Author Archives: Danielle

NaNo Book Cover and FINALLY A TITLE

Posted on by

10

riptides

I was finally able to come up with a title for my novel! Which also meant I was able to create myself a nice little pretend book cover to go along with it. (Note that I did previously post one, but I have completely changed my NaNo project since then)

It’s super rough, obviously made on a free website (seriously, Canva is UH-AMAZING), and a better one would be made if I ever went somewhere this novel. Also, if you’re ever looking for actually free stock photos, check out Unsplash. The photos they have are GORGEOUS and 100% free to use.

But like I’ve told other people, having that pretty cover to look at makes your novel feel like a thing rather than just some word document on your computer. It makes your novel come to life! And it’s so encouraging when you hit a wall to look at it. You don’t want to fail that gorgeous book cover, do you?

I had a really good night writing last night, and I’m hoping to keep that momentum going through the week.

As far as a synopsis goes, I technically did write one last night, but it is pretty terrible. I will probably have another look at that in a week or so. It’s hard to write a synopsis when you’re not even sure what happens next. I’ll share it though once I feel better about it. 🙂

If you haven’t made a cover yet, I highly recommend it.

Good luck, and KEEP WRITING!

NaNo Week 1 Results

Posted on by

4

So we made it through the first week. We’re now just about 25% of the way through the month! I find that exciting AND terrifying!

Exciting because we are all moving towards having a first draft of something. And maybe your draft is terrible so far. That’s okay, because mine is too! It’s legible, but lacking SO MUCH that would make it great. But you know what, that’s what December and on is for. Right now, just get it down.

It’s also terrifying because I caught myself at a stonewall. I’ve hit my slump already, and that’s never a good sign. It appears that once I reached my first climax (the one I already knew about), my will died off. My MC is attempting to hide a body right now, and I feel like I’m forcing it a little bit. Maybe it’s because there is no dialogue here (LOL). Then again, the weekends aren’t the most productive for me, so it’s possible I’ve just been too distracted these last two days.

nanotoons_2015_11_03(http://nanotoons.net/)

I’ve lost my lead. At this time right now, I’m sitting at 13,555. I ended yesterday just above par, which means I need to write about 1,500 words to hit the Day 8 goal of 15,000. (Why is there no badge for every 5000 words? I vote that every 5k is something to be proud of!) I’m disappointed that I slacked over the weekend, but I’m not giving up! It’s not even really a setback yet. I’m technically not even behind at all.

Gah, I just really liked having my word count bars be way over the line.

Story-wise, I’m moving along. We’re going to see the MC deal with bouts of super paranoia from a first person perspective for about as long as I can handle writing it. I’m hoping this doesn’t mess with my mind.

I’d also like to add to that I have googled some very odd things this month so far, things that have probably caused my computer to be tapped via the NSA but that’s okay. You do what you gotta do for your novel. Including finding out the best way to get a body to sink to the bottom of the lake. 😉

I am going to do my best to get back ahead tonight. It’s raining, and my fiance is probably working late again (but maybe not because of the rain, who knows), which means I’ll have the ample opportunity to focus on the novel tonight.

I hope that if you’re reading this, you’re not too far behind! And even if you are, there are still plenty of days left (seriously, look at the counter on my home page). It is NOT too late!image (1)

NaNo End of Day 5

Posted on by

15

10000-1h9yszb

Today is actually day 6, but I wanted to get a post in early (before I’ve actually sat down to write any more).

Last night I crossed over the 20% mark! I went to bed right around midnight with my word count sitting at 11,150. Here’s my progress bar to prove it:

count

I’m doing well so far keeping ahead of schedule. Trying to keep that momentum going as long as possible until I hit the inevitable wall. Plus I’ll be travelling/out of town for the last six days of November so it’d be nice to finish early.

I think if I sit down and really think about it, I’m finally at a point that I can write a synopsis for the darn thing! So hopefully I’ll be able to share that in the next couple of days. And then maybe I can finally come up with a darn title!

This has come along pretty well so far. Most of my writing has been done during word wars, not because I have to force myself to write the story itself. Rather I rely so much on them because I have to motivate myself to write period. I’m so out of practice with writing constantly. I think I just go back to college in my head and having to sit and write papers constantly. Ick. Then I remind myself that this is all for fun. But I still need motivation, so we do word wars. It’s working for me so far!

What bothers me most about this draft is how bare bones it is. I’ve never been great at including very much description – of characters, of situations, locations, etc. As it stands, it’s a lot of dialogue. But I think that’s what will make editing fun is going in and adding more! I’m already kind of looking forward to reading this when it’s over – just so I can keep adding to it.

Hopefully I can keep my momentum going. But I’m preparing myself for the wall I just might hit.

How’s your word count doing? It’s still early if you’re behind! Happy writing!

NaNo Day 3 Update

Posted on by

6

zAGzpQg

I’ve made it 3 days into NaNo 2015! Huzzah!

It’s hard to consider that it’s only the third day right now. I feel like I’ve been through most of the month already (although my word count doesn’t quite reflect that, so I’m glad I’m wrong). I guess that’s what happens though when you go from having a semi-plotted novel to becoming a complete pantser.

Changing my novel was the best idea I had. Writing this novel has been fun so far. There’s no stress to make it good. It’s a first draft – and at this moment, probably like 85% dialogue so you can definitely tell it’s a first draft.

I feel like the plot (whatever it may be) is moving along really well. What I do know is that she’s going to kill someone in self-defense. (But if you read my excerpt you already knew that.) 😉 But I don’t know who it is yet. I want it to be a surprise – unexpected. Not someone that’s crossed her during the beginning of the novel. I like surprises. Making people keep turning the page. That’s my style. 🙂 She has to figure out how to cover it up because she convinces herself that they won’t see it as self-defense.

Where I’m at right now, she’s pretty angry. So it might happen soon! Past that major plot point, however, I’m quite unsure of where this is going. I don’t want it to be a traditional “murder”/cover up story. So I’m just going to keep writing and see where this goes.

just-keep-writing-doryMy tip for anyone this far in that’s getting stuck already?

< —-

Push through the hard parts. Sometimes that’s where those breakthroughs come from.

Word count is 6,942. And I still need to get some words in today.

How’s NaNo going for you so far? Hopefully well!

NaNo End of Day 1

Posted on by

11

My total word count for November so far is 4,428. 2,600 of that is my “new” novel. I still can’t believe I just threw the other idea off to the side. I dunno this new one has come pretty easily. 

But I’m still unsure of what exactly is going on in this new novel. I guess that’s what makes this fun. I never imagined myself a pantser but now I wish I had decided to be one from the beginning. It’s thrilling! 

My MC is a female, freshman in college named Skyla (Sky for short). All I know is she gets herself into some trouble (re: LOTS of trouble) and has to figure her way out of it. 

I added a very rough excerpt to my NaNo profile. I’m hoping a title comes to me soon. I’m terrible at titles, but I want to have one!

I hope everyone else had a decent day one! Can’t wait to see where this novel goes tomorrow! 

NaNo ’15: On Starting Over After Day One

Posted on by

16

I stayed up until the time changed last night starting my new novel. Well, restarting. Because it’s a rewrite, remember? I got 1,800 words done before bed.

Well I woke up this morning after having had a Hollywood movie-style dream. I think I’ve reinvigorated the creative part of my brain now that I’m writing again. And damn, the dream I had started swirling in my head. I usually forget my dreams, but not this one.

So when I sat down to keep writing after lunch this afternoon, I had no desire to continue my novel. I was so pumped for this rewrite. It was going to be awesome. I had enough plotted that I felt like I was going to have a semi-decent piece of work at the end of the month.

But I don’t want to write something I’m not feeling. And I am just really not feeling it today. And if I’m being honest with myself, I wasn’t really feeling it last night either. But I pushed through it. Figured it had just been awhile. I just needed to power through and then the excitement of the story would come back. It didn’t.

So. I made the executive decision.

I’m starting over.

I’m still aiming for 50,000 words on this new piece. I mean it’s still Day 1. Worst comes to worst, the 1,800 words still count. I still wrote them in November.

I’m running with a play off the dream I had last night. But I’m writing by the seat of my pants. Once I have a more definitive idea of what the hell I’m doing, I’ll try to share a brief summary or something. But right now, it’s still building itself.

How’s your novel going so far? Hopefully better than mine!

NaNoLet’sGO!

Posted on by

4

I can’t start writing yet (so close!), but I just wanted to put out a quick post to everyone doing NaNoWriMo who sees this post to say this:

YOU’VE GOT THIS. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO.

Don’t psych yourself out. So many people have done this successfully. Me included! It’s not impossible! Even when it starts to feel that way.

It’s Day One. Get a head start on your word count and set the stage for a good month.

Good luck to all!

Brace Yourself / NaNoWriMo is ALMOST HERE

Posted on by

5

nano

Well, here we are. The day before the day before NaNoWriMo. Considering that tomorrow is Saturday, I’m going to assume this is my last day to prepare myself for this year. Because I’m not much of a prepper anyway, so I find it hard to get myself to sit down and outline/build characters while I’m home all day looking for ways to get out of my apartment.

Considering that it’s been a long time since I’ve been successful at this 50,000 word venture, I drafted out some tips that I think will benefit me and whoever else might be reading this post.

  1. If you can, stay up past midnight as a kick-off party for yourself and try to get to your day 1 goal of 1,667. This is my plan of action personally, and it always worked for me when I did it. That way, whatever you end up writing during the day on November 1st is getting you ahead! It’s easy to start losing steam during the 3rd week. And for some, that’s when they quit – because they get behind. If you let yourself get ahead early, you’ll have less to worry about later.
  2. Get out and get some fresh air when you need it. Seriously, don’t force yourself to be a hermit. Forcing the words out will make you so frustrated. Get out, sit outside for awhile. Go get coffee at your closest coffee shop. Just go.
  3. Reward yourself. I’m not saying you need to go spend a bunch of money on “prizes” but a treat works. Every couple thousand words or so. Or even one big prize if you win the entire thing. Something you really, really want. 
  4. If that doesn’t work, withhold basic needs. Err on the side of caution here. But it’s pretty simple. Lunch time but falling behind? 1,000 words and then you can eat. Have to go to the bathroom? Finish 200 words first. I’ve done this (mostly for college papers nearing their deadlines, but hey whatever works). But please don’t hurt yourself. Pick realistic goals.
  5. Write best with music? Get a playlist ready! I personally prefer writing when it’s quiet. To each their own.
  6. Do not let yourself edit anything! I do my best to not read what I’ve written during NaNo. And if I do, it’s only so that I can continue wherever I left off. Even if your character’s name changed in the middle of the novel and you just realized it (I’ve done it!), wait until December 1st to change all the wrong ones. Because you will find yourself changing more than just names.
  7. If you have an active region, go to some events! My region primarily does events 45 minutes from me, but I’ve put in my two cents that if anyone wants to meet up closer to me, I’d be happy to go. Being among other writerly people is a great way to motivate yourself. Plus there’s occasionally free stuff involved 😉
  8. If your region isn’t too active, or you just prefer writing alone, check out the forums. I post over there a lot. There’s a forum for everything. Need some music recommendations? Research help? Procrastination fun? There’s something for everyone. Genre specific and age specific forums. I love posting on them and giving advice or talking about our successes and fails.
  9. Word. Wars. During my winning years, my best word count days were the ones I was actively taking part in word wars through a NaNoWriMo IRC chat group. I’m hoping they’re still active! There’s a forum with links to some chat groups doing them, or just forum threads where they start wars. Basically you start together, and for a set amount of time, write furiously. Get as many words as you can. At the end, the most words WIN. But really everyone wins, because you just added words to your word count! If you’re feeling like you need some real pressure, try WriteorDie. It has a trial mode, but I think it costs money now? I’m not sure, I’ve only ever played with it.
  10. Most importantly, just keep writing. Even if you start to believe that your novel belongs nowhere else except for the trash can, DON’T STOP. At the very least, you’re laying a foundation for a second draft later. You’ll know what is good, what is bad. You’ll have a feel of your characters. When you hit 50,000 words and print your certificate, the sense of gratification you will feel is amazing. You did what most people scoff at. I’m sure we’ve all told friends and family we’re writing 50,000 words in 30 days. They laughed at the idea. Like that’s possible. Well bam. in your face. So don’t stop.

Those are my tips. I hope you’re all ready for this! In less than 48 hours, we will all be on our way to November 30th!

You wanna know what my reward is for finishing? 86dce3fc7eb0b350f79aff7eb89dfdb9d9ead6237e9be18ae9864d6b4bd48b5c

Oh yeah.

NaNoWriMo PANIC!

Posted on by

10

So here I was, thinking “Oh. I outlined this novel a couple years ago. I don’t need to figure anything out before November 1st.”

I was so wrong. And thankfully I’ve discovered this at least a few days in advance.

I realized that where I left off in my last draft of this novel was a point where a whole slew of new characters were about to be introduced. Like literally 5 at one time. Characters that had names, but no personalities established. And they are drastically different people than the other characters that are already alive in the story.

So TODAY is all about developing some characters. And a fun group that I do not particularly think I would be friends with myself. 😉 That’s what makes this fun though, right? RIGHT!?