And, just like that, the first week of NaNoWriMo is done and we’re on week two! WHAAAAAT.
I do hope the mad dash of writing is going well for my fellow Wrimos! I’m honestly not sure if I’m alive. This could very well be a ghost writing this post. But hey, I’m having fun! LIKE A LOT OF FUN, SO. #ZombiesCanHaveFunToo
I’m super stoked to ramble a bit about how my first week fared. Usually I do a day-by-day recap to keep things organized but this year I thought I’d try something new JUST ‘CAUSE. (And who can even remember each day??? I just remember a lot of words and singing love songs to the coffee pot but ANYWAY.)
We’ll see how this goes!
The Beginning:
On the Eve of NaNo (a.k.a. October 31st) I woke up and my first thought was something along the lines of “SNAP DRAGONS. NANO STARTS AT MIDNIGHT.” Super calm. Super suave. You know how I roll.
Now, usually, I’m pretty prepared and caught up on things by the final day of October but lolololol. This had been the wildest October and my to-do list was about the length of Frodo and Sam’s journey to Mordor. But I really do not like going into NaNo being behind on a million things. I get behind on emails/comments/what-have-you enough during NaNo (like right now ehehehe) without already going in behind. Plus, my brain has a lot more room to be creative when it’s not piled with an overflowing to-do list (anyone feel me?).
So the day before NaNo was some sort of blur of writing like 2 blog posts, answering some billion emails, prepping social media posts, saying goodbye to my family for a month (JK! …sorta), and throwing together some incoherent plot notes literally five minutes before midnight ‘cause I was just that prepared.
Then midnight came.
…And I was exhausted. So I did something I never do (because on occasion I am actually responsible). I made coffee. At midnight. ‘Cause sleep is for the WEAK. (And I am weak and totally needed sleep but substituted it for coffee because on occasion I am not responsible.) “You know, Christine, you could have gone to bed and just gotten up a little early to write,” some of you more responsible beans may be thinking. Well…yes. But but but the rush of starting the second the calendar flips to November 1st is something I never get tired of. It’s tradition to stay up, and how could I break tradition on my 10th NaNo, I ask you??? (Technically I didn’t stay up in the NaNo before last because I had work the next morning but that’s not the point.)
Well, the magic properties of coffee beans did their enchantment. With cup in hand and laptop in, um, lap, I opened my The Timekeeper and the Librarian Scrivener file and wrote the first sentence to a story that’s been inside me for six years.
Annnnd…
It. Was. So. Much. FUN!!!
I always enjoy that midnight excitement and the thrill of starting a new story buuuut sometimes the exhaustion gets to me, and oftentimes I have the hardest time with beginnings. The real fun for me usually happens once I’m three or so chapters in and have the feel of the story down, you know? This time? It may have been some of the most fun I had writing a beginning. I happily produced 2k words and actually didn’t want to stop (of course that could have been the coffee). But being as how it was nearing 3 in the morning, I finally decided bed wouldn’t be a terrible idea. But I couldn’t wait to get back to it the next day.
The First Week Begins:
I am entirely convinced time works differently during November. On any other month of the year if I stayed up until 3 in the morning, I would be DEAD the next day. But during the strange timey-wimeyness of NaNo, sleep doesn’t seem to be quite as much of an urgent need. I felt pretty great for the first official day of NaNo, and happily churned out 5k words, in addition to the 2k I had written the night before.
I’m also usually hyper aware of what day it is. But during NaNo? Days of the week seem to mean nothing. Somehow I went all of Thursday thinking it was Friday. And Tuesday I almost entirely forgot I had work the next day. #Responsible My sister and I were discussing the last Monday of October and for several minutes we both thought we were talking about a Friday. When one is living so deeply in their story world, it’s hard to remember the happenings of the real world. Time is fluid and inconsistent during NaNo. There’s just something…magical about it. I love it. Even if it leaves me really confused 99.999% of the time.
Needless to say, the week passed by in a stream of haziness, but not unpleasant haze. I’ve had very few moments of just not wanting to write. The second day of NaNo started out a little rocky because I was trying to figure out some Very Important Things in my novel and it hurt my brain. But by that evening everything clicked into place and the words flowed once again. There’s been very little hiccups as far as writing thus far.
I’ve also had a blessedly free week. Save for work Wednesday, I’ve been free all week and just been able to WRITE. Which is fantastic, since later this month I’ll have a lot more going on. It was great having the first bit of NaNo free to smash out as many words as I possibly can.
Overall, the first ten days of writing went FABULOUSLY! Like…almost too well. I’m just sure there’s some disaster waiting to happen around the corner. This NaNo has been way too smooth…
Okay, cool, so I’ve been writing words. Duh, Christine. But how has the actual STORY gone???
Wellll. *rubs hands together in glee*
I love Luka and Everly SO MUCH. I was basically grinning and giggling to myself from their very first meeting at the beginning of the story, and have continued to through all their other reactions. And being as how they’ve been together for like 93% of the book so far, there has been a lot of grinning and giggling. (Thank goodness I’ve spent most of my writing time by myself, ‘cause I probably look like a mad person. Of course WHAT’S NEW?)
I will say, the beginning has gone a little slower than I’d like. Things are happening, but scenes keep dragging on way longer than I mean them to. Every time I think I’m gonna make good progress in the book, I end up spending like an entire day on ONE scene and just? Can we move it along, people??? At the same time, they’ve been fun scenes, so. Eh. I just wish my books didn’t always have to end up being monsters. *siiiigh*
It has also been so different since this is my first NaNo pantsing. I feel like the words are coming a little slower just ‘cause I don’t know everything that’s going to happen. It’s also a little unnerving having no clue how long this thing is going to get. I really want to finish it by the end of the month or there about but ehehehehe WHO KNOWS.
BUT.
It’s also been thrilling not knowing what comes next. Annnnd I have been struck with some super fun ideas for the main plot that I am psyched about. Ideas that may have not come if I was trying to force out a huge outline during the exhaustion and insanity that was October. I think I’ve at last settled on the Big Events and have sorta mentally sectioned my novel into three parts. So at least I have something to work toward plot-wise, while still getting the thrill of discovering the story as I go.
So do I regret pantsing? NOPE. I will probably have to cut a lot of fluff in the beginning and add in a whole lot more foreshadowing. But that’s just the nature of pantsing. In general, it’s been so fun being surprised around every corner. Because right now I’m just discovering the story, trying out some things, seeing where it takes me. I can make it make sense during rewrites. For now it’s time to have a little fun and make a big ol’ mess!
I do feel like most of the writing is a disastrous trash fire and like wut r werds? But HEY. First drafts. That’s how it always goes. And ever since I discovered a couple of years ago that I actually enjoy editing like some psycho, making a mess with my first drafts doesn’t scare my quite as much. ANYTHING can be fixed. So let’s make a mess and have fun!
ANYWAY. Other than I somewhat slow beginning and scenes going on way longer than they should and the whole draft looking like a four-year-old wrote it, I am thoroughly enjoying this story!
By the second day I got to meet my villains. Quite literally meet them, because other than some vague idea of their backstories I had nooo clue who they were. WELL. They introduced themselves instantly and, ooooh my gracious, I love this group. Because, yes, it’s a group. Of five. And not just a group, but a group that has sort of formed the found family trope and even has a mother and father figure and the other three are totally like bickering siblings and just !!! You should know the found family trope is like my FAVORITE. EVER. But I’ve never written it with my villains. It has been something. Iloveit. Except now I have the problem of loving them too much and not wanting them to be defeated so, um, this could get messy. Bringonthepainbwahahaha.
I’m also discovering my setting as I go and literally keep throwing in totally random things like porcupines that shoot out exploding toxins and giant green giraffe type beasts (100% serious). And really, Christine, what is this world??? I’m discovering I do better with the world if I plot ahead, but usually come up with more creative plots when I pants so…this is good info to have. Really, though, now that I’m at least getting a feel of the world, I’m falling more and more in love with it. It’s such a mix of whimsical fantasy and steampunk-ish things and with super fun stuff like giant birds used by mail carriers and guards who ride griffins. And then there’s the whole Timekeeper and timey-wimey stuff to play with and yissss. It’s been fun!
But, really, the biggest joy has been LUKA AND EVERLY. I was already loving the story. But then Saturday those two had a Momenttm and it was like the switch flipped on for me. I felt the heart of the story. Before, it was a lot of cute, funny, interesting scenes that were a lot of fun to write, sure, buuut maybe not very deep? I love writing not really for the events but for the emotion. For the heart. For those scenes that make you feel things.
That scene Saturday was it. It gave me the heartbeat of my story. Sometimes it takes me a bit to find my story’s pulse, but now that I’ve got it, I think writing this story will be even more enjoyable.
I truly cannot wait to see where the rest of it takes me.
// Going to write at the coffee shop with my sis (and ordering coffee twice because, well, IT’S NANO).
// Writing on the porch while it rains. <333
// Pretending to be a professional writer but in reality leaving myself random plot notes like “FESTIVAL OF DOOM” and “I mean, it’s probably a terrible idea letting Sage [SPOILER REDACTED] but why not???” as ideas strike. (True story.)
// Helping my sister brainstorm ideas and getting into a discussion about bubblegum trolls and evil candy canes. (Also true story.)
// Going to update my wordcount on the site as 13,103 words but accidentally typing 130,103 instead, making it look like I wrote 117,000 words in ONE DAY. Whoooops. (Yeah, that happened. #Blonde And it also gave me ALL the badges at once, despite me going back and fixing it right away. The perfectionist in me is not pleased but watcha gonna do? XD)
// Everly being confused 99.7% of the time.
// Me being confused 99.6% of the time.
// Starting like every sentence with either “the” or “she”. (Seriously, I’ve got to STOP THIS.)
// Just having a ridiculous and fun time ‘cause it NANO!!!
Everly swatted at the fly. It buzzed around her head for a moment before heading for the window, but stopped halfway. Everly squeaked and nearly lost her hold on the book.
She blinked, and blinked again, just sure all the reading had put strain on her eyes. But no. The fly had literally stopped. It hovered in the air, but its wings splayed out in perfect stillness, with not a hint of buzzing. For that matter, everything had gone silent. The steady stream of chatter and footsteps coming from the streets of Burway had halted as suddenly as the fly.
Everly leapt from her seat and peered out the window.
This time the book did fall from her hands. The people outside did not move. They stood frozen, like statues. The complete and utter silence pressed down on her like a thick water, threatening to suffocate. She swerved around.
The young man stared at her with eyes as wide as an owl’s, unblinking, unmoving.
White spots danced in her vision and she pressed a hand against her head. “What is happening?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea,” said the young man.
She shrieked and stumbled back. The chair caught her foot and she toppled to the ground, the wooden chair coming with her in a crash that thundered in the awful silence.
“Oh!” He rushed around the desk and reached a hand down to her. “Sorry, sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“What? How? Who?” She untangled her legs from the chair, but didn’t dare take his hand. Instead, she scrambled up and stepped back until the wall behind her halted her retreat. “Why aren’t you frozen like the others?” Her voice came out at least three times higher than was natural. She tried to clear her throat, but could hardly even breathe.
He tilted his head. “Funny, that’s what I was about to ask you.”
She forced her lungs to take proper breaths and once her vision stopped swimming, she realized they were asking the wrong question. “Why are we moving and they’re not?”
“Oooh, that one I can actually answer.” He offered a crooked smile. “That was me.”
The strange ache in her chest shifted to a feeling much more familiar, but no less unpleasant. Sighing, she unlocked the door and stepped into the tight entryway.
A savory aroma immediately washed over her. She froze. All but her heart, which pounded furiously.
The wall lights in the hall were blazing, when they most certainly shouldn’t be. She was always careful to flick off all the lights before leaving to conserve alerium.
Banging followed a happy hum in the kitchen.
She squeaked and snagged the first weapon she could find—a glass vase full of flowers on the small table by the door. Carefully, she set Adeline’s book down in place of it and tiptoed to the kitchen on wobbly legs. She stopped short in the doorway.
“You!”
In the middle of her kitchen, with her apron wrapped around him, an oven mitt on each hand, and holding a steaming casserole dish, stood the boy with the pocket watch.
“You!” she shrieked again. No other clever words would come as she tried to process the fact that he stood in her kitchen. Holding a casserole. A vague part of her mind told her she should be scared, but the pure shock of the situation overtook any other emotion.
He actually smiled. A cheery, easy smile, as if they were the best of friends. “Welcome home. I made you dinner.” He held up the dish and his smile shifted to something uncertain but hopeful, as if seeking her approval. “I didn’t know what you like, so I went with chicken.”
The alluring smell of the steaming dish once again wafted her way and her stomach growled in response.
This seemed a good enough answer, because his smile widened to a full, lopsided grin. “Oh, and you have flowers for the table. Perfect!”
The mention of flowers snapped something back in place in her mind. She glanced at the vase held so tight in her fist her fingers ached. “What? No. No!” The shock faded, and a wave of questions assaulted her. “What are you doing in my house? How did you even get in here? The door was locked!”
“Oh that, well.” He cleared his throat. “I’m pretty good at getting in and out of places.”
“So that’s it? You’re a burglar?” A burglar who breaks in to make casseroles? No, that couldn’t be it.
“Luka?” She glanced around the great clock tower room, but didn’t see any signs of him “There are pancakes ready in the breakfast kitchen.”
An ear-splitting clang echoed through the room.
She clutched her chest, trying to keep her heart inside. “Do I want to know what that was?”
Luka’s head popped out from the network of pipes near the middle of the ceiling. “Nothing to worry about!” he assured in a very not assuring tone. When he caught sight of her, his eyes lit up. “Did you say pancakes?”
“Uh. Yes. But perhaps you should finish what you’re doing first?” She would not have all of time collapse on the account of pancakes.
“Right, right!” His head disappeared again.
The throbbing in her head returned and she stepped back into the elevator. She didn’t want to know. Ignorance really was bliss sometimes.
Day #1: 7,010 words (ehehehe, yeeah but 2k of that was the night before, SO.)
Day #2: 4,001 words (should I have deleted one word just to make an even 4k? Maybe.)
Day #3: 6,022 (probably one of the best writing days so far. The words were just flowing and I was having a blast. If only all writing times could be like that…)
Day #4: 3,006 words
Day #5: 4,081 words
Day #6: 2,187 words (slightly slower day ‘cause of work)
Day #7: 3,698 words
Day #8: 5,029 words
Day #9: 2,214 words (another slightly slower day ‘cause my brain needed a break and I took some time out to write most of this blog post lol. But that was also the day I fell utterly in love with my story so IT WAS A GOOD DAY.)
Day #10: 3,757 words
Total Words – 41,005
NOTE: If you’re like, WHAT THE EVEN, CHRISTINE??? DO YOU SLEEP? Um, well, sometimes? BUT. I do not have a full time job or go to school. Due to physical health problems, I live a fairly quiet life, and, well, am pursuing being a published writer so try to make plenty of time for it. ALSO. My goal for NaNo isn’t 50k words, but to finish my book as quickly as possible, and the ridiculous things always end up being HUGE. Soooo yeah. I go a little wild during NaNo. It’s probably not healthy in the least and I don’t recommend it for everyone. We all have our own pace and different life circumstances, and we should 100% cater to that. The point of NaNo is to get the stories of our hearts down and have FUN. And that looks a little differently for everyone. It’s important to take NaNo in the best route for YOU.
This was a really fantastic first ten days to my tenth NaNo! Seriously one of the smoothest first weeks I’ve ever had. It wasn’t all perfect by any means, and it’s definitely been different pantsing. But I think the pros have outweighed the cons. And I’m just loving this story more and more. I am absolutely pumped for jumping into the rest of week two.
If we’re not buddies yet on the site, you can find me HERE. I’d love to buddy you!
Happy Week Two!!!
OKAY, GUYS. How is NaNo going for all my fellow participants??? And how is November going for everyone? Who’s excited for the holidays? (I’m listening to Christmas music literally while I write this, SO. :D) And what do you think of this format for NaNo updates? Would you like a day-by-day update better? (Or neither since these posts are always rambly nonsense and I don’t know how you people put up with me but I love you.) I honestly can’t decide which I prefer… SO LET ME KNOW!
AGH I WANT TO READ IT RIGHT NOW
And that is a lot of words. Congratulations.
Quite a few things happened (electricity went out for a day, I got sick, etc.) and I REALLY doubt that I’ll get the wordcount goal, but I actually got some scenes down and resisted the urge to delete every new scene I write. So, that was great! (Do you ever get that urge? Or is it just me?) If I don’t get it finished by November, though, there’s always the following months afterwards. I don’t HAVE to get it done on time. 😉
YOU REALLY DON’T IT’S A DISASTER BUT EEEEEE THANK YOU!!!!!
OH NO. I am so sorry you got sick. AND the power went out? BOO. What awful timing! D: But good on you for not deleting scenes because nooooo! You definitely don’t want to do that. You NEVER know what gems you’ll find in each scene once you go back to the novel with fresh eyes. But oh my goodness, YES. I have absolutely gotten that urge! I think we all do. It’s usually our Inner Editors rearing their ugly heads. But this is the month to stuff them in a box and ship them across the ocean ’cause WE GOT WORDS TO WRITE!!! YOU’VE GOT THIS!
I HAVE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING FOR THIS POST WITH HUGE ANTICIPATION!!!!!!!! AHHH, I gobbled it up.
SERIOUSLY, GIRL, YOU ARE A NANO QUEEN. WHAT ON EARTH? My twin and me have been wondering whether you were, you know, okay, and were hoping you were sleeping and eating and stuff but, HEY, YOU’RE DRINKING COFFEE, SO YOU’LL BE FINE, I HOPE.
So many parts of this made me laugh and grin. (Your comment about deleting 1 word off of 4,001 words made me snort because #SoMe). And I am just generally in AWE, BECAUSE HOW ON EARTH. Pantsing sound so crazy and brave!!! I don’t even know how you are DOING THIS. But it sounds so fuuuuuun! And, oh my goodness, you’re snippets. EEEEEEEEEEE. *flails* This sounds SO AWESOME.
Every one of your blog posts is such a joy. I enjoyed this one to the fullest! So glad you’re having fun, Christine! You GOT THIS!!
Oh, also, your GIFS are HILARIOUS. I especially loved the “dying fabulously one” – bahaha! THAT’S OUR CHRISTINE! <3 <3 <3
Oh my goodness. *squeals and blushes* THANK YOU, ALLISON!!!! You’re always such a support! <3 That is so funny and sweet about you and your twin worrying about me. I am honored! (And now can't stop grinning and giggling to myself.) I AM okay, I promise! I'm going to bed a little later than usual, but not radically so...most nights. And I NEVER miss a meal. THE HORROR. Most of my life is just waiting for the next meal. ;D AND YES COFFEE. I'M GOOD.
(The OCDness of my wordcount and...everything is REAL and I have to curve it so often. XD)
AWK. GIRRRLLLLLL. I don't even know what to say! This whole comment has me grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. I'm glad my exhausted, over-caffeinated, nonsense NaNo posts are fun to read. 'Cause I never know. XDDD Thank you so, so much!!!! <3
(Hey, if you're gonna die, may as well do it epicly, right?)
OH IT LOOKS SO GORGEOUS. THOSE SNIPPETS. LUKA AND EVERLY. I WANT THEM FOR FRIENDS RIGHT NOW. “A burglar who breaks in and makes casseroles?” That was adorable.
And your stats graph makes me a very happy muffin indeed. 🙂
NaNo’s been going well for me, other than the minor hiccup that my laptop…may have…sorta…diedandtakenmystorywithit. But we’re not gonna think about that right now. 😀
I hope November keeps going swimmingly for you!
OH MY GRACIOUS. *BEAMS* Thank you, Megan!!! I’m so, so thrilled you like the sound of it and the characters. You are too sweet!!!
OH NOOOOO. Your laptop died and took your story? NO NO NO NOOOO. I am SO sorry! But my goodness, you have such a good attitude. I would be…not so calm. o.O I do hope you get it all resolved! *ALL THE HUGS*
I love that your whole mentality is sleep is for the weak! XD
You’re amazing and inspiring! Love getting an update of your Nano process.
THE SNIPPETS!!!! *flails and squeals* I adore it already! The characters, the sass, breaking into someone’s house and making a casserole! I’m already dying!
It’s such a terrible mentality and I need to stop because I AM weak. XD
Awwwww! I don’t know “amazing” is the right word at all. More like crazy and need to chill… Hehehe. BUT THANK YOU!!!! AWK. I’m so glad you like it all! 😀
I am in awe.
Truly! This is amazing! And your story sounds like SO MUCH FUN and I just… FLAILS. I want to read it so much!!! Seriously… when do we get to read a Christine-book???!?!?!
I can’t even imagine writing that much that quickly. So amazing. Seriously. WOW.
Love the snippets and OH GOODNESS pantsing a book is SO MUCH FUN! I don’t let myself do it much anymore, but it is my favorite way to write a book. I love it when the story just takes the bit in its mouth and goes careening along dragging its author behind. The discovery of the plot and characters is beautiful. (But yeah… does often require a lot of fixing in edits… #bummer)
NaNo is going okay for me. I’m not exactly where I’d like to be, but I am enjoying the story and the characters and all the epic battle stuff going on has not been too terribly horrible to write, so that’s good. (Epic climaxes are quite possibly my least favorite part of writing the rough draft… I like them better when I have my red editor’s pen in hand)
Oh, and I listen to Christmas music year round. YAY FOR CHRISTMAS!
Oh goodness. *blushes* Noooo. I’m not the one who is rocking NaNo while raising and homeschooling children! I am ALWAYS in awe at all you do! But thank you so, so much!!! I can’t stop grinning. I’m so happy you like the sound of it!
Pantsing has been a BLAST! A little stressful during NaNo, since I just want to WRITE and not take time to figure out what happens next. But it’s also been soooo fun not KNOWING what happens next. I adore how you put it! “…the story just takes the bit in its mouth and goes careening along dragging its author behind. ” YES. That is the perfect description. It’s seriously such a wild, magical feeling. It’s been literal YEEEEARS since I last pantsed a full novel. I have missed it. This is just what I needed to kick my creativity back into gear.
I’m sorry you’re not where you want to be with NaNo but you’re doing AWESOME!!! And big finale stuff can be soooo overwhelming, so I feel you! But you’re totally going to make it. And THEN you can polish it up with that red pen, yes. Right now all you have to do is get the words down. You’ve got this! *sends motivational cookies*
YAY FOR CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! I always WANT to listen to it year round, but I also like having it special for the Christmas season, if that makes sense. So I tryyy to only listen to it once November gets here, even though it’s hard. XD
Ahhhh, Christine, this was FANTASTIC. Seriously. And it looks like you’re having SO MUCH FUN. Those snippets. AHHHHH. I love Luka and Everly and your whole story so much already just from those snippets! And bring on Christmas!!!! I would listen to Christmas music all year (sometimes I do…ahaha 😉 )
AWK. Thank you!!! I really am having a blast. It’s been a particularly good NaNo thus far! And oh my goodness, THANK YOU! Luka and Everly have certainly made things entertaining. XD
CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!! I always WANT to listen to it year round, but I also like having it special for Christmas time, so I try to just save it for this time of the year. Even though it’s hard. Hehe.
ACCKCKKKKK THIS IS THE BESTEST. So proud of you!!!!! You’re doing amazing, my dear. So proud of you!
We’re actually making about the same level of progress, haha. I hit about the same wordcount these first ten days, but I’m doing the same thing as you and trying to finish my behemoth in this month, so…we’ll see. We can do this!
AAAHHHHHHH THANK YOU, FAITH!!! I’m so proud of you too! I ADORE how we’re making the same progress and reaching for the same goal. It makes it all the more fun! We can TOTALLY do this! *fistpump*
*faints* THAT IS AMAZING. YOU WRIMO PEOPLE REALLY KNOW HOW TO WRITE.
Plus the snippets you shared… ALL THE LOVE <3 I must admit I always have my doubts when a romance is introduced (*looks at mainstream YA market*) but this time I KNOW I will love it with all my heart. one day. that day when i get to actually read it. *drums fingers*
It's November… I canceled NaNo before the end of the first week… But I feel wonderful and unstressed (at least… about writing) and I started on my new WIP and I'm just so blissfully happy about my writing. ANYWAY. xD Awesome post. Awesome job.
Awwwww, thank you, Merie! Though I feel more crazy than amazing. XDD
I’m so happy you like the snippets. Thank you! And hey, I never SAID there’s a romance. :)))) In all honesty though, my books tend to be VERY light on the romance, ’cause I get SUPER annoyed at all the YA mainstream romance as well. Blegh. IF I do a romance, it’s usually verrryyyy slow burn, if it fully happens at all. I’m terrible. XD
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am you’re happy with your decision and are enjoying your writing! That is the BEST. I’m so proud of you for making the decision that best suits your writing and life. We should NOT do NaNo just because we feel like we “have to”. The whole POINT is to write stories in our hearts and help our creativity. If it’s instead doing the opposite, then we absolutely should step back from it. Basically? YOU ARE AWESOME! I totally admire your decision! <3
I LOVE those snippets! And I can’t wait for the whole book! 😀
NaNo has gone…not so well for me. I wrote the first three days, and then haven’t really been able to write after that because my brain just doesn’t want to write the one I started out with, and it doesn’t know enough for the one I switched to. Like, my main character really had no core desire starting out; she was just there. And now I’m thinking the plot is bigger than I’d initially thought…and my brain is a mess. XP
D’AWWWW! THANK YOU!!!
Oh no! I am SO sorry! I feel you though. My plot keeps getting bigger and bigger and it seems like my characters’ motivations keep shifting and I’m just like, “WHAT IS HAPPENING???” Writing is HARD sometimes. Really, really hard. If you need to step back for a bit to more figure out your plot or start another book, there is NO shame in that! The point in NaNo is to write a story we’ve been wanting to get down for a while. But if it’s instead killing your creativity, then it’s totally okay to step back and regroup. No shame in that whatsoever.
I do hope you find the best solution! *HUGS*
I loved the post! And I already love this story sooo much! <3
*HAPPY FLAILING* Awwww! Thank you, Hannah! <3
AAHH! so excited for you and your book baby!
keep up the good work
You are too sweet, Rose! Thank you so, so much! ^_^
This was such a fun post to read! Your story sounds amaZING and I want to read it already!! 😍 The snippets were a fun teaser 😉
I’m not doing NaNo (which might be because I don’t write at all, haha) but I’ve been enjoying looking at my friends who are and cheering them on!!
Oh goodness, thank you! I was scared it was a nonsensical, rambly mess. XD I’m so relieved to hear you enjoyed it! AWK. I’m thrilled you like the sound of my story. Thank you!!!
All us wrimos SO appreciate you non-wrimos who put up with our insanity and endless writing talk and cheer us on. It seriously means the world! <3
Okay, but the mental image of you singing love songs to your coffee pot has me cracking up. xD
LUKA AND EVERLY SOUND LIKE SO MUCH FUN. And those snippets are amazing. I adore how he just made himself at home and cooked a casserole up. xD
LEAVING NOTES FOR YOURSELF IS THE ACTUAL BEST. I do it all the time and it’s ridiculous but also hysterical when you go back and find the ones you forgot about. xD Also, at least your character is .1% more confused than you are. That means you still have SOME degree of authority. Maybe.
STARTING SENTENCES WITH THE SAME WORD IS SUCH A PROBLEM. “He”, “she”, “they”– it’s torture. (Also… why am I starting every paragraph with all caps??)
Weirdly, up until just a couple days ago my draft hasn’t been all that messy. Which is, like, CRAZY for me. Usually I’m just pounding words out while vaguely thinking “I can never let that sentence see the light of day” and then proceeding to write even worse sentences. But this time the story AND the actual writing seems to be going pretty well! (Like I said, up until a couple days ago. Now I’m starting to see word vomit. xD) Aaand I’m at 25k right now, which is a record for me! I’m pretty stoked about it.
YES TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC! That starts on November 1st for me every year. xD
As for the format of your update posts… I do like day-by-day updates, BUT since that’s what I’m doing this year I know it can be hard to keep up with that when you’re ALSO trying to, you know, write your story at the same time. So whatever works for you. I’ll love it either way. 😀
You’re doing amazing, Christine!! Keep it up!
theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com
I can neither confirm nor deny that this actually happened…. *grins*
AWWWW!!!! Thank you! I really am adoring these beans. They’re such a mess. Especially Luka. I don’t even know what to do with the boy. XD
It is definitely HILARIOUS finding old notes. Although I feel like more than half the time everything I planned doesn’t even happen. My stories just…do what they want, even if I TRY to stay organized. *shakes head* And yes, I do feel like I know at least .1% more than Everly. Bwahaha. Buuut that’s about it. XD
Literally finding the right word to start a sentence is the BANE of my existence. It really shouldn’t be that hard but it IS. That is soooo fantastic your writing is going so well though! Oh my goodness, that makes me ridiculously happy!!! GO, EMILY! AND YOU ARE HALFWAY. AAAHHHHH!!!!! You are doing so amazing! You are totally rocking this NaNo!
Christmas music DEFINITELY starts on November 1st! I’m so happy I’m not alone in this! 😀
I honestly may like the day-by-day thing better myself. It DOES take a lot of time though. But, at the same time, it’s really fun having a log of each day of NaNo. So I may go back to it! We’ll see! Thanks so much for telling me! ^_^
Thanks so much for this whole comment! It totally made my day. I hope this last half of NaNo goes AMAZINGLY for you! <3333
Those snippets are AMAZINGLY written o.o
ALSO HOW THE HECKKK DID YOU GET 41K IN JUST TEN DAYS?!?!?
You must be magic. XDD
(I lowkey only have like 9k words rn because I keep forgetting/just keep getting distracted when I get on the computer.. whoops.)
Keep up the good(magical) work!
Whaaaat? Oh my goodness, I feel like they’re a MESS. Thank you so much!!! That just makes my day! <3
Ehehehehe. I don't knoooow. I'm definitely not magic. Just CRAZY. XD And a little obsessive... *cough, cough*
The distractions are REAL though. I feel ya! But 9k is still a ton of progress!!! Every single word counts. You're doing great! ^_^
OH MY GOSH, I LOVE THIS WHOLE POST. YESSSS. <3333
I'm so, so glad to hear how well NaNo has been going for you! And GIRL. 41K in 10 days is insaaaaane! (But also your PS was a very good note on that and how everyone's lives/writing patterns/schedules are different. Even so… *whispers* Yer a wizard, Christine.)
I am totally loving the format of this update too, just so ya know. Your NaNo updates are the B E S T. 😀
AND AND AND EVERLY AND LUKA. THEY ARE ADORABLE AND I WANT TO ADOPT THEM BOTH. I grinned all the way through your snippets!!!!
AAAHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Lol. I don’t feel like a wizard. Just crazy and sleep-deprived. XD
I’m glad you liked the format! I can never seem to find the Perfect Formula for NaNo update posts and keep experimenting. I can never be satisfied! Lol. But I’m glad you always enjoy them, nonsensical rambles though they are. ;D
EEP. Thank you!!! It always makes me feel all fuzzy inside when other people love my bbys too. ^_^