DAY FIVE of NaNoWriMo: Write What?

On my twitter, I joined NaNoWriMoSprints and actually participated (prompt about dessert and decadence). Loved it.  My best friend loved when I showed it to her.  And it has absolutely nothing to do with my novel.

I still haven't added anything more than 153 words to my previous total.  Last night was really busy with domesticity and today was work, bus traveling (which is not conducive to writing at all), visiting my other family (3 younger siblings who always want your attention), an hour car ride (again, not conducive to writing), choir practice and catching up with my best friend (after chasing her off her own computer to type up this entry before midnight (I'm just a stickler like that).

Nothing all that new to write and I'm off!  Hopefully more will get done over the weekend since I have a ton to make up for.

DAY FOUR of NaNoWriMo: Realizing I'm late on the outline

I didn't do as much writing today but that's okay.  Since I changed the story I was writing about like the night before I started, the only outline I had was in my head.  And since I finished the first chapter (YAY me yet again), I started to see where things were going to go  in a way that makes sense.  So I have made FIRE!!! No, really I’m starting to figure out what goes where and in which chapter.  I’m writing down little character quirks.  I still have to figure out how to do everything in LSB with the outlines.  That the next thing I’m off to do now.

I wrote a bit more, didn't type any up so I have no word count but my mind is spinning with ideas and I'm actually busy doing other things at home like cooking, cleaning and baking cookies...for some strange reason I'm feeling especially domestic.  I always say roll with it while the feeling is there since I very rarely ever want to do it in the first place.

I do have a few links I wanted to share for anyone who needs help using Liquid Story Binder (really it's a resource post for me...shh! don't tell)

LSB Tutorials
-  http://www.todayiwrote.com/tag/lsbxe/
-  http://notenoughwords.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/liquid-story-binder-tutorial-part-1-setting-up-for-brainstorming/
-  http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/tutorialsxe/tutorials-liquidstorybinderxefiletypes.html

And I found a great community for anyone doing NaNoWriMo in Toronto, apparently we've got our own website and Errol, the singing updater is hilarious too!

Toronto NaNoWriMo Group (especially, check out this entry with him singing: I Am The Very Model Of A Wrimo Individual)

Off to go clean now and hopefully write a bit before I go to bed.

DAY THREE of NaNoWriMo: A Small Feeling of Accomplishment

So last night, while partially watching "Dancing with the Stars", I started to write.  I didn't make it too far, a few more pages in my notebook that when I typed it into LSB, I made it to 1160 words!  Yay!  I made it to my 1000 word goal of the first chapter.  Now I need to progress it to the second part.  I got lots of little sticky notes with personality descriptions like David's tattoo and his personality.  I tempted to pull create a sim of him in TS2, and then again in TS3 just so I really have a picture of him.  I'm just missing the expansion pack that does the tattoos for TS3 (and then I just got distracted and went looking for David's Cross Tattoo - Celtic Design like these but I'm really leaning towards the bottom left one).

I'm still drastically behind but I'm not going to give up just yet however, I may need to reassess my final goal.  I know I could get a lot more words if I actually had the opportunity to go back and edit what I have done to add in my description...or possible bright idea!  Use what I've got as a general outline, meaning write the first chapter without as much dialogue and use it as a rough outline and then go back and fill in the spaces of a lot of missing description.  I've noticed with a lot of my writing when I read it back to myself, I don't describe much even though I have a vivid picture of the person, the location, the scene and the emotion in my head.  Maybe I'm trying to get too much out before I forget it that I leave out all these other things that I want to say.  Maybe I need to revamp the rules regarding editing a bit and give myself certain limits like I can only add in more and not take out and I only have a limited amount of time to make those edits within like 30 minutes or maybe once a week on like Sunday for a couple hours when I have no work or other events to deal with.  And maybe I should stop using the word maybe so much in this entry.

I think I'm liking the third option might work best for me.  Gonna try typing instead of hand writing because my right hand feels like it's starting to cramp a lot sooner than it used to. 

BTW, the tattoo design obviously is not my own, found it through google images from a site called Wicked Tattoo Designs!

DAY TWO of NaNoWriMo: Dealing with Distractions

Apparently, I don't write as much as I think I do.  Yesterday, I finished with 744 words....at this rate, it'll take me a good few months to reach goal.  And today, I haven't even started yet!

Last night, I got sick.  Kept waking up like every hour.  Called into work and used a sick day.  You would think since I have so much more freetime on my hand that I could use it to write.  Nope, didn't happen although I did watch "What Not To Wear" on TLC, went on the computer to do an entry on my journal and ended up playing Collapse on Facebook and for some strange reason, the storyline that's been going around my head for the past 3 or so weeks suddenly decides to shut up.  Not good at all.

I don't have constant access to a computer like I would prefer (one computer to 7 people in the house? not happening).  So I've been doing everything by hand and then typing it on the computer once or twice a day.  My family also doesn't seem to get the concept of "trying to get some me time" either.  I tried to write at the dinner table (no desk in my room) and my mother decides to get me to start inputting phone numbers on the phone.  I love my mom dearly but she is so technologically impaired, it's ridiculous.  If I could get all the info from her at one time, it could have been a one time thing and go back to my writing.  She'd tell me the name of the person, give me the area code and then go off and have a conversation on the phone while I'm standing there like "Can we just get this over yet?"  People kept stopping me asking "What are you doing?".  This happened at work, at home, at the local pizza place...or they think I'm doing homework.  If I was really doing homework, would you really ask me every single time "Are you doing homework?"  Homework is not the only reason people write you know!.

So, I'm gonna take this opportunity, since I am at home and have no tv shows that I feel like I desperately need to watch until 8 o'clock, pull out a pen and paper and write.  Headphones in, everyone else out!

DAY ONE of NaNoWriMo: Giving it a shot

First post that is not a drabble in this journal. Most of these ones here are from JulNoWriMo which I failed at miserably but I got good ideas and prompts from

I wasn't actually planning on starting to write until just about now, 5:30pm on the first of November.  However, by 9:00 this morning, while on my break from work, I pulled out my note pad and started writing the first chapter of my novel.  So far it's sweet.  I want to go back and start editing what I wrote but according to the rules (and the advice I have received to get this thing done), I can't edit until next month when it's some kind of editing month.  It will be so tempting BUT I've compromised with myself and allowed myself post-its with quick notes so I remember what "great" and "astounding" idea I had at the time and hopefully keep the idea to make this novel better.

While doing this, I'm also making use of Liquid Binder (how it's still active even though it's been well over the free month I will never know) for this challenge.  But maybe I should keep a backup in rtf/doc format just in case.

50,000 words is a lot but so far I have made it over 300!  YAY Me.  I've seen it written that that works about to about 175 pages, typed I believe and sinceI generally prefer to do long hand, that gonna be a lot of paper.  And then typing it up little by little?  Feels like it's gonna take forever.  Sigh!  As time goes on for the month and I reach to about 5-10 pages, I'll start printing it out as a hard copy for myself and put it aside for editing.  Maybe then I'll feel like I'm making progress and it will urge me to continue,

So the basic history of this writing.
The Tentative Title: Last Weekend (it will definetly span more than a weekend, maybe around a year in this character life)
Main Character: Taylor Bellamy, 3+ generation witch (as of yet a type of my own creation, not following Wicca)
Location: Somewhat real world based, dealing in present-ish time.
This is actually an offshoot of a previous generation story (Circle of Five) that I started many years ago (and I was going to continue for this NaNoWriMo but changed my mind as of last night).  Taylor is from the Circle of Seven, possibly 2 of 7 and if I ever decided to continue writing about the others in her circle, than the name of this little novel will be changing (another tentative title: The Second of Seven)
So, off to go find my comfy place in my house, plug in my head phones, pull out the pen and paper and get to writing.

Standing

«Okay, that was subtle» thought Davis as he moved his pawn across the board. His father, Alan, pondered Davis’ move before removing the white pawn via his black bishop. “Well you are 32 years old, living at home, moved in your wife, had your children and have never worked a day in your life.”
“But dad, do I really have to? Grandma Kelly left us a ton of money, plus that massive house in Fuller’s Isle. They royalties from mom’s album are ridiculous. The money made from your game tours and your sci-fi paintings is astounding.”
“And you feel no shame in not actually being able to financially support your family?”
“They’re taken care of,” defended Davis.
“-By your mother and I. I wish I knew a way change your work ethic.”
“But why does it bother so much?”
“Your mother babies you,” complained Alan. “She should have sent you out on your own. You could have only benefited from the experience.”
“And what do you expect me to do?”
“Get a job, put your natural skills to good use. You can work for a company or start your own?
“You want me, with no college or university education and no marketable skills to start a corporation?”
“Are you crazy? I wouldn’t invest in that. I’m talking about opening a shop or something like that.”
“Selling what?”
“You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for son. You’re also pretty handy with a sewing machine. There nothing wrong with working in the clothing industry. By the way Davis, checkmate!”
“What!” cried Davis. “I didn’t even see that coming.”
“There’s a lot of things you don’t see son. Did you hear how they may be repealing the generational letter law?”
“So you mean I don’t have to give my child a name that starts with D? Thought it was a dumb law to begin with.”
“Maybe I should have used the word ‘amend’. Mayor Devlin says that despite it being a long standing Winchester Isle tradition, dating all the way back to with Founder’s Isle and starting with Adam and Annie Winchester-” Alan paused to take a breath. “According to the newspaper, Mayor Devlin is going to have it so that it would be either the 1st or 2nd name would have to follow the Generational Letter Law.”
Alan pushed back the chair from the chess table and sighed heavily. “Alright son. I’ve come to the conclusion I am just not as young as I used to be. I’m heading off to bed. Good-night.”
“Good-night dad,” said Davis, watching his father walking to the bedroom he shared with Laurel.


Davis couldn’t take it anymore. His father’s words were starting to affect his thought process.
Kana had previously lost her job at the local newspaper and as a soon as Davis and his mother, Laurel, found out that she was pregnant, they told her no to rush back to work.
Davis did not like this new feeling. Kana had gone out to find work when he stayed at home, doing whatever struck his fancy.
«Dad’s right» thought Davis sighing.
“Daddy?” Davis saw his little girl Rachael. He wouldn’t like it if Rachael ended up with someone who wouldn’t work to support his daughter.
“DADDY!”
“Yes Rach?”
“You weren’t listening to me.” Davis looked at her with a smile, remembering when she was still a baby.
“I’m listening now.”
“You know how the new basketball court opened down the street? I was wonder if I could go…”
“Rachael-“
“You can come too!” interrupted Rachael before he could object.
“You want to go out in public with me?” asked Davis with a chuckle.
“Daddy! Who else am I supposed to go play basketball with? Besides you’re still kinda cool.” Davis loved her smile. It was just like her mother’s.
“I’m still cool? Really? A practically teenager thinks I’m cool.”
“I said ‘kinda’ cool. There’s still a difference.”
“Go put out some shorts so we can enjoy the little remaining heat of the fall. Meet you back down in 20 minutes.”

“Daddy, look at her.”
“Rachael, don’t make fun of people,” he said not looking where she was pointing. “That’s not- What the heck are they wearing to a basketball court.”
Sybil Kirby apparently ventured down from the Farmer’s District, looking like she was auditioning for Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical”. But who surprised Davis even more was Dylan Pullen in a men’s «assuming» figure skating outfit, rhinestones and all.
Davis assumed a bet had occurred and Dylan lost. Either that or he was trying out for the men’s figure skating competition at the basketball court.
Davis shook his head with a chuckle. “Doesn’t change anything Rachael, still don’t make fun of people.” He spied the photo booth right beside the hot dog stand and checked his pockets for his anti-bacterial sanitizer. Sure enough, it was there.
“Let’s go take a picture to commemorate this daddy-daughter outing.”
“I’m not going in there. It’s filthy!” Rachael tried to walk to the basketball courts but her father reached out and held her firmly on the shoulder.
“I have sanitizer and I’m prepared to wipe everything down.” Davis pulled out the sanitizer as proof. Rachael sighed but nodded. She hated photo booths. Something about them just seemed dirty, especially in such public places.
She waited outside while she hoped her dad was cleaning everything meticulously. The new busker showed off her pop and locks moves and was offering lessons for a fee. «Maybe Daddy would like that»
“Rachael, it’s clean.” Rachael gathered her nerves and ventured into the cramped photo booth.
“I know you’re getting to be a big girl.”
“Dad, I’m 10.”
“I know but there’s only one seat. Just sit on my lap and we’ll take the picture.” Rachael’s nose wrinkled in disgust. «At least I’m not on the chair»
“And no frowning in the picture.” Rachael sighed heavily. “None of that,” said Davis as he proceeded to tickle his princess. As the laughter bubbled out of her mouth, the flash went off.

At Rachael’s suggestion, Davis watched the busker show off her pop and lock moves. «That doesn’t look so hard» Davis got her attention when he waved money in her face for lessons.

«Ok, so that was more difficult than I thought»
Rachael was cheering for him when he finally got the moves down.
“Show her your skills daddy! The fire one.”
Davis lit both ends of the baton and proceeded to show the husker a thing or two. He was also quite surprised he even got some spectators.  He finished off his routine with a flourish and applause. Rachael smiled at her father.
“Come-on kiddo, let’s go home.”
“Daddy, you know how Mrs. Thayer took us on a walking tour of Upper Winchester? I saw this nice house that I think can be a shop If we could do some remodeling. Maybe you could sell some of the extra stuff you make. And then people would buy them like crazy and we’d be rich!”
“Rachael, we’re already rich.”
“But we could always be richer,” she said with a grin as she walked home hand in hand with her father, eyes alight with pleasure.

Drabble #020

Universe: Sutton
Characters: Michael Sutton and Eddy Sutton

Eddy helped his father sit up in the bed.
"I'm happy you decided to come up and visit me," said Michael. Eddy smiled at his dad, but still worried about his health condition
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