Two weeks of FallFic have passed and we are reaching the HALFWAY POINT!!!
I cannot believe we are basically halfway through this challenge of frenzied writing. Words are being written. Stories are being created. Magic is happening. And we are halfway to that glorious summit!
Another week passed alsooo means yet another Christine Writing Update of Not Enough Sleep, Too Many Gifs, and Probably Typos Everywhere.
FALL FIC FRENZY ’22 WEEK TWO
SATURDAY: DAY #8
Week 2 started a little shakier than I would have liked. Due to some tiredness and a bit of a headache, the motivation to write was kind of lacking today and the words felt as if they came sloooow.
BUT.
Someone got to snuggle a kitty and there was an immense amount of sassy dialogue going on today, so YA KNOW. It still proved to be a good day of writing even if the words were a bit hard to get out of me.
At this point all my characters are just so, so done and they literally have no filters. The sass and snark is strong in this book.
I am here for it.
Also, some very, very subtle The Little Mermaid threads just decided to sneak into my book completely unintentionally and I just ??? I was not expecting this. Though this is me. Of course fairy tale inspiration randomly appears in a book I’m writing. So I really should have been expecting it. I doubt it’ll be anything particularly prominent but it is randomly there now, so we just gonna roll with it.
WORDS WRITTEN: 3,891
SUNDAY: DAY #9
Whatever weird funk I was in yesterday had completely passed by today. I had such a delightful time with my characters all day. I actually had to force myself to stop writing because I had other things I needed to get done. THIS IS A GOOD SIGN.
I’m sure it didn’t hurt that I started off writing a sweet/heart-wrenching scene between two of them (and I do so love the emotional scenes #sorrynotsorry) and ended with some adorkable Rune-ness.
I can always count on Rune POV scenes going quickly and easily. I don’t know what it is about that boy, but to this day I don’t know if I’ve struggled with a single scene in his POV. He’s my good child. He deserves a cookie.
Instead he has some pain coming. Please someone stop me I’m the worst.
Favorite line from the day:
Having every inch of his body bent and crumpled like a disfigured doll and stuffed in a crate was not particularly how Rune had expected this night to go, but when Tala had a plan he certainly wasn’t going to go against it.
Dawn’s Fractured Light
WORDS WRITTEN: 4,072
MONDAY: DAY #10
Day 10 of the challenge somehow feels like hitting a milestone. We’ve officially entered double-digit numbers! :O
And day 10 proved to be a good one! It was a mild, windy day, perfect for some delightful outside writing and the writing itself went pretty smoothly. Even if basically every character that was in a scene today did something unexpected and I’m just over here like
But we rollin’ with it. Despite the fact that their actions have gotten them into deep trouble and er…I’m not entirely sure how they’re going to get out of it but eheheheh I’m sure it’ll be fiiine. Right?
Right??
WORDS WRITTEN: 4,022
TUESDAY: DAY #11
You know those rare and magical days when writing is just fun? They don’t happen nearly enough, but when they do it reminds you exactly why we pursue this crazy life.
Yeah, this was one of those days.
Today was downright fun. The weather probably added to it as it started windy and drizzly and I had a perfectly cozy time sitting on the porch watching the leaves and rain trickle down while writing only for the sun to come full and bright by midafternoon and pull me to my happy little hammock spot. I even set aside my book long enough for a walk and then cozied up in my comfy chair for some evening writing. How I wish every writing day could be so ideal, but I’ll take these days when I can get them.
Though weather aside, the scenes I wrote today themselves were such fun ones. I got to write a conversation between two characters who have had a sad lack of scenes together and I was ridiculously happy it landed where this one happened. Afterward, I slipped into one of my favorite POV characters making for more easy writing.
I MEAN.
One scene almost made me sick to my stomach because it was so awful buuuut I think it needed to happen. OTHER THAN THAT it was a good, good writing day. I just—AHEM—am really, really not nice to a certain character…
IT’S FOR THE PLOT I PROMISE.
WORDS WRITTEN: 4,006
WEDNESDAY: DAY #12
Well. One particularly significant thing happened today…
I HIT 50K WORDS!!!!
Which means I’ve officially done a NaNoWriMo’s worth of writing in 12 days.
Why yes I could use a nap but it’s fiiiine.
I’d love to say I’m at least halfway done with this book buuuut with my monstrous stories who. even. knows. Book #1 of this series was nearly 110k words, book #2 was an insane 133k, so this one? Um. I really, really hope it’s not longer than book #2, we’ll just say that. *nervous laughter*
EITHER WAY. I’m ecstatic to have made it this far. It’s been a journey for sure and I’m looking forward to seeing this story through all the way to the very end. (Okay, now I’m getting all emotional.)
As far as the writing went today, I didn’t get to spend as much time writing as I would have liked because Life happened (which is just rude, doesn’t Life know I don’t have time for it right now? Sheesh.) BUT. I did catch snatches of writing time throughout the crazy day and the main scene I wrote gave me all the fuzzy feels. Let’s just say a particular ship is well on its way annnnddd… *squeals shamelessly over her own characters*
AHEM.
Aaanyway. It was a kind of stressful day but I pushed through, wrote a scene I absolutely adored, and hit 50k, so I’m calling it a success!
WORDS WRITTEN: 3,011
THURSDAY: DAY #13
Can every day be today? You know how I said Tuesday was one of those rare, magical days where the words just flow and you realize writing can be a wondrous, beautiful pursuit? Somehow I had another one of those days. Which was just the boost I needed after a pretty stressful and tiring Wednesday.
Not only did I pound out almost 5k words (when the past few days I’ve been struggling to get in 4k), I wrote a scene that has been in my head since the very, very first inklings of this story idea. Before I even had a concept. Barely before I had characters. When it was a teeny tiny spark of a thought still morphing, this random scene came to my head and became the basis of so much of this weird world and plot and how it all works. Said scene has continued to stay with me and became solid and clear once the full idea and characters came into existence. It’s one I knew I was going to make happen. Somehow.
And today it happened.
Really, it’s not even that significant of a scene. Nothing world-changing. Just a strange, whimsical little thing. But it’s important to me because so much of this story wouldn’t be the way it is without that random idea that came to me while I was trying to sleep one night in early 2020. It felt surreal finally bringing it to life.
In addition to that, everything I wrote today proved to be a delight. I had a touch of humor, some trippy scenes which I enjoy writing immensely, AND a tear-filled reunion that almost brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t quite cry but boy did I get close.
It was just…a good day. And I’m so grateful for it.
WORDS WRITTEN: 4,800
FRIDAY: DAY #14
My stamina was a smidge low today (though after yesterday’s high, I couldn’t really complain) BUT I did write a super sweet scene between a couple of characters that was rather impromptu but ended up being vital for a certain character’s growth. So that was a dose of loveliness.
And it was nice giving them a quiet, sweet moment because eheheheheh some bad stuff is about to go down. Things gettin’ wild over here.
Aaanyway. I’d say week two ended on a good note!
And by “good note” I mean everyone’s doomed but it’s fiiiine.
WORDS WRITTEN: 3,259
WEEK ONE WORDCOUNT: 27,061
TOTAL WORDCOUNT: 58,170
I really, really hope I’m at least halfway through my book or even farther along but, as we discussed, there’s no telling with me.
CONCLUSION
Week 2 of these things tends to always prove smoother than the first week. It usually takes my brain some time to get with the program but after a while it’s like, “Oh, we’re writing every single day now? Okay then. Sure.” As I am not a write-every-day sort of person save for during these events, it takes some adjusting. But I think I have, indeed, adjusted and though this week had a few struggling moments it also had some incredible ones that far outweighed the harder days.
I also got a far clearer picture this week of how future events in the book need to go instead of flying entirely blind. I mean, there are still some nebulous scenes but it’s slowly solidifying in my mind. Usually, I have to work on a batch of scenes before the next section of the book becomes clear. #pantserlife So I know if I just keep pushing through it’ll all come together. But almost every time, the second half of my stories end up being far easier and more fun to write SO. I think this second half of FallFic is gonna be good.
And guys! TWO WHOLE WEEKS have been dominated. Wherever you are in your writing goals, I hope you remember that every single word, every moment you spend creating is building up those creative muscles and making progress. One step at a time, my friends. Let’s celebrate each one.
ALSO. To everyone jumping into NaNoWriMo come Tuesday, I’m cheering you on! I hope all of your writing endeavors go absolutely amazingly.
Let’s create some magic!
Can you believe we’re halfway through FallFic? Who is shocked that October is almost over??? (Although in my head it’s been November for the past two weeks since I’m essentially doing a NaNo-ish thing two weeks early. It’s confused my poor brain. XD) How has this last full week of October treated you? Any exciting plans for November? And I’m curious: To all my fellow writers, do you usually enjoy writing the first half or second half of your novels better?
*throws confetti everywhere * CONGRATS on a wonderful two weeks so far! I am astounded you have written so much xD I think you stole some of my words – give them back, please; I am struggling.
May the second half (or second third; however long it goes) be just as productive as the first!
*spins happily through confetti* THANK YOU!!!
I am so sorry to hear you’re struggling! Honestly, I wish I could give you some of my words because maybe that would mean my book wouldn’t be so MASSIVE. *collapses* But seriously, I hope you are able to capture some really fantastic writing sessions. Cheering you on, sweet friend! WE GOT THIS!
Thank you, friend!! I am super happy to be doing this together with everyone – that is helping me keep going! I appreciate your cheers and enthusiasm ^-^
And if your words go missing in the middle of the night… It definitely wasn’t me 👀
Awww! I’m just SO glad. It’s been an absolute joy for me. <3
Hey, I probably have a few to spare. This book will not end. *shakes head at self*
Yay Christine! I’m so glad you’re writing so much…that’s awesome!
My writing on the other hand…well, writing has been a struggle lately. It’s been a crazy week and I feel like I’ve barely written a word. *sighs* Next week hopefully I can get back on track!
Thank you so much, Diamond!!! <3
Ah man, I’m so sorry! But sometimes we have to set our stories aside simply for Life, and there is nothing wrong with that. Your book will be there when you have time so do give yourself grace. But I hope some amazing writing moments come to you SOON. *sends hugs and motivational cookies*
Wow! You had such a productive week! And may I say that Rune and Tala are just soooo adorable together? *heart eyes* They might just be my favorite characters from your WIP.
I DEFINITELY prefer writing the first half of a novel. Which is funny because the first half of my novel took me SO LONG to finally get right, but now I absolutely love each and every word, so it’s worth it. The second half, which I’m in the thick of right now, is kind of slaying me. XD In fact, just last night I came up with an amazing backstory for two side characters, so now I’m going to have to rewrite some stuff. *facepalms* It’s going to make the story a lot better though, so I shouldn’t complain too much!
I’m kind of in disbelief that October is already almost over, but I’m looking forward to November, which is quite possibly my favorite month of the year. It’s starting to cool down here in SoCal, which means I can go on afternoon walks instead of having to wait till evening. (Aren’t walks the best things ever?) Plus, my school has its annual Fall Festival in November, and that’s always so much fun!
Hope your November goes awesomely! (Not a word but we’ll go with it. I’ve used up all my good words in my novel. XD) Good luck on the rest of NaNo, Christine!!
The week probably could have used more sleep eheh but I am pleased with what I was able to get done! AWWW!!! That gives me all the happy feels. I’m so glad you love my little couple. I’m quite fond of them myself. ^_^ (And you’ll be happy to know that I’m sharing an extra adorable snippet of them in my next post. *grins*)
That’s so interesting! I feel like I’m in the minority preferring to write the second half over the first half? Although I do feel your pain. Getting everything just right in the second half can be a HEADACHE since it’s where alllll the pieces are now coming to play and…yeah. It can be a lot. But that is such a wonderful thing that you have your first half where you want it. I know you will get it all there. Keep pressing on, one scene at a time. It’s going to be fantastic. <3
November is SUCH a wonderful month and I am absurdly pleased it’s already here! And it sounds like you have so many lovely things to look forward to for the month. I hope it’s a beautiful and “awesomely” one for you too! 😀 (I have definitely used up all my words too. I like this plan of just making them up now. ;D)
58K in two weeks????? HOW ARE YOU SO MAGICALLLL. You’re amazing. That is all. *applause* Cheering you on!!!
*blushes behind overdose of coffee because it’s the only thing keeping me alive* I’m not amazing, just sleep-deprived. ;D But you’re the best and make me grin every single time and I love you so much. <3
Hahaha, you could have my book which is already at 100k, 272 pages, annnd I’m not even at the halfway point yet. 😳 Annnnd it’s pretty much the end of the world and my characters are losing all of their allies (*cough* which is totally my fault *cough*) while a huge epic THING looms on the horizon and they’ve only really had two happy moments total in the whole book but, as you keep saying, it’s fiiiine. (they haven’t stopped talking to me yet at least…) AND I’m almost done with my edit/write portion and will be jumping into the greater unknown with my characters soon! Which is great!
I think. *nervous laughter*
And congrats on already gaining 50k!!!!! That’s awesome! You go, girl!
Oooh man, I feel your pain. Why must our books get so out of hand??? Sounds like you’re writing two books in one over there! Which is great–all the more epic Sarah words and characters to love! 😀 And it definitely sounds epic with all this stuff going down. (I’m a total sucker for end-of-the-world plotlines. XD) But your poor characters. I hope they can at least get a nap or like…a cookie or something? 😉
But EEP. How thrilling you’re nearing the end of this portion! Aaaahhhhh go, Sarah! *waves pompoms* I hope the next bit goes WONDERFULLY!
Thank you so much, sweet friend! <3
Also I stink at beginnings and always have to rewrite those the most. I’m WAAAY better at middles—endings.
We are so much alike! YES. That is so me. My writing is just so meh for the first few chapters. It takes me a bit to settle into things almost every single time. Thank goodness rewriting is a thing! Haha.
*claps* Congrats for getting way over 50K you’re a marvel to me I have no idea how you do it. I can barely get a thousand words out on a good day. XD
So happy that it’s going well!
Thank you so much!!! And goodness, aaaany other time outside of these challenges it is exceedingly rare if I write more than 1k at any given time. I just stubbornly like to get a whole book written during this time of year. But otherwise, I would die if I did this more than once a month. XD But it is going pretty well and I’m happy to see progress being made. (Even if I am ready for a nap. *cough, cough*)
Thank you again, sweet Skye! <3
Wow! Sounds like it’s going really well!
(I want to see those high word counts!!!)
I’ll admit it; I haven’t been writing at all for FallFic. 🙁 I just don’t have the time to. Usually I’d have time to write in the evenings, but things have been coming up, such as events or my mad desire to crochet, so I only had one night of writing in the past week. And I only wrote 500 words-ish… Eh, I’ll find a time. Maybe Christmas break will do me wonders.
(Also yeeesss, I’m doing NaNo and I’m focusing on a different story idea. My cousin/friend was irritated I had already started on one book, so I decided to follow another thought and write that in November, returning to the first story in December. Because technically September isn’t fall, and December isn’t winter. Yet.)
Oh my gosh yes! Those days of writing that are just so glorious and you feel so alive are the absolute best part of being a writer. (Also why is autumn just the perfect ambiance for writing?? It’s a mystery we’ll never solve)
Anyways, good luck on the next HALF OF FALL FIC! WHAT!? (Time sure does fly.) 😉
Faramir
It is! Not without some hard days and headaches, but overall I’m immensely pleased with the progress being made. (Even if I could use a nap. *nervous laughter*)
That is perfectly okay. The fall can be SUCH a busy time and often it’s a good thing to jump on the things we’re excited about at the time–like your crocheting! If that’s the creative activity that’s most exciting you right now, you should absolutely do it. I’m sure that excitement for writing will come in due time. But I do hope doing NaNo will go well and your different project proves to be a blast! I can’t wait to hear more about it! 😀
Those really are the best days. If only all writing sessions could be like that… *sigh* But I sure am grateful for them when they do come! (It’s so true though. Fall is PEAK writing season, there’s no denying it. Something about the crisp air and coziness of it all is just so inspirational!)
THANK YOU!!! I cannot believe we’re now past the halfway point. :O It’s insanity! But NaNo has just started so there is still plentyyy of time for writing. I hope you have a wonderful one!
good job! I’m so happy everything is going so well for you.
I for one have been dumping small loads of pain on my characters and should probably have given them a break about six or twenty chapters ago, so it’s good yours get some…
Thank you so much! ^_^
Ahahaha… Well. I’m glad mine got a break too because *cough* they’re not gettin’ one now. It’s pretty much chaos and pain from here to after the climax. But it’s alllll good, yeah? *maniacal grin*
Ahh how very exciting! It’s always so so fun to get through stories this fast and I’m so proud of you for flying along like this! And your SNIPPETS. There aren’t many but WOW I love this so much already
Thank you, dear Faith! That’s really encouraging. I feel like this one has been a bit more of a struggle than the last two books of this series getting all these words in but progress is being made and having the support from sweet people like you keeps me going. And EEP. I am so honored you like the snippets. You’re the best, you know that? <3
Congrats on making it past a normal NaNo word count! You’ve officially earned your “no mere mortal” badge for the year. 😉
Ooh, Little Mermaid threads? I LIKE THIS. From what I know about this project (which is, admittedly, not that much), that seems quite fitting!
It sounds like you had a lot of fun this past week!! I can’t wait to hear about how this current week went! 🙂
Awwww, thank you! But LOL. I wish I was no mere mortal. Then maybe I wouldn’t be so exhausted and running on nothing but sheer determination and coffee. XD
It proved to be just one teeny tiny part of the story but now it’s got my brain going and I’m wondering if, come rewriting time, I want to thread more Little Mermaid things into it. Because somehow it DOES kind of work. We shall see!
Thanks again, Samantha! It’s been a bit tiring but definitely fun as well. ^_^
What an awesome week of writing you had! Yay! *tosses confetti and cupcakes at you*
It definitely always takes a bit for my brain to adjust when I jump into these crazy, “Let’s take a few weeks/month to hammer out lots of words” so I totally get that.
Your story sounds like so much fun!!!! (As one who once wrote a 217k monster book (and edited it down to 175k before publishing) I totally understand the whole some stories are just longer conundrum and I EMPATHIZE). I’ve gotten a wee bit better lately at telling shorter stories… and by shorter, I mean that my next series all stays between 100k and 135k. Ish. LOL But hey, some people love big books. I write for them. 🙂
Hm, that’s an interesting question about which part of the writing goes best for me. I love beginnings and endings. Usually I fly through the first third of my story and then also through the last third. I hit the “trodging” (trudging+slogging) bits in the middle. Middles of stories are the hardest for me.
I’m so glad you’re having such a phenomenal month of writing! Cheering you on from the sidelines and eagerly anticipating the day (hopefully soooon?) when we get to READ one of these delightful sounding Christine stories!!!!!!
*spins in confetti and happily nom cupcakes* Thank you so much! 😀
That makes me feel better that it’s not just me. I definitely take a much slower approach to things most of the rest of the year, so when I do this my brain is like, “What are you doinggg? Didn’t we use to SLEEP?!” But I think it’s getting with the program now. 😉
OOF YES. Why must our books be such monsters? Though I am IMPRESSED at this 217k word one you did! I don’t think I’ve ever quite gotten one that long. But LOL. That’s me. My stories these days have been around the 100k – 135k range as well and I’m like, “Look at that, I wrote a reasonably sized book!” XD But I agree! Long books are the BEST. And we’re writing fantasy stories–they’re meant to be deliciously long!
Trodging is an absolutely amazing word and I must adopt it! But I do feel that. The last third of my stories always go the fastest and are the most fun. Love me some climaxes! 😀 Beginnings are the slowest for me but I can struggle with the middles too. For sure.
Awww, Jenelle! You are the sweetest and I’m so blessed to have you as a friend. This series still has…a long ways to go. But I am ecstatic to nearly have all the first drafts of it done. Thank you so much, friend! I hope your epic writing goes incredibly as well! <3
So far I’ve only finished 1 book at 15,000 words. It’s very short but I’m just getting started writing. I’m just starting out. I think I liked the 2nd half better. It’s the 1st book in a series so it’ll be shorter since it’s just a set-up for the big plot. I’m doing a Thriller series now and I’ve already gotten probably 6k words into it in 2 weeks. My other book took 2 months to get 6k. 🤦♀️😂 I think I like the contemporary and Thriller genres better. That is amazing! Hooray for reaching 50k in a week and 1/2! I’m almost to 15k in 3 weeks which is so exciting for me! I usually write 500 words and on a really good day 1k per day. So far I’ve written almost 5k each week! 🥳
That’s spectacular!!! ANY other time in the year when I’m not doing a challenge like this I’m a slooow writer. 5k in a week would be a HUGE win for me. So I think that’s amazing you’re doing that. And how fun you’re writing a thriller. I’ve never tried writing in that genre before but I can imagine it’s really fun and fascinating to do. I hope it continues to go well!