quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
I have to admit that if I do join in I will be kind of cheating - I have about 30000 words of a novel already written so I might use Nano to kick my butt into getting a bit closer to Finishing™ the sucker.

---

Exactly what I'm doing; I'm 50,000 words and about half way into a monster, and I want the thing out of my life.
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I'll be cheating too--I have a freakin' nonfiction book on spiritual warfare started, and need to get the thing out of my life quicker than possible, as the enemy has noticed and is sending crap my direction faster than a hyperactive sh*t machine. I have now learned to get up early to write so as not to be derailed by various crises that pop up after work oh so magically. Must.Be.Done
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I never consider that cheating and often use NaNo to add 50,000 words to an existing manuscript. This year I'm starting a new book, so I may have a bit written before NaNo or may not, but will defintely be joining in the madness. I find that having a word goal and thousands of others doing the same thing helps me focus!

I don't usually post a whole lot in the NaNo forums but may a bit; however I'll be checking in here to see how others are doing!

If you note the link in my sig, during November I'll be using my Wednesday vlogs to talk about the NaNo process too.
 

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Posted by jacobsen (# 14998) on :
 
OK guys, what's this about? I'm all at sea in a leaky boat. Throw me a lifeline, someone, please.
 

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Posted by crunt (# 1321) on :
 
http://www.nanowrimo.org/
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by jacobsen:
OK guys, what's this about? I'm all at sea in a leaky boat. Throw me a lifeline, someone, please.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Spiffy:

This is the first time, however, I don't have even a character wandering about in my head. I'll start worrying about that on, oh... November 29th.

---

So you're seeing a rather long descriptive passage, followed by an action-packed final 5,000 words?
 

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Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
I do have a good idea this year. Whether I'm brave enough to try it and inspired enough to write 50k is another matter! I do like that now self-publishing is so easy, you can always tidy up a nano failure later and then self-publish. I may not be a fan of EL James' writing but I can't fault her publishing methods.
 

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Posted by Ceannaideach (# 12007) on :
 
After failing last year due to distractions I'm going for it again this year. But this is the first year that I have no idea what the plot is.

My first year as a pantser! Whee!
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
Not a hope in hell.

I'm currently 283,000 words into an expected 300k ms , and when I'm there, I am so done with writing for, oh, at least a couple of weeks.

Deadline is early Dec...
 

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Posted by Lady A (# 3126) on :
 
Yes, I'll be in this year. Have no idea what I'll be doing about it though. The last three years were all on the same time/place. But this year? I'm not at all sure.
 

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Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 
1,667 words per day?

Not a freaking chance. I know this is different from my usual professional writing, but...

There's a legislative drafting joke I've heard about an experienced drafter who was asked how his day had gone. "It was very productive", he replied. "This morning I decided to add a comma. After further thought, this afternoon I decided to take it out again."
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by orfeo:
1,667 words per day?

Not a freaking chance. I know this is different from my usual professional writing, but...

There's a legislative drafting joke I've heard about an experienced drafter who was asked how his day had gone. "It was very productive", he replied. "This morning I decided to add a comma. After further thought, this afternoon I decided to take it out again."

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by orfeo:
1,667 words per day?

Not a freaking chance. I know this is different from my usual professional writing, but...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evangeline:

quote:

---

Originally posted by orfeo:
1,667 words per day?

Not a freaking chance. I know this is different from my usual professional writing, but...

There's a legislative drafting joke I've heard about an experienced drafter who was asked how his day had gone. "It was very productive", he replied. "This morning I decided to add a comma. After further thought, this afternoon I decided to take it out again."

---

I've generally seen that quote attributed to Oscar Wilde, who I don't believe was a legislative drafter "I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning and took out a comma...in the afternoon-well, I put it back again."

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Trudy Scrumptious:
That is actually the whole point of NaNoWriMo -- to help writers break out of that "edit as you go" perfectionist mindset and focus on just creating a first draft. The word count goal redirects your energies from producing perfect writing towards just getting words on paper (or onscreen). The end result will, of course, have to be heavily edited later to be remotely readable, but at least you end the month having something to work with, which for some people, gets them past that stage where they've been working on Chapter One of a book for ten years.

It doesn't work for everyone, though.

---

Duly noted.

Will have to think about it. I did dream up an idea for a novel about 20 years ago... always thought it was a great idea, but not one I necessarily had the skills to implement.
 

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Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
I'm giving it a go for the first time, despite November being my busiest month at work. I have had an idea in my head for about a year and I need some motivation to get the words out onto the page. Deadlines tend to work well for me, so I'm hoping I will get to 50K, but I'm not too worried if I don't, so long as I keep writing.
 

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Posted by Boadicea Trott (# 9621) on :
 
I'm hoping to NaNo again this year.
I'm writing as Snakebelly :-)
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Having struggled to get back into writing since I was ill in August, I'm planning to kick start in Nov. Not sure whether I'll start a new novel, or aim to do a couple of episodes in my (stalled) novella series. I doubt I'll do 50,000.

It will all depend on getting the final edit of the current novel dusted in teh next week ready for launching into the world by end of November.

mr curly
 

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Posted by Late Paul (# 37) on :
 
Well I've signed up again (latepaul if you want to friend me). Maybe this'll be the year I win.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
OK, I've reactivated my account. I'm Melusine, on Nanowrimo, if anyone wants to link up. Lots of little mini-ideas so far, but whether they can be strung into a coherent whole, I don't know.

Only 10 days to go!! Better get thinking
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Oh goody, more procrastination. And only because the advice says

quote:

---

3) Tell everyone you know that you’re writing a novel in November. This will pay big dividends in Week Two, when the only thing keeping you from quitting is the fear of looking pathetic in front of all the people who’ve had to hear about your novel for the past month. Seriously. Email them now about your awesome new book. The looming specter of personal humiliation is a very reliable muse.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gussie:
Yep - I've re-activated my account too. Real life means that I haven't actually done any writing for an age and I hope this will get me going again. My name is GussieR there.

---

Can't find
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Me neither. Gussie, you're going to have to come and find us...
 

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Posted by Late Paul (# 37) on :
 
I think it takes a little while to update the search indexes or whatever. I couldn't find Curiosity when I first tried.

However I discovered how to 'find' someone's profile page if you know the username. Just add the username in lowercase to http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/ e.g. so mine is http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/latepaul.

From there you can add the person as a buddy. You can also see their buddy list so you can get to Ariel, Figbash, Curiosity, Gussie (and a few others) from my page.

HTH
 

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Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Thanks Late Paul - I think I've got everyone added as buddies now,
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
I'm martyboymedia, if that buddy request seems random!

mr curly
 

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Posted by MrSponge2U (# 3076) on :
 
I am jumping in for another November bit of madness. I am SpongeJim on the Nanowrimo boards.

I have decided that I will govern my Nanowrimo writing by the principles I have learned by watching Doctor Who:

- If I get tired of my main character in the middle of the month, I can regenerate him into a new character,

- If I get stuck for ideas, I can always create a Dalek invasion,

- If I get stuck trying to explain some sci-fi kind of thing, I can always pull out a sonic screwdriver.

Happy November Insanity!
 

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Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
My cap is off to all of you brave and talented ones!

I just learned about this a month ago. I saw the nanowrimo thread last year and figured it was some sort of text writing thing like the LOLcat. This year I actually read about it and was psyched to try.

I did as suggested and wrote an outline and character bios for my novel set in the 1880's. The historical fact checking had me bogged down in no time plus I realized I wasn't geared to the comedy aspect this was going to require.

I had just read The American Woman's Home by Catharine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe. It's online and it's amazing. The chapter headings alone are awesome and I planned to use them as subtitles for my novel's chapters, with my main character a young woman, raised in household of servants, landed far from home with nothing but this instructional book to help her manage her new household. Jane Smiley could make a fine novel of this idea.

So I scrapped that and wrote a new outline for a contemporary novel about a woman I saw on Dr. Phil four years ago and have been worrying about ever since. I thought it would be cathartic if nothing else.

What I learned, before giving the whole thing up, is that it's possible to read 6000 books over a lifetime and still be absolutely incapable of writing one myself. Why is that?
 

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Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I think 50 000 words in a month is going to be too much of an ask for me. Instead I'm going to try to get my existing manuscript up to 50 000, which would still be significant progress (tbh, adding 50 000 would make it an 80 000 word novel and I'm not convinced it's going to be that long anyway).

I haven't signed up, since I'm aiming at a rather lower word count but I shall follow along here.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Having dug around on the NaNo site, you can sign up as a NaNo rebel if you want to write something slightly different. The rules say fiction and a full novel or novel-style piece of fiction. Non-fiction people can play along as a NaNo rebel, or finish off books, or write short stories or screen plays.
 

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Posted by Joan_of_Quark (# 9887) on :
 
I have signed in again. It could be a great release from real work, or the beginning of something I might eventually turn into a finished article, or both.

Last year I completed the challenge, despite having drastically changed circumstances and a huge workload. I got an amorphous blob of a manuscript that I never tried to edit later. To be honest, it'll probably stay at the bottom of the queue of first drafts for quite a long time. My 2009 NaNo is now in its third draft, being worked on occasionally when real life doesn't intervene.
 

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Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
My son's doing it for the third time. This year he's away from home in his first year at Uni, so won't have me nagging about his lack of sleep, odd eating patterns and homework avoidance.

He's just finished a short story ahead of NaNoWriMo - see my sig line.
 

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Posted by Late Paul (# 37) on :
 
OK. So I had a little trip away last week and part of the purpose of that was supposed to be to "get inspired" about my Nano novel and think about ideas. Apparently I decided listening to lots of podcasts was more important instead.

So it's 3 days to go and I still haven't got an idea what I'm going to write about. I am planning to meet up with an old work colleague who's doing Nano for a beer and brainstorming session, but I'd like to show up with more than a blank page. He won last year and he says that for him the biggest thing was having lots of ideas to throw in, which is why he wanted to do the brainstorming thing.

What I may well do is what I did last year and raid my old short stories to see if there's anything that can be expanded. I tried this last year and I think part of my problem was that it was already pretty complete as a short story and expanding it felt like padding.

Anyway, long ramble aside I have a specific question. I can see how having lots of ideas to throw into the pot will help you get to the finish line in terms of wordcount BUT I worry that in my hands this will end up as a bit of a mess. So, do you think a novel should have one big idea running through it or do you think it's ok for it to be more of a patchwork affair?
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
My current plan is to go with the first idea I have and see how far I get with it, and if that doesn't work out, try the next idea, and etc. So I've got four or five ideas that I was just going to play with to get the words.

I read the NaNo boards, and loosely connected short stories counts if that works for you, but straight short stories puts you in the rebel camp
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Late Paul:
So, do you think a novel should have one big idea running through it or do you think it's ok for it to be more of a patchwork affair?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Late Paul:
So, do you think a novel should have one big idea running through it or do you think it's ok for it to be more of a patchwork affair?

---

I tend to have one reasonably big idea, but then take a couple of days to elaborate it with any other ideas I think I could hang off it in some way or other. So do a bit of free association as it were. Then I try to write all that down in a coherent way. Then I start and just let it go where it takes me.

The one other point I would make is that I prefer character-driven stories to plot-driven. If you have one or two interesting characters, you can just let them talk at one another and they'll fill up as much space as you want them to. Or they want to, as it sometimes seems.
 

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Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
I'm having a last minute panic. I have an idea, I know how the story begins, and I have an idea for how it might end, but no real clue what will happen in the middle.

I've been practising by writing something every day for the last couple of weeks, but only managing about 300 words per day. I will have to devote more time to it in November which will be hard.

Incidentally I agree that allowing the characters to talk is a good idea. I started trying to put some character sketches together by describing them myself, but then found it was easier to ask them to describe themselves and each other.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaytee:
I'm having a last minute panic. I have an idea, I know how the story begins, and I have an idea for how it might end, but no real clue what will happen in the middle.

---

I'm sorry, there's any other state?

Actually, there's the one I usually start from - of knowing neither how it ends, nor what happens before then. But that's alright: somewhere the unconscious is even now typing away furiously.
 

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Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
I've taken the plunge. I'm going to do it!

It's the first time in years that I technically have the time - though whether I can make the time in reality is another matter. I think I might go for the crime novel I've been pondering for a while.

Scared now!
 

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Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 

quote:

---

I'm sorry, there's any other state?

---

I don't know - I'm new at this!
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
I just took a last minute plunge and signed up. I need to kick my writing attempts along. I still have a sign-in from last year when I didn't end up doing anything, it's Antipodean Scribbler, no ideal what possessed me to chose that as a name.
 

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Posted by Cara (# 16966) on :
 
I tried last year but nothing much came of it, and would definitely be trying again this year more seriously if it weren't that I'll be travelling most of the month, so won't be able to manage it.

Good luck to you all!
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
(Bump) are we all set? I think I may even have a plot...
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Much to my surprise, so do I (have a plot / narrative structure). Goodness if I can write it or not.
 

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Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :
 
Signed up tonight. Plan to winnow the chaff from my 90,000 word novel and pump it up to 120,000. (I'm on as YourIntrepidNovelist if anybody's interested.)
 

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Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
Yay it's started! Got up at 6 and got 1000 words done before work. Hopefully more later although I have to work late.

Good luck everyone!
 

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Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :
 
Just remembered that this started today.

I think, given current personal circumstances and some other newly developing activities, I won't make an attempt this year and will confine myself to cheering you all on from the sidelines with interest.
 

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Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
I just wrote my first 300 words! Now I only need to do that five more times today and repeat for the next thirty days and I'll be there!

If only I could use all my ship-of-fools posts toward some great, long, stream of consciousness piece of random, drug induced musings.
 

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Posted by Liopleurodon (# 4836) on :
 
I was very much not doing Nanowrimo this year. I had no plans to do it. It was not going to happen. Until two days ago, when I suddenly thought I might do it, despite no characters or ideas. So... yeah.

Buddy me up. I'm MightyBitey.
 

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Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :
 
Oh dear, not doing very well so far. Think I'd better dig out something I was working on and get going on that, rather than start something new which is what I was originally planning.
 

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Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
It is begun! 1800 words. 1800 Very Dark Words. The trouble with writing a crime novel is that you end up writing about nasty things. Today it was a disappeared girl and a background of abuse. Sigh.

I go under the name Clachaneasy, if anyone wants to make contact.
 

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Posted by Figbash (# 9048) on :
 
1184. Which isn't that good for 2 days in, but I have a deadline on Monday and I'm hoping once that's gone I can devote more time to the spontaneous generation of drivel.

Not a very good 1184, I might add. But hopefully if I do a spot of tinkering later it'll get better and LONGER...
 

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Posted by deusluxmea (# 15765) on :
 
1075 words in! Never finished before in the last two attempts....
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
3260 as of yesterday. No idea how this will go over the weekend.
 

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Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
731 scintillating words! This is turning out to be fun! I really don't care that, at this rate, I'll never come close to the goal -- I've forgotten my Nano password anyway -- but the game is doing just what it's supposed to do and getting me started again after not writing anything creative for years.

You go Ariel! I've always thought you were a brilliant writer. We'll all be able to say we were witnesses to the process when you win your Pulitzer.
 

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Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :
 
Good luck to everyone. Remember the quality of the words don't count, it's the number of them that do!

(Seriously. Get the damn thing on paper. You can edit it later.)
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Thank you Twilight! Not sure this one may win anything other than the Bulwer Lytton Prize but I'm having fun so far.

(Though the BLP is something to bear in mind if this doesn't take off.)
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Went to the first of my para-NaNo workshops today. The tutor is a moderately well-kent writer,and she had some interesting things to say. But unfortunately she rambles to the point of incoherence.

But I shall stick with it.
 

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Posted by Joan_of_Quark (# 9887) on :
 
It's going OK again. I am writing up a lot of stuff to put me ahead as this is my least manic time of week. I even got another tranche of happenings to go on the end of one of my story lines from last year, raising my hopes that the thing might be revived and edited one day after all. That was in addition to my main plot for this time. I hope this way I can keep a bit of momentum going despite other deadlines, niggles, stupid assignments and other detestable enormities...

I haven't had a good look for new people to befriend on there but will do some housekeeping like buddy lists and wordcount spreadsheet soon - if you're looking for buddies on NaNo, no prizes for guessing what I'm called.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
No progress yet - struggling to apply myself at this (and other things) after recent health issues and starting a new job.

Hoping to get something done, though, and break the drought.

mr curly

[ 03. November 2012, 20:50: Message edited by: Mr Curly ]
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I did really well the first day, wrote a first chapter then realised that I had to do a bit of planning and rewrite a bit to go where I wanted to go in a narrative structure. I *think* I've now sorted that out and have planned out where I'm going.
 

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Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
But unfortunately she rambles to the point of incoherence.

---

Pushing on with her own wordcount - quantity not quality!
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I had a good writing day with a couple of writer-friends yesterday and got above 10,000, which was necessary because I've got a busy week and don't expect to get much done during the week. I find that the process of writing always teaches me what the book is about so I now have a much clearer idea where this story is going than I did 10,000 words ago.

I mentioned the vlog-link in my sig before but here's my NaNo kick-off video where I ramble on about my approach to the "rules" of NaNo.
 

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Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
I'm mostly keeping up so far, and am excited about the extremely cool police officer I have created. But having set it in 1956, I am spending an inordinate amount of time googling 50s' clothes, 50s' police cars, 50s' slang, even 'forensic procedures in the 1950s' ... not that even google has much to say about that last one!
 

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Posted by Joan_of_Quark (# 9887) on :
 
23000 words, small Mac laptop keyboard => OUCH

I don't think that's the reason I only just won last year, but it could be a good excuse.

I've dug out an old wireless desktop keyboard and introduced it to the Mac so I can carry on typing. Several of the letters labelling the keys are worn off through previous writing efforts. It makes a sound like gentle rain when I am going at a thoughtful pace. Nostalgia.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Urgh. 9141 words so far about an angsty time traveller/double agent who moves from the past to an apocalytic sort of future which s/he is trying to change, and back again.

At present my hero/heroine is stuck in a vegetarian cafe somewhere in Serbia in the year 2024, trying to get to Vienna for reasons which I can only guess at.

How is everyone else doing?
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Another thing which irritated me about the workshop I attended was the idea that we were all working on 'literary' ie serious fiction and that my little genre-type NaNo by-blow which I've chosen to work on, didn't rate.

I had a momentary impulse to substitute something more respectable, but I thought no bugger it. In response, my story has rewarded me by becoming much more focused and interesting.

So the moral is, believe in what you're doing.
 

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Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
Firenze, they were probably just jealous because you were the only one who actually had a chance of being published.
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Epic fail, so far. Work and some illness and innumerable excuses to procrastinate........ aggh this afternoon 10,000 words at least.
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
12,000-and-some-odd words. Some of them very odd indeed.
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I have a whole story in my head, well several strands of narrative that will hang together. The other strands are what I planned, well, as far as I've got, but this main strand running through is really unexpected. I was up to 8,800 yesterday, so slightly behind. The ideas are there, it's getting them down in a way that's semi-readable.

[ 07. November 2012, 07:00: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 

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Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
Over 11K words but I am sooo tired. I'm getting up early to write but not going to bed any earlier. I will have to catch up on sleep and words at the weekend. I'm fortunate to have Saturday free so that will help.
 

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Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
Made it to 10,000 yesterday. I keep getting sidetracked by period detail. My mother was a good help yesterday with dressing my detective.

I can also now tell you a good deal about serology and chainsaws. Give praise and thanks for google!

[ 07. November 2012, 08:16: Message edited by: Cottontail ]
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Firenze, bugga the pretentious literary types. Not sure if you can access this First Tuesday Bookclub but Lee Child in particular makes some particularly interesting and encouraging comments about commercial vs literary fiction.
 

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Posted by Boadicea Trott (# 9621) on :
 
I've managed to creep up to 13, 121 words tonight, and feeling quite low after writing about death, doom and disaster for the last few days. I'm going to try and write a happy episode of the story tomorrow.......
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cottontail:
Made it to 10,000 yesterday. I keep getting sidetracked by period detail. My mother was a good help yesterday with dressing my detective.

I can also now tell you a good deal about serology and chainsaws. Give praise and thanks for google!

---

Yes, you end up acquiring a lot of odd trivia in the course of Nano - never intended to spend time googling German railways, but there you go.
 

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Posted by MrSponge2U (# 3076) on :
 
I'm over 16000 words as of last night. I left my characters wandering around in a pretty messy situation, though. Shame on me.
 

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Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Having now found out what Austrians eat for lunch, my character is currently in London's National Gallery, wearing a borrowed sweater and following instructions from an unknown source to look interested in the Wilton Diptych. And I really have no idea what will happen next or what this is all about, only that I have 15K words as of yesterday.

How are the rest of you doing?

[ 11. November 2012, 07:28: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 

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Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Finding the instructions to write about personal stuff, however novelised ... tough. I have masses of material and know what to write next, but digging up the experiences to put colour in isn't easy.
 

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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I have to send another bleeding chunk to the tutor by Friday. I fancy I know which one, but unfortunately it's still in my head rather than on paper.
 

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Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
Made it over 18K so I'm still on track. One of my minor characters threatened to become a love interest that I didn't want, but I think I've figured out a way to keep that in check. So far it's going better than I expected tbh.
 

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Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
I've made it to 18,000 as well, though the last couple of days have been a bit of a struggle. There's no doubt that the NaNoWriMo word counter alone is responsible for keeping me on track.

I think the story is developing okay, though I am in a bit of a muddle with dates and ages, and will need to do some serious plotting of that sometime. But it shouldn't affect the plot too much, so I am leaving that to the end. Other than that, I'm worrying that my characters are sitting around talking too much, which is a bit of a downer for a crime novel. I think I need to inject some action, and soon.
 

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Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
Plot? Plot, you say? My characters just stare and ponder. Think of Virginia Wolfe's The Hours, only slower and with no point.

I think it's awesome that your characters are sitting around talking, Cottontail. I find dialogue the very hardest part.


You know who I keep thinking of? The Bronte sisters writing on those tiny little scraps of paper with their splotchy ink. I'll bet everything was put down perfectly from the first with no revisions -- couldn't be wasting paper with second drafts.
 

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Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I'm in too, with a late start. I am writing a semi-autobiographical novel that I have been thinking about for years. Most of the place-names are real, as are the cars, but none of the people are. My teenage niece competed in a different category last year and won some sort of a prize. I am just hoping I can write something which is not tripe! Fortunately my lovely bride of thirty-four years (Zeke here) can vet what I've done. She is a trained English language and literature instructor. We are hoping she gets an adjunct job teaching at a new university here...
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 

quote:

---

Other than that, I'm worrying that my characters are sitting around talking too much, which is a bit of a downer for a crime novel. I think I need to inject some action, and soon.

---

'A little less conversation, a little more action please!'

Yes I was worried about that two. My two main characters are teenage girls who are best friends, and to start with all they did was chat, and then there were conversations with their families as well. I've had to deliberately insert some descriptive passages to break it up a bit.

Plot, hmmm. Well, some things have happened, but I think I am going to need a few more things to happen to get things moving.
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I have the opposite problem. My characters just sit gormlessly on the sofa and stare at each other and refuse to say anything.

I think they like companionable silences but those aren't very interesting to read about
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaytee:

quote:

---

Other than that, I'm worrying that my characters are sitting around talking too much, which is a bit of a downer for a crime novel. I think I need to inject some action, and soon.

---

'A little less conversation, a little more action please!'

---

I haven't plotted any of that yet and not sure I plan to. i am a complete novice at including any of that. I never made it to grad school and all of my undergraduate papers were the minimum required. I was an art and architecture major. If I had it all to do over again, I would have been a film major. The only film I've worked on so far was pre-production. If I do another one, I'd rather be a PA doing pleasant indoor work than being outside for ten hours a day at the wrong time of year....
 

---

Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 


I am giggling at these posts. Y'all may be right, that I should be thankful that my peeps are at least talking! So thanks for cheering me up with shared tales of woe.

Now, back to work.
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by la vie en rouge:
I have the opposite problem. My characters just sit gormlessly on the sofa and stare at each other and refuse to say anything.

I think they like companionable silences but those aren't very interesting to read about

---

I can't get mine away from discussing medieval illuminated manuscripts. This is not what they're here for and I don't know why everyone is so interested in the lost devotional works of Adso of Melk. They bore me to distraction, but now my main character's even agreed to go to a bloody lecture on illuminated manuscripts next week in order to compare writing and illustration styles. What happened to saving the planet from the possible apocalypse? This is looking very likely to turn into "Let's Save the Planet from Illuminated Manuscripts Faked by Bruno of Basel", unless something can be done.
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
So far, the only real action comes when my protagonist is driving a pedal-car round the back garden with his little brother in tow. Another time, he climbed a tree in front of the house.

Later we shall see our then-14-year-old hitchhiking home for his girlfriend's house and being picked up by two girls in an MGB. Once he got the one in the passenger seat sitting on his lap, he probably told the driver that he was going to Colorado Boulevard and eventually points west. This was of course in the late sixties. I don't think young ladies would stop to pick up a teenage boy at the side of the road today!
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I've done with redrafting what I had written a couple of years ago and I'm into new stuff now, so I feel I am NaNoing again.

However, having started a fieldful of hares plot wise, I need to begin rounding them up - especially the one which left one of my characters 'orribly murdered quite some chapters ago.
 

---

Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
Halfway! 25,000 words as of yesterday.

How is everybody doing?
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I was right up to date as of yesterday but got nothing done yesterday, won't today or tomorrow, and thus am burdened with the feeling of falling behind.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
The hares are pairing up. You know that nice state where almost everything you come across, you think: I could use that.

Coupled with the sometimes faintly disturbing discovery that you think of some circumstance which you would like to have exist for the purpose of your plot, and then find it does. There actually was a temple of the Golden Dawn in Edinburgh in the 1890s. [Cue portentous music].
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Real Life suddenly got in the way earlier this week, I'm now 3-4 days behind and don't think I shall be able to catch up now. I'll have a think at the weekend about continuing.
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
Yes I am scared of getting much behind because I know I'll be too busy elsewhere to be able to catch up.

I made it over the 25K mark yesterday, but overslept this morning so have not even written 600 words today - although I hope to get a few more done in a minute.

The last few days I have felt like I'm treading water and just writing for the sake of my word count. It has occurred to me today how I can bring in one of the minor characters and get a whole sub-plot going so I feel better about carrying on.
 

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Posted by Boadicea Trott (# 9621) on :
 
I hit 29,161 words last night, but haven't yet managed a single word today

I am hoping inspiration will hit me a bit later on, as it is now 4.30pm and time to start preparing the evening meal for the family......
 

---

Posted by MrSponge2U (# 3076) on :
 
I have made it over the 30K mark. And I realize that getting to 50K will mean the book isn't even half done. So I may need another Nanowrimo next month.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
It's gone quiet.

With the next writing workshop on Saturday, I've been pushing on. Not so much on length, as dotting back and changing things in the light of the now dawning plot. But I need something to happen soon, as people are doing rather too much reading things aloud to each other.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Going badly, well given up.

But have had time/inclination to mess about completing something else, so the novel should be out for kindle next week.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
Dropped out - just have not had the time to be able to sit down and do this.

However, it can always be revisited at some more convenient point.
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
This is very true - it's not all about November.

I'm still going. I'm on target with my word count at the moment but nervous that I might just miss out on 30th November for one reason or another. I have to work this weekend which really doesn't help. If only November ended on a Monday so I could have a final weekend to get this thing finished.

I had a rocky patch where I felt like I was repeating myself - my character has seizures, and it was hard work making the experience the same, but different each time. Then yesterday I had a random good day and wrote a scene that made me remember why I'm doing this. It also made me realise that once November is over I will have a lot of work to do to try to get that magical quality into more of the novel. Still, that's for December...
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaytee:
This is very true - it's not all about November.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaytee:
This is very true - it's not all about November.

---

With that as a motto, what's the feeling for extending this thread for a while, to see if it can midwife any of these conceptions to term?

I'm interested, of purse, because the workshops I've signed up for run into the New Year.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaytee:
This is very true - it's not all about November.

---

With that as a motto, what's the feeling for extending this thread for a while, to see if it can midwife any of these conceptions to term?

---

Not on my account, but if others think they'd find it useful, go for it. Don't wait for me. Could be several years yet before I get round to finishing my Nano novel.
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
Yes I'm up for it. The 30 November deadline is keeping me going at the moment, but it would be a shame to lose the motivation to continue just because the month is over.

This is the first time I've written anything more than about 5000 words, and it's a story I want to tell, so I hope I can keep up the momentum.
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I'm all for keeping it going. I know we had a private board for writers at one time and there wasn't enough activity keep that alive for a long time (I like to think that we are all too busy actually writing, but maybe not) ... but surely there are enough writers on the Ship that we could manage to keep a THREAD going if not an entire board?
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
That was my thinking, Trudy. Writing is a big topic - but work in hand, stemming from a particular approach ie the NaNoWriMo initiative, might be doable.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I'd like it, if you'd accept a NaNo Rebel. Mine's nonfiction, currently at 56 pages.
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
Oh, I think we'd want to be open to rebels and all.

After the bit of writing I did last night I feel like I actually understand what motivates one of my characters better than I did, which is actually a much bigger accomplishment than the number of words I got written.
 

---

Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
I'd be glad to keep this going too. I've realised that even if I do make it to 50,000, I still won't be nearly finished. And then there are all the plot holes to go back and plug.

My main issue at the moment is that my murderer has been so damn clever, I am not sure how anyone is going to work it out.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
At least you know who your murderer is. Nearest I've got is a manifestation of the goddess Sekhmet.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I slowed down, I suspected it might be the best way of getting me to do everything else that needed to be done - procrastination r us. I still have lots of ideas to get down on paper, but have found turning my inner editor off pretty impossible.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Second of the workshops today. Interesting people, but to me rather tedious proceedings - except when I got to read my stuff, of course.

I can't complain: the whole course is serving its purpose of making me actually work on the book, and the feedback was positive.
 

---

Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
Five days to go and 9,500 words still to write. It should be possible, but I am sooo tired now. Especially now as I am wandering deeper and deeper into the darker reaches of the human psyche.

Cottontail, muttering distractedly to herself: I can do this, I can do this.
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
You can do it! I'm right behind you. See you at the finish line on Friday!
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I was keeping up well but got quite behind over the weekend and now have about 13,000 words to go.

I've already recorded my video blog for this Wednesday optimistically claiming that I have finished NaNoWriMo, so I either have to step it up and finish, or re-shoot part of my vlog so I'm not making false claims about myself. I have write-ins with my best writer friend planned for tonight and possibly tomorrow night too, so hopefully it can be done!
 

---

Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
I'd be interested in a writer's board as I hope to write the novel(s) of the PhD, after I've finished the actual PhD.

This is my most stress-free NaNo in years. I've spent the last three Novembers nagging my son to ignore NaNo, focus on his schoolwork, and go to bed before 3am. Not to mention the struggle to get him out of bed and onto the school bus after a NaNo all-nighter. Now he's at University, doing NaNo again, but what I can't see can't harm me. Bliss.

(He's also entered another writing competition - see my sig line.)
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I'm in a lull. Which doesn't need to go on too long, as I've to send the tutor an extract illustrative of 'pace' by Friday.
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
After this morning's session I'm on about 48.5K words, so I should 'win' tomorrow

I think I need a day or two to catch up on sleep. My strategy of getting up an hour early to write has worked, but I am feeling very tired. Long term, I'm going to need a different writing schedule that allows me to sleep more.

Unfortunately, my cat has learned to expect his breakfast earlier, and wakes me by tapping me on the nose before my alarm clock has even gone off I will have to get him out of that habit somehow!
 

---

Posted by Boadicea Trott (# 9621) on :
 
I reached my 50, 238 words on Monday evening.

The story is nowhere near finished, and I am exhausted, but it was wonderful fun and there is a certain amount of satisfaction in having completed it for 4 years running
Good luck to everyone who is on the last lap!
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Well done, BT.

I hope you'll stay with he thread and finish the story.
 

---

Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
Son has just posted on FB that he has reached his 50,000. And this year I don't have to cope with the post-NaNo slump, as he recovers from serious sleep deprivation!
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
In the end I'm glad I didn't join. I managed to get about 7000 words/1 chapter written, which on the one hand is kind of pathetic compared to some of you but on the other hand about 7000 words more than I would have written otherwise.
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I am on the home stretch and have reached the predictable stage of hating everything about my story. Of course this is nothing like the end of the story -- this is probably about the first 1/3. But at least I'll have 50,000 more words of crappy first draft done.
 

---

Posted by MrSponge2U (# 3076) on :
 
I have reached my goal of 50,000 words! Now on to my next goal of recovering my sanity.
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I won't be finishing tomorrow: I only have four pages and I need to expand the character set. I'll try to get off to a better start next year.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Congrats, all those who've made it!!

mr curly
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
It's done! Congrats to everyone.

I have a lot of work to come to make it into something that might actually be readable. Somehow I deviated from the planned ending that I had written about the main character's brother and now it's all about her best friend's father. I'm not sure I can integrate the two strands, so some serious editing is required, but that's okay. Now that November is over I'm looking forward to making it better rather than just focussing on the number of words.
 

---

Posted by cattyish (# 7829) on :
 
Woohoo! I have reached my target word count and life is good. Now to make sure I sleep, and that the vivid dreams of all my characters doing truly daft things don't make me madder.

Well done to everyone who did a thing this November.

Cattyish.
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I made the goal last night too. I find that I work well with these artificial deadlines such as those provided by NaNo, so, in the interests of getting more of a first draft to work with, my next goal is going to be to get from my current 51,000 or so words, up to 75,000 by Christmas.

Congrats to all the finishers ... and really, to anyone who wrote anything in November that they might not have written otherwise!
 

---

Posted by Cottontail (# 12234) on :
 
Utterly exhausted, I have crawled over the 50,000 finishing line - several hours behind the rest of you!

There's still far too much dialogue. My chapters are thoroughly uneven in size. My murderer still hasn't been unmasked, and I finished just there in utter incoherence.

But I made it!

Wow. Phew. Urgh.

Congratulations to all who have achieved their targets, whatever they were, and to all who have simply written more than they would have without this. We Are Writers.
 

---

Posted by Boadicea Trott (# 9621) on :
 
Well done everyone who reached their targets, and to those who did not, there is always next year !
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
*bump*

So now that we're a few days into December, what's everyone doing? Still writing, or taking a breather? I must admit I haven't written anything since 30th November...

I downloaded the free trial of Scrivener to play around with, do any of you use that? It seems helpful for the way I write, which tends to be whole scenes, in a random order, and then I put them together and adjust as necessary. I'm thinking I will buy it once I get the Nano discount code.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
After the exciting interval between workshops 1 and 2, in which I completely re-imagined the characters, saw shed loads of exciting interconnections and plot lines, and wrote a chapter which got pretty good reviews from the tutor/class - I've done sod all.

Workshop 3 is on Saturday AND I SHOULD WRITE SOME MORE.

Must. Can't. Must.
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
Still plodding forward.
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I am visiting my nieces house now; she did nanowrimo and her dad is a novelist. I shall getahead startonnextyear
 

---

Posted by MrSponge2U (# 3076) on :
 
For me this month, it's been a few spurts, then lots of distractions. But hopefully I will get back into it full speed after the New Year.
 

---

Posted by cattyish (# 7829) on :
 
NaNoWriMo was good fun for me this year. The idea of continuing in some Ship-based version appeals, but can I do a new thing? I have a opera to sort out.

Cattyish, dusting off the manuscript and pencils.
 

---

Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
I've been transcribing my third novel into the right format for Smashwords - though I got a bit overwhelmed by life over December, so I gave up on it for a bit. Today is the first day I've been back to it, and I'm just celebrating finishing another ten pages!
I'm changing bits as I go, too - so it's not just copy-typing.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I have two chapters in my head, which I must put on paper. It will be interesting as the time point in my story - on and around Hogmanay - will be the same as actual time.

I'm hoping that when I do write them, they will contain some hint as to how the plot develops, since at the moment I have no idea.
 

---

Posted by Belle Ringer (# 13379) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by cattyish:
can I do a new thing? I have a opera to sort out.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Trudy Scrumptious:
December was a bit of a washout for me as well. I finished NaNo with just over 50,000 words done on the new book and was going to aim to have 75K done by the end of Dec. Then I did nothing in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I've gotten back on track a bit since being on holidays from work and now have about 62K. January is going to be a research month.

---

Hey, congrads on 50K in November!

I got 10K written in early December before the Christmas machine took over. Goal for 2013 starting January is 2 books in first draft and one older draft finalized. OK, I admit, 2 books was my goal for 2012, but this time I really mean it!
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
I have ground to a bit of a halt on account of how I don't know what happens in my current chapter. It's sort of a transitional chapter between the two major sections (the staying at home half and the going off to discover the world half). Don't know quite what to do with it tho.

I am aiming to Finish™ it in the first half of this year.
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Words ran together on my last post because I was writing it on my wife's Nook e-reader. I've got the beginnings of several chapters. I probably need to make an outline before I commence formal writing. Dialogue would also be a good idea, I think.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Actually wrote my first joke ( as part of the first 600 words) I've written since heart attack in August. It felt good!

Changing gear into the New Year.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I got down the stuff in my head and then some more which points the plot in another direction. Still waiting for an inkling of the Next Big Thing.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Actually, the NBT duly turned up. To an extent. Next workshop tomorrow - I missed the last. Apparently, we were supposed to submit a synopsis for this one.

Anyone else clocking a literary milestone?
 

---

Posted by la vie en rouge (# 10688) on :
 
Oooh me! I have crawled past the 100 page mark on my hands and knees (and untangled my dilemma about how to link the two halves of the book together via a box of old papers that the main character has discovered at the library).

Next target, 40 000 words, which isn't too far off.
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Need to put some surrealism in my book like my favourite writer Haruki Murakami, such as a wild animal driving an expensive sports car!
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Survived - rather than enjoyed - the workshop. Still dreadfully discursive and frustrating - though I'm continuing to get positive feedback on the writing. Next and finally, I believe we are to look at the 'query letter' which appears to be about pitching your MS to an agent.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
Survived - rather than enjoyed - the workshop. Still dreadfully discursive and frustrating - though I'm continuing to get positive feedback on the writing. Next and finally, I believe we are to look at the 'query letter' which appears to be about pitching your MS to an agent.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by kaytee:
'A little less conversation, a little more action please!'

---

My protagonist in A Man called Mort has finally started to speak. He tells stories about his youth and this would likely be done as a voiceover if I was ever able to turn this into a film. I think I shall tread cautiously and avoid the bits that could take it beyond a PG rating: I would like for my sister and her family to be able to read it or view it before my niece and nephew turn 18!
 

---

Posted by kaytee (# 3482) on :
 
I didn't get anything much done in December either, but I think it did me good to have some time off to get some perspective on the first draft.

It's been a struggle to overcome my resistance to re-reading it. At first I was so disgusted by how bad my writing was that I couldn't even bear to start typing it up (I handwrote most of it). I think I've got over that now and finally got a chunk done this weekend.

I do believe that the story is worth telling, so I need to put the work into revising it to make it readable.

Sir Kevin - your surreal episodes sound very intriguing!
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Would you like to see one? Here it is!


“I was riding along the coastal highway on my 554 and saw what I thought might be a red Ducati a little ways behind me and to my right. I was correct. It pulled up along side and the rider seemed to be challenging me to a race! Seeing that it was a replica race bike with likely light-years more power, I declined. It passed me in a blur. I made a pit stop at a layby. When I got there, I saw it parked by a tree on its center stand. I walked over to admire it more closely. There was a full set of red racing leathers laid across the seat and a red helmet locked to the handlebars on the right side. There were no boots, but the gloves had strangely configured fingers made of some sort of metal and had attached servo-motors. Could the rider have had cybernetic hands?

Nearby, a small male horse was grazing in the grass. He had no saddle and no bridle. There were no other humans near by. Who was the rider? Could it be……? Nah, didn’t think so, but to this day I am just not sure.”
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
I think we want to keep this thread about the process and problems of writing - and hopefully getting published.

Commenting on actual passages from our sundry stories/novels/treatises etc is a whole other exercise, and not one appropriate to these Boards. (Though discussing how feedback works is valid. For example, much as I grumble about the course I'm doing, it has shown me that having a professional writer point out technical things is worth much more than any amount if friends - or strangers - saying Oh, I like that.)

Firenze
Heaven Host
 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
I'm at about 150 pages, so more than halfway through for this nonfiction book. May it be over soon!
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I would welcome comment via PM or e-mail. I already have a copy editor: I have been married to her for nearly thirty-five years!
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Pretty much all plotted, all thirty chapters named.



 

---

Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 
The Book Is Done.

Response: Thanks be to God...

Four quotations to verify, and then it goes to the helpful people who are undertaking to catch my flaws. Then revision, layout, proofreading,and epub. I need a fast education in marketing!

Mr. Lamb is fantasizing about pennames, as a condition of my employment requires me to use one ... certainly for any Christian book that includes the term "shit magnet!"

[ 30. January 2013, 04:48: Message edited by: Lamb Chopped ]
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
I've just finished a 12000 word piece I've been struggling through for over 6 months (pre and post heart attack). Sent off to beta readers today.

It's episode 3 in a 6 part series. Aiming to kick on with the other three in February.

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Good for you, LC!

If you are obliged to have a pen name, then I would go for something with pizzazz (except you can't have Hamishinda Quine - that's taken).
 

---

Posted by North East Quine (# 13049) on :
 
Young Hamishinda is very taken with the idea.

My son has been told that if he ever publishes a novel, he'll have to use a pen-name because his real name is too close to that of a Famous Author. Is this true? Is there a problem with real names when they're similar to famous names?

LC, Honeyman Gilchrist is also taken. I found a (female) Honeyman Gilchrist on my family tree and have fancied it as a pen name ever since.
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lamb Chopped:
The Book Is Done.

Response: Thanks be to God...

...includes the term "shit magnet!"

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by North East Quine:
I found a (female) Honeyman Gilchrist on my family tree and have fancied it as a pen name ever since.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by North East Quine:

My son has been told that if he ever publishes a novel, he'll have to use a pen-name because his real name is too close to that of a Famous Author. Is this true? Is there a problem with real names when they're similar to famous names?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by North East Quine:
I suspect someone wanting to read one of the Famous Author's warm and gently witty books might be dismayed to read about a bloodbath involving sword fights and mutant squirrels.

---

While at the same time confusing the actual seekers after squirrel ultraviolence. So best pick a name to alert them to a new kid on the block - Genghiz Nutkin?
 

---

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
The first 6,375 words cover parts of 30 chapters over the course of 28 pages. I do my best writing during the wee hours of the morning.


 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by North East Quine:
I suspect someone wanting to read one of the Famous Author's warm and gently witty books might be dismayed to read about a bloodbath involving sword fights and mutant squirrels.

---

While at the same time confusing the actual seekers after squirrel ultraviolence. So best pick a name to alert them to a new kid on the block - Genghiz Nutkin?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
It has just hit me that my wife's book group are discussing my novel tomorrow night. And I am going to the group as guest author.

Yikes! I hope they liked it.

mr curly

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
It has just hit me that my wife's book group are discussing my novel tomorrow night. And I am going to the group as guest author.

Yikes! I hope they liked it.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mr Curly:
It has just hit me that my wife's book group are discussing my novel tomorrow night. And I am going to the group as guest author.

Yikes! I hope they liked it.

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Oh y'know it'll be the usual Orphic thing and you'll be torn limb from limb by wine-crazed maenads.

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Padding. Have your characters had a really good meal lately?

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1. Car accident
2. Redundancy or sudden loss of money
3. pet dying
4. flood or other reason why sudden isolation occurs

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Originally posted by Ariel:
Padding. Have your characters had a really good meal lately?

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Originally posted by Firenze:

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Originally posted by North East Quine:
I suspect someone wanting to read one of the Famous Author's warm and gently witty books might be dismayed to read about a bloodbath involving sword fights and mutant squirrels.

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While at the same time confusing the actual seekers after squirrel ultraviolence. So best pick a name to alert them to a new kid on the block - Genghiz Nutkin?

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