NaNoWriMo

So last year when NaNo came around, I had a small plot and some ideas, but nothing really set in stone. I kind-of failed. Pretty badly.

It could also be because Novembers are really busy with my birthday, Thanksgiving and stuff like that.

But no excuses this year! I plan to beat my record and get more than 30K this year! I know that I can do it - I just have to set my mind to it.

So a couple of months ago, I had a dream, and that's where my plot is coming from. I don't want to go into details, but maybe as I'm writing, I'll try to let you know that's going on in my plot and how well I'm doing. :)

As for right now, I have the story plotted out and put into a chapter summary. I also have my character sketches. Right now I'm trying to work on familiarize myself with the characters and their differences.

That right there might be the hardest part. I can easily write a character sketch, but trying to make every character different is something that's difficult for me.

If I do write the 50K book in November, it will be the second book that I've finished with more than 50K in it. And the first one was not really...good, I guess. I don't even know how I wrote 50,000 in it - because it's like...bad.

Okay, okay, the plot is good enough. But the story itself is just bad.

So I'm shooting for something better this time around.

Wish me luck!

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Beautiful People: NaNoWriMo Edition

1. Sum up your novel in five words or less.
   Girl. Work. Guy.
   
2. Novel title?
   None as of yet. I still need to think about this one.
   
3. Sum up your main character(s) in one word each.
   Lainey - Outgoing
   Trent - Workaholic
   Taite (girl) - Romantic
   
4. Advice for newbies in three words?
   Don't stress - write.
   
5. Tell us about your secondary characters, how do they affect the story?
   Taite (Lainey's best friend) is the one that keeps her going through everything. She gives her great advice and keeps the story moving. I also picture her witty and funny.
   
6. Do you plan to stay up till midnight on the 31st?
   Haha, no. I don't think that I could swing that with my parents, or myself. :)
   
7. How many years have you done NaNo?
   Haaa...I tried this last year, and failed miserably - only got to about 30,000 words. But this year I'm hoping to get farther. Whether or not I hit 50K doesn't really matter as long as I get more than I did last year.
   
8. What came first, characters, or plot idea?
   Ooh...both are important, but I think that the plot comes first for me. Not a full plot, but I have to have a rough outline before I can just make up characters (names and such), when I don't have a situation to put them into.
   
9. How much prep do you do before November?
   I still haven't done near enough, so I need to get working on the rest of my plot, and get my characters done before I start writing on the first.
   
10. Now be honest, how do you really feel about NaNo?
    It intimidates me. But this year, I hope to beat it.
    

Another Busy Couple of Weeks

It seems that no matter what, we’ve been having busy weeks. It’s crazy. I used to wish that I would be busy. I was jealous of the people who had something to do every day of the week. Now that it’s my life – I would like to have my boring, doing nothing life back. LOL

Last Friday, my family went to see Dolphin Tale in the theaters. The movie was awesome! It was definitely a great family movie, and I would recommend it to anyone that wants a decent movie for the entire family.

Friday evening and Saturday we had a wedding rehearsal & wedding for friends of ours. It was a great ceremony and it was beautiful.

Then we just had a lot of random things to do throughout the week – music lessons and I worked on Thursday. I’ve only been working once a week because of school, and trying to get everything done it getting harder and harder. But I like to work, and it’s great experience.

Yesterday, Mom and I went shopping to get me some clothes for my senior pictures that I’m going to be getting taken sometime this month. I got some awesome tops, a couple of sweaters and a pair of boots that I have been eying up for about a month. (Actually, I found them at one Wal-Mart and could never find them again. But I found them yesterday, and was really excited! LOL)

Next week is really busy too, with music lessons, work and I leave for a friends’ house next Friday. I can’t wait to be there for a week and able to get away from my busy life for a little while!

~Ashley