But instead I chose this...
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Selecting a New Project
Now that my NaNo Novel is finished - at least this draft - it's time to select a new project to work on while I let it rest for a bit before starting editing. I have decided to leave it for minimum 2 weeks or maximum 4 weeks. I don't know which yet. It will depend on how things go with the new project.
My plan is to use these 2-4 weeks to:
1. Decide which novel I will work on
2. Brainstorm
3. Have at least initial, basic outline in place
Deciding which novel I will work on is the first step. I have a lot of projects at various stages, ranging from a single idea to half-finished books that need rewrites. I have decided that I want to work on something new. In the last couple of years, I have learned a lot of new things, and I hope improved as a writer, but it's been a messy process of discovery. So I want to know if things become more efficient with a new project, because I will be starting with a clean slate.
So that narrowed me down to four projects. One Urban Fantasy, One Fantasy, Two Science Fiction - one of them possibly Space Opera type.
Then I thought about those four projects. The Fantasy one is quite well developed idea, and I already had a rough outline in place. But since then, I have decided to change bits of plot, characters, and so it will require major changes in that outline. I feel like I have too much information for that project - both old and new - so it doesn't feel too much of a clean slate. So I have eliminated that.
One of the science fiction (not Space Opera type) is too new. The strongest thing I have for that is the main character. He is the one I know - but all the other characters are bit vague at the moment, and I haven't got a firm direction for plot. There is hardly any information there, so I have eliminated that. The story I have in mind is quite an ambitious one, and it will certainly be considerably long one I think, so I think this idea needs some time to stew.
That leaves me with the Urban Fantasy and Sci-fi (space-operaish). Between these two, I need to make a decision.
For Urban Fantasy, I have the main characters, couple of supporting characters, back story for the MC, and some knowledge of what kind of story I want it to be. I have main conflict, but not the exact details of MC's role - well, more accurately her occupation or how will she be involved. I haven't got a full plot either. So for this, I have just enough to get started with, but not enough information that it still feels like a brand new project.
For the sci-fi one, I have even less info. I have the MC, and I have his situation. Those are the absolute firm things, and I am happy with that. But there is no plot at the moment. I have vague ideas of the kind of story I want, but without details. So this is also a brand new project.
Both of these should be of equal length - probably around 90K, so whichever one I pick, should take about the same sort of time. That will be an experiment in itself, as I am hoping to write this draft at the same time as revising my NaNo draft. I have done simultaneous projects before, but not with daily discipline, so it will be a challenge to do equal justice to both projects, or even figure out how I am going to manage the time. But I will keep you guys posted.
For now....it's decision time. Urban Fantasy or Sci-fi? I will know in a day or two.
My plan is to use these 2-4 weeks to:
1. Decide which novel I will work on
2. Brainstorm
3. Have at least initial, basic outline in place
Deciding which novel I will work on is the first step. I have a lot of projects at various stages, ranging from a single idea to half-finished books that need rewrites. I have decided that I want to work on something new. In the last couple of years, I have learned a lot of new things, and I hope improved as a writer, but it's been a messy process of discovery. So I want to know if things become more efficient with a new project, because I will be starting with a clean slate.
So that narrowed me down to four projects. One Urban Fantasy, One Fantasy, Two Science Fiction - one of them possibly Space Opera type.
Then I thought about those four projects. The Fantasy one is quite well developed idea, and I already had a rough outline in place. But since then, I have decided to change bits of plot, characters, and so it will require major changes in that outline. I feel like I have too much information for that project - both old and new - so it doesn't feel too much of a clean slate. So I have eliminated that.
One of the science fiction (not Space Opera type) is too new. The strongest thing I have for that is the main character. He is the one I know - but all the other characters are bit vague at the moment, and I haven't got a firm direction for plot. There is hardly any information there, so I have eliminated that. The story I have in mind is quite an ambitious one, and it will certainly be considerably long one I think, so I think this idea needs some time to stew.
That leaves me with the Urban Fantasy and Sci-fi (space-operaish). Between these two, I need to make a decision.
For Urban Fantasy, I have the main characters, couple of supporting characters, back story for the MC, and some knowledge of what kind of story I want it to be. I have main conflict, but not the exact details of MC's role - well, more accurately her occupation or how will she be involved. I haven't got a full plot either. So for this, I have just enough to get started with, but not enough information that it still feels like a brand new project.
For the sci-fi one, I have even less info. I have the MC, and I have his situation. Those are the absolute firm things, and I am happy with that. But there is no plot at the moment. I have vague ideas of the kind of story I want, but without details. So this is also a brand new project.
Both of these should be of equal length - probably around 90K, so whichever one I pick, should take about the same sort of time. That will be an experiment in itself, as I am hoping to write this draft at the same time as revising my NaNo draft. I have done simultaneous projects before, but not with daily discipline, so it will be a challenge to do equal justice to both projects, or even figure out how I am going to manage the time. But I will keep you guys posted.
For now....it's decision time. Urban Fantasy or Sci-fi? I will know in a day or two.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
NaNo2010 Draft Finished
I have surprised myself by having completed NaNo novel tonight. I was expecting to finish it by end of next week, but today, even after I had finished my target of 1000 words, I felt that the end was closer, so kept writing. 2352 words later, the novel is finished.
Final word count is 89603 words.
It will need a lot of editing, I have no doubt of that. There will be cuts, and quite a bit of setting details need to be added. But I am going to leave it for at least two weeks to give myself some distance before starting the next draft. For now, I am just happy that it's finished.
Final word count is 89603 words.
It will need a lot of editing, I have no doubt of that. There will be cuts, and quite a bit of setting details need to be added. But I am going to leave it for at least two weeks to give myself some distance before starting the next draft. For now, I am just happy that it's finished.
Friday, 7 January 2011
What Happened to Your NaNo Words?
Remember last November? The clock hand announced midnight and many of us - after a quick squal of excitement - began to pound the keys. It was a great month. I love NaNo, with accumulation of crazy writerly spirit that seems to spread around the world. Whether you officially won NaNo or not, doesn't matter. Though if you did win, congratulations. What matters is that at the end of it, you had something.
What was it? Short stories, partial book, a script? Where is it now? Have you finished it? Abandoned it? Are you finishing it? Whatever happened to all those words?
I am currently working on my NaNo novel. After unproductive December (barely 2000 words in total), January is going to be better. (YES IT IS). I wrote over 80K during November, so I don't have long to go. There are 4 scenes left. I don't know how many words it will take exactly, but no more than 10K - and even that's probably pushing it. So I hope to fnish my NaNo draft by end of January.
What about you? What are you going to do with your NaNo words?
What was it? Short stories, partial book, a script? Where is it now? Have you finished it? Abandoned it? Are you finishing it? Whatever happened to all those words?
I am currently working on my NaNo novel. After unproductive December (barely 2000 words in total), January is going to be better. (YES IT IS). I wrote over 80K during November, so I don't have long to go. There are 4 scenes left. I don't know how many words it will take exactly, but no more than 10K - and even that's probably pushing it. So I hope to fnish my NaNo draft by end of January.
What about you? What are you going to do with your NaNo words?
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Books Read 2011
My reading goal for 2011 is to read minimum 80 books, though I am secretly hoping that I could at least match last year's 99. But 80 is the goal. Here, I will keep an on-going list of books I read, and the dates I finish them. Feel free to make your comments, share your views about these books, or about what you are reading. Many of you have joined me in this reading challenge, so share your successes throughout the year.
* books = rereads
BOOKS READ
01. Arctic Drift - Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler - 05/01
02. Princess Diaries: Seventh Heaven - Meg Cabot - 06/01
03. Princess Diaries: After Eight - Meg Cabot - 07/01
04. Journal 1 - Dolly Garland - 08/01
05. The Laurentine Spy - Emily Gee - 09/01
06. The Devil and Miss Prym - Paulo Coelho - 11/01
07. Club Dead - Charlaine Harris - 14/01
08. Knight of Shadows - Roger Zelazney - 14/01
09. Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris - 16/01
10. Dead as a Doornail - Charlaine Harris - 16/01
11. Definitely Dead - Charlaine Harris - 17/01
12. All Together Dead - Charlaine Harris - 18/01
13. From Dead to Worse - Charlaine Harris - 19/01
14. Magic Strikes - Ilona Andrews - 22/01
15. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader - Anne Fadiman - 22/01
16. One for the Money * - Janet Evanovich - 24/01
17. Pride and Prejudice * - Jane Austen - 30/01
18. Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox - Eoin Colfer - 01/02
19. LEPrecon - Eoin Colfer - 01/02
20. Nemi - Lise Myhre - 05/02
21. The Six Sacred Stones - Matthew Reilly - 09/02
22. Anita Blake: The Laughing Corpse - Laurell K. Hamilton - 15/02
23. Dead and Gone - Charlaine Harris - 16/02
24. The Half-Made World - Felix Gilman - 19/02
25. Lark Rise - Flora Thompson - 01/03
26. Over to Candleford - Flora Thompson - 04/03
27. Candleford Green - Flora Thompson - 09/03
28. Strengths Finder 2.0 - Tom Rath - 12/03
29. Discovering Your Personality Type - Don Ruso&Russ Hudson - 17/03
30. Promises in Death - J. D. Robb - 19/03
31. Prince of Chaos - Roger Zelazny - 21/03
32. Turn Coat - Jim Butcher - 01/04
33. Globejotting - Dave Fox - 05/04
34. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde - 08/04
35. James Bond 02: Live and Let Die - 16/04
36. The Forgotten Beasts of Eld - Patricia A. McKillip - 19/04
37. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley - 24/04
38. 84 Charing Cross Road - Helene Hanff - 24/04
39. The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street - Helene Hanff - 26/04
40. Twilight's Dawn - Anne Bishop - 29/04
41. Sixty-One Nails - Mike Shevdon - 01/05
42. Artemis Fowl and the Atlantic Complex - Eoin Colfer - 07/05
43. Dead in the Family - Charlaine Harris - 08/05
44. Wicked Appetite - Janet Evanovich - 10/05
45. Matilda - Roald Dahl - 12/05
46. The Twits - Roald Dahl - 15/05
47. Dark Lover - J. R. Ward - 20/05
48. First Five Pages - Noah Lukeman - 21/05
49. The Road to Bedlam - Mike Shevdon - 28/05
50. Tigana - Guy Gavriel Kay - 04/06
51. Notes on Writing Weird Fiction - H. P. Lovecraft - 08/06
52. The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss - 17/06
53. Next Logical Step - Ben Bova - 22/06
54. Zen in the Art of Writing - Ray Bradbury - 26/06
55. How to Write a Great Query Letter - Noah Lukeman - 30/06
56. The Art of War for Writers - James Scott Bell - 01/07
57. Writing Fiction For All You Are Worth - James Scott Bell - 04/07
58. Dead Until Dark* - Charlaine Harris - 08/07
59. Journal 2 - Dolly Garland - 09/07
60. Moon Blood - Patricia Briggs - 13/07
61. Coraline - Neil Gaiman - 21/07
62. Heat Wave - Richard Castle - 21/07
63. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer - 23/07
64. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer - 23/07
65. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer - 24/07
66. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer - 24/07
67. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Stephenie Meyer - 26/07
68. Four to Score - Janet Evanovich - 30/07
69. Living Dead in Dallas* - Charlaine Harris - 31/07
70. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich - 03/08
71. How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent - Noah Lukeman - 06/08
72. Diary of a Wimpy Vampire - Tim Collins - 08/08
73. A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin - 17/08
74. How to Read Like a Writer - Francine Prose - 19/08
75. Side Jobs - Jim Butcher - 19/08
76. Tenerife Journal - Dolly Garland - 31/08
77. A Clash of Kings - George R. R. Martin - 12/09
78. Fantasy in Death - J. D. Robb - 15/09
79. The Sign of Four - Arthur Conan Doyle - 20/09
80. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wolves at the Gate - Drew Goddard - 24/09
81. Grave Peril - Jim Butcher - 25/09
82. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins - 27/09
83. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins - 28/09
84. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins - 29/09
85. The Old Man and the Sea* - Ernest Hemingway - 30/09
86. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians - Brandon Sanderson - 03/10
87. Dear John - Nicholas Sparks - 10/10
88. A Storm of Swords - George R. R. Martin - 24/10
89. Princess Diaries: To the Nines - Meg Cabot - 25/10
90. Princess Diaries: Ten Out of Ten - 26/10
91. Dead to the World* - 30/10
92. The Best of Reading for Your Success - Scott Dinsmore - 11/11
93. Focus - Leo Babauta - 12/11
94. How to Gain Extra 2 Hours Per Day - Brian Tracy - 12/11
95. 21 Ways to Double Your Productivity - Brian Tracy - 13/11
96. Zen to Done - Leo Babauta - 13/11
97. Goals - Brian Tracy - 14/11
98. Maximum Achievement - Brian Tracy - 15/11
99. 50 Best Jobs For Your Personality - Michael Farr - 19/11
100. My Life Planning Workbook - JaiperJAM - 19/11
101. The Ultimate Goals Program - Brian Tracy - 22/11
102. 21 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Money - Brian Tracy - 23/11
103. Get Paid More and Promoted Faster - Brian Tracy - 24/11 53. Next Logical Step - Ben Bova - 22/06
54. Zen in the Art of Writing - Ray Bradbury - 26/06
55. How to Write a Great Query Letter - Noah Lukeman - 30/06
56. The Art of War for Writers - James Scott Bell - 01/07
57. Writing Fiction For All You Are Worth - James Scott Bell - 04/07
58. Dead Until Dark* - Charlaine Harris - 08/07
59. Journal 2 - Dolly Garland - 09/07
60. Moon Blood - Patricia Briggs - 13/07
61. Coraline - Neil Gaiman - 21/07
62. Heat Wave - Richard Castle - 21/07
63. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer - 23/07
64. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer - 23/07
65. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer - 24/07
66. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer - 24/07
67. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Stephenie Meyer - 26/07
68. Four to Score - Janet Evanovich - 30/07
69. Living Dead in Dallas* - Charlaine Harris - 31/07
70. Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich - 03/08
71. How to Land (and Keep) a Literary Agent - Noah Lukeman - 06/08
72. Diary of a Wimpy Vampire - Tim Collins - 08/08
73. A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin - 17/08
74. How to Read Like a Writer - Francine Prose - 19/08
75. Side Jobs - Jim Butcher - 19/08
76. Tenerife Journal - Dolly Garland - 31/08
77. A Clash of Kings - George R. R. Martin - 12/09
78. Fantasy in Death - J. D. Robb - 15/09
79. The Sign of Four - Arthur Conan Doyle - 20/09
80. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wolves at the Gate - Drew Goddard - 24/09
81. Grave Peril - Jim Butcher - 25/09
82. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins - 27/09
83. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins - 28/09
84. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins - 29/09
85. The Old Man and the Sea* - Ernest Hemingway - 30/09
86. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians - Brandon Sanderson - 03/10
87. Dear John - Nicholas Sparks - 10/10
88. A Storm of Swords - George R. R. Martin - 24/10
89. Princess Diaries: To the Nines - Meg Cabot - 25/10
90. Princess Diaries: Ten Out of Ten - 26/10
91. Dead to the World* - 30/10
92. The Best of Reading for Your Success - Scott Dinsmore - 11/11
93. Focus - Leo Babauta - 12/11
94. How to Gain Extra 2 Hours Per Day - Brian Tracy - 12/11
95. 21 Ways to Double Your Productivity - Brian Tracy - 13/11
96. Zen to Done - Leo Babauta - 13/11
97. Goals - Brian Tracy - 14/11
98. Maximum Achievement - Brian Tracy - 15/11
99. 50 Best Jobs For Your Personality - Michael Farr - 19/11
100. My Life Planning Workbook - JaiperJAM - 19/11
101. The Ultimate Goals Program - Brian Tracy - 22/11
102. 21 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Money - Brian Tracy - 23/11
104. A Feast for the Crows - George R. R. Martin - 03/12
105. Across the Universe - Beth Revis - 0412
106. Doctor Who: The King's Dragon - Una McCormacn - 05/12
107. Starman's Quest - Robert Silverberg - 05/12
108. The Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss - 10/12
109. Third Girl - Agatha Christie - 17/12
Monday, 3 January 2011
Weekly Goals
Since it's Week 1, I figured I will do a Weekly Goal post. I have just made a list of all the things I need to do, so here I will share those goals.
Blogging
- At least two posts on Writer Revealed (this counts ;)
- At least two posts on Journal Addict
Reading
- Finish reading Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler (P. 344 - P. 578)
- Read F. Scott Fitzgerald on Authorship at least up to P. 55
Tidy
- lots of mess - mostly papers that really need sorting
Fitness
- Do fitness test on MFC
Website
- Renew website hosting
- Check if domain needs renewing
Writing - NaNo2010
- Monday 300 words
- Tuesday 300 words
- Wednesday 300 words
- Thursday 300 words
- Friday 300 words
- Saturday 1000 words
- Sunday 1000 words
I have a list of secondary goals too that I could work on if I do finish all of these, but it's sufficient to be getting on with, since it will also be first week back to work - and so not looking forward to that.
Seems finally I am in the New Year, and beginning to get into groove of things. How are things coming along for you?
Blogging
- At least two posts on Writer Revealed (this counts ;)
- At least two posts on Journal Addict
Reading
- Finish reading Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler (P. 344 - P. 578)
- Read F. Scott Fitzgerald on Authorship at least up to P. 55
Tidy
- lots of mess - mostly papers that really need sorting
Fitness
- Do fitness test on MFC
Website
- Renew website hosting
- Check if domain needs renewing
Writing - NaNo2010
- Monday 300 words
- Tuesday 300 words
- Wednesday 300 words
- Thursday 300 words
- Friday 300 words
- Saturday 1000 words
- Sunday 1000 words
I have a list of secondary goals too that I could work on if I do finish all of these, but it's sufficient to be getting on with, since it will also be first week back to work - and so not looking forward to that.
Seems finally I am in the New Year, and beginning to get into groove of things. How are things coming along for you?
Saturday, 1 January 2011
2011 Reading Challenge - Join Me??
2011 Reading Challenge officially begins. What will be your goal for this year? Since I easily surpassed by 75 books last year, I am going to go for 80 books this year. Trying to remain realistic, as I have plenty of other goals this year - like write and edit more, and read more non-fiction (that takes longer than fiction), so I think 80 should do it.
I will continue recording my 2011 Books Read list on this blog, as I did last year. But for personal use, I keep my faithful spreadsheet, which has more details than what I put on this blog. I know spreadsheets are not everyone's thing - but for me, it still remains most effective and fun (yes - I appreciate spreadsheets and fun don't usually go together, but I am weird about them) :P
Are you going to keep a list of books you read this year? How do you plan to do that?
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