Yesterday was meant to be the final day of 50k in 50 Days.
I failed.
But then again, maybe I didn't.
My final word count was 9,314. That's more than I've ever written on any one piece. I think it's a good start on a novel, and has given me hope that my ideas really can be expanded enough to fill a whole book.
And the writing-without-editing process really helped me out. I tend to be a bit obsessive as I write, and nitpick sentences, etc. This means I usually only do one draft, but it can take ages. My usual method would still have me stuck in the first thousand words.
It's also made this whole "being a writer" thing a bit more real. Getting up and writing everyday (when I was still on the wagon) really did something to boost my ego. I still didn't go around telling people I was a writer (partially in fear that they would ask me what I was writing), but it made it more real to myself.
Thank you, Sarah, for giving me the opportunity and the push I needed to get started.
Maybe next time, I'll just start with 20k in 20 days instead.
A couple of short updates today. First, I received my first Postcrossing card from the US. "Bizzlebee" sent me a postcard with a picture of her dog and a beautiful handmade card as well.
She usually sends cards with bluebonnets and donkeys, but since we actually live pretty close by, she sent me a picture of her 12 year old dog. He/she's go the prettiest blue eyes!
Bizzlebee also send me this beautiful handmade card. She's been doing arts and crafts for stress relief lately. She actually has an Etsy account too, it's empty at the moment (like mine), but she's looking to add things pretty soon.
This is day nine of the challenge. I haven't started writing yet, but as soon as this posts, I'm planning on getting back to work.
7,328 words written
1 completed chapter
What I've learned about the process:
Second chapters are hard! The first chapter was pretty easy because a lot of it was catching the reader's attention. But this second chapter I have to set up a whole new section of exposition and lay the foundation for the current timeline (the novel has flashback chapters). I've gotten stuck several times while writing this chapter, simply because I don't know which direction to go next.
What I've learned about myself:
I need someone to "talk through" issues in my writing. I was stuck for three days at the beginning of my second chapter, only writing about 1000 words over the three. But then I sat down with the Husband and just talked about the issues. Just putting random ideas out there and brainstorming with another warm body in the room helped me figure out where I wanted to go next.
So today is a big mis-mash jumble of updates. First a few updates on my 101 in 1001 list. I posted previously that I'm picking up Wonder Woman as my comic to follow. For issue #600, they did an anniversary book, overhaul, and reboot of good ol' Princess Diana. I got my copy in yesterday and devoured it in 5 minutes. However, I'm going to go back and read it several more times. Here are some of my favorite pages.
I also stopped by the library today and got every single WW book they had. I wanted to catch up and fill in some of the gaps of my knowledge of her (just really know the Silver Age stuff).
I also picked up the random books for my reading list (I did do a couple of vetoes because the book was part of a series and the library didn't have the first one in). I'm planning on doing reviews on each.
None of these are books I would have picked up on my own (maybe English Passengers) if I hadn't chosen them by random. I'm hoping that they'll introduce me to some new authors, or at least be pretty enjoyable. I know my reading has been in a rut lately, so hopefully this will break the pattern.
I also found the first chair for my dining room table. Found it at Goodwill for (drumroll) $1.99. Yup, you saw that correctly! Now, I'll have to do some basic restoration to it, but it's worth it for that price!
I'm also up to 4,741 words for the 50k in 50 Days challenge. I'm done with chapter one and am moving on to the next. Definitely, definitely going to hell. But in the words of Frank Turner "I'll have all the best stories to tell."
After stumbling upon a random tweet, I found I Write Like. . . It's a pretty cool concept. You paste something you've written in a box and it analyzes it to tell you a famous author that you write like. I'm not sure how accurate it is.
I was curious, so scene by scene, I analyzed my 50k in 50 Days WIP. Here's the breakdown of authors that I write like:
Margaret Atwood for two sections (Yeah! I love her poetry and A Handmaid's Tale. I feel more brilliant already!)
J.K. Rowling (If I can sell books like her, I'd be more than satisfied)
Rudyard Kipling (I've never really read anything by him, so not sure what to think about this one)
Stephen King (No surprise here. One of my favorite authors. The Dark Tower series is the best fantasy ever written, in my opinion)
Isaac Asimov (I know he's a legend, and I actually own a couple of his books, but I've never read them)
Jack London (Ugh. I gotta say "To Build a Fire" is probably one of my least favorite things written. But I've loved every movie version of White Fang I've seen, so that's got to count for something, right?)
Overall I was pleased. I'm not sure what this says about my writing style. It sounds like it's all over the place, which has me a little nervous. But this is the first draft, so I can unify, etc on the second go-around.
Well, I'm three days in to the 50k in 50 Days challenge. I'm really enjoying it so far and like to see my story grow each day. Here's the first update.
3,793 words written
What I've learned about the process:
It doesn't take me as long as I feared to write 1,000 words. It's also very hard to not go back and fix the previous day's writing.
What I've learned about myself:
So far, I'm pretty sure I've written three or four things that would send me straight to Hell if I was Catholic. As I'm not, there's probably only two things. I've also realized if this ever gets published, I'll have to use a pen name and won't be able to tell all of my family about it.
(PS--Feel free to use the button for the challenge. That's how I killed some of the writer's block today. I think it turned out pretty good for my first try)
My 7th anniversary (what is that, the tin foil year?)
It's a big day all the way around.
I'm a bit nervous about the 50k challenge. I know that it's just 1,000 words per day, without editing or even really reading what you've written. The whole point is to get words down on paper (or computer screen). I guess I'm just worried on if anything will come out at all!
After a lot of thought, I still haven't made up my mind about continuing teaching. There's a big part of me that hates the idea that I've wasted all those years of college (and student loan money). But there's an even bigger part that says "Please, don't make me go back!" So to make a little extra money and test out to see if I really miss the classroom, I've applied to be a substitute teacher. I can work just a handful of days a month and add a good bit to paying the bills (and fun money).
And then most important of all, I've survived seven years with this man:
He really isn't that bad, just really hates taking pictures. Prepare yourself on Monday to be inundated with all sorts of nostalgic mushy-ness. All joking aside, he's my rock and the reason I'm still sane.
On a side note:
I've crossed off two items on my 101 in 1001 list. I've officially finished the outline for my Lilith novel. I'm really excited, and I think it will be even better than I had hoped. And I ordered the first issue from the Wonder Woman reboot. If you read my rant about WW, then you can't be surprised with my choice there.
I'm also about 90% done with a short story that I'm going to submit for publication. I'd like to get some feedback, so if you're interested in giving it a once over and helping me catch typos, etc, let me know in the comments below.
I think I might be a bit OCD. I have to do things in threes, and it's really bugging me that I can't think of a third rhyme for the title. Maybe by the end I can come up with something.
First off a plug for a great show that's streaming on Netflix. (Sorry if it sounds like I'm being paid by Netflix, but it's my main source for entertainment).
Jekyll is a great series that acts as a sequel to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Fair warning however, there's no plans to create a sequel, but the ending leaves it open for one. So, if you don't want to be left hanging skip the last three minutes or so and stop it at the fade to black.
The first episode is kind of slow, but it quickly picks up speed. There's an element of dark humor and the character of Hyde is at times very goofy or really creepy. The last three episodes fly by and include some nice twists.
My birthday feast: pizza rolls,
buffalo wings, cheesy bread, and chocolate pie.
Yeah for guilt free junk food!
In case you missed my post yesterday, it was my birthday, which led to some personal reflection. After reading about it on several blogs (sorry, I can't remember who has lists or not, feel free to mention if you have one in the comments), I decided to jump on the 101 in 1001 bandwagon. You create a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days.
I really like the idea of having more than a year, so I can put some really large goals on there, but I like that there's a deadline. I'm not sure how much help a bucket list would be to me; pretty sure I'd just put things off. Indefinitely.
I work best under a tight, and quickly bearing down on me deadline. So if you'd like to check out my list the link is right next to the "Check out the cool kids" link. I plan on posting about my progress every week or so.
I'd also like to share (probably against my better judgment, and most assuredly against the advice of others) what a back-of-the-novel synopsis of what I'm going to get kick started with the 50k in 50 day challenge.
Lilith by John Collier
Lilith's name has been synonymous with pain, evil, and scandalous behavior since ancient times. She'd like to set the record straight.
Learn about the true story of Lilith as she describes first hand the fall from grace in Eden, her affair with Lucifer, and her bargain with God.
But now, millenia later, Lilith is starting to rethink the bargain and wants out. She flees to America, hoping to lose herself in the crowds, but God sends three angels, her keepers, to track her down and bring her back.
And Lucifer has decided he's not through with her yet either.
Join Lilith as she tries to make a life that's all hers in the new novel, ___________________________.
That's all I've got. No working title yet, but the start of something I think could be good and lead to a strong series.
So, let me know if you've seen Jekyll, have a list of your own, think you'd like to know more about my take on Lilith, or have a third rhyme for the title.
