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!