Minimal Progress
Today’s Starting Word Count: 2961
Today’s Word Count Goal: 8000
Today’s Nano Average Goal: 6667
Word Count at the time of Writing: 3093
Current Funds Raised: $0.00 (Donate)
Wee bit of a slow start. I’m still writing prelude, and neither me nor my writing buddy are happy with the way the voice is coming out. I’m thinking I’m going to wander off on a bit of expos about the history of the Weltlich people, who I’ve invented. The are religiously similar to the Plain Quakers and culturally similar to the Amish, except that instead of rejecting technology they reject magic. Our victim was raised Weltlich and left the community when she was 18 because she couldn’t bear to deny her magic. Her elder brother, who in Weltich tradition is her head-of-household, will be suspect in the murder if I even manage to kill her off.
Oh, Right. Fundraising
Dear Friends, Family, and Righteous Supporters,
This November, Sarah and I are writing a novel. An entire novel, started from scratch, and completed in just one month, as part of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
And you thought nothing interesting ever happened in November.
NaNoWriMo is free. We’re raising money to help the nonprofit that runs it build communities in classrooms, coffee shops, libraries, and living rooms all over the world and help the inspiration flow for me and thousands of my fellow novelists.
Every dollar we raise will keep our spirits high as we write our way towards the realization of our creative goals. More importantly, your contribution will help The Office of Letters and Light build a more engaged and inspiring world.
Your reward for donating? For donations of more than $1.00 you will receive an e-copy of the manuscript at the end of the month. If you donate $50.00 or more you’ll receive a printed and bound copy of the manuscript signed by the writers. If you donate $100.00 or more you’ll receive all of that, plus my notes about the writing process. Exciting, no?
Thank you so much for your support of my writing! I’ll be posting updates on my novel and fundraising on my sponsorship page throughout the month. (Signal boosts very very much appreciated!!)
With love to you all,
Us
Relevant Links:
The Very Important Fundraising Page!!!
Our NaNo Page
Sarah’s Page
Office of Letters & Light
National Novel Writing Month
NaNoWriMo Kickoff
I’m either going to the kick off party at Fireside Books tonight around 21:00 or I’m going back to bed to nurse the kick off migraine into submission. Wish me luck, cause I’d rather be partying. Currently the only party is in the flashy lights that aren’t really in the room.
NaNoWriMo: Sooooooooooon
Oh dear Gods, it is almost here. I’ve just RSVPed to the kick-off party at Fireside Books for Monday night. I’m flabbergasted with myself. Well, wish me luck. The outline for The Scent of Murder is just about done, and I’m itching to start some actual writing. I keep waking up in the middle of the night thinking about awesome new things I could waste words on, like a spirit-possessed porcelain doll owned by the victim and them the protagonist. She’s creepy as all hell, didn’t see a damn thing that is plot relevant, but is a nifty way to distract the audience. Now, should I have the creepy dolly kill the cage full of finches or set the cat(s) on fire? May I start writing now? I’m so excited. Terrified. Excited.
Tonight’s Work
I’ve been up all night. It occurs that I can no longer say that I’m up late, as the soft illumination of dawn is growing out the window. I suppose that I won’t pour myself another godmother, it being morning.
I’m not content with the work I’m on as a good first draft, but it has high points.
Whose Body is This?
Listlessly pale, trimmed
in fragile blue and chocolate
with the traditional flush-red doors,
the walls, inside and out,
bulge, blister, peel and sag.
Let the moisture pass.
I will take leave, I swear.
And the Winner Is…
The Scent of Murder Cover 1
… “The Scent of Murder.” Thank you chicos y chicas who voted. Now I have two weeks to finish up the planning stage. You have magnificently chosen the book I suspected would be the most challenging. Thank you so much.
To recap what you decided on:
Modern fantasy. The girl who run the local odds and ends book & magical supply store is dead, and her [twin sister] smells something fishy. Actually smelled it: magic left a trail and it had a particular odor. Working with the detectives and trying to keep her own questionable associations secret, she investigates the murder and finds herself up to her eyebrows in the underground world.
- What I need to accomplish in the next 14 days, 23 hours:
- All laundry clean and put away.
- Freezer stocked with healthy nuke-able foods.
- Bedroom and living room clutter reined in to a tolerable level.
- Kitchen sanitary enough to ignore for about a month. (What, you though these would be writing goals?)
- Finish outlining “The Scent of Murder,” which already feels painfully kitchy.
- Visit clients’ houses twice each and Doc H’s place once.
What I’m Reading
Neil Gaiman “Neverwhere”
So deliciously dark, poetic and vivid. The cover calls it a modern Alice in Wonderland, and I can stand behind that. These are the most
Don’t Go Back To Sleep
by RumiThe breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you;
Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want;
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth between
the door sill where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.
Please vote for your favorite NaNoFiMo project.
NaNoFiMo: Names
Putting together a book makes for a whole lot of names. Have you ever noticed that? These are the names I have so far for the 6 books I’m outlining for NaNoFiMo. One of those books only has one name, and one have a bunch of name that I’ve borrowed from someone else’s world. (Have I mentioned that Kory Bing is a fantastic artist with a gorgeous world? ‘Cause it is true. Check it out.)
What are your favorite names from your current projects?
- Cora Gerou
- Lynn Clancey
- Raymond Morales
NaNoFiMo: Morbid Thinking
I’m also pretty well-versed in psychopathic methodology. Another occupational hazard.
Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle in Castle, Season 1: Episode 1 “Flowers For Your Grave”
I’m researching poisons for the The Scent of Murder and looking for a perfect combination of poisonous plants and pharmaceuticals for slipping into someone’s tea. I’m leaning toward belladona, foxglove, and ground, sublingual ondansetron combined in chamomile and valerian tea sweetened with honey.
Mystery writers really do spend too much time thinking about death. I really hope I never get drug in on suspicion of murder. The ways I know how to kill and hide it are a few too many.
Please vote for your favorite NaNoFiMo project.
