#NaNoWriMo 2019 Complete

Okay, so NaNoWriMo 2019 is not over YET, but it will be for me, and others in the Eastern Time Zone, in seven hours and thirty-two minutes as I type this right now.

How am I doing?

Well, here were my goals:

“Plot out the second early chapter book in a fantasy, write the draft (about 9,000 words), create a map of the world, and create character charts for the main characters and reoccurring minor characters.”

It’s hard to write with Bandit (aka Big Fluff) on my lap. He takes up a LOT of room…

It’s hard to write with Bandit (aka Big Fluff) on my lap. He takes up a LOT of room…

I completed the plotting of the second book, plus got an idea for a third. (Check!)

Of the 9,000 words, I’m at 4,100 words. I will probably end up around 11-12,000. As I started, I began figuring I’ll be in the 9-12,000 range for this book. I’m not happy about reaching my goal, but without NaNo, I don’t think I would’ve gotten to 4,100 (plus the 4-600 I’ll add later tonight).

Create a map: Okay, it’s a really bad map, but it’s good enough for what I needed. It basically looks like a crooked compass rose with locations on it, but, like I said, it’s what I needed and it works.

Character charts: I created charts for the main two characters, and basic ones for three minor characters. I do need to go more in depth with them (as well as the map) and I will once I’m done with the first draft. I figure this will help me with the revision process and make sure I keep the characters in line with who they basically were in the first book, and who they grew in to. It’ll also help make sure I kept places around the same areas.

How about you? How did your 2019 NaNoWriMo go?

Keep Going

You love writing.  

I love writing. 

I love creating stories, their characters, their worlds, whether they’ll ever get read by anyone else or not. 

I have so many ideas swirling around my head, so many more spewed out onto digital paper, both for children, and adults.

Picture books are my absolute favorite. 

        No matter how many rejections you get, keep going. 

        No matter how many rejections you get, keep going. 

They’re where I want my writing to be focused, and where my writing is focused. 

I recently sent out my polished PB MS to another half dozen agents a couple days ago, already getting one form rejection. I wasn’t disheartened.  It was actually kinda nice to get a response, positive or negative, considering half of my ‘No’ responses from agents and small publishers to this MS are because of time, rather than an actual response, even with a friendly nudge after four months. 

But this means more overall. Once it hits a certain number, I wonder if it’s the MS, and that it needs some new eyes on it.

Enter Eastern Pennsylvania Society for Children's Books Wri​ters and Illustrators (hereforth called EPA SCBWI- I’m hoping why is obvious).

We have our annual conference coming up in April, from the 12th to the 14th. Part of the experience is being able to submit a manuscript/ first pages​/ portfolio for critiquing for a lower than usual price something like this would cost. 

                    You know you can’t stop chasing.

                    You know you can’t stop chasing.

I have two that I love, that I think are ready to submit- one that I have submitted many times, and one tht has gone out only a few times. It was time to get new eyes on Number One, but I thought why not get another pair of eyes on Number Two, while sending Number Three in for addition to the critique group option. Number Three is the next one I want to have submission ready should One or Two garner interest and an agent/ editor ask for more submission ready work.

Despite the No responses, and feeling like I have two manuscripts submission ready, and a third close-ish, you need to keep going.  If this is something you LOVE to do, then you can’t stop. If you have a dream, any dream, you have to chase it. That’s what life is for. Chasing your dreams- no, achieving your dreams.

So, no matter what it is, whatever it is you want to do, chase after it, keep going​.

                                                          This one, just because it’s funny. 

                                                          This one, just because it’s funny. 

#50PreciousWords Entry

This is an annual contest run by the amazing Vivian Kirkfield. Head over to her site to check it out!  There’s a TON of amazing stories up so far. The contest is in honor of Dr. Seuss, and his accepting of a challenge, and writing Green Eggs and Ham with only 50 different words.  The twist to Vivian’s #50PreciousWords is that your word count has a MAXIMUM of 50 words. So, give it a shot! Just make every word count!

My entry came from a story that I wrote in 2014, but never really did much with.  I did have to cut out around 120 words, but I like where it finished. So, here it is:

Hunting Dragons

I’m bored. Woof.

Let’s pretend Duke’s a dragon!

Get the dragon!

Into the forest!

He soared over the swamp!

He flew up the mountain!

There he is!

He’s too strong!

Run!  Woof!

Down the mountain!

Through the swamp!

Into the castle!

Stand our ground!

Hurray!

Hunting dragons is hard!  Woof!