Tag: word count

The Magic of the Blank Page.

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Hello,

 

After being quite worried that I wouldn’t be able to find an idea for my first short story of 2016, I decided to just stare at a blank page. Will I get inspiration? Will I go blind? Will I learn to hate the non-colour of ‘white’?

None of the above. It just so happens that the blank page helped me to come up with my idea. I have tried to go into the exact science of it all but I’m not smart enough and I don’t like it when my brain hurts so I’m settling on this.

The blank page is made of magic.

I can only assume the blank page has always had magical powers. Probably stemming from when it was first created whoever knows when. It somehow has the muscle to either make you start writing a story or mess with your head to the point where a simple white page could drive you insane.

I glared at the mass of white in front of me and the story sprung to mind. Just like that. No problem. My story revolves around the hero Daniel who decides to leave for work ten minutes earlier than usual. Sounds boring doesn’t it? Well, I used that question as a challenge and it has propelled my story. ‘How can ten minutes make such a difference?’ Has already pushed Daniel to sleep with the neighbor, feel sorry for her ‘boyfriend’ (or, at least, that’s what he thinks he is), call in sick for work and to help an old man with his shopping. And all within the first two hours of his waking day. I’m going to build the stories up throughout his day but my sci-fi & fantasy writing nature is screaming for me to make this become a world-saving thing. Or not. Or do I just keep it to Daniel’s world and not involve anyone else?

safety_decisions

Or do I go a completely new direction? One I’ve never written before?

All in all, it’s a pretty cool set of solutions to consider to a few problems I’m having with my story. This time, last week I was afraid I would not be able to write anything brand new.  Now, I’m close to finishing it. Well, a bit closer. I’m not sure what my word count should be.

Before I get back to my story, I would like to thank the many members of the wonderful and very useful writers group ‘Kboards Fantasy Author’s Group’ through Facebook. Those who replied to my question have provided some valuable feedback and ideas. Thank You.

Bye!

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

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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

A little looks to be going a long way.

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Hello

I recently read an article about in ‘Writing Magazine’ about getting the first draft of your novel finished and one part caught my eye. The rest of it was stuff I already knew. Stuff like having a structure for your story, just typing and not worrying to much about the content as the edit will take care of it and so on. But the one thing that stood out for me was this.(well the general meaning of it anyway as I can’t remember the full quote)

‘You don’t have to write vast amounts each day. Even if you only write a small amount they’re all words that will get you closer to completing your novel.’

I often worry that I should be writing a certain amount each time I sit down at my desk. I’d find myself forcing out 2000 words when really I only felt up to writing 500. But 500 every day is a good amount in anyone’s book. Even just 100 is fair. As you will probably know if you’re into to writing something the words will just flow. Before you know it you’ll count them and find you’ve done a few hundred in no time.

I’m getting into writing everyday and it is very rewarding. I find that I’m moving my current story along nicely and getting closer to the final epic(hopefully) battle that concludes the whole thing. I’ve even used my main twist which I’ve been waiting to use for AGES.

Well, I’ll get back to it. But one question before I do, how many words do you write each day when you’re writing a story?

Bye

It’s getting closer.

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Hello

I’ve got myself a (rough) ending to my current novel which always makes me want to write faster and for longer. Though I know that if I do it will go from (I hope) well created prose to disaffected, garbled gubbins. I’ve always liked to write in 1,000 word blocks as this allows me to make a fair amount of progress on my story and let me sleep a little better. 1,000 words is a lot you know or at least getting close to this number would help.

I love this part of writing. I usually have one or two endings in my head for any story I write. And then more often than not when I get to the end I combine these two ideas and then come up with a third which makes up my ending. The current ending I have in mind is mostly made up of numerous fights and chases across a city. Namely Manchester. But I’m having trouble conveying the urgency and speed that I think it needs.

Do you have any ideas on how I can convey these things simply and effectively?

Your thoughts are always welcome. Till next time.

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.