So...what am I doing for NaNoWriMo?
At first, I thought that I would write October's Knight, but then I got that out of the way in one week.
My other idea was the sequel to the NaNoWriMo book (which for further reference will be called NaNo Book I), but as I was thinking about NaNo Book I, I realized that I need to rewrite. Maybe change some things around. I'm still not sure if I'll follow through on this, but I do know that some things in there are definitely poorly written. What I'm thinking of doing on that is slowly rewriting it in October and December. I'll definitely have my editor continue to edit because I know that she will give me valuable tips on what exactly I should cut. =)
However, I don't want to waste an annual competition on a revision. So I decided to go ahead with the sequel idea. That book shall be called, until further notice, NaNo Book II.
What's it about? Well, without giving away much, it contains the sea-faring journeys of Elizabeth, Angela, and Skye (along with their best buds from Caeleryn). At the same time, invaders from the west are threatening Durain, Mom, and Mariah back on the mainland.
You probably don't know who many of those characters are yet. Don't worry; if you read the books when they're published you'll hear all about 'em! =) During November I may post some character outlines of them.
Anyway, the NaNo books are fantasy/allegory. Lately, I've been wondering if my books really show what I believe, so that will be a main focus. I'm also focusing on my writing style (more in a future post) and character development, as well as trying to make the overall story line less cliche. As I was reading over NaNoWriMo book I, I noticed that it almost alluded to Lord of the Rings. I'll definitely fix that when I rewrite Book I, as well as steer the books away from that direction in Book II.
So, what are my fellow NaNoWriMo-ers' plans? What genre are y'all writing? I'm curious! =)
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Time Has Come!
It's October, which means...sign up for NaNoWriMo has begun! Click HERE to get to their site! Signing up is incredibly easy, and I also suggest looking at the FAQs and the About NaNoWriMo if you're a first time participant.
And I've decided that I am doing NaNoWriMo. I may have to get up at 5:30 AM, but I will do it, and I will finish. I hope.
So, as you can imagine, this is going to effect my posts. Here are some of the things you'll see through October:
1. How to outline your novel idea
2. How to cure writer's block
3. Incentives for writing
4. How to find your writing style (and stick with it)
5. How to inspire yourself
6. When (and when not) you should stress
7. My NaNoWriMo plans for this year
And those are just seven of them!
One more thing: Guinevere, you asked if you could use an idea for your blog. Go right ahead! =)
Also, if you want to read some more reasons for pseudonyms, then just look under the comments in my posts of pseudonyms. Illunse had some great things to say!
See you all pretty soon!
And I've decided that I am doing NaNoWriMo. I may have to get up at 5:30 AM, but I will do it, and I will finish. I hope.
So, as you can imagine, this is going to effect my posts. Here are some of the things you'll see through October:
1. How to outline your novel idea
2. How to cure writer's block
3. Incentives for writing
4. How to find your writing style (and stick with it)
5. How to inspire yourself
6. When (and when not) you should stress
7. My NaNoWriMo plans for this year
And those are just seven of them!
One more thing: Guinevere, you asked if you could use an idea for your blog. Go right ahead! =)
Also, if you want to read some more reasons for pseudonyms, then just look under the comments in my posts of pseudonyms. Illunse had some great things to say!
See you all pretty soon!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Pseudonyms
{also known as aliases and pen-names}
Reasons to publish a book under a pseudonym:
1. If your books become really famous, you can say your real name without having to fear screaming fans requesting autographs. =)
2. You don't have to deal with people befriending you just because they know you're famous.
3. If someone is mad at you for publishing a book (say it has something controversial in it) they can't track you down as easily. Okay...creepy.
4. It gives you more privacy in general.
5. You can use the name you've always wanted to be called. =)
Two famous books that were published by people under pseudonyms are Alice in Wonderland (author's pen-name was Lewis Carrol) and Animal Farm (the author went by George Orwell)
I think I will publish under a pseudonym. I was toying with the idea for a bit, but now I decided I will. But I'm absolutely stumped as to what my pseudonym will be.
What do you guys think should be my real name?
(igirl, I know that you know my real name, so just think what you would have named me) =)
Actually, what would be really interesting to know is what do you picture me to look like. =)
Just throw out ideas that you guys think would suit my personality. I would really appreciate it!
Oh, and tell me if it's okay with you if I use the name you suggested. I know that if I made up a cool name I wouldn't want someone to take it without my permission.
Reasons to publish a book under a pseudonym:
1. If your books become really famous, you can say your real name without having to fear screaming fans requesting autographs. =)
2. You don't have to deal with people befriending you just because they know you're famous.
3. If someone is mad at you for publishing a book (say it has something controversial in it) they can't track you down as easily. Okay...creepy.
4. It gives you more privacy in general.
5. You can use the name you've always wanted to be called. =)
Two famous books that were published by people under pseudonyms are Alice in Wonderland (author's pen-name was Lewis Carrol) and Animal Farm (the author went by George Orwell)
I think I will publish under a pseudonym. I was toying with the idea for a bit, but now I decided I will. But I'm absolutely stumped as to what my pseudonym will be.
What do you guys think should be my real name?
(igirl, I know that you know my real name, so just think what you would have named me) =)
Actually, what would be really interesting to know is what do you picture me to look like. =)
Just throw out ideas that you guys think would suit my personality. I would really appreciate it!
Oh, and tell me if it's okay with you if I use the name you suggested. I know that if I made up a cool name I wouldn't want someone to take it without my permission.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
5 Blogging Tips
I'm sorry if some of these sound really serious, like the 5th one. I'm not really that scary! =) I think, however, that all bloggers should know these ones. All you bloggers who just started out, listen up! I learned a lot of these from my own experiences! It would be nice if not everyone learned it the hard way, don't you agree?
1. For all around legibility: use proper grammar and spelling. I know that often its so hard, but it's worth it. I'm not saying to exhaustively research every single punctuation mark in your post, but try and correctly use commas and spelling (to at least a point where others can understand what you're saying). It's easier to understand this:
"So, today was pretty rainy. We just stayed inside and talked like only girls can. Yeah, our plans for the beach went down the drains (along with massive amounts of rain), but we still had a blast!"
verses this:
"so today was pretty reiny we just staid inside an dtalked like only girls can. yeah our plans for the beech went down the drains along with the massive amounts of rain but we still had a blast!"
This includes maybe just paying more attention to what appears on your screen--if you accidentally type 'it' instead of 'is' the sentence doesn't make sense but spell check doesn't correct it.
2. Never post in anger. Or comment, for that matter. If someone blogs something that makes you want to scream at them, take a deep breath, get off the computer, and wait for half an hour (at least) before you reply. I know that natural reaction is to fire off something that's just dripping with anger, but doing that is a prime way to earn yourself a bad reputation and say things that any other time would have you horrified.
3. Always have another perspective. Remember, things like sarcasm and weird senses of humor are hard to pick up on in writing. You might mean something in jest, but someone could take serious offense. Before you post something, think "Would I take this differently if I was the reader?" What seems funny to you could be an insult to another person.
4. Listen to your readers! Ask them questions, and take into account their answers.
5. This one is a safety tip: be very careful giving out personal information! First, check with your parents if you're unsure where you should draw the line on how much you say about yourself. They might be okay with you saying your first name, and others would rather not have you putting your age on the internet. Either way, it's a good idea not to put contact information for all to see, like your address, phone number, etc. Also, don't post anything you want to be kept private. Nothing's secret on the internet!
1. For all around legibility: use proper grammar and spelling. I know that often its so hard, but it's worth it. I'm not saying to exhaustively research every single punctuation mark in your post, but try and correctly use commas and spelling (to at least a point where others can understand what you're saying). It's easier to understand this:
"So, today was pretty rainy. We just stayed inside and talked like only girls can. Yeah, our plans for the beach went down the drains (along with massive amounts of rain), but we still had a blast!"
verses this:
"so today was pretty reiny we just staid inside an dtalked like only girls can. yeah our plans for the beech went down the drains along with the massive amounts of rain but we still had a blast!"
This includes maybe just paying more attention to what appears on your screen--if you accidentally type 'it' instead of 'is' the sentence doesn't make sense but spell check doesn't correct it.
2. Never post in anger. Or comment, for that matter. If someone blogs something that makes you want to scream at them, take a deep breath, get off the computer, and wait for half an hour (at least) before you reply. I know that natural reaction is to fire off something that's just dripping with anger, but doing that is a prime way to earn yourself a bad reputation and say things that any other time would have you horrified.
3. Always have another perspective. Remember, things like sarcasm and weird senses of humor are hard to pick up on in writing. You might mean something in jest, but someone could take serious offense. Before you post something, think "Would I take this differently if I was the reader?" What seems funny to you could be an insult to another person.
4. Listen to your readers! Ask them questions, and take into account their answers.
5. This one is a safety tip: be very careful giving out personal information! First, check with your parents if you're unsure where you should draw the line on how much you say about yourself. They might be okay with you saying your first name, and others would rather not have you putting your age on the internet. Either way, it's a good idea not to put contact information for all to see, like your address, phone number, etc. Also, don't post anything you want to be kept private. Nothing's secret on the internet!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
My Wrists Are Fried, Sauteed, and Boiled
Title: October's Knight
Word Count:5,534
Page Count:20
Author's status after writing: zonked.
Every time I click I can feel it all the way up my arm.
I know I've written hard when I'm in agony.
I'm actually not in agony.
It just kind of hurts.
Ouch.
But it was worth it!
Yes, if I was in NaNoWriMo the limit for a week would be over this word count, but hey. Then I didn't have carpal tunnel syndrome. =)
I'm so glad I finished it! And just in time! We're seeing my friend tomorrow.
Better get off now before my wrists are really in agony.
Word Count:5,534
Page Count:20
Author's status after writing: zonked.
Every time I click I can feel it all the way up my arm.
I know I've written hard when I'm in agony.
I'm actually not in agony.
It just kind of hurts.
Ouch.
But it was worth it!
Yes, if I was in NaNoWriMo the limit for a week would be over this word count, but hey. Then I didn't have carpal tunnel syndrome. =)
I'm so glad I finished it! And just in time! We're seeing my friend tomorrow.
Better get off now before my wrists are really in agony.
I have done the impossible.
On September 25, 2010 I started October's Knight. On October 1, 2010, I finished it. I wrote a book in one week.
What's more, it wasn't at the expense of my schooling! I got 100% on my biology test (yes, I use Apologia. My dad teaches me).
Now I'm typing it up, so I can hand it to my friend tomorrow!
NaNoWriMo sounds super easy to me now. Write a book in 30 days? How 'bout 7? =)
What's more, it wasn't at the expense of my schooling! I got 100% on my biology test (yes, I use Apologia. My dad teaches me).
Now I'm typing it up, so I can hand it to my friend tomorrow!
NaNoWriMo sounds super easy to me now. Write a book in 30 days? How 'bout 7? =)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Whew!
Where has today gone? I studied. And I mean studied. I studied the phylum in kingdom Monera--Gracilicutes, Tenericutes, Firmicutes, and one that starts with M. Like, Misilicutes or something like that. Although I do know the class of Tenericutes--Mollicutes! And...
Okay. You guys probably don't want to know all about classifying bacteria. But hey! I have to memorize this for tomorrow's tests, not to mention about two zillion definitions and the five essential things bacteria need to survive. And that's just biology.
Yep. Sixteen. 10+6. Ten and six. 16.
But am I complaining? Uh...no.
I'm actually very grateful for such a...well...a thorough education. I'm very happy that my parents can teach me in this country without getting arrested. I'm happy that I have the mental capacity to memorize all my biology stuff.
We should really be grateful for--
Excuse me. I just had to go rescue four of my family members. Galdor locked them all in his room. I don't know...maybe they should have stayed there...=) jk
We should really be grateful for our education, public and home schoolers alike. Think of what a blessing it is.
Yeah, I'm saying that while I look forward with dread to Government. Hey. I never said I was going to run for president. =)
Oh, and guess what! I'm so thrilled! I'm up to chapter 4 in October's Knight! I'M SO HAPPY!! I haven't run across much writer's block, and yeah my wrists are really killing me and I need to take an ibuprofen and we're getting the remains of a hurricane here and I still have history reading to do and it's almost time for bed and I'm accompanying ballet next week...but I'm fine.
Really, I'm fine. Just a bit...
HYPER!!!! O.O
I've been wanting to do that all day. =)
Okay. You guys probably don't want to know all about classifying bacteria. But hey! I have to memorize this for tomorrow's tests, not to mention about two zillion definitions and the five essential things bacteria need to survive. And that's just biology.
- Biology
- Algebra
- History
- Literature
- Writing
- Elements of Style
- Spanish
- Voice
- Piano
- Irish Tin Whistle
- Classical Vocabulary
- Latin
- Speech
- Logic
- Government
- Church
Yep. Sixteen. 10+6. Ten and six. 16.
But am I complaining? Uh...no.
I'm actually very grateful for such a...well...a thorough education. I'm very happy that my parents can teach me in this country without getting arrested. I'm happy that I have the mental capacity to memorize all my biology stuff.
We should really be grateful for--
Excuse me. I just had to go rescue four of my family members. Galdor locked them all in his room. I don't know...maybe they should have stayed there...=) jk
We should really be grateful for our education, public and home schoolers alike. Think of what a blessing it is.
Yeah, I'm saying that while I look forward with dread to Government. Hey. I never said I was going to run for president. =)
Oh, and guess what! I'm so thrilled! I'm up to chapter 4 in October's Knight! I'M SO HAPPY!! I haven't run across much writer's block, and yeah my wrists are really killing me and I need to take an ibuprofen and we're getting the remains of a hurricane here and I still have history reading to do and it's almost time for bed and I'm accompanying ballet next week...but I'm fine.
Really, I'm fine. Just a bit...
HYPER!!!! O.O
I've been wanting to do that all day. =)
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