Monday, November 08, 2010

NaNo Update II

I totally meant to write a real blogpost for today, but I am Whooped. Exhausted. Wiped Out. Mostly because I have written 40,000 words in 8 days, I think. Probably in part because this book is one of the hardest and most emotionally draining stories I have ever written. (I totally just deleted "told" and replaced it with "written" and cringed at the lost word. What does that tell you?)

Anyway. You will have to settle for my word count update and the knowledge that I am working hard to hit 50K by the 10th. Tomorrow is going to be a very, very long day, if I do not get started first thing writing.

In addition to writing 40K words, I've also been reading-- I finished up the third book in the Sharing Knife series by Lois McMaster Bujold, then read the fourth book (which really gave me the heebeejeebies with that crazy giant Bat Malice Creature. Seriously, I almost could not sleep because of it!). Then I conquered The Great Gatsby and reread Speak. Now I'm going to be finishing up my reread of A Dragonfly in Amber. Apparently I read a lot while I'm writing, which, when I think about it, is not any kind of surprise really. I've always made sure I had a book on tap to read while working on a project.

And now for a list of things I should have researched in October!


  • electroshock therapy
  • concussions
  • The Zipper
  • C-sections
  • Banana Wine (admittedly this had nothing to do with the actual book, just curiosity)
  • Old Norse for "your hair" and other small translations. 
  • Lots more Icelandic than I know right now.
Look, I know this is a lame post, but I promise you once I hit 50K things will improve! Just stay with me :) And while you're here, what have YOU read lately? And do you like to read while you write?

10 comments:

  1. Oh. My. Gosh. 50,000 words in 10 days?

    YOU ARE INSANE!

    When you're done, would you like to write some historical fiction? Because I'd really like to be looking at 50,000 words sometime before this time next year!

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  2. Dude. That's awesome. I am so PROUD of you. And your book brain.

    That's what I call it when I get word hangovers. It's like I can only use so many a day and if I go over, like on cell phone minutes, it just shuts down. Or charges me a headache.

    I too have hit the 40K mark, but I scrapped 22K on the first novel. I didn't like it and I know NaNo is supposed to be about just getting the book out, but I didn't love the book. So, I've moved on to the project that's speaking to me. I hope to have this book done in another week.

    But look at you go. You are rocking the awesome sauce.

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  3. 40k words in eight days!!!?? I am so awestruck, I don't know what to say. That's kind of my issue with NaNo too. :)

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  4. Stephanie: I did it last year pretty much accidentally, but now I feel like if I can't do it this year then I am taking a step backward--BUT I think the pressure to do it, as opposed to the OMG THIS BOOK IS FLYING HOW DID I GET HERE SO FAST doing it, is a LOT different, and it's kind of stressing me out. Also, it looks like I am moving toward historical fiction as a writer. eeeeee! I guarantee your first draft will be better than mine, though!

    Saranna: Thanks!! Yeah, I hit 4750 words last night and I said "there is no way I am making it to 5K forget it." and went to bed. lol. 5K a day is really not something I can purposely keep up without getting really tired of it. When the book is flying and just pouring itself onto the page, that is a different story.

    For NaNo, I find that if you are not in love with the story, it is just not worth making it happen. I'm glad that you moved on! Good luck finishing that book!!

    VR: I get a little bit, ahem, competitive about my wordcount with NaNo. I must maintain my reputation! You will get there! Just keep writing on! As long as you are writing every day, that is the most important part, if you ask me!

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  5. In awe, that is all.

    Wait! That's not all. Nothing that you post is EVER lame. Just needed to put that out there :)

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  6. awww! you are the best Tina! Thank you :)

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  7. Whoa, that's some serious word mileage! Well done!

    To answer your questions, I'm reading CRYOBURN by Lois McMaster Bujold, and yes, I love to read when I'm writing. It refills the creativity well.

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  8. I have LOVED all the Vorkosigan saga books I've read, but haven't picked that one up yet! I'll have to get on it! also, I am SO glad to hear I am not alone in the reading while writing business :)

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  9. I already told you that I'm in complete AWE, but I had to say it again. GOOD JOB.

    I recently researched herbal poisons. My laptop has a hard drive full of that kind of thing *cringe!*

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  10. haha. Thanks Di :)

    Yeah! I was researching herbal medicines a while ago for Helen. It is crazy the stuff that writers look up! haha. That is part of why I love writing--all the new things that I learn with every book!

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