Flash Fiction time!

And, 8 minutes before the deadline, here is my flash fiction piece for the first Campaign challenge! For a refresher, the challenge is:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)
• include the word "orange" in the story
• write in the same genre you normally write
• make your story 200 words exactly!

I started the story with "Shadows crept across the wall", included the word orange, my story's 200 words exactly and I sorta wrote in my usual genre. The only thing I didn't manage to fit in was ending the story with "everything faded". But I like my ending better.

I'm not sure that my entry went through on the linky list but I did list it in the comments. So, if it shows up (around entry #200 or so) please vote for me by liking it!
Edit: It's shown up as entry #209! Go here to vote!

Father’s Time

Shadows crept across the wall and then back again.

“Not again. Dad!” Tyler threw the bedcovers off and pounded down the paneled hall. “Dad! The shadows are going backwards again.” He slid to a halt on his sock-covered feet in front of a large, closed door. A chink of blue-white light outlined his toes as he pounded on the wood.

“Dad, open up!”

Silence.

“Bet he’s asleep. Again.”

Tyler turned the door knob and pushed the heavy door open. For a moment the lit screen of a machine was all he could see. Then the shape slumped over the controls came into focus. Tyler approached the old man and swept back his long, white hair to reveal closed eyelids. He sighed. He pulled the man up and carried him to a bed hidden from the machine’s light. Gently, Tyler pulled a blanket over the man. He returned to the machine and studied the blue-white screen, then adjusted some of the settings. Finished, he stepped quietly out of the room and closed the door.

“I wonder if Dad’ll ever retire.”

Tyler slid back under the covers and glanced at the wall. Shadows crept across the wall, black and orange slivers intermingled.

Birth of a Novel Final Post (What number is it?)

I've got news! What kind? The best! I've.....finished the first draft of Novella #2 (working title Alzoe) in my Across Time series! Actually, I finished it way back on Sunday but I didn't quite get around to posting it because I had a busy week.

First, I finally wrote another entry for The Story Within contest (which I just found out didn't win. Oh well.).

Second, I applied for a job, and then did 3 interviews for it (two yesterday and one this morning). I hope I get it because I really need a steady paying job right now.

Third, I wrote and am finishing up the flash fiction piece for Campaign challenge #1. Look forward to that later todayand go read some of the almost 200 entries if you haven't yet.

Back to writing for me!

Until next time.

Interview #22: Stardf29

Stardf29: "The State of Mass Confusion: Adventures in the Fifty Second and a 1/2 State of the United States of America" and "Wandering Blade"

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

stardf29 (used for both websites) stands for Star Defender 29. 29 is for my birthday, March 29. The Star Defenders are my own fictional group of space-exploring folks who defend the universe from various intergalactic threats. (Lately, they've been traveling to alternate universes, too!) They've been around in my imagination since I was a kid, although they have first come to life in a significant way when I introduced some of them to NarniaWeb's Ditto Story in 2005.

And get this: NaNoWriMo 2012 is currently planned to be a full-fledged Star Defender story!

Who are you?

I am Frank, 23 years old and currently serving in the United States Navy. I am of Chinese origin and my hobbies include writing, listening to and playing music, and playing video games. I also enjoy hanging out with friends from church.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

Did they? My first time in 2007 was a while ago, and I can't help but think some brainwashing was involved. I shall have to ask my therapist.

...wait, what do you mean I don't have a therapist anymore?

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

Third, with past rounds in 2007 and 2010.

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

I actually worked concurrently on two novels. The first, "The State of Mass Confusion", involved four people who would end up in the eponymous state (located somewhere in the US) and underwent whatever crazy things I felt like making them go through. The second, "Wandering Blade", was a fantasy story where beings called Blades, who can transform into swords, form pacts with humans, who then can use them in life and combat, and followed the adventures of three Blade-users in particular, as well as one particular Blade without an owner.

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

Well, with the State, there is no such thing as "something completely different"; the whole thing was intended to be rather random. And "Blade" did not get a whole lot written (just three chapters), but it is currently along the lines I had planned for it.

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

I did write the 50K words between the two stories. The best superpower in the world is "write whatever your mind feels like writing, erase not a word and who cares how bad it is or how little sense it makes!" Having a good typing speed helps, too.

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

The aforementioned "write whatever your mind feels like writing, erase not a word and who cares how bad it is or how little sense it makes!" method always wins.

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

I attempted caffeine, but really, it doesn't work too well on me, for some reason. Maybe my body has immunized itself against it after using it so much the last couple of NaNos. Maybe it is time to invest in some glue...

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

If you can do it once and you've done it twice... it's still going to take some work doing it a third time.

Website, blog, twitter, etc you want readers to know about?

No personal websites, but do check out narniaweb.com! I still hang out there from time to time.

20, I mean, 11 Questions Campaign Style

(Photo Credit)

So, as I said last post, I got tagged to answer 11 questions about myself. Thanks to Daniel for tagging me! But, aiya!, he picked some hard questions.

1. If you had one week left to live, what would you do?

Travel the world. Seriously, I'm cash strapped at the moment so it's only a dream, but if I only had a week to live, then who cares how much it costs! I'm going to places I've always dreamed of going.

2. What quote inspires you?

Well I don't think I really have a single quote that is the source of all my inspiration. But Arthur C. Clark's "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" is the inspiration for one of my current projects.

3. What movie scene inspires you? Why?

I don't really know about a scene in particular. What I mostly focus on in movies is the mood or music or (like in Hero) the metaphorical use of color (which was amazing). Action is all fine and good, but I do like movies with an artistic touch.

4. What comedy do you end up watching again and again as the years go by?

My most watched comedy is the anime "Itazura na Kiss", but "Ouran High School Host Club" and the Korean drama "Coffee Prince" are catching up.

5. Do you think love can last forever?

Yup, it can, if it's the right kind.

6. What fictional character would you trade lives with if you could?

This is too broad. It really depends on which Author's world I'm day dreaming in at present. Anne McCaffrey's Pern would be an interesting place to live (as a dragon rider of course!). But I don't think there's any character in particular.

7. What historical character would you marry if you had to choose someone?

A historical character I'd want to marry, eh? Does it bear any relevance that I've never considered marrying any of them?

8. Which do you prefer, coffee, hot cocoa, soda, vegetable juice, water?

For cold drinks, water (with ice!) first, then soda (also with ice).

For a hot drink, hot cocoa with extra cocoa powder, milk and marshmallows.

9. How long would it take you to drive to the beach from where you live?

Hmm....around four or five hours I think. The coast is rather jagged so the length time would depend on which beach is the destination.

10. What are you currently reading?

10 weekly and 43 monthly mangas (yes, I have an excel sheet to keep track of them all or else I'd forget) and then "Fuzzy Nation" by John Scalzi is currently languishing in my to-read pile from the library.

11. If you choose an answer to this question at random, what is the chance you will be correct?

a. 25%

b. 50%

c. 60%

d. 25%

Choice b for certain. Because there are always two obvious wrong answers.

And now for my questions! Pardon me while I attempt to wipe the evil grin off my face.

1. What country is the home of the majority of authors you read?

2. An otaku is someone who's obsessed with something (not necessarily anime/manga). What kind of otaku are you?

3. Ebooks vs. Paper: which do you like better?

4. Do you have a sweet tooth or are you a salty dog?

5. Would you ever dress up as a favorite character? If so, which one?

6. What upcoming movie are you most looking forward to?

7. "Cats rule, dogs drool." Do you agree or disagree?

8. What fictional world do you spend the most time in?

9. You are given a $1000 gift card to the store of your choice. Which store would you pick and what would you buy?

10. Who or what encouraged you to pursue your current career?

11. If you could build your own house, what room has to be included and have the most money/care spent on it?

And the people I'm tagging are:

Alberta

LadyJai

Michelle Pickett

Sylvia van Bruggen

Andrew

Kerri Cuevas

Fairview

Allison Miller

Alynza Smith

Sue Ann Bowling

Claire L. Fishback

I look forward to your answers!

Until next time.

Interview #21: Lady Arwen

Lady Arwen: Essays of November

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

Lady Arwen and River_Song. I think. Such hard questions!
Who are you?

My name is Wren, and I'm an effects artist and a costumer/fashionista. My usernames sum up my personality. I look like Arwen, and my personality is that of River Song [ed. note: the one from Doctor Who]. As an effects artist, I specialize in violent crime and character make-up, so the next time you want to get your face smashed up or look like Johnny Depp, drop me a note. I also use my blog as an outlet for my pent up work energy (I'm one of the few people who can truly say that I love my job), and also let all of my love of film and stories loose there. I'm currently going to school, working to reach my final goal of becoming an Archaeologist, with a specialty in Irish History/Archaeology. Oh yeah, I also happen to work as a Moderator and resident Overlady on Narniaweb.com.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

Not really. Elisa (Gymfan15, another Nweb mod) had badgered me for several years to do this, but I never felt interested in actually doing it until a few years after she stopped bugging me. As it was, my goal was to just get some writing done, not to necessarily finish the full 50k.

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

First...I've never had time to do Nano before, and I didn't have time this year, either. Just playing around with it was fun and hilarious, and provided a bit of a break from the incessant flow of schoolwork.

What was your novel synopsis at the beginning of nano?

I actually didn't have one...the concept can essentially be summed up in a question: "What would happen if Jafar, Cruella de Vil and the Joker suddenly found themselves in San Francisco?" The purpose of the novel, then, was to answer the question. The plot was actually never defined, so it was (and is! Here's to finishing it next year. ;) somewhat of a discover-it-while-you-write. We (I team-wrote with PrinceCor004, who was The Joker) ended up with a section at the bottom of our story where we threw everything that we wrote and then decided we didn't like. I think I ended up putting much more down there than he did, unfortunately.

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

Well, we never finished, but, last I checked, we were still on the same path as before.

Did you finish? What supernatural events, natural disasters, etc. prevented you from finishing?

Haha! It was never my goal to finish 50k in a month. Taking 18 units, I knew that was a huge impossibility, so I didn't try. Now, if I had counted all my schoolwork into that...well, we might have made it. ;)

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

A lot of times, just shutting everything out and sitting down with a word doc was enough to get things rolling. Word Wars were fun, but didn't really increase my speed any, just helped me focus on not doing anything but writing.

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

....No.

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

Hmmm...probably that working with a partner can sometimes be difficult, especially when they keep forgetting to write. And that's not talking about Cor only--both of us would randomly forget or leave the other hanging.

Website, blog, twitter, etc you want readers to know about?

www.taintedloves.blogspot.com I'm an effects artist, so I'm very much into costuming and fashion. My blog tends to feature a lot of my make-up and costuming work, along with various ramblings on fashion, food and life in general.

Help! My Browser's Flooding!

(photo credit)

With links! And more links! And it's to the point where Firefox just doesn't want to load.I guess it just doesn't like having 40 or 50+ tabs open at one time.

Looks like a very interesting post will be appearing soon. I just got tagged in a game of 11 questions as part of the Platform Building Campaign. So, the main question is, will I post my answers today or Saturday? Hmm....I'm not sure yet.

And onto the links. (The fun links are at the bottom!)

Writing

How do we, as writers, make our writing realistic? This writer succeeded through research.

Perfect characters are boring. But small flaws are almost just as bad. Rosslyn Elliott explains why major flaws are necessary.

What is the difference between Literary and Commercial Fiction?

8 Reasons an agent will hate your novel.

Editing

What happens after you snag an editor?

Agents

Ask an Agent Part 3.

Ebooks

With so many 99 cent ebooks out there, the perennial question for a self-published ebook author is what to price the book at. David Coe started a discussion on this matter with some surprising results.

Does KDP Select work? I've posted a link before, but here's a new perspective from an author who opted to put up 3 of his books in the program.

Publishing

Digital Rights Managment is kicking up a stir as publishers tighten their control over ebook content. Is DRM really the solution to illegal content sharing?

B&N vs. Amazon. Who will win the chess match?

Self-Publishing

3 Disadvantages of Self-Publishing and ways to overcome them.

What are the costs of Self-Publishing?

Creating a Print layout for Lightning Source in Indesign (a 3 part tutorial).

Marketing

Do blog tours sell books?

Is too much publicity a bad thing?

Blogging

Links drive traffic, so how do you do use them to the best advantage?

And the fun parts!

What city do you think is the most romantic? Answer at Meradeth's blog giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon giftcard.

Go here to download Ninc's "A Comprehensive Guide to the New World of Publishing".

NaNoWriMo's 2nd annual Pitchapalooza is running until the end of February. Submit your pitch here for a chance at winning!

Until next time!

Interview #20: Melian_Maia

Melian_Maia: Living Legends

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

NWeb: Melian_Maia.
NaNoWriMo: Melian.
I happened to be reading the Silmarillion and The Children of Hurin when I went to make my NWeb account and picked the first name that came to mind. Same goes for my NaNo account.

Who are you?

My name is Lia and I'm a homeschooled sophomore in highschool who spends way to much time on the computer (mostly NWeb. ) and eats too much chocolate.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

The first time I think I was brainwashed. A friend of mine told me that it 'wasn't hard' and 'you can do it no problem'... I did win, but just barely. I don't even remember what I wrote.

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

This was my third NaNoWriMo.

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

I wrote a rather odd version of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It's fantasy.

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

Um, I went into NaNo with a pretty good idea (about 10 typed pages) of what I wanted to write about, but once I got started it just didn't feel right, so I went out on a limb and changed it a few days in.

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

I did finish! I think what helped me win was my super awesome Mom, who let me steal her computer for hours on end and listened to me rant whenever I had technical issues.

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

Rewarding myself whenever I got to big goals. Chocolate = my best friend.

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

...not really.

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

NaNoWriMo taught me that my insomnia can be a good thing when it comes writing.

Website, blog, twitter, etc you want readers to know about?

My blog is here: http://alasse-lalaith.blogspot.com

Interview #19: Lady Courage

Lady Courage: The Tear Stopper

I did not actually make this myself. Some UBER talented guy on the NaNo forums made this for me. And. I. Love. It.

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

Both usernames are the same; Lady Courage. And yes, they were inspired by stories my sisters and I used to tell together. Actually, those stories were what I now know to be roleplay/fanfics.
They were about three girls who got whisked away to various worlds, starting with Narnia. Looking back, I realize that the stories started out CHOCK full of Mary Sue-isms, but we DID get better about that later on. Still, despite the glaring flaws in the stories, I think on them very fondly. And my character (Courage, who at one point became a Lady ) still holds a dear place in my heart. I don't expect I'll ever use another username.

Who are you?

I am the ageless Lady Courage; wise beyond belief, of superior intelligence and condescendingly kind.

... Um, no. I'm a homeschool graduate who loves to write, but is starting to find less and less time for it (yeah, yeah, you don't "find time" to write, you make time, I know. But other things sometimes have to come first before novel writing. Like, for instance, work. ). Though I love engaging in creative work, I also love solving puzzles and applying rational logic to situations. Though I haven't quite figured out the answer to the puzzle of when to write... Currently, I'm studying web design and SEO (Search Engine Optimization). I work alongside my father to further our family business. I also recently started my own business, which I am building rapidly. And did I mention that I struggle with finding time to write?

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

I heard about it through a blog years back and have always wanted to join. But I'd never had time/had a good enough story/felt like I could win it. I'm also a rather slow typist (and yes, I technically type out stuff on the computer for a living... ) and I was worried I could not make the 50k; not because I didn't have the words for it, but because I literally couldn't get them out of my head fast enough. But no, I made this decision all by myself; Lady C's a big girl now. *proud*

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

First NaNo, though I did CampNaNo its inaugural year.

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

"“It’s just a job, son.”
That’s what my father always told me. “It’s just a job.” Everyone has a job, he would remind me. Everyone has something that is their job to do. Turns out that my job is different than I thought it was.
I am the Tear Stopper.
For some reason, my clan’s job always makes the women cry. I guess I can’t blame them too much: It might even be their own job to cry. But it sure makes an awful lot of trouble for us. Every time a woman weeps, something bad happens to us. Their boo-hooing brings terrible, terrible luck.
I am the Tear Stopper. I stop tears no matter what it takes."

Genre: Fantasy/Satire/Humor

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

Well, so far, it's the same. I have not finished the story, but it seems to be the same as when I started. At least... I think it is. It hasn't confirmed this to me yet.

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

I DID! I FINISHED!! *cheers!!* My ever useful superpowers of ignoring surrounding racket™, being stubborn™, hanging on until the last shards of hope splinter away™ and super awesome storytelling™ saved the world from utter chaos and Lois Lane from being plunged into the dismal abyss of NonNaNoWinners (*horror music and old timey female SCREAM!*). Don't thank me.

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

Lean closer so I can whisper this to you... The method of writing that was MOST effective was- *darts look from side to side to make sure nobody is listening in* finger-to-keyboard-rear-to-chair-brain-to-story-sanity-out-window *sits back and smiles mysteriously*

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

Glue and ropes? Bah! Such wimpiness! Nahhh, I used SUPER glue and CHAINS. SUPER glue on the chair and CHAINS around my neck and bolted to the table. Oh yes.

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

It taught me the value of outlining every single stinkin' chapter, that I need to manage my time better, the value of letting go and just writing trash in the first draft, and that I need to learn to type faster.

Website, blog, twitter, etc you want readers to know about?

... Um... I have two blogs and write for several more. I also write for several websites. But I HIGHLY doubt most people would be interested in Italian Greyhounds, gluten free food, gluten free makeup, grass-fed cattle and text marketing. All of those above were-started/are-being-used for business. Why yes, I have diverse interests and skills; thank you for asking.

Interview #18: MountainFireflower

MountainFireflower: Silver Tears

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

MountainFireflower: It’s inspired by the passage in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe where they describe Lucy’s cordial. It was made using fireflowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. I wanted something Narnia-related, but nothing too obvious and something I could also use on other sites as well. Hence, MountainFireflower.
ScarlettGamgee: Um… hehe… it was based off of two of my favorite characters: Will Scarlett & Samwise Gamgee.

Who are you?

I’m a high school student who writes for the same reason that I breathe. It also helps keep me from going insane, but that’s beside the point.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

Yep. A couple of years ago a few of my friends decided to do it, and I somehow jumped on the bandwagon.

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

It was my third, though technically the first year I did YWP and didn’t make it to 50k.

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

It took me a while to come up with a good idea, but eventually I ended up taking elements from several of my stories in the past, and combining them into one story. The basic premise is about a blacksmith who dreams of finding a silver more precious than any other metal. The genre is fantasy.

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

I’d say it was the same. I heavily outlined for about the first time in my life, and it proved to be quite helpful. Of course, my story took turns I didn’t expect, but for the most part it stuck to the same idea.

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

I finished with a total of 55k. I wish I could say that I’m Superwoman or something, but really… I’m not. Now if you had asked me this question last year, in 2010, I’d have a lot more interesting story. In short, I wrote the last 25k in the last week or so that year. It was craziness. Compared to 2010, this NaNo round was a piece of cake. (Kinda.)

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

This year, I think outlining helped me majorly. At first I had thought it would slow me down, since I’m more of a seat-of-the-pants writer. However, having an outline made my novel better in the long-run. It also helped me to know where I’m going at all times. I didn’t get as much serious writer’s block during the whole month of November. (Then again, November is a huge blur in my mind, so it could be I’m completely wrong here. )
Also, my motto is just write. That usually works.

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

Nope. Just down-to-earth, honest-to-goodness motivation. And writing works too.

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

NaNo really just taught me to stay motivated and to write every day. I’ve been writing nearly every day since NaNo ended and it’s a wonderful, glorious feeling. It also taught me that the first draft of your writing is meant to stink. As for editing… well… we’ll figure that out later, won’t we?

Website, blog, twitter, etc you want readers to know about?

Blog: Further Up and Further In (http://furtherup-and-furtherin.blogspot.com/)
Twitter: @lovehascome

Interview #17: wild rose

wild rose: Dragon Eyes

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

My NW username, wild rose, was really just a last minute thing I came up with when I was registering, I had no idea what to name myself, so just wrote down the first decent name I could think of. My NaNoWriMo username, Apye, came from the character of a Sci-Fi series I am writing, the character is sort of autobiographical and I thought it sounded cute.

Who are you?

No one really ahem, I'm a young girl, currently taking courses on graphic design, my ultimate goal is to become a teacher, graphic design is just a temporary thing, I'm a real bookworm, I'll read anything I can get my hands on (provided that it's positive) I love children, pants and animals. I really love writing and making up stories. I really want to try and help make this world a better place to live in.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

I had heard of NaNoWriMo on NarniaWeb but didn't know what it was and for some silly reason never asked until last year. When it was explained to me I got really excited and knew I had to participate.

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

First, though I had done CampNaNo in the summer, winning both months of July and August.

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

Two children, whose father has been kidnapped with the charge of plotting against the king, are alone in the mountains where they meet a dragon and befriend him, the dragon later helps them find and rescue their father, and the kingdom while they are at it.

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

It stayed pretty much the same, there were a few changes, like changing the main character from girl to boy and other such things, but on the whole I kept the synopsis the way it was.

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

Yes I did finish, superpowers.....I don't think there were any, I went with writing with 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

I found for myself that writing every two days was best for me, that gave me a short break to think about what I was going to write next and helped me plan a bit. I also set myself a goal of writing no less than 3,000 words.

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

Nope, I got along without any of those, but I'll admit there were times I felt I was going to glue myself to my chair to keep me from running away from my novel.

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

I really learned to persevere, there were so many time when I just wanted to stop and quit. November proved to be a very busy month for me and had enough excuses to quit, but I'm glad I just kept going, forcing myself to write. I also learned how much fast you can get things done if you don't stop to edit every other sentence you write. I'm the sort of person who can get stuck for days on one chapter, editing and changing and so don't get much progress done, but with NaNo I didn't have time to edit every other thing I wrote, which ultimately helped me get the novel done faster.

Platform-Building Campaigner

I thought this deserved its own special post. I just signed up for the Platform-Building Campaign (it's a blog chain type deal) that Rachel Harrie hosts. If you want to join in, just click on the picture below to sign up! You've got until the 15th to do so. (I'm in Group 3: YA (All genres), Group 6: Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic, and Group 8: Science Fiction, btw).



Until next time!

Overcoming Writer's Block (And More!)

Since I was lazy enough to forget to post on Sunday, I shall dump my writing update into this post instead. As you might have noticed, there's a shiny, new WIPs page *points up*. That should serve as an up to date list of all the projects I'm working on (even when I forget to post updates on Sundays).

I'm so close to the end on Novella #2 that I can smell it! Or rather smell the bad guy swooping in for one last attack.

The Story Within contest is still running and week 4's prompt is "Make a list of 10 things you know by heart and then write about the person who taught you those things". How vague can you get? In other words, I still haven't written my entry and it's due tomorrow.

And now, onto the links!

Don't forget to stop by Book Luvin' Babes for a multi-blog giveaway. It's specially themed for Valentine's Day!

On Writing:

Danyelle Leafty explains the causes and cures for Writer's Block.

On Publishing:

Ever wonder what happens to your book proposal once it's sent to the publishing house? Michael Hyatt lists the 5 hurdles of publication.

But before that, is the agent you're submitting to legit?

For some people, though, being herded along with all the other sheep just doesn't jive. What to consider before breaking out of the pack.

And once you have made the break, what on earth are you supposed to do with that copyright page?

Also, is a print self-published book even a viable option anymore?

On Blogging:

And finally, what's the best use of photos in a blog post? Here are 3 tips for using them wisely and effectively.

Until next time!

Interview #16: Ellesar

Ellesar: Riley

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

Ellesar on both sites. it's an unintentional misspelling of Elessar that happened in high school and I've used it ever since

Who are you?

My name is Laura and I just recently graduated with my master's degree in biomedical engineering. It's my dream to go into research of neurological diseases and hopefully be able to find a cure for some of them. I have one cat and still live at home with my parents. Currently, I'm trying to go back to school in order to get my PhD so that I have the ability to teach in a university. I love writing and plan on trying to finish all of my current writing projects sometime in the future.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

I... don't really remember. I think it was someone from NWeb who finally convinced me to try it out.

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

This was my fifth year participating.

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

This year's NaNo was a sequel to the one I did a couple of years ago, so I basically just picked up right where the first one left off. I usually stick with fantasy since practically anything goes and this year's NaNo was a medieval fantasy.

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

My synopsis pretty much remained the same throughout it.

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

"Finish" is relative. If by finish you mean, hit 50k, then yes I did, but I have not finished the novel as of yet. Honestly... I have no idea since I managed to get to 50k while working full-time.

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

Pretty much writing in every spare minute I got. Also, word wars proved to be very useful

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

Caffeine is my friend during NaNo. Especially during those late nights and early mornings

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

That I certainly have it in me to write 50k words in 30 days, despite the fact that I had barely any time to write. As a result, time management is key to be able to keep on schedule

Website, blog, twitter, etc you want readers to know about?

If you're interested in some book reviews, check out my blog at http://ellesar2009.wordpress.com/

Interview #15: Meltintalle

Meltintalle: The Play Actor King

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

NWeb - Meltintalle
NaNoWriMo - Meltintalle

Way back when I was first creating an internet screenname, the fandom was LotR, so I looked up the translation of my name in Quenyan. I've used it ever since.

Who are you?

I'm the oldest of seven kids and I live with my family on a farm with an assortment of animals and pets. I'm a voracious reader and my sketchbook reflects my current reading list as well as doubling as a handy place to sketch out ideas for original stories.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

I don't remember any specific person influencing my decision, though a friend of mine did have a t-shirt from the program... I think it was more of an idea that 'all the cool kids are doing it' and who wants to miss out when there's fun to be had?

Was this your first, second, tenth time participating?

This was my fourth year and fourth win

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

"Most everyone is king of their imaginary countries," said Edward. "Only someone like you would pretend to be anything else."

Bradley James Morton resents that statement. The only person he's ever pretended to be is a king. His impersonation won him accolades on stage.

Revising that role, Brad will have a chance to prove to his cousin and himself that he can be a king. But he'll have to do it with a borrowed country and a borrowed reputation...

Maybe he should have read the script first.

sequel to NaNo'09: Crossed Swords

It's supposed to be YA adventure/fantasy

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

I think the synopsis still applies, it's just not quite the story I thought I was going to write at the beginning of the month

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

The superpower of sheer stubbornness and reams of repeating myself and writing a scene beyond the point where it should have ended...

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

Just putting one word after another was usually the best way to get some inspiration flowing

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

...Well... telling myself that I could watch another episode of Merlin after I wrote a few hundred more words was almost effective...

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

Paradoxically, that while it is possible to outline too much, you can never know too much about the story you're writing. That the why of a character's actions are always important. Every character needs to have a why if they're going to be in the story.

Website, blog, twitter, etc you want readers to know about?

meltintalle.deviantart.com

What do Publishing, Writing, Book Design and Debates have in Common? Links...

Yes, that's right. I've got more links to dish out! Oh, but first, remember that contest a ways back I entered (The Author's Giveaway)? Well I won the photo print prize! Just waiting for it to arrive in the mail. (I'm getting this photo!)

Writing

How Long Should Your Book Be?

How to Get Out of Your Own Way: The Secret to Becoming a Successful Writer

Publishing

The 5 Emotional Stages of a Book Launch

Real Ebooks: Are We Still in the Stone Age?

Readers (Are Self-Publishers Ignoring Readers?)

Gender Issues in Publishing. Using Initials as a Female Thriller Writer

Playing Tag the Self-Publisher Way

It's Not Always About the Money (from a literary agent)

There's No Such Thing As The Publishing Debate

How Amazon's KDP Select Saved My Book

Book Design: Don't Get Confused by Typeface Point Sizes

5 Attitudes Towards Publishing You Should Avoid

Helpful Sites (And Contests!)

QueryTracker.net/QueryTracker Blog

Got Goals? (Pursuing Your Passion on Purpose with a Plan)

A Kindle Fire Contest!

Blogging

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 101 for Authors (a very simple and helpful explanation of what SEO is)

Interview #14: Narnian_Badger

Narnian_Badger: 31 Days

Your Nweb and NaNoWriMo usernames, were they inspired by anything?

Nweb: Narnian_Badger
The Badger is my favorite Narnian creature, and my personality is somewhat similar to the characteristics of a badger (in Narnia they represented intelligence, kindness, and faithfulness; in Heraldry they symbolized tenacity and protection).

NaNo: vaporinthewind
This is a username I already had (I used it for my DeviantART account, except that one had hyphens ). It comes from the song Voice of Truth, by Casting Crowns.

Who are you?

Mm... female, and a Badger. Though most people don't believe that last bit... Can't imagine why.

Anyway. What do I like? Many things. Swimming, running, sketching, painting, strategy games (chess!), Sci-Fi, mystery, writing. Who am I? Well, depends on who you ask. On DeviantART, I'm a hobbyist who enjoys traditional art. On GateWorld, I'm a perpetual lurker who tends to shut down debates when they get too out of hand. On FanFiction, I'm "that random anonymous user that's been around for like five years". I'm an INTJ Mastermind/Inspector for psychology students.

But what I always try to be, no matter where I go, is a servant of my Lord Jesus Christ, who made me all that I am.

How were you sucked into NaNoWriMo? Did someone person brainwash you into joining?

Personally, I blame Rose [Tree-Dryad] for the entire thing. I'd known about it for at least three years, and was vaguely considering doing it in 2011, but it was her (incessant-non-stop-ever-present) pestering that made me finally sign-up.

What was your novel synopsis (or original idea) at the beginning of nano? Genre?

Genre: Sci-Fi
In the beginning of the year 2164, absolutely nothing out of the ordinary had happened. People went to work, had kids, and hung out with friends; the world still had the rich, the poor, the middle class; politicians drove everyone up the wall... In fact, the only major difference in the world was the MRs—the Mind-Readers.

Everyone got along rather well for the most part, and on the whole it was a fairly easy transaction (except for the sixty year war, but that's beside the point). But everything changed when folks started forgetting that MRs even existed—

Including the MRs themselves.

Was your synopsis the same or different at the end? Or did you end up writing something completely different?

It was exactly the same. It's an idea I've been mulling over for a year or two, and I'd created an outline to keep me from straying too far. Although, I'm thinking about moving it up to the year 2461 and making the war last 120 years, as though that doesn't change the plot per se, it makes it a bit more believable.

Did you finish? What superpowers enabled you to write 50k in one month?

Well... I suppose doing 750words daily, since February of this year, helped a lot. It was like basic training. So, that, combined with sheer stubbornness (there's no power like will-power), helped me finish. I never doubted that I'd finish it... it was merely a question of how happy I'd be with the finished product.

What method of writing proved to be the most effective?

Word Wars for the win! ...Literally, in my case. I think about halfway through November my name became inescapably linked with them, to the point where upon entering NarniaWeb's chat the first reaction was, "Oh, good, Badger's here! Time for a war!" ...Yeah, I pestered a lot of folks into warring with me. I didn't write any faster, per se, but I did write with a better focus. Which, really, was what I was looking for.

Did this method involve glue, ropes, caffeine or some other forceful inducement?

CAFFEINE! ...I mean, ah, ahem. There may have been... some... coffee involved. And chocolate. Not saying how much. *shifty-eyes*

What lesson(s) did NaNoWriMo teach you this past November?

Make sure that whatever hard surface you're near is stable, because you will wind up smacking your head against it eventually.