Every day in November, I’m working on a thriller with romantic elements (as part of the Entangled requirements) entitled Greatest Hits. 50K is the goal, but I’m really aiming for around 80K which is more in the avenue of my chosen genre.
This week and for the next five on FRIDAY FORAGE we talk NaNoWriMo. We also get tangled in the Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. I’ll be posting weekly updates on my word hoarding–or how I just typed it at this late hour–woarding. I like it.
WRITING:
Although it was in the final stretch of the month that I learned of the news, I was able to get switched to a more appropriate imprint for November’s Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. I’ll be writing this novel for NaNoWriMo, as well. That will be the writing in the ‘fresh words department.’
WRITING:
I got an email last night that allowed me to switch from the novella imprint to the suspense imprint for November’s Entangled Smackdown over at SavvyAuthors. I appreciate how the editor gave me the option of switching imprints so I wouldn’t have to compromise the integrity of the story I want to write. I’m excited. 🙂
I’m also doubling up by entering this story for NaNoWriMo. The added accountability and online progress chart (that I’d be forced to enter each day before the cut-off) will help make November super productive.
READING:
Much of the same. My WIPs, writing reference, critiques, and beta reads. My TBR list is taking a back seat for the next few weeks, but that’s okay. It’s pretty much non stop.
NETWORKING:
Hopefully, I’ll be able to attend the in-person NaNo Write-Ins, weather and sniffles permitting. I hate drastic weather changes. I’ve got the online sprint partners via Twitter‘s #1k1hr. There’s also the online community at SavvyAuthors and the NaNo forums among many others. The world will be busy this November reaching those word counts.
LEARNING:
I’m tucking back into my treasure trove of already downloaded and purchased webinars to see what’s applicable for my WIP for November. That and my current fix of languages and genealogy should keep me busy.
=8=
It’s one thing to say that November is only two days away. But it’s crazy to think that November is already here. What are your big writing plans for November?
5 BITS OF HARD & SOFTWARE TO HELP UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY
We’re a few days shy of a month away from the annual global writing phenom known as NaNoWriMo. Perhaps it’s time to get crackin’, yes?
1) MIND MAPS
( via the24hourtala )
There are loads of software programs and apps out there that can help you create mind maps. A mind map is an outflowing of ideas that can begin with a single word. Using simple word association, new ideas can be formed. This process can be used in fiction writing or in other projects, as well. I haven’t tried any apps yet, though when I do, I’ll be sure to review them.
In the meantime, there are old school ways to create a mind map. The easiest way is pen to paper (or get creative with colored pens!). Other options are whiteboards, blackboards, etc.
What I’ve used for mind mapping and brainstorming are my mirrored closet doors. It was a delayed realization of a convenient resource after I’d already purchased two rolls of now still unused whiteboard adhesive stickers. It’s a great way to get the ideas flowing no matter how you like to map them. 🙂
2) INDEX CARDS
( via Sarah Ockler )
Much like mind maps, these can be tangible or found as software applications. An app I’ve used that syncs between devices is Noti and it’s great in a pinch. There’s also a section within the Scrivener app wherein you can index card your brains out–more on that later.
Of course, as we reminisce fondly on our school days, ahem, if that’s something we do, there are also the beloved 3×5 or 4×6 beauties that come lined, unlined, or in an array of colors for your organizational convenience.
What can you do with them? Throw out ideas, character names, settings, story prompts. Shuffle them and draw one out to get you going.
If you’re already in the prep stages of novel creation, you can use index cards to plan out your scenes. Short sentences and phrases helps you create a path from beginning to end and the ease of portability allows you to reorganize ideas to avoid a sagging middle.
Regardless of the method, index cards (or post-its for the sticky loving writers) do wonders.
( via Fox News )
Remember how I said previously that a picture’s worth a thousand words? Well, I didn’t come up with that notion nor did I come up with this next nifty trick.
I love to dream cast my books. To do that, I tap into the wonderful world of Hollywood and look up faces to go with my names. I base these choices on the actor’s work as well as their appearance. Oh, and it’s not limited to people. It’s a great way to look for settings, as well.
Case in point, most of the images I come up with for posts are from sites like Google Images.
While we’re at it, let’s give shout outs to Tumblr and Pinterest, as well. When it comes to visuals, you get the idea and with these sites, you may actually get ideas.
4) TIMERS
( via Contest Timer )
Online, offline, your watch, your stove. Anything that ticks and anything that dings will do the trick. Timers can help you unleash hidden gems and really tap into your creative core. Use timers to do free writing. You can set the time to whatever you want and it forces yourself to churn out the words before the timer buzzes.
Writing sprints are always great to get those word counts and knowing that you’ve got a deadline ticking away is a great motivator. (For more insane motivation try Write Or Die.)
Another use for a timer is to let yourself and those around you know that for that entire time, YOU ARE WRITING AND MUST NOT BE DISTURBED. Common writing courtesy, yo!
5) SCRIVENER
( via Literature & Latte )
Last but certainly not least, Scrivener. It’s your one-stop writing shop. You can go from conceptualization to fruition with this program. In the drafting stage they have sections for research, brainstorms, index cards, and even pictures. There are different templates to use and subsections to organize all your work. There’s even an export feature that can help you instantly convert your novel into an ebook format.
There’s so much to talk about with Scrivener that it needs it’s own post. Suffice it to say, considering I have a handful of the top writing programs already at my fingertips, Scrivener is the one I keep coming back to for my writing.
=8=
So, hope this FRIDAY FORAGE has whet your writing appetite, if you haven’t already begun. I’m using these posts to psych myself up. Otherwise, my procrastinating self will end up scrambling the night before while handing out candy to strangers.
Happy writing… and planning… and brainstorming… and dreaming. NaNoWriMo is coming.
Last Quarter of 2013: Are you Ready?
( via freimaurer32 )
To borrow a phrase from one of my favorite shows, here’s THE ROAD SO FAR:
WRITING:
This year, I came up with four new stories: Hamelin, The Curse of Briar Rose (a reframing of the story premise morphed it into Aaralyn’s Song), all YA Fantasy, A Love Less Ordinary, a contemporary (possibly Women’s Fiction), and a boatload of new story ideas.
I did the Blogging A to Z Challenge in April, along with Camp NaNoWriMo, SavvyAuthors Boot Camp.
I also participated in JuNoWriMo, July’s Camp NaNoWriMo, JulNoWriMo, and AugNoWriMo.
Just when I thought I was WriMo’d out, I spent September revising Imprint, a Spec Fiction Thriller.
All this writing was just for my WIP. I also had various workshop assignment, as well, as my blog posts along with my FRIDAY FORAGE series.
READING:
I think I’ve read close to thirty-five books this year. Lately, the focus has been on writing reference or anything to do with how the brain works.
Outside of actual books, I’ve been eyeballs-deep in critiques, beta reads, and book reviews. I suppose all the strain on the eyes was to make up for the exhaustion on the digits from the writing.
For those who don’t know, I’ve been dealing with a fractured thumb and seasonal allergies. The allergy shot regimen has made all the aforementioned tasks an interesting challenge.
NETWORKING:
The writing community continues to grow and now that I’m a mod at SavvyAuthors and the WFWA Forums, the reach seems to be boundless.
LEARNING:
I’ve expanded my horizons with Udemy, and Duolingo. More learning experiences are coming up this month with Coursera. Gotta keep the brain active. 🙂
All that plus some mad ukelele playing and I’m all set.
=8=
OCTOBER WRITING:
Major prep needed for my upcoming November challenge with Entangled Smackdown. It was supposed to be a Thriller but since that imprint isn’t included in the challenge, I think I’ll write for the novella imprint. Problem is, what word count will I focus on? The imprint requires 10K-15K words but the challenge is 50K. Do I write multiple novellas? Good thing I have a month to plan. This time, actually plan. No matter how many times I have the intent to plan for a WriMo, something happens and I end up outlining in a forty-eight hour window.
I’ll still work on my other WIPs, old and not-as-old. The writing never stops.
OCTOBER READING:
The reading tasks haven’t changed. In fact, they’ve increased. All good stuff, however. I’m keeping an open mind–and still looking for a speed reading course.
OCTOBER NETWORKING:
Modding and communicating with the writing world continues. Accountability keeps us moving forward and that’s what it’s all about.
OCTOBER LEARNING:
More brain boosts with Udemy, Coursera, Duolingo. I’m on Level 10 in Spanish and Level 7 in French. I’m adding German to the mix, just because. With the other learning opportunities, I’m learning about writing, time management, fitness, and everything in between. It’s an exciting time and fortuitous to have the internet. There’s no limit to attaining knowledge and bettering ourselves.
=8=
The last three months of this highly productive year are about to roll on. I’m excited to see what happens next.
Care to join me?
( via 00_jack_00 )
Textploits of the Writerly Persuasion 