November 29, 2011

November 29, 2011

ANNIHILATION Word Count: 52,152

I want to take a moment here to write about spouses.  Now I love my husband. He is my best friend and usually my biggest supporter.  The following story is told with his permission.

Monday I came flying out of our bedroom with excitement. I had done it! 50,000 words!

There were times that I had serious doubts I would be able to complete it, which only made me more excited.

Do you want to hear what his response was?

“That and $1.50 will buy you a cup of coffee.”

It felt like a pin had been put in my bubble. Really?

Has anyone else had this issue, a husband (or wife) who was less than supportive?

 Until tomorrow,

Melanie

November 23, 2011

November 23, 2011

ANNIHILATION Word Count: 42,162

This is the part I love best about writing, bringing the story to life. When I write my rough draft I only write the basic dialogue and main plot points. When I go back, I get to fill in all the details that make me love the characters, that make them who they are. The strange thing is, that with all of my books, when I go back and fill in all the details I always end up adding what turns out to be the most important things, characters, events. I don’t know why that is, but when I look back that’s what has happened.

Until tomorrow,

Melanie

November 21, 2011

November 22, 2011

ANNIHILATION Word Count:  39,792

I have just completed the rough draft of the book. I am bombarded with the feelings I always have at this point. Will I be able to make it long enough? Will I be able to develop the characters and the plots? Basically, will I be able to turn this into a book worth reading? The first time, with my first novel, I stopped writing when I thought these questions. I glumly resolved that I was just wasting my time. But now, three books later, I’ve learned to ignore my doubts and just keep working.

The story will tell itself.

Until tomorrow,

 Melanie

ANNHILATION

November 21, 2011

ANNIHILATION Word Count: 37,196

Believe it or not I was true to my word and didn’t work on my book at all while I was on vacation. But that has gotten me in overdrive now, trying to get to 50,000 by the end of the month. It is hard because the practical side of me wants to linger and fix spelling and grammar errors as I do them, instead of waiting for my editing/revisions of the document.

I am so glad I did this; it has helped me stay focused on this one project. My trip was very inspirational, giving me an idea for my next novel, so it’s hard for me not to jump right into that while the feelings are so intense about it. But I have been good; I’ve been focusing on Annihilation. But I confess that I have begun to write various narrations in my journal for the next one. I hope all of you who are participating in NaNoWriMo are fulfilling your goals as well.

Take care until next time,

Melanie

Day 7

November 7, 2011

ANNIHALATION Word Count: 25,522

As you can see I was very busy this weekend. I’d hoped to get halfway there by my vacation on Tuesday and I did! (yeh!) Now I can go to Florida and relax. But knowing me, I’ll be spending a lot of time with my notebook. I am taking two young children as well as a teenager (and my husband, of course). Other members of my family are going as well, so I probably should be good. We’ll see how I do, if the word count goes up while I’m away. With that in mind, I won’t be writing on this blog until I get back on November 17^th. So my best to you all and I’ll talk to you when I get back.

Melanie

Day 4

 November 4, 2011

ANNIHALATION Word Count: 12,017

It has been a good writing day. I lead a literary discussion group for teens at my local co-op and today I gave them a copy of my first 500 words that I plan to bring with me to the SCBWI conference this winter. I got some wonderful feedback and advice. It’s funny, I’ve read those 500 hundred words countless times, but I missed what someone else noticed the first time reading it. What a lesson about the power of a good critique!

Take care until Monday. I hope all of you have a good weekend.

Melanie

Day 3

November 3, 2011

ANNHILIATION Word Count: 7664

Today was a bit of a challenge for me. I started later than my usual time (I usually write between one and three) but today I had guests over and could not begin until 2:30. It seems I am a terrible creature of habit and the time change threw me a bit. I am also going out with my daughter tonight to a local Panera to write a little more. She is participating in the NaNoWriMo for teens. It is a great program, if you have anyone of that age group in your life. Actually, I like hers better. Hers comes with projects and a percentage ticker to keep you motivated. I was really impressed. I hope all of you are doing well.     Until tomorrow,

Melanie

Day 2

November 2, 2011

ANNHILIATION Word Count: 5337

My goal is 2500 words per day; that is the only way I can hope to make it to 50,000 in 21 days. I have promised my husband and myself that I won’t take my laptop with us on our vacation. I may sneak and bring my notebook, though. I often find that my first draft of a novel is done in a notebook. I don’t know why, especially in the day of the portable computer. I just find myself returning back to a spiral binder whenever an idea comes to me. But I am hopelessly old fashioned. Have I mentioned that I’ve never texted? Not once. It’s something I’s actually proud of. But it does look tempting.

I hope all of you are doing well. Until tomorrow,

 Melanie

Day 1

November 1

ANNHILIATION Word Count: 2676

Today is the first day of NaNoWriMo. I'm taking advantage of the program to give me an excuse to start my fourth novel. I have found myself going over the first three again and again, tweaking this and that and I needed a good excuse to put them aside for a while to begin one that has been in the back of my mind.

No matter how many times I re-read my novels, I always find something to fix. I have been stuck in the gloom of editing for far too long. It’s fun to just write again. I forgot how much I enjoyed it.

Take care

Melanie