Tag: amwriting

The reason I’ve been so quiet (if you noticed that is)

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

Just a quick one, I’ve completed NaNoWriMo for the second year in a row! I’m really happy and have ordered a t-shirt to celebrate. Its a bit geeky but it also contributes to this brilliant challenge and helps to keep it running.

So, here is a synopsis of the story I have possibly given myself a back problem partly writing;

My novel, which isn’t finished yet but is well on its way like last years, is about a government that rules with an iron fist. They will let you live your lives but if you get caught talking or doing anything against them, and they are listening all the time, you will be killed or ‘removed’. This government has made the UK a very rich UK. It has also, since the now Prime Minister took over, discovered that a chemical runs through most human beings bodies that, if it’s in a high quantity, will cause that person to commit a crime. The higher the chemical level, the worse the crime. This can be removed however and the remove-ee (not a word) can re enter society and never commit a crime.

In order to make sure all those that should, in the governments eyes anyway, have the chemical removed do have it removed, they want to create an End Solution. Someone who can smell the chemical and suck it out of someone on the spot like a vampire. The End Solution ends up, after years of experimentation, being created but by accident. Now, the End Solution, a once normal, middle of the road man, is now a super charged, walking deterant to crime. Will he help the government or will he go out on his own? Will his friends find him before its too late? Will the Prime Minister get what he wants? Will the Government be brought o its knee’s? will he go for pizza?

Who knows? I only roughly know myself. If you would be interested in reading a snippet of this, let me know. If not, I’ll post a snippet at some point so you’ll see it anyway.

And now, this…

2013-Winner-Vertical-Banner

 

Cheers

Advertisement

My nano progress. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

My progress so far is pretty good with this years nanowrimo challenge. I’m a little behind on my word count (which is 18,000 I think so far) but I have some time off work so I’m going to catch up. I’d be fine if I didn’t have a daft amount of good things going on so far this month.

My flat mate managed to apply successfully for tickets for five of us to go to the Manchester United vs Arsenal game on sunday (which we, United, won) and then this meant we had to go out and celebrate. That’s sunday without writing but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Then I went to visit my sister, brother in law and nephew in the Sheffield on monday and Tuesday. It was a brilliant two days and I’m so glad I got to know my nephew a lot better. But alas, no writing. But alas, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

These are excuses I’ll grant you that but all it means is my focus is a lot stronger on catching up on my word count.

Well, that’s my nanowrimo progress so far. Hopefully those of you taking part are doing well and enjoying it. I know I am.

Good pie

As with last year, nanowrimo for the win.

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

So nanowrimo is in full swing. And I’m getting back into it easily enough. I was worried I’d struggle but its getting easier as I find my routine.

I’m also enjoying how my story is moving along. As with last year, worry crept into my head as I wondered how to move my story along.

But as I wrote, as with last year, I found myself crafting a story I’ll be proud of.

I’m also enjoying coming up with new characters as I write. I’ve managed to work in a bounty hunter somehow.

For all those who are taking part in nanowrimo, I hope you’re having a good time and continue to throughout the month.

Bye bye

Character profile fever.

· 2 Comments ·

Hello

So, one week later and I’ve still got character profile fever. Yes that’s right. It now has a name. Character profile fever causes you to improve the back story of your stories and characters and potentially create new plots points along with adding and improving to your story as a whole through character building.

I first thought I had character profile fever when I started getting the shakes 24 hours after completing the character profile for the chief villain for The Searchers Want. I didn’t really know what was going on. At first, I thought I was hungry so I had some food. That didn’t get rid of them. Then, I thought that thirst was what was causing it so I drank but to no avail. Then I thought I needed to exercise. Nope that didn’t work. After all this I decided to pick up my note pad and pen and write another profile.

The shakes suddenly disappeared and were replaced by calm followed by excitement. I completed two profiles, for the hero’s sister, a drug addict who caused the deaths of their parents and knows about his job, and a news reporter who works with the searchers and wants to sleep with the hero but he isn’t having any of it so instead she sleeps with another searcher to get to him. These were both great to write and opened up more story things and stuff for the edit.

I’m close now to finishing all the main character profiles. I’ve currently got at least two more big ones to complete and possibly numerous smaller ones to do for characters than are only in it for the battle scene at the end of the story.  Not decided whether I will give them big profiles (every point thoroughly completed) or smaller ones (just one or two things for each point). Best get the next two big ones finished though before I decide, a?

I also managed to fit in an edit for two of my short stories. Although, I was watching a football (soccer) game at the same time so I know I’ll have to go over them again. And again, And again. And so on…

So, to conclude, the only way to get over a case of character profile fever is by doing more profiles. I’ll let you know what to do when all the profiles that are required for any story are completed. But the question is…

Do you suffer, or have ever suffered, from any (entirely fake) fevers as a result of writing a story or poem?

Bye Bye

 

And its done. That was quick. But thoroughly enjoyable of course.

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

As I mentioned last time round, I was looking forward to completing the character profile for the main villain of The Searcher’s Want, my NaNoWriMo story from last November. Last November? Dear lord that’s gone by quickly. Although, the next NaNoWriMo is just around the corner! Focus John, Focus.

So, after spending the previous three days with my girlfriend and visiting my awesome big sister and my even awesome-er nephew and then helping to babysit my girlfriends niece, I sat down to write the character profile for the Ripper demon, the main villain of the story I mentioned only a few seconds ago.

Do you know when you are writing and it just seems to flow out of you? Like it’s been dwelling inside of you, waiting eagerly for you to finish doing other stuff with your life and get back to your calling which is, obviously, to write? Well, that is what it felt like. I know the character well enough anyway and as I started writing I didn’t want to stop. I could have happily kept going and wrote all day. Who needs food and water when there is writing to be done? It did end quicker than I’d like but I wrote as much I thought was needed so I’m happy with it.

I had already made the necessary notes, so that I could at least start the character profile, when I was preparing for NaNoWriMo last October. I kept these notes to hand and as I wrote the profile, as like all the previous profiles, the character became completely fully formed on the page and in my head.

What I found as well, which made the process even more electric, was that I was coming up with plot points for the story as a whole and knew exactly how and what I needed to do to improve upon the Ripper within the story itself when editing begins.

My favourite part of the profile was the history part of it. This has allowed me to explain how the Ripper has arrived at the point I found him in the story. I was slightly worried about getting all the back story right but now, I’m not worried at all. Well, I probably will be when I add everything in, re-edit the edit, and find I need to write more. Oh great. Now I’m worried and excited. And I’m not sure what to do…

And that’s my queue to exit. I’ve not done any exercise since Saturday morning so hopefully that will help.

Good pie

Demons and their ways.

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

Since my last post I’ve managed to complete two more of my demon character profiles. I now have three of the four demons profiled that make up the villains of my story. I’m really looking forward to writing the next one as it is the chief, among many, villain of the piece.

Each of the other types of demon have certain skills and knowledge to do something in particular. This type of demon, known as the Ripper, was designed as a protector for the other three. It was designed to make sure the others don’t come to any harm.

I have most of the main parts to this character figured out so it shouldn’t take as long as the other three. Which is a shame as I’d wouldn’t mind it taking a lot longer. As I wrote the Searchers Want, the character grew more than the others because it was more influential. The Ripper demon is the architect of the demons plan to take over the world. As much as I enjoyed writing all the other character profiles, this one should be ever so slightly better.

What I am looking forward to as well, amongst a lot of other things when I start editing this story, is expanding on each of the demons characters. Relating to humans is easy, but demons? Do I know any demons? There is a bloke who walks around Manchester with just his trousers on, wet hair, and a bunny rabbit under his arm. Maybe he’s a demon?

Anyway, to sign off, here is a brief on how the Searchers became searchers in the first place. If you have any questions, feel more than free to ask them.

‘ There are four types of demon in total that make up the villains of my story, The Searcher’s Want. Three of them have been designed to do a certain thing to help the human race live better lives. The forth has been designed to protect them while they do this if required. Unfortunately they have decided not to help anyone else but themselves. After discovering, within hours of their birth, the powers that they had, they all fled to different parts of the world. That is what necessitated the man who conducted the ritual to bring them to life, Henry Radcliffe-Gray, to start searching and killing them just under 400 years ago. He is now the Searcher General and commands the rest of the searchers. ‘

Cheers

It tried again…and failed. Get in!

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

As I mentioned in my last post, a nasty little cold tried to delay my progress in writing some of the character profiles for The Searcher’s Want, my NaNoWriMo novel that I finished back at the beginning of July. That cold tried, and failed miserably, to rear its pointless head again this past week. I got rid of it and managed to finish the character profiles for the two possible love interests for the lead character. I now have to start doing the profiles of the secondary characters which, though very important, will take ages. But as always I’ll grow to love it after writing few words. And, it’s all needed if I want my story to be completely plot-hole free.

I went to visit my sister and her husband and my awesome now 8 week old nephew Ezra last Saturday in Sheffield. He’s changing so fast, I have to remind myself that he’s the same guy I met after three weeks who was hiccupping, sleeping and going to the toilet all the time. He’s now, kicking, punching, smiling, holding his head up, hiccupping, sleeping and going to the toilet. He’ll be playing the piano the next time I see him.

The train to and from Sheffield allowed me to continue to read 1984. It’s an epic book and is the main inspiration behind my small-amount-vampire-large-amount-government-rule-the-world-future story. That reminds me, I haven’t read Casino Royale or The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night Time in a while. Both of which are either in my work bag or in my bathroom respectively. That can be a task for me to do over the next week. I tried to have a reading evening whereby I read all three books last Wednesday but only managed to read a bit of 1984 before bed. I watched TV instead.  😦 I’m sorry.

I’ve started to carry around a note pad in my work bag and it has so far helped me to complete two of my character profiles. I’m annoyed I didn’t start doing this sooner. I also looked into the different books shops across Manchester and will try each one of them to see if they have anything I can use. I did a scout out one of them, which started out well with a few cheap second/third/forth etc hand books but as I looked round the corner at the next lot of shelves, all I could see was porn. I calmly turned around, walked out, and mentally crossed that shop of my list.

I also managed to edit a couple of short stories which I’ll be posting very soon so if you’re interested, I’d appreciate your feedback on them.

Well, I’m going to get back to it. I’ll leave with a question I think. What’s the best place you’ve found books that have helped you when writing a story?

Good Pie

Looking inside myself…for stuff and things.

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

Following on from the promise I to myself that I would do more writing, I have, in fact, not done that much. Let’s see why that was…

Thursday 1st August 2013:

Got up. Went to work. Got home. Packed a bag. Stayed over at my girlfriend’s house. Fell asleep.

Friday 2nd August 2013:

Got up. Went to work. Got home. Unpacked a bag. Met my friend for a few beers. Had more beers (very bad ones). Had one last beer. Went home. Had another beer. Fell asleep at 4am.

Saturday 3rd August 2013:

Got up. Was hungover. Had a shower. Was hungover. Played on my xbox for most of the day. Was hungover. Had a nap. Woke up with the shakes. Bought a takeaway pizza. Watched The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (which was very good by the way. I do need to get round to reading those books you know). Fell asleep.

Sunday 4th August 2013:

Got up. Finished the July Edition of Writing Magazine (finally). Did a smeg load of ironing. Played on my xbox. Wrote 674 words of The End Solution (see I do write). Went out to the shop for supplies. Watched The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (which was very good as well.) Fell asleep.

Monday 5th August 2013:

Got up. Went to work. Got home. Packed a bag. On the tram read a chapter of Casino Royale. Stayed over at my girlfriend’s house. Fell asleep.

Today:

Got up. Read another chapter of Casino Royale on the tram to work. Got home. Unpacked a bag. Went for a run (in which I ran 10k in 57mins. I can do 55 minutes. Am I out of shape already?) Had a shower. Played on my xbox. Sat down to write this post.

*I should stress that I did eat, drink and go toilet on all of these days at regular intervals.*

It looks like I play a lot of xbox doesn’t it? I have contemplated getting rid of it but I use it as a reward when I finish writing at any given time. It is also a very good stress reliever, helps to wake me up in morning (not every morning), and helps me to wind down after work.

Seeing my girlfriend is always awesome. I shall keep doing that for as long as I can.

I have been meaning to read more often. The two chapters of Casino Royale should hopefully get me back to my reading ways.  I currently have three books on the go. One which is located in my bathroom, The Curious Case of the Dog at Midnight by Mark Haddon, 1984 by George Orwell, which is in my bedroom, and Casino Royale By Ian Fleming which is in my work bag. I also carry the latest copy of writing magazine in my work bag.

Maybe I need a concrete routine to follow. I have mentioned about wanting to follow a routine but sometimes when I get home from work or at the weekend I just want to do nothing. I’m going to be purchasing an actually notice board to, again hopefully kick start my writing. I know can write more in a week. Hell, I wrote 50,000 words a month once. What is holding me back?

I read an interesting article by Martine McDonagh (www.martinemcdonagh.com) entitled ‘Write-away Days’ which got me thinking about trying to write outside of my flat. Maybe in the local library. Or potentially take a long weekend away and use that to write. I do have a lot of holidays left to take from work?

So, all these words have led me to the questions of the post. How do you ensure you write on a regular basis? And, do you prefer to write at home or away?

 

Cheers

 

To be rude or not to be rude?

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

Over the past week or so I’ve only done any writing on one day. I know it’s not very much but I found myself either busy, hung-over or doing chores. I probably could’ve done more writing in-between but I’ll make up for it over the next week. Don’t you worry.

Within the writing I actually managed to do, I found myself with the task of writing an ‘after sex’ scene. I had contemplated writing an actual sex scene but I prefer to let the reader imagine what went on between the sheets. Although on second thought I’m not so sure.

This scene was from my vampire myth story and concerned the main female character and one of the chief male support characters. Amanda and Peter are having an affair behind their friend Marks, and other chief male support character, back. They all work at the same Admin Company and were all friends with the lead male character of the story, Bruce. Bruce knew about the affair but kept it a secret as he was close with Amanda. Now that he has become the End Solution and the United Kingdom’s only recognised vampire (of sorts), Amanda has chosen to try and find him to make sure he is ok. Mark is willing to help her But Peter is not. Even with all this Amanda continues to see Peter. I think you know enough now.

It starts inside a room of the hotel they usually use. Both are discussing Bruce and their particular views on the subject. This is mostly to enhance Amanda’s need to find him and to show that Peter is against it. It’s all about character building people! Anyway, throughout the scene they are naked as I don’t think two people, who only really have sex and barely don’t do anything together when Mark isn’t there, would be too bothered about walking around in such a way.

Now I’m getting to the title of this here post and the end of it.

I was considering re-writing the scene with a bit more happening as they are naked. But I don’t think this is in keeping with the tone of the whole story so far. However, it could act as I a bit of a twist in the tone that could set up the same kind of twist in tone sporadically throughout the book for impact. So, my question is this…

Do you think it’s a good idea to be explicit, shocking, drastic et al in stories just for effect or should it always be in line with the tone of the story?

Your feedback would be awesome.

Bye

 

A fistful of grammar.

· Leave a comment ·

Hello

So, I’ve continued to brush up on my grammar skills and as it turns out, I know more than I thought I did. Maybe in my haste to get my stories written I’ve chosen to forget certain aspects of the wonderful, if not very frustrating, world of grammar.

As I’ve been reading through the exceptional book, ‘Improve your grammar; Learn the skills, master the language.’ By Collins. (http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/7802960/Collins-Improve-Your-Grammar/Product.html?searchstring=imporive+your+grammar&searchsource=2&searchfilters=s%7bimporive+your+grammar%7d%2bc%7b91%7d%2b&urlrefer=search or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Improve-Your-Punctuation-Graham/dp/0007288069/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374611468&sr=1-5&keywords=improve+your+grammar) I keep remembering things that I’ve somehow forgotten or easily working out what I should be doing. I’m currently on the section dedicated to commas and all their forms. And if I’ve missed any commas so far or hereafter, I’m sorry.

This has also helped me with my editing and writing over the past week. I’ve continued with my take on the vampire myth and editing one of my older stories. The writing is coming along nicely, although as it’s going along I’m realising that I’m going to need to create a lot more for the world this story takes place in.

It’s a world in which the Prime Minister rules the country like a dictator. He has put in place huge, gothic, dark buildings in each of the main towns and cities across the country. These help him to keep a watch over a majority of it. He uses special employees or ‘Operatives’ to keep an eye on the small villages and day to day life that he can’t control himself. This, as you might imagine, creates a whole host of questions and a whole host of answers to accompany them. I’ll let you know how I get on.

On the other hand, the editing process has been more fruitful than I’d previously anticipated. I’ve always liked editing but after almost two years away from the story I’m casting my eye on, I’m chopping and changing stuff and really starting to be critical of myself. I know I’ll have to go back over it again and again (location, character, descriptions and so on) but if it’s possible I’m looking forward to it more than I ever have.

Well, that’s me for now. I’m going to get back to it. Hmm…How do I end this post…why not with a question?

If you could change one thing about the world today, what would it be? And don’t feel like you have to choose a nice, save the world, type of option. Just go nuts if you like.

 

Bye