My Writing and Book Clubs and NANOWRIMO

I am spending the month NANOWRIMO-ing with the students in my writing and book clubs and just have to stop mid trying to write today to say how awesome they are. Yesterday we hosted and read and write in after school. We read and wrote for three hours. Their focus and commitment inspired me and that is what I am using today to get me writing something/anything. Recalling the sounds of keys tapping, pages turn and the occasional crunch and chew of the provided snacks is helping and putting a smile on my face.

After school this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I will be staying at in Learning Commons until 5:00 o'clock each day and have invited my NANOWRIMO-er's to stay and write, too. Heck, if there are students looking for a space to relax and catch up on homework or just looking for a nice space to just sit and read they are invited, too. As are teachers who may be marking and who are wanting a change of space. Is this a master plan for us to grow the numbers of our club? What? Moi? Do something like that?

As I continue to find search out my writer self and figure out where the heck she went to and who she became I count myself rather lucky to work with the Cobra Writing and Book Clubs of WCCHS. Inspiring is a word that comes to mind.

Confessions of a NANOWRIMO

Let's begin, shall we?

I backspace.

I correct spelling.

I stop to think how I want a line to sound.

I don't keep typing at all costs writing down anything that comes into my head ('course I am more than capable of that as this post is showing)

Of course all of these confessions could be because the story I am working on was outlined and developed before I started so I feel confident in the fact that I will finish the first draft of this book. Haven't reach that point of I need to just get anything on the paper point.

One last confession:

I totally used NANO as an excuse to gorge myself on candy yesterday. Called it research for when my MC does that midway through the book. SERIOUSLY!

Ramblingly yours,

Deb

p.s. anyone else have some NANO Confessions? 

Three Writing Reads and Nano Day One

First off I hope all of you Nano’ers, revisers, writers, authors are enjoying day one of November and are feeling the work-in-progress love.

I’m currently settling in for a mid-afternoon into the evening NANO Write-In (just me myself and I) with my middle grade novel.

For those curious here is the log line or what could one day appear on a book flap. If the book is even close to what is in my head, that is. Funny how revisions can change the original draft, concept. Any…WHO…here what I hope the book becomes.

HAPPY MEDIUM (The bully Happy is dealing with is nothing compared to the ghost her Aunt is living with, but maybe there is  a way to take care of the ghost and the bully all in one fell swoop or...seance. Seems like a good idea until everything that could go wrong, does.)

I am sitting at 1800 words right now and will be adding more. It’s kind of fun writing along with a care. Not so fun for the plotter, planner, character developer, setting maker who had much of this outlined prior to starting. I can already feel myself veering off the ghostly path as the planner me says “but but but that’s not her name, that’s not what she looks like, that’s the wrong road…!” And that is a good thing. I actually do like surprises. So. I will find a balance between planner me and pantser me. Or should I say…I’ll find a happy medium (har har).

On to the three writing reads!

Looking to add some tension and conflict as you are moving along this month…

The Other Side of the Story: Guest Author Cheryl Rainfield: Bringing Tension and Conflict to Your Novels

Keeping the inner critter quiet whilst telling the story. You _want_ to hear the voice…whether writing in first or third person, imo.

Elle Strauss: Launch Party for OPEN MINDS! There are prizes!

The above link also leads to some other posts that are part of the Open Minds Blog Fest. If you have time tween the writing, they will be well worth checking out or saving for later, including this next one.

Cherie Colyer: Guest post: Please help me welcome Susan Kaye Quinn

Happy writing all!

NANO is all about the Spooky Creepy BOO's!

I am working on my middle grade novel HAPPY MEDIUM.


The research I have been doing includes watching shows like Paranormal Cops, Paranormal State,  Pyschic Kids. Researching people like The Fox Sisters. Wandering about and absorbing the feel and vibe of sites like TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) , A.G.H.O.S.T (Advanced Ghost Hunters of Seattle-Tacoma) and Paranormal Studies and Investigations Canada.

Sommer Leigh of Tell Great Stories is sharing some great pictures of abandoned places.  Inspiration all over the place. Including where I live. The hubby and I are renovating at old church. Huge lot, big trees. Next door is an very old white house-creeky and creepy when you walk by it at night.



I have an outline that I have worked out based on two different methods. Spent weekend working through the Plot Whisperer Series Part One and also have, on my ipad, the Save the Cat App. Just a way of thinking through and sinking into my story.


And of course I love THE BOOKSHELF for setting, mood, character traits, personalities--it is a must have. I've linked to the appropriate sections and added them to Scrivener (my writing tool of choice when I am on the computer and writing out a book.

Like Danika over on the Accidental Novelist I also have a notebook filled with notes and thoughts and stuffs related to HAPPY MEDIUM.



Feel like I am preparing the soil--filling it with nutrients and richness so I can grow the story. Two more days and it will be time to start planting one word at a time.

I am also doing this Be Champion. 

Happy Writing this November!

Getting Ready for NANO!

Elana Johnson has some gearing up thoughts. Particularly like her idea of have a buddy email group that shares daily word counts and last lines written!

YA Author Elana Johnson: How To Gear Up For NaNoWriMo:

And as I noted in a previous post, Danika Dinsmore (The Accidental Novelist) is taking the NANO plunge and inviting us to follow along on her blog. She has some great advice and thoughts up already.

Weekend Workout: PrepWork, NaNoWriMo, and an Invite to Join the Insanity « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

And, of course, there is the National Novel Writing Month website itself!

National Novel Writing Month