Well, it's that time of year again! Nanowrimo 2011 officially started yesterday at 12:00am, and I'm stoked. :)
Am I working on something for Nano? Why yes... yes I am. But it's not anything new. Not yet. I know the rules of Nano technically say that I'm not allowed to work on older pieces, but they are just going to have to make an exception for me. Because my plan is not to start a completely new story -- it is to MOVE FORWARD on SOTD.
That's right people. This is my Nanowrimo resolution! The rewrite of SOTD will FINALLY move forward again. No more going back and going over the chapters that I've already worked through: I've perfected them enough! Now it's time to move on. Chapter 4 is calling (and yes, that's right; I'm still stuck on "perfecting" the first three rewritten chapters. But I give up. They are good enough now; I have to move on!) I may not get the rewrite of the book completely done, but I will MOVE FORWARD. And right now, that's the most important part.
So, the idea is that I will try to post the moving word count at least once a week, and perhaps post excerpts. Maybe. I just may go back over some of the newer parts and edit as I go, but that's just part of my writing process. If I don't go back and reread some of what I had before, for some reason I just can't move forward. So who knows. :D
In other news, I've been doing more and more research into the publishing business and the ins and outs of starting a small press. I'm hoping to get some interviews done within the next couple of months. Last night I read an article that was absolutely horrifying, about a small press that completely imploded. Believe me when I say, it was quite the scary deal.
Besides that, however, I've found a miniature library of advice given via the interwebz for people interested in starting small presses. I'm through as much of it as I can retain, and trying to put together a marketing strategy that will best benefit the authors of the company. I'm also considering changing the name. I LOVE the name "Magpie Publications" or "Magpie Eclectic Press", but just recently I discovered that there's quite a bit of folklore surrounding the magpie, and a lot of it isn't exactly positive... though it's not necessarily negative either. So I might be considering a new name for this venture I'm preparing to undertake. We'll have to wait and see.
Well, that's all the news I have for right now. I perhaps I'll have something more to post about tomorrow. I know this is a really short post, but I haven't had a whole lot of time lately. I hope to get up more soon.
Bye for now! :D
Nichole
Showing posts with label nanowrimo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nanowrimo. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Friday, November 19, 2010
Nano Excerpt -- finally!!!
Well, I've been slowly plugging away at Nanowrimo: I doubt I'll make it to the end though. But, I did promise myself that as soon as I finished the scene I was working on (the one I got horribly stuck on and couldn't figure out what to do with it) I would post it here for you guys to see that, yes, I have been at least trying. lol.
So anyway, currently I'm stuck without my main word program, but I found another one that works alright; at least I can open documents until I get my other program installed. This scene fits somewhere in the middle of chapter two and it's from one of my villains' point of views. It comes right after my MC and supporting characters escape their farm where my evil character is lurking in their yard looking for them. I'm actually much farther in the rewrite than chapter two, but sometimes you just have to stop and go back. :)
So, without further ado, I give you MY NEW SCENE! :D
The smell of sweat; the echo of pounding feet growing farther and farther away; the faint pulse of quickened heartbeats throbbing in the air…
So anyway, currently I'm stuck without my main word program, but I found another one that works alright; at least I can open documents until I get my other program installed. This scene fits somewhere in the middle of chapter two and it's from one of my villains' point of views. It comes right after my MC and supporting characters escape their farm where my evil character is lurking in their yard looking for them. I'm actually much farther in the rewrite than chapter two, but sometimes you just have to stop and go back. :)
So, without further ado, I give you MY NEW SCENE! :D
The smell of sweat; the echo of pounding feet growing farther and farther away; the faint pulse of quickened heartbeats throbbing in the air…
And fear.
Lots of fear.
Vúrhaugh breathed deep, licking the corner of his mouth, and closed his eyes. So sweet; so intoxicating… He’d almost forgotten how it tasted, it’d been so long. He smiled, allowing the aroma to permeate his senses, and glanced down at the footprints beaten into the dirt. Three sets, crisscrossing back and forth over each other. One large set, two smaller.
The Grohnjiem yanked its chain, wrenching his concentration. Vúrhaugh growled. He kicked the fiend in the back legs and wrapped the chain a second time around his hands. “You’ll get your chance, you Guldakh beast! Heel!” The creature snarled, flames flashing from his maw. Vúrhaugh spit and bared his teeth. His eyes glowed a dangerous red. The fire died in the Grohnjiem’s throat. It glared at him and sat down on its haunches, beating its tail impatiently against the ground.
Vúrhaugh lifted his head, closed his eyes, and breathed in deep. His mind cleared. Slowly, the night noises faded into oblivion, leaving only the faint sounds of his prey. His nostrils flared, working through the information mingling in his nose. Three, yes: an older man, a young girl, and a boy just reaching manhood. The fear from the girl was strongest. Her every breath, the beat of her heart, and each movement secreted pure terror. The boy’s bravado was only feigned, a mask to hide the panic in his chest. Vúrhaugh scowled. Pathetic.
And then the man… The man was curious. Vúrhaugh focused his senses, concentrating only on the man’s scent and what little sound of him the night offered. The man was running, but he was trying to be silent and, for the most part, was succeeding. He was frightened but… how strange; he wasn’t frightened for himself. His strides were long: he was a tall man…
Information bombarded Vúrhaugh’s senses, creating a picture in his mind. The man was mature, but not old. Strong. Well built. He ran, but did not breathe hard: experienced then – a warrior? Perhaps.
And then a new scent fused the air, sweet and pure. It came like death to Vúrhaugh’s nose. His brow creased and he pulled back. This was not normal. Humans did not have that scent. He freed a tendril of his mind and sent it out before him. Out over the field it went, weaving between plants, bumping over earthen knolls and exposed tree roots. The resonating echo of footfalls came back to him, louder now… much louder. And the frightened breaths were like wind through a cave.
So, they weren’t being nearly as silent as they thought they were.
He pushed the tendril onward until it brushed against the man’s leg, then climbed to his waist, up over his shoulder, and finally caressed the back of his neck. Vúrhaugh smiled. The probe nudged the base of the man’s head, seeking a way in. Human skin was fragile and not resilient to mental probes. It would soon find an entrance…
The man’s head snapped up.
Pain erupted in Vúrhaugh’s head. He gasped and fell back on the ground. There was no way the man could have seen him and yet… Lightning flashed behind his eyes. A power stronger than his forced the probe back, pounding it into his skull like a nail driven by a hammer. Darkness crowded his vision and for a moment, a set of angry silver eyes flared into existence.
Then they disappeared.
Vúrhaugh sat up and looked again at the large imprints in the dust. By all appearance they were normal human footprints, but Vúrhaugh bared his fangs at them and spit. No doubt lingered in his mind now; the man was Awet.
Vúrhaugh glanced at the Gronjiem, now pacing at the end of its chain. It snarled at him, but he ignored it, lost deep in thought. Humans weren’t supposed to go Awet – they weren’t built for it. To be Awet was to be subdued by the thoughts and minds of others and it took great will-power to remain sane under such a weight. When Humans gained such abilities, they either grew heady with the power and eventually destroyed themselves, or they tried to hide their gift and crumbled under the burden…
Or they weren’t human.
Vúrhaugh stood and pulled the Gronjiem closer by the chain. It snarled but he gave the chain a good yank and the beast fell still. Vúrhaugh’s fingers brushed over the clasp that locked the chain to the creature’s collar. It glared at him, slight interest flickering in its fire-red eyes.
“Find them,” he whispered, “but do not hurt them yet. Search out the truth behind the guardian’s facade. Then return to me.” His fingers moved and the clasp fell away. The wolf shot off into the field, as silent as a shadow.
Vúrhaugh straightened and turned back to the farm. Suspicion nagged at the back of his mind and he knew he couldn’t ignore it. The Prizes were being guarded and the enemy was powerful; Gorakk would not be pleased.
Monday, November 1, 2010
CSFF Blog Tour, Nanowrimo, and Edits... OH MY!
November 1rst... the beginning of so much. I don't know about anyone else, but I've been looking forward to this day for weeks now. Today is the day that the CSFF blog tour (for October) starts, and in a few minutes I'll be posting something about Stephen Lawhead's new book "The Skin Map". But today also marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month, and for me that means lots and lots of rewriting this year. :) Is it normal to be excited over editing and rewriting? I don't really know... but then again, I don't know how many people would call me "normal".
I did just receive a very nice and unexpected surprise when some fan art I drew based on one of the characters in Wayne Thomas Batson's book "Isle of Swords" appeared on his site. Thank you Mr. Batson! There's also an awesome picture of Falon with it from his other books, "The Door Within" trilogy (not drawn by me. :D) If you would like, go check them out at his link: http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/2010/11/amazing-reader-art.html
I would also like to remind people that the poll for The Amazing First Chapter Contest closes the 15th, so don't forget to vote for your favorites!!!
And now on to other business. First and foremost, I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free review copy of "The Skin Map" for the CSFF blog tour this month. And then I would like to thank Stephen Lawhead for writing it, as I've quite enjoyed it so far. Granted, I haven't finished just yet, but in my defense it only arrived a week ago and I've been extremely busy with school.
I know, I know... not a good excuse. :D
But I have read a lot of the book (and I've even done the forbidden and skipped ahead chapters at a time to read certain POV's) and from what I have read, I believe I have a relatively good grasp on what's going on.
So we'll start with a summary, straight from the horses mouth... uh... back of the book. :)
Kit Livingstone's great-grandfather appears to him in a deserted alley during a tumultuous storm. He reveals and unbelievable story; that the ley lines throughout Britain are not merely the stuff of legend or the weekend hobby of deluded cranks, but pathways to other worlds. To those who know how to use them, they grant the ability to travel the multi-layered universe of which we ordinarily inhabit only a tiny part.
One explorer new more than most. Braving every danger, he toured both time and space on voyages of heroic discovery. Ever on his guard, and fearful of becoming lost in the cosmos, he developed and intricate code - a roadmap of symbols - that he tattoed onto his own body. This Skin Map has since been lost in time. Now the race is on to recover all the pieces and discover its secrets.
But the Skin Map itself is not the ultimate goal. It is merely the beginning of a vast and marvelous quest for a prize beyond imagining.
Tomorrow I'll try and post something about the author of this book, but for now I'm going to give you my thoughts on the matter.
Pros: I have nothing to compare this to, considering the fact that I haven't read any of Lawhead's books before, but I would say this is well written and intriguing. The language (in my own opinion) is fun to read... partially because it has that British flare that everybody seems to love. (It might help, of course, that Lawhead is a British author.) It's definitely a fun and fast paced read, which always makes the journey more enjoyable, and the characters are interesting enough to draw you in. At the same time, it makes you think. The story alone is intriguing, although I do have to ask myself how many times the concept of dimensional and time travel will be "done" before people begin to tire of it. Yet I do believe this book has brought new fire to the genre. It's definitely worth looking at.
Cons: It seems to jump all over the place. Now granted, it is time travel, and dimension travel, and what else should we expect? But while I found it easy to follow one character, and could have easily continued to follow him, we suddenly jump to another character. This in itself was not really disorienting, except for the fact that until the very end of the session following Kit's girlfriend there seems to be no real connection between jumping time and dimension and the dangers that follow; she easily settles down into her new home, makes friends, starts a business that is a great success based on her knowledge of the future, and then a man comes along (I won't say who to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it) finds her, gets suspicious of her, and leaves and she finds a way to travel the leys, and we hear nothing more of her or her friends from ancient Germany until the very last two pages of the book. (Yes, I couldn't help but skip around to read those chapters one right after the other. I easily followed her story, and probably would have read a book just based on this turn, with her trying to create a business in ancient Germany based on modern values. That was done well.)
I would say that the book in itself is a good introduction to further books, although I do feel it "beats around the bush" a little bit. I look forward to checking out the other books soon to join this one in the series; perhaps things will make more sense then. But that's part of the wonder of series books, isn't it? The mystery of what happens next and how everything ties together...
Now, given the fact that I haven't read Lawhead before and am not familiar with his writing style, I wasn't sure of what I thought of his semi-narrative style. It was slightly refreshing, to tell the truth, yet disconcerting in the fact that narration is something that seems to be so vehemently preached against these days in 3rd person writing... not to say I don't slip into it myself from time to time. I would say that all in all, I liked his style, and will definitely be checking out his other books.
Though I haven't finished reading the book, my rating for it so far would be a three out of five... not bad, but not the best. Definitely interesting though, and worth a look.
http://tessbissell.
http://www.oerkenleaves.
http://www.
http://www.
http://rbclibrary.
http://morganlbusse.
http://
http://www.
http://valeriecomer.com/
http://www.kcreviews.
http://www.
http://csffblogtour.com/
http://word-up-studies.
http://www.
http://www.
http://projectinga.
http://going-greene.
http://realmofhearts.
http://www.613media.com/
http://fantasythyme.
http://www.
http://jessebecky.
http://crisjesse.
http://thewriterssword.
http://www.
http://www.molcotw.
http://carolkeen.
http://krystisbooks.
http://www.
http://methodistcorner.
http://mikalatos.
http://
http://linalamont.
http://www.leastread.
http://gavinpatchett.
http://www.sarahsawyer.
http://www.
http://
http://www.
http://www.mindsinger.
http://www.epictales.
http://christiansf.
http://frederation.
http://www.
http://christian-
http://www.
http://kerani-in-the-
http://facesoflions.
I did just receive a very nice and unexpected surprise when some fan art I drew based on one of the characters in Wayne Thomas Batson's book "Isle of Swords" appeared on his site. Thank you Mr. Batson! There's also an awesome picture of Falon with it from his other books, "The Door Within" trilogy (not drawn by me. :D) If you would like, go check them out at his link: http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/2010/11/amazing-reader-art.html
I would also like to remind people that the poll for The Amazing First Chapter Contest closes the 15th, so don't forget to vote for your favorites!!!
And now on to other business. First and foremost, I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free review copy of "The Skin Map" for the CSFF blog tour this month. And then I would like to thank Stephen Lawhead for writing it, as I've quite enjoyed it so far. Granted, I haven't finished just yet, but in my defense it only arrived a week ago and I've been extremely busy with school.
I know, I know... not a good excuse. :D
But I have read a lot of the book (and I've even done the forbidden and skipped ahead chapters at a time to read certain POV's) and from what I have read, I believe I have a relatively good grasp on what's going on.
So we'll start with a summary, straight from the horses mouth... uh... back of the book. :)
One explorer new more than most. Braving every danger, he toured both time and space on voyages of heroic discovery. Ever on his guard, and fearful of becoming lost in the cosmos, he developed and intricate code - a roadmap of symbols - that he tattoed onto his own body. This Skin Map has since been lost in time. Now the race is on to recover all the pieces and discover its secrets.
But the Skin Map itself is not the ultimate goal. It is merely the beginning of a vast and marvelous quest for a prize beyond imagining.
Tomorrow I'll try and post something about the author of this book, but for now I'm going to give you my thoughts on the matter.
Pros: I have nothing to compare this to, considering the fact that I haven't read any of Lawhead's books before, but I would say this is well written and intriguing. The language (in my own opinion) is fun to read... partially because it has that British flare that everybody seems to love. (It might help, of course, that Lawhead is a British author.) It's definitely a fun and fast paced read, which always makes the journey more enjoyable, and the characters are interesting enough to draw you in. At the same time, it makes you think. The story alone is intriguing, although I do have to ask myself how many times the concept of dimensional and time travel will be "done" before people begin to tire of it. Yet I do believe this book has brought new fire to the genre. It's definitely worth looking at.
Cons: It seems to jump all over the place. Now granted, it is time travel, and dimension travel, and what else should we expect? But while I found it easy to follow one character, and could have easily continued to follow him, we suddenly jump to another character. This in itself was not really disorienting, except for the fact that until the very end of the session following Kit's girlfriend there seems to be no real connection between jumping time and dimension and the dangers that follow; she easily settles down into her new home, makes friends, starts a business that is a great success based on her knowledge of the future, and then a man comes along (I won't say who to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it) finds her, gets suspicious of her, and leaves and she finds a way to travel the leys, and we hear nothing more of her or her friends from ancient Germany until the very last two pages of the book. (Yes, I couldn't help but skip around to read those chapters one right after the other. I easily followed her story, and probably would have read a book just based on this turn, with her trying to create a business in ancient Germany based on modern values. That was done well.)
I would say that the book in itself is a good introduction to further books, although I do feel it "beats around the bush" a little bit. I look forward to checking out the other books soon to join this one in the series; perhaps things will make more sense then. But that's part of the wonder of series books, isn't it? The mystery of what happens next and how everything ties together...
Now, given the fact that I haven't read Lawhead before and am not familiar with his writing style, I wasn't sure of what I thought of his semi-narrative style. It was slightly refreshing, to tell the truth, yet disconcerting in the fact that narration is something that seems to be so vehemently preached against these days in 3rd person writing... not to say I don't slip into it myself from time to time. I would say that all in all, I liked his style, and will definitely be checking out his other books.
Though I haven't finished reading the book, my rating for it so far would be a three out of five... not bad, but not the best. Definitely interesting though, and worth a look.
http://tessbissell.
http://www.oerkenleaves.
http://www.
http://www.
http://rbclibrary.
http://morganlbusse.
http://
http://www.
http://valeriecomer.com/
http://www.kcreviews.
http://www.
http://csffblogtour.com/
http://word-up-studies.
http://www.
http://www.
http://projectinga.
http://going-greene.
http://realmofhearts.
http://www.613media.com/
http://fantasythyme.
http://www.
http://jessebecky.
http://crisjesse.
http://thewriterssword.
http://www.
http://www.molcotw.
http://carolkeen.
http://krystisbooks.
http://www.
http://methodistcorner.
http://mikalatos.
http://
http://linalamont.
http://www.leastread.
http://gavinpatchett.
http://www.sarahsawyer.
http://www.
http://
http://www.
http://www.mindsinger.
http://www.epictales.
http://christiansf.
http://frederation.
http://www.
http://christian-
http://www.
http://kerani-in-the-
http://facesoflions.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Nanowrimo 2010
First of all, I wanted to remind you that there's only 3 days left before the submission deadline for the Amazing First Chapter contest. We only have 4 entries, so you guys better get cracking! :D Surely you all must be nearly done with your edits by now... so send those chapters to me without any further delay. The prizes are great, and you don't want to miss out. Get them up there before there's no time left!
And now on to the subject of this post.
Do, do, do! *trumpet sounds*
Nanowrimo!
For those of you who don't know, the extremely funky word "Nanowrimo" actually stands for National Novel Writing Month in which participants from all over the world attempt to write 50k of a new novel in only 30 days. I did Nano last year for the first time, and managed 40k before everything became too hectic for me. This year, I'm going to try something a little different... perhaps even "forbidden" by some standards.
Instead of writing 50k of a completely new novel, I'm going to attempt to REWRITE 50k of "Eldrei".
That's right; I'm being a rebel. I'm crossing that line that should never be crossed... and I like it!
Well, in honor of my rebelism, I decided to create a book-trailer for Eldrei this year. It took me most of a night and part of the next day, but I finally got it finished according to my standards. Just a note, the photographs and pictures used belong to their respected owners, and the music is "Caislien Oir" done by Clannad.
And now on to the subject of this post.
Do, do, do! *trumpet sounds*
Nanowrimo!
For those of you who don't know, the extremely funky word "Nanowrimo" actually stands for National Novel Writing Month in which participants from all over the world attempt to write 50k of a new novel in only 30 days. I did Nano last year for the first time, and managed 40k before everything became too hectic for me. This year, I'm going to try something a little different... perhaps even "forbidden" by some standards.
Instead of writing 50k of a completely new novel, I'm going to attempt to REWRITE 50k of "Eldrei".
That's right; I'm being a rebel. I'm crossing that line that should never be crossed... and I like it!
Well, in honor of my rebelism, I decided to create a book-trailer for Eldrei this year. It took me most of a night and part of the next day, but I finally got it finished according to my standards. Just a note, the photographs and pictures used belong to their respected owners, and the music is "Caislien Oir" done by Clannad.
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