To Co-Write or Not to Co-Write... That IS the Question.

Hello, everyone! I hope you're having a wonderful holiday, and in case I forget to add this very joyous statement on at the end: Merry Christmas (and also in case I disappear again, Happy New Year!)!

So, NaNoWriMo was very interesting. I wrote. A lot. And read very little. But strangely enough, I have been writing even more in December. Why? Because I have taken on a new project. The adaption of a previous work that was written with a friend. We decided to adapt said project on November 26th, and since have written 129 pages of... awesomeness. That probably equates to anywhere between 60-80 pages on my part. It has been a whirlwind of words. I've found out about characters in more depth than I had ever thought possible-- all because I already had their basic personality down pat (including a few complexities already established in early stages of writing). I mean, it's even more exciting to write because I have someone on the other end that's both writing her own section of the book and pestering me to finish on my end. It's very motivating. How can it not be when you have someone that's just as enthusiastic and who is sharing the work?

The only drawback is... working on your individual book becomes what? That's right, ladies and gents. Almost nonexistent. I'm hoping I can get back on that gig soon, but I'm a little wrapped up in the adaption of this very exciting and very captivating book right now.

I'll check back in soon with an update or two.

Writing Until Your Fingers Fall Off

... is very interesting to say the least.

Technically, that's a lie though. Since all of my fingers are still intact. But still. It was a close call.

So, I figured it was time for a NaNo update of some sort. It IS, after all, my first year actually attempting all of this. Let's talk about what I've learned so far from this particular grueling month of novel writing:

1. Updating your word count every 50 or so words is NOT necessary, but it IS completely and totally fun.

2. Pep Talks from the staff of NaNoWriMo and/or amazingly accomplished authors can either be very helpful or very riddle-like.

3. I now know why they say to start from scratch on your novel.

4. When participating in a massive, national self challenge like this, you'll find very little time to read (I'm very serious on this one. I finished a book in 10 days. Normally I would've finished three times as many).

5. When adding writing buddies and being shown each of their word count status thingies, you can become very competitive.

6. Week Two is cursed.

7. You will question yourself and your novel various times through-out the process. Supposedly this is normal.

8. John Green says that you are probably just writing a big folly, but that that's okay because follies can be turned into pretty darn good novels. Of course not in one month. More like three years. But still. <-- Helpful AND riddling!

9. The evil blinking cursor on word needs to lower it's expectations. Seriously.

10. And lastly, when you are behind on your word count it becomes difficult to complete any other task without thinking "I should probably be writing instead of this". Blog posting shouldn't count, right? Technically I AM writing. It just won't be added to that meticulous word count widget. Darn the world!

There you have it. Ten things so far that I have learned from NaNoWriMo-ing. It's really not all that different from trying to write a book every other month out of the year, except for the fact that you have a set deadline and if you win you get street cred. And a PDF winner's certificate. I was mistaken about the shirt. I thought I could win a shirt. *sad face*

What I like the most about it?
-It allows you to suck. Horribly. AND it forces you to write.

What I like least about it?
-The competitiveness. You either feel awesome because you're way ahead or totally low because all of your friends are ahead of YOU now. Go them! Boo you!

Now... Back to writing... orrr maybe imagining thyself inserted into the computer screen on Word and snapping that evil cursor in half. Eh... Probably both.

November is Approaching...

I apologize to everyone!

I know I've been out pretty much for the whole month annnd I'm sorry. I've had a lot on my plate lately with work and playing ping pong with my storylines and my cats being so darn adorable and entertaining. But all of this is no excuse really! Back to work and on probation, they say...

So the point is I have finally (with the help of immense chocolate candy bars and verbal slapping of a best friend) chosen which idea (path in some blog posts) to go with! Hooray! It's a miracle!

*clears throat*

And with this decision, comes sacrifice...

Has anyone ever tried NaNoWriMo? I've known about it since my junior year when I first took a creative writing class, but I've never entered... until this year. And already I'm starting off on a bad note. You see, the project I chose to do has already been started and I'm 40,000 words into this WIP (Work In Progress). One of the rules to doing NaNoWriMo and winning that famous purple badge that tells everyone you were committed for 30 days and ended up with 50,000 fabulous words is... you have to start from scratch. Blank page. Clean slate. No emotional attachments and slippery expectations, so to speak (or so I've been told). And I refuse!

You see, this would be awesome. It would be completely and totally cool to just say "Pah! Goodbye sticky story hanging over my head! Onto something new!"... BUT I've already done that. About 50,000 times (one for every word in this cool 30 day challenge). One thing I've learned is that it leaves me with... nothing, really. No finished novel. No feeling of accomplishment. Just another excuse to throw in the towel when the next shiny new idea comes prancing across my WIP, leaving it's muddy tracks on the reasons that I SHOULD stick with what I started. I really don't need any MORE reasons and/or temptation to ditch another novel after I've already come so far! After trying to explain/get feeback in the NaNoWriMo forums about this subject, I was told that my only other option was to join the Nano Rebels. My first time doing this and I'm already a rebel... Of course.

Anyway, if any of y'all writers are out there reading this, what are YOUR thoughts on NaNoWriMo? Are you starting with a clean slate? Are you a rebel like me? I'd love to hear your November plans!

Pssst! November's also my birthday month! Yay! Just a random fact...

Special Review

So, about a week ago I was asked to review this great book I've been anticipating for months now. INTRINSICAL by Lani Woodland debuted in late August and I am really quite flattered that I was asked to read and review this one. It turned out to be an amazing read and I would like to interrupt my special writing time, and blogging time, to ask you all to go check out said review on my other blog:

My Review of Intrinsical

If and whenever you get the chance, I suggest that you really give this story a chance! It's definitely worth the risk. Happy reading!

Wishy Washy

That is exactly what I am.

I can NEVER. EVER. NEVER EVER make up my mind.

For the past four years I have been jumping between two story ideas. One includes my personal therapy, and yet extensive religious research. The second one was a spontaneous reaction to what one of my "supposed" side characters would do in a certain unwanted situation. And I find that once I choose one, I constantly think about the other. It is a vicious conspiracy that works against me to make sure that I NEVER finish a single book. And I hate that it's working.

I suppose the smart choice would be to continue on with my second story idea, which so far has about eighty five pages done, and work on researching/outlining the first idea at the same time. Since neither will shut up for the other. But will this really work?

I guess we'll find out.

*insert dramatic closing sequence here*
To be continued...

New Directions

Every plot seems to find them. New directions that is. It's annoying, it's confusing, and sometimes just plain sloppy. But that's the way of writing it would seem. Annoying, confusing, and sloppy.

I have finally been able to write, with the help of my plotline that I wrote out not two to three months ago. Unforunately, when there is one change, there seems to be ten other details to add in. And I have had more than one change. It makes weaving a new idea and/or chapter into one's book very hard. When I try to steer one of my character's fates in a different direction, then suddenly it's very hard to get them back on the same track. But I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes. There's a million possibilities and yet you have to choose only one. Sounds a little bit like life and not just writing a book.

As it is, I am not much of a fan of outlining. It's not easy and it's definitely not a short process. Hopefully, these new ideas, or what I like to call diseases, won't spread through-out the entire length of the plot.

Hectic Schedules and Brainstorming

So! Last week I went on a long rant about age and experience and titles. Yeah, even the calm ones get fired up sometimes. But as for this week, I've been brainstorming about what to do next in the writing field. Well, in my novel's writing field at least. It's a considerably smaller arena and one that I like to fence myself into a lot. However, it's complex enough that I can talk about it over and over and over again. So, here goes.

I got a new job. No, seriously, I really did get an actual job in the real world so I can save up for college next semester. I really needed one, and I've been hunting non stop for the past six months, and now finally, I have one! But I've been thinking about how this is going to effect my schedule, and honestly... I might not have all the time in the world to write anymore. That means I'm going to have to be more diligent about fitting it in and making deadlines- not the easiest thing for me. You see, I pride myself on my spurs. Otherwise known as my spur of the moment nonsense code that I live by. Even term papers were part of this conventional style of mine. However, since I'm not very good at getting my books finished (I just got to 64 pages and it's been two years since I first came up with this idea), I know that I'm going to actually have to push myself to write.

You see, there's always something that seems to get in the way for writers. Unless you're amazing like Kiersten White and can finish your book in 3 weeks, or Abra Ebner and jot down every word in eleven freaking days (so jealous), then you're going to HAVE to push yourself to write. And it's a grueling process. Luckily, I'm not like White where I have two kids to look after. You see, she really IS Superwoman. But I am going to be working a LOT to save money for school and then in January I plan on being back in school while still working this job (if everything goes right). Sooo, I'm going to have even less time. And my whole goal (while crazy) is to finish the first draft of my novel by January so that I can work on editing in-between my homework and everything else that interrupts without knocking.

Man, life really is stressful.

All in all, life is short. There's always something or other to deal with, but if you love writing and you have a dream- make time for it.

I would like to say thank you to Lacey, one of my best friends, for giving me a planner. I didn't know it then, but I'm sure gonna have a use for it!

Happy scheduling folks!