Greetings one and all!!

I haven't posted in here yet?? *sigh* I need to stop lurking so much!
I have loved reading everyone's posts in here, and your stories all sound absolutely lovely!
Wow, the book covers that have been posted are beautiful!!

My book plotting is going quite well, I think. However, when November rolls around and I realize that I've left out something terribly important, that might not be true. Anyway, my characters and I are getting acquainted and we get on together swimmingly! My main guy (Kelson) keeps wanting to change character traits on me, but I still love him. My main girl (Arianne) started out as a very happy, optimistic girl, but she's now a darker, more subdued character. Oh well. It will all work out!

I will most certainly take your advice and refrain from doing the dishes for the next month (that means I can make Dee do them. ).

Ha Ha. Riiiight. jk. If you need me to, I would gladly do them for you.
In my unprofessional-younger-sister opinion, I think you should definitely stick with Green and Scarlett. It sounds too fabulous to pass it up! Although, your other book sounds interesting too. I already know that I'm going to love Virge.

Huddle up, everyone! NaNo on three...1! 2! 3! NANO!!

/random. Just feeling the camaraderie.

~Djaq

I have a plot! Yay!

It will be using the same title as one of the two stories i did last year (Kingslayer) but with a completely different plot.

I was talking with my sister the other night about the various homeless cool titles i have written down somewhere, and one of them connected with a short story i wrote (and finished, astonishingly enough) some time ago. It's substantially different - the two main characters had to change genders, which changed motivation, which changed ... - which is a good thing, as i'm not sure i could or would want to turn the short story into a 50,000 word novel. It was kinda depressing, and would have gotten pretty violent/gory.

But it all came together! I'm not totally rejoicing yet, as the characters could refuse to talk to me, or the whole thing could disintegrate on me halfway through November, but at least i have a starting point!

It's a pity i'm no good at drawing book covers. I have the idea of what it would look like.

Nice cover art!

Here's a random question for our WriMos: Does music - a specific song or piece, especially - ever play a special part in your story? I don't mean music to listen to whilst writing, but an actual song whose lyrics or tune are referenced in your story and may have special meaning to a character?

Last year I had a bit of writers' block, but on the way to my parents' house for Thanksgiving I heard "The Battle Hymn of Love" by Kathy Mattea and Tim O'Brien, and had an inspiration that led me to include it in the story and allowed me to move past the writers' block (hey, the main characters are married so they're entitled to an occasional romantic moment ).

This year I'm thinking of including "Once Upon A December" from the animated Anastasia as a lullaby for Erik and Abby's little ones. (I may be stealing that idea from a camping trip I took shortly after that movie came out - the people in the next campsite sang it to their kids as a lullaby. It was nice).

stargazer, that is an interesting question. I finally made the final decision on which idea of mine to use this year. I'm going with an idea that was inspired by Skillet's song Monster, or more specifically, the music video. I'm not quite sure how to explain the plot, but it's really interesting.

Music definitely played a huge part in my NaNo last year. My MC was a figure skater, so she had music for her programs that I needed to figure out and have in my head. Plus, my story was sad on the most part, so to help me get in the mood (I was writing in first person, so that was important), I put together a playlist of all the melancholy instrumental pieces I had. It really worked! Plus, having "her" program music on the playlist as well also served as an inspiration. I know that when I was writing the part of the story when she skates at the Olympics and wins, I put "her" specific program music on loop and just listened to it for maybe an hour while I wrote that piece. It was more of a help than I can describe.

This year, my MC is not as music based (although she does have a few programs that will require music), so I don't think I will rely on "mood" music as much. I do plan on putting together a NaNoWriMo playlist to listen to while I write, though. The songs are going to be different, to reflect my character's personality and tastes. I think there will be some upbeat music (Hairspray, anyone?) mostly instrumental pieces (because who can write while there's lyrics being drummed in your head), some nice dramatic pieces (pretend you're watching the Olympics, and the kind of music they use for their fluff pieces, hehe), and some soft, romantic music, because there's a romance in my novel.

Have I mentioned just how scary that is, writing a romance when I have absolutely zero experience with it? If everything pans out, my novel will span the time from when they first meet until they get married, so yeah...romance galore. I'm kind of interested to see how it will all turn out, lol!

Good grief, a little more than two days to go, and a new villain is slithering into my plot. And as usual, the new addition is talking me into letting him stay a while, promising not to be too much trouble. I say, this entire NaNoWriMo thing feels a little something like cheating death, doesn't it?

"Once Upon a December" as a lullaby sounds wonderful, stargazer. That's a lovely song.

I'm definitely planning on music being a big part of my NaNo, because nothing gets me writing faster than a melody with the right atmosphere. I've been gathering music all month for my NaNoWriMo playlist, and I have songs for pretty much every stage of the heroine's life, songs for the entrances of major characters, and songs for the major scenes of the story. I think I'm prepared.

I can't believe it's going to start in just a couple of days. I'm so excited. And terrified.

So I had full intentions of doing NaNo this year!
And then, on October 15, a Shiny New Idea grabbed me and took me for an 11,000 word ride in 8 days...and I still have more to write. I meant to only write a page, thinking I would start anew in November, and then...11,000 words. What to do, what to do?

I've decided to follow all the NaNo rules...except the one about starting from the beginning. Is that okay, do you think? I won't be trying to win anything, just doing the mad 50,000 word dash that is November (and thus ending the month with 61,000, hopefully)...
*wonders if she'll still be allowed on the thread if she's not starting at the beginning*

I've decided to follow all the NaNo rules...except the one about starting from the beginning. Is that okay, do you think? I won't be trying to win anything, just doing the mad 50,000 word dash that is November (and thus ending the month with 61,000, hopefully)...

Well. . . *puts on lawyer hat* . . . I don't think you'd actually breaking the rules. What they state on the How NaNoWriMo Works page is:

Start from scratch. None of your own previously written prose can be included in your NaNoWriMo draft (though outlines, character sketches, and research are all fine, as are citations from other people's works).

If you ask me, all that says is that nothing you have written (aside from what they cite as being OK) before November 1st can be included in the 50,000 words, your "NaNoWriMo draft." It doesn't say you have to start at the beginning of your story. So as long as you don't upload those first 11k as part of your total for the month of November, you're completely within the rules. To my knowledge. (I'm new to this. )

I love the cover art, everyone!

What do you all think about writing a crush that a girl has on a boy and vice versa? The two are twelve. I don't want to make it the point of the book, or even bring it up much. It's just kind of there-- they're best friends.

How do you think this can be handled well?

So I had full intentions of doing NaNo this year!
And then, on October 15, a Shiny New Idea grabbed me and took me for an 11,000 word ride in 8 days...and I still have more to write. I meant to only write a page, thinking I would start anew in November, and then...11,000 words. What to do, what to do?

I've decided to follow all the NaNo rules...except the one about starting from the beginning. Is that okay, do you think? I won't be trying to win anything, just doing the mad 50,000 word dash that is November (and thus ending the month with 61,000, hopefully)...
*wonders if she'll still be allowed on the thread if she's not starting at the beginning*

The "powers that be" actively discourage people from bringing already started projects into NaNo, because it kind of defeats the purpose of the challenge. Remember, this is not just a challenge to write 50k in thirty days...it's to write a NOVEL in thirty days. The actual word count is part of the rules because otherwise people would be writing really really small novels. So if the goal is to write a novel in a month, then already having part of your novel finished bends the rules.

But you're not going to get kicked out or anything for continuing on a manuscript. I just thought I would clear that up so you're more aware of now NaNo works. I think there's a lot of misconceptions about the event that mostly stem from not really understanding what NaNo is based on. But NaNo is really about including everyone, so you're welcome here no matter what you decide to do. NaNo actually supports a group called the NaNo Rebels, who participate in the NaNo challenge for the most part but put their own twist on the rules. Doesn't make them less, just puts them in a different challenge.

Sweeet: Hmm. From my experience (not that I have much ) is that most evidence of "crushes" come from girls talking to each other and saying, "Ooh, he likes you, do you like him?" and vice versa. I don't know if dudes do that kind of ribbing too. Their manifestation of a crush would be to pay extra special attention to said girl and do little things that he wouldn't do to just anyone, like special gifts or hugs. Nothing overt, just "there".

Does that make sense? Lol! I feel I'm getting less coherent as the night goes on.

Thanks Dryad and Gymfan.
Unless a new story diverts my attention between now and Monday (unlikely, but not impossible), I'll be starting at the 11,000 mark. *sigh* I had such good intentions to follow all the rules...

Gymfan - I am a rebel! Haha, I didn't know there was anything "official" for those bending the rules. I probably won't try to validate, because that wouldn't feel fair, but I'll keep my word count updated and join in the agony of knocking out 1600 words a day!

Oh, and sweetlilgurlie, you may want to check out the Newberry award winning Criss-Cross. The whole book was basically about a crush between middle-schoolers, but it was handled really discreetly (yet was also apparent to the reader), I thought.

Well, I did (half heartedly) try to bribe flam with chocolate to switch story ideas, but unfortunately it didn't seem to work. Perhaps it was the fact that I discovered she likes Reeses too-and I promptly stopped talking about it after that, for fear she would steal mine.

So, the good news is, I have a plot at last. And four shiny, happy, brand new characters who are very excited to be alive (at least, two and a half of them are). The idea did come like a thunderbolt, just as I'd hoped.

But I have to find names for all my characters. And think up cohorts for them. And figure out what exactly is the backbone of the book.

But all that is of little consequence. The main thing is, I am wildly excited about my novel and NaNoWriMo. And I'm excited to be excited!
I do have a name for my novel; surprisingly enough, that was one of the first things that came. It's to be called The Moon on the Man. Unless it's going to be The Moon in the Man. I can't quite decide which.

And the other good news is, Betsie and I are going to be able to start our novels together, in person, at midnight tomorrow. So it's very wildly exciting. I shall be cheering for everyone!

Woooo-hoooooo!

I decided that, like Djaq, I'd better stop lurking and start gabbing, before I have the right to tell myself that I don't have time to blab.

I'm getting so excited, from all of your excitement. It is contagious and I am susceptible. I'm still getting lots of ideas, though for the past few weeks I haven't thought intensely about my story. Lots of things have worked themselves out quite nicely. I hope it keeps on like this. And, I have the first few scenes planned out, which is more than I did last year. As well as having a pretty visible skeleton to base the story on, which is much more than I had last year.

Your covers all make me wish I knew what was going to be on mine! I love visible and colorful proof of a book.

So, the good news is, I have a plot at last. And four shiny, happy, brand new characters who are very excited to be alive (at least, two and a half of them are). The idea did come like a thunderbolt, just as I'd hoped.

I am so brilliantly happy! My characters are very nice, but they aren't shiny at all.

But I have to find names for all my characters.

That's what I'm around for.

The Moon on the Man

Oh, I love it!! I want some thunderbolts to give me a brilliant name. (Someone bolster me and tell me Thwaite, Egg, & the History of The Goodmorning is a good, good name.)

And the other good news is, Betsie and I are going to be able to start our novels together, in person, at midnight tomorrow. So it's very wildly exciting.

Is it ever.

i.e. I can't wait!!! I'm so glad I get to enjoy this lovely madness with you all. Also, that I get to spend it on my lovely characters. You have no idea how nice it is to love your characters, and have them deserve it.

That's great, D-T-R! The title is really intriguing.

I hope I'll be able to start typing at the stroke of twelve tomorrow evening. . . it'd be great to get going with that rush of adrenaline! But alas, my schedule usually demands that I hit the hay around ten. Oh well. Shall probably have to make an exception.

I like that title, Betsie! Though it may have something to do with the fact that I've had a fondness for the word "thwaite" ever since I read The Secret Garden as a child. Truly, though, I think there's something rather delightful about its randomness. I'd want to read it!

Woot, I cannot believe NaNoWriMo is almost here!

*Paints face in the NaNo colors of light blue and coffee brown, à la sports fanatic*

I am so excited because I got picked for 30 Covers, 30 Days!!! They said they are giving the design team some options so there is always a chance that mine won't be one of the final final ones picked for it. However, I am quite astonished that they thought my synopsis and title good enough to be considered one of the finalists!!