16 October 2011

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  Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success
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

14 comments:

  1. I have so much to say in response to this post!

    Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing Her Dark Baron! I can't even imagine how amazing that must feel! And also CONGRATULATIONS on your winning the Judge and Jury Blogfest! What an amazing week you have had.

    Now, thank you for the link to my blog but I feel I may have put too much pressure on you! If NaNo fits in with your plans then I would love it if you took part but if focusing on getting Her Dark Baron out there needs to be a priority then go with that. You are kind to hint that I nudged you, feel I may have dragged you! Have a great week and good luck with your decision to NaNo or not to NaNo!

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  2. Congratulations on your achievements this week. As for nano I can't help you on that one, it wasn't for me but I did love their motivational emails.

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  3. Oh, Em! Don't worry! You aren't dragging me. I love being challenged to try something new and stretching. I'm setting some perameters that will ultimately help me decide whether to NaNo or not to NaNo...lol!
    If I meet these 'mini-goals', then I think I'm going to take the NoNoWriMo plunge! What have I really got to lose? Besides, I think this may be a fun way to get a bare bones novel in my edits pile!

    Katy - Thanks! I can see where NaNo wouldn't be for everyone. It may not be for me...lol. How are your internet issues? I see you are 'in-business' today!

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  4. Congratulations on finishing The Dark Baron. Have fun typing it up. Great minds think alike - K.M has sold me on outlining as well. I just finished chapter 3. Nano is definitely a challenge and fun too. It would give you a great start to your story.

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  5. Glad you don't feel pressured! I am seeing it as an opportunity, if it isn't for me atleast I will know but if it works for me I will have written something even if I haven't reached the 50,000 word target!

    Fingers crossed you meet your 'mini goals'!

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  6. Be aware, oh writer by hand, you have to put in text to get your credit for NaNo. This means lots of extra work for you in the form of writing, then typing. :)

    I love NaNo. Not sure if I'll be at a point where I'll be able to do it this year, especially if I finish up Aeris, because I'll be editing, editing, editing. So we'll see.

    Great job on your goals!

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  7. So many fantastic things happening! First, congrats on winning Judge and Jury, and on finishing Her Dark Baron! And I am SO excited that you are going to be delving into paranormal romance next -- I can't wait to see what you are going to come up with.

    If you can swing NaNo, it'll be fun to have you aboard. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm going to "win" this year, but I am going to use it as a way to force myself to work on the fantasy WIP that's been languishing for the past few months. I'm also in the midst of editing my August CampNaNo steampunk tale, so we'll see if I can, er, edit, write, and deal with everything else going on my life too. ;)

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  8. major congrats on finishing your book! and thanks for the craft book rec - i just finished 'on writing,' and want to delve into another soon :O)

    happy rowing!!

    -Gina

    www.ginacarey.com

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  9. Congratulations! On winning the blogfest AND on finishing your book. How exciting!

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  10. Woot! Great job on finishing your project, even though the typing is ahead all the actual hard work is done. The exercise front is going well (you inspire me to walk a bit more).

    Have a great coming week, Nadja :)

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  11. Congratulations on finishing Her Dark Baron! I'm so excited for you!

    As for NaNo, it frightens me a little. Personally, I couldn't do 50,000 words in one month but I really wish you the best if you decide to do it.

    And did I hear paranormal romance? *gets very excited* That sounds like a great idea for your next book! And outline! Outline like the wind!

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  12. Wow! Thank you all! :) It was an exciting week...and I'm thankful to have had it.

    Em & Lena ~ The mini goals are shaping up nicely so far. I've rough mapped out the novel. I'm with you, Em! At the very least, I'll have the bones of my next novel. What more can you ask for? Ha!

    Komal ~ Yes! Paranormal. I'm excited, too...lol.

    Robin ~ I'm ready for chapter 5! I love this book.

    Kate ~ I know! I may have to try to write on the computer for NaNo. I don't really relish the idea of double work - especially when I'm really pushing the boundaries of my word output (I think. heh heh)

    Gina ~ I hope you check it out. I can't say enough how much I like K.M.'s book.

    Gene - I just finished my three-and-a-half today! I'd better get it in before the rain comes later in the week. But it was windy today! I actually had to break out the knit headband to cover my ears this morning! Yikes!

    Thanks, Caitlin

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  13. Congratulations on winning and on finishing the book! I do hope you join NaNo - it's so much fun when lots of us are doing it together.

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  14. You are on the roll, girl! Congratulations on finishing Her Dark Baron and winning Judge and Jury. Keep up this fabulous work :-)

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