Well, I did it. I persevered through the month. It was a challenge at times with birthday parties and traveling and many almost sleepless nights in a row. It was a journey well worth it though. I haven't quite finished the novel completely. It still needs another few chapters to tie up the end but I will finish that before the end of the week. I just might not write *quite* so many words per day.
My official Microsoft Word count is actually 50,440. For some reason, when I scrambled my work and submitted it to the counting gods on the NaNo website, it only counted it at 50,089. My personal count, less the "Day XX" headings to keep track, is actually 50,387. No matter which way you count it though, I made it! Huzzah! Hip, hip, horray!
And to celebrate, I ate a piece of pumpkin pie. Yum. :)
I will eat another celebratory piece and perhaps do a dance as well when I finish the first draft of this novel completely. Then, I'll take a day off.
Meanwhile, it's Nutcracker week, Ellie's surgery week, and apparently...my first clarinet student for lessons week! Because as we all know, it's Murphy's Law that I would end up with a bazillion things to do on top of the quadrabazillion I already have to do this week.
However, most importantly...
I'M A WINNER!!!!!!!! 2010 NaNoWriMo, I am proud to have accepted and completed the challenge.
Phew. Now to bed I go.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
New Furry Family Member! :D
For those of you who don't know, I have wanted a bunny-rabbit since I was a young child. I have waited until I was both old enough and stable enough (strange as it sounds) to make the commitment to a rabbit.
And now, after twenty years of wanting one, I finally have my very own rabbit! :D I adopted him from the humane society (same one where we got Ellie, our chocolate lab, two and a half years ago). He was only $5! Can you believe that? He came with a cage and a litter box (yeah, for all my non-rabbit friends and because I myself had no idea, rabbits can be litter box trained just like cats!) I probably won't let him hop around everywhere though, cuz from what I've read...and seen...rabbits are chewers. Plus as much as Ellie wants to play with him, I just don't see that being a good idea. I'll still let him out of his cage for some bunny-exercise though.
He was named "Jumper" (probably just some stock name they threw at him). I've renamed him "Koben". He was found hopping around somebody's backyard and they managed to catch him and take him to the humane society.
Hurrah for our newest furry member! I am very excited. David saw me lying on the floor, my nosed pressed up against the bunny's and he said that I'm just like a little girl whose dream just came true! And that's exactly it! Yay!
--------
As for my writing, I am *almost* to 30,000. I will be after tonight. I decided last night that I need a health and wellness respite so I actually went to bed at a normal time. David got some type of the "blah" bug...which means that after he felt like blah all last week...my week was sure to come. I just hope I can kick it because the next four weeks are going to be brutal anyway. I can't add the yuckies to it!
Meanwhile, I've hit the mid-month sluff. I still am excited about writing and I actually know about where I want to go with my novel, but having the "blah" bug is making it difficult to actually sit down and write. Just have to keep plowing through. Now that it's more of a downhill count, it's a bit more exciting!
And now, after twenty years of wanting one, I finally have my very own rabbit! :D I adopted him from the humane society (same one where we got Ellie, our chocolate lab, two and a half years ago). He was only $5! Can you believe that? He came with a cage and a litter box (yeah, for all my non-rabbit friends and because I myself had no idea, rabbits can be litter box trained just like cats!) I probably won't let him hop around everywhere though, cuz from what I've read...and seen...rabbits are chewers. Plus as much as Ellie wants to play with him, I just don't see that being a good idea. I'll still let him out of his cage for some bunny-exercise though.
He was named "Jumper" (probably just some stock name they threw at him). I've renamed him "Koben". He was found hopping around somebody's backyard and they managed to catch him and take him to the humane society.
Hurrah for our newest furry member! I am very excited. David saw me lying on the floor, my nosed pressed up against the bunny's and he said that I'm just like a little girl whose dream just came true! And that's exactly it! Yay!
--------
As for my writing, I am *almost* to 30,000. I will be after tonight. I decided last night that I need a health and wellness respite so I actually went to bed at a normal time. David got some type of the "blah" bug...which means that after he felt like blah all last week...my week was sure to come. I just hope I can kick it because the next four weeks are going to be brutal anyway. I can't add the yuckies to it!
Meanwhile, I've hit the mid-month sluff. I still am excited about writing and I actually know about where I want to go with my novel, but having the "blah" bug is making it difficult to actually sit down and write. Just have to keep plowing through. Now that it's more of a downhill count, it's a bit more exciting!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
NaNoWriMo Week One Complete
It has been a different sort of week. My writing schedule, from about 11pm until 3:30am, has actually been quite productive. David and I would brush our teeth together, then he'd go to work and I'd head to bed! The only time the schedule didn't really work was when I had to be at school to teach clarinet masterclasses at 7:20am. Whew. That was one rough morning and day!
At some point last week, I managed to write almost 4,000 words in one sitting. I just got on a roll and really wanted to finish a certain section--to get my main character through a town and back to the woods. It actually consisted of three or four scenes. I didn't realize I'd written quite that much until I sat down to type it. And I kept typing and typing, turning the pages and wondering when it ended (in a good way). I thought to myself, "I know I've gone over my daily quota. I've probably written about 2500 words." I was shocked when the word count said 3939. I actually thought I'd accidentally selected everything I'd written (it was only day three after all) so I reselected my work and it still came up as almost 4,000! That certainly put me on a high for a day...
...at least until I tried to write again the following night and realized that I didn't really want to write the next section. Nonetheless, I persevered and have been above my daily word quota each time. At this point, my history and projection report on the NaNoWriMo page says I'll reach 50,000 words three days early! Yeeha!
At this point, I am only just over 3000 words away from 20,000. (That was an awkwardly-worded sentence.) I only have one or two more major scenes to write and Part I of my novel will be finished until the editing stage; and I will get to move onto Part II. This is very exciting for me! I know none of you have any idea what my story is even about, nor that I even had a Part I or Part II. And sorry, I don't intend to share more than vague details anyway. The creative types out there, and those who know me well, can understand, I'm sure.
Meanwhile, from here on, the writing schedule will be a tad trickier. Towards the end of week two I will be forced to write in places other than my quiet office where I sit in my papasan chair and have a nice system established. Week three I will be heavily involved with the symphony as it is concert week for both the adult and youth, which translates to lots of rehearsals and a concert both Saturday and Sunday. Then it's Thanksgiving week followed by Nutcracker rehearsals on the final days of NaNo! Thank goodness I have written myself ahead of schedule.
That's the update on my writing mumbo-jumbo at the moment. I am pleased with certain sections and know that other parts will be discarded immediately when I get to the editing stage. However, I think that NaNoWriMo is exactly what I needed to get my butt in gear. And when I finish my 50,000+ words and have a full first-draft of a completed novel in my hands (and I will because I am determined to finish and 'win'), it will prove to myself that I really can complete my novels!
Thanks to everyone who's keeping me on track and focused. I really appreciate all the positive energy and comments and encouragement.
Come December, my inner editor is going to be THRILLED when she's unleashed and allowed the freedom to tear into my writing. I can't wait.
Until the next chance I get to write a blog posting:
Cheers!
(And don't forget that you can now subscribe via e-mail to receive alerts when there are new postings!)
At some point last week, I managed to write almost 4,000 words in one sitting. I just got on a roll and really wanted to finish a certain section--to get my main character through a town and back to the woods. It actually consisted of three or four scenes. I didn't realize I'd written quite that much until I sat down to type it. And I kept typing and typing, turning the pages and wondering when it ended (in a good way). I thought to myself, "I know I've gone over my daily quota. I've probably written about 2500 words." I was shocked when the word count said 3939. I actually thought I'd accidentally selected everything I'd written (it was only day three after all) so I reselected my work and it still came up as almost 4,000! That certainly put me on a high for a day...
...at least until I tried to write again the following night and realized that I didn't really want to write the next section. Nonetheless, I persevered and have been above my daily word quota each time. At this point, my history and projection report on the NaNoWriMo page says I'll reach 50,000 words three days early! Yeeha!
At this point, I am only just over 3000 words away from 20,000. (That was an awkwardly-worded sentence.) I only have one or two more major scenes to write and Part I of my novel will be finished until the editing stage; and I will get to move onto Part II. This is very exciting for me! I know none of you have any idea what my story is even about, nor that I even had a Part I or Part II. And sorry, I don't intend to share more than vague details anyway. The creative types out there, and those who know me well, can understand, I'm sure.
Meanwhile, from here on, the writing schedule will be a tad trickier. Towards the end of week two I will be forced to write in places other than my quiet office where I sit in my papasan chair and have a nice system established. Week three I will be heavily involved with the symphony as it is concert week for both the adult and youth, which translates to lots of rehearsals and a concert both Saturday and Sunday. Then it's Thanksgiving week followed by Nutcracker rehearsals on the final days of NaNo! Thank goodness I have written myself ahead of schedule.
That's the update on my writing mumbo-jumbo at the moment. I am pleased with certain sections and know that other parts will be discarded immediately when I get to the editing stage. However, I think that NaNoWriMo is exactly what I needed to get my butt in gear. And when I finish my 50,000+ words and have a full first-draft of a completed novel in my hands (and I will because I am determined to finish and 'win'), it will prove to myself that I really can complete my novels!
Thanks to everyone who's keeping me on track and focused. I really appreciate all the positive energy and comments and encouragement.
Come December, my inner editor is going to be THRILLED when she's unleashed and allowed the freedom to tear into my writing. I can't wait.
Until the next chance I get to write a blog posting:
Cheers!
(And don't forget that you can now subscribe via e-mail to receive alerts when there are new postings!)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
NaNoWriMo (Day Two Complete)
This will be short, as I am tired.
Today I learned these things about my writing:
1. I cannot write in the daytime. I tried at 1:40pm. It was a lot of: "This isn't anything that I want or where I want my novel to go. What is this anyway? I guess I'll start over. Wait, this isn't right either. Guess I'll practice my clarinet instead."
Lesson learned: I need to write in the evening and late at night when I'm creative.
2. Thesaurus is my friend. As is my mom. Both are very useful tools as far as finding just the right word.
Lesson learned: get an even better thesaurus at some point; keep Mom-->she's the best!
3. I have a new schedule, or should I say, the same schedule that I am now going to say is more permanent: stay up until about 3:30 (say good morning to David as he gets up for work). Read in bed. Sleep until 11am or noon. Practice and do chores during the day. WRITE AT NIGHT (because as we learned from #1, I don't write well during the daytime hours).
Lesson learned: don't feel guilty about having a strange schedule; as a writer and a musician, you work the night shift.
4. I wrote better quality stuff today (after I attempted the afternoon writing, that is).
Lesson learned: write from the outline because it's a guide, after all; then you can divert into other scenes.
Word count for the day: 1893. (Although I did have to go back and add more as my first count was only just over 1300.)
Today I learned these things about my writing:
1. I cannot write in the daytime. I tried at 1:40pm. It was a lot of: "This isn't anything that I want or where I want my novel to go. What is this anyway? I guess I'll start over. Wait, this isn't right either. Guess I'll practice my clarinet instead."
Lesson learned: I need to write in the evening and late at night when I'm creative.
2. Thesaurus is my friend. As is my mom. Both are very useful tools as far as finding just the right word.
Lesson learned: get an even better thesaurus at some point; keep Mom-->she's the best!
3. I have a new schedule, or should I say, the same schedule that I am now going to say is more permanent: stay up until about 3:30 (say good morning to David as he gets up for work). Read in bed. Sleep until 11am or noon. Practice and do chores during the day. WRITE AT NIGHT (because as we learned from #1, I don't write well during the daytime hours).
Lesson learned: don't feel guilty about having a strange schedule; as a writer and a musician, you work the night shift.
4. I wrote better quality stuff today (after I attempted the afternoon writing, that is).
Lesson learned: write from the outline because it's a guide, after all; then you can divert into other scenes.
Word count for the day: 1893. (Although I did have to go back and add more as my first count was only just over 1300.)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
NaNoWriMo (Day One Complete)
Well, I have started the journey of NaNoWriMo 2010. While I wanted to start last night at midnight (the first moments of November), the jam-packed weekend forced me to get some much-needed sleep instead.
However, I did make up for it slightly by writing 1862 words for the first day! (Remember, the goal is at least 1667.) That means I am actually slightly ahead.
I started at the very beginning of my story, which I may regret. I'm not sure. I didn't actually have the beginning much in mind so it hasn't quite started how I wanted it. However, perhaps it's better because I've at least started my characters now and I can always scrap the beginning later in the editing phase. Tomorrow I think I'll actually work on what I'd had outlined.
Since it was the very first day, though, I'm not disappointed at all. In fact, I now know just how many pages I have to write (both handwritten and typed) so that I can gauge how far along I am during the daily writing process.
Meanwhile, I don't know how frequently I will be able to update via blogging, but on the top-left is my running update of words written so you can always know where I stand!
Only 48,138 to go!
However, I did make up for it slightly by writing 1862 words for the first day! (Remember, the goal is at least 1667.) That means I am actually slightly ahead.
I started at the very beginning of my story, which I may regret. I'm not sure. I didn't actually have the beginning much in mind so it hasn't quite started how I wanted it. However, perhaps it's better because I've at least started my characters now and I can always scrap the beginning later in the editing phase. Tomorrow I think I'll actually work on what I'd had outlined.
Since it was the very first day, though, I'm not disappointed at all. In fact, I now know just how many pages I have to write (both handwritten and typed) so that I can gauge how far along I am during the daily writing process.
Meanwhile, I don't know how frequently I will be able to update via blogging, but on the top-left is my running update of words written so you can always know where I stand!
Only 48,138 to go!
Monday, November 1, 2010
NaNoWriMo (Introduction)
To whom it may concern:
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) has officially begun. This means for the next 30 days I will be sequestered in my office or the library or a coffee shop writing, at minimum, 1667 words per day in order to hit the 50,000 mark before the end of the month, thereby effectively writing and finishing my very first full-length novel! (In rough draft form anyway...)
This means that my phone will be turned on silent; I won't be (theoretically) sucked into Facebook; returning e-mails won't be a priority, and hopefully I'll have magical cooking and cleaning fairies!
Feel free to send me encouraging notes, however, via phone, e-mail, snail mail, Facebook, blog comments, et cetera. Just don't expect a reply!
So, until December or when I need a break from my novel and manage to write another blog entry...
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) has officially begun. This means for the next 30 days I will be sequestered in my office or the library or a coffee shop writing, at minimum, 1667 words per day in order to hit the 50,000 mark before the end of the month, thereby effectively writing and finishing my very first full-length novel! (In rough draft form anyway...)
This means that my phone will be turned on silent; I won't be (theoretically) sucked into Facebook; returning e-mails won't be a priority, and hopefully I'll have magical cooking and cleaning fairies!
Feel free to send me encouraging notes, however, via phone, e-mail, snail mail, Facebook, blog comments, et cetera. Just don't expect a reply!
So, until December or when I need a break from my novel and manage to write another blog entry...
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