BIAW & NaNoWriMo

BIAW--Book in a Week
NaNoWriMo--National Novel Writing Month
Both of these endeavours are writing challenges. Most BIAW participants don't finish a book in a week, but the goal is to write as many pages as possible within that week.
NNWM does have a goal of 50K in 30 days. This is a doable goal, but as a writer your plate must be cleared, your research accomplished, and your internal editor turned off. The problem for most Americans is that this is also the month of Thanksgiving which is spent with family, not writing.
This next week I will shoot for 2K a day, Monday thru Friday. That should give me a 10K start on book 1 of my demon war series.
Now to finish organizing my notes, finishing my demon excel worksheet, and thinking about my first couple of chapters.

Daydreaming IS research!

I've brainstormed my demon war series with some online buds on Tues. Let's just say that Cyndi gave me a freakin' run for my money. Two hours later, I had a massive headache and was substantially closer to figuring out how my series needed to start.
And though I was given many ideas and suggestions, I'm going down my own path that is diverging from their ideas and concepts.
*Remember, newbie writers, no one knows your story like you do. If suggestions from judges, CP's, or agents don't work for your story, don't force it.* Editors are another ball of wax--they bought the story, they own it and want it to do well for their bosses--the publishers. So, your answer is 'yes, ma'am, may I have another?'
I'm still thinking about my first scenes of book 1 so I'll be ready when BIAW starts next week. And yes, I still have 4 1/2 books to read to help me with the all important first book--if I can't sell book 1, what good are books 2-7?
Something to think about.

Brain freeze!

And not in the 'yum, I just had ice cream' way. I'm totally stuck as to how this new series needs to open in book 1. Haven't a clue. It is driving me crazy! I'm going to think about it today when I'm working on my truffle fillings, and I think, I'll be taking a long walk to sort it out.

Gimpy Knee and Gargoyles

Went to the doc yesterday, and he couldn't find anything wrong with my knee, via x-rays and manipulation. So I'm doing home PT for a month to see if it helps. If it doesn't, then big-assed needles or surgery will be looming in my future.
And yep, I'm still working on the gargoyle scene. I wrote 750 words and got sucked into researching St. Louis, which is where I decided to start this series. I did consult my mom who grew up in St. Louis (she's 87 and still going strong!) and she gave me some building names and ideas. At least I can narrow down the field this way! I want to finish this scene today so I can input info on my demon spreadsheet, my hand written GMC notes, and notes for a new story RS with paranormal elements.
There isn't enough time in the day!

In the middle of the night . . .

I woke up as a conversation played through my mind. Not a normal conversation, but one every writer out there has experienced, it was a conversation between characters.
I've been researching and thinking about a new series that I want to write and for some reason, I feel the need to have a gargoyle involved in it. His name is Michael, though he has some unpronounceable Mesopotamian name as his given name. I really like him: he's not really 'good', but he isn't 'evil', just misunderstood. Like you've never heard that one before! I think he will have a major part in book 2, though I will intro him in book 1, and I suspect he will pop in from time to time to check on my heroine.
So after feeding the fuzzy critters, I started writing the scene. 500 words into the scene, I still haven't introduced him yet. I NEED to get this scene down, but I have to get dressed, get the kiddo to school and go to the doc to check out my gimpy knee before I get back down to biz.
I'll get there.

Recharged and Rearing to go

Last weekend, I went to my chapter's retreat featuring Deb Dixon with 15 chaptermates.
It was totally AWESOME!
Deb had expressed interest in my 4th novel, Leprechaun C0nnection. While it didn't work for the Belle Bridge imprint, she gave me invaluable feedback. So I sent her a couple of chapters of my next story, Demon Connection. She liked many things about this UF, but a few other items bothered her. I have them listed as my mantra that I must chant prior to each writing session.
1) complex, not complicated
2) magic, not mechanical or scientific
3) FOCUS
last, but certainly not least:
4) K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple, Stupid!
All of the above are excellent things to keep in mind, especially coming from a gal who never thought she'd have another story idea beyond the first one. Now the problem is that I have too many and want to put them all in the same story!
Deb is also the first person in the publishing biz who showed interest in my stories. After 6 years of writing, I finally have the validation that I had been searching for. With her encouragement, I have ordered numerous books, researching how author's started their first books in a series. I'm excited to report that I just got STORM FRONT by Jim Butcher and I intend to take notes as I read, which will be difficult since I tend to get wrapped up in the story.
Happy reading & happy writing

Writing and life interferences

Yesterday was a good writing day. I edited 5 pages from the previous day, wrote 6 and edited them. Wow, for me this is EXCELLENT. I'm on a roll!
But wait. I have a retreat to get to today. I have to do laundry, pack, get the critter's food/meds ready for poppa to take care of them, and then there's the kiddo's jog-a-thon. . .
Weekend? Retreat, remember? And it's a lecture retreat. Yeah, I'll get ideas, but writing isn't in the cards.
Okay, how about Monday? I'll be raring to go after the stimulation of the retreat. Monday...oh, then there's laundry and chores. Tuesday, got it. I'll shoot for 6 new pges. Wednesday? Uh, no, kiddo's on fall break. (sigh).
How about the next monday? Then I'll start my writing momentum again.

Queryland

I've entered queryland again with LC. I think this is my 25th incarnation of the d*mn query, and I think I finally got it right! Too bad I've exhausted virtually all the agents on my mythical list. That's what I get for getting overly excited and querying before I was true to my story and query.
Now, repeat after me: "My fantasy stories do not fit in the romance mold, so stop trying to force them!"
I equeried 7 agents, so far 3 thanks, but no thanks. Two form letters, one semi-personalized.
I don't know about you, but don't you just hate the non-answer is a "no" mentality?
Ciao! Gotta get my 5 pages written.

Silence and writing

I'm to a point in my new manuscript, Demon Connection, where I've finished changing the protag from third to first person and now I can just WRITE. Kiddo is in school and hubby is out of town for 3 days! I hope to finish 20 pages by Friday so I can help at the kiddo's Jog-A-Thon and then pack for my chapter's retreat with Deb Dixon!
I'm stoked.
This is a good week.

Update

Months have past and I haven't written any thing on this blog. (sigh!) Life is settling down and I'm working hard converting my urban fantasy from third person to first person. It is coming along quite well, and I'm getting fresh ideas as I write. The sad thing is that when I tell hubby about it, he is NOT very enthusiastic or understanding. Though I'm simply talking to myself, I will point out that a spouse is supposed to be excited for you--even if he doesn't have a clue about the topic!
Over the summer, I finaled in a contest with two romantic suspenses with paranormal elements. I still haven't heard what the agent-judge has to say-still waiting, twiddling my thumbs.
I also didn't hear from the Spoonful of Cheerios contest, which means I didn't final. ;-( So, yesterday, I went on the hunt for prospective agents/publishers for my children's picture stories.
Ciao, for now!