Tag: nanowrimo

A schedule to try and keep.

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Hello

As I’ve mentioned previously I’ve been hoping and trying to keep to a writing schedule. This has so far been fairly successful.

After updating this very blog last week I read a couple of stories on www.protagonize.com. Both of which were good and worked well to help me get back into it. One was young adult (well written and rude but also a little dull) and the other was a chapter of fantasy story I’ve been reading. Its called The War Golum. And it’s awesome. I’ve missed protagonize….

Anyway I would have liked to do more but time got away from me. Tonight I hope to read a few more stories. If time will allow of course.

My writing has also kept going at a steady pace. I’ve hit the main part of the climax to my story I started with NaNoWriMo ‘Searcher’s Want.’ Tomorrow when I pick it back up again I’ll be close to finishing the whole thing. This is something I’ve been waiting for since I started writing the thing back in November 2012. Don’t worry, I won’t rush into it. But I might do. A little bit.

The other story, my second go at my take on the vampire myth ‘The End Solution’, is taking shape even nicer. I want to try and build a world where the government has ultimate control and rules the country like a dictatorship. They kill those who oppose them and tell the rest what to think and do. They have huge government buildings in each major city that tower over it. The only thing that could stop them is the one thing they wanted to create…oooooooo and so on. I’m having fun putting it together and building on some of the characters I mentioned when I did my first draft. Which has been posted on this blog before (3rd February 2013)

Right, I’m going to have a look around and read some stories. But I leave you with a question. Do you find it hard to commit to a writing plan? Either whilst writing one story or many?

Cheers

 

 

 

The Battle Commences.

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Hello

As I wrote in my last post I was getting closer and closer to the final battle of the story I started to write for NaNoWriMo. I started by writing out how the battle would go by bullet pointing the key thingshappenings within it. I’ve read numerous times that this is a good way of planning your chapters, big scenes, whole books etc but I always prefer doing this for the climax of my stories.

I tried it once for a whole story but I ended up only using the first few points and the last few. All the ones in the middle got either moved around or changed or deleted. I’m not saying it’s a bad way to go about these things but it’s not my chosen way. Anyway…

I’ve started writing the battle scene.

To set the battle…scene our heroes, the searchers who search and kill the demons, have throughout the story been fighting against four different types of demon. The Calculating demon, the Cautious- Calm demon, the Catcher demon and the Rambunctious or ‘Ripper’ demon. The Ripper has shown itself to be the more dominant one with the guidance help of their intelligent and strong in all ways leader. After he had lost the last battle against the searchers he has committed himself to getting revenge. He has pulled together an army of ripper’s intent on taking back what he believes to be rightfully theirs. Earth. The searchers have now come together from all over the world to try and defend it.

I’m being slightly biased but I think this sounds well good. I was slightly giddy when I came up with this about half way through(ish, possibly) writing the story. As I’ve said before I’ve been looking forward to writing this for a while.

I did agonise a little bit about how to start but I just thought I’d go for it and take care of any inconsistencies or moments of rubbishness in the editing process. I’m happy I did this as I’m enjoying writing it so far. I’m going to go and write some more now I think.

I’ve decided to write the first chapter (of three) for the battle from the view points of each of the main characters, the police and the villain. I’m liking it so far but I’m not sure if it’s the best way to write a battle scene. So, I ask you this?

How would you write an epic battle scene?

Cheers

It’s all coming back to me now.

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Hello

I decided to take a break from writing after completing NaNoWriMo. I also said it would only be for a couple of weeks. That couple turned into a whole month. And I’m glad for it.

Though I love to write I also remember the days when I didn’t love it as much. The days when I used to fill my evenings and sometimes days with the pursuits of making my fantasy team good enough on Pro Evolution Soccer on the Xbox. Or managing my own team on football manager. Or watching a film. Or doing absolutely NOTHING!

It was very refreshing to come home from work and then just lounge about until it was time for bed. Doing this allowed my brain to calm down and return to a normal temperature. It also allowed me to miss writing which I haven’t done in a long time. But that is over now and it’s all coming back to me (see what I did? Genius. Or because I watched a Glee episode in which they systematically ruined plenty of Meat Loaf songs and one in particular has been my head for days)

I started again by writing the story that I had almost finished when I took part in NaNoWriMo (I have recently received my t-shirt to confirm this in the post. Bit chuffed I must say)  I’m around four chapters or so before the end and it didn’t take me long to pick up from where I’d left off. I had to read the last four pages again which I’m glad was what it took to reignite me as reading over 50,000+ again sounded daunting.

It’s great to be back to my writing ways and I’m now going to (hopefully) stick to some kind of schedule for 2013. Writing one day, reading and commenting the next then doing my writing course and then anything else I can think of. I’ve missed it really. I prefer to keep myself busy and it will all help to get my writing finished and ready for the good/bad process of editing.

By the way, have you taken a writing break over the festive period? Or when was the last time you took a break from this writing lark?

Laters

Not writing. A good thing?

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Hello

After completing the awesome NaNoWriMo last month I’ve decided to take a break from novel writing for a week or two. This is to recharge the batteries a bit and help my back and, for some reason, left bum cheek get back to normal. I’m informed this is what can happen from not having a comfortable seat to sit on or from sitting for too long. Never mind.

It’s been good so far not writing. I didn’t think I’d like it but I know when I start to write again and finish the novel NaNoWriMo helped me start I’ll get right back into it. This break has been a welcome surprise so far. It has allowed me to mull over some ideas for the novel I’m writing and others that I’ve got to finish. Leaves me lots to do when I start to novel write again.

I also received an email stating I’ll be able to get NaNoWriMo winners only offers from tomorrow onwards. I wonder what they’ll have in store. And I now have something else to mull over.

Cheers

 

It’s come to an end.

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Hello

So for the last thirty days(ish) I’ve been taking part in the glorious NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge. It was hard in some parts but I managed to come up with a system. That system was to write 500 words at a time and take twenty minute breaks in between. It makes writing 2000 words a day seem a lot easier. The results of using said system were……

I completed 50,000 words in one month and bought a t-shirt to celebrate!

Now, I got a bit giddy upon seeing the ‘Winner’ title above my name and that’s why I bought the t-shirt but I don’t think it’s too geeky. Well, if it is I’m not bothered anyway. I’m proud of what I’ve done but I just hope an American size medium t-shirt fits me.

The novel is still a few chapters of the end and I’ll be posting some of it at some point. If you’ve ever wanted to write a novel, I suggest you sign up for NaNoWriMo 2013. We won’t regret it.

Bye

Writing Writing Writing

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Hello

Sorry I’ve not been updating my blog recently but I’ve been busy with this NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) thingy that I’ve not had time. Well, I probably have had time but I’ve just been so sick of looking at a PC screen I’ve wanted to do something else.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying NaNoWriMo immensely and have now written 33,610 words of the 50,000 word total. I have to say I’ve never been so happy with my own writing or what I’ve been able to accomplish.

What’s the novel about john? I hear you ask. Very good question. It’s about a world in which all the really bad crimes (rape, murder, child kidnapping etc) are not done by humans they ate done by demons who frame the humans for it for their own ends. To stop this, the world has demon hunters or ‘searchers’ who search out the demons and kill them. The demons have so far always worked alone but what would happen if they all banded together against the searchers? Can the searchers stop them from taking over the world?

That was how the story started in my head and has pretty much gone like that so far. I’m very happy with it and will share some of it with you once it’s finished.

The word count goal of 50,000 in one month is something different and challenging. Though it does give you focus. I managed to get 6000 words written in a day this past Saturday which I’ve never done before. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if not for NaNoWriMo. If you ever consider writing a novel in future, you should definitely consider this challenge.

Right I’m off to bed. Later

I’m only just starting to get going really.

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Hello

As you may or may not know I’ve joined up with and started to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I started off well writing my first 2000+ words in quick fashion on 31st October and then doing the same on 2nd November. Then I had to go and watch WWE Raw at the Manchester Arena on Saturday 3rd (and only managed to get 1000+ words written before hand) and then go out drinking afterwards (not to mention during) and though it was a really good night I was a mess on Sunday. On Monday (still with a hangover) I went out to watch some fireworks with my girlfriend and her friends which again was a really good night. But all of this didn’t allow me to write as much as I’d like. #slightlyannoyed

I’ve started to get back on track and I’ve currently written 10,021 words altogether. The target so far is 11,662 if I’m to get to the 50,000 words mark by the end of the month. I’m writing 2000+ words a day so I know I’ll get back on track. I also found that I quite like writing this way and my speed has quickened. Hopefully I’ll keep writing like this when the month is over and this novel’s first draft is complete.

Till next time then.

Getting Ready For NaNoWriMo

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Hello

Holy crap it’s only two days away. Well, for me I’ll start tomorrow as I’m busy on Thursday so it’s tomorrow. Great.

I’ve been making more notes so I can start my story without a lot of hesitation. Though the main thing I’ve gathered is you shouldn’t really hesitate at all. Just go for it. Write and write and write until the magic 50,000 word mark is hit and probably passed. It sounds a bit daunting but if I go at 2000 words a day that allows for five days out of the month for research and rest. I think I’m ready.

I did some last minute training for it as well by writing two pages, around 1200 words, for my latest pov chapter from the latest book I’m writing. Ok it not 2000 but I felt good after writing it and I’ve done 2000+ in one sitting before.

Now I think about it, at the end of November I would’ve finished writing one story and still not be finished writing the one I’m currently working on. One which I started 2nd March 2010. Hopefully after November I’ll finish that in no time and have in total three finished stories. All ready to be edited. And ripped apart. And probably changed beyond all recognition from how they started. Never mind. I’ll allow it as I love it so.

If you’re taking part in NaNoWriMo or are interested in it, go to http://www.nanowrimo.org my user name is johnrsermon (surprisingly). I’ve also come up with a first draft of the synopsis (below) for the novel I’ll be writing. Let me know what you think. Cheers.

” Title; The Searcher’s Want.

Synopsis(first draft)

For every bad thing that happens on the planet (killings, rape, illegal trafficking of any kind etc) there is always one common denominator. A demon was responsible. There are four different kinds of demon’s who perpetrate any crime on a large scale. A serial killer or a rapist will be identified but he or she didn’t kill anyone, it was a demon.
These demons are only known to those who seek to kill them. They are searchers. Who job is to search and kill them before they can do anymore harm. This has been the case for over 300 years.
The demons however, are starting to band together. They want to take over the world once and for all. But the searchers want to stop them for good. At any cost. “

The importance of making notes.

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Hello

I’ve finished the point of view chapter for the villain of my latest piece. Now all I have to do is write a chapter from our hero’s point of view. This should be easy as the whole story so far is from his point of view. However, I’ve managed to put in a lot of things which I need to convey and show my hero’s feelings about in the other three point of view chapters. This means it’s going to be harder to write this chapter than any of the others. I’ll have to make notes I think before I even begin. Great, now I’ve given myself even more work to do. Never mind though because once I start doing it I know I’ll enjoy it.

Other than the above, I’ve been working on my idea for the novel I’m going to write for NaNoWriMo(Nation Novel Writing Month).

I sat down last week to think of an idea. I had a few ideas rolling around but none of which were good enough to use. Well, not for this and not right now anyway. Then I remembered something I’d heard numerous times when reading the writing magazine I subscribe to. It was that you should always carry a note book or a way of taking notes wherever you go. This will enable you to record any ideas you have where ever you are.

So, I checked my Evernote app (which is a fantastic app to keep and store your ideas on) on my blackberry and came across a note I’d left some time last year. It was the start of a proposed short story about hunters or ‘Searchers’ as they were called in the note. I read it and immediately I’d settled on my idea. This was the one. Awesome! That didn’t take long I thought.

Since then I’ve been writing things down for the story, including something this very morning, and I can’t wait to start. I’ve got the main characters down with descriptions and some plot points and possible story arcs I can use. Let’s hope by the end of it all comes together.

For anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel, I suggest you join NaNoWriMo. It’ll get you going and hopefully lead to something great.

Right, I’m off to write down some more ideas. And later view a flat. (Fingers crossed)

Good pie