Discoveries Abound

I was lucky enough to find the time to sit and write over 2,100 words today, allowing myself to get a bit ahead of schedule again. Those 2,100 words were a bit labored, and took longer than I expected, but they were successful regardless. I made some important character discoveries in what I wrote, finally fleshing out what makes my MC so strange (surprise! She's a mild sociopath!), and finding the flaw in her relationship with my other MC. It was feeling far too perfect for the longest time, and I think that it had to seem that way for it to develop in the way that it did. However, since this is the second book it definitely needed to feel some strain, so I'm glad I found a way to work that it. I think that I found a good path between her starting point and her ending point.

Since this character path is mildly inspired by a certain famous detective, I also slipped in a pretty direct reference. My MC is very strong-minded, and can essentially create herself anew if she so chooses. Obviously certain traits stay, and it would not be in her character to completely reinvent herself, but if she finds someone she admires she can adopt some of their traits if she feels like they'd be useful, or if they suit her ideal self. So that's kind of what's been going on, alongside the development of her discovering that she's a sociopath (or rather, her friend discovering it through her actions). It's making for some interesting - albeit extremely crudely written - exposition and character development. And for all I know she could end up in a place entirely different than I intended! (because I worry that she's going to become some non-human entity. I think I need to find a place to restore the fact that she has some humanity in her, because she definitely just pulled a rather heartless stunt, and I don't want her to be hated.)

Anywho, sitting pretty with over 8k words so far. Hope you're doing well!

Under Fire

Well, yesterday was the first day that I didn't succeed in writing my 1,667 words... Oh, wait, it's only day 2!? Unfortunately homework and school got the best of me (that lead is diminishing already, and it's barely just begun!) I did happen to get a chance to write about 800 words or so though, so it wasn't a complete loss of a day.

I'm finding it difficult to ignore my inner editor, and end up going back and fixing silly typing mistakes and whatnot. It's a bit irritating, because I know that in the time I take to fix those mistakes I could have written another 7 or 8 words. Maybe more... I remember that it took a little bit of getting used to last year, though, so I'm hoping that by the end of the month the habit will be gone once again. (and then I'll have to write a paper and there will be mistakes all over it!)

My schedule is worsening though, so I feel like I'm more or less conditioning myself to only require a few hours of sleep to function. I slept for 3 last night, and as of now have been awake for 18. I was exhausted earlier, but without time for a nap I just pushed through my day. With the help of two Mt. Dews, I'm quite awake right now, and my urgent homework is finished. Which means this massive, wrinkled pile of laundry sitting beside me can finally be put awake nearly a week after being laundered.

Then I'll continue to push forward and make up for lost time!

Happy Writing!

Day One Ends

Well, November first is pretty much over, and it was a success! I finished my 1,667 words within the hour of my previous post (which was great, because the new Sherlock was replaying at 1, and I was determined to watch it. It also allowed me to get some homework done.

I wrote a bit more in the evening, then headed off to the first write-in for my region. I wasn't able to attend any of them last year, nor the kick-off party this year, so it was great to finally get to one. Even though the turnout was small, it was great! Plus, I got a lot of writing done (pretty close to 3,000 words). It ended up being a lot of exposition and character development, but I'm pretty proud of it. PLUS I'm where I should be about mid-way through day 4, so having a head start is encouraging, especially since I know that I'll fall behind later in the month...

Even now I'm buying homework time to write this, so I should probably get back to that.

Good luck writing everyone~

WC: 5,324

National Novel Writing Month Begins

I suppose the purpose of this blog is to keep track of myself and my progress throughout November, as National Novel Writing Month begins.  I've never blogged before, so this, along with writing a novel in a month, is certainly going to be an experience...  Perhaps, though, it will prove to be a source of inspiration throughout the month, especially as my schedule overloads me and NaNo gets pushed by the wayside...

Unfortunately, my time this month is extremely limited, yet I am taking on this task again.  Writing a novel keeps my mind busy, and gives me something to do and look forward to.  A short-term goal that helps to give everything else I'm doing a bit more meaning.  Essentially, it's writing to stay sane.  (initially I was going to title this blog "Writing to Stay Afloat", but that certainly gave a far different impression at first glance than I intend)  I'm not sure when 1,667 words a day to stay sane made sense, but I've committed, and I plan to give it a go, regardless of the result.  I was successful last year, my novel being completed at about 50,800 words. (since beginning editing, it has lengthened considerably, and I've not yet finished that)  Perhaps despite all of my schoolwork this month, I will have the same success that I felt last year.  Or perhaps not.  Regardless, the pressure it puts on me to succeed is one that I don't get from anything else, and I can only hope that it will push me forward to complete this, regardless of the lack of sleep I'll be getting for the entirety of the month.

So I guess that's why I'm writing this blog.  To track the insanity that NaNo is going to cause, be a little silly, and hopefully find my way to a successful month when everything else is going to try to crush that inspiration.

And now that it's 11:59pm, I must open my fresh Word document and begin this endeavor.

Ok, that may have been a bit over-dramatic and self-reflective.  Time to write!