Catching Up and Considering New Challenges...

   Guess What?  I'm A Winner!  Wow!

A great big thank you to Lady Gwen  (and to the jurists, too) from the Judge & Jury Blogfest!  I can't wait to use my winnings to check off a few of those books I've been wanting!  It's very exciting, as this is my first 'winner's badge'!  It's 'suuuper-luxurious'....*I can hardly believe it!*  :)


What social trends have occurred -or are occurring – that shape my character/city/world?

Author C.M. Cipriani put up this question in an engaging write-up about the 'Meme'.  I thought it was worth re-posting, as it piqued my interest.

Sooo...The lovely and darling Em of Loves To Read - Wants To Write has nudged, temped, incited, invited, encouraged, asked me to consider joining NaNoWriMo.  I'll have to decide quick, fast, and in a hurry, as the 1 November 2011 start date is nearly here.  On the one hand, I'd love to join, and I'm just itching to attempt the challenge.  On the other hand, joining NaNoWriMo would probably delay my publishing of Her Dark Baron.  I'm not sure I could handle edits and writing 50k in one month!  (Is that even possible??)  But....
(isn't there always a but in posts like this...ugh!)  I keep thinking that if I hurry and complete two readings and clean up, then get the novella into my beta readers' hands, I could save edits for after NaNo and still publish in time for the Christmas rush.  I have to think on it.  There are a number of new things I'm excited to try, and I don't want to overload the whole system and end up accomplishing nothing.

On The Writing Front...ROW80

Her Dark Baron is officially finished!  Whoop-Dee-Doo!  I'm feeling satisfied today.  *smiles like a cat*
...Oh, wait.  That means that the typing has begun.  I'm certain to not be as happy about that.  But, typing it is!  I've allowed two weeks for the typing, but I have a little breather room in here as I finished the writing and add-ins in less time than I thought.  That's a nice feeling, too. 

Now I just have to decide on that NaNoWriMo...

On The Reading Front...

I've read three chapters in K.M. Weiland's Outlining Your Novel 
I'm still working on the other title I had started, but with thinking of taking on NaNo, I wanted to see if I could glean some great outlining tips...in case I decide to tackle that difficult challenge.  This book is absolutely wonderful so far.  The beginning is mostly encouragement from the author on giving outlining a try, why outlining is a good idea, how it will help your writing, and ways to begin.  I'm itching to dig into the 'how-to' of her personal method, as I'm already sold on the idea of outlining.  Weiland's book is well worth the cost to add to your 'craft-library'.

Goals, goals, goals...

I've done well this week.  I even walked three-and-a-half miles three times.  My word count is not measured this week.  But I've written quite a bit!  I've been a plotting and planning on for my next WIP - one that I could use for NaNo if I decide to join. 

We're going paranormal, baby!  A paranormal romance will be fun to write (and write quickly), and I'm hoping the words spill out with ease.  I had outlined Her Dark Baron after pantsing Claiming The Prize, and I prefer outlining.  Now, I'm employing the techniques I'm learning in Weiland's book to better my outlining. 

I've written the characters I want (both main and secondary) in the new novel, but haven't named them or found images to put with their character profiles yet.  I've two pages filled with 'What-if's'...and I must say that I love this technique!  It allows my mind to explore all sorts of possibilities!  I've also created and half filled a 'What's Expected' page and a 'What's Not Expected' page.  Finally, I've outlined forty scenes for the novel!  Today, I'm ready for chapter four of K.M. Weiland's book!  But first...I promised myself that I'd type at least one chapter. 

Uhhmm...yeah, I waited until the end to do the typing.  Again.  Ha!  ~ Nadja