NaNoWriMo Progress

You guys, I just hit 15,000 words!  15,078 to be exact!  I'm so excited.  I was so behind for so long that I didn't think I would ever catch up.  Now I'm only 1600 words behind!  That's totally doable!  And the awesome thing?  I caught up in, I kid you not, 2 nights.  Yep!  2!!

Also?  I have a title!  I've always kind of known that this project would be part of a series, and I've titled all three books.  I even have basic plot outlines for the first two, and bits and pieces of plot for the third.  I'm so excited.  And the great thing is, it never would've gotten written (or planned) without NaNoWriMo.  So, thanks to whoever started it, because now I am actually getting some projects written.

But what about all the projects I've started, you ask?  Well, don't worry.  They're still there.  They've just been moved to the back burner.  The one I've titled '13' has hit kind of a dead end and needs to be re-worked a bit.  Don't worry, I haven't written 120 pgs for nothing.  It'll bounce back.  I promise :)

Speaking of page count.  I'm on page 40 of my current project.  I know.  Crazy.  Just a few nights' work and I've got 40 pages.  I'm so proud of myself for sticking with it.  And the great thing is, I don't feel the need to re-read everything I wrote the day before and edit it (like I have with past projects).  I'm really getting into this project, and I think it'll turn out great.  :)

NANOWRIMO

I'm participating in NaNoWriMo again this year.  Last year I failed miserably.  This year, I'm at 7400 words (or there abouts) so far.  I'm a little behind (about 6000 words), but I think I did pretty good.  I wrote just over 3500 words last night, so I think I can catch up pretty fast.

So, are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year?  What do you use for inspiration?  Do you listen to music while you write?  If so, what inspires you?  Where do you get your ideas? 

As the month goes on I will answer some of these questions.  If you have any others, please just ask in the comments.  :)

Normal?

It's totally normal that I just spent the last hour plotting out 6 generations on pedigree charts so that 2 of my characters could possibly maybe have the chance to become involved without it being gross, and 2 others could have the same last name without being directly related.  Right?

New Project

I don't want to jinx myself, but I started a new project the other night, and I think it is going to be really good.  I've been thinking about starting it for a few months, but never really sat down to outline everything until Monday.  Now that I have, I'm really excited!  But, like I said, I don't want to jinx anything, so this is all I'm going to say about it for now.  :)

Finding Time

Lately I've been having a hard time finding time to myself to write.  I have, however, been reading a lot.  I recently read Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, and Catching Fire.  I can't wait for the third book to come out later in August.  I also read SH*T My Dad Says, by Justin Halpern.  It made me laugh so much!  But, reader beware, it swears.  A LOT. So if you aren't into that, then I'd pass on it.  I just started reading G. Norman Lippert's James Potter series. So far so good.

The problem I seem to have is that I either am totally into reading, or writing, or doing nothing at all.  It was so much easier to write (and read) while I was on vacation.  Now that I'm home, life is hectic and crazy and all over the place, and I just don't seem to have the time.  I'm so behind in my "day job" I'm bringing my work home with me.

So, here's my question to all you guys.

How do you deal with life and family and school/work and writing and reading and everything else that seems to pop up?  How do you find a balance and take the time to get some good writing in?

Dilemma

I'm having some issues.  Mainly, now that I wrote one of my favorite characters back into the plot, I don't want to get rid of him again.  I am actually considering changing the rest of the story to include him somehow.  I'm thinking this might not be a good idea, since I've been working on this project for almost 4 years, and I'm finally to page 92 (I've never gotten that far in before re-writing)!  I'm at a loss.  So, let's take a poll, shall we? 

Change the plot?

Keep the plot the same?


Please leave your response in the comments.  Thanks :)

Oh dear, what have I done?

Remember Daniel Masters?  Well, I just wrote him back in.  Yes, I know it was crazy, but he's just one of those characters that you don't want to lose. 

I've been working on writing his side of the story simultaneously, and I have to say that it's provided a lot of insight to where he's coming from and what he's going through.  Is it weird for me, the author, to say that?  Well, weird or not, that's how I feel. 

So anyway, he's back and I couldn't be happier.  Except that I know how things end up for him, and I'm a little worried that my entire plot might change, just so I can keep him in a little longer.

Well, we'll see what happens, I guess.  But, for now, I'm really happy to welcome Dan back to the book.