So starting tomorrow (as it is still not really tomorrow for me, I haven’t slept yet to say the least) I will be starting back up the whole words per month and total words. There isn’t exactly a goal this month except to finish the book. If I don’t do so now, then I feel like all will have been lost.
A few fears I’ve been having is that the main character maybe feels a little robotic. Like, I try to make him human with fears and goals, but to a certain extent I can’t really be sure. I do know I try and at least make him act intelligently, but that only makes me wonder if he sounds more robotic. I mean, how many people actually think things through before proceeding.
It’s fears like these that make me want to just stop and move on, but I figure if I can plow through it, at least I’ll have accomplished something. I mean, of all the fears I’ve had so far putting down this book and starting another one is just a bigger fear. I want a feeling of accomplishment, that I actually did something and that someone out there thought it to be interesting. Sure, this book probably won’t be published now or any time in the near future, but it is a nice goal to set and leave open.
At any rate, normal blog will resume tomorrow and I’m going to try and shoot the number of blogs back up to 20 or more a month again. It may be a rough road ahead, just as a fair warning, and next month may be even weirder and harder. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
National Novel Writing Month
So starting yesterday was the first day of the National Novel Writing Month or whatever (preferably called NaNoWriMo online, google it if you wish). Anyway, I have planned to actually try to do this challenge since it seems to be not exactly a whole lot more than what I was trying for in past months. Here’s the quick facts:
Goal: 50,000 word novel
Ends: December 1st at 12:01 AM
In other words, write a book in one month that is at least 50,000 words in length. I think I can do it and so I’ve decided to try for it. I will be putting down my other book for the time being and setting out to see if I can accomplish this task of a full book in the month’s time.
What this does not mean is that I am done with Broken Falls (the other book I’ve been working on). I made a promise that I would finish that novel by the end of the year and I plan to stick to that, with much of the final chapters works being done in the next month. So to my friends that are reading that book, do not be discouraged that it has made the shelf like anything else I have written, just know that it has been put on hold for exactly one month and then I will finish the first story in the series. Also, I don’t think I could stop writing that book since I can’t seem to get the ideas out of my head.
The rules will be much like when I started writing my other book for this new one:
Words for the Novel: 0 / 50,000
Total Chapters: 0
Also, I made one final graffiti that I thought I would post. Its kind of weird for me, but I like it. I don't know exactly what it was suppose to be either, but the main idea was like a plant and bubbles or something and it just didn't come out to look like anything except abstract artwork. Oh well.
Goal: 50,000 word novel
Ends: December 1st at 12:01 AM
In other words, write a book in one month that is at least 50,000 words in length. I think I can do it and so I’ve decided to try for it. I will be putting down my other book for the time being and setting out to see if I can accomplish this task of a full book in the month’s time.
What this does not mean is that I am done with Broken Falls (the other book I’ve been working on). I made a promise that I would finish that novel by the end of the year and I plan to stick to that, with much of the final chapters works being done in the next month. So to my friends that are reading that book, do not be discouraged that it has made the shelf like anything else I have written, just know that it has been put on hold for exactly one month and then I will finish the first story in the series. Also, I don’t think I could stop writing that book since I can’t seem to get the ideas out of my head.
The rules will be much like when I started writing my other book for this new one:
- Words only count for writing in that book
- Chapter names count towards the total word count
- Notes do not count towards the total
- Friends that ask to read it may receive the piece chapter by chapter
Words for the Novel: 0 / 50,000
Total Chapters: 0
Also, I made one final graffiti that I thought I would post. Its kind of weird for me, but I like it. I don't know exactly what it was suppose to be either, but the main idea was like a plant and bubbles or something and it just didn't come out to look like anything except abstract artwork. Oh well.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Time is Now Midnight!
I did it today, I accomplished writing more than ten thousand words in two days flat. That's really impressive once you consider I normally spend a week writing that many words for my story. Then again, I've felt really involved with this chapter and I've been really proud of the artwork it has become. That's right, I said artwork.
This chapter has changed so much from my original idea that if I read it to myself from ten days back, I'd have hardly known it was the same thing. The basic principle I had so many days ago is still very much present in the chapter, but what happens has become something much more grand than I could have imagined. And maybe this is all because of the process of writing, I really can't be sure, but I am pleased to say that this is by far one of the best chapters I have ever written.
The best part, the scenery is actually really simple and easy for anyone to imagine. It was what I did with the surrounding atmosphere that makes it so sophisticated. I could have written this chapter a thousand different ways, but I'm not sure I would have been as proud as I am. Not only that, but to my readers (to which has now become three people...) I hope they see all the symbolism and symbols I gone to lengths to throw into each place. I think this one might also send a few shivers up their spines.
So am I done now that ten thousand words have passed, the normal average length of my chapters. I think not and I might actually be far from it. I'm not certain that I will need another ten K to do the job, but for sure I will need a few thousand more just to finish the explanations I have ended up in. And yes, I thought about breaking this part up into two separate chapters, but the problem is that the whole thing lies in such perfect unity with itself that I thought breaking the pieces apart would only ruin and not strengthen the value anyone will find by reading it.
To tomorrow I will write more, the ideas are still flowing vibrantly through my head and I have probably enough to keep writing peacefully onward for some time. I wish I would have known how much joy I'm getting out of writing this a few days ago, but then again I probably would not have developed the ideas I have. It's that strange state where I wish I had done so sooner while at the same time it would not have been as great had it been performed before the best time. There has to be a word to describe that, someone out there probably knows it.
And for now, have a wonderful night!
Words for the Month: 12,445 / 40,000
Total Words: 92,504
This chapter has changed so much from my original idea that if I read it to myself from ten days back, I'd have hardly known it was the same thing. The basic principle I had so many days ago is still very much present in the chapter, but what happens has become something much more grand than I could have imagined. And maybe this is all because of the process of writing, I really can't be sure, but I am pleased to say that this is by far one of the best chapters I have ever written.
The best part, the scenery is actually really simple and easy for anyone to imagine. It was what I did with the surrounding atmosphere that makes it so sophisticated. I could have written this chapter a thousand different ways, but I'm not sure I would have been as proud as I am. Not only that, but to my readers (to which has now become three people...) I hope they see all the symbolism and symbols I gone to lengths to throw into each place. I think this one might also send a few shivers up their spines.
So am I done now that ten thousand words have passed, the normal average length of my chapters. I think not and I might actually be far from it. I'm not certain that I will need another ten K to do the job, but for sure I will need a few thousand more just to finish the explanations I have ended up in. And yes, I thought about breaking this part up into two separate chapters, but the problem is that the whole thing lies in such perfect unity with itself that I thought breaking the pieces apart would only ruin and not strengthen the value anyone will find by reading it.
To tomorrow I will write more, the ideas are still flowing vibrantly through my head and I have probably enough to keep writing peacefully onward for some time. I wish I would have known how much joy I'm getting out of writing this a few days ago, but then again I probably would not have developed the ideas I have. It's that strange state where I wish I had done so sooner while at the same time it would not have been as great had it been performed before the best time. There has to be a word to describe that, someone out there probably knows it.
And for now, have a wonderful night!
Words for the Month: 12,445 / 40,000
Total Words: 92,504
Monday, September 20, 2010
Day Two of the No Video Games Program
And so I failed to make 5,000 words in my wake of what was yesterday (I don't honestly count it to be the next day until I sleep, the only exception of which being that I need the number of words completed before everyone else considers it to be the next day at midnight) and I haven't played video games yet. This of course makes me sad, because I love video games.
SO I started the program again today, 5,000 words to start playing video games. I figured that it helped me get 4,700 or something words yesterday so it wasn't a complete failure and already today I've made headway towards the final goal. Also, I might have to work a little faster if my friend calls me and wants to play and five... Anyway, it seems to be working really well so I think I'll keep this program in action. Next month I might keep it but I will lower the amount required each day so that I don't finish in the first eight days and then wait to play all month long. I'm not saying 5,000 words isn't a bit too much, just that I've gone into crisis mode and need to fix the problem that video games has caused this month
On a different note, the evolution of chapter 8 goes well. I've had a lot of interesting things to write about and kept the pace fairly forward for someone who is basically alone in the world I am describing. That's about as much as I can say, really. Actually I'm really looking forward to what happens after this chapter, there are some funny thing I want to say and some interesting points to make before the next stop on the list.
Well, gonna take a small break and then hop back on it.
Words for the Month: 9,206 / 40,000
Total Words: 89,265
SO I started the program again today, 5,000 words to start playing video games. I figured that it helped me get 4,700 or something words yesterday so it wasn't a complete failure and already today I've made headway towards the final goal. Also, I might have to work a little faster if my friend calls me and wants to play and five... Anyway, it seems to be working really well so I think I'll keep this program in action. Next month I might keep it but I will lower the amount required each day so that I don't finish in the first eight days and then wait to play all month long. I'm not saying 5,000 words isn't a bit too much, just that I've gone into crisis mode and need to fix the problem that video games has caused this month
On a different note, the evolution of chapter 8 goes well. I've had a lot of interesting things to write about and kept the pace fairly forward for someone who is basically alone in the world I am describing. That's about as much as I can say, really. Actually I'm really looking forward to what happens after this chapter, there are some funny thing I want to say and some interesting points to make before the next stop on the list.
Well, gonna take a small break and then hop back on it.
Words for the Month: 9,206 / 40,000
Total Words: 89,265
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
That Makes Two Months!
For the second month in a row (out of two total so far) I have met and surpassed my goal! That's right, I procrastinated all day long, but before the clock struck midnight based on my local area's time I was able to finish off the total words for the month. To my friends that are reading the story, I bet you all are happy that I started writing a blog about this since it has now gotten me over a hundred pages of words and double the length of my previous longest story.
On a slightly less related note, there are so many things in the next chapter that I like that I can't wait to give it to my readers. I think they will find all of the different things maybe moving a bit slower than expected, but there are really a lot of rich details in there as well. Also, I've got the next chapter planned out.
Edit: The new poll for the month is now available. It would be nice if people voted, but whatever. Last month's poll ended with a tie between let jack read it and no... which means I'm just gonna be lazy and not send it to more friends...
Words for the Month: 40,016 / 40,000
Total Words: 80,059
Months Successful: 2 / 2
On a slightly less related note, there are so many things in the next chapter that I like that I can't wait to give it to my readers. I think they will find all of the different things maybe moving a bit slower than expected, but there are really a lot of rich details in there as well. Also, I've got the next chapter planned out.
Edit: The new poll for the month is now available. It would be nice if people voted, but whatever. Last month's poll ended with a tie between let jack read it and no... which means I'm just gonna be lazy and not send it to more friends...
Words for the Month: 40,016 / 40,000
Total Words: 80,059
Months Successful: 2 / 2
Monday, August 30, 2010
Getting Closer
I made a bad choice today of going with my Mom to a home improvement store. I forgot that those places are like the black holes of time and souls once you walk inside of them, at least for my family. We spent three hours in two home improvements stores and only bought one track light. We went in not for a track light. In truth, we went to the first store in look for a type of door, which did not exist, and then for a hook, which also did not exist. Then we went to the second store (which was not the same as the first... as in not the same company) and went looking for a medicine cabinet. They had one that was what my Mom wanted, but the package was opened and she feared it was already broken. We did not buy it. However, we did end up finding a track light that I don't want to hang but I know she is going to try and make me hang. I plan to try not hanging that piece of crap. We also searched for the imaginary hooks again, which still did not exist.
So three hours later I came back with two things. One was an idea for some stuff that will happen later in my story (and it is really cool, can't wait to write about it). I've noted it into my sticky note for this story (which I usually don't think TOO far ahead with, else I might get bored). Anyway, the second thing I brought back was a huge bag of annoyance. I didn't want to write and I didn't even want to watch TV. All I wanted to do was lay down and sleep. I chose to write though and ended up spending an hour trying to make 1,000 words make sense. I gave up and decided to play video games for a little. That seemed to help.
Anyway, just finished up writing a little bit more and I'm getting closer to making my goal for this month. Hopefully by tonight I will be within 5,000 words of the goal (and I'm hoping to be within 3,000) so that writing for tomorrow won't be too bad. I'm positive that I'm going to make it this month though. Amazing considering where I was like 10 days ago.
Words for the Month: 34,528 / 40,000
Total Words: 74,571
So three hours later I came back with two things. One was an idea for some stuff that will happen later in my story (and it is really cool, can't wait to write about it). I've noted it into my sticky note for this story (which I usually don't think TOO far ahead with, else I might get bored). Anyway, the second thing I brought back was a huge bag of annoyance. I didn't want to write and I didn't even want to watch TV. All I wanted to do was lay down and sleep. I chose to write though and ended up spending an hour trying to make 1,000 words make sense. I gave up and decided to play video games for a little. That seemed to help.
Anyway, just finished up writing a little bit more and I'm getting closer to making my goal for this month. Hopefully by tonight I will be within 5,000 words of the goal (and I'm hoping to be within 3,000) so that writing for tomorrow won't be too bad. I'm positive that I'm going to make it this month though. Amazing considering where I was like 10 days ago.
Words for the Month: 34,528 / 40,000
Total Words: 74,571
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Chapter Five is AMAZING!
I don't like to gloat except when I think certain friends are annoying me (hint hint hint friend who wants this chapter so badly), but oh my GOD this is probably one of the best chapters I've written yet. I mean, chapter one and two were really about setting up characters and dragging my readers into the story (as I am so damn good at doing). Chapter three and four are all about moving forward with the plot, getting the main character to actually go places and do stuff that hasn't been done before and really setting things forwards. Chapter five is really the first chapter where I start to really dive in and play with the world I've now created. I mean, for the most part the reader has been given sort of a weird place and a lot of separate mysteries. Chapter five kind of stays away from making more mysteries and dives into really adding to previous ones we've already seen.
I guess what I'm saying is I really get to do some awesome stuff (artistically and literally) with the wording and really show that I have fun when I come up with things. Now I'm not saying everyone is going to love chapter five, I'm just saying that I think in comparison to what I have written already it starts to really build on everything I'm working on setting up.
I guess I'll know if I succeeded when one of my readers gives me feedback. Which this might be a hint to my readers...
Regarding other things, I will now have a monthly poll on my blog for everyone to go and click buttons on. I think this will help me with maybe directing my book a little bit more since I am creating a person and not a robot. I hate it when books make robot people who do amazing things. Also, I'm getting back into my groove of writing and so we might actually get to see 2/2 successful months for me to be proud of all I've accomplished with writing. Then September comes and we'll see what happens.
I'm not done writing yet for the night (I mean, when you are having as much fun as I am writing this out... you don't quit), but my computer is bugging me to update it. So I'm going to take a small break, get some more delicious fake coffee, maybe unload the dishwasher, and then get back to work. But even so, look how much I've written already!
Words for the Month: 9,212 / 40,000
Total Words: 49,255
Damn, almost 10,000 words in the seconds month! Cheer my friends, cheer hard.
I guess what I'm saying is I really get to do some awesome stuff (artistically and literally) with the wording and really show that I have fun when I come up with things. Now I'm not saying everyone is going to love chapter five, I'm just saying that I think in comparison to what I have written already it starts to really build on everything I'm working on setting up.
I guess I'll know if I succeeded when one of my readers gives me feedback. Which this might be a hint to my readers...
Regarding other things, I will now have a monthly poll on my blog for everyone to go and click buttons on. I think this will help me with maybe directing my book a little bit more since I am creating a person and not a robot. I hate it when books make robot people who do amazing things. Also, I'm getting back into my groove of writing and so we might actually get to see 2/2 successful months for me to be proud of all I've accomplished with writing. Then September comes and we'll see what happens.
I'm not done writing yet for the night (I mean, when you are having as much fun as I am writing this out... you don't quit), but my computer is bugging me to update it. So I'm going to take a small break, get some more delicious fake coffee, maybe unload the dishwasher, and then get back to work. But even so, look how much I've written already!
Words for the Month: 9,212 / 40,000
Total Words: 49,255
Damn, almost 10,000 words in the seconds month! Cheer my friends, cheer hard.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
And the New Month Begins!
So here I start on month 2 of the big idea of how I can write a book. It feels weird looking at the work I've done and thinking that I've made it so far only to have to try and do it again, but on the other side it feels great. I really know I can do it now, where as in the past I kind of flaunted around with trying to write this many words. At least I have some ideas where the story is going to go, I know what is going to at least happen all the way to the end of the chapter, and it sounds like so far my readers are enjoying the conflicts that are arising in the main character.
On other news, I've discovered that I'm really messed up as far as sleep now. For the past few weeks, to get into the writing spirit I've had to wait until 10PM or later because there was too much noise in the house. Well, I stayed up later by taking naps from 7 to 9 and now I can't seem to sleep a whole night anymore. On the bright side, I'm going to have a lot of time for writing. On the bad side, I can't sleep at night and that leaves me feeling a little messed up inside. Its like taking depression pills and I don't know why.
Other than that, I strangely felt weird not writing also. Its like somewhere in my head I want to just start talking about stuff and typing and telling stories, but I took the day off and didn't have an outlet. I didn't expect that to happen... Also, I wrote like three paragraphs or so just to feel like I had officially started this new month. Zero just sounded bad...
Words for the Month: 268 / 40,000
Total Words: 40,311
On other news, I've discovered that I'm really messed up as far as sleep now. For the past few weeks, to get into the writing spirit I've had to wait until 10PM or later because there was too much noise in the house. Well, I stayed up later by taking naps from 7 to 9 and now I can't seem to sleep a whole night anymore. On the bright side, I'm going to have a lot of time for writing. On the bad side, I can't sleep at night and that leaves me feeling a little messed up inside. Its like taking depression pills and I don't know why.
Other than that, I strangely felt weird not writing also. Its like somewhere in my head I want to just start talking about stuff and typing and telling stories, but I took the day off and didn't have an outlet. I didn't expect that to happen... Also, I wrote like three paragraphs or so just to feel like I had officially started this new month. Zero just sounded bad...
Words for the Month: 268 / 40,000
Total Words: 40,311
Saturday, July 31, 2010
First Month Completed!
And so I somehow was able to make approximately the last 10,000 words appear on the final two days of writing. I'm really proud with myself that I actually completed this goal and doing this once honestly gives me a lot of faith that I can make it again next month. Just to remind everyone, I also made my goal this month with about one week taken out but with a little bit of a head start on the story (I didn't start this month at 0 words because I started writing the book at the beginning, so I thought they counted. That and I wanted to be fair to myself in giving myself a month, head start for the words.). And if anyone is really curious, the words that put me at 40,000 was "on." I know, I thought it was going to be more exciting too but sometimes these things happen.
As far as the next chapter goes, the last time I checked it was already 7,000 words. Honestly I'm really surprised because I didn't think I had written that much already. I have approximately 3 more things I want to write into the chapter (and on average a "thing" ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 more words) so for my faithful friends who are hopefully enjoying the story, this chapter is going to take a little longer. Also, just for their information, I kind of want a little bit of a break for now so that I can recoup my thoughts. Writing 10,000 words in two nights is wonderful for making headway into the story, but it doesn't give me a whole lot of time to think about all the things I want to say. Sure I get some as I go along, but the stuff people will remember this story for always seems to come when I've had time to think a little bit ahead.
Also, I'm going to get a poll for my blog to figure out what else I'd like to add. When that will happen, to be announced at a later time. Trying to come up with a wonderful first question first.
Words for the Month: 40,043 / 40,000
Total Words: 40,043
Months Successful: 1 / 1
As far as the next chapter goes, the last time I checked it was already 7,000 words. Honestly I'm really surprised because I didn't think I had written that much already. I have approximately 3 more things I want to write into the chapter (and on average a "thing" ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 more words) so for my faithful friends who are hopefully enjoying the story, this chapter is going to take a little longer. Also, just for their information, I kind of want a little bit of a break for now so that I can recoup my thoughts. Writing 10,000 words in two nights is wonderful for making headway into the story, but it doesn't give me a whole lot of time to think about all the things I want to say. Sure I get some as I go along, but the stuff people will remember this story for always seems to come when I've had time to think a little bit ahead.
Also, I'm going to get a poll for my blog to figure out what else I'd like to add. When that will happen, to be announced at a later time. Trying to come up with a wonderful first question first.
Words for the Month: 40,043 / 40,000
Total Words: 40,043
Months Successful: 1 / 1
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Great Disappearance
Oh my god, I just completely let this blog slip for a few days. If anyone wants to know why, I would start by blaming Laurel. Anyway, whenever I last left this blog I had this big plan to just write a whole bunch and get all caught up and make everyone happy. That never happened. Instead, I went off and apartment shopped with my friend (of which we found absolutely no apartments that were under $5 per month so I could afford it. Screw you world...) and then while I was up in Boulder I decided to go see a few of my friends (like Laurel). We saw a movie and ate dinner and hung out and it definitely was [underline]NOT[/underline] a date. Seriously, we had another friend with us the whole time who just made the whole situation weirder. And yes, I know that the underline did not work there, but I felt it was important to make that note very much apparent.
Then I went and stayed at a different town in a different house all by my awesome self. It was wonderfully quiet and I probably could have written thousands of words there. Except there were a few problems. For one, I had a very large television in front of me and it was very distracting with all the 1080p high definition glory. Oh yes, I very much played video games on it and was very happy because of all the things I could see. Also, there was internet, so I played my very new video game which is for my computer.
All and all, I was distracted for the last two days or so and was completely unable to write anything. I was so distracted that for a while there my pleasure gland inside my brain said "no, don't do work, that's lame! Instead, play video games and watch awesome television and make cupcakes" (no cupcakes were ever made). It was wonderful and relaxing. It also put me VERY VERY far behind schedule. So new plan, get the F%@$caught up to date and complete this on time before I have to make weird rules and exceptions that no one will like except me. And for once I don't want to do that! SO I'm not done writing tonight (especially since its like four AM almost and tomorrow is free bagel friday. Oh I love you bagels) and I am going to try and kick out AT LEAST another 2,000 words. And by the way, that's after you see the massive amount of words I magically was able to perform tonight. Something happened, I don't know what, and it triggered a lot of writing. For instance, this ridiculously long update where I tell you absolutely nothing of interest. Hmm... maybe I'll do that now.
More plot developments, more hints and hints of hints, more stuff happens, and *gasp* someone does die... sorta... Also, I magically finished chapter 3 (unedited) and am now moving onto chapter 4 (holy cr@p my hands are failing me as I try to type all of this). Wish me good luck, though I already have some awesome and amazing stuff planned. Seriously, was going to bed last night (which was two nights ago now) when I suddenly came up with a BRILLIANT idea for what to do. Wrote it down that's how good the idea was, fans will be amazed for generations.
Also, look at how awesome the number of words I stopped at is...
Words for the Month: 34,443 / 40,000
Total Words: 34,443
Total Pages: 47
Then I went and stayed at a different town in a different house all by my awesome self. It was wonderfully quiet and I probably could have written thousands of words there. Except there were a few problems. For one, I had a very large television in front of me and it was very distracting with all the 1080p high definition glory. Oh yes, I very much played video games on it and was very happy because of all the things I could see. Also, there was internet, so I played my very new video game which is for my computer.
All and all, I was distracted for the last two days or so and was completely unable to write anything. I was so distracted that for a while there my pleasure gland inside my brain said "no, don't do work, that's lame! Instead, play video games and watch awesome television and make cupcakes" (no cupcakes were ever made). It was wonderful and relaxing. It also put me VERY VERY far behind schedule. So new plan, get the F%@$caught up to date and complete this on time before I have to make weird rules and exceptions that no one will like except me. And for once I don't want to do that! SO I'm not done writing tonight (especially since its like four AM almost and tomorrow is free bagel friday. Oh I love you bagels) and I am going to try and kick out AT LEAST another 2,000 words. And by the way, that's after you see the massive amount of words I magically was able to perform tonight. Something happened, I don't know what, and it triggered a lot of writing. For instance, this ridiculously long update where I tell you absolutely nothing of interest. Hmm... maybe I'll do that now.
More plot developments, more hints and hints of hints, more stuff happens, and *gasp* someone does die... sorta... Also, I magically finished chapter 3 (unedited) and am now moving onto chapter 4 (holy cr@p my hands are failing me as I try to type all of this). Wish me good luck, though I already have some awesome and amazing stuff planned. Seriously, was going to bed last night (which was two nights ago now) when I suddenly came up with a BRILLIANT idea for what to do. Wrote it down that's how good the idea was, fans will be amazed for generations.
Also, look at how awesome the number of words I stopped at is...
Words for the Month: 34,443 / 40,000
Total Words: 34,443
Total Pages: 47
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Well that didn't go as planned
So I was trying to get my second chapter all finished up for my friend on time, except that things kept getting in the way. For instance, I told her I would have the second chapter (unedited) ready for her by the time she was done with school today. Well, it turns out that kinda got washed out when I decided to go to bed last night. Then I was woken up this morning to do some work gardening, which included building the garden and the garden's wall, for my parents. This took forever. Long story short, I was more tired then ever and my friend did not get the chapter.
So now, feeling a little guilty, I'm up into the early morning hours just to finish up the unedited version of the second chapter. For the record, that's done. Except then I looked at my word count. 20,000 words approximately and 10 days. Perfect. At two thousand words averaged in the last few days, I just have to continue like this and I'll make my goal. hurray, I made a goal.
All I can say is I hope my friend is happy, cause I'm still tired after all that manual labor. I hate gardens.
Words for the Month: 21,391 / 40,000
Total Words: 21,391
So now, feeling a little guilty, I'm up into the early morning hours just to finish up the unedited version of the second chapter. For the record, that's done. Except then I looked at my word count. 20,000 words approximately and 10 days. Perfect. At two thousand words averaged in the last few days, I just have to continue like this and I'll make my goal. hurray, I made a goal.
All I can say is I hope my friend is happy, cause I'm still tired after all that manual labor. I hate gardens.
Words for the Month: 21,391 / 40,000
Total Words: 21,391
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Characters
Whenever I make a character that I find interesting, just the way they talk or how they act, I get really excited. I become even more so when I am the one that came up with that person. They usually feel a little bit more real, their reactions a little more unpredictable, and it makes for a fun read. Well, just finished making a character like that.
I think what I like about making characters that I tend to find interesting, not exactly the lovable type always though, is that my friends who do read these stories end up liking them as well. Its just a mysterious flavor I guess, but I seem to be good at making people that seem real, yet different from one another.
I'm trying not to give anything away with this, and from what I'm saying I've probably created more confusion than anything. Perfectly. I'd rather have an audience confused about what the hell I'm talking about then an audience who can see and understand where I might be going with this. It gives me a little bit more room to work, I personally think.
As far as writing goes, I've been feeling great these last couple of days and sort of experimenting my way through the words. There is a lot of description in trying to describe stuff (no really?) and so the details come as if out of nowhere. I guess the harshest part about describing a place I'm not sure the character will revisit is putting all this effort into making it feel real only to have in vanish into the fog of the past. On the other hand, making it feel real takes words, gets the reader more interested in the strange things I personally pick to describe, and makes it easier for a movie to be made based on the original idea I had in my head. Of course, I honestly don't plan on movies being made from my stuff (because in all cases I tend to stop writing after a week. Its a surprise I've made it more than 10 days now. I have a post a day and this is my eleventh post I think?)
Also, at the rate I am going I will be able to accomplish my monthly goal and maybe then some. I've been writing more words a day then I need to (and I keep planning on doing this, its a safety cushion).
Words for the Month: 15,515 / 40,000
Total Words: 15,515
I think what I like about making characters that I tend to find interesting, not exactly the lovable type always though, is that my friends who do read these stories end up liking them as well. Its just a mysterious flavor I guess, but I seem to be good at making people that seem real, yet different from one another.
I'm trying not to give anything away with this, and from what I'm saying I've probably created more confusion than anything. Perfectly. I'd rather have an audience confused about what the hell I'm talking about then an audience who can see and understand where I might be going with this. It gives me a little bit more room to work, I personally think.
As far as writing goes, I've been feeling great these last couple of days and sort of experimenting my way through the words. There is a lot of description in trying to describe stuff (no really?) and so the details come as if out of nowhere. I guess the harshest part about describing a place I'm not sure the character will revisit is putting all this effort into making it feel real only to have in vanish into the fog of the past. On the other hand, making it feel real takes words, gets the reader more interested in the strange things I personally pick to describe, and makes it easier for a movie to be made based on the original idea I had in my head. Of course, I honestly don't plan on movies being made from my stuff (because in all cases I tend to stop writing after a week. Its a surprise I've made it more than 10 days now. I have a post a day and this is my eleventh post I think?)
Also, at the rate I am going I will be able to accomplish my monthly goal and maybe then some. I've been writing more words a day then I need to (and I keep planning on doing this, its a safety cushion).
Words for the Month: 15,515 / 40,000
Total Words: 15,515
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Small Goal Met
So I set a goal that yesterday I would at least get to 10,000 words for today. After re-reading the last few pages I wrote and then writing some more new material, I was able to pass this small point. Unfortunately I am still far behind on getting this story done on time and I now realize that this will not be the first or last of the many catch-up days I will be using to get it done on time.
On another note, I finished the first chapter's rough first writing. Most of it has also received much of the needed editing I had originally wanted for it. I am also happy to say that after re-reading the entire thing from start to most of the way through (I still had not written part of it), it reads very smoothly and gives the reader a sense of flow. The details are all in place and they really help the reader understand the situation, but more importantly I think there are enough to really bring people into wanting to read more of the book. That is usually the goal of the first chapter, so success (hopefully)!
Now moving on to the second chapter. Hopefully I can kick out another ton today, though insomnia is making writing very... interesting...
Words for the Month: 10,061 / 40,000
Total Words: 10,061
On another note, I finished the first chapter's rough first writing. Most of it has also received much of the needed editing I had originally wanted for it. I am also happy to say that after re-reading the entire thing from start to most of the way through (I still had not written part of it), it reads very smoothly and gives the reader a sense of flow. The details are all in place and they really help the reader understand the situation, but more importantly I think there are enough to really bring people into wanting to read more of the book. That is usually the goal of the first chapter, so success (hopefully)!
Now moving on to the second chapter. Hopefully I can kick out another ton today, though insomnia is making writing very... interesting...
Words for the Month: 10,061 / 40,000
Total Words: 10,061
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Playing Catch-up
So Today I'm probably going to be playing a little bit of catch-up. Although yesterday's work on my story was for a very long period of time and we were able to add some words to the count, it didn't really meet the daily required goal to getting this done before the end of the month.
What we did manage to make yesterday was a much more smooth story with a nicely flow. What a lot of people seem to overlook is how flow in story matters. On the one hand you have the too few details sort of person, which makes for a fast pace book. This is wonderful if you write kid's books, because the pace is at the speed for them to keep interest. The other way is to have too many details, which makes the book drag on in tedious steps. This is wonderful for catching a nerd audience. However, since I'm not either a nerd or a child I need to hit the third option, which of course is to his a pace that is right in between.
And don't get me wrong, this is a very important matter. It was basically what we were working on yesterday, making sure there weren't too many details bunched together or too few details spread far apart. In this manner we were able to add words, but it also means in some instances we got rid of words. And more importantly, I had to run it by my friend while doing so to make sure that I wasn't going over something or if I was a little unsure of how to solve things she would figure it out. Also, we fixed the double word problem (the same word appearing twice in three or less sentences). The thesaurus just doesn't compare to a human.
Anyway, today will be a major writing day, hopefully to get me to 10,000 words at least.
Words for the Month: 7,608 / 40,000
Total Words: 7,608
What we did manage to make yesterday was a much more smooth story with a nicely flow. What a lot of people seem to overlook is how flow in story matters. On the one hand you have the too few details sort of person, which makes for a fast pace book. This is wonderful if you write kid's books, because the pace is at the speed for them to keep interest. The other way is to have too many details, which makes the book drag on in tedious steps. This is wonderful for catching a nerd audience. However, since I'm not either a nerd or a child I need to hit the third option, which of course is to his a pace that is right in between.
And don't get me wrong, this is a very important matter. It was basically what we were working on yesterday, making sure there weren't too many details bunched together or too few details spread far apart. In this manner we were able to add words, but it also means in some instances we got rid of words. And more importantly, I had to run it by my friend while doing so to make sure that I wasn't going over something or if I was a little unsure of how to solve things she would figure it out. Also, we fixed the double word problem (the same word appearing twice in three or less sentences). The thesaurus just doesn't compare to a human.
Anyway, today will be a major writing day, hopefully to get me to 10,000 words at least.
Words for the Month: 7,608 / 40,000
Total Words: 7,608
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Going to Spaghetti Sunday
So back while I was in school at Boulder, a group of friends and I started holding a bi-weekly meal meeting where we would go to my friend's how on Sunday and have spaghetti. It's not hard to understand why we would do such a thing, spaghetti is cheap and it was a convenient way for us all to get together and talk about random stuff going on in our lives. Well, since summer has started we've all been busy with our own things and the whole idea of the every other week spaghetti Sunday party has kind of been put on the line. That is, until tomorrow when we've planned to all meet again and have some more food and talk. Just kind of saying I'm just a little excited to finally have someone who's not my family to talk to in person again.
On concerning my writing I've got this to say, I was up late again last night (insomnia I suspect) when my friend started messaging me back. I asked her to be one of the verifiers for when I finish a chapter and ship it off to her and she agreed. We'll probably be seeing her comments soon, seeing as I can already see the perfect place to end the first chapter and start the next one coming up. However, the importance of why I talking to her is relevant to this comes from the fact that I realized that even in getting bored of the original plot-line I will be following there will be other ways to keep me going. Through the use of the random characters the protagonist will meet throughout the story, I am able to tell not one story but rather several. So if I ever get bored telling his story, I can kind of venture off onto one of these other characters and give them more depth.
Which leads to the next thing, if I do something like that then this would be best as a series. I know I could develop several characters in a single novel, but I think it would be better if I could have more space to write out what happens to these people as well. And more importantly, it just gives me more room to continue out and make a cast that are very vivid and interesting in their own aspects. I kind of think of it like this, imagine a 3 hour long movie versus a trilogy. In the trilogy of films you feel like you get to see the different characters grow, but in a movie you really only have that one film to see what changes happen. In my opinion, books will work the same way: where one book feels like the character was meant to make that singular change, but having more than one expresses deeper thought to each person.
As always though, we'll have to see where each month leads me. Not done writing for today, but I just felt like I wanted to get all of that out...
Words for the Month: 5,688 / 40,000
Total Words: 5,688
On concerning my writing I've got this to say, I was up late again last night (insomnia I suspect) when my friend started messaging me back. I asked her to be one of the verifiers for when I finish a chapter and ship it off to her and she agreed. We'll probably be seeing her comments soon, seeing as I can already see the perfect place to end the first chapter and start the next one coming up. However, the importance of why I talking to her is relevant to this comes from the fact that I realized that even in getting bored of the original plot-line I will be following there will be other ways to keep me going. Through the use of the random characters the protagonist will meet throughout the story, I am able to tell not one story but rather several. So if I ever get bored telling his story, I can kind of venture off onto one of these other characters and give them more depth.
Which leads to the next thing, if I do something like that then this would be best as a series. I know I could develop several characters in a single novel, but I think it would be better if I could have more space to write out what happens to these people as well. And more importantly, it just gives me more room to continue out and make a cast that are very vivid and interesting in their own aspects. I kind of think of it like this, imagine a 3 hour long movie versus a trilogy. In the trilogy of films you feel like you get to see the different characters grow, but in a movie you really only have that one film to see what changes happen. In my opinion, books will work the same way: where one book feels like the character was meant to make that singular change, but having more than one expresses deeper thought to each person.
As always though, we'll have to see where each month leads me. Not done writing for today, but I just felt like I wanted to get all of that out...
Words for the Month: 5,688 / 40,000
Total Words: 5,688
Friday, July 9, 2010
Am I getting Sick?
I know that the previous night I had insomnia, something that most people would classify as a disease, but for me it has become something more of second nature. I don't mind having insomnia and it barely torments my mind to think I'm not sleeping at the right hours (not that I don't get a little upset after a while of no sleep). So I don't usually pay much attention to the fact that I stayed up one night and slept through the next or that I've slept a good portion of the sunlit part of my day away. So don't think of that as a disease for me, but rather just my natural body motions when I talk about it.
However, I have noticed that although my sleeping is random and all over the place, that I've been sleeping a lot more than I should be. Like yesterday, the last entry to my blog was made early in the morning. At about seven AM my time (mountain, for those that don't know), I found myself back in bed going to sleep finally. I did not wake up until dinner that night. I had the meal, then went straight back to sleep. This is abnormal for me and it has been happening a lot recently. So I'm starting to wonder if I might be getting a little sick.
On another note, I am not letting this stop me from continuing my goal for the month, for I am already continuing on writing and hopefully I will get a lot done today. I will of course give the update as to what I am at now, but I just thought I would post this out there that I might fall asleep and get less done then expected.
What I also wanted to say is that although no one has read what I've written yet, for I am still working hard on finishing up a first chapter that is sure to grab the reader and bring them into wanting to read more (as I am told I am good at this), I have noticed something very peculiar about this novel in comparison to my many other ones. You see, I'm only about seven pages into writing it (All of which are formatted to be approximately 600-900 words a page... not your average amount for those who don't know) and I've noticed that the story plays out through what the character finds and not completely through the character. This means that my readers should very much expect that the book will consist of mountains of letters, poems, notes, and other assortments of writings that the protagonist will use to continue his journey and the first chapter will very much make this clear to whomever reads. So hopefully these side-portions of the book will be as interesting as the main characters adventure, drawing the reader to want to put them together as well as they dive into other people's lives.
One last note, my family continues to show me just how annoying they can really be...
Words for this Month: 4,678 / 40,000
Total Words: 4,678
However, I have noticed that although my sleeping is random and all over the place, that I've been sleeping a lot more than I should be. Like yesterday, the last entry to my blog was made early in the morning. At about seven AM my time (mountain, for those that don't know), I found myself back in bed going to sleep finally. I did not wake up until dinner that night. I had the meal, then went straight back to sleep. This is abnormal for me and it has been happening a lot recently. So I'm starting to wonder if I might be getting a little sick.
On another note, I am not letting this stop me from continuing my goal for the month, for I am already continuing on writing and hopefully I will get a lot done today. I will of course give the update as to what I am at now, but I just thought I would post this out there that I might fall asleep and get less done then expected.
What I also wanted to say is that although no one has read what I've written yet, for I am still working hard on finishing up a first chapter that is sure to grab the reader and bring them into wanting to read more (as I am told I am good at this), I have noticed something very peculiar about this novel in comparison to my many other ones. You see, I'm only about seven pages into writing it (All of which are formatted to be approximately 600-900 words a page... not your average amount for those who don't know) and I've noticed that the story plays out through what the character finds and not completely through the character. This means that my readers should very much expect that the book will consist of mountains of letters, poems, notes, and other assortments of writings that the protagonist will use to continue his journey and the first chapter will very much make this clear to whomever reads. So hopefully these side-portions of the book will be as interesting as the main characters adventure, drawing the reader to want to put them together as well as they dive into other people's lives.
One last note, my family continues to show me just how annoying they can really be...
Words for this Month: 4,678 / 40,000
Total Words: 4,678
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Insomnia, a great way to start
So every now and again I fall into a small problem where I have insomnia and instead of sleeping I spend the whole night awake. It leaves me tired, bored, and mostly hungry. However, over the past few years I've developed sort of my own way for dealing with the disease. Instead of going to bed and laying there for hours, nothing getting done, I have developed a strange love to actually just stay up and work on stuff. In the end I feel a little bit more accomplished and I don't worry as much the next day when I sleep during the hours I normally would be awake.
So this is how I spent my night, awake and doing the best I can to be productive in some sort of way. For the most part, this was a failed attempt though. I think I spent a total of two hours writing and in that time did not manage to harbor as many words as I would have preferred. Why? Because I can't seem to find the words to describe the event that I want to happen and so I end up sitting there half dead and half asleep.
Ironically, it is usually through a state of insomnia that I find my way through even the hardest portions of a story, finding the clue I needed to get past a point that was trivial and acting against me. This is also what happened tonight, for although early on I have already found a portion of the book where I did not know what to write to persuade my reader into understanding that stuff was happening. Well, the insomnia kicked in and I knew exactly how to write it. It seems to be a combination of tired and bored come together to form the idea of how I should proceed.
Yet there is a catch to me finding my way through the harder parts of the novel if I do it through insomnia. The number of errors that I tend to write while in this half dead state is increase by approximately 50% (and for the most part, it is probably higher... I'm being generous to myself). Well, to counter this entire factor that I am currently out of my mind, I'm going to have to re-read everything I've written just to insure that the error rate drops and more details to really describe but I initially meant by that part are there. Usually this has proven to include complete rephrasing.
So is insomnia (which honestly was not planned for the first night) really a good thing? It is hard to say. Catch you all after some Zs.
Words for the Month: 3,634 / 40,000
Total Words: 3,634
So this is how I spent my night, awake and doing the best I can to be productive in some sort of way. For the most part, this was a failed attempt though. I think I spent a total of two hours writing and in that time did not manage to harbor as many words as I would have preferred. Why? Because I can't seem to find the words to describe the event that I want to happen and so I end up sitting there half dead and half asleep.
Ironically, it is usually through a state of insomnia that I find my way through even the hardest portions of a story, finding the clue I needed to get past a point that was trivial and acting against me. This is also what happened tonight, for although early on I have already found a portion of the book where I did not know what to write to persuade my reader into understanding that stuff was happening. Well, the insomnia kicked in and I knew exactly how to write it. It seems to be a combination of tired and bored come together to form the idea of how I should proceed.
Yet there is a catch to me finding my way through the harder parts of the novel if I do it through insomnia. The number of errors that I tend to write while in this half dead state is increase by approximately 50% (and for the most part, it is probably higher... I'm being generous to myself). Well, to counter this entire factor that I am currently out of my mind, I'm going to have to re-read everything I've written just to insure that the error rate drops and more details to really describe but I initially meant by that part are there. Usually this has proven to include complete rephrasing.
So is insomnia (which honestly was not planned for the first night) really a good thing? It is hard to say. Catch you all after some Zs.
Words for the Month: 3,634 / 40,000
Total Words: 3,634
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Getting Started
So I've decided that my life needs a goal, because up until now it has been unfulfillable to both myself and the world around me. I don't do much all day, I sit around watching television and reading books, and in turn I am slowly watching as my funds dwindle down to their last amounts in my back account. I hate me for who I am and I hate me for my unaccomplished dreams. That's why I started this blog, because I'm sick of feeling so alone and unaccomplished. I figured, I might as well write a blog that's about achievement and goals, things that seem impossible but are really just right within my reach. All I have to do is actually try for them and see what happens.
The challenge: To write 40,000 words a month in a single story and continue this each month until I have a full novel produced. And although I don't plan to post any of the story up on here, I might give it to friends to confirm that for sure I have completed this challenge every month. So at the bottom of each post I will put the total number of words I have accomplished so far in the month and you can watch as I strive to do a simple goal such as this. I mean, honestly it shouldn't be that hard considering I've got no job to hold me back. The rules are as such:
Words for the Month: 1,963 / 40,000
Total Words: 1,963
The challenge: To write 40,000 words a month in a single story and continue this each month until I have a full novel produced. And although I don't plan to post any of the story up on here, I might give it to friends to confirm that for sure I have completed this challenge every month. So at the bottom of each post I will put the total number of words I have accomplished so far in the month and you can watch as I strive to do a simple goal such as this. I mean, honestly it shouldn't be that hard considering I've got no job to hold me back. The rules are as such:
- There are no roll over words, all words written in the previous month stay in that month. So even if I accomplish more than 40,000 words in that month, at the beginning of the next month I'm back to 0 on the counter.
- Titles, Chapters, and any other headers still count towards the overall word goal since they do provide more space in the page. However, notes that I've written to remind me of things do not count.
- All words added to the count have to be from the single story, no other stories get to be added to the word count and no other writings (including this blog) count either.
- Friends may read the story, but only upon chapter finishes. They can then post comments at the end of some of these blogs to tell how many words were in the chapter as well as if I'm meeting the goal.
Words for the Month: 1,963 / 40,000
Total Words: 1,963
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