NaNoWriMo/NaBloPoMo: Day 1

01 Nov 2014 1 Comment

Total word count goal: 50,000

Total blog post goal: 30 

Today’s word count:  1,734

Today’s blog count: 1

Total words written: 1,734

Total blog posts: 1

Hi all!

Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) for 2014. 30 days, 50,000 words (approx. 250 pages). I am also participating in NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month): 30 days, one blog post per day. WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I am working on a suspense novel for this year’s NaNoWriMo. I started writing earlier today, then went to the NaNoLanta (the regional NaNoWriMo group in Atlanta, GA) kickoff event at The Varsity, a famous eatery in Atlanta that is known for its chili (the chili dogs are LIFE-AFFIRMING. Tell a friend!).

Me at the NaNoLanta/NaNoWriMo Kickoff:

We had a blast, and I won a prize for writing the most words in five minutes (718 words):

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The panda is the official mascot of NaNoLanta. 🙂

There was also a goodie bag, and cake (custom made and decorated by one of our Municipal Liaisons. That’s her day gig.)! It was my first time eating a vegan chocolate cake. It was pretty good!

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Pen, pencil, post-its, index cards, stickers, eraser, glow stick,trivia, and instant coffee!

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Vegan chocolate cake, made & decorated by one of our MLs. Tasted pretty good!

 

Anyway, it was a nice day to start this year’s NaNoWriMo, and it was nice to meet fellow NaNoers in the struggle (as well as multiple-year winners–very inspiring!). Today is in the books, and now I need a nap. 😀

Thanks for stopping by.

Quote by Tiffany M. Davis

Camp NaNoWriMo–Day 21

21 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

Target goal: 50,000 words

Target daily goal: 1,615 words

Today’s word count:  0

Total words written:  7,722 words

 

I went on a bit of a writing rampage this weekend and wrote over 2,000 words in one sitting. It was great.

I’m really getting into the backstories of two characters who are only mentioned in passing in the Bastille Family Novel series, as these characters are pivotal to how some events play out in the upcoming six books. It’s kind of a “sins of the father” type of deal, which gives me a lot to work with.

I’m enjoying the research, and getting into the periods in which certain parts of the book are set. Segueing from 1940s speech patterns to 1970s, to 2000s, is a bit of a challenge, especially since I’m dealing with a certain part of the population that isn’t really affected by broader linguistic changes (e.g., slang, etc). While doing some research I forgot about a major historical occurrence,  and I need to work that into the story at least a little.

Even though I won’t reach the 50,000-word goal, I at least have something substantive to work on after Camp NaNoWriMo is over. I do have to thank the Camp for providing the space for me to get started.

No writing today because I am beginning the pre-launch for The Camille Chronicles tomorrow. Make sure to check your inboxes tomorrow morning for an informative post, and a special something from me to my subscribers.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

 

Quote by Tiffany M. Davis

Back in the Saddle! Camp NaNoWriMo–Day 17

17 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

Target goal: 50,000 words

Target daily goal: 1,615 words

Today’s word count:  1,477

Total words written:  5,717 words

 

WHEEEEE!! I have finally gotten The Camille Chronicles in the paddock, and am awaiting the upcoming pre-launch. Now, I have turned my attention back to Camp NaNoWriMo (as well as Clarion Write-A-Thon, but that will be a separate post).  I obviously need to focus on one major project at a time; my writing suffers, as you’ve seen, when I have it scattered hither and yon.

Today, while waiting for my mom in a doctor’s appointment, I actually got some writing done (Shoutout to the Samsung Galaxy Note!). I found that joy again, in the pure creation, and it was good. It was a nice respite from the business of self-publishing (you know: setting up distribution rights, EINs, royalty calculations, etc).

Anyway, I’m still delving deeper into the character of Lucien Bastille. I’ve figured out my betrayal moment and am working my way to that moment. His character’s backstory also requires a lot of research, as the time period and location lend to certain weather conditions, illnesses, and all that.

I’ve done 1,477 words so far, and I’m still writing. I may be up very late tonight because the book is flowing. Reunited…and it feels so good!

Thanks for stopping by.

Quote by Tiffany M. Davis

Camp NaNoWriMo: Day 7

07 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

Target goal: 50,000 words

Target daily goal: 1,615 words

Today’s word count:  818

Total words written:  4,240 words

 

I hope you all had a pleasant Fourth of July Weekend (if you are in America). If you don’t live in America, I hope you had a pleasant weekend anyway. I spent a lazy weekend binge-watching my favorite TV shows and movies, and doing a bit of work on my Camp NaNoWriMo novel.

I didn’t get that much done, only 818 words. But while working on the current chapter, I tried to get into the head of one of my main characters. I tried to figure out what, exactly, would cause a pleasant person to turn cold, and to have an obsession. I’m toying with death, but I’m thinking more of a betrayal; the type of betrayal that goes bone deep. I haven’t figured out what type of betrayal that would yet be for this character. That’s part of the fun, figuring out motivation and letting the plot play out accordingly.

Anyway, I have a bit more work to do before I pack it in. Thanks for stopping by.

Quote by Tiffany M. Davis

Camp NaNoWriMo, Day 4

04 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

Target goal: 50,000 words

Target daily goal: 1,615 words

Today’s word count:  1,700

Total words written:  3,422 words

 

I did get some work done on the Camp NaNoWriMo project (yay!): 1,700 words. This book is a bit more challenging than the Clarion Write-A-Thon project, interestingly enough, because I’m getting deeper into the psyches of characters that are being introduced to the public in more lighthearted novels. In addition, I’m delving into the always-complicated web of family dynamics.

Anyway, it’s good to be back at work on this, now that most of the urgency surrounding The Camille Chronicles is over,

Thanks for stopping by.

Quote by Tiffany M. Davis

Camp NaNoWriMo (July 2014)– Day 1

01 Jul 2014 1 Comment

Target goal: 50,000 words

Target daily goal: 1,613 words

Words written today: 1,109

Total words written: 1,722

 

Today is my first day of Camp NaNoWriMo. I’d signed up last April, but didn’t finish it. I didn’t even write one word. I was determined to do better this year.

This book is going to be a stand-alone, more serious book about the Bastilles, the family upon which the Bastille Family novels are based (the first book in the series, The Camille Chronicles, comes out next month). In it, I will delve deeper into the family history that I alluded to in the books, namely the larger-than-life presence of their grandfather.

In some ways, the book will be easier to write because I’ve already planted the seed in the Bastille individual novels. But it will be more difficult because while those books are a bit more lighthearted, this book will be a bit darker in places. This book will appeal to those who may like dark examinations of human and family dynamics.

I had to push to make my word quota for the day; I kept getting hung up on a character’s age, versus his life timeline (birth of first child, marriage, parental age, etc). I’ll figure it out tomorrow, when my brain isn’t so tired.

I’ll keep you posted with my progress; blogging about it helps keep me accountable, so thank you to whomever is reading my brain droppings. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by.

Quote by Tiffany M. Davis