Tag Archives: Tips and Advice

Typos!

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Today I thought I’d share some of the funny stuff that I end up writing.  In any given NaNo, there are always grammatical errors and spelling errors.  And in any given NaNo, you leave out words, say things in very bizarre ways, and even type things that you later read and think “WTF?!!” 

I’ve managed to shut out my inner editor (well, for the most part).  A rough draft written in one month is not the time to worry about grammar or spelling.  Not caring about spelling or grammar leads to some pretty interesting typos and stuff.  Last year, I kept spelling ninjas as ninkas.  I’m comtemplating going back through previous NaNo’s and trying to find the funny stuff.

While I haven’t gone back and reread anything, when I do notice stuff, I make a comment in word, so I can find it easily.  that’s very rare for me, but when you plan to write 150,000 words in a month, being able to find this stuff easily is becoming a necessity.  So here’s a few gems from my secret service novel that I’ve managed to catch after writting it.  I’ll post stuff from my other novels later, everything is copyrighted to me.  oh, and my comments are in parantheses. 

  • “It’s not having secret service agents around you all the time is helping things.” 
  •  “She might not be able to kick you clowns out of class, but she most certainly can and will kick me out of class if it means you people being quiet.”  (the image of a relatively petite girl calling a bunch of guys twice her size clowns is hysterical)
  • “hat explains everything,” dustin said” (i had no idea hats could explain stuff)
  • “duiton whispered to kira” (i have no idea who duiton and kira are…maybe dustin and kiora’s doppelgangers?)

Secret Service Novel: 24,035; I’ve just now decided that this novel is the one that I need to write last.  I’ve struggled off and on with the other two, and I figure if I write the one that I’m not having trouble with last, it’ll make me feel better about having something that I have no trouble with.

Harry Potter Fanfic: 23,927; to resurrect the giant prehistoric chicken, there’s a spell that needs to be performed and a potion that needs to be made.  I still haven’t figured out how to get them to the underworld, but I’m sure I can come up with something.  Hermione’s going to ask fred and george to get the ingredients she needs for the potions. 

2006 Sequel: 25,060; I’m halfway there!  chloe’s decided she wants to find her dad, and get some answers from him about what happened between him and her mom.

Grand total:  73,022; just over 2,000 words before I hit the halfway point.  That’ll be in the next few hours (I hope!).  I can do this.

The Excitement’s Definitely Worn Off

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There’s a reason why I love week one of NaNo, and it’s because there’s so much excitement.  After at least a good month of waiting for Nov 1st, I finally get to write.  It’s also one of the easiest weeks, mostly because you’re introducing characters and the world they live in.  Week two is harder, because you have to rely more on moving the plot along.  Things need to start moving along at a quicker pace.  Plus, it’s the week I get bored, and usually give up on writing.  I can’t afford miss an entire week.  Well, not with three novels anyway.  With one, yes, and usually I’m fine with doing two and missing a week.  But my 150,00 word goal could be disastrous if I miss a week for all three.  there’s no way I’d be able to make that up, so I definitely need to stay more on track this year.

Secret Service Novel: 17,613; I’m hoping I can get it together long enough to write 700 words, which will put me a day ahead.  I got on a roll last night, so I went with it.  Never argue when inspiration hits.  But if I don’t write 700 words tonight, I’m not going to worry.

Harry Potter Fanfic: 16,305; things haven’t change since my last update, but those missing 300 words are mine!

2006 Sequel: 16,727; I had trouble sleeping (which isn’t unusual), so I wrote today’s chapter in the wee hours of the morning.  Granted, I get a lot of work done in the middle of night, but a normal sleeping schedule would be nice as well.  Who am I kidding?  Sleep can wait 20 more days.  Moving on, I’m getting a little bored with this…I think conflict should move things along a little.  Maybe a mini outline or something during my middle-of-the-day non-writing productive time will help.

Grand total: 50645!  Which mean that I’m technically a NaNo winner 5 years in a row!  But for me it doesn’t count until I have three 50,000 word novels.  I’m one-third of the way there.  All in all, today was a good day to take a break from writing, even I’m not totally ahead with things.