Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Writing limbo.

If writing's going really well, I'm online a lot because I'm happy and bouncy and everyone needs to know. If writing's not happening, I'm online a lot because it's better than beating my head against a brick wall. (I lived in a brick house a couple years back. Now, I have to use the more Internet-acceptable desk.) If I'm in the weird midway point where things happen every now and then, but not consistently? I turn off the wireless on my laptop and force things to go well. (Ahem.)

I'm firmly stuck in limbo at the moment, so there isn't much to talk about. Until I have something new, here's a couple extra places to check out:

1. I update my Twitter once or twice a day minimum (and if I continue to be in a weird place like I am now, I'm sure that number will go up).

2. I'm also on Goodreads. I'm saving a free day to add books as a yay-I'm-getting-things-done award, but I'll take friend requests any time.

3. This is probably my favorite thing right now: my Delicious. I'm a sucker for organization and making sure I have all the links I want handy. The most recent links I've bookmarked are in the sidebar, but I also have tags and summaries on the actual page.

I'll be expanding my online presence in the months to come. For now, I'm taking it slow in favor of writing. (In theory.)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

An elephant what?: The land of dead drafts.

Having the world keep me accountable for my work is going well so far:


3476 / 80000 words. 4% done!

In the past, I've written my rough drafts during November. I'm far from the only one, thanks to the writing challenge that's taken place every November for the past decade or so: National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Unfortunately, the NaNo folder on my computer reminds me more of the elephant graveyard from The Lion King than a land of opportunity. It's better than the alternative - having no folder of half-written drafts at all - but it's hard for me to even click in the folder, much less bring one of the skeletons back from the dead.

Sometimes, you just need a fresh start. And that's what May You Write Your Novel is.

How about you, readers? Have you tried a writing challenge in the past? Do you wake up with the ghosts of old stories rattling their chains in your bedroom? (Maybe that's just me.)

Monday, May 2, 2011

The Word Count Bar of Doom.

Thanks to all my new followers! I'm excited to talk with everybody and discover new blogs, so feel free to leave me links in the comments at any time, if you're so inclined.

I said in my last post that I'd start working toward having a novel published by the end of the year on May 1st. It's not just a random date on the calendar: May You Write Your Novel began yesterday. Of course, I didn't begin yesterday - I've been overwhelmed with Real Life happenings in the recent past, so I took a much needed day off - but I managed 1300 words today.

Actually. Let's make this more official, shall we?


1312 / 80000 words. 2% done!

In the next couple of days, I'll go into why I'm participating in this challenge, and talk challenges in general. For now, I needed a little reminder. Yes, I am doing this, and yes, I've already started.

Wow.