Day 26 of NaNo, and the end

I'm done... Don't think I could write anything else for a few days. Honestly.
90177 is the final tally, with a trilogy ready for edits, shorts ready for anthologies and magazines, and stories in need of middles and endings.

But, I'm happy and I think that may be the only thing that matters.

Now, I'm going to crash for a few days, kick my muse in the balls, duck tape her to a chair and tell her to leave me alone until next month.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, if you celebrate it, and remember to support small, indie and local companies/people this shopping weekend.

Kristy C

Day 24 & 25 of NaNo

I opened the page to write, then ended up forgetting about it.

13k away from double winning.  My plan is to try and end tonight only 10 away, leaving me four days to finish up.  But, I'm ok if I don't do that.  Either way, I've won.  What I really hope, is that I'll end with 3 books to start editing, along with others, next month.

There are  few ideas I have in mind for night, to get some sleep before midnight or later.  One, I'm taking a book in with me, but leaving my iPad in the other room.

Kristy C

Day 23 of NaNo

I'm gonna get back on track of scheduling these things, I promise.

Meanwhile, I ended yesterday at 83,847 in my WC, with the story progressing nicely.

One of the characters demanded a scene be written, out of order, so I did micro plotting in between and have been filling in since then.  I may end up rewriting some of the other scene, but we'll see what happens.

Two things came to mind as I was typing.  1, I'm going to end up killing someone important.  I don't want to, but I know it has to happen and it kills me inside.  2, I'm not sure if this is the last book, or just book 3.  It could be either.  Neither is a bad option, but I want an answer at some point.

So, that was yesterday.

Kristy C

Day 22 of NaNo

Somehow, I threw my sleep pattern out of whack and now I'm barely getting to sleep before 2 or 3 in the morning, which pushes my getting up later and later.  Need to get out of this thing.

Once again, did my writing last night and only just barely managed to get it all in before passing... Almost out.  Sucks.

Almost to 80k.  Marked my 'info dump' section, in case it turns out to be too much all at once.  Then the story said 'Now, we need to leave this place we worked so hard to get into, and go there... But only after sweeping declarations, predictions and a surprise twist'.

>.>

I really do think that section might have too much going on all at once.  Edits are in the future for this story.  On the plus side, its freaking book three!

Kristy C

Day 21 of NaNo

At least the day's not over yet...

So, yesterday was one of several bad mornings I've been having lately.  No desire to get up out of bed, barely able to feed the cat, before I'm back in bed for a few more hours.  Sucks.

Did some errands, picked up a new script and then to the bank.  Then, to gaming.

Had a nice chat with one of the gamers, before we got into the actual game.

I won't say what one, so I don't give anything away.  But, I play an Oracle of Time, 13th LV.  All six of us were on an airship, that was going down.  So the Wizard and I headed off to take care of the ship, while the others flew after our reason for being here.

Step into the Engine room, I look around.  Nothing.  I don't trust it.  [My characters not a trusting person, at all.]

I use my Time Sight, where I can see them.  Whispering to the Wizard, I say 'There's a person over there.'

:D  Then I point in the other direction and send off a new spell, Undeath to Death.  Take out four of six zombies.

I think the Wizard and I had fun in that little battle.  Walking around with a Cleric who likes killing things, two paladins and a fighter rogue, sometimes you end up being left behind in the dust, nothing but support.  Nope, we kicked ass.

Then, we still crashed.  But from 100ft away, we're effective and just focus on killing things, while the others do the up close and personal.

Got home, after an incident of 'OMG, NO GAS!!' and sadly contributing to my dad's bad day, by needing him to rescue me.

Did some writing a little before, and after midnight.  [I count it as the same day though.]  Did a weird, I'm tired, scene in the story and hated it, then was able to turn it around into something cool.  I may have info dumped, but we'll see in the edits.

All in all, wasn't a bad day.  I enjoyed the game, and I enjoyed the chance to beat people up.  My oracle dislikes undead things, and takes great joy in rekilling them.

WC, 77,473

Kristy C


OH!!  Also, check out this KICK ASS Video.  Made me laugh [and just keep watching this groups stuff.]

Day 20 of NaNo

Not much to say today.

But, I did want to share a story I wrote.

Also, I'm at 75k.  Big part of me wants to see if I can't make it to 100k.  Who knows if it'll happen, but I'm kinda wanting it too.

Anywho, here's the story.  The song that inspired it, has been really pushing at my mind for a while now.  Something in that song has a story that wants to escape, but isn't ready yet.  So, every so often I write while listening to it, and end up on a repeat until I'm finished and drained.

Keep careful watch of my brothers souls…

The words drifted to her ears, bringing with it the dark memory of the last time it had played.  She loved it, despite that pain.  Its melody grew in pitch and passion.  That was what she missed most in this place, passion.

And I see fire…

It was the fire that spoke to her more than anything else.  She could still see the horror of it, stretching out for miles around her.  Red filled her vision, no place was safe to run or seek protection.

Burning the trees…

A circle was all that separated her from the heat and pain that threatened to overrun her as it had everything else in the world.

I see fire…

Inside the circle, it was cold and lifeless.  There was no life, but her own in this place.  A desolate place that wasn’t worth protecting, if she was honest.

But it was all she had.

Then we shall all burn together.

He had screamed that out to her as the fire had started.  Around them, people tried to run from the destruction and death.  But it was everywhere, and nothing was beyond its reach.  He had seen to that.

We should all die, together.

That was his goal, and only the circle protected her from his desire.  At first it had been big enought to protect more than just her.  But his power was greater than hers, and the fires burned through it all until only she was left.

And if the night is burning, I will cover my eyes

He blamed her for the deaths, naming each one as they fell.  They both knew that he didn’t have to do that, as each life lost brought an image to her mind.  Even with her eyes closed to it all, she couldn’t escape.

With that shadow upon the ground, I hear my people screaming out…

Tears fell down her cheeks as the memory of his eyes when she’d first denied his vision for their creation.  It was in that moment, she had known her brother was gone from her forever.

Confined in mountain halls, we got too close to the flame

Too long, they had stayed in the halls of their godly home, rising above the people and forgoing the duties given them by the people below.  When word reached them of the faithless acts, he had seen only one ending to the story of this place and time.

I see fire… Blood in the breeze

A remnant of the world they had left, he swore that only through fire, could they cleanse this place of its godlessness.

I hope that you remember me…

When he had realized his mistake, it was too late for them.  Resting a hand on the side of her prison of protection, sorrow filling his eyes at the beauty he had destroyed.

“And I see fire burn, auburn on, the mountain side…”  She whispered, looking back out a the still burning home of her people.

Kristy C

Day 19 of NaNo, or...

The day the story kicked my ass.

:P

I promise, no ranting at you today.

I was working on my story during the virtual write in, and it started to reach a place where I noticed it wasn't going to have a third book. Now, I don't mind that too much, except that it didn't end how I thought it would.

The story had to remind me that sometimes, I don't have as much control as I thought I did over how things go.  Its not bad, just different.

In some ways, the story reached the conclusion I wanted, just a 35 thousand words before I was prepared for it.  ^^

So, I hit the block and was glad to at least have reached over 1667 for the day, because I was ready for bed.

On another note, I saw my doctor yesterday and she's given me something to take when I have a panic attack.  Since everything seems to be helping me with the depression, I get why she'd rather not yank me off it and go through everything again.

If the side effects are minimal and manageable, there's no point in a detox and new trial.  I'll see her again in 3 months.

Two publications will be released soon with stories of mine in them, and I've got more in the works with one magazine.  Once enough time has passed, due to a personal tragedy, I want to contact someone who told me to do so, about an anthology idea or two.

So, there's my little update.  Life moves on, no matter what.

Kristy C

Day 18 of NaNo

I think the best part about NaNo, is that its not an unattainable goal.

Nor is it a worthless one.

50k sounds like a lot of words.  And it is.  Of course, most novels you read today are two-three times that long, so its a pretty small book.

If you can manage 2-3 hours of writing a day, you can most likely reach the 1667 word goal.  Not kidding, it happens.  Need numbers?

4-6 fifteen minute WW's in 2-3 hours = 1-1.5 hour of writing, not counting if you get in a groove and write between.

350 words, average, per.

x4                                    x6

= 1400 words                  = 2100 words

You may start out a little on the slow side, and you'll have days where you barely write anything, and days when you can't seem to stop.

The best part is, it gets your butt in the seat and focused on writing.  Why?

BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT A WRITER, IF YOU DON'T WRITE!!!

We all have ideas.  But if you just let it percolate up in your head, its just that.  And idea.  It'll never be a book.

If you don't sit down and write it out, you're going to think its the greatest story ever.  Trust me, it's not.

Not yet at least.  First Drafts are also called Rough Drafts for a reason.  They're crap.  No one, with a brain, writes out their book, spell checks it, and puts it out on the shelf for consumers to buy.

I've heard all the reasons against NaNo, and the truth is that its not for everyone.  Hell, after this I want to keep track of how many words I write per-day.  I want to see what I'm doing.

And btw, I'm not counting my blog words.  ;D

Sorry if this has been a bit... Preachy, but I've met people who get so bogged down in useless details at the start, that they never get anything done.  They rewrite for the wrong reasons, and at the end of the day... There is no story for them to point to and say 'I did this.'

Most of the people I know who write have files upon files that they can point to and say 'I did those.'  Are they all publishable?  Hell know.  But did I write it?  Yes!  I got it out of my head and onto paper.

The next step is the editing, and it can stink.  Why?  Because we think our words are golden.  We know the story!

That's the problem.  We know the story.  I've left things out, because I knew it.  The reader however, doesn't.

If you're not sure NaNo is right for you, try CampNaNo.  You can set a smaller goal and just get yourself into the groove.

Find a local writers group, one that meets up to perhaps critique AND to write.  Trust me, it can be a gold mind to have people around you, writing at the same time.  Perhaps even try to find one online.  I've mentioned before the FB group I'm with that sprints.

We all have lives, other jobs, things that distract us.  But.. To pull a line from Sister Act 2, if all you think about when you get up is writing?  You're meant to be a writer.

So go forth, write, dream, try it out.  Do what you can and don't take any shit.

Kristy C

Day 17 of NaNo...

Yesterday started pretty bad.

Couldn't seem to wake up, barely managed to feed the cat, before I fell back into bed for a few hours.  When I finally did get it, I was still tired.  :P

And in typical fashion, by 5ish in the evening, I was up and ready to go. You know, for the next few hours, before bedtime called.

Or rather, before I felt tired enough to go to bed, but not out of it enough to actually fall asleep.

Anywho, in NaNo I moved my people out of the 'meet the parents' fun, and am gearing up towards 1 or 2 other things.  I think when I go to edit, I'll have more filling in to do with this book than I did in book 1.  But, we'll see.

I do have a blurb I can share with you, out of context and all that.  ^^

“Shut up, or you’re never gonna escape that path of yellow bricks.” I said, rolling us away as the thing continued to focus on… Me. “Anyone else notice its singular goal?” 

“Maybe, you killed his grandfather?” Blood asked, pushing us apart as it attacked, again. 

“Haven’t been around that long…” I jumped up, kicking it in the head and bouncing off the side of a building. 

What? We’d been practicing a lot more lately. Its good. Builds character. And, team work. My main goal had been to prove we didn’t need that stupid ‘trust building’ weekend. Have I mentioned how not thrilled I am with it? 

“Normal attacks don’t seem to be working on it.” Blade said, using the halberd that was now always around. “Any ideas Researcher?” 

“Tons.” The distorted voice said over the com. “None of them useful right now. Beyond, make it stop.” 

Ok, not helpful right now. We’d have to figure things out. “Lets see if it’ll follow us out of town some. I’d rather it not hurt anyone. Or, anyone who’s not us. I sense we’re gonna get plenty hurt.” 

“Well, it likes you… Maybe wink at it, and show an ankle, so it’ll follow.” I flipped of Blade, who was grinning far to much at that. 

“It could want a date.” Blood offered, earning his own flip off. “Just saying. You could try showing it some ankle.” 

“When we’re done, I’m going to kill both of you.” I said, whistling up at the creature. “Hey, slimey!” 

It didn’t take more than that, for the thing to start pounding toward me. Now, I just had to move faster than it did. Craaaap, this was gonna suck. 

“Hey, you two, how about being useful! Attack it or something!” I swear, they stood there and debated it for a few minutes. Not that I could hear, but Jayden was laughing at them in my ear and I was going to kill a few someones.

:D They're a blast, I'm telling you.

Kristy C

Day 16 of NaNo

Did a reverse of the day before.

I started out in bed, then moved back to my living room for a good chunk of time.  Spent about 6 hours writing, wrote just over 5k.  Now, that was several 30min sprints, some writing in between and dinner, dessert making and cat snuggling.

Got past one drama/depressing/all the feels moment, then right into another.

Meeting the Parents.  Never easy.  More so, when one of them doesn't seem to like you from the start.

Still, relationships are getting better, and that's good.  I've got a few more elements for this one, before its finished.  Its sitting just below half of where I'd like it to be, but because I know it'll have some space to grow [more so than the first] I'm not quite as worried about it.

I've got even less of an idea for book three, but I think it'll be more about each of them coming into their powers more strongly.  I'm hoping for the other two hero's to reach a point of going past what's become the norm, and into what they used to be.

Also toyed with the idea of adding someone, but I like the dynamic as it is.

The other day I posted on FB, asking for someone to perhaps beta the first book for me, to see what they thought of it.  Its out with a fellow author and I'm trying not to be antsy over hearing back.  Not an easy task.

At the end of the day, I'm at 63,230, which is AMAZING!!!

Kristy C

Day 15 of NaNo, a blaaargh of a day.

So, yesterday was kinda weird.

I got up late, but that's normal for me.  My sleeping habits seem to be 'wake up about 4 or 5ish, check your phone, play a game on your iPad, then go back to sleep'.

Anywho, after that I got up and got dressed, so it was a little before nine I think, and I remembered I hadn't picked up a perscription yet, and I needed it now.  Went up to chat with dad real quick, ended up watching TV for an hour+ with him.

Picked up the meds, then a 7-11 trip for hot chocolate coffee and snacks, before back home.

At some point, I looked at the clock and it was almost, or just after, 1pm.

It was freaking ONE in the afternoon!!!  I had no clue where the day had gone, but I'd done next to nothing!

Went to do a sprint, and but couldn't focus on... Well, anything.  Decided a nap was needed, since it seems I was in some kind of anxiety attack mode.  Most likely due to the whole 'WHERE HAS THE DAY GONE?!?!?!!' moment.

Two more hours passed, before I got up again and just decided to move into my bedroom for the day.

After a free write, I did some sprints and something in my brain clicked me forward in my story.    Wrote nearly 3k today, even with the loss of most of it, and the anxiety riddleness.

It did end awesomely.

One of the sprint groups got to chatting about tossing ninja's in, then it was ninja monkey's, then ninja monkeys who use bananas for attacks.  And in my weird brain, every time I hear of an attack with a banana, I think of Monty Python.




It turned into twenty minutes of Monty Python quotes back and forth.  :D

Enjoy that, and happy writing!!

Kristy C

Day 14 of NaNo

Acks, sorry this is late.  I kept thinking 'Write your blog post' ans it didn't happen.

Still writing words, which is awesome.  Working on book two of the series, tentatively titled 'The Silent Moon'

Had some epicness in the story, but I'm worried that if I share it with you, you'll know too much about the story as a whole.  So, I can't.

As you know, I've got one short story already out in the world.

On the fence about it? Well, you can stop by WattPad and read the first 10% of the story there.

Wandering Wizard on WattPad

Like what you read?  Leave a review or comment, then head over to Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo or Smashwords, to pick up the rest of it.

My current word count is 54,986.  In 24 words, I get to have another piece of pie.  [That's my goal right now.  Every 5k over 50, I get a piece of pie or a treat.  :D ]

The Snarky Moon came to a halt at 29,251 in numbers, so my goal is to make book two about the same length [25-30k].  I'm at 5,351 currently, and while plenty has happened, there's space for more to go on.

Leave a comment if you feel like it, I'd LOVE to hear from my readers.

Kristy C

Day 13 of NaNo.... A Frackin' Epic Day

So, yesterday was a pretty amazing day.  If I do say so myself.

My goal had been to list some items, then head out early to get lunch and arrive at the Write In before we started, to pound out some words.

Seems my brain had other ideas.  I started working before leaving, getting a couple hundred words written.  Then, I went straight to the Write In, where I worked on my numbers.  By the time everyone else arrived, I knew it was about 1000 words left to go.  A few WW's, and I did it.

I wrote over 50,000 words, in 13 days.

0.0

0.0

0.0

I still can't believe it.  And, I finished The Snarky Rose.  Well, I finished book ONE.  Yesterday, I figured out the last line and knew that a second book was in the wind.  Which is awesome, since I love the story.  Below, I've got some cover ideas.  They're loose ones, but I'm liking the vibe.

Anywho, I hope to have it out some time next year.  But honestly, I'd like to have book 2 in edits, before I even get that far with book 1.  I may send out a few small pieces, and I have thought about making up a short story collection.

Hows your NaNo going?  Remember, you can't actually lose this race, unless you give up. And that doesn't include life getting in the way, that always comes first.

Kristy C