NaNo Update and A Very Serious Question

Err.. okay... guys, I THINK I've completed NaNo, but I don't think I played by the rules *hangs head in shame*

For starters, I guess I need to say I kind of began NaNo way earlier - as in on October 18th.

But I had to!

I was too scared that if I waited until November 1st, I would lose the drive to write, and if you caught my last post, you know the crazy spot I've been in.

From October 18th to November 14th... I've managed to write 50, 239 words.

I know the aim of the game is to write the novel during the 30 days of November, BUT since it's also to write 50k in 30 days.....

My question to you IS:

Since it still falls within 30 days, and 30 days is 30 days, does it count?

Please, please say it does! I hope it does, because my head is just swimming right now, and I'm still not ready to slow down.

It's honestly a crazy, hectic, fun, insane, TIRING place to be!

I hope everyone else is doing extremely well with their NaNo projects. If you have time, let me know!

Writing Frenzy

I'm exhausted. And for some reason I really want to watch Dancing with the Stars, even though I told myself I don't like that show... but it's really growing on me! Just like American Idol did.

Le sigh.

But I can't.

Because I need to write. I NEED to.

If I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing, I'm thinking about my characters, I'm thinking about the plot.

Even right now... I'm taking a very short break before I get right back into it.

But I need to sleep too.

I don't know why I feel completely consumed by this story right now.

It's good though, right? I think it's good... I hope it's good.

I've been writing almost nonstop since October 18th (with the exception of a few glitches in between) - I wrote the date down because it's been like a fire spreading within me. It ignited and hasn't stopped raging.

I have exactly 16, 794 words left to finish my WiP. It may be less by the time you read this, because as soon as I post this, I'm going back to it.

Maybe that's why I'm feeling this burning need to not stop.

Whatever it is, I'm riding it out, and hoping for the best :)

Have you ever been bit by this bug? You know the one that glues you to your computer... makes your hands move of their own accord across the keyboard?

Music to my Eyes

So... a strange phenomenon has been happening to me lately.

We've previously discussed whether or not we listen to music while we write, and I am one of those writers that needs complete silence (or rain) to concentrate, so I very rarely have any music or outside distractions going on.

Lately, while I've been in the car driving with the radio on, or walking by a store where they have songs playing, I've been getting these strange... visions.

Yes... visions.

Before you stop reading, allow me to explain ;)

They're random songs that have nothing to do with my book, yet I'm seeing my characters in a multitude of scenes in correlation with the songs.

Some examples?

"Mine" by Taylor Swift

"The Hardest Thing" by 98 Degrees (remember them?)

"Just a Dream" by Nelly

And the scenes have nothing to do with the songs, yet it's actual stuff that COULD happen in my book. Quite a bit of it has gone into my pages already.

It's not with every song I hear... it's quite literally at random. It's like a little switch clicks on in my brain.

Is that weird? Does this ever happen to you?

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend filled with lots of writing... and other fun things!

Woes for Wednesday

Hi Everyone!

I have returned (in case you didn't know I was gone ;) ). I apologize for my absence sans explanation, but I have had the craziest week, and all involving my computer (which despite the trouble it has given me since last Friday, I refuse to speak ill of).

So, let's backtrack a tiny bit.

To make a very, VERY long story short, basically, my computer broke down last Friday, and I mean, it completely died.

This is why I haven't been able to get on to post or visit any of you.

I'm sorry! I've been like a fish out of water these past few days. You never realize how much you depend on something until you're FORCED to live without it!

It was absolutely horrible! And even though I KNOW to back my work up (I had another near mishap in the summer), I hadn't saved my MS since Monday. Now there was only a 10 page difference, so I wasn't too anxious, but still, I had no computer!

And this is what made me very nervous.

So my friend, who is a computer genius, instructed me on everything that could have gone wrong, and I ended up spending a ton of cash I didn't have to get parts (it may have been cheaper to just buy a new computer) He then took apart my entire computer, installed, and reinstalled, swapped hardware.... you name it, he did it.

And the thing STILL didn't work!

In the end, he told me to just take it into a professional. I agreed, extremely disappointed, wary and upset. Yeah, people.... I can't live without my computer!

I suggested that he put it back together in its original state, to which he complied, apologizing profusely for not being able to fix the problem

And guess what?

Yup... you guessed right.

The thing unexpectedly started working.

As of right now, it still is and I have NO idea what caused it to stop in the first place, how it started working again, and how long it's going to live for, but you can bet I've spent the last couple of days backing up ALL my stuff ;)

And yes, the additional happy ending? I was able to return everything for a full refund!!

So that's my Wednesday tale of woe... I'm sorry for not having a snazzy quote for you today.

But I am so happy to be back, it was like seeing sunlight after a month when I opened my blog :D

Yes, you're right... I probably do need more of a life.

Do you guys have any tales to share? I hope everyone's NaNo writing is going well!

Words for Wednesdays

Today's quote:

"If writers stopped writing about what happened to them, then there would be a lot of empty pages" Elaine Liner

It's true. Most of our writing is derived from our experiences in real life. I think if we didn't have experiences that we thought were worth writing about, our lives would be pretty dull. The sad thing is, not everyone wants to write about them.

Setting, characters, motivation... they can come from anywhere--places we've visited, people we've met, things we've done.

We all have a story to tell.

Sometimes though, I think it's about the story you want to create.

A lot of my writing comes from my imagination, with a tiny bit of my experiences thrown in here and there for good measure. Depending on the day, and my mood, there may be more or less.

But a lot of it comes from things I wonder about, things that take up room in my brain, and give life to my imagination. It's the stuff that keeps me up at night, thinking, "now, wouldn't that be cool".

I guess at the end of the day, you need to do what feels comfortable for you - there's no right or wrong way.

Do you write mostly from your own experiences, or do you write based upon something you've created in your head?

Taking November by Storm

Yup people, November, also known as Nation Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, is just around the corner!

Although I'm pretty certain everyone reading this post is already very familiar with exactly what NaNo is, if by any chance you're lost right now, go here to find out more and register!

Basically, it's the one month of the year that we all huddle down in the cave, and write our butts off in hopes of attaining the true honor of being able to say "I wrote 50K in one month!"

I signed up last year, and was able to report a very shameful 0 words (*hangs head in shame*)... yes 0 (don't look at me like that! ;) ).

I was all gung-ho and signed up for the first time ever, yet I didn't even go anywhere near my MS for the entire month.

Not this year--I've signed up again, and I will not be defeated!

I've estimated that I have approximately 40K left to finish this current MS. I know a lot of people tend to either start new projects for NaNo, or use the time to push forward with their current novels.

I'm not sure yet exactly what I want to do. I think I should continue with my current MS, since I've built up a really great momentum in the past week, and I'm scared that if I stop and take a break, I'll lose it.

At the same time, it seems like a great opportunity to start something new... pluck one of the ideas simmering on the back burner and bring them into the limelight.

I'll see how this week goes before I decide. I hope you'll join me next month though :)

How about you? Are you signing up for NaNo this year? Will you be starting a new project, or trying to get 50K in on your current one?

Work In Progress: Friday Update

So as I mentioned last week, I have decided to stick with my current WiP, and boy am I glad I did. It was like as soon as I made up my mind and committed to it, the ideas just started flowing.

And it's weird, because it feels like they're coming out of no where. Next week, I will give you some examples of what I mean.

For today, I wanted to update you on my progress.

This week alone, I was able to write 10k... I don't know if that's a lot or a little bit by normal standards, but for me, it's huge. I haven't written that much since my break.

Along with the word count increase, I also went back and edited the first 50 pages that I knew needed to change.

So yes, it has been a VERY productive week.

I hope next week is just like this one, if not better :D

How are you guys all coming along with your current projects?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! :)

Words for Wednesdays

Alrighty, so I've settled on "Words for Wednesdays"... I'm sure there are other wacky titles I could use, and when I think of them, you can be sure it's going to change ;)

Today's quote:

"Writing is no trouble: you just jot down ideas as they occur to you. The jotting is simplicity itself - it is the occurring which is difficult" Stephen Leacock

I am always daydreaming.

I think at least fifteen times per day (sometimes more, sometimes less), I think to myself, "what if". It's usually based on something that transpires around me, or some random thought that meanders into my brain, but I'm constantly thinking, "hey, maybe that would be a great idea for a story".

The thing is - apart from that one liner, many of those ideas never come to fruition (that may actually be a good thing because otherwise I'd have a lot of half written stories lying around). If I remember however, I do jot them down, and hope that one day I'll return to them.

So while I don't exactly have trouble with ideas occurring or with jotting them down, sometimes, when I start panicking, or worrying, I do have trouble with expanding on them. One idea doesn't always lead to another, and some days or weeks, I can be stuck for hours, racking my brain, and wondering what the heck I was thinking. Sometimes what seems like a great idea at the time, is much more difficult to build upon from that one liner.

It's true though. Jotting down your great ideas is relatively simple. Keeping hold of the ever slippery muse? A whole other story ;)

What about you? Do you ever struggle with coming up with ideas? What part of writing is the easiest for you?

EXTRA, EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Alright everyone, like I said yesterday, we are interrupting our usual programming to bring you a very special announcement.

We've been counting down the days, and it's finally here!

As many of you may know, today is the official release date of our dear friend Alex's debut novel, CassaStar.

If you're new to the blog, please go visit Alex's site, and check out his virtual tour schedule. I promise you, you won't be disappointed!

About Alex:

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He’s experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Currently he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Now, without further delay, please see below for a synopsis of CassaStar:

CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh

October 19, 2010 Science fiction/adventure/space opera

ISBN 9780981621067 Dancing Lemur Press LLC

To pilot the fleet’s finest ship…

Few options remain for Byron. A talented but stubborn young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude, his cockpit skills are his only hope. Slated to train as a Cosbolt fighter pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life as he sets off for the moon base of Guaard.

Much to Byron’s chagrin, the toughest instructor in the fleet takes notice of the young pilot. Haunted by a past tragedy, Bassa eventually sees through Byron's tough exterior and insolence. When a secret talent is revealed during training, Bassa feels compelled to help Byron achieve his full potential.

As war brews on the edge of space, time is running short. Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive, and Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

Are you not hooked? I am definitely hooked!

Here is where you can find CassaStar:

Links to Purchase:

AMAZON -

http://www.amazon.com/CassaStar-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/0981621066

BARNES & NOBLE -

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/9780981621067/?itm=1&USRI=cassastar

BAM -

http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9780981621067?id=4581185563381#overview

Also available in eBook format for Kindle, iPad, Nook, and others

Are you guys still here? Why??? Go, go, GOOOO! Buy your copy now, I'm picking mine up today :D

Good Writing vs. Good Storytelling

In last Friday's post, I referred to the difference between good writing and good story telling.

A lot of people will say that an adverb riddled, dialog tag filled piece of work is bad writing. Now, while I know the rules, and do believe they should be followed to an extent, I can't say I completely agree with this statement.

If the story is compelling, the characters believable, the arguments strong enough, I find I'll overlook the "bad" writing, because the important thing--the story--is there.

I want to compare this to watching a movie. Sometimes you leave a movie feeling fulfilled and satisfied, having just watched an epic film that will stay with you for weeks. A good book should do the same. You would never leave a movie saying it wasn't well written, you would say that the "storyline" had potential, but they didn't fully develop it.

The difference with a movie is that you're watching the event play out in real time in front of you. In books, a good and well told story will play out in your mind in the same way, regardless of how it's written.

I think everyone can learn how to write well, but being able to create and tell a strong and masterful story... this is a gift. Some people are naturally born storytellers, but those people don't always turn out to be writers. This works in the opposite too.

In my honest opinion, it's all about balance, and that is something we can all learn. A good book should be able to move you, whether it's through the phenomenal writing, or the engaging storytelling, or best of all, a little bit of both. We all obviously have a story to tell, otherwise we wouldn't be writing.

I think in the end, we're all trying, and we're all learning, and this determination and perseverance will make each one of us winners.

What about you? What is the difference between good story telling and good writing? Is there a difference, or do they go hand in hand?

******AND please be sure to check back tomorrow, yes, TOMORROW, for an unscheduled posting and a very special announcement... and NO, I'm not telling you what it is... you'll just have to come back and see ;)******