Category: Writing

EditNoWriMo

On By UncannyDerekIn Discussion, WritingLeave a comment

“EditNoWriMo?” Why do I keep coming up with this garbage?

Today was the first day I sat down and began to re-read my story from the beginning. I’m pleased to say, while my writing did not change, I did add a lot more detail early on in the novel.

When I originally started thinking and writing. . .

. . . I continued to describe things – how people looked, the environments, and what-not. I found I was focusing too much on the “image” of things and not the actual story. So not even a sixth (maybe an eighth? I was never good with fractions) into the book, I started leaving out those details in order to get the plot done. It turned out great for me because hey – I finished writing my novel!

Now I am going back to add in the little details I skipped over before. It’s really interesting because it’s like going through a novel you have read in the past, then adding your own flair to it.

But it’s also a bit strange going back to the beginning. Obviously I know how it all ends, but you know, it’s hard to explain. The fact that I can see the book from it’s conception? Is this how parents feel looking at baby photos? I sure hope they don’t always think of their child’s conception when they look at them. . .

I digress.

When I tell people I still have to edit my novel, I am continually asked: “How long will that take?” Since I have began the edits today, and keeping in mind I’m adding new things as I go along, it took me about an hour to get through two pages. And I also added another six hundred words! Hooray!

So yes, I’m rocking it so far!

In sum: I cannot answer the question because I still have my work cut out for me. And damn, is it ever fun!

Until next time, folks!

PlaNoWriMo

On By UncannyDerekIn Discussion, Writing4 Comments

Already at day three, eh?

It’s funny. I never actually participated in NaNoWriMo during the month of November. Instead, I ended up doing my own sporadically throughout the year. I called them “Thirty Day Challenges.” It was the same idea, only in like, January or something.

When I did my challenges, I found that spending thirty days (or more) before the actual challenge just “setting up” to be tremendously helpful.

What’s the point in trying to write a novel if you don’t have anything planned for it?

Sitting down and preparing yourself for storytelling is quite possibly more important than writing the story itself. Why? Because there is so much depth involved within a novel, it would be ridiculous just to go in blindly (especially if you plan on publishing).

It takes practice! Kind of like this guy with his horse:

But not really. . .

When I planned my novel – a science-fiction (and I’ll get a synopsis up here soon, folks) – I had to come up with so much depth: what worlds are used? What’s the technology? Politics? Religion?

But even further: who are these characters and what do they look like? What’s their age? What’s their story? Do they know each other? What’s their history with Character X or Y? Do they drive? Fly a car? How’s their parents? How were they brought up?

Delving even deeper: when Event X happens, how will it affect Character Y? How would Character Z approach Character Y afterwards?

Of course when writing, you’ll invent new ideas along the way complicating things more.

If you have it all written out – or pre-planned – new revelations won’t “shatter” the story as dramatically as you may expect.

While NaNoWriMo is awesome to get the ball rolling with writing your story, planning for it is something not to overlook.

As for me with my recently completed novel, I’m currently going through the first edit. I have lots of work ahead of me still.

Good luck with NaNoWriMo, folks!

Thirty Day Challenge – FINISHED – Ghost

On By UncannyDerekIn Writing1 Comment

FINISHED!

After (a little more than) thirty days, I’m finally finished! It’s both a relieving and bittersweet moment. I am glad to be finished so I can focus on other things for the time being – but I really want to work on my story still!

Having thirty day challenges are funny in some ways. You really do remember each day well. Within this month alone, I not only wrote and worked a lot, I moved, I made new friends, expanded my artistry, and most importantly, grew a lot more as a person. (I think we’ll always be growing as people, but that’s besides the point).

As for writing, today was mostly touching up little parts here and there. It was not anything too fancy, but it was enough for me to be satisfied.

What I’ll probably be doing in the next few days is take some needed time off from the story, but also give away a bit of what the story is about in more detail. I realized I haven’t really told many people what its about.

I suppose you deserve to have at least SOME idea.

To top it off, I remember saying how I was going to post pictures of my progress, or of notes, or of drawings. I haven’t done any of that.

I guess I’ll have to show you all soon!

Ghost

To finish off the final day, I went to Devin Townsend’s “Ghost.” It’s one of the prettiest albums I own. “Devin Townsend two days in a row?” I know, but the album has some amazing songs on there which are very sentimental for me. Not to mention it was very heart-warming to listen to while writing.

Thank you for following me on this thirty-day journey!

Until my next time, friends.

Thirty Day Challenge – Day Twenty-Nine – Epiclouder

On By UncannyDerekIn WritingLeave a comment

Writing like a fox!

But not really. I can’t imagine foxes could hold pens, let alone type on keyboards that well.

Anyway, I’m finished the scene I needed to finish! I think I’ll be taking tomorrow real easy just for editing! Ahhhhh! The calm down at the end of this thirty day challenge is well-needed. I’m both thrilled and sad that it’s over – but I do need a break. I’m in dire need of it.

I can’t wait to start the next one.

Epicloud

Tonight I had to listen to Devin Townsend’s demo album which came with the special edition release of his album “Epicloud,” called “Epiclouder.” The song Little Pig alone makes the album wonderful.

And so comes tomorrow. . .