General Updates
Posted: October 10, 2015 Filed under: NaNoWriMo, Odds and Ends | Tags: Get Wicked After Dark, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo, Wicked After Dark Leave a commentAs I get ready to head out to teach another session of Creating Cool Characters for our NaNo Prep classes at the library I feel the need to drop in with a quick up date.
We’re still on release week for Wicked After Dark. We’ve had a ton of help and right now we’re even featured on Free Kindle Books and Tips. So far, I’ve managed to get as high as #46 on Amazons bestselling Paranormal Romance Authors list, and let me tell you, I’m so excited I can’t sit still.
NaNoWriMo ‘14 Day 13
Posted: November 13, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo | Tags: day 13, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo 2 CommentsI’ve cleared 2500 words for today, and I broke the 25k mark yesterday. I’m doing well. I should be able to take off a few days when I’ve just got too much stuff going on to write, without problem.
How’s your NaNo going?
NaNoWriMo ‘14 Day 8
Posted: November 8, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo | Tags: day 8, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo 3 CommentsWe’ve got some family in from out of town this weekend so I’m getting less done than I’d prefer, but it’s been a good visit. I am getting a little bit done each day, and I’m not falling behind of the recommended milestones, but I’m not making the two thousand words I like to get each day. I’m sure I’ll be better able to catch up some once people go back to school, but that won’t be till Wednesday for some of them.
NaNoWriMo ‘14 Day 6
Posted: November 7, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo | Tags: day 6, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo 3 CommentsSlow day yesterday, only a couple hundred words but it was the old man’s birthday… Today I managed about eighteen hundred words… not quite my two thousand word personal goal, but at least I made the 1667. I’m still a couple days ahead, which makes me happy.
NaNoWriMo ‘14, Day 4
Posted: November 4, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo | Tags: Day 4, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo 3 CommentsI’ve done it, managed my 1667 for today, I also managed to hit (and pass) the 10k milestone. And it’s not yet noon. I have several things to do this afternoon (like Writing Group and picking up kids…) but I hope to increase my word count even more this evening.
How’s your NaNoWriMo going?
NaNoWriMo ‘14 Day 3
Posted: November 3, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo | Tags: Day 3, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo 1 CommentDay 3 has arrived… it also happens to be the first week day. Where I don’t have a house full of kids and hubby. I have time and space to think of more than what do they want/need now. I had the 1667 words before 8am and I’m continuing to add to the count as the day continues. Stalker Puppy is trying to help, but he’s more of a hindrance.
NaNoWriMo’14 Day 2
Posted: November 2, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo | Tags: Day 2, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo Leave a commentI make my way eagerly through the dimly lit tunnel knowing there is something just ahead. Exactly what it is evades me, but I know I’ll discover it when the time is right.
Bwahahaha, No, really. I’m doing well, words and story are flowing, if not in great rushes, at least at a steady flow. I’ve managed my minimum for today and still have eight hours left in the day. I’m doing well.
How are things going for you?
NaNaWriMo’14 Day 1
Posted: November 1, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo | Tags: 2014, Day 1, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo Leave a commentI did it. Even with the teenagers having a Halloween party last night and staying up WAY past midnight. I still have more than 6 hrs left and I may be able to increase my word count, but I’m happy with what I have. How are you doing so far?
Is Your Tale Character Driven or Plot Driven?
Posted: October 6, 2014 Filed under: NaNoWriMo, Odds and Ends | Tags: character, Melissa Stevens, Nanowrimo, plot, preperation 2 CommentsHere’s a big question, one you kind a need to consider before sitting down to start your story. What’s going to move the story along? Why will people keep reading? Are they going to like the characters and keep reading to find out what happens to them or are they going to get caught up in the situation and need to find out the resolution, even if they may not like the characters? Yes, it is possible to do a combination of both.
Why is this important? Because it tells you from the beginning what type of thing you need to do or focus on.
For example, most romances are character driven, people read to find out what happens to the people, and the people in these stories are likeable. You have to like the people enough to care what happens to them. On the other hand many mysteries are plot driven, it’s all (or mostly) about the events and solving the crime, the people in these are not necessarily likeable. You can have a detective that people don’t like but they’ll still read to find out what really happened to the victim (if you do it right.)
Once you know which element drives your story, you know which to focus on. I’m not saying that both elements don’t need your attention, but if you’ve got a plot driven story, and you focus on the next step in that story, then you won’t have to spend as much energy on your characters. The characters will react (and some of that will come with practice) to the situation naturally, and often you don’t really have to think about it consciously as the story unfolds, things seem to just happen.
