The site is down. My user account shows up as an invalid user with a php error on the site. Things are off to a slow start in the world of NaNoWriMo this year. To top it off, I gave up writing after just 350 words this evening - the first night.
Where is my motivation? What is going on with me this go-round? Is it the World Series? Is it the knowing how some of the story will go? Is it the weather? I have no answers. I just know that I've got a long road ahead if I am going to reach that 50,000 word goal.
Like the little train that has graduated from children's story to cliche', I know I can do it. Once I find my rhythm, things will flow from my fingertips. Right now, I have nearly written more words for this blog post than I have for my next novel. It should come easier than this. After all, I know the characters. I know the setting. I know some of the plot elements. It is lying in wait, bubbling just below the surface. I can feel the words coursing through my veins, my capillaries, my arteries. I feel the ebb and flow of story movement, and like a flood of water behind a dam, once the crack is forged, things will come fast and hard, leaving certain death and destruction in its path.
"Lost Summer" may start out as a trickle, but soon, it will rush through, over and around the folks of Appleton! What will remain in its wake?
Showing posts with label nanowrimo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nanowrimo. Show all posts
Nov 1, 2010
Jan 22, 2010
Daily Photo (Oh, yeah, I did it!)
Oh yeah! I did it!
When I started the National Novel Writing Month contest, I wondered if I would stick it out and go through and make it to the end. Several times throughout the month (the contest is held each November), I saw word count plateau as the deadline loomed. Then, I would push through and flatline, repeat. When I finally pushed through the 50,000 word mark, it was one of the greatest feelings of accomplishment ever! When the sponsors offered shirts to winners, I knew I had to get one! Now, I just have to finish the novel....
Nov 28, 2009
I won!! Wahoo!!
Well, it was a long, hard month of writing, but I broke through the 50,000 word barrier this morning to win the 2009 NaNoWriMo banner! Even better than that, though, I pushed my novel from a short story into the book I've been wanting to write for some time.
Actually, it turned out to be a completely different story than I thought it was going to be. I have a lot of clean-up to do with it as well, but I am not feeling any pressure for that. I would like to get it edited and assembled to publish it before next year's NaNoWriMo, though.
I can already tell that it will take a lot more discipline to finish next year. I started this year's with a story I had begun many years ago while working on my Bachelor's degree. It took more shape during my Masters, but was still never breaking out into a full-fledged novel. It took an article in a writing magazine for me to find the NaNoWriMo program and finally get my butt in gear to move it along.
The story follows one kid and his friends as they share fun, laughter, fear and adventure growing up in Western Pennsylvania. The setting is based on where I lived as a kid, and the characters are composites of many people I've known over my lifetime. While some of the trouble they find came based on my own childhood adventures, the novel is fictional. I dare say, it would also make a fun movie. Who knows, right?
Actually, it turned out to be a completely different story than I thought it was going to be. I have a lot of clean-up to do with it as well, but I am not feeling any pressure for that. I would like to get it edited and assembled to publish it before next year's NaNoWriMo, though.
I can already tell that it will take a lot more discipline to finish next year. I started this year's with a story I had begun many years ago while working on my Bachelor's degree. It took more shape during my Masters, but was still never breaking out into a full-fledged novel. It took an article in a writing magazine for me to find the NaNoWriMo program and finally get my butt in gear to move it along.
The story follows one kid and his friends as they share fun, laughter, fear and adventure growing up in Western Pennsylvania. The setting is based on where I lived as a kid, and the characters are composites of many people I've known over my lifetime. While some of the trouble they find came based on my own childhood adventures, the novel is fictional. I dare say, it would also make a fun movie. Who knows, right?
Nov 20, 2009
Eight Days a Week...
Eight Days. That's how long it's been since I lasted posted an update. Yeah, I know I explained what's been going on, but still, I know some folks check back here to see if I've done anything, and I need to let you in on things!
First of all, I'm up to just over 35,000 words out of the 50,000 required to "finish" the NaNoWriMo contest. I anticipate hitting the 50-grand mark by the end of Monday. I would have Sunday, but I have to work on Saturday, so that shoots that in the foot, or the butt, or where ever you'd prefer to shoot.
I also got a NEW CAR!
On Tuesday night, I drove four hours to Ft. Smith to stay overnight in a hotel for a training on Wednesday. On the way up, I drove the Interstates because it was already dark by the time I left the house. On the way back Wednesday, though, I decided to take Hwy-71 to Hwy-270 to Hwy-7 then grabbed I-30 home. Basically, I went for a joy ride through the Ouachita hills and mountains. I have one thing to say about it: HOLY COW! The pit of my stomach tried to turn over a couple of times because I am so used to driving the truck. The truck could not take the turns in the manner that the Charger cut through them like soft butter. Hugging curves, running on the straight lines, enjoying the ride...
First of all, I'm up to just over 35,000 words out of the 50,000 required to "finish" the NaNoWriMo contest. I anticipate hitting the 50-grand mark by the end of Monday. I would have Sunday, but I have to work on Saturday, so that shoots that in the foot, or the butt, or where ever you'd prefer to shoot.
I also got a NEW CAR!
Yeah, it's a 2009 Dodge Charger SXT. It is one butt-kickin buddy! I hated getting rid of my truck. I have never enjoyed a vehicle as much as I enjoyed the truck. I loved driving it, playing in it, putting goofy decals on it. But, I am a "sporty" car kinda guy at heart, and this was much more in my price range. I have been having a blast tooling around in it, too.
On Tuesday night, I drove four hours to Ft. Smith to stay overnight in a hotel for a training on Wednesday. On the way up, I drove the Interstates because it was already dark by the time I left the house. On the way back Wednesday, though, I decided to take Hwy-71 to Hwy-270 to Hwy-7 then grabbed I-30 home. Basically, I went for a joy ride through the Ouachita hills and mountains. I have one thing to say about it: HOLY COW! The pit of my stomach tried to turn over a couple of times because I am so used to driving the truck. The truck could not take the turns in the manner that the Charger cut through them like soft butter. Hugging curves, running on the straight lines, enjoying the ride... I was in Ft. Smith on Wednesday because Apple came in to tell us about integrating Macs with Netware and to talk to us about imaging the Macs. Basically, you set one Mac up the way you want all the others to look, then save an image of that machine. After that, you push out the image to the other computers so they all have the same stuff, set up the same way. Very handy!
Today (Friday), I hosted a "Mac Party" day at work. We had about 15 people come and learn how to use their Macs plus get a look at LOTS of software apps to run on their Macs (some useful, some just for fun). I think everyone walked away learning SOMETHING new!
Tomorrow (Saturday), I am leading a group of teachers in a technology session. I will be quickly covering PowerPoint and helping them work on their group projects. They will create content with links, Arkansas Standards and Frameworks, the PowerPoint, and possibly videos/images. It should be lots of fun! I am going to share many of the resources that I've been exposed to for the last few weeks and months. Very cool stuff indeed!
Things should return to "normal" for me after the Thanksgiving break. Thanks for checking in on me!
Nov 2, 2009
Life after Michael and novel writing
To paraphrase Kermit the Frog, "It ain't easy being Michael."
Today was the first day back to work after "David Being Michael" came about. In the aftermath, I left many "fans" sorely disappointed. It turns out that many folks at the Elementary School had anticipated "Michael's" arrival. I had not known this, so when Emily's classroom party was over, we went home. MANY people told Shan and emailed/ texted/ facebooked/ etc their disappointment that I did not visit each of the grades at the school.
Another set of "fans," those with whom I work either directly or indirectly, missed seeing me dressed up and thus were not happy that I did not come visit. I actually had a school visit scheduled for Friday, but other things work-related came up and I could not get there. I have since been told to re-dress as Michael and come to the school this week. As tempting as that is, I cannot bring myself to dress as the King of Pop at a school without a true, semi-valid reason. Perhaps next year's getup will warrant such demand and admiration - or humiliation - whichever.
So, today, I heard MANY shouts of "Hey, There's Michael!" and "Hey, Where's Michael?" It was flattering and strange all at the same time. I never understood the "problems" of celebrity, and for a few days, I have had a chance to experience it. It's great and scary all in one. The scary part is the folks running up to you. I'm talking grown adults running up shouting, "I need a picture! Can I have a picture with you?"
In a way, I suppose, it was a chance for some folks to connect with someone that many of us grew up knowing, admiring, scratching our heads over. Would I do anything differently? Actually, yeah, I would. I would visit each of the grades at the Elementary building. I would have also at least tried to get back a few of the "Michael Moves" just to give folks something to see. Oh, I did a little side-stepping and moonwalking, but I used to have many of his moves down pretty well (or at least *I* thought so). I suppose what I am trying to say is that I would have "showed out" a bit more, much like the King of Pop would have done himself.
As weird as it sounds, I did not dress like Michael to make fun of him. Not in the least. Well, okay, maybe a little. I mean, it *IS* Michael, after all. But, aside from his wackiness, he was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. This was my little way of making him, "A Part of Me."
I am working on my novel, and am on day two of the National Novel Writing Month contest. I have 8010 words written out of 50000 so far. I am not sure if my program and their program counts words the same way, so I am hoping to have at least 51000 or so by the time it is said and done.
The "secret," so I have read, is that you can't go back and edit anything. You basically start writing and let the muses sing. Edit later. Make inline notes if you have to, but keep writing. It's harder than it sounds. In some places, the story takes a weird tangent or you see where a paragraph would work if it were in a different place, but you keep pushing through it. In just two days, I have asked myself things like, "Am I being too wordy here? Am I not giving enough detail there?" I have decided that I am going to go way overboard with details. The story will have more information and description than anyone in their right mind would want to endure. This serves two purposes: 1) It gives me a better chance of hitting the goal by being so wordy, and 2) You can always cut things out of a story but trying to add stuff in afterward is tough.
I'll keep you posted on and off about my progress, but you can always click the "NaNoWriMo" icon over there on the right side at the top of this blog if curiosity gets the best of you. :-)
Today was the first day back to work after "David Being Michael" came about. In the aftermath, I left many "fans" sorely disappointed. It turns out that many folks at the Elementary School had anticipated "Michael's" arrival. I had not known this, so when Emily's classroom party was over, we went home. MANY people told Shan and emailed/ texted/ facebooked/ etc their disappointment that I did not visit each of the grades at the school.
Another set of "fans," those with whom I work either directly or indirectly, missed seeing me dressed up and thus were not happy that I did not come visit. I actually had a school visit scheduled for Friday, but other things work-related came up and I could not get there. I have since been told to re-dress as Michael and come to the school this week. As tempting as that is, I cannot bring myself to dress as the King of Pop at a school without a true, semi-valid reason. Perhaps next year's getup will warrant such demand and admiration - or humiliation - whichever.So, today, I heard MANY shouts of "Hey, There's Michael!" and "Hey, Where's Michael?" It was flattering and strange all at the same time. I never understood the "problems" of celebrity, and for a few days, I have had a chance to experience it. It's great and scary all in one. The scary part is the folks running up to you. I'm talking grown adults running up shouting, "I need a picture! Can I have a picture with you?"
In a way, I suppose, it was a chance for some folks to connect with someone that many of us grew up knowing, admiring, scratching our heads over. Would I do anything differently? Actually, yeah, I would. I would visit each of the grades at the Elementary building. I would have also at least tried to get back a few of the "Michael Moves" just to give folks something to see. Oh, I did a little side-stepping and moonwalking, but I used to have many of his moves down pretty well (or at least *I* thought so). I suppose what I am trying to say is that I would have "showed out" a bit more, much like the King of Pop would have done himself.As weird as it sounds, I did not dress like Michael to make fun of him. Not in the least. Well, okay, maybe a little. I mean, it *IS* Michael, after all. But, aside from his wackiness, he was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. This was my little way of making him, "A Part of Me."
I am working on my novel, and am on day two of the National Novel Writing Month contest. I have 8010 words written out of 50000 so far. I am not sure if my program and their program counts words the same way, so I am hoping to have at least 51000 or so by the time it is said and done.
The "secret," so I have read, is that you can't go back and edit anything. You basically start writing and let the muses sing. Edit later. Make inline notes if you have to, but keep writing. It's harder than it sounds. In some places, the story takes a weird tangent or you see where a paragraph would work if it were in a different place, but you keep pushing through it. In just two days, I have asked myself things like, "Am I being too wordy here? Am I not giving enough detail there?" I have decided that I am going to go way overboard with details. The story will have more information and description than anyone in their right mind would want to endure. This serves two purposes: 1) It gives me a better chance of hitting the goal by being so wordy, and 2) You can always cut things out of a story but trying to add stuff in afterward is tough.
I'll keep you posted on and off about my progress, but you can always click the "NaNoWriMo" icon over there on the right side at the top of this blog if curiosity gets the best of you. :-)
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