Fantabulous February 500 Words a Day Thread

[Ken Hoss]

Yeah, getting a jump on this one. Heard this used many years ago while serving in the U.S. Navy and it kind of stuck with me. (A combination of Fantastic and Fabulous) You could even use "fantabulistic".

Good luck to each and everyone this month, and may February find us all Fantabulous! :D

[kaitie]

It's fantabulous! :D:D:D I love that word. I occasionally explain it to my students in class haha. Along with such other gems as awesometastic. ;)

Anyway, not getting a darn thing done on Saturday put me behind, but I finally finished going through my manuscript, fixing the minor errors, and formatting it in purdy manuscript format and sent off my full. Woohoo! :D Hopefully I'll have some more real words tomorrow. I did figure out something really big about my climax so I'm pretty happy about that. I only have one class tomorrow (woohoo again!), but I also need to get stuff done for work and do some more job application stuff, so we'll see how much time I end up with.

Wee February! And it might snow tonight! :D

[Eddyz Aquila]

February is THE month of the year for me. My last marking period for high school, biggest party of the year, my book is going to be complete, and I'm getting my university offers.

So it better be fantabulous!

[heyjude]

Go, Eddyz! That's some seriously fantastic fantabulous stuff!

[Eddyz Aquila]

580 words so far for today AAAANNNDDD...

70000 words!!! Wohooo!

:D

[sheadakota]

Had a little trouble finding the new digs- must be the fever- you guys weren't hiding it from me- were you?

300 words yesterday- zip so far today-

[heyjude]

That reminds me, someone fetch Hettie into the new month please... We'll have to start that service for shea, too. :)

[sheadakota]

Ooo I get a service?

[TheIT]

Up to about 1900 words on the rewrite. It's been like pulling teeth, but I let my alpha reader look at it today and she likes it. Sometimes I get so close to the writing I lose all perspective.

Still looking for more comments on the short story I posted (link in my signature). My writer's group had good suggestions which I'm mulling over.

:Sun: and :poke:, everyone!

[heyjude]

2000 words today with the wee one off at school and all the out-of-town company gone. Whew!

But I may have written myself into a corner. We'll see. It's either going to be breath-takingly shocking or a dud.

[sheadakota]

1500 (or so) words today- but I'm not sure about plausability- I am doing pre - edits and have a chance to change things before the MS gets 'nuked' and plugged into my publishers system- i mever liked this one part, but now I wonder if i just wrote something totally unbeleivable-

I don't suppose anyone would be willing to look at on page of crap for me?

[Ken Hoss]

After seeing everyone else's amazing word counts for today, I'm tempted not to post mine. Well, okay. A measly 428, and that includes what I posted on the challange thread earlier.

I've run into a bit of a problem. Kelli, my MC, is an alcoholic. She was in her kitchen, making tea, and came across a bottle of Irish Whiskey. It was left over from when her dad was alive. She's tempted to take "just one drink", and I can't decide if I should let her. If she does, it throws almost 6 years of sobriety down the tubes. What to do? :Headbang:

[TheIT]

I've run into a bit of a problem. Kelli, my MC, is an alcoholic. She was in her kitchen, making tea, and came across a bottle of Irish Whiskey. It was left over from when her dad was alive. She's tempted to take "just one drink", and I can't decide if I should let her. If she does, it throws almost 6 years of sobriety down the tubes. What to do? :Headbang:

Draw out the tension, perhaps? She decides not to take the drink right now, but she can't bring herself to throw the bottle away (it was her dad's, can't throw a link to him away, etc.). This way she's done the right thing for now, but the temptation will still be gnawing at her.

[Ken Hoss]

Draw out the tension, perhaps? She decides not to take the drink right now, but she can't bring herself to throw the bottle away (it was her dad's, can't throw a link to him away, etc.). This way she's done the right thing for now, but the temptation will still be gnawing at her.


Thanks TheIT, that just might work! Hmmm, but would the temptation be to great? It's not easy for an alcoholic. (I was married to one, and believe me, it's not a pretty sight.)

[TheIT]

Thanks TheIT, that just might work! Hmmm, but would the temptation be to great? It's not easy for an alcoholic. (I was married to one, and believe me, it's not a pretty sight.)

What else is happening to this character in the story? Remember that writing a story is about sending your characters up a tree then throwing rocks at them. The story comes from how the characters respond.

This is a pretty big rock. Is this a point in the story where this character needs to be strong? If so, maybe she has the willpower to get rid of the bottle. Or is she still trying to decide her course of action? In that case, maybe she hangs onto the bottle. Or has she lost purpose? Then bottom's up!

Use the temptation to intertwine with her actions within the story arc. No matter what she chooses, there will be consequences which might be good or bad for her, but probably great for the story.

ETA: Another thing to consider. What if she's not alone when she finds the bottle? How would another person being there affect her? Would it matter who it was? Would she be more willing to give up temptation if someone else is there, or would she hide the temptation and lie about it?

Brought to you by Questions 'R Us. ;)

[Torrain]

Todd: holy crap. Congratulations.

231 for me. I have no idea what it is or where it's going yet; I just sat down and started typing because otherwise I wasn't going to and that seemed something that was way too easy to get stuck in. (The protagonist is apparently someone who's getting exasperated with themselves for only writing doggerel. I make no claims to originality.)

Best, everyone. :)

Love and coffee,
Frances

[HistorySleuth]

Yes, congrats Todd on a job well done! So I'm going for it again even though I came up short the last time. Threads like this are good incentive!

Opps, forgot my words. 281.

[TheIT]

Not sure of the word count, but about halfway through revising the first chapter/scene. Still not sure whether I want to break the novel into chapters or if I'll leave it broken into scenes.

[MarkEsq]

Well, I'm finally back to writing instead of rewriting. Even took the day off to work on the MS, so managed 2,888 today.

[Eddyz Aquila]

Around 1200 forr today. Passed 71k.

[Ken Hoss]

I'm off my game this month. Only managed 576 today.

I blame it on work, and the fact that I'm going to be another year older this month! :eek:

:Cake:
Try to get 53 candles on this. (Way over the hill.)

[HistorySleuth]

Well you guys are ALL kicking my tail. Thank havens its only the 2nd. On the phone today with someone who has been in scouting for 63 years, so he filled in blanks for me so I added 208 to the article that was technically already done. But its better for it.

[AnnieColleen]

587 for me today -- for a blog competition entry, of all things. About savings. Fun times.

Still getting over a sinus thing, so it may take a bit to pick up anything fictional again.

[sheadakota]

Finally feeling like myself today- thanks for the well wishes- somewhere around 1K yesterday- not sure how much time I'll have today but will try- oh just wanted to give a shout out to heyjude for helping me with my crappy scene!
Have a good day everyone- write on!

[heyjude]

:Hug2: Shea, if by crappy you mean honest, moving, and did I mention Montana, then we're all good. :)

I forget my exact WC for yesterday, maybe 1200 words or so. I'm at a point for my character of will-they-or-won't-they. I'm trying to get out of the way and let them make the decision for themselves, but I can't help but having strong feelings about it. If they *do*, it makes Danny selfish and wrong, IMO. But then he's never been a boy scout... Anyone else have trouble with their own feelings getting in the way of what their characters want? Or am I crazy?

Wait, don't answer that last part.

[sheadakota]

:Hug2: Shea, if by crappy you mean honest, moving, and did I mention Montana, then we're all good. :)

I forget my exact WC for yesterday, maybe 1200 words or so. I'm at a point for my character of will-they-or-won't-they. I'm trying to get out of the way and let them make the decision for themselves, but I can't help but having strong feelings about it. If they *do*, it makes Danny selfish and wrong, IMO. But then he's never been a boy scout... Anyone else have trouble with their own feelings getting in the way of what their characters want? Or am I crazy?

Wait, don't answer that last part.
We are all crazy, so you're in good company :)
And yes! I have one story where I have my main character kill innocent people (its for the greater good and they aren't really 'people'- but still) It makes him look uncaring and ruthless, I hated doing it- I wanted him to be perfect, buthe kept telling, me he had this really bad streak that needed to come out- *I tried* but he wouldn't let me- so yeah been there

[TheIT]

Got a little bit further on the rewrite of the first scene. Not sure of the word count. I'm experimenting with Open Office to see whether I like it. So far, so good.

[heyjude]

1727 today, and Dan surprised me by walking away. Who knew he had it in him? Good man.

[Ken Hoss]

Not doing so good in "Fantabulous February". Can't seem to get going. Managed to get less tonight than last night. Only 554 for the day. I did wrap up chapter 22 and got a start on 23, which is something. I just have to get in gear, this thing isn't going to write itself.

[Torrain]

Just can't seem to get into gear. :( I'm joking with a friend that lethargium particles have been salted through the office paper supply; I can't even seem to think of writing, even when I take a break. And going out to dinner and a play with in-laws this evening, so I doubt there'll be much writing done then.

Hope you guys are having a better day than me. :Hug2:

Love and coffee,
Frances

[heyjude]

Ah, Torrain, give yourself permission to take a break. It works for me. At the end of a few days' enforced non-writing I'm itching to get back at it.

[TheIT]

Almost done revising the first chapter. It's about 5600 words so far.

[Ken Hoss]

Torrain, we all have those days. And like heyjude says, take a break. We all need one now and then. After all, some of us are only "human".;)

1090 for me today. (So far.) :D Almost doubled my total for the last 2 days. Kelli finally got her rear in gear.


EDIT: Another 113 tonight. Not as prolific as today, but had the kids over and it was kind of chaotic around here. Hope to get more tomorrow. Grand total for the day, 1203. Much better than the past two days!

[heyjude]

780 for me today. Must take a brief break to tweak the outline. (And by "tweak" I mean "write some more of.")

[HistorySleuth]

Good job all of you, and Todd, holy Toledo ! :Clap:

I'm so behind. I should have counted what I wrote at work today doing some history about a local guy's bicycle trip across Europe in 1884, but didn't even think to check the words at the time. I'll look tomorrow. Sometimes I do so much research at work, reading old cursive writing documents, reading microfilm, etc., it tires my brain not to mention my eyes. So I'm just reading a few forums and hitting the hay. :e2yawn:

Haven't got anything done on my WIP in days either, Poor Dave was in the middle of his first encounter with the killer (he freezes--bad deja vu -- till he gets a grip) and I just left him there!

On the up side -- The men are off to a boyscout winter competition (Klondike) Saturday so I'm hoping for a nice quiet day to get some story done.

[TheIT]

Haven't got anything done on my WIP in days either, Poor Dave was in the middle of his first encounter with the killer (he freezes--bad deja vu -- till he gets a grip) and I just left him there!


At least you know where to start when you get back to it. One of the worst "leave 'em in peril" situations was during a writing session with my writing group. They called time just as my character was being thrown from his horse during a joust. Poor guy was left hanging in mid-air for a week. :D

[Torrain]

*grin* I was planning on taking a break, really. So had dinner with the in-laws, went to see a farce (local comedy troupe's version of Hamlet), and somewhere after I got home when I was comfortably bored with walking the dog, and the squid and chocolate icecream were settling together in my stomach[1], I sort of got zapped with an idea for more stuff. So I wrote it down when I got home.

The downside is that "it" appears to be two fragments from somewhere in the middle of the story, and the last bit of the final scene. I don't usually write like this, and am kind of nervous that I will end up not finishing it now that I know what happens... but I do kind of want to write it out, so I'm hopeful. I will try putting in the bits in the middle tomorrow. (My friend's getting married this weekend. I foresee not much free time.)

All in all, odd, but I guess kinda productive. :D And a total of 1056 words on the story today.

Love and coffee,
Frances
---
[1] I like squid. And they were giving out free ice cream at the play.

[TheIT]

If the muse shouts, listen, Torrain. Good luck stitching your story together.

Done with Chapter 1 (for now), working on Chapter 2.

[heyjude]

If the muse shouts, listen, Torrain.

This is such good advice that *I'm* going to take it. I've been ignoring the pull of my old character, who has designs on a 3rd book. She's very serious about getting her story down on paper. While I outline for the WIP, I think I'll listen to the muse and get some preliminary stuff done on that.

Always good advice, TheIT. :)

[Ken Hoss]

Only 876 today, so far. Finished chapter 23 and topped 55K!

[Cassiopeia]

Since February 1st I've added 3K words to one of my suspense novels. I'm pretty happy about it.

[DocBrown]

Yowza! Have I been busy the last few days. I joined the local YMCA and have committed myself (with a friend) to getting there three times a week.

I didn't write anything the first three days of the month, but managed a sleepy 270 yesterday and another 1590 today. Hopefully, I'll have a good weekend to catch myself up.

Nothing like starting off on the wrong foot with a monthly goal!

Congrats to the rest of you though! This thread and the challenge thread have exploded since I last checked in. Keep it up! :D

[Cassiopeia]

well done Doc. :) And everyone else. :) I've decided it's best I hang out in here, it keeps me writing.

[heyjude]

Yay everyone! I forget my exact total yesterday, but it was something like 86. Yeah, pathetic, BUT I did get some outlining done, too, and the thing that had been nagging the back of my brain finally shook loose and DANG it's good! So I'm happy!

Good to have you, Cassiopeia!

[Ken Hoss]

well done Doc. :) And everyone else. :) I've decided it's best I hang out in here, it keeps me writing.


:welcome: Cass!

No words yet. Slept in late after a long week at work. Have a lot of things to get done today, but hope to get something on the WIP later today.

Well done Cass and Doc!

[Cassiopeia]

I stayed up all night reading a romance novel of all things and then took a nap from 7 am till noon. :D

But I'm slowly getting my brain cells to wake up and then I'm going to write.

Beautiful, bright, day here today. Shall we roll up our sleeves and dive in?

;)

[Cassiopeia]

I managed to write 1413 words today. :) For a total of 11, 4448

[MarkEsq]

I just beat you! 1,493 for me today.

[Cassiopeia]

oh man! There's a part of me that wants to go back and do more writing, but I just finished 1100k for a nonfiction project and I have homework to do. Dang it. I'm gonna have to do better tomorrow. :D

[DocBrown]

1145 today.

Sorry, I'm not more chatty. "twas a busy day as I also worked 8 hours for a friend.

Good to see a lot of people getting stuff done this weekend! It always seems to slack off on here for the weekends. Isn't that when we're supposed to have more time? :Shrug:

[heyjude]

I just finished 1100k for a nonfiction project

Hey, this is writing! It counts!

Doc, speaking for myself, week-ends is when I have less free time. I've got kids and hubby home, and they want fed and crazy stuff like that. Pfft.

890 yesterday. Finally got into the groove last night while the kids were getting ready for bed. Concentration got all broken up with cries of Mooooommmmmmm and honey! ::sigh:: I was in my own world, happy...

[Ken Hoss]

Good wordage everyone! And Cassie, any writing you do counts in this thread. :D

Only 210 for me yesterday. Life got in the way, again. Hope to get more today. Working on chapter 24 and it looks like Kelli and her ex may get back together after all. We'll see.

[kaitie]

Cassiopeia that sounds like fun. I can't think of the last time I sat up way too late for my own good reading...probably the last Harry Potter book actually. Been awhile haha.

So I just gotta ask....does watching Lost make anyone else want to write? Or do we all just settle for screaming, "Nooo! You can't end it there!" at the screen? :tongue

The sucky thing is it's midnight and so far too late for writing, even though now I reeaaaaaally wanna.

[DocBrown]

Doc, speaking for myself, week-ends is when I have less free time. I've got kids and hubby home, and they want fed and crazy stuff like that. Pfft.



Sorry forgot to use the <facetious> </facetious> tags. ;)

[MarkEsq]

2,035 for me today. I broke the significant (to me) barrier of 50,000 words, so feel good about the weekend's progress.

I hope you guys are all feeling as good about your writing. :)

[Ken Hoss]

Woo Hoo! 50K! Way to go Mark. :TheWave:

Yeah, breaking the 50k barrier does feel good.

Added another 1028 to mine so far today. Much better than the measly 210 I had yesterday.

Well, it looks like Kelli and her ex Kevin are getting back together. We'll see how that goes.

The bad news is, she just found out she has a "retired" drug lord on her case. She thought it was a local gang after her, but the DEA agent she's been dealing with just informed her of the real threat. That, and his man on the inside was killed, after he relayed the information.

And the plot thickens.....

[sheadakota]

2K total for yesterday and today, bringing my revisions up to an additional five thousand words and a total word count of 71K

I also submitted a fifth book to my publisher for consideration- am I insane?

[HistorySleuth]

Well I'm bowing out of this thread as I'm not keeping up with the 500 a day at the moment. So my allegedly free weekend ... forgot it meant I was on dog duty with only me here.

(My hubby brought home another dog a bit ago and he hasn't been "sniped" yet ... and I got a girl doggy. soooo... they can't run around at the same time. Got to rotate them in the kennel etc etc.)

So I ended up updating our historians web page. Now I got to do work I brought home because our computer tech did not bring us the program to pdf our doc for the printer to do our mag. Sigh .......

Great words all of you! :Clap:

After thought .... maybe next month it should be a consistency thread. Like sometimes we write every day, but not 500 words, sometimes more, sometimes less. So maybe how many days in a row without breaking it. Just a thought .....

[Cassiopeia]

3153 today for a total of 14,601K for my mystery/thriller. I'm not going to work on the non-fiction project for a few days while I write papers for school.

I'm hoping to shift my sleep schedule so I'm up by 5 am in the morning and doing homework then.

[heyjude]

History, the purpose of this thread is to keep you focused on a goal of getting 500 words a day. Not a big deal if you don't make it--for a day or a week or a Hettie-era. :) It's meant to be encouragement. Sometimes we apply some tough love, but only sometimes. Mostly we're very gentle and understanding. That's the difference between the 500/day and the Challenge thread--we're competitive there.

1491 for me today, including some really powerful stuff. I'm happier with the book than I've been since the beginning.

ETA: Forgot to mention, I broke 50K too! Woo!

[Cassiopeia]

tough love? ain't no such thing. :D

It's enough for me to see everyone doing well. Even when you aren't writing the words down, I bet your writing in your head, which is a part of the process. I've been itching to write after studying so much in November, December and January. I promised myself that February would be the month that I could get more writing done.

I don't know if I can finish this first draft in its entirety this month but I'm gonna give it a shot. :)

Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement you guys.

[kaitie]

Way to go, Jude! :D Awesome on both counts. If you want a beta when you finish, give me a PM haha.

Ken, your story sounds more and more interesting with all the little random comments we get about it haha.

[Ken Hoss]

Only got down another 305 before the Super Bowl commercials, er, the Super Bowl started. Go Saints! :D

Well done everyone! And heyjude, congrats on breaking the 50K barrier!:hooray:

Ken, your story sounds more and more interesting with all the little random comments we get about it haha.

Thanks. I'm having a heck of a time keeping up with all the stuff going on in her life. Jeeze!

Let's see, she's a recovering alcoholic who saw her father killed in front of her. Her mother is in a home suffering from stage 5 alzheimers. Her ex-husband is back in her life. What else? Oh yeah, she has a contract out on her life! :eek:

EDIT: The Saints Win!!:hooray: :TheWave: Geaux Saints!

[Cassiopeia]

Another 1200 for the Flash Fiction Challenge tonight.

[kaitie]

Only got down another 305 before the Super Bowl commercials, er, the Super Bowl started. Go Saints! :D

Well done everyone! And heyjude, congrats on breaking the 50K barrier!:hooray:



Thanks. I'm having a heck of a time keeping up with all the stuff going on in her life. Jeeze!

Let's see, she's a recovering alcoholic who saw her father killed in front of her. Her mother is in a home suffering from stage 5 alzheimers. Her ex-husband is back in her life. What else? Oh yeah, she has a contract out on her life! :eek:

EDIT: The Saints Win!!:hooray: :TheWave: Geaux Saints!

How dare you spoil the game for me! I was rooting for um...whatever that other team playing was...

So I take it the Superbowl was tonight, eh? I'll have to go look up the commercials tomorrow.

Off topic question of the day: (geez has anything in this post been on topic?) What day does Lost come on? I'm thinking it's Tuesday, but didn't it used to be Thursday? I'm trying to figure out what day to look forward to it. :tongue

[Cassiopeia]

How dare you spoil the game for me! I was rooting for um...whatever that other team playing was...

So I take it the Superbowl was tonight, eh? I'll have to go look up the commercials tomorrow.

Off topic question of the day: (geez has anything in this post been on topic?) What day does Lost come on? I'm thinking it's Tuesday, but didn't it used to be Thursday? I'm trying to figure out what day to look forward to it. :tongue
Rest easy. I believe it's Tuesday.

[Ken Hoss]

How dare you spoil the game for me! I was rooting for um...whatever that other team playing was...

So I take it the Superbowl was tonight, eh? I'll have to go look up the commercials tomorrow.

Off topic question of the day: (geez has anything in this post been on topic?) What day does Lost come on? I'm thinking it's Tuesday, but didn't it used to be Thursday? I'm trying to figure out what day to look forward to it. :tongue

The other team? I think it was the Colts. :D

As for missing Lost, you didn't. Here's a link for you.

http://abc.go.com/watch/lost/93372?CID=google_sem_1

They even have a sneak peek of the final episode.

[kaitie]

Oh, I didn't miss last weeks. I got to see it, but I watched it last night so I didn't know when it actually aired. I have to wait for them to put it up on iTunes, but I bought a season pass and I should be able to watch it not long after it airs. They're usually pretty quick about it. I just thought they'd changed the day and I wasn't sure.

Anyway, got a bit done today. Topped 15k, which isn't a whole lot but still, a minor accomplishment. ;) Would have been more but had to do a present an award at a school meeting thingy. I'm far too tired to think of the word for it. Still, not too bad. ;)

[Ken Hoss]

Anyway, got a bit done today. Topped 15k, which isn't a whole lot but still, a minor accomplishment. ;) Would have been more but had to do a present an award at a school meeting thingy. I'm far too tired to think of the word for it. Still, not too bad. ;)


よい仕事! And get some sleep. :sleepy:

[Ken Hoss]

Got out another 512 today, between work and the train. Still hope to hit 60K by the 15th, but then this weekend is Valentine's Day, and I have to keep the wife happy. (If she ain't happy, then no body is happy.) We'll see.

[TheIT]

Spent yesterday beta-reading a novel for someone in my writing group, so that pretty much derailed me from working on my own rewrite. I think I've got chapter 2 sorted out in my head. Now it's a matter of writing it down. I'm planning to work on that tonight.

[heyjude]

Yay for betas! :)

No words here today. DH is out of town so the kids and I are having our own little party. And now I'm up way past my bedtime....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Cassiopeia]

Nothing but papers for school today. I wrote two of them for a total of 3166 words. I tried to work on my M/S/T project but all I got out was Chapter Seven. How sad! :(

[HistorySleuth]

3166, is nothing to sneeze at Cass! Plus you finished a chapter, one chapter closer to a finished manuscript!

OK, I've decided I'm not giving up on this thread. I'm outlining today in my quiet humble abode plus I've added 753 new words so far today. It's about dang time too!

[TheIT]

Got a little further on chapter 2. Very frustrating. I've been working the scene out in my head so it flows, but when I sat down to write it I could not remember the details. Of course, the moment I turned off the computer, everything came back. :Headbang:

Hoping to get through chapter 2 tonight at writing group.

[Cassiopeia]

3166, is nothing to sneeze at Cass! Plus you finished a chapter, one chapter closer to a finished manuscript!

OK, I've decided I'm not giving up on this thread. I'm outlining today in my quiet humble abode plus I've added 753 new words so far today. It's about dang time too!*giggles* NOOOO. I meant, I could only type two words. ahahahaha

"CHAPTER SEVEN"

The word count was for those two papers I had to write. hehehe.

[heyjude]

TheIT, this is why you never, ever turn off the computer.

I am cranky. I spent some time smacking the keys, frowning at the result, then taking a small nap. Sometime during the unconscious period it hit me that I'm once again forcing Danny into doing something against his character for my own motivation.

Cranky, cranky, cranky. And we know the cure for my crankiness: dancing bananas. :banana::banana::banana:

I feel better already.

[Ken Hoss]

TheIT, this is why you never, ever turn off the computer.

I am cranky. I spent some time smacking the keys, frowning at the result, then taking a small nap. Sometime during the unconscious period it hit me that I'm once again forcing Danny into doing something against his character for my own motivation.

Cranky, cranky, cranky. And we know the cure for my crankiness: dancing bananas. :banana::banana::banana:

I feel better already.
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

This should help. :D

[Cassiopeia]

TheIT, this is why you never, ever turn off the computer.

I am cranky. I spent some time smacking the keys, frowning at the result, then taking a small nap. Sometime during the unconscious period it hit me that I'm once again forcing Danny into doing something against his character for my own motivation.

Cranky, cranky, cranky. And we know the cure for my crankiness: dancing bananas. :banana::banana::banana:

I feel better already.

Can I ask a questions? yeah? cool :D

So is this really against his character or what you have planned out for him?

I found during my NaNo project that I hated what my MC was doing because I didn't want her to be that way. I'd planned her differently. Then I realized. we all act out of character at times. And we have our weaknesses and grow from our mistakes so, our characters can do that too, in fact it makes them more real to life.

ETA: oh sorry forgot the dancing. :snoopy: :snoopy: :snoopy:

[heyjude]

Thanks for the dancing, guys. Let's get me some chocolate and maybe some caffeine and I'll be okay.

Actually, Cass, what he did was too mean. Not that he's not mean under the right circumstances, but for him to be that mean (downright vituperative, which is a fancy word and one I'm fond of but have little cause to use in real life) makes him into something he isn't. So I'm going to go back and rip it out and try again.

[Cassiopeia]

Thanks for the dancing, guys. Let's get me some chocolate and maybe some caffeine and I'll be okay.

Actually, Cass, what he did was too mean. Not that he's not mean under the right circumstances, but for him to be that mean (downright vituperative, which is a fancy word and one I'm fond of but have little cause to use in real life) makes him into something he isn't. So I'm going to go back and rip it out and try again.
hang on...hang on...don't go ripping it out yet. At least save it to a file to think about. :D

I love characters who sometimes are downright...*runs for the dictionary* aha..yes...that! vituperative. Because given the RIGHT circumstances, any one of us can act that way. Is there a reason he's acting that way?

[Ken Hoss]

Thanks for the dancing, guys. Let's get me some chocolate and maybe some caffeine and I'll be okay.

Actually, Cass, what he did was too mean. Not that he's not mean under the right circumstances, but for him to be that mean (downright vituperative, which is a fancy word and one I'm fond of but have little cause to use in real life) makes him into something he isn't. So I'm going to go back and rip it out and try again.


You're welcome. :D

vituperative

Now who's using $10 words? :tongue

You couldn't just say, abusive or scathing, or even malicious?


Another 224 for me today, totaling 587 so far. Getting there.


EDIT: Messed up and miscounted. I was short by 55 on my WC. So, total is 642 so far.

[heyjude]

hang on...hang on...don't go ripping it out yet. At least save it to a file to think about. :D

I love characters who sometimes are downright...*runs for the dictionary* aha..yes...that! vituperative. Because given the RIGHT circumstances, any one of us can act that way. Is there a reason he's acting that way?

Oh, no, she's going to make me think!

Well, yes. He just found out that the person (his former commanding officer) he's sacrificed so much for (his career, possibly his wife) has been lying to him. He's been betrayed and is stunned and heartsick. So the question is, is he angry enough to tell Emma (the former commanding officer's daughter)? The secrets are deeply personal and D*MMIT it does make sense that he'd tell her. Look, now you made me swear. I'll have to go back and edit it. There, close enough.

Deep breath. Deep breath. Think dancing bananas...

I have to go think and frown. I'll be back.

[Cassiopeia]

You're welcome. :D



Now who's using $10 words? :tongue

You couldn't just say, abusive or scathing, or even malicious?


Another 224 for me today, totaling 587 so far. Getting there.You had to look it up too, didn't you? Come on, admit it.


Pleaaaaaaaaaaaase, so I'm not the only one with a simple vocab! :D

Keep at the writing. I'm diving in right now. :) First a paper for class, then my MST project. :)

[heyjude]

Now who's using $10 words? :tongue

You couldn't just say, abusive or scathing, or even malicious.

Yeah, but this was in conversation, not a pitch. Ha.

[Ken Hoss]

You had to look it up too, didn't you? Come on, admit it.


Pleaaaaaaaaaaaase, so I'm not the only one with a simple vocab! :D

Keep at the writing. I'm diving in right now. :) First a paper for class, then my MST project. :)


Sorry, inside joke. She got on to me for using a "big" word in my pitch, so I just had to give it back. :D

*sigh* Yes, I actually had to look this one up. *shuffles off in shame*

[Cassiopeia]

Oh, no, she's going to make me think!

Well, yes. He just found out that the person (his former commanding officer) he's sacrificed so much for (his career, possibly his wife) has been lying to him. He's been betrayed and is stunned and heartsick. So the question is, is he angry enough to tell Emma (the former commanding officer's daughter)? The secrets are deeply personal and D*MMIT it does make sense that he'd tell her. Look, now you made me swear. I'll have to go back and edit it. There, close enough.

Deep breath. Deep breath. Think dancing bananas...

I have to go think and frown. I'll be back.Well, there you go. When we look up to someone like that, so much so it's almost hero worship and then they fall from the pedestal. we put them up on, the coming down to reality can hurt freaking big time. So yes, I can see it being completely reasonable that he'd go off like that.

I know I have and we ALL know I'm just sunlight and love. ;)

[Cassiopeia]

Sorry, inside joke. She got on to me for using a "big" word in my pitch, so I just had to give it back. :D

*sigh* Yes, I actually had to look this one up. *shuffles off in shame*aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHA! I knew it. :)

thanks for letting me save face :) You be a true gentleman, sir. ;)

[MarkEsq]

1,045 words for me today. More of the same tomorrow, I hope.

[heyjude]

I would just like to say thank you to Cass. You made me rethink the scene. I chucked some of it, but not all, and let him be a little bit of a bad guy. But at least he understands that he's a bad guy. :)

The words are flowing again--just when I need to deal with other stuff. Ah well.

[Cassiopeia]

I would just like to say thank you to Cass. You made me rethink the scene. I chucked some of it, but not all, and let him be a little bit of a bad guy. But at least he understands that he's a bad guy. :)

The words are flowing again--just when I need to deal with other stuff. Ah well.It is my pleasure. :)

[Ken Hoss]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHA! I knew it. :)

thanks for letting me save face :) You be a true gentleman, sir. ;)


Yes, a gentleman and a scholar. And there are very few of us left. ;)

[sheadakota]

okay-nada for me yesterday- BUT I had a good excuse- I was at my very first book signing- sold over 30 books! That has too count right??

Finishing up third round edits tonights and then on to my WIP!

[Cassiopeia]

okay-nada for me yesterday- BUT I had a good excuse- I was at my very first book signing- sold over 30 books! That has too count right??

Finishing up third round edits tonights and then on to my WIP!Oh Wow, oh wow...how exciting! That's so great. So, were you nervous?

[Ken Hoss]

okay-nada for me yesterday- BUT I had a good excuse- I was at my very first book signing- sold over 30 books! That has too count right??

Finishing up third round edits tonights and then on to my WIP!

Oh wow, Shea. That's AWsome! Congrats!:D

I can't wait until I get to do that. (If I ever finish this thing.)

Got another 275 tonight for a total of 917 for today. Not outstanding wordage, but I'll take it.

[sheadakota]

Oh Wow, oh wow...how exciting! That's so great. So, were you nervous?
Yeah- just a little- but after a while It was pretty cool- I was prepared to be sitting there for two hours and maybe sign a couple books looking pathetic, but there were actually people waiting for me to get there when I showed up! I signed books for people who already bought them and sold books to those who didn't! Also answered questions and read the first chapter at the request of several people- it was all kind of sureal- I'm still smiling-

[Cassiopeia]

Yeah- just a little- but after a while It was pretty cool- I was prepared to be sitting there for two hours and maybe sign a couple books looking pathetic, but there were actually people waiting for me to get there when I showed up! I signed books for people who already bought them and sold books to those who didn't! Also answered questions and read the first chapter at the request of several people- it was all kind of sureal- I'm still smiling-

I am sooo happy for you. That's wonderful. :)

[HistorySleuth]

*giggles* NOOOO. I meant, I could only type two words. ahahahaha

"CHAPTER SEVEN"

The word count was for those two papers I had to write. hehehe.

HA!!! Sooooo funny! :roll:

(I did get the two papers part right) and good for you getting "Chapter Seven" done it a half a second.

AND Sheadakota! That is big time stuff! Just remember us little people when you're strolling down 5th Ave with your Ray-Bans on and Gucci bag swinging off your Biagiotti covered arm. ;)

[Torrain]

It involves my MC looking for Excalibur, and I really feel the weight of something so legendary. Anyone who's written something involving like that (an artifact, a myth, a legend, etc.) feel the weight of it like that? Almost like everyone whose used it in their novel before or written about it in a literary or non-fiction mode is looking over your shoulder both making sure you are getting it right, but also encouraging you to keep the myth or legend alive with your story?

Or am I just weird? Maybe that's it...

*raises hand* I get you. I think. I spent four years of my childhood in London, and I have a story I want to tell about it, but... it's London. I read about it, and am fascinated by it (and there's a little switch in the back of my brain that says "do not pass quality control, go directly to squee"), and the idea of actually putting it down in words, saying "This is what it is like"... Saying it has weight's a good way to put it.

(Currently--by which I mean when I last worked on it--I was kicking around the idea of naming the city something else, just to see if I could get past that while writing.)

L&c,
F

[kaitie]

5125 words today.

This book was always going to be an adventure novel... but now, I'm feeling the quest at the heart of it. It involves my MC looking for Excalibur, and I really feel the weight of something so legendary. Anyone who's written something involving like that (an artifact, a myth, a legend, etc.) feel the weight of it like that? Almost like everyone whose used it in their novel before or written about it in a literary or non-fiction mode is looking over your shoulder both making sure you are getting it right, but also encouraging you to keep the myth or legend alive with your story?

Or am I just weird? Maybe that's it...

Nope, makes perfect sense to me. I've got a sorta epic story I want to tell one day that I feel that way about. I feel like I need it to be perfect before I can write it because it's got such huge competition.

[kaitie]

Yeah- just a little- but after a while It was pretty cool- I was prepared to be sitting there for two hours and maybe sign a couple books looking pathetic, but there were actually people waiting for me to get there when I showed up! I signed books for people who already bought them and sold books to those who didn't! Also answered questions and read the first chapter at the request of several people- it was all kind of sureal- I'm still smiling-

Congrats on the book signing! That's awesome. :D

[heyjude]

Woo-hoo shea! That's wonderful! If you ever have a book signing in our neck of the woods, you better let us know!

[TheIT]

Congrats on the book signing, Shea!

Not pretty, but I got past the trouble spot in Chapter 2. One of the things I realized from the last draft was that I was putting in too many scene breaks. I'm combining three scenes into chapter 2, so I think I need to put it all together then see whether it all works.

[Cassiopeia]

5125 words today.

This book was always going to be an adventure novel... but now, I'm feeling the quest at the heart of it. It involves my MC looking for Excalibur, and I really feel the weight of something so legendary. Anyone who's written something involving like that (an artifact, a myth, a legend, etc.) feel the weight of it like that? Almost like everyone whose used it in their novel before or written about it in a literary or non-fiction mode is looking over your shoulder both making sure you are getting it right, but also encouraging you to keep the myth or legend alive with your story?

Or am I just weird? Maybe that's it...

Well....................... maybe you're weird. But it's completely within the realm of possibility to feel that weight (I know I do with my fantasy WIP, involving Avalon) AND be weird at the same time. :D

I know, I'm such a great help. ;)

GREAT word count btw. :)

[sheadakota]

Holy crap Todd! I just saw that word count!! I bow to the master:e2headban

[Cassiopeia]

I'm working on my MST today after days of non-fiction writing and I find I'm backing away from a scene I need to be more graphic in. It's not a 'sex" scene persay but it's steamy and I've always felt I was a tad cliche when it came to writing hot scenes.

*sigh* I have to do this. I can't keep backing away. I just don't want to come off as inept.


ETA: 582 words so far today but I feel my homework breathing down my neck so I better get to that.

[Ken Hoss]

*sigh* I have to do this. I can't keep backing away. I just don't want to come off as inept.

You can do it, Cassie. :D

Barely broke the 500 words for today. Working on a tough scene and it's kicking my butt! Managed to get 540 done on it, and I think I have it where I can cut to the next scene. :rolleyes: (At least I hope I do.)

Babysitting the grandkids for a couple of hours tonight, so I doubt there will be any more writing done.

[Cassiopeia]

Thankfully I showed it to a fellow AW over messenger and she told me that for a mystery thriller, I needed to add in more of the motivation and less sensual descriptions.

Shew. I can do that. :D

[HistorySleuth]

5125 words today.

This book was always going to be an adventure novel... but now, I'm feeling the quest at the heart of it. It involves my MC looking for Excalibur, and I really feel the weight of something so legendary. Anyone who's written something involving like that (an artifact, a myth, a legend, etc.) feel the weight of it like that? Almost like everyone whose used it in their novel before or written about it in a literary or non-fiction mode is looking over your shoulder both making sure you are getting it right, but also encouraging you to keep the myth or legend alive with your story?

Or am I just weird? Maybe that's it...

Well from an historian's point of view, it's not weird at all. I was working on a totally different story, then stopped to do the NaNo thing (Milk Carton Murders) If I put my MCM WIP down, I got to look it all over again to get my bearings back. Now my other story, (pre-NaNo) has a lot of historical elements a quest type thing, with local Native American sites, but it has to be accurate even though it is fiction. HAS to be. I haven't touched in months, but I could pick it up now no problem and keep going. I'm really vested in that one. I know my characters really well and their separate motives for what they do. So although it is fiction it will reveal unknown or long forgotten information. So it is a bit weighty, I get you exactly on that one Todd. So I really want to get MCM done so I can get back to it.

[heyjude]

147 yesterday. ::sigh::

[heyjude]

Hey, anyone else around?

I managed about 1000 yesterday, cut half, and now am the proud new owner of a blog post for my agent which I shall inflict on you link to when it goes live on Monday.

No words on the WIP and today is chock-full of Valentine's parties at schools, and me volunteering to help at them. Because I am mentally unstable, apparently. :)

[Ken Hoss]

Hey, anyone else around?

I almost wasn't going to be around today. Over 70K customers without power here in the D/FW area. The lines behind my house were "arcing and sparking" last night. Too much snow on the trees. Fortunately, we didn't lose power. Arlington reported 8" of snow. The official at D/FW Airport was 9.5"! That's a lot for us. Some areas got in excess of 10".

Only managed 550 last night. I did get through a tough scene though. :D (Already updated my numbers.)

[kaitie]

Wow, Ken, that's pretty crazy. It poured rain all day here even though it was just absolutely freezing (I ran around in my winter hat at work and was still freezing), and then when it finally got cold enough to actually snow the rain stopped. I need a good pouty face smiley.

On the other hand, I've got a cold so I stayed home from practice and got an extra 800 words or so written. :) It's a fight scene, which is pretty tough for me and will probably change up quite a bit later on, but it's at least words on the page for now.

[Ken Hoss]

Wow, Ken, that's pretty crazy. It poured rain all day here even though it was just absolutely freezing (I ran around in my winter hat at work and was still freezing), and then when it finally got cold enough to actually snow the rain stopped. I need a good pouty face smiley.

On the other hand, I've got a cold so I stayed home from practice and got an extra 800 words or so written. :) It's a fight scene, which is pretty tough for me and will probably change up quite a bit later on, but it's at least words on the page for now.

Don't you just love winter? Not!

I remember winters in Japan, it can get pretty damned cold. Not as cold as winters in South Korea though. Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

Nice wordage. If you'd like, you can send me your scene and I'll look it over for you.

I did manage to get out of the house today. Just so I could come into the office and sit around. Good thing though, we had a server outage and I had to come to the rescue. :D

I did get through another scene, 450 words worth, and I topped 60k! :e2woo: Not by a lot, but hey, it's a milestone. And I hit my goal before the deadline.

[TheIT]

Done with Chapter 2 revision, on to Chapter 3. Total word count so far is around 12,600. So much for cutting. :D

[Ken Hoss]

Great wordage everyone! :D Keep it up.


No more words last night, but thanks to my alarm clock cat, I was up EARLY and got a bit done this morning. So far I've got 1071 on chapter 26. :hooray:

[Cassiopeia]

2179K today. This brings my WIP up to, 17,357k.

I've not reported in as I've just been doing papers for school and unable until today to really get into my story again. I might do more later on tonight but I've got to get back to studies.

Good to see so many still writing. Hope we all have a productive weekend. :)

[MarkEsq]

Good work Cass, beat me!

1,354 today. Nice to be back to it, more tomorrow I hope.

[Cassiopeia]

Good work Cass, beat me!

1,354 today. Nice to be back to it, more tomorrow I hope.heh, Mark. It took hours to do that much which is ridiculous. I normally don't struggle like that.

I don't know what's up with me. I'm sure you'll beat me tomorrow. :D

[HistorySleuth]

I'm outlining mainly but have my WIP open so as I go I can add something if the mood strikes me. Added 583. Nice stats the rest of you!

[heyjude]

1216 yesterday. I have a few things to learn about satellites before going forward, but luckily I have an in-house expert on just about everything. :)

[kaitie]

Jude...I have got to say that your novel is the biggest mystery on these forums haha. (fittingly so I suppose). You throw out these little tidbits, and they're always intriguing. I have no idea what's going on, but now satellites are involved! Maybe its' just a tactic to make us all buy it when it's published haha.

[heyjude]

Oh, no, it's dreck. :) It'll likely never see the light of day. Here, a copy and paste from the what-we're-writing thread:

Three years ago Daniel Foster made a mistake that killed eight people. He wishes he had died with them. Someone else does, too. First they took his wife. Now they have his commanding officer's daughter. Daniel has a plan to stop them, but he can't trust anyone, not even himself. And he just might get his death wish after all.

(Emma is the commanding officer's daughter and as we know all she has going for her is boobs.) I'm whiling away the time while I wait to hear if I should start the third book in Maria's series. Also, I needed a break from Maria.

[kaitie]

Ooh, you know, having that paired with the summary and knowing which is Emma, it sounds like she might be a great candidate for death. You know what I mean, that character no one can really stand and you're all secretly going "YAY!" when the bad guy gets her, and then the MC gets to be all "angst!" :D

It's late, what can I say.

[NYCutie]

so far 5k. I've been up since 5am. its now 10am :)

[Ken Hoss]

Not a great day so far. Didn't get any more done yesterday, but the wife and I had a nice dinner out. (Got a jump on the Valentine's Day crowd.) So far, only 650 words for the day. Hoping to get more before it's over.

Great job everyone!

heyjude, I'm with Todd on this one. Don't you even think about killing Emma.


EDIT: Only managed another 327 last night. *sigh*

[MarkEsq]

Got some writing done today, so am happy. 1,876. More tomorrow? Hope so....

[HistorySleuth]

Wow Soma, big day for you! None for me thank you, took my daughter, son and their dates to see Avatar --- then spent the evening figuring out whats wrong with the dryer. I'm off to outlining so maybe some words later.

[heyjude]

No actual words for me yesterday. It was a long, white-knuckle kind of a day. Plenty of material for characters, though!

[HistorySleuth]

487 today in my WIP while I'm outlining.

[kaitie]

I just spent two and a half hours writing a chapter summaries for a query letter. Probably was about 2000k, just by guessing. You know...that's the kind of thing that ought to get a request just out of principal lol! It's gonna suck to just get back a form rejection when I spent so long getting the material ready.

[Ken Hoss]

*sigh* Only 632 today. I did wrap up chapter 26 and get a start on 27 though. :D

Also doing some plotting, and it looks like I might just kill off one of the bad guys. :evil Oh, and a few members of his gang too!


kaitie, good luck with the query letter. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[kaitie]

I'm about due for another request I figure. There were a couple that sounded promising, but a couple were snail mail queries and a couple of others take a long time to respond, so goodness knows when I'll hear back even if I do get something. Well, by "due for" what I really mean is, "If I don't get another request soon I'm gonna start getting really discouraged." I'm already considering another query rewrite and wondering if my opening just sucks eggs. :tongue

Anyway, don't feel too bad about the 600, Ken. Tops my ~250 for the day so far! I spent all morning on the query thing, then had lunch and went back up and worked a bit, but all of the writing so far has been in changing up some of the bits I figured out yesterday would improve it, so I haven't gotten to any actual new writing yet. I just ran out of time, basically. I'm about to run to the store and then make some hopefully awesome dinner, and then we'll see what I can get done. :)

On the bright side, IT'S SNOWING! :D:D:D I'll try to take a picture tomorrow after I get some new batteries if it's still there.

[Ken Hoss]

I'm about due for another request I figure. There were a couple that sounded promising, but a couple were snail mail queries and a couple of others take a long time to respond, so goodness knows when I'll hear back even if I do get something. Well, by "due for" what I really mean is, "If I don't get another request soon I'm gonna start getting really discouraged." I'm already considering another query rewrite and wondering if my opening just sucks eggs. :tongue

Anyway, don't feel too bad about the 600, Ken. Tops my ~250 for the day so far! I spent all morning on the query thing, then had lunch and went back up and worked a bit, but all of the writing so far has been in changing up some of the bits I figured out yesterday would improve it, so I haven't gotten to any actual new writing yet. I just ran out of time, basically. I'm about to run to the store and then make some hopefully awesome dinner, and then we'll see what I can get done. :)

On the bright side, IT'S SNOWING! :D:D:D I'll try to take a picture tomorrow after I get some new batteries if it's still there.

Well don't get discouraged, and I'm sure your query doesn't totally suck eggs. You have to stay positive.

It snowed here too. Last Thursday we got a record snow fall. 12.5 inches in a 24 hour period! It caused a lot of problems, both on the roads and with falling branches/trees. At one point there were over 250K electric customers without power!:eek:

I did manage to get a little more last night before bed and I will update my numbers later.

[kaitie]

Okay, ours didn't actually stick except in the mountains and it was maybe like a quarter inch. But still!

Seriously, over a foot? Dang!

[heyjude]

I got maybe a page of outline notes scribbled down yesterday while the kids were at the playground. Another long day! Hopeful for today...

[Ken Hoss]

Okay, ours didn't actually stick except in the mountains and it was maybe like a quarter inch. But still!

Seriously, over a foot? Dang!

See, I like that kind of snow, when it doesn't mess up everything. Yes, seriously, 12.5 inches was the official at D/FW Airport. I walked out to the middle of my front yard with my measuring tape and it was 8" deep! True, that's nothing compared to what they got in the NE, but it is something for Texas. Heck, they even got snow in Atlanta and parts of Florida!

Updated my numbers. Got a total of 329 more words before bed for a daily total of 961. Broke 63K! :e2woo:

[HistorySleuth]

Oh Ken, you're so silly! Its just preposterous you got snow... and Florida and Atlanta? Absurd! Didn't you get the memo on Global Warming? Snow .. sheesh, you're such a kidder!

[Ken Hoss]

Oh Ken, you're so silly! Its just preposterous you got snow... and Florida and Atlanta? Absurd! Didn't you get the memo on Global Warming? Snow .. sheesh, you're such a kidder!


Yeah, I got the memo direct from Al personally. Heck, I was even there when he invented the Internet! :D

I got pictures though, if you're still skeptical.

[Ken Hoss]

Got a respectable 1037 done today. And topped 64K! :e2woo:

I got to kill off a bad guy in a gruesome way. :evil He had his throat slit and his tongue pulled out through the wound. (A true Columbian necktie.)

On another note, Kelli is having to deal with her mother's Alzheimer's again, it's progressing rapidly. As if that weren't bad enough, her ex is trying to talk her into selling her house and moving in with him. :eek: And she still has the "Columbian" trying to kill her. Hell, if this were my life, I'd probably be curled up in the fetal position calling for my mommy!

[TheIT]

Ken, I really didn't need to know the gruesome details especially in an encouragement to write thread. Can we please tone it down a bit?


Got to about the middle of Chapter 3 in the revision and I'm hoping to finish the chapter tonight.

[Ken Hoss]

Ken, I really didn't need to know the gruesome details especially in an encouragement to write thread. Can we please tone it down a bit?


Got to about the middle of Chapter 3 in the revision and I'm hoping to finish the chapter tonight.


No problem, TheIT. Didn't mean to gross anyone out.

Sorry to hear about your back. Hope you get better soon.

[heyjude]

297 today. It's something! I'll take it! :)

[HistorySleuth]

1268. Outlining helped me get my grove back. Whew!

[Torrain]

*blears* Still nothing on that half-written story. :s I got a couple of decent things done in the collaboration, but the half-written snallygaster story... It's starting to feel like an albatross. I really do want to get it done.

Work today, which means yet more dealing with the interruptious, high-handed, and wrong wrong wrong supervisor. Wish me luck.

L&c,
F

[heyjude]

Torrain, please define the words "blears" and "snallygaster". I'm curious! And I so feel you on the supervisor! I had one once upon a time that was so mean she reduced even the janitor to tears...

Sorry about the derail.

[Torrain]

Torrain, please define the words "blears" and "snallygaster". I'm curious!

"Blears" I didn't realize was as colloquial as it is, I guess. :) It's something I picked up from a friend; shorthand for "looks at you/the screen/the world blearily".

The snallygaster is a monster from American folklore; it's from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Maryland, and the name comes from Schnellgeiste, meaning "quick spirit" in German. The description kind of waffles all over the place, but I have a general impression of part reptile, part bird, a beak lined with metal teeth, and octopus-like tentacles. It was supposed to either carry you off into the sky or swoop down and suck your blood.

(Apparently you can still see seven-pointed stars, which were supposed to ward it off, on local barns in the area.)

And I so feel you on the supervisor! I had one once upon a time that was so mean she reduced even the janitor to tears...

Sorry about the derail.

Eh, it's good to know I'm not alone. *hugs* Off now! Wish me luck, and best to all of you.

Love and coffee,
Frances

[Ken Hoss]

snallygaster I like this word. :D It reminds me of "Jabberwocky".


`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
http://www.jabberwocky.com/pics/jabberwocky.jpg

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought --
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.


`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.


-Many thanks to Lewis Carroll-

[Spring]

Hi all!
I posted in the Jan. thread by accident. Just marking my spot here now--in the right month.
And I'm off to write...

Hello to everyone. I'm new to some of you and familiar-ish to others. I'm trying to write a historical romance. I need to stay focused!

I ended yesterday with 7992 words.

[kaitie]

Ken just got so many cool points for posting that. I love that poem! It was my favorite part of that whole story. :D

Spring...you just made my brain hurt. Who else votes we get here in on the March competition? Might as well have someone to give Todd a run for his money. ;)

[heyjude]

I ended yesterday with 7992 words.

For the whole day?!

I think we'll have to split the competition. One for mere mortals and one for Todd and Spring. :)

[Torrain]

Ken just got so many cool points for posting that. I love that poem! It was my favorite part of that whole story. :D

Ohhh! Have you read Mimsy Were the Borogoves (http://mimsyweretheborogoves.webs.com/index.htm)? It was the basis for the movie The Last Mimsy that came out a few years ago.

Also, an artist I like called Ursula Vernon has an illustration of the larval form of jabberwockys here (http://www.redwombatstudio.com/blog/wpg2?g2_itemId=600).

Why yes, I can do tangents. :)

Spring...you just made my brain hurt. Who else votes we get here in on the March competition? Might as well have someone to give Todd a run for his money. ;)

Ohgod, yes. Please, Spring.

Love and coffee,
Frances

[Spring]

HA! Sorry, folks. That 7992 number was my TOTAL for the whole WIP. Oh la la ... if only I could write that amount in one day. That'd be dreamy. My count for yesterday was high for me (around 2 grand) but it was nowhere near the 7992. Sorry for the confusion.
I don't know Todd, but I'm guessing I'm in absolutely no competition with his prolific writing ability.
:)
I've written about 2,000 words again today, but I'll be stopping for the rest of the day soon. Outside life if nudging its way in.

[Ken Hoss]

Ohhh! Have you read Mimsy Were the Borogoves (http://mimsyweretheborogoves.webs.com/index.htm)? It was the basis for the movie The Last Mimsy that came out a few years ago.

Also, an artist I like called Ursula Vernon has an illustration of the larval form of jabberwockys here (http://www.redwombatstudio.com/blog/wpg2?g2_itemId=600).

Why yes, I can do tangents. :)



Ohgod, yes. Please, Spring.

Love and coffee,
Frances

Cool links. I especially liked the second one, Sir Bunny Vs The Wockwurm. :D

[TheIT]

Almost done with revising Chapter 3. Total word count for the revision is around 17,000 so far. Hoping to get through Chapter 4 tonight, too.

[Ken Hoss]

Ken just got so many cool points for posting that. I love that poem! It was my favorite part of that whole story. :D

Spring...you just made my brain hurt. Who else votes we get here in on the March competition? Might as well have someone to give Todd a run for his money. ;)


Okay, where are my cool points? And where can I redeem them? :D

I vote, YES!

Spring, we started doing a Challenge thread each month to see who can get the most words down. Of course, Todd keeps kicking our butts. :tongue But it's really all in fun and it's a real motivator.

[Ken Hoss]

Well, it's not 500, but it is something. Closed out chapter 27 and got down 371 words.

Kelli finally cleared her review board and can go back to chasing the bad guys now. :D

ETA: Another 326 this afternoon. Up to 697 so far.

[sheadakota]

Copy edits done for book two- now I can WRITE!!
about 1200 yesterday- only about 500 today- maybe 1000 by the time all is said and done- But dear lord Ihave no idea where I'm going with this- akkkk!

[Spring]

Hi Todd, Congrats on the new little fella. I have three daughters so sons are kinda foreign to me. But I do love that baby age!

I got 2000+ words today. I don't know if it'll all remain, but I got something down and furthered my little tale.

[Cassiopeia]

*wahhh* I've not had time to breathe let alone write* I'm going crazy without that release.

Good job to everyone else.

[heyjude]

950 yesterday, clear sailing. I have an idea of where I'm going, how to proceed without those pesky police officers always wanting to do things legally, and even how to redeem Emma's boringness. It's the beginning of the home stretch.

[HistorySleuth]

Torrain: I'd be so reading a good snallygaster story! And it's not even what I would normally read. I'm envisioning the movie already.......

Ken: How did I ever miss that Carroll poem! Thanks for posting it. I do so love crazy words, they are so fun.

Welcome Spring! (looks out the window and still sees snow) I hope the other spring isn't too far behind you!

[Ken Hoss]

Ken: How did I ever miss that Carroll poem! Thanks for posting it. I do so love crazy words, they are so fun.

First of all, you're welcome. I first heard this back in the 70's, (the Good Ol' Days), when I got into playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. (Yes, I played it and I admit it. Hey, it was the 70's!) Great poem though. And I too love the crazy, nonsensical words.


Alas, no new words on the WIP today. Work is getting in the way.:rant:

[Spring]

Hello one and all.

I've written 438 words today and didn't advance my story at all. But I rewrote a lot. Perhaps it starts stronger now? Eh. I hope so.

Ken, how dare work get in the way of writing? The nerve!

Cassiopeia, I hope you can write soon. Sounds like you're about to burst!

HyJude, I refuse to believe you could write a boring character. Nope, not gonna buy it.

Thank you, History Sleuth, for the welcome. I too hope the real spring isn't far away. Here in my corner of the world the temperature hit a high of 43 degrees today. Woot!

[HistorySleuth]

First of all, you're welcome. I first heard this back in the 70's, (the Good Ol' Days), when I got into playing Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. (Yes, I played it and I admit it. Hey, it was the 70's!)

Umm .... me too. :D I had my own tiny diecast warrior chick that I painted. She sat on the table in front of me looking all brave and fierce. :box:

One more day of work and 4 days off. Hopefully to write. Got to dogie sit this weekend again though, plus HeyJude says I've got to watch my gerunds too, dang little buggers .... worse then the dogs. Sheesh!

I should get some words in tonight though.

[TheIT]

Got through Chapter 3, about halfway through Chapter 4.

I didn't start playing D&D until I started working and discovered a group here at work. Very fun. I also took up painting figurines as a hobby. Yes, I managed to find and paint figurines which resemble my main characters. :D

[heyjude]

I have a favorite figurine kitty who is nothing like any of the characters in my books, thank goodness, but who watches over me while I write. He's beautiful and I love him and he looks shockingly like TheIT. :) (Or, um, her avatar, anyway.)

And no, I didn't write anything today and tomorrow looks bleak too. Volunteering and good deeds always get in the way of a good murder.

[Ken Hoss]

Umm .... me too. :D I had my own tiny diecast warrior chick that I painted. She sat on the table in front of me looking all brave and fierce. :box:




Geeze, what a...never mind. I can't talk. I had an entire set of monsters, warriors, wizards and dragons. Heck, I still have a few of my dragons. And yes, I hand painted them all! Well, I had to. After all, a Grand Dungeon Master can't go around with unpainted miniatures. :D

Hope to get some actual words down tonight. Hell of a day at work. Jeeze!

[TheIT]

Done with Chapter 4, on to Chapter 5. I think I need to stitch the next two scenes together into one chapter, but I'm not sure yet whether the tones match.

[Spring]

260 today. I'm heading to bed. Night night.

[kaitie]

Geeze, what a...never mind. I can't talk. I had an entire set of monsters, warriors, wizards and dragons. Heck, I still have a few of my dragons. And yes, I hand painted them all! Well, I had to. After all, a Grand Dungeon Master can't go around with unpainted miniatures. :D

Hope to get some actual words down tonight. Hell of a day at work. Jeeze!

Kaitie admits to hand painting miniatures for friends just because it's fun. She is also a huge nerd, but this is no surprise to anyone. :tongue

[Ken Hoss]

Kaitie admits to hand painting miniatures for friends just because it's fun. She is also a huge nerd, but this is no surprise to anyone. :tongue


Hey, at least we're in good company. :D

My first novel was a fantasy based on the world I created for my AD&D dungeons. I got a very large piece of parchment and drew a continent and some islands. Then created all the city states and of course the "unexplored wilds" where most of the outdoor adventures took place. Talk about being a nerd.

BTW, my first novel took me 3 years to complete, and about 2 weeks to lose. (An unscrupulous "self-publisher" stole it. Live and learn.)

Only 412 today. Long, rough day at work. Hope to get more this weekend, before the birthday party on Sunday.

[heyjude]

1162 and... um... don't tell anyone, but Emma is getting very slightly interesting. Not only did she stand up for herself once today, but (shhhh) she has a secret.

[Ken Hoss]

1162 and... um... don't tell anyone, but Emma is getting very slightly interesting. Not only did she stand up for herself once today, but (shhhh) she has a secret.

I won't tell if you don't. :D

Managed 1082 today. Not great, but a lot better than the past few days. Most likely won't get much, if any tomorrow. We're having my granddaughter's birthday party here and we'll have a house full of screaming kids. Woo hoo, I can't wait. :rolleyes:


At least I passed the 66k mark. (Still a long way to 70K for the month, and it's already the 20th. Have to knuckle down if I'm going to make the deadline.)

ETA: Added another 393 for a total of 1475 for the day. Not too shabby. Still need to average 500 a day to hit 70K before the end of the month. Should be able to do that.

[heyjude]

Oh, birthday parties. I'm having one here for my mom tonight, one for my kid Thursday (family) and one for the same kid on Saturday (many screaming children). So, yeah, if I don't do much writing, that's why. I sympathize, Ken!

[kaitie]

Two birthday parties? Does he get two cakes as well? Because that's AWESOME. I want to go live at Jude's house!

[heyjude]

Would you believe he doesn't like cake? I'd say no fruit of my loins, but the resemblance is undeniable. He will have a bit of brownie, but mostly he's interested in broccoli and peanuts (yes, as dessert). ::shrug:: I don't get it either.

[kaitie]

LOL. That's really funny. I'm one of those kids who wouldn't eat broccoli for years, and now I just love it and munch on it raw. I think it was a texture thing. At least you don't have to worry about him getting his veggies haha. :)

[sheadakota]

EEKS! Dungeons and Dragons!!! I knew I was among friends- Played it almost daily in the 70's and Ken- A grand Dungeon master! I bow to thee-

Jude- I love your new avvy- very soothing and peaceful-

No words yesterday- sick sick sick- slept for the last 36 hours straight-sinus infection, thank goddness for antibiotics! But I'M BACK!No edits in site and I can sit and write! Yea!

Nice word counts everyone- oh and welcome spring!

[kaitie]

Aw, poor Shea. Hope you feel better soon. Nothing for me, too. I'm trying to sort out something that's bugging me again plot-wise. I'm sorta leaning toward a thought, but it's still stumping me. It's one of those things that I really need to talk out with someone, but my best sources can't be spoiled and this is relating to the villain's big plan that doesn't get revealed until the very end and the big climax scene, so it's pretty darn spoilery. Oh well. Should be words tomorrow, between cookie cake baking. :)

[TheIT]

Got a lot done yesterday. I'm up to about 40,000 words in the rewrite and working on Chapter 8.

Feel better soon, shea. And cookie cakes, kaitie? Sounds wonderful. :D

[Cassiopeia]

I tried to play dungeons and dragons once. It was confusing. Oh well.

anyway...only academic writing going on here but I thought I'd pop in anyway and cheer you all on. And maybe I'll play hookie from this speech I have to write and dive into my characters once again. :)

[HistorySleuth]

1224 for me this morning and finished a chapter. Off to the movies to see the Wolfman. I hope to do more later now that I'm past a sticky point.

[Ken Hoss]

I tried to play dungeons and dragons once. It was confusing. Oh well.




Feel better soon Shea! :Sun:

Cassie, it was confusing to me at first. Trying to figure out which die to roll and how many.

Me: "Okay, I roll two six sided and an eight sided for damage, right?"

DM: "No, no, no. You only get to roll a four sided dice when you use your battle axe. If you use your +2 Great sword, then you can use a twelve sided."

Me: "Then I'm using my Great sword."

DM: "You can't do that in the middle of melee. You already have the axe in your hand."

Me: *smacks forehead*

:D

Surprised myself and got 880 this morning before having to run to the store and do other errands before the party. I have a little under 30 minutes before they start showing up, so not really enough time to pick up where I left off on the WIP. Ces't la vie.

[MarkEsq]

It's been a pretty productive weekend for me, 1,888 yesterday and exactly 1,000 today. More to the point, my total is now over 60,000, another mental milestone!

[Cassiopeia]

It's been a pretty productive weekend for me, 1,888 yesterday and exactly 1,000 today. More to the point, my total is now over 60,000, another mental milestone!
:partyguy:

Awesome. You win. THIS week.

I'm editing right now. Decided enough of academia, it can keep until six tomorrow morning. :)

[Ken Hoss]

It's been a pretty productive weekend for me, 1,888 yesterday and exactly 1,000 today. More to the point, my total is now over 60,000, another mental milestone!


:Clap: Great wordage, Mark. And congrats on passing the 60K point. I better get off my butt, your catching up fast.

[Cassiopeia]

Wow, I edited 14 pages, which is all of chapter 8 for Lady I. In doing so, I also added 650 words today. So not too shabby.

Although, why is it that editing takes HOURS AND HOURS. I know, I know..it's just a rhetorical whining complaint. ;)

ETA: This means I've 26,995 for a word count on this version of the novel. It was an incomplete WIP at 60k and I'm rewriting it in first person. Quite the task as I'm getting rid of all these INFO DUMPS...only to be paranoid that the entire story is one big info dump. :D

[HistorySleuth]

Well I added another 355 words ending my total for the day at 1579. A good day for me, and I'm happy with where it's going. Although I feel bad for my MC Dave. All these repressed memories are coming back and messing with his head.

[TheIT]

Couldn't match Saturday's progress, but I finished up Chapter 8 and am starting on Chapter 9. My characters have about to go to the fair. This section needs a lot of cleanup.

[kaitie]

I'm thinking I should realize by now that if I'm cooking something at work, it's going to take me forever and a day and I'm not going to get five minutes free to even sit down, much less write. I have yummy dessert to share with my wushu people tonight, though (and the teachers at school), and with luck I might get something out before practice or on the train. Not necessarily likely, but possible. ;)

[heyjude]

469 yesterday, which isn't bad considering the weather (ever so good) and the birthday last night.

[MarkEsq]

:Clap: Great wordage, Mark. And congrats on passing the 60K point. I better get off my butt, your catching up fast.

I've been following your's Ken, and I need to speed up if I want to catch you. :) But I'm motivated this week because I think I will have some time and, more importantly, my agent is sending out my first novel to publishers on Wednesday!

[HistorySleuth]

Oh Mark! How exciting for you! Keep us posted on that.

447 for me this morning. I had to write up a little article for the local newspaper.

[Ken Hoss]

I've been following your's Ken, and I need to speed up if I want to catch you. :) But I'm motivated this week because I think I will have some time and, more importantly, my agent is sending out my first novel to publishers on Wednesday!

Congrats, and as HS said, keep us posted.

Probably won't get any writing done this week. Have some "family" issues to deal with. May be going through the Big D soon, and I don't mean Dallas.:(

[Spring]

I'm sorry, Ken Hoss, to read about your family issue. I hope you can find some time to squeeze in some writing, especially if it is balm for your soul to write!

Was it your birthday, HeyJude?

I got squat done over the weekend...and again today. I'm ok with this. I'm outlining and that's going well, but the outlining necessitated that I cut about 1500 words. Pain! Agony! Done! So now I'm just getting the gears aligned again to start up in this new, improved direction.

[HistorySleuth]

Sorry about the "not Dallas" Ken. At least you can come on here and get some support and humor.

Well got 634 done of my WIP this evening. Not a lot, but it was a day filled with scout calls and co-ordination, and a scout meeting tonight, so I'm surprised I got that much done. Add that to my little news article this morning, 1081 for the day.

[Cassiopeia]

Congrats, and as HS said, keep us posted.

Probably won't get any writing done this week. Have some "family" issues to deal with. May be going through the Big D soon, and I don't mean Dallas.:(
Ken, I'm sorry. I've been through the big D and the big A. Although technically an annulment makes it as though it never were. Sooo whoose..no second marriage.

I just refer to hubby number two as "he who never was". :D

[HistorySleuth]

I just refer to hubby number two as "he who never was". :D

Ya, got a couple of those myself. I kept husband number 3 because, well, I didn't want to be accused of being a collector.:D
(Good thing he doesn't read all this nonsense I write -- but in case --- just kiddin' honey!)

[Cassiopeia]

Ya, got a couple of those myself. I kept husband number 3 because, well, I didn't want to be accused of being a collector.:D
(Good thing he doesn't read all this nonsense I write -- but in case --- just kiddin' honey!)
ahahahahaha...you nut! :)

[heyjude]

About 1500 words yesterday, but they were a break from the WIP. It was fun to write something just for the heck of it.

[HistorySleuth]

Heyhude, that still counts on the 500 W/D/T right? What's your count?

I'm doing something like that today. The county arts council is right up front of my house. (I am so lucky!) An artist friend of mine, also in our local writer's group, is having a showing of his work in March. He's asking folks from our group to come to his studio (also down the street from me) to come up to his gallery and pick a painting and write about it. Not in an art critique sense, but what type of story the painting we pick inspires in us. We did this as a writing exercise in our writer's group once, we had thirty minutes to write. It was a great success to see the type of stories that came out of it. He liked the idea so much he asked the writer's from the group to do it for his exhibit. He is going to display all the writing along with the paintings. So that is what I'm doing this afternoon.

[heyjude]

Ah, no, I wouldn't count it toward the challenge, as it's not on my WIP. We never clearly defined that, though, so to each his/her own.

The art thing sounds way neat!

[Spring]

I have a bonny number to report: 999. It represents a good amount of writing AND it's just a cool number. I'm finally pushing beyond this trouble spot.

HistorySleuth, that's a nifty, artsy project. Sounds like fun.

[TheIT]

Part of the way through Chapter 9. So far I'm up about 1000 words on the rewrite (so much for cutting), but I think I'll be able to get rid of some fluff in the next section. Also wrestling with where the chapter breaks should go. Current total word count is about 45,000.

[kaitie]

Is being up in words a good thing? If so Woohoo! If not uh...oopsie! Good luck either way. :)

Does writing an 1100 word synopsis count for anything? Wrote one out for my current WIP today and man that was a pain. Actually, not as bad as last time. It's a little alarmingly long, however, and has me a teensy bit concerned about word count, but my first synopses for the last one were more like 1800 words, so I guess it's not too bad, especially considering I had to give brief character info at the beginning.

[Cassiopeia]

I wrote a 300 word ad for my business does that count?

Man, this is one of those days I just want to drop dead. But i can't..homework :(

[heyjude]

No words yesterday. I'm having a small crisis of writing faith.

[Ken Hoss]

No words yesterday. I'm having a small crisis of writing faith.


No writing for me in the past two days. Not a lack of writing faith though. A lack of faith in my marriage. But I'll get through it. As the saying goes, "what doesn't kill you makes you stonger." If that's true, I should be able to lift a fully loaded 18 wheeler by now. (Got to laugh or go crazy.)

jude, hope you get over your crisis soon.

[Spring]

Ken, embrace that laughter!

So...writers...have you ever written pages and pages of, ah, crap? I feel like I'm turning out drivel, but I've committed my time to writing today, so gosh-darn-it I'm gonna write! But what's coming out of me isn't very good, yet I press on, creating more words which will most likely be cut. So do I stop? Do I continue to write in the wrong direction? I just don't know. I think I've written over 1200 words so far today, but they all might be yuckity-muckity-bleh.
*sigh*
And off I go to waste more time on my WIP.

[DocBrown]

So...writers...have you ever written pages and pages of, ah, crap? I feel like I'm turning out drivel,


Well, let's see. My first draft was 65k words and my second draft was 85k words. That was mostly drivel. ;)

I started my third draft with the intent to make it a version that needed only editing rather than full rewrites. About 40k into that, I realized the beginning was all wrong and had to correct it. No need to go any further.

The next week I started the fourth draft which I am working on now, so you can call that 150k words of drivel in the first two drafts. I've recycled some of the third draft, so it couldn't have been too bad. (fingers crossed)

Hope my year's worth of rewrites make you feel better! ;)

[TheIT]

So...writers...have you ever written pages and pages of, ah, crap? I feel like I'm turning out drivel, but I've committed my time to writing today, so gosh-darn-it I'm gonna write! But what's coming out of me isn't very good, yet I press on, creating more words which will most likely be cut. So do I stop? Do I continue to write in the wrong direction? I just don't know. I think I've written over 1200 words so far today, but they all might be yuckity-muckity-bleh.
*sigh*
And off I go to waste more time on my WIP.

Have you been looking at my first draft? Keep writing. Now is not the time to judge your writing. Now is the time to keep going so you end up with a complete story on the page that you can edit and polish into something good. If it helps, consider the first draft an extended outline. Keep moving, keep the thoughts flowing, and eventually you'll get there. You'll never get anywhere if you stop.

"Not all those who wander are lost" -- JRR Tolkien

And in the words of Uncle Jim, I give you permission to write dreck.

:Sun: and :poke:!

[Spring]

Love your words, TheIT. Thank you so much. I'll take it to heart.

And, DocBrown, thank you, too! I admit I got a bit woozy thinking about all those drafts and rewrites of yours, but...such is the life of a writer, I suppose. I'm impressed at your dedication. I am a (wee bit of a) quitter.

Hi to all those dedicated writer types. Keep going!

[Good Word]

Springitty Spring! No sincere efforts are wasted, all efforts are cumulative, and some results may be measured in something different that word count.

[DocBrown]

And, DocBrown, thank you, too! I admit I got a bit woozy thinking about all those drafts and rewrites of yours, but...such is the life of a writer, I suppose. I'm impressed at your dedication. I am a (wee bit of a) quitter.



You're welcome. I went into this story with the intention of writing multiple drafts. I arbitrarily said six in the beginning, but I am/was expecting the last couple to just be edits. So as far as I am concerned I am right on track.

Why so many drafts? It's a fantasy novel that spans three different dimensions and I had a lot world/universe building to do. There are also three Major Arcanum of magic (each with six classes) as well as the Minor Arcanum I had to sort through. It's a lot of info I need to pass on without info dumping on the reader. Since my MC is a complete novice, a lot of this can come out through student/teacher dialog, so it's not all bad. ;)

Anyway, the point is, I knew it would be a long road and I planned for it. That helped a lot! I kept the first draft to about 65k words because the intent was to use it as a long winded outline. There was nothing flashy in it, not a lot of description. Just the facts Ma'am, so to speak.

The second was fuller, fixed plot holes, since I am lousy at description, it was step one in that phase. Then, as I said, the third was to put it all together, but it didn't work out. My opening wasn't tight, so I started draft number four.

Now I'm 2.5 chapters in and I am really liking the pace and everything else. As I said, it's been a lot of work, but I can feel that it's been worth it. :D

[HistorySleuth]

Springitty Spring! No sincere efforts are wasted, all efforts are cumulative, and some results may be measured in something different that word count.

I think I'm going to tape that to my wall over my writing area. :e2cloud9:

[sheadakota]

*snicker*

[heyjude]

Todd, spoil 24 and you will never, ever, ever get a crit from me again. Also, since you brought it up, whales belong in an ocean, not a tank. You're right, no one should be shocked by this.

Good Word, those are words of incredible wisdom! Can I hire you as my therapist? :)

722 for me yesterday. Thanks for the support during my writing crisis. I'm still feeling a bit down but at least it's coming. As often happens as I close in on the end of a WIP, the idea for the next one started hitting me yesterday... and I think I'm going to enjoy it much more.

[heyjude]

Back to talking about writing, otherwise this thread will turn into an animal rights thread and I'll have to punt myself to TIO. :evil

[Spring]

A measly 204 words so far today. Ack. I need to get this storyline moving in the right direction!

Todd, my husband and I are/were huge BSG fans. It may have been my favorite television series ever. It was so well done. I don't watch 24, though, so I can't speak to that actress' latest role.
Are you watching Caprica?

How's the writing going, HeyJude, seeing as you've exhorted us to return to the topic? :)

[heyjude]

Well now that I've got my life sorted out (thanks, Spring :) ) I'm actually getting some good writing in today. Bullets are once again flying. ::sighs with pleasure::

[Cassiopeia]

3) Is it wrong that I giggle when people are shocked (and I mean drop-their-jaws, moment-of-silence shocked) that a killer whale killed one of its trainers? Wasn't it a first sign indicator that it's called a freaking KILLER whale?

Admit it, at least one of those three things made you snicker just a touch, didn't it? Mission accomplished.OH the irony. :D you win, I giggled.

[Cassiopeia]

okay, so..where were we...writing. I'm going to do some of that right NOW. :) Almost said WRITE NOW...but thought I'd sound too much like an ad campaign :D

[Spring]

Write now I just giggled at Cassiopeia's near-ad campaign.

[heyjude]

2043 today. I haz been whipped into shape. :)

[kaitie]

I'm stuck. *pouts*

[TheIT]

Kaitie, see my reply in the other thread. :Sun:

Took last night off from writing, but hoping to make more progress tonight. I'm mulling over how to condense what had been about four scenes into one coherent chapter, and where that chapter should end.

[Spring]

Ending my day with 1621. Not bad...

Kaitie...sorry!

TheIt, you go, cat!

[TheIT]

TheIt, you go, cat!

Meow. :e2cat:

:D

[Cassiopeia]

I'm stuck. *pouts*where are you stuck? maybe we can get you out.

[heyjude]

where are you stuck? maybe we can get you out.

+1. Cass straightened me out last week!

[kaitie]

I'm currently trying to figure out what leads up to a conversation that needs to happen. Basically Dale was kidnapped (again) and thinks there's more to it this time and wants to try to look into it more. He's sorta going behind his boss (Cody's) back and trying to get a friendly police officer to illegally let them talk to one of the suspects, that sorta thing. I don't really want Cody to find out about that because he'd be really pissed (and the cop says no anyway), but Cody's distracted by these other problems he's having and doesn't really think there is anything to Dale's theory.

Pretty much in a scene or two, Dale talks to Cody and Cody tells him that he's being ridiculous and gets him to give it up, but I'm trying to figure out why exactly he goes to him in the first place. I'm toying with the idea that maybe he wants to try to hire a private detective to find out more info or something?

I don't know, it's silly. And probably makes no sense out of context. ;) I have the conversation written down so I remember it, but I just can't remember how they got there so I'm trying to figure something else out.

[Alpha Echo]

I finished my women's fiction WIP and pumped out 525 so far today on my crime WIP! Day's only half over too!

[TheIT]

Congratulations, Alpha Echo!

:partyguy:

I cut about 800 words from my rewrite (yay!). The first two drafts were both 148,000 words, so I'm hoping to cut this draft down to something more manageable.

[Alpha Echo]

Thanks! Congrats to you, too!

[Spring]

@ Alpha Echo and TheIT : WOOT! Kudos to you both.

I've written 1,009 words so far today. But an afternoon cocktail party begins in an hour so I think I'll be closing up shop sooner than later.

Happy Friday to you all.

[heyjude]

I'm currently trying to figure out what leads up to a conversation that needs to happen. Basically Dale was kidnapped (again) and thinks there's more to it this time and wants to try to look into it more. He's sorta going behind his boss (Cody's) back and trying to get a friendly police officer to illegally let them talk to one of the suspects, that sorta thing. I don't really want Cody to find out about that because he'd be really pissed (and the cop says no anyway), but Cody's distracted by these other problems he's having and doesn't really think there is anything to Dale's theory.

Pretty much in a scene or two, Dale talks to Cody and Cody tells him that he's being ridiculous and gets him to give it up, but I'm trying to figure out why exactly he goes to him in the first place. I'm toying with the idea that maybe he wants to try to hire a private detective to find out more info or something?

I don't know, it's silly. And probably makes no sense out of context. ;) I have the conversation written down so I remember it, but I just can't remember how they got there so I'm trying to figure something else out.

It is hard to do without more context, but one thing I wondered was could it be that they ran into each other and just happened to strike up the conversation? Or he went to him for something else and it came up?

:hooray: Alpha for finishing and starting! Great stuff!

Boo to me. 525 words for the day, but a lot of it was correcting stupid stuff like in one chapter Emma is totally stunned by news of the affair, but in the next chapter she knew all along. Um, is anyone paying attention in this book? Cause clearly the writer isn't. Ah well. The idea for the next one is coming right along and I will have more fun with that one.

:Sun: for everyone.

[HistorySleuth]

Just 657. Started typing up the short short story I wrote Monday to go with that painting that's going in my friend's March exhibit. I find I am adding to it too. Got to be careful it's not too long. I wrote something way out of my norm. I think it will have big scary snakes too. (I picked an abstract that looked like an aerial view of an ancient city, with snakes around it. Well it looked that way to me anyway.)

[kaitie]

It is hard to do without more context, but one thing I wondered was could it be that they ran into each other and just happened to strike up the conversation? Or he went to him for something else and it came up?

:hooray: Alpha for finishing and starting! Great stuff!

Boo to me. 525 words for the day, but a lot of it was correcting stupid stuff like in one chapter Emma is totally stunned by news of the affair, but in the next chapter she knew all along. Um, is anyone paying attention in this book? Cause clearly the writer isn't. Ah well. The idea for the next one is coming right along and I will have more fun with that one.

:Sun: for everyone.

Nice to have something to look forward to, isn't it?

That's sorta what I'm wondering at, Jude. I think I'm sorting it out, though.

Anyway, this isn't quite the same as getting any writing done, but I've been playing around with a new query letter for my current story that's on sub for the past couple of days. The one I've been using focuses on one character, and a friend suggested writing it from the other character's pov, just to see what it looked like. Well, I've done it and honestly, I think I like it. I'll have to put it over in hell to see what people say, but I do like it this way, and it allows me to focus on the other big conflict of the story (I have two).

[Spring]

So I'd like to go off topic for a sec and get your opinion on something, please. I have two agents from my last WIP who asked for the full manuscript. I sent those off. One I emailed in early December and the other I emailed in early January. And now I've heard nothing. My hopes aren't high, nor are they crushed...I've kinda moved on. But someone sent me advice on another thread that I should send a polite nudge letter, especially to the Dec. peep.
What's the purpose of this? Will it go anywhere? I mean, if they liked my manuscript wouldn't they already have contacted me, or, conversely, if they haven't read it yet, why should I bug them about it?
I guess I'm questioning the use of follow-up letters. Does it ever really make an agent go, "Oh yah, that manuscript rocked! I just forgot to get back to the author. Duh!"

[kaitie]

In general, if you haven't heard in three months (check their guidelines first as sometimes they give you a timeline) then it's okay to give a nudge. Fulls take awhile, but just a simple, "I was wondering about the status of," message won't hurt, just don't do it too soon. Hope this helps. :)

[heyjude]

I'd wait three months for a partial and six for a full, especially with the holidays. It seems crazy long, I know. Look up the names of the agents on QueryTracker and see what their response times are like. The problem with nudging too soon is that some agents just say "never mind, then". Sad but true.

[MarkEsq]

I think a nudge is probably a good idea. It may just be that your mss got put in a stack and has hidden since, unread. I certainly don't think you'd offend anyone, since it's been several months.

[MarkEsq]

And 900 words exactly for me today.

[Spring]

Thanks, dear writers. I'll go give a look-see on QueryTracker to see what each agent's record is.

[sheadakota]

1942 words today- I just found out that my antagonist had a tragic childhood- who knew?

[heyjude]

Using my 2000th post to report a measly 28 words yesterday. Hey, with the kid's party, it was good I did anything! Also worked on my website, with much swearing and kicking of teh internets.

[Spring]

Woot! 2000 posts! Rock on, HeyJude! :)

Your 28 words blows me out of the water! Sad but true. Go fig. Perhaps I'll look at my neglected WIP today.

Sheadakota, isn't that always a surprise?

[sheadakota]

Ok- my bad guy is turning into a sympathetic character- he already killed 2 people- so what am I supposed to do with that?

[heyjude]

Ok- my bad guy is turning into a sympathetic character- he already killed 2 people- so what am I supposed to do with that?

This is not a problem, this is a wonderful opportunity! (Unless he messes with Montana, in which case I will take. Him. Out.)