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Friday, November 30, 2012

#NaNoWriMo Update....a new month, a new location....

For those who have followed my blog for a while, you know I participated in Camp NaNoWriMo in August. Slow and steady was my mantra as shown by the stats below.

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Here are my stats for November and NaNoWriMo, you can see I met my goal by the middle of the month. I'm not sure if it was because this story needed less research, I had less interruptions (ie; more days spent at McDonald's) or I'm getting faster through practice.
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But once again, I am a NaNo winner. Will I do it again? Not sure, right now I'd say no but when June rolls around and it's Camp NaNo time again, who knows? For now I will be busy editing both projects, "Not a Whisper", my Camp NaNo mystery, and "Home Again", my NaNo contemporary romance. This is more commonly known as EDIT HELL. LOL!

The other news is that this will be the last blog entry on this blog location. My new blog (where you will still find all the old posts) will be located on my website, HERE. Be sure to change your BOOKMARK, use the FOLLOW ME links and/or use the SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL link for the new blog. I'd hate to  so you don't miss any posts!


         

Thursday, November 29, 2012

#NaNWriMo Interview: Racquel Kechagias

Is this your first year doing NaNoWriMo?
No

How many times have you done it and have you won?
This is my second year doing Nanowrimo. I did not win last year as I had started a job about the same time and it was difficult to manage doing both.

What is the best tip you can give to a first-time NaNo'er?
The best tip that I can give to a first-time Nano'er is re-read if you are struggling and to never stop asking questions. Whether on a facebook page/group or on the Nano-forums, there are always people willing to help you with your story no matter at what point your stuck at!

Got anything you'd like to tell us about this years project?
I was going to go with my second novel in a three-part series for this years Nano however since I didn't have time to plan it, I'm pulling out two very old short stories of mine 'The Fairy Games' and 'Miss Underworlds Journey'.

Got anything else you'd like to share?
If you're not struggling my best tip is just keep writing and don't stop!


I've been an amateur writer for several years now, my pursuit in this career dating back to 2006. However, it's only been recently that I've really poured myself into my writing. I've been a member of several booksites such as Bookrix, Booksie, Wattpad and so forth. I've also been involved in several writing competitions. This year I will be releasing my first ebook on all the major ebook markets in Late November, early December. I've been able to complete it due to August's Camp Nano! So keep your eyes out for 'The Fire Within' by Racquel Kechagias.


Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Racquel-Kechagias/317977504905141
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/R_L_Kechagias
Website: http://www.racquelkechagias.weebly.com
Book Site: http://www.bookrix.com/-forbidden



         

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

#NaNoWriMo Interview: Stephanie Parry Coleman

Is this your first year doing NaNoWriMo?
Yes. I have heard of it, read about it, and wondered in the past if I could do it but never officially participated before.

If yes, why did you decide this was the year?
I participated in the August Camp Nanowrimo and it was a great warm-up practice. It is a lot of work but I figured that if I really want to be a serious author, I need to put some major effort and time into my writing. Nanowrimo provides a great opportunity to kick my writing into high gear.

I did get 50,000 words doing Camp Nanowrimo. It increased my confidence in participating this November. I want to do it again.

If yes, what is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is writing a piece of crap. Obviously many writers worry about producing excellent writing that gets noticed. My concern about trying to do 50,000 words in 30 days was that I would rush and hurry my novel and produce something that is mediocre. I am hoping to combat that by outlining, preparing, and getting my novel's big plot and scenes and characters all mapped out beforehand.

How much preparation do you plan to do before November 1st?
I am currently working on outlining my novel, plotting the storyline and developing all my major characters right now. I don't want to have to wonder or worry about those details while trying to come up with something to write. I want to focus on the story at hand, creating stellar dialogue and description. I want to lead into the next chapters and be able to foreshadow the future as well as keep the reader hooked with cliffhangers.

Got anything you'd like to tell us about this years project?
I'm working on a fiction novel about a teenage girl with Aspergers who is catapulted into instant fame when her savant musical skills are discovered by a bully at her local high school. As she is thrust into the limelight with all of her worst fears before her, she is befriended by a high school boy also with Aspergers who is suspected of stalking and trying to kill her.


As an English Lit College student and homeschooling mother of 6 kids, I lead a very busy, full life.

I love a good story so I am also a movie buff. Past loves include swing and ballroom dancing and I love jazz and Big Band Music. I was definitely born in the wrong era! I really enjoy reading with my kids and of course my passion is to write any chance that I can.

My writer's blog is stephanieparrycoleman.wordpress.com




         

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

#NaNoWriMo Interview: Sarah Nicholson

Is this your first year doing NaNoWriMo?
Yes

Why did you decide this was the year?
This time last year I hadn’t even heard of NaNoWriMo.

The idea I want to develop has been in my head for a long time, I just keep putting it off. NaNoWriMo will give me the chance to see if it works as a novel.

If yes, what is your greatest fear?
I’ve written lots of flash fiction this year being very precise with the words I use, I’m not sure I can write 50,000 words!

How much preparation do you plan to do before November 1st?
I’m getting worried I haven’t done enough.

Got anything you'd like to tell us about this year’s project?
I’m planning to rewrite a Bible story and give it a modern twist. I’ve chosen the book of Esther, a story with romance, intrigue and tense power struggles. It is about discrimination and standing up for your beliefs.

I am hoping that having a story that is already planned out will make the process easier – I’ll let you know in December if this is TRUE!




Two years ago my husband died unexpectedly from a heart attack. I was only 42 and left with 2 sons aged 13 and 10 to bring up alone.

Two weeks after Andrew died, on what would have been his 49th birthday I started writing a blog www.unravelling-edges.blogspot.co.uk. Writing both poetry and prose about my experiences helped me process my grief.

 (This picture of oak leaves was the background for my blog in the beginning. They still looked green, and not ready to fall. Yet autumn quickly turned to winter with a lot of early snow that year. Nature was caught out by the change in the weather in the same way I was caught out by my unexpected change of circumstances.)
After a year I started a new blog www.re-ravelling.blogspot.co.uk. There is no opposite word for unravelling so I made up re-ravelling, if Shakespeare can make up words then why not? I wanted to write about how I am putting the pieces of my life back together and creating something new from the loose unravelled threads.

I have continued writing my own story but more and more I have been writing flash fiction, mostly inspired by Lillie McFerrin’s Five Sentence Fiction and Angela Goff’s Visual Dares.

In the last twelve months I have met so many fabulous writing friends on-line. The encouragement and support has been amazing and given me confidence in my ability to write. And most importantly, at this moment in time, a belief that I CAN WRITE A WHOLE NOVEL!

A highlight of the year was having my story “A Moment before Moving” published in the Once Upon a Time anthology.



(Every cloud has a silver lining, or so they say. This photo was taken near the spot we scattered Andrew’s ashes on the first anniversary of his death.)




         

Monday, November 26, 2012

#NaNoWriMo Interview: Sierra Bailey

Is this your first year doing NaNoWriMo?
No this is actually my second year of doing NaNoWriMo.


How many times have you done it and have you won?
Last year, being my first, was sporadic. Since I can remember I have always wanted to be a writer but no one ever gave me the motivation to actually sit down and write. For years I had struggled with the idea of entering some of my short stories in a writing contest so on October 31st my search engine finally got put to good use. One of the first links that I clicked on was the Office Of Letters and Lights, which of course lead to the wonderful website of NaNoWriMo. With less than twelve hours to go on the countdown, I listened to the voice that told me ‘Go for it!’ Of course since I had only learned what NaNoWriMo was mere hours before it kicked off my novel was not planned. On top of that my self-esteem tank was running on empty, who was I to actually believe I could write a novel in 30 days? Yet, being the daring child I am my mind took the leap off of the cliff into the dark waters of novel writing. No, I did not reach the 50,000 word mark by November 30th. I didn’t reach the other side of the shore until several weeks later but the feeling of proving to myself that I could write was so much more rewarding than a web badge and winners title.

Since then I have lived for NaNo’s, winning my first official NaNoWriMo during the August Camp Session with a wonderful 50,216 words with a whole four days to spare!

What is the best tip you can give to a first-time NaNo'er?
Listen to your heart! Ignore the voice in your head that tells you that last paragraph was horrid and the ending will be even worse. Don’t stress when you are a few hundred (or even thousand!) words behind, we have all been there and know if you keep pushing on 50,000 will eventually be right around the corner. Just remember only you can free the words build up and hidden inside you. It’s time to let your story shine!

How much preparation do you plan to do before November 1st?
Well since I have only done two NaNoWriMo’s of which were never planned, this year is going to be completely mapped out. I’ve spent the last two months reading books on the civil war, Texas, and cattle ranching. Since my family is so supportive we have even spent a few days with no electricity, cooking over an open campfire, eating recipes from American pioneers, and even for some, wearing 1870's time period clothing. As November is getting closer I’ve experienced the fun of time lines, character sketches, plotting, and even working on short pieces to acquaint myself with characters. However, my favorite thing by far has been stocking up on jelly beans. It’s a tradition I’m starting as a NaNo bribe, one jelly bean for every 500 words I write a day. Now on the other hand the coffee has been free flowing!

Got anything you'd like to tell us about this years project?
Well my Novel this year is based off of a beautiful hymn written by Fanny J. Crosby in 1875 which gives the message that ‘All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” This is the theme of my historical novel in which tragedies and mysteries unfold for two cousins living in Northern Texas after the civil war. Through the book each cousin has to learn that Jesus is always there for them no matter the circumstance. Despite my Christian theme the novel is not a Christian Romance but a novel that races over Texas plains plagued by cattle rustlers, uprising Natives, rough cowboys, droughts, blizzards, and a haunting shadow that the Civil War has cast over my strange host of characters.

Anything else you'd like to share?
Don’t be afraid to share your work! It’s the only way you will ever improve. It’s ok to have a mess of a plot and first draft. When you dive in the horrid grammar, spelling, and plot holes will be something to laugh over as you begin to edit.


As a little kid I was obsessed with books. By the time I was five I could already read 5th grade level chapter books and was a regular at the local library. Since then my whole life has centered around the written word. From the time I was eight to the time I was fourteen, Journaling was my hobby and my room is full of binders overflowing with short stories. Now I’m a sixteen-year-old junior preparing for a career in English. At the moment I have Four novels under my belt and the goal is to have at least one of them published by the time I graduate. My second passion is horseback riding and if I’m not at my desk scribbling away you can find me at the barn with my two mares, Prancer and Choppo. One of the best things for me after finishing a novel is being able to go for a long trail ride and just relax. When I ride all the voices, plots, and places I have fighting for a place in my mind float away, allowing me time to actually sort through my thoughts with the knowledge that when I get home the crazy battle will be back in my head just waiting to make its way to paper.

I had never been one for keeping up with a blog but I did start one this past spring which I will begin working on once again after this NaNoWriMo. http://foreverjane18.blogspot.com/