** #Nanowrimo #Nanowinner2017 **
I made it!
Writing
Some Pics of the New York Public Library
I was in NY this weekend and had to visit the NY Public Library. There’s something about stepping into a beautiful library that puts me into a happy place.
Here are a few pics. Unfortunately, the ones inside came out blurry, but it was breathtaking to step into the rooms and look up at the ceilings.
Multitasking Moments – Working on Three WIPs #amwriting #amrevising
I’m not sure how this happened, but I am currently working on three works in progress. Eek! One novel needs heavy rewrites and I only tackle a few pages at a time. Another needs about a dozen or so comments to be addressed before I send it to an editor. And the third–the most fun–is in the draft writing stage. I’m having the most fun with this one as I’m getting to know the characters and feeling out their chemistry as I write. I have a pretty good idea of how the story will develop, but as the characters take shape, they’re making the story even more exciting than I envisioned at first.
I’ve also tried something new with this draft–dictating into my phone as I go out for a walk. Since I’m new at this, I often have long pauses wondering where the heck I was going with that scene, but it’s kind of nice to get outside and brainstorm. Usually, I go for a walk, a ton of ideas hit me, and I rush home to write them down before I forget!
This new draft, as of yet untitled, is an off-shoot of the Highland Gargoyles series, which is my priority of 2016. But–a gargoyle shifter isn’t the hero in this story. What is, well, that will have to be a surprise. 🙂
Here’s more about the series of hot shifter brothers!
Nanowrimo Begins!
I skipped NaNoWriMo last year after participating since 2011, but now I’m back! I started strong. Woke up early Sunday, November 1st, and started work on Knights of Stone: Bryce, part 3 in the Highland Gargoyles series. I had my second 5,000 word day — ever! Only reached that milestone once before, during a previous Nano. My entire focus that Sunday was my novella. Every now and then, I need one of those.
So if I’m quiet this month, it’s because I’m in Nano land!
Who else is participating? What are you working on?
Help Me Pick My NaNoWriMo Project
November is approaching. What that means is some last minute tying up of projects before I go in the writing cave for National Novel Writing Month. I’ve participated in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Last November, I took a break–partially so I could enjoy Thanksgiving without obsessing over my word count.
This year, I’m back! For the past few weeks, I’ve been debating which project to work on. Want to help me choose?
Shifter Romance – Highland Gargoyles #3 – I’m working through revisions of part 2, which is the untitled follow up to Knights of Stone. I could continue with part 3, or maybe even start part 4, if I’m ambitious (and don’t burn out!).
Military Romance – I could work on the SEAL series I’ve started, but put aside to finish the Chateau Seductions series. Or finish one of my Marine romances, maybe a follow up to Temptation Returns.
Wolf Shifter Romance – I’ve been scrawling notes for a wolf shifter romance, which I’m itching to start. It could be an offshoot of the Chateau Seductions series or the Highland Gargoyles one–both which include wolf shifters.
Collection of Short Stories – I have several short stories I’d like to write, with notes jotted down for some. So I could focus on writing a bunch of rough drafts in November and then polishing them off in the new year.
I’m also committed to write for a few boxed sets next year. I could make progress by writing for one of those. We will see.
Hmm, is that it? My list of upcoming writing projects is many pages long. Maybe it’s not so bad after all. Well, they may keep me busy for years to come.
Any votes? Suggestions?
My Writing Process Blog Tour Meme
It’s my turn in the Writing Process Blog Tour meme. My friend Karla Doyle tagged me last week, so here I go, answering four questions about how I write. On March 31st, visit the authors I’ve tagged to participate — Sabrina Garie, Heather Elizabeth King, and Suz deMello.
1. What am I working on at the moment?
I am currently procrastinating working on edits to my romantic suspense novel called Dark Whispers by writing this post. 😉
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Dark Whispers has taken me years to write as it’s longer and more complicated than my other novels. There are plots and subplots, secrets, twists, paranormal elements, murders, and a romantic storyline that ties it together. Hopefully that makes for a gripping read!
3. Why do I write what I do?
I like to write and I need to. It’s what I’ve enjoyed doing since the sixth grade. When I go on vacation, what I look forward to most is more time to read and write. Oh yeah, and spending time with family. 😉
4. How does my writing process work?
When I’m writing, my goal is for 500 words a day during the week (evenings) and 1,000 or more on the weekends (mornings). My first drafts are very rough, filled with question marks for me to go back and fill in later. The revisions take much longer as that’s when I go back and fill in all those question marks and rewrite those rough sentences. During these revisions, I’ll print out my hardcopy and/or send it to my Kindle for another read through, marking what I need to fix. When I have a decent version, I’ll send it to my critique partners for review and perhaps some beta readers. It depends on the story. After I’ve gone through all the suggestions, I’ll submit it to an editor for further critique.
Next Monday, click over to my friends’ blogs to read about their writing processes.
Sabrina Garie is on a journey to create the most kick-ass heroine romance fiction has ever known and the hero who can take her. A believer that big, audacious goals spice up life, she relies on coffee, red wine and laughter to make those goals (and her characters) come alive. When not at the computer, she wrangles vegetables and extra helpings of homework into her fashion-loving progeny, kowtows to a fat cat and reads, a lot. Since it is more fun to travel in packs, come along for the ride. Catch the train at sabrinagarie.com.
Heather Elizabeth King – A multi-published author, when not penning tales of supernatural mystery or urban fantasy, Heather Elizabeth King writes erotic romance under the name Adrienne Kama. When not writing, Heather likes to cycle the scenic trails of her town, run, meet up with friends at the local Starbucks for Skinny coffees and decadent treats, see live music and listen to hard rock and smooth jazz.
Suz deMello – Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written seventeen romance novels in several subgenres, including erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense, plus a number of short stories and non-fiction articles on writing. A freelance editor, she’s worked for Total-E-Bound, Liquid Silver Books and Ai Press, where she is currently Managing Editor. She also takes private clients. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists. A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.
Can’t Take a Shower without My Characters Bugging Me
It never fails. Just when I think I’ll get ten minutes of peaceful relaxation in the shower. No kids or co-workers asking me to do things. Something else happens. My characters start talking to each other, having zippy conversations. I can barely keep track and hope I’ll remember when I get out the shower. Or plot ideas rush to me and I hold on to the details so I don’t forget.
I’m guessing it’s what happens when you turn off all the other junk running through your mind that your creative side gets a few minutes. I don’t know. It’s a blessing and a curse. Sometimes my best ideas come to me when I’m trying to keep the shampoo out of my eyes. Other times I wish I could just get a few minutes of peaceful meditation.
Does this happen to you? Or something similar?
Lisa Carlisle Presents Tips on Revising Your Nanowrimo Novel
How many of you participated in National Novel Writing Month this past November, where you pledge to write a 50,000 novel in thirty days? Many authors love it; others hate it. I look forward to the challenge and the idea of committing myself to focusing on a novel for one month a year. So many other priorities get in the way if I let them, but in November my mantra is Nano, Nano, Nano.
This is my fourth year and I’ve come up with a post-nano revision process. At the end of November, I have a completed novel. Yeah! Yet, it is far from finished. It’s a messy first draft with a number of unnamed characters, question marks, and comments for me to address in the revisions. I wrote up some tips on the process I generally follow over at Savvy Authors.
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Ten Tips for Surviving Nanowrimo
Ah, sweet November. Nanowrimo. Ah, unforgiving November.
This marks my fourth Nanowrimo. I already feel guilty starting this post when I should be working on my word count. So I’ll keep it brief.
I’m a working mom who has taken on the challenge like many of you to write a 50,000 word novel this month. It is exciting, daunting, terrifying, and at times you’re going to want to say screw this, I’m out! I know, I’ve been there. We all have. Here are a few tips to keep you going on your pursuit to 50k.
- Make your novel your priority. We all have priorities and obligations, but in November, your novel should be one of the top.
- Write anywhere at anytime. I have my Netbook with me while I’m waiting for the kids during their classes. While one is swimming, I’m typing away. While I’m waiting to pick one up from karate, I’m in my car trying to knock off some dialog.
- Work in chunks. When I think about writing 1,667 words a day, I cringe. Instead I promise myself smaller amounts. I also strive for more during the weekends in case life gets in the way during the week. So today I’m saying 250 words before breakfast. 500 before lunch. 250 during a tea break. And so on. It all adds up at the end of the day.
- Keep the television off. I know you have your shows. If you have to watch them, record them and watch them only after you meet your daily word count.
- Make Nano your Me time. Yes, you may want to unwind after a long day with work or the kids and want to read, watch a movie, or take a long bath. Rewire your thinking for this month. Your Me time is escaping into your novel. Once you meet your word count, then go ahead and reward yourself with something else.
- Don’t forget your family. Okay, I feel guilty about this because I feel like I’m neglecting them when I’m writing my novel. Sometimes I get too absorbed in my novel, I forget about everything else. I try to find ways to do both this month. While they’re watching a movie, I sit in the living room with them and work on my novel. It’s not perfect quality time together, but at least we’re in the same room.
- Forget house projects during November. Writing should be your priority this month. If the project can wait until December, let it sit.
- Connect with others. Connect with writing buddies lcoally, at nanowrimo.org, or on social media.
- Attend write ins if possible. Write ins are NaNoWriMo events at cafes, libraries, and other locations where you meet other Wrimos and focus on your novel for a stretch of time. It’s very inspiring to write as part of a group with a collective goal in mind — write a novel by November 30th.
- Write, don’t rewrite. You can save the rewrites for December. Right now, focus on getting the first draft done.
I hope you find some of these tips helpful. Now I’ve got to go get back to my novel. And so should you!
Reaching the Winner’s Circle by November 30th gives you such a feeling of accomplishment, it’s such a thrill. And such a relief! Do something nice for yourself. You just wrote a novel, you earned it!
Lisa Carlisle’s 2012 novel Bloodlust and Metal was released by Ellora’s Cave this spring. She is writing the sixth book in her series Underground Encounters this November.
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