Word Imperfect

Just set up an edit of my second draft with Taryn. It MUST be in her hands December 12th.  So you maybe asking 'how much do you have left?' Well, I have 17 chapters marked and ready for edits, 4 I need to cut and replace, and 3 or 4 new chapters plotted out.  I know it sounds like a lot, but I can usually handle three chapters in an evening.  So from now until Dec 12th, if you see me playing online, ask me what I've edited that day. If the answer is none, you have my permission to yell at me, show me pictures of zombies or read passages from twilight...whatever it takes to get me to sign off. 

So this year, I decided to involve myself in the NaNoWriMo community.  So much is said about the camaraderie in the forums, so I thought I'd give it a try. So far I've gotten amazing complements on my synopsis, my title, and my ideas.  I've been able to help out others with names and critiques and as a happy little surprise one amazing artist drew a character sketch of Rose for me. This sketch was done only from the brief description I gave of her in the first chapter. (Which is posted as an excerpt.)  I was really impressed by how close it was to my imagination of her. I'm also being interviewed for a blog spotlighting NaNoWriMo writers.  I'll post the link to that when it's up. 

Ok, so the cover was bothering me.  It was VERY Twilight.  If you like Twilight, more power to you, but my book is nothing like Twilight, so to have that connection made would be a mistake.  So, I did a little work and came up with this. I really think this conveys Fantasy more than the last one, but still feels very pigeon holed to me.  I'd really love to be able to shoot a cover...and have control of every aspect right from the start.  NaNoWriMo's twitter account challenged everyone to make a post-it note sketch of our covers.  I came up with this.  Warning: I'm a writer, not an artist.  We can't all be Christopher Paolini and do both. :)  Anyway...It's not like the cover matters, because I'm not finished with the second draft yet.  Covers can come later.  First things first, editing. So once again, I find myself a NaNo rebel but I'm finding my form of rebellion is common AND people have figured out a form...

So my editing has definitely not gone as quickly as I wanted it to, so I've come up with a plan.  Last year NaNoWriMo was the kick in the butt I needed to get the first draft finished...so I figure it'll do the same for my second draft. For those who don't know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month.  The idea is for thousands up people to sign up and help encourage each other to complete 50K words in 30 days.  Last year I didn't make it to 50, but I did manage 29K and it was the push I needed to finish. So, my plan this year.  I am edited up to chapter eight.  Starting November 1st I will edit (or write) one chapter a day.  This will edit the remaining 25 chapters and 5 new ones to replace chapters I cut. I need all of the encouragement I can get on this.  For the month of November if you see me online or out somewhere, ask me if I've finished my chapter for the day.  If I haven't, tell me to go do it, then ignore me.  I w...

Sorry guys...another random post, but still writing related. Anyone who has known me for any considerable amount of time knows that I started my writing journey with fanfiction .  Yes, there were poems and funny little stories as a child, but my first serious writing was done whilst playing in other people's worlds. Specifically I started with Lord of the Rings.  I wrote stories for my younger sister Amanda, putting her into the story.  Then I moved to Harry Potter, CSI, Criminal Minds, True Blood, and The Hunger Games. Strangely, one of my favorite fandoms is one that I have never dared to venture into.  That is the world of  Alagaesia and the writings of Christopher Paolini . I suppose I thought the world and story was perfect the way it was (not that Tolkien, Rowling, or Collins worlds are flawed) and didn't need my additional characters or lost moments. Since I have gotten serious about finishing my own novel and dove head first into my own world, ...

I live in a small town, but it is amazing how long you can go without seeing someone.  A perfect example of this happened just last week.  I went to a local restaurant to pick up dinner for my family and ran into my high school librarian. In high school I spent most of my spare time in the library, even working as a library aid, so it shouldn't have surprised me when, even after 11 years she still remembered me. We talked for a moment and then she asked me about my book.  This was shocking because I don't even remember telling anyone in high school about it.  All the same, I filled her in on my progress and my plans. She told me that she'd always believed I could do it and that she wanted me to promise her two things.  First, a signed copy when I become published. And Second, to come back to the school once I'm published to do a reading. I don't know why this struck me so.  I mean I've had people tell me they want a signed copy before, so sur...

Tonight I finished the first read through of my book with Taryn's notes. I did things a little differently than I'd planned too.  So here is my method.  I printed my manuscript in hard copy and placed it in a three ring binder.   I then went through and read it.  As I went I crossed out parts that needed to be cut, wrote notes about things that needed to be change, and marked areas where new scenes and chapters should be added. All told I cut about 7 chapters and nearly a dozen paragraphs from chapters I kept.  It was hard.  It was REALLY REALLY hard.  My hands literally shook when I cut my first full page.  I was sick to my stomach when I had to cut an entire chapter.  The words, these lines, these pages are my work.  I poured my heart and soul into them.  Crossing them out was the hardest thing I've done as a writer so far. My first cut chapter. Then way, you may ask, did I cut them?  Because it had to ...