NaNoWriMo 2012: Linktastic Day 29

So, since I'm not reporting on my writing any more this month, I thought I'd make a stab at a normal post schedule, aka the Weekly Roundup! Here below lie all the links which have accumulated whilst I typed furiously for NaNo.

A few NaNoWriMo related posts to start us off:

Errol (of the NaNotoons and NaNomusical adventures) brags, I mean, explains how he wrote 50k in one day and didn't die. And then his equally interesting post on Quantity Begetting Quality explains the reasoning behind NaNoWriMo and why it works.

And once you've finished with your novel and are trying to make heads or tails of it in order to edit there are a few things you should check.

1) Is it told episodically? Anne R. Allen gives a few tips on how to avoid this problem while mooderino points out the difference between episodic and non-episodic on Moody Writing.

2) Is it told step by step where you tell every single detail? Amy Deardon outlines the advantages and disadvantages of this method and how to eliminate it safely.

3) Does your story have a voice? If it doesn't then the story will feel disconnected. Ash Krafton explains the importance of voice in her post on Query Tracker.

When finished editing, it's on to the agents! This is where you'll need to Learn to Love the Pitch (by Sarah Pinneo) and if that doesn't work, find out why you were rejected (by Mike Wells).

And then once it's time to start all over with a new novel, here are a few places you could start:

Dogs in Elk (the misadventures of a few dogs when introduced to an Elk carcass)

Murder or Suicide? (the curious case of a dead man)

Until next time!

Food Feature: Yakisoba

A new post is up on my food blog "Stovetop Exploration". And the topic this time is Yakisoba. Yum! (with recipe!). Click for recipe and post.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Days 27 and 28 and Announcements

I think I've pretty well resigned myself to not writing for the rest of November. I just can't muster the motivation to do so. On the upside, I have found my productivity in other areas to increase as a result of discontinuing my focus on NaNo. If I find myself with the opportunity to write tomorrow or Friday, then I will do so. However, I am content with the 50k I have already written and am enjoying the break before I begin again at my task of chipping away at the remaining plotline.

Two announcements. Firstly, you may have noticed that I did not write a review this month for CSFF's monthly blog tour. This is because there was a snarl up with the mailing of the review copies for the featured book "Angel Eyes" by Sharron Dittemore. The solution by the tour organizer was to postpone it until January so look forward to the review in slightly under two months. I will not be participating in the December tour due to time constraints. But you can probably count on me to at least post something about the book and links to people who are participating.

Secondly, I am going to continue my Christmas tradition of a Picture Countdown to Christmas. However, this year there will be a slight twist. Look forward to the first post this Saturday, December 1st!

Until next time!

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 26 The Day After Winning

Today I took a break. I normally don't write much on Mondays because I am too tired so I decided to take it one step further and spend the day resting from writing. It's been nice to relax. However, it's back to the grindstone tomorrow. I've got 10k until that elusive 60k mark and I'd like to put in a good chunk tomorrow. That is, if I don't decide to detour to the local police station to get my fingerprints done for a criminal background check. I've been putting it off for weeks, but without it I can't apply for a visa which would put me in a tight bind where my next job is concerned.

Words written today: 0
Total words written: 50,044

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 25 and Winning!

Well I did it. After a nearly 7k sprint all day today, I made it past 50k and finished on time for a 2k pace. This is first time I've ever won early. Both other times I crossed the finish line on the last day, but not this time. Perhaps I can hit 60k? Perhaps I can do more than that and end November by finishing the entire first arc? Anything's possible at this point!

Word written today: 6,980
Total words written: 50,044

Excerpt (detailing the annoying love interesting my FMC acquired today):

A nearby crew member must have noticed how much I was straining because he came up to me and said,

“Need some help?”

“Ah, thanks, but I can manage. I’m just getting tired, that’s all. I don’t normally work in here so I’m not used to carrying heavy boxes.” I attempted a chuckle, but the strain of holding the box choked it.

“Let me help.” And without waiting for me to respond, he grabbed the box as easily as if it were twenty pounds lighter.

“Thanks…?” I raised an eyebrow and waited for him to introduce himself.

“(crew member #1).”

“(crew member #1),” I repeated. I smiled at him and then did an about face back into the shuttle.

Slightly distracted, I nearly walked right into (scientist #2). “Oh, sorry.”

She peered around me, and then giggled. “I saw that. Isn’t he handsome?” Smirking, she pushed past me to the outside.

I grimaced and picked up my next box.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 24

In a mad dash I attempted to get as close to 45k as possible, but I failed my goal of 6k by about 1.5k. Hey, I may not be able to finish on time for a 2k pace, but I'm going to come pretty close.

Words written today: 4,547
Total words written: 43,064

Excerpt:

More than the original two techies gathered behind him. I made my exit quickly. My breathing and vision wasn't quite back to normal yet and I felt like sitting down until they resumed their normal level of functioning. I thought about Sensei's request that I stop by for a check-up and found myself outside the sickbay, not quite sure how I'd gotten there. He wasn't inside, though, when I entered. But the beds looked so comfortable that instead of sitting down to rest, I lay down on my side.

Blinking my eyes, I tried to clear away the blurriness of my vision, but it refused to resolved into clear sight. My hands were shaking slightly as well. "Must be from the exertion of running so fast for that length of time." I barely finished muttering before my vision disappeared entirely into blackness.

No, not another one.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Days 21 - 23 and Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I spent the day hanging out with family and generally stuffing myself with delicious food. It was a good trip and I enjoyed seeing everyone (especially the cousins' four cats!). But, as anticipated, I wrote hardly anything.

However, I planned ahead for this, remember? So I'm still technically on schedule! I was able to write in the car on the way there and back, hence why I managed to stay on track and am ending the night slightly ahead.

Day 21: 593 words written

Day 22: 0 words written (but a fun photoshoot!)

Day 23: 880 words written

Total words written: 38,517

Excerpt:

Clasping my hands behind my back I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. Be careful, Alice. “Since the tech department is so busy I’ve been trying to handle all the minor problems in MLab.”

 His left eyebrow twitched.

“However, I ran across an odd glitch that I can’t solve.”

I had his full attention now and I thought I could feel several more pairs of eyes and ears trying to listen in.

“What was the glitch?” he asked, switching from bored to full troubleshooting mode.

“I ran into it while checking the recordings we have. You remember the big fuss recently because we recorded signals which sounded like a language?”

“Of course. Please continue.”

“I went to pull up the first recording to analyze it once more and it wouldn’t play properly. The file kept jumping and skipping so much that the audio was garbled.”

“Isn’t that just a case of a corrupt file?” His interest was visibly draining.

“That’s what I thought at first as well. So, of course we keep multiple copies of our recordings. However, when I checked each of these files they also exhibited the same behavior. Even my own personal copy was damaged. I thought that perhaps the recording system was at fault. But every other recording before and since then is fine—except for the other two recordings we have on file in the same language.” I sketched quotation marks in the air around the word with my fingers.

“That is certainly odd.”

“But the oddest part is that each of the other two recordings exhibited less noticeable glitching with the most recent being the clearest. And when I checked every copy they all exhibited the same level of glitching as the original file.”

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 20

Today wasn't the sprint that I hoped it would be, but I still wrote more than I've ever written on a Tuesday for the entire month. (On a side note, I'll be leaving on our Thanksgiving trip tomorrow so I doubt I'll be able to post until we get back on Friday.)

Words written today: 1,970

Total words written: 37,045

Excerpt:

I blinked in the strong light after the dimness of the lab. When I looked down, Kitty was rubbing her eyes and squinting.

"Here's your rock" I handed her the two pieces. "Aren't they pretty now?"

"Yes, they are." She caressed the smooth surface. "Now they don't look dirty and they're so shiny."

She turned first the large one, then the smaller one over in her hands, examining them while we walked. Before we entered her family's quarters she held out the smaller stone.

"For me?"

Kitty nodded. "I don't need two. I want you to have it."

"Thank you!" I took it and hugged her. The stone covered about half my palm and was crisscrossed by veins of different color. It was also roughly tear drop shaped. "I'll make sure to put this in a special place and keep it safe." I beamed down at her. "But it's time for you to go back to your Mommy. I have a lot of work to do." Struck by a desire to warn her, I knelt down to look her in the eye and whispered, "I might be able to talk your Mommy and Daddy into letting me take you down to Earth for a visit in a week or two. Why don't you pick out some things you'd want to take and some clothes and pack them? Just in case I can convince them."

Her eyes lit up. "Sure. I wanna come!"

"Okay, but don't tell your Mommy or Daddy about it. Pack your bag secretly. You can do that, right?"

"Mhmm." She nodded enthusiastically.

"Good girl. I'll tell you later whether I can take you or not. Be a good girl today!"

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 19

I pushed through my tiredness and pulled out enough to keep my two day lead intact. Here's to hoping I have enough time and energy to turn it into a three day lead tomorrow.

Words written today: 1,450
Total words written: 35,075

Excerpt:

He nodded. The rest radioed in ready and he gave the order to move out. We traveled at a slow speed at first, adjusting our control to the terrain. But by the time we'd traveled a mile we were racing flat out as fast as the terrain would allow. The path there was well worn and fairly level but the occasional bumps and drops of levels would toss the vehicles high and, if we weren't careful, out of control. As we went airborne off of a semi-large bump, I felt (scientist #2) clinging onto me with all her might. I laughed quietly. She definitely wasn't the adventurous type. Thereafter I made sure to pick the largest bumps to jump just to tease her. I knew I would pay later, but I needed the laughter now. It distracted me from thinking about how badly the situation could turn out.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 18

Another low count today for Sunday so no more catching up. But I'm lucky to even get 1k done and I maintained my two day lead. I'll try to hit it harder tomorrow and Tuesday.

Words written today: 1,075
Total words written: 33,625

Excerpt:

"But you think your father will believe and help us?"

"Yes. He's enough of a believer to go out on limb for any chance to contact aliens even if there isn't much evidence. And the prospect of there being an alien homeworld at certain coordinates will be like the proverbial carrot dangling in front of a donkey. Nothing short of death will stop him from trying to confirm it."

"I hope so. He's going to have to pull out a miracle in order for the message to reach that far. But I have a back-up plan which might help if we can't send the message fast enough."

"A back-up plan?"

"Who says I’ve only met two alien races in my travels?"

I pressed the button to close the lift doors and we traveled down, heading for the airlocks to try to catch (kitty's father) before he and the others left.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 17

The villains have finally shown themselves and the pace of the story has accelerated into a gallop. That and the desire to get ahead for Thanksgiving is drove me onward to my highest words written in one day this month. My MC basically spent the whole time spilling her secrets so it was nice to finally get all that out on the page where the readers can see it.

Words written today: 4,180
Total words written: 32,550

Excerpt:

"Good afternoon, (scientist #4). Everything running smoothly?"

He jumped slightly and his gaze traveled up until he saw my face. "Ah, good afternoon, Dr. Oglethorpe. Um, yes. It is going well.” He pushed his glasses up. "Can I help you with something?"

"Yes, you can pull up that recording of the transmission that just came in and let me listen to it. (signal scientist) wants me to listen to it.

"Oh, alright." He tapped on the console to reach the file folder with the recording. He clicked on the wrong one at first and had to backtrack to the right recording. "Here you are." He handed me a pair of headphones.

"Thanks." I slipped them over my ears. Static, then a soft half beep before the message began. "This is (alien freighter #2). Virus confirmed." Static. "Measures are being taken to prevent spread of virus, but the ship is beyond rescue. We are evacuating." Garbled static voice and which faded into normal background static.

The ice that had frozen my hands was now spreading up my arms to the rest of my body. Ship beyond rescue? Evacuating? That sounds like a very late stage 2 infestation. This is not good at all. I tapped (scientist #4) on the shoulder and asked him to replay it. I wasn't able to divine any more information, but the words were now memorized in my head.

Until next time!

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 16

And my motivation streak continues! I scored my fourth day this month of 3k or more and I'm finally back to a one day ahead lead. I'm going to do my best to increase that even further tomorrow. My goal is 32k tomorrow or bust (and I wouldn't say no to somehow ending up near 34k).

Words written today: 3,066
Total words written: 28,370

Excerpt:

"Mhmm, isn't that perfect? Why else would they have chosen orchids to grow up here? They don't use that much water and are easy to grow. All they had to do was make a new color and then the colony had a steady export other than moon rocks."

"And rocks aren't as pretty." Kitty scrunched her face up. "Daddy brought me back a rock which he thought was pretty, but it isn't."

"Well maybe you just need to polish it. Sometimes rocks look really dirty and yucky until you cut them in half or polish them until they're smooth. How would you like to take your rock to someone who could polish it today?"

"Will it really make it pretty?" Her tone was skeptical.

"I promise that polishing makes any rock pretty. It makes it smooth and shiny too."

She hummed and rocked from side to side before standing up. "Okay. Can we do it now?"

"Sure. Let's go get your rock."

I proffered my hand again and led her out of the room. The air outside felt dry and stale after breathing in the rich, moist air in the hydroponics room for so long. I could almost feel my skin drying into flakes. An application of lotion when I returned to my quarters would stop that feeling. Maybe a bath too, I thought before remembering that I'd used my bath quota for the month. Blast it all to Saturn and beyond. I hate having only one bath a month.  

Until next time!

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 15

I'm back on track and I crossed the halfway mark! Today I managed to recover my motivation for writing. I could have probably written even more if I'd had people to war with. And, the big question, am I half way through the novel? Not even close. I'm nearing the end of the first arc, but I'm only at the very beginning of the rise to the climax. I might get close to or past 40k with this arc.

Next goal? Catch up to the 2k per day pace. (On a side note, this is only the 3rd day this month that I've crossed the 3k in a day line.)

Words written today: 3,028
Total words written: 25,304

Excerpt:

I slid my card in the access panel and the door whooshed open. The air smelled of earth and greenery with the sweet smells of flowers mingled in. I loved coming to this room because it helped keep me grounded. The smells and greenery reminded me that the sterilized chamber of a colony we lived in wasn't the only existence out there and that there was a whole planet of humans for whose sake I was working. I came close to forgetting the reason for which I was working often, but a trip to this room always brought back why I was up here. And reminded me that I was within a shuttle ride of home.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 13 and 14

These past two days have been pathetic! I'm at a very low point motivation wise and my word count reflects it. I wrote zero words on Tuesday and only a little bit today. The write-in went great tonight, but, no words written during it. And today marks my first day of being officially behind the daily word count goal. Eeep!

Words written today: 268
Total words written: 22,276
Words behind: 1,057

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 12

Barely anything written today. My word count is quite pathetic. But, I wrote something and my MC finally finished that story which I've now realized is going to require some major editing and splitting up across the novel to work. Bah. The editing comes later. Now onto the main plot again.

Words written today: 337
Total words written: 22,008

Excerpt:

I wasn't able to sleep until four in the morning that night. And even then I couldn't stay asleep for more than an hour. The nightmares were back in full force with louder and louder swarms of clicking. I shrugged it off best I could in the morning though the dark bags under my eyes told of how tired I was.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 11

Well, at least I was expecting not to get much written today. But I'm still proud of myself for getting this much done. My MC is still telling her story, but I think it will finish tomorrow.

Word written today: 1,118
Total words written: 21,671

Excerpt:

"But, it was time to go back before the sun came up. They were almost back to the colony when the human girl noticed something that hadn't been there before. There was a long, glowing green line from the mines to the colony. She told the aliens and they were surprised. So the alien boy flew closer, and what do you think it was?

"It was a long, slithering line of the glowing creatures from the cave! And they were walking towards the colony. The alien boys were horrified that the creatures were out of the cave. The creatures were almost at the colony and none of them knew what would happen when the creatures reached it. Everyone was scared."

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 10

I'm on a roll! For some reason, my MC just started telling a story (which is actually from her past) and she didn't stop for the whole time today. I end today with the end of the story within sight, but still not very close.

Words written today: 3,205
Total words written: 20,553

Excerpt:

"Are you ready? I've got the perfect funny story for you."

She nodded and started shoveling her last few bites into her mouth.

I could barely keep from laughing. She looked like a chipmunk with her bulging cheeks.

"Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away-"

She rolled her eyes. "I know that story."

"No, you don't. Now hush. Unless you don't want this story anymore?"

"No! I want one!"

"Then let me tell it." I leaned back and settled myself in my chair. "As I was saying; once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away there lived a girl. She loved to travel and see new things and was very talented at getting into trouble.

"One day she found herself in a spaceship that traveled between the stars and the people on it weren't human."

Kitty's eyes widened. "Did they hurt her?"

"No, not at all. They were nice people who liked talking to her to find out about humans. They were the good type of aliens who like to form alliances with humans instead of attacking them. But they were disappointed when she didn't know where her home was. She had traveled and ended up on their ship by accident. So, instead, they just had to talk. But they became very good friends.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 9

Today wasn't a day of heavy writing, but I wrote more than yesterday! My MC, Alice, has finally figured out that the villains are invading and so the plot's definitely thickening.

On a side note, I was looking at my stat page and was startled to see that I only had in the lower 30ks left to write. I really hadn't looked at it since I hit 10k.

Words written today: 2,257
Total words written: 17,348

Excerpt:

"This is the (alien race #1 freighter), Captain (freighter captain) speaking. Who sent the message offering help? We did not transmit a distress call. However, your message is appreciate as we have recently had several secondary systems shut down and the main systems are starting to malfunction. Please send assistance if able."

The words were replaced again by static, but this time I thought I heard a secondary sound, similar to Morse code, extend beyond the message and then stop after a split second.

They didn't send the distress call? I frowned. But it originated from their vessel. And their systems are beginning to malfunction? Is it a coincidence? And what on earth was that sound?

I tapped (scientist #2) on the shoulder. "Can you play it again please? It sounded slightly different from the last signal that we recorded."

"Sure.” She brought the file back up. “How do you think it differs?"

"I'm...not sure.” I hesitated. "I'll see if I can pinpoint it further by replaying it as many times as necessary. I'll let you know if my suspicion is correct."

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 8

I'm finally back in the mood to write! Yay! I started to write rather late today, hence why I didn't get more done, but I'm slowly catching up to where I'd like to be. I'm counting on heavy writing days tomorrow and Saturday to finish catching up.

Words written today: 2,089
Total words written: 15,091

Excerpt:

Unfortunately, I did not sleep well that night because the nightmares returned. However, the alien with the javelin was absent this time. Only the sounds of clicking and tapping and the flashes of light on metal disturbed my dreams. I found them even more disturbing, though, as if they were an enemy which lurked just out of my vision. I kept trying to turn and look, but I couldn't see what was making the noise, though I had the feeling that the sound was very familiar. I woke abruptly and then fell back to sleep while trying to place the noise.

I awoke the next morning with the nightmare lingering in the back of my mind like a shadow on a bright day that just wouldn't go away but kept following behind me just out of sight. It was annoying so I ate quickly and headed to sickbay as soon as I could to play with Kitty. She sat upright in her bed awaiting my arrival.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 7

On the upside, I was able to have a very good time at a write in. On the downside, I wrote barely anything today, again. I really need to get moving before I truly fall behind.

Words written today: 781
Total words written: 13,002

Excerpt:

It'd been simmering in the back of my mind since I'd heard the distress call. The possibility of responding to the SOS, talking to them, making sure they were okay, had been growing stronger. But what would I say? I can't send help. And I don't think any message I could send would reach even their closest colony. What help could I offer? And yet I still the urge to reach out and talk to them remained. I wanted answers and that seemed to be the only option where I would be able to receive the information I wanted.

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 6

At least I achieved some writing today. It was pathetically small, but it was something. The Election, ESL teaching and everything else I had going on today didn't leave much time for writing. And I've decided to give up writing more because my brain is crashing due to tiredness (and not in the good way that results in wacky/funny writing). But I did reach 12k. That's something.

Words written today: 832
Total words written: 12,221

Excerpt:

I jerked straight before relaxing enough to smile. "Yes, this is a monumental find. Truly a historic moment for humankind." I adjusted the headphones. "Could I listen to it one more time?"

"Of course."

I listened carefully, anticipating the (alien race #1 language) this time but I didn't catch any more meaning than before. The coordinates weren't that far from our solar system. They were right in the area that the (alien race #1) inhabited. But then why are they sending out a distress signal? Surely they would have been found already before the signal would have been broadcasted this far away. I prevented myself from frowning. That I could understand it needed to be kept secret. I removed the headphones.

"What do you think?" (scientist #2) queried as she took back the headphones.

"It's definitely some sort of language and it doesn't sound like any language found on Earth."

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 4 and 5

Ok, I'll admit it. I completely failed on Sunday. Zero words written on that day. I don't know why, but I didn't feel like writing anything. Thank goodness I was ahead. But, I'm back on track for Day 5! And...*drum roll* the villain is upon the point of being introduced! I spent most of the day chronicling Alice Oglethorpe's mysterious illness though. I do wonder what could be wrong with her...(well, I don't, but you have to!)

Words written today: 2,763
Total words written: 11,389

Excerpt:

I gave up and lay down on the bed, curled into a tight ball, fighting with all my willpower to keep my limbs still. The room slowly darkened in front of me. I clenched my fists and pulled my legs closer to my chest. Breathe. Just keep breathing. I repeated it over and over until I heard a noise from outside trying to break into my ears. I focused. The noise was a voice. Who...?

"Alice, breathe! I shall get the medicine. Hold on."

I jerked my head up and down the tiniest amount. I couldn't spare more concentration for any physical effort greater than that. I had to focus on taking my next breath and taking it in the proper place and time. A breath in the wrong dimension didn't help my body here. Stay in one place. Breathe. I'm on the moon. Breathe. In the colony. Breathe. Must stay here. 

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 3

Today progressed very smoothly and I've finally reached the beginnings of the first arc in the plot.

Words written today: 3,501
Total words written: 8,626


Excerpt (introducing a new character who, incidentally, doesn't have a name yet):

After a week of this, my scenarios had turned up nothing and the doubts were starting to creep back in. I couldn't understand what was going on. "According to my calculations we should be receiving a signal a week if not several times a week. This silence is odd." I was once again talking to my reflection in the mirror. The isolation in my travels had turned me into someone who sought comfort from the only familiar face around—my face in the mirror. I straightened up suddenly. "Perhaps a signal has come in and it just hasn't been recognized for what it really is."

I finished my preparations and hurried off to the MLab. Most people were at supper so the lab was quiet and empty save for two other people. I strode up to (scientist #2). "How's your evening going? Anything new?"

She spun her swivel chair around. "Good evening, Alice. No, nothing new." She sighed.

I sat down on the chair beside her. "What was all the excitement about the last few days then? I thought we surely had some positives come in."

"They turned out to be just static." She swiveled back around and began bringing up the audio samples. "Different forms of static but static all the same. It was quite the letdown."

"I'm sorry to hear that. This lab has been so criticized by the general public that we really do need to produce results or else our funding might be cut."

"Don't I know it. My parents think I'm wasting my time up here listening to static."

I leaned back in my chair. "I understand completely. That's why I like it better up here. Everyone up here is a believer and so we don't get so much flack."

"I'm with you there." She laughed. "You want to listen to the recordings from the past week? Maybe you'll hear something that the rest of missed. I think you're the only one who hasn't listened to them."

"I'd be happy to."

She leaned closer to me. "Sorry you've been getting the short end of the stick around here. We're all feeling the strain of (signal scientist)'s leadership. He's a good scientist..."

"Yes, he is. Which is why I turned this project over to him. He does need to work on his leadership skills though," I whispered back and winked. "I've gotten over it. In fact, not being on the schedule has given me time to work on a project of my own."

(scientist #2) patted me on the shoulder. "I'm glad to hear that. The recordings are all here. Would you mind watching the console for me? Mr. Leader forgot that I needed to eat sometime during my shift and so there's no one to replace me." She rose to her feet.

"I can do that easily." I pushed her towards the door. "I hear that there's some really good food on the menu tonight. Go before you miss it!"

"You don't have to tell me twice." A minute later she was gone.

Until next time!

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 2

Day two has passed quite well word count wise. Plot wise I was able to reintroduce two characters from the old version. But I'm still fishtailing on plot. It's far too early for the main plot to start, though I'm starting to put some foreshadowing in.

Words written today: 2,583
Total words written: 5,125
Words ahead (calculated at my new goal of 2.5k per day): 125

Excerpt:

I wasn't Dr. Ji-Ji's only visitor though. A small girl with auburn hair sat on the floor playing with a doll.

"Hello, Kitty!" I bent down to pat her head.

She twisted her head to grin up at me. "Alice!"

I squatted down. "Is that the doll you got for your birthday?"

She nodded vigorously.

"What's her name?"

"Kat. Like me."

"What a pretty name for a doll. And it does look just like you." I patted the doll's head.

Kitty beamed. "Mommy said she'll get me another one for Christmas," she announced. "And I'm gonna name her Ali. Like you!"

"Wow, I'll have a doll name after me. I can't wait to see her. Will you show her to me as soon as you get her? And then we could play together!"

Kitty bounced up and down and nodded. "I'll show her to you first," she paused, "After mommy and daddy and Ji-Ji."

"It's a promise then." I held out my pinkie and she twisted her own around mine.

"A promise." She let go, then turned back to playing with her doll.

"Kitty, can you tell me where Ji-Ji is? I wanted to ask him a question."

"He's back there." She waved her hand vaguely behind her.

"Thanks, Kitty." I stood up and patted her once more on the head. Back there probably meant his office. She sure is cute. I hid my smile so Kitty wouldn’t see it. Little kids were so adorable and innocent. Playing with them was always a relief from having to deal with conniving, deceitful adults.

 Until next time!

NaNoWriMo 2012: Day 1

NaNoWriMo has begun! And here is my tally of the day's accomplishment.

Word written today: 2,542
Total words written: 2,542
Words behind: 0

I met my 2k daily goal and went beyond it! Yay! And here's the first few paragraphs (I'm going to try to remember to post an excerpt from the day's writing each day):

I, Alice Oglethorpe, had finally met my match in no less than a rusted pipe.

"Stupid, stupid, STUPID!"

I banged on the pipe with a wrench but it bounced back with a dull 'bong'. The nut on the joined pipe refused to move even after spending over a half hour on it.

"I am not a plumber. Why am I doing this?"

Crossing my arms, I glared at the pipe. The single plumber in the station was on sick leave back on Earth and his replacement was dying of something in the medical bay awaiting the next transport. Which left me to do it.

"Why on earth didn't I keep my mouth shut." I wedged the wrench back onto the pipe. "I just had to show off and say I knew how to fix plumbing." Straining, I pushed down on the wrench with all my body weight. It gave, ever so slightly. "Alice Oglethorpe, you are a scientist. You were hired as a scientist, not a plumber." The wrench jerked downward another inch. "Next time, keep," it moved another inch, "your," the pipe threads squealed, "mouth," the wrench dropped another two inches, "shut!" The wrench slipped out of my hands as the nut loosened and the wrench clanged loudly to the floor, narrowly missing my big toe. I jumped out of the way and rubbed my hands. They felt like they’d never uncurl from the shape of the wrench’s handle. 

Until next time!