefvater had made her peace with NaNoWriMo and illustrates her thoughts with lovely and effective Visual Aids.
A. Victoria Mixon (Independent Editor)
Some excellent advice from an Editor plus bonus links to earlier posts that will help your Novel.
DonWon Song (Editor with Orbit)
A rebuttal to a specific post by a blogger with some lovely encouragement for NaNoWriMo participants.
Day 10 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 3184
Total Words Written: 19558
Write-ins attended: 6
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 2736
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 9564
Cups of Coffee: 8
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 5
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- I have my momentum back!
- I'm almost to the point where my outline is incomplete, which is probably about a quarter of the way through the story.
Small Snippet of Novel:
Once Isabella had left the room, Oliver dragged himself out of the cot he was lying in. He stumbled his way across the room and collapsed onto the cot right next to Jasper's.
"Jasper, you awake?" Oliver whispered. He was rewarded by the Jasper rolling over to face him. Oliver paused considering what he wanted to ask, "Was that what you lost?" Oliver asked, looking meeting Jasper's eyes.
"Yes," Jasper responded verbally much to Oliver's surprise.
"I am so sorry." Oliver replied. The two boys were silent for awhile both of them mourning something that they couldn't have.
"So, this aether engine," Jasper begins, his voice a bit raspy. "How does it work?"
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Balnk
Ptreare
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Day 9 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 331
Total Words Written: 16374
Write-ins attended: 5
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 0
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 6828
Cups of Coffee: 7
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 4
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Real Life has taken its toll on NaNo
- Yesterday, I didn't get anything written and today I was sick-ish and got a mere pittance written.
- So far Week 2 kind of sucks, especially given how well Week 1 went.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Cautsious
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Day 7 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 2832
Total Words Written: 16043
Write-ins attended: 5
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 2831
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 6828
Cups of Coffee: 7
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 4
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Wish I'd gotten 10K done this weekend but 6K isn't bad!
- This novel has eaten my brain. Seriously.
- Finally got my explosion in!
Small Snippet of Novel:
There were a few noticeable wing beats and then a large explosion was heard. Oliver's eyes widened, "That shouldn't have happened. I have to go, they're going to need my help in the engine room. I'll be back when I can." Oliver rushed out of the room and took the stairs three at a time up to the engine room and grabbed the fire extinguisher at the entrance before cautiously entering unsure of what he would find. Oliver saw his cousin and fellow apprentice staring in shock at a fire growing every second around the steam engine. Oliver shoved his cousin away from the fire and initialized the fire extinguisher terrified that he wouldn't stop be able to keep the fire from reaching the aether tanks which would at worst, cause the Valor of the Sky to explode, and at best would deplete the aether stores completely and leave the ship and the crew plummeting to the ground to probable injury and death.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Iunner
Distruned
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Day 6 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 3205
Total Words Written: 13211
Write-ins attended: 3
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 0
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 3997
Cups of Coffee: 5
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 2
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 4
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Wish the NaNoWriMo site was up so I could update my word count
- I have to write 7k words tomorrow to succeed at the 10K weekend challenge
- Write or Die is still one of my favorite writing tools
Small Snippet of Novel:
Jasper Smith woke in a strange bed in a strange room. He didn't know where he is or how he got there. The last thing he remembered was taking payment for the work he and his Master had completed for the Valor of the Sky. Jasper tried to free his arms from the blanket unsuccessfully and was getting frustrated when a dark haired girl leaned over him and gently restrained his movements. He could feel the concern and sympathy pouring out from her as she explained why he shouldn't move. Her reasons sounded logical enough that he chose to lie still and let her take his pulse. While she was taking his pulse, Jasper began to reach out mentally in a wide sweep for a familiar mind. Before he knew it, the girl had released his wrist and was addressing him again but he wasn't paying any attention as he tried increasingly frantic to contact a familiar mind. When he failed completely at brushing against another mind, all he could think was that he knew needed to get away, now. His limbs weren't fully functional yet so all he really managed was a wild thrashing that apparently concerned his caretaker more than anything else. Her fear that he would hurt himself edged into his awareness, and he lay still again retreating into the safety of his own mind. He barely registered when the dark haired girl left the room and tried not to feel even more lonely when she was gone.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Isdablella
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Day 5 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1916
Total Words Written: 10006
Write-ins attended: 3
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 1400
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 3997
Cups of Coffee: 4
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 1
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 3
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- I like write-ins!
- It's bad for writing when your brain decides to try and cheat on your NaNo Novel with a short story about Unicorns vs Zombies in an epic battle for World Domination.
- Didn't get to the scene that incorporates an explosion as part of a challenge to honor Guy Fawkes Day.
Small Snippet of Novel:
Captain Charles Hawk took the stairs up to the living level two at a time. He almost ran over his nephew, Richard who frequently served as his assistant. He stopped and barked out an order, "Find Minerva, and bring her to my office. Now!" Barely waiting for acknowledgement Captain Charles climbed the stairs all the way up to the top deck and stormed into his office. Captain Charles flung himself into the chair behind his desk and angrily fumbled out open the bottom drawer of his heavy wooden desk. He took out the glass he found there and the bottle of whiskey. Captain Charles poured two generous fingers of whiskey and threw the whole entire glass back, wincing at the burn but relishing the clarity that came with it. Captain Charles stood and quickly went to consult with the Navigator on duty. What they decided induced another wave of anger and an additional dose of helplessness since the current that the Valor of the Sky was riding was strong enough that in trying to fly counter to the current they would exhaust their supplies of water and coal just trying to get back to Royan, so the Red haired boy stolen away in his Airship would have just have to travel with them from for the three months it would take the Valor of the Sky to make its way back to Royan.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Enginge
Discrestion
Fumbed
Marlet
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Friday, November 5, 2010
Day 4 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1938
Total Words Written: 8089
Write-ins attended: 2
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 0
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 2597
Cups of Coffee: 3
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 1
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 3
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Take that, MC! You will do what I want. I am the writer and I have spoken.
- Sometimes stepping away from the novel and taking a shower is exactly what is needed to solve a plot crisis.
Small Snippet of Novel:
As the large metal wings of the Valor of the Sky began to flap and generate lift, Minerva moved to look out over the railing. Looking over the town one last time, Minerva felt a wave of uncertainty. It wasn't too late, she could confess her weakness and the Valor of the Sky would land and she'd return the unconscious boy. Even as she thought that, she knew that she wouldn't. She had given too much, risked too much to stop now. She had to see this through to the end.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Trepediation
Sjy
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day 3 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1991
Total Words Written: 6151
Write-ins attended: 2
Words Written at a Write-in Today: 1504
Total Words Written at Write-ins: 2597
Cups of Coffee: 2
Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 1
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 3
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 2
Thoughts:
- Apparently, I want to write a novel more than I want to learn to Salsa Dance
- Banjos are really distracting on their own, but live celtic and folk music is actually pretty good for my writing speed
- Wine appears to have an adverse effect on my ability to produce words
- One of my Main Characters is being uncooperative. She is refusing to decide to kidnap another main character and get the plot moving.
Small Snippet of Novel:
Since the town was nearly on the edge of civilization, there weren't very many merchant houses that sent Trading Ships out that far. Minerva shrugged her shoulder, it was the loss of the other Houses since, as the one of the few ships that traversed that far west there was a great deal of profit to be made for the Hawk Family. Towns that saw Merchants Ships as rarely as the Frontier towns did were always glad to spend money on the trade goods being offered; either as a taste of the exotic or a familiar relic of a former life. Either way it was profitable for the Hawk Family and the trade goods that the Valor of the Sky picked up in the Frontier towns sold equally well in the height of Civilization. Assuming that the Airships Pirates didn't interfere too badly with the trade routes, of course.
NaNo-isms of the Day:
Sockier, abthes
Can you guess what words these were supposed to be?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day 2 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written Today: 1937
Total Words Written: 4160
Write-ins attended: 1
Words Written at Write-ins: 1093
Cups of Coffee: 1
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 2
Scenes I forgot to Plot Out: 1
Scenes Written that I'm likely to Cut in December: 1
Thoughts:
- Copy novel progress over from Google Docs before heading over to a new location for a Write-in. My laptop doesn't always play well with new wireless networks.
- I don't write or plot very linearly.
- Writing in Coffee shops makes me want to drink far more coffee than is advisable.
Small Snippet of Novel:
Minerva Chadwick nee Hawk leaned against the railing at the stern of the Hawk Family owned and operated Merchant Airship, the Valor of the Sky watching the steam-powered metal wings rise and fall and twist to a new angle to direct the Airship in the desired direction. The mechanical clink, plink, grinding and whir of the wing mechanism were a oddly comforting and familiar sound to a woman who had spent more of her life aboard the Hawk Family's small fleet of Merchant Airships.
NaNo-ism of the Day:
Beforing
Day 1 of NaNoWriMo
General Stats:
Words Written: 2223
Write-in's attended: 0
Cups of Coffee: 0
Named Characters Killed: 1
Number of Airships: 2
Thoughts:
- Having an outline with plot, characters and some detailed scenes written before November makes a big difference in doing NaNoWriMo
- In one day, I've written over a quarter of what I wrote last year.
General Premise of my Novel:
Steampunk Adventure/Fantasy! A grieving Mother traveling and working on the Hawk Family Merchant Airship, Valor of the Sky, kidnaps a boy from a community of psychics who live mentally entwined with each other. The novel follows the boy's adjustment to living alone in his own mind and his sister's adventure to bring him safely home.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Hello November!
Happy November!
Also known as National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) takes over my life and my blog.
2009 was my first year doing NaNoWriMo and while I didn't win (~7,000 words), it taught me a lot about my writing process. For that matter it started me writing again after basically a four year break for college.
So going into NaNoWriMo 2010, I'm doing a few things differently:
- I started plotting and brainstorming in October (not November 3rd)
- I have an outline that consists of more than a single sentence prompt
- I'm not only going to be attending write-ins but I have organized one
I'm am going to win NaNoWriMo this year!
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