Done Like Dinner

So I hit the big 50k with my Nano novel yesterday.  In fact I got to 50,112 words.
If you're not done yet keep typing, I will be as my story is not done quite yet.  No, it is not.  

I had some problems with the Nano validator so that was a bit frustrating but I went on the Nano forums and got help.

And was I the only person in years past to actually change my novel into code for the validator, so concerned that the Nanowrimo organization might steal my novel word for word?  I laugh about it now, especially considering my books aren't that good. Still...

This year I feel like I have a novel that almost makes sense.  I recently bought some of K. M. Weiland's books on novel structuring and outlining.  They look good so far and her website is fantastic. 

I'm going to try and reverse outline my Nano novel to get it into shape.
Who's with me?

Into Deep Waters with Kaje Harper

Into Deep Waters by Kaje Harper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As so many others have said this was a great book. I'd put off reading it because sometimes you just like to keep an emergency good book tucked away for when you need a good read and I needed it today.

I cried and laughed about the love of 2 veterans from their meeting on the first ship they served on in WWII until they married in their 80's (and beyond of course).

A delightful free read.

Thanks, Kaje. I do so enjoy your writing.

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Almost at 50K

Can't believe I'm almost at the finish line (50,000 words) yet again for my 10th year of Nanowrimo. 

What is it that keeps us pushing to try and accomplish something with our writing or any other goal in life? 

I'd like to have some novels out in the world and perhaps have a few people enjoy them.

For me, however, the hard part is actually learning to share what I've written with others because usually it's just not that good.  But I'm learning. 

Are you learning how to write? 

One thing I'd advise is to read more.  This one thing has really helped me so much more this year. 

And good luck with whatever it is you hope to accomplish in life. 

Eli Easton does it again

How to Walk Like a Man by Eli Easton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved How to Walk Like a Man maybe even more than the first one in the series How to Howl at the Moon which I absolutely loved and seeing as how I can't give more that five stars here you'll just have to know there are more than five stars in my heart for this wonderful read.

This was so clever and such a lovely story. All through it I kept laughing and thinking I knew what would happen next but the author was always a step ahead of me. I love that in a book. And the tears that I shed at the end of the book were tears of joy. Nice.

It was so neat to see Roman learning how to... okay... walk and talk and everything else like a man. When he discovered new things like various body reactions... hilarious... he couldn't but help remind me of when I discovered some things in my own life.

Also the way Roman felt left outside of things at times but wanted so much to fit in and who hasn't felt that?

I wasn't sure I could wait for this book to come out but I managed then sat here and neglected most everything today except for reading this fun book. Who wouldn't want to live in Mad Creek?

Thanks Eli, I loved this book.

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Knock at the Door

The Shattered Door by Brandon Witt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book but found myself having to put it down several times before I could carry on with it. Was I liking it even though some parts kind of hurt my soul?

There are some pretty big things discussed in this book but still, not preachy, which was very nice because I had plenty of that growing up. In fact this book reminded me of many things from my life which is probably why I had tears on my face through approximately the last third of the book.

Luckily I enjoyed a few chuckles along the way too and maybe thought about hope a little more too just from reading a book that had a M/M romance in it. Don't tell my mother.

So, yes, I did like this book maybe even loved it. Oh, yes, the love word.
Thanks, Brandon.



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Talking Head Nightmare

Argh, people are talking back and forth in my Nanowrimo novel. 

Just talking!!! 

I've got to take this back somehow. I told myself this year I would not dissolve my book into talking heads and yet I'm there again. 

Beware the talking heads and make sure there is conflict in everyone of your scenes. 

Conflict does not just mean arguing or fighting it could simply tension or a foreshadowing to some point later in your novel. 

Whatever you do avoid the talking heads unless the talking adds to your plot. 

Yes, adds to the plot.  Adds to the plot. 
But not just talking to fill up space. 

Thanks again, Heidi Cullinan

Sleigh Ride by Heidi Cullinan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow I loved this series even though I read it 1, 3 then this one I think it turned out okay. Fine would have been better if I'd followed the numbers (which I will soon to refresh my self on these great stories).

Anyway kinky is so not my thing but this book gave me a light look into it and I may have to rethink my position(s). :-)

This was borderline amazing in my ways but I'll go with really liked it for now.

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Hang in there...

Let us defeat the Nanowrimo beast.  

As usual I tried to get ahead on the first day and wrote just over 4k total.  
Today I added another 2k which is great.  

Sadly I almost feel I've lost the thread of my plot.  
My characters, as usual, have not been thought out properly.  
 
What will I write tomorrow?  

The fear creeps back in.  
Just kidding about the fear but it does kind of annoy me.  

Hang in there everyone.