The start of this novel was easy to write...back when I didn't think much of it.  I think I may be putting too much pressure on myself now that I think it could be the key to my big break.

*deep breath*

*more keyboard mashing*

Oh shnap, someone's getting serious about her work...

Yep, I made deadline charts and everything...

Talking to fellow writers always gets my motivation up.  Thanks to Devon (*hugs*) for really getting me going during our Skype chat last night.  Camp NaNo will run this July as well (my birthday month!) and I'm pondering the thought of possibly being a rebel that month (or even this month).  While my current story is still new and fresh (I'm only 10k in right now), I'm not used to this genre and, honestly, I'm not sure if I like it very much.  I almost prefer the snappy, fast action and wit of a thriller, suspense, and/or horror story.  I love to read and watch a good story with a happy ending (like The Princess Bride and Stardust), I just don't think that I'm good at writing happy ending stories...

I am glad that I came to this conclusion during the first week of camp.  While, I may not be able to finish this story currently, I am hoping to return to it one day.  I think it's a solid piece.  I just don't think that I'm ready for it yet.  So here's the question: if I switch gears but continue to write toward a 50k goal (like, perhaps a string of short stories for an April 30th deadline), will my previous 10k count toward that 50k goal?  I am still writing, in fact.

Well, either way, I've made myself a submission tracker.  I love duotrope.com but sometimes, physically picking up a pen and writing things down on paper...then looking at them all laid out in front of me...it helps me remember deadlines better.  How do you follow deadlines?

For my new wrimo followers on tumblr...

Hello!  I hope that the upcoming fourth day of camp has you being productive and having fun. 

If you would like to do a word sprint, please feel free to message me.  If I'm sitting in front of my computer, then I'm probably up for a word sprint or word war.  :)

Day 1...

Day 1 - Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before?  If so, which years and what end result?  If not (or even if so, for that matter), what’s your connection to writing?  Why do you want to participate this year?

This will be my fourth session of NaNo.  I won my initial NaNo experience and lost during camp last year and last year's session of NaNo as well.  This year, I'm hoping to do the July session and the November one too.  I am a writer.  It is my hobby (as in, I don't do it professionally - I don't use my income from writing to pay for food, whiskey, caffiene, or any of the other necessities in order for me to function and live comfortably).  I use the money that I get from writing to by other writing things because it is not nearly enough to live on.  I'm hoping to write more and get better so that I can do it professionally.  I am participating in this session because:
1. I love the atmosphere and comradery,
2. I'm hoping that it will help me develop better writing habits,
3. It is fun, and
4.  I have stories that need to be told or I will die a slow and painful death. 


So far, day one has been going swimmingly.  Which is ironic for me to say because I really don't know how to swim.  So "swimmingly" for me would mean a lot of flailing around in the water.  Er, so how about I don't ever use that term again.  Day one has been going well.  I'm well past my word count goal for today so the rest of my wordage for today will just be word count padding.  

If you are participating as well, I wish you luck!

30 Day NaNoWriMo Meme

 

Here's the Tumblr 30 Day Meme that everyone fills out for the month of November.  It may be camp (and I'm not sure if there's a summer version - not that the change in month should really make a difference) but it should still work.  Feel free to use it, answer them in the comments section as I fill them out every day of April, or message me your answer on Tumblr.  Feel free to follow me on Tumblr as well.  If you message me about writing, NaNo, or this blog, I will follow you as well.  Good luck next month!

Day 1 - Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before?  If so, which years and what end result?  If not (or even if so, for that matter), what’s your connection to writing?  Why do you want to participate this year?

Day 2 - What’s the title of your story?  Why did you choose the name you did?

Day 3 - Pick one of your female characters.  Introduce your readers to her, from her point of view and her words only.

Day 4 - What genre is your novel?  Why did you pick it?

Day 5 - Name two songs from your playlist that you feel are connected with your novel in some way, and explain how they are.

Day 6 - What is your one biggest stressor related to forcing yourself to write at least 50,000 words in a span of 30 days?

Day 7 - Where’s your favorite place to hunker down and write?

Day 8 -List your current, most up-to-date word count.  Are you satisfied with your progress thus far?

Day 9 - Have you told anyone else you’re doing NaNo this year?  Who?  What was their reaction?

Day 10 - How does your love of writing manifest in non-NaNo months?

Day 11 - Ever tried collaborative writing (such as play-by-post roleplaying)?  If so, what do you think of it?

Day 12 - Imagine you’re behind in your word count goals (even if you’re not) and are going to pull an all-nighter to catch up.  Screencap a playlist of inspirational music you would use to get you up to speed.

Day 13 - Name a male character from your novel.  Describe him through the point of view and words of the female character you introduced in question 3 (if they never interact, pick another female character).

Day 14 - Is the sexuality of your characters a large part of your novel’s story?  If so, are there characters who deviate from the heterosexual “norm”?  In what way?

Day 15 - Do any of your characters have a disability or mental illness?  If so, how does that affect their development throughout your story?

Day 16 - At around the half-way point, it bears mentioning that most of us wrimos have other obligations beside simply hitting that elusive word count.  What else do you have going on in your life (work, school, children, neurotic pets, etc.), and just how much are you shafting it to win NaNo?

Day 17 - In what time period is your novel set?  Is it in this world or another?

Day 18 - Who is the antagonist in your novel?  What drives their actions?

Day 19 - Which authors or books have inspired your own writing the most, and why?

Day 20 - If you could meet one fictional character from any book you’ve ever read, who would it be, and why?

Day 21 - With about 10 days left to this arguably traumatic experience, what are your plans and goals for your novel, should you successfully complete it?

Day 22 - If you’ve participated in or won NaNo before, what happened to your other novel efforts?  Still in the revision process/querying publishers/scrapped it immediately/etc.

Day 23 - Do animals play any part in your story?  If so, how do they add to it?

Day 24 - Is religion featured in your novel at all?  If so, which ones?  If it’s/they’re your own creations, describe it/them and how it/they play(s) a part in your characters’ lives.

Day 25 - What are the names of at least two of your main characters?  How did you choose their names?

Day 26 - Was any research involved (historical or otherwise) in your NaNo prep? 

Day 27 - What’s your word count now?  Are you satisfied with your progress or panicked that you won’t have enough time to finish by November 30?

Day 28 - Name one thing you shafted all month in favor of participating in NaNo.

Day 29 - Name one thing in which you indulged as a treat to keep yourself motivated and writing that you wouldn’t otherwise have done.

Day 30 - Share a link to either your NaNo profile or a location on the internet where your story can be found.  If someone offered to beta read for you, would you be willing to do the same for them during the subsequent editing process?

X Marks the Spot

I will venture upon new territory.  When I try to write in a new genre, I feel like I am a treasure hunter.  I peruse the authors that write it and write it well.  I peruse the authors that write it badly.  I look under covers, in between books at the library, in between the lines of a particularly vivacious scene, I look at it all.  This April, I will be venturing upon new territory: romance. *deflated fanfare*

I used to look at the genre with distaste.  It had its audience (and a loyal audience at that), but I wasn't a part of it.  I kept my distance and chuckled as I passed by it.  However, writers have to be adventurous and as far as adventure goes..., what is more adventurous than new territory?  So, I am committing the month of April (and this upcoming session of Camp NaNoWriMo) to writing a romance novel, of sorts.

Of course, with all that in mind, April is only 13 days away..., and that's counting today.  I feel as though I can't stuff enough research and planning into those 312 hours.  In all honesty, I have never read any *real* romance and I feel like I've jumped into the middle of the Pacific Ocean by taking on this endeavor.  It's a scary thought, knowing that the islands that are there to rescue me are labeled "Fifty Shades of Grey" and "Savage Dreams."*

I've said it before and I'll say it again: For me, NaNo is about pushing myself.  And that is what I intend to do.  My goal for Camp NaNo isn't just to write a romance novel but to reinvent the genre in my eyes.  Oh, and write a good book.  That's pretty important as well.  Now, to find some *good* research material...


*Of course, I've never read them so in all reality, they could be marvelous pieces of literature that should be cherished for all time...and I wouldn't know it.

Introducing...Hunni Silk

Oh, bloggers and writers, it's been too long!  There has been chaos in the house of DeVore for the past week and it's kept me off of the internet. (Whaaa?  I know).  I even got the opportunity to take a "day off."  Jake's aunt booked a hotel on Pensacola Beach for us.  It was so nice to just get away and it was something that we desperately needed. Since we are on-the-job 24-7, we don't have a lot of time to do things as a couple.  Especially something romantic to help maintain our relationship.

Speaking of romantic, Jake's cousin told me that I should try my hand at writing romance novels.  Just the thought of it used to make my cheeks flush into a palate of rouge but these days, it is not my naivety that keeps me from that genre.  Well, actually, to be honest, it probably is.  I don't write "romance" because whenever I tried it came out too...cheesy.  But I like a good challenge.  So my goal this week, is to come up with a plot for a romance novel, that I will enjoy writing...

These days, I find the prospect of romance novels to be more fun and less trashy.  Or maybe it seems like it would be fun because of the "trashy" aspect of it all.  Don't get me wrong, there are fantastic authors out there who write romance novels.  I've never read any of their work (I've never actually read a romance novel before...though I started a few...they were bad). 

She also suggested that I change my pen name from Hunni Daniels to Hunni Silk.  What do you think?

One of my favorites...

“You must write every single day of your life... You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads... may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.”

~ Ray Bradbury

 One of my favorite quotes about writing.  Ray Bradbury was one of the most talented writers of all time.  I wish I could have met him to pick his brain for a little bit.  I would love to interview him or just have coffee and chat about the craft.

Today, I am going to Pomodoro my writing time in hopes of getting my word count up.  In addition, (and in the spirit of Ray Bradbury and his collaboration with Charles Addams), I am hoping to continue my discussion with my bestie about collaborating our hobbies.  He is an excellent photographer and I'm hoping that we get to join our efforts -- if not in book form, just for personal use.  Perhaps, if we get this project going, I can post some of our work here.

Happy word slinging, fellow writers!

Today's quote is...

“You know, it's hard work to write a book. I can't tell you how many times I really get going on an idea, then my quill breaks. Or I spill ink all over my writing tunic.” 

~ Ellen DeGeneres


I'm going old school today and writing via pen and paper.  In high school, my best friend got me a dip pen set (it was gorgeous).  Unfortunately, since I am temporarily relocated, I didn't pack it; in fear that the FAA would put me on their no fly list for carrying a weapon, stabbing myself while unpacking, or other polylemma.  I packed one suitcase to bring here.  I would have just rather brought another pair of underpants than a possible weapon.  ANYWAY, I did manage to acquire a few notebooks (within the last couple months) and a Sharpie pen set in an array of colors.  

I am privy to the sarcasm in the quote that I picked today, but I am curious about getting a lucky writing [insert piece of garment here].  I do have my writing buddy, Bartholomoo the stuffed cow.  But somehow, I don't find that he's the same as a lucky pair of boxer shorts.

Join me in writing via pen or pencil (or quill or dip pen) today.  I'm hoping that this change of pace will help inspire me.

Good luck!

“I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of. ”
 

~ Joss Whedon


I'm afraid of dying too, Joss.  It's okay.  *pat pats*

YoCW has begun!!!

I'm sad that I didn't get to spend "Read Across America/Dr. Seuss" Day (yesterday) reading to kids at the library or some other social function.  Instead, I did sneak away for a moment and read from my current book, Only the Innocent by Rachel Abbott.  It's a fantastic book that has a touch of intrigue mixed with mystery and suspense. It has been a fun read thus far but I haven't been able to get too into the book with the things that have been going on.

I have started another exciting year at the YoCW (Year of Continuous Writing) Project.  This time, I intend on trying my best and keeping writing at the forefront of my priority list.  A small (but growing -- apparently it has grown leaps and bounds since it's inaugural year, last year) group of writers band together to support each other in the same goal: Make this year the most prolific, fruitful year of writing ever!

Yesterday, I wrote a measly 2k.  I am hoping to surpass that today but my schedule is full.  I have decided that waking up an extra half an hour or hour should provide me with even more quiet writing time.  After 9 PM, when Jake's granddad goes to bed, I can also get a couple of hours in front of Microsoft Word or Scrivener.  

As of late, writing has been my hobby.  But this year, I'm hoping to make writing my career.  With that in mind, I have dedicated this year at YoCW to improving and honing my craft and pumping out some great short stories and a novel or two...,or four, if I really knuckle down!  Wish me luck!

Today's prompt:

You haven't fed the goldfish in days.  The goldfish are revolting!

Can you see the malice in his eyes?!!!