It seems like the muses have conspired with the rain. Fall is inspiration time for me. When the rain pours down, I get inspired to write. Well, the rain is falling and distracting me from my work on Bonds of Freedom. I keep trying to trudge through and edit, but I don't. I finally posted a piece of my polished prologue on CleanPlace. My muse kept begging me to. I hope to receive feedback on it, but we shall see!
Hopefully I can pick up the pace on this novel!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Adventures in Editing
It has been almost three years since I completed the lengthiest novel of my career. Coming in at over 200,000 words on October 11th, I had no idea what I would do with the manuscript. For the past three years, I've edited small portions of the story, never really digging into the depths of its adventure. About five months ago, I decided to really attack the story.
And since then, I've found myself on a new, exciting adventure! I always knew that the easy part of the journey of an author was writing a novel. Although I have a lot of stories that provided me with characters that induced headaches and fights, the true struggle lies within editing. I'll admit that it probably isn't the best idea to tackle a 200,000+ word novel and try to condense its contents into about half of what it used to be. However, it's the idea I feel most urgent to pursue.
Whether or not it's in my best interest sanity-wise has yet to be proven. My characters in this novel fought tooth and nail while writing it. Bonds of Freedom is the novel I'm most attached to because of the effort I put into it. That seems crazy, considering most of it was written within the span of a month (on very little sleep too), but it's true. This story is the one I always come back to, always look at, and always compare my other works to.
It's the first story that had deeper meaning than just "another novel." It became the start of a realization that I do not want to write for the sake of writing. I want to write because of some deeper meaning and reason. I want to inspire others with my stories.
With all of that being said, it has turned my life upside down. Now, as I rip apart the bad verbage, hilarious typos, glaring mistakes, I find just as much suffering as I did when I first wrote the novel. It would be easier if I just abandoned the project, but I can't. It won't let me; and frankly, I don't want to give up on it either.
It is the beginning of an adventure that I am making up as I go along, but one that I am all too happy to take. Cheers to this new adventure!
And since then, I've found myself on a new, exciting adventure! I always knew that the easy part of the journey of an author was writing a novel. Although I have a lot of stories that provided me with characters that induced headaches and fights, the true struggle lies within editing. I'll admit that it probably isn't the best idea to tackle a 200,000+ word novel and try to condense its contents into about half of what it used to be. However, it's the idea I feel most urgent to pursue.
Whether or not it's in my best interest sanity-wise has yet to be proven. My characters in this novel fought tooth and nail while writing it. Bonds of Freedom is the novel I'm most attached to because of the effort I put into it. That seems crazy, considering most of it was written within the span of a month (on very little sleep too), but it's true. This story is the one I always come back to, always look at, and always compare my other works to.
It's the first story that had deeper meaning than just "another novel." It became the start of a realization that I do not want to write for the sake of writing. I want to write because of some deeper meaning and reason. I want to inspire others with my stories.
With all of that being said, it has turned my life upside down. Now, as I rip apart the bad verbage, hilarious typos, glaring mistakes, I find just as much suffering as I did when I first wrote the novel. It would be easier if I just abandoned the project, but I can't. It won't let me; and frankly, I don't want to give up on it either.
It is the beginning of an adventure that I am making up as I go along, but one that I am all too happy to take. Cheers to this new adventure!
Monday, November 08, 2010
NaNo, AAP, What am I going to do with thee?
So far, my writing has been crashing and burning. I'm behind on NaNo with little time to write in between school and work. I haven't even started my AAP, which I should get on soon. There's just so much that I need to do! There's not enough time.
I think there should be an extra twelve hours added to each day. Then I could write and get sleep as needed. Not be a zombie and walking around like I am unsure of what I'm supposed to do.
Ah well, life happens. I'm sure my writing will pick up soon. In the mean time! I have made a new blog. Check it out!
http://songsofencouragement.blogspot.com/
I think there should be an extra twelve hours added to each day. Then I could write and get sleep as needed. Not be a zombie and walking around like I am unsure of what I'm supposed to do.
Ah well, life happens. I'm sure my writing will pick up soon. In the mean time! I have made a new blog. Check it out!
http://songsofencouragement.blogspot.com/
Monday, November 01, 2010
NaNo 2010
It's that time again and I am proud to say that I am participating once again in the 30 day frenzy that is NaNoWriMo. I started four years ago, and have only failed to complete NaNo once. There have been several crazy nights involved, but all of them worth it.
So how have I done so far on the first day? I have nothing written. I plan on writing my fingers to an oblivion later in the day.
Good luck to all you fellow Wrimos!
So how have I done so far on the first day? I have nothing written. I plan on writing my fingers to an oblivion later in the day.
Good luck to all you fellow Wrimos!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Discovering the Story I Was Meant to Write
During the summer, I participated in SuNo. It was a very tough story to write because I discovered very quickly that I was not writing the story that I was meant to write. I was writing the one I wanted to. It's very hard to write a story that I want when I know it's not the one I'm meant to. It sounds crazy to have an disagreement with yourself over the direction of the story (but those of you who write know what I'm talking about).
People know that making a story takes time and effort. They know about the characters, the plot, the setting, the genre, and all the other things that are daunting. However, they rarely think that they will get in the way of the story they want to tell. I've mentioned before that your story will turn out different sometimes and that's all right! However, just make sure you don't stand in your own way.
Recently, I was looking over my trilogy and thinking of The Second Rebellion and what I should do with them. I am going to have to rewrite them again. I'm not disappointed that this will be the third time I've started them again. I'm just glad that I'm getting closer to what I'm supposed to be writing. It just means that my story is going to be that much better when I finally finish it. I can't wait!
People know that making a story takes time and effort. They know about the characters, the plot, the setting, the genre, and all the other things that are daunting. However, they rarely think that they will get in the way of the story they want to tell. I've mentioned before that your story will turn out different sometimes and that's all right! However, just make sure you don't stand in your own way.
Recently, I was looking over my trilogy and thinking of The Second Rebellion and what I should do with them. I am going to have to rewrite them again. I'm not disappointed that this will be the third time I've started them again. I'm just glad that I'm getting closer to what I'm supposed to be writing. It just means that my story is going to be that much better when I finally finish it. I can't wait!
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Stories Take Their Own Course
Over the past eight or so years of my writing, I have found that things do not always turn out the way we envision them. I can spend numerous hours plotting out every detail of this important scene and nit-pick at the dialogue. It's hard to let certain things go, especially when you feel that it has to be included in the story or else your story won't come together properly. I know that I've wrestled with this many times and I get caught up in not wanting to let my story change course that I forget what I'm writing it for.
Now, there is the complete opposite mindset. Where the writer doesn't want to inhibit anything that comes to them and doesn't set up a plot or a structure. I tell you, both of those types of novels tend to end in frustration for the authors. I've tried it both ways. Both are quite the adventure, yes. However, it is not a pleasant one.
When writing Bonds of Freedom, I had to learn to let go a lot of my plot ideas. Oh yes, I fought with myself over the thought of leaving them behind. I also fought with my characters over how a scene will go (anyone who is an author can understand this one. However, to the rest of the world, you just sound like a lunatic). In the end, it didn't matter how much I had planned out or how little I had planned out.
It was a journey, no matter what I did. There were ups and downs, of course. There were times where I felt like giving up on everything. However, that's what made it a wonderful journey. I also learned through it all that stories will take their own course. You can have the map to the end of your story or you could have no map and are awaiting inspiration and the words to come to you. Or you could land in between.
It doesn't matter how it comes about though, your story is still going to take its own course. I've written several stories and have had the plots written out, but failed to take into account the development of my characters, the plot twists thrown in, and the adventure that I would be taken on as well. It's one of the most fascinating things that I've experienced and enjoy it more and more every time I sit down to write.
So, my post today is to encourage you to let go of what you may have. It may be what's holding you back. Let yourself take the adventure and discover what your characters and your story have in store for you. Writing a novel is just not beneficial for your reader, it's beneficial for you too.
Now, there is the complete opposite mindset. Where the writer doesn't want to inhibit anything that comes to them and doesn't set up a plot or a structure. I tell you, both of those types of novels tend to end in frustration for the authors. I've tried it both ways. Both are quite the adventure, yes. However, it is not a pleasant one.
When writing Bonds of Freedom, I had to learn to let go a lot of my plot ideas. Oh yes, I fought with myself over the thought of leaving them behind. I also fought with my characters over how a scene will go (anyone who is an author can understand this one. However, to the rest of the world, you just sound like a lunatic). In the end, it didn't matter how much I had planned out or how little I had planned out.
It was a journey, no matter what I did. There were ups and downs, of course. There were times where I felt like giving up on everything. However, that's what made it a wonderful journey. I also learned through it all that stories will take their own course. You can have the map to the end of your story or you could have no map and are awaiting inspiration and the words to come to you. Or you could land in between.
It doesn't matter how it comes about though, your story is still going to take its own course. I've written several stories and have had the plots written out, but failed to take into account the development of my characters, the plot twists thrown in, and the adventure that I would be taken on as well. It's one of the most fascinating things that I've experienced and enjoy it more and more every time I sit down to write.
So, my post today is to encourage you to let go of what you may have. It may be what's holding you back. Let yourself take the adventure and discover what your characters and your story have in store for you. Writing a novel is just not beneficial for your reader, it's beneficial for you too.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
SuNo!
Wow! So I totally forgot to talk about the summer project I did on CleanPlace! This year, we did another hearty round of SuNo. Our mission was 50K in the month of July. I must say that the journey was not an easy one for me. I had started out really well and wrote up to 23K in the first three days. Then I stopped and realized that I disliked the story immensely and pretty much spent the rest of the month debating whether or not I should continue on with the story.
I realized that it was not the story that I was supposed to be writing and was once again getting in the way of the message. On the day before the last day. I decided that I would once again take up the story just to win the t-shirt. :P Of the course of the month, I had written up to 25K, so I wrote the rest of it in the last two days.
The story that I composed in that month will never be seen by anyone as it is horrid and blown to ridiculous porportions. However, in spite of that, it was fun to write. Especially since I was so sleep deprived that I was pretty much writing whatever came to mind. It made for some rather interesting dialogue between my characters that will remain unmentioned because I dislike blackmail material. :P
Moral of the story: Do NOT attempt to write 25K in the span of two days. Not unless you have a giant chocolate cake to support you through the nights.
I realized that it was not the story that I was supposed to be writing and was once again getting in the way of the message. On the day before the last day. I decided that I would once again take up the story just to win the t-shirt. :P Of the course of the month, I had written up to 25K, so I wrote the rest of it in the last two days.
The story that I composed in that month will never be seen by anyone as it is horrid and blown to ridiculous porportions. However, in spite of that, it was fun to write. Especially since I was so sleep deprived that I was pretty much writing whatever came to mind. It made for some rather interesting dialogue between my characters that will remain unmentioned because I dislike blackmail material. :P
Moral of the story: Do NOT attempt to write 25K in the span of two days. Not unless you have a giant chocolate cake to support you through the nights.
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Journey Continues
Today marks the (obscure number) month of my journey in editing Bonds of Freedom! So far, half of the novel is edited and only one chapter is revised. I've changed one major aspect about the story. I've finally changed my story from the setting of England to my own world. I did this mainly because I was not comfortable that I had depicted the time frame accurately and so I decided that it would be best for me to set it in my own world to avoid all that mess.
Along this journey, I've found some interesting typos and hilarious moments where I had to stop and think what happened to my poor story. There were no easy answers. All I blame it on is writing late hours and being so sleep deprived that everything made sense. I have also found that I am not completely displeased with my work. My ending needs a major overhaul, but mostly because I rushed it. I also realized that I need to insert more thoughts and characteristics in my story that I left out.
It's quite fascinating to see how everything's weaving together. I've also enjoyed rediscovering my story and comparing it to where I wanted it to go and how it ended up. Oh yes, it has turned quite far from the original path, but that's the magic and mystery of stories. You never know where they're going, you just let them take you along for the ride.
Along this journey, I've found some interesting typos and hilarious moments where I had to stop and think what happened to my poor story. There were no easy answers. All I blame it on is writing late hours and being so sleep deprived that everything made sense. I have also found that I am not completely displeased with my work. My ending needs a major overhaul, but mostly because I rushed it. I also realized that I need to insert more thoughts and characteristics in my story that I left out.
It's quite fascinating to see how everything's weaving together. I've also enjoyed rediscovering my story and comparing it to where I wanted it to go and how it ended up. Oh yes, it has turned quite far from the original path, but that's the magic and mystery of stories. You never know where they're going, you just let them take you along for the ride.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Inspiration gone
So, these past few months have been a real struggle for me. I've had health issues that have yet to be addressed and I lost my job. My inspiration has slipped out of the window and so all my projects have been fairly unmoving. While I have not written, I have done a lot of planning. I managed to come up with three new story lines that I want to work on, but they still need a lot of fleshing out. One of those stories however, is going to be a script. That's right, I'm going to delve into script writing more.
This, of course, is a new element that I don't know a lot about. So I'm going to be doing a lot of research and trying to get comfortable with writing scripts. I think that I could do the dialogue well. However, I think writing all the directions and descriptions is where I would have a hard time. So, it should be interesting. The vision I have for each script is hard to put into brief summaries. Maybe I'll be like the one playwright who spent a number of pages writing description (his name escapes me...).
Anyway, that's the belated update. I'm trying really hard to get back in the writing mood. It's not working so well.
This, of course, is a new element that I don't know a lot about. So I'm going to be doing a lot of research and trying to get comfortable with writing scripts. I think that I could do the dialogue well. However, I think writing all the directions and descriptions is where I would have a hard time. So, it should be interesting. The vision I have for each script is hard to put into brief summaries. Maybe I'll be like the one playwright who spent a number of pages writing description (his name escapes me...).
Anyway, that's the belated update. I'm trying really hard to get back in the writing mood. It's not working so well.
Monday, January 04, 2010
New Year!
It's 2010! I know that I'm a little late in posting this, but better late than never. I haven't started editing Bonds of Freedom yet. I need to fix that soon. :P On the other hand, I am right on track for my goal every week. I made it my silent goal to write four chapters a week. It doesn't matter what story as long as I write.
Hopefully my writing habits and editing habits get better!
Hopefully my writing habits and editing habits get better!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Post-NaNo
Well, it's more than halfway through December. What have I done since then? Not much. I went through my NaNo and decided what parts I'm going to keep when I try to rewrite this story again. I also went through the first draft that I wrote over two years ago and decided to keep some parts. However, I'm still going to rewrite them.
I also started to edit the first few chapters of my SuNo, Bonds of Freedom. As I'm reading through, I realized that there was a lot wrong with my placement in cities and I did not adquately do research for 1) scientific advances 2) geography and 3)history of the time period. This is a great insult to myself because I wanted to make the story as accurate as possible.
Instead, I went into SuNo without any thought about that. So when I'm going back and editing, I will have to look up that information. I remember once thinking that writing a story in your own country was hard, but it's even harder when you're trying to write a story in another one. Anyway, enough about that.
I don't know how many of you remember way back at the beginning of the year when I set up a crazy goal for myself to write six novels this year. I just wanted to inform you all that I failed. :P It wasn't really shocking though. At least, to me it wasn't. Out of the six novels I had planned, I started four of them. One was finished, the other three are either being scrapped (NaNo) or are still in the works. In the next year, I have set more realistic goals for me.
Goals for 2010:
-Finish editing Bonds of Freedom (my SuNo)
-Rewrite the beginning of The Jewel of the Ancients
-Write the first half of The Best of the Best
-Write the first half of The Second Rebellion
This does not include NaNo for next year as well as what July Extra Credit Project that I will more than likely be doing on CleanPlace.
Enjoy your holidays!
I also started to edit the first few chapters of my SuNo, Bonds of Freedom. As I'm reading through, I realized that there was a lot wrong with my placement in cities and I did not adquately do research for 1) scientific advances 2) geography and 3)history of the time period. This is a great insult to myself because I wanted to make the story as accurate as possible.
Instead, I went into SuNo without any thought about that. So when I'm going back and editing, I will have to look up that information. I remember once thinking that writing a story in your own country was hard, but it's even harder when you're trying to write a story in another one. Anyway, enough about that.
I don't know how many of you remember way back at the beginning of the year when I set up a crazy goal for myself to write six novels this year. I just wanted to inform you all that I failed. :P It wasn't really shocking though. At least, to me it wasn't. Out of the six novels I had planned, I started four of them. One was finished, the other three are either being scrapped (NaNo) or are still in the works. In the next year, I have set more realistic goals for me.
Goals for 2010:
-Finish editing Bonds of Freedom (my SuNo)
-Rewrite the beginning of The Jewel of the Ancients
-Write the first half of The Best of the Best
-Write the first half of The Second Rebellion
This does not include NaNo for next year as well as what July Extra Credit Project that I will more than likely be doing on CleanPlace.
Enjoy your holidays!
Monday, November 30, 2009
NaNo, Oh, NaNo
Well, it's the 30th. I have to be honest, ever since I pushed past 50,000 words I haven't written a lick on my NaNo. Quite honestly, my vision for this NaNo was to have it go better and far smoother than the last time I tried to write this story. Sadly, that did not happen and I am left with another pile of junk that needs to be sorted through before decided most of it's fate. There are a few things in what I wrote that I am going to keep. However, for the most part, I am going to scrap it. I hope you all did well on your novels and those of you still frantically writing, good luck!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Day Sixteen
Well, we've passed the halfway point in the month. Sadly, I have yet to pass my halfway point in my novel. I hope to get there soon though. Of course, the last time I said this, my halfway point ended up not being until really late in the novel. Oh well, that's life. :P I reached a lovely 40,000 words last night thanks to word wars. I also wrote 1300 more this morning while waiting for a family member to finish their eye exam. So, I feel as though I'm on a good track.
We'll see how the rest of the day pans out! Good luck to you all!
We'll see how the rest of the day pans out! Good luck to you all!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Day Fourteen
Well, it's day fourteen here in NaNo land. I must say that everyone is doing awesome. Your word counts are quite lovely and even if you are behind, I'm sure that you will catch up. You all have the determination to win and I'm sure that it will prove quite exhausting. However, you'll wake up on December first going "I'm done? Really?" Don't worry though, you can edit in that time. :P
As for me, my NaNo adventures have been sort of short and brief as I have had little time to write this past week or so. I've been suffering from major headaches, which hinders my thought process quite severely and thus rendering me incapible of working on my NaNo effectivly. Still, I am at a nice 35,000 words. I'm behind almost ten thousand words to meet my word goal for this month. However, I have the feeling that I will be among those who pull it off, even if I am word warring until the last minute. :P
Keep writing everyone!
As for me, my NaNo adventures have been sort of short and brief as I have had little time to write this past week or so. I've been suffering from major headaches, which hinders my thought process quite severely and thus rendering me incapible of working on my NaNo effectivly. Still, I am at a nice 35,000 words. I'm behind almost ten thousand words to meet my word goal for this month. However, I have the feeling that I will be among those who pull it off, even if I am word warring until the last minute. :P
Keep writing everyone!
Monday, November 02, 2009
Day Two of NaNo
Today is day two and I admit that I got a little frustrated earlier with my NaNo because I felt that it wasn't moving fast enough for my taste. However, now that I've killed one of my characters, I feel much better. I know that sounds quite odd, but most of you should be used to it by now. :P I finished my writing day at 14,100. I think I'm making good progress this month and I should finish early with my novel. Ha! That's if I don't take any vacation days near the middle of the month and I don't have headaches for a week straight. We'll see.
Everyone, keep writing! You're all doing great!
Everyone, keep writing! You're all doing great!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
First Day of NaNo
Well, it's the kickoff to NaNo and I have a decent lead at 7,003. While it's not as comfortable as I would like to be, it's good. I hope you all are doing well. Don't be discouraged, have fun! :)
Sunday, October 11, 2009
SuNo: Finished
Today, I finished typing my SuNo at 3:00 pm. The final word count for my novel is 207,065. I don't even want to think about editing at this point because I know it's going to be brutal yet hilarious. So I'm happy that I have finished that chapter and can now move on with NaNo! :D
*dances with joy*
Yuki
*dances with joy*
Yuki
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Finishing My SuNo
I have decided to make a resolution that I'm going to stick to. I have decided that if I do not finish my SuNo, I will not participate in NaNo. I'm hoping this will help me finish one novel this year. I really need to do so. I'm so close to the end too. So that is my goal for the month, we'll see how everything works out for me.
If I do finish my SuNo, I am going to be rewriting my fantasy trilogy for NaNo. I'm hoping that it will turn out better than the first attempt. There are very few people ho read it all the way through and those who did could tell you that it needed a lot of work. :P I have furthered my resolution to never leave off in mid-thought because of that. I will not have a repeat of that disaster. Huzzah for me. :P
If I do finish my SuNo, I am going to be rewriting my fantasy trilogy for NaNo. I'm hoping that it will turn out better than the first attempt. There are very few people ho read it all the way through and those who did could tell you that it needed a lot of work. :P I have furthered my resolution to never leave off in mid-thought because of that. I will not have a repeat of that disaster. Huzzah for me. :P
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Gearing up for NaNo
It's almost November again. My goodness, the time sure goes fast. I have finally decided on my plot for NaNoWriMo this year. I will be rewriting The Jewel of the Ancient. This time, I'm definately excited to get this up and going. Quite honestly because it's about time. Plus, I need to get my trilogy out of the way. :P I have lots of planning to do though. We'll see how everything goes! :D NaNo's coming soon!
Monday, July 27, 2009
160,000 words
Wow, just wow. I'm amazed, again. I never thought that I would be able to do it, but here I am. I pushed myself even more and there are more words than I know what to do with. Heh, I know amazing, right? I'm trying to work to wrap up my plot. I should be done between 14,000-20,000 more words and I hope that I get to type the infamous words "the end" for the first time in a long time. I am super excited to near the end of this journey and I cannot believe that time has gone by this quickly. Feels like yesterday that I was at 1K and going "My goodness, what have I gotten myself into?"
Keep writing to the very end!
Keep writing to the very end!
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