Not surprisingly, I have been swallowed by the mammoth beast that is the senior year semester.
Good news, though, on the Plan C front:
The past few weeks, I've been working on "retrofitting" parts of the story, and through it all, I'm learning so much about the novel writing process. As a result, hoping that my depictions of academia will ring a little more true than they have thus far.
Some of the more major aspects of the work are being tweaked as I realize just how much this book is "character-driven" versus "plot-driven." What does that mean? It means that, according to my professor, my novel will "stand or fall" based on how genuine - how real - my characters are. I wholeheartedly agree.
I'm telling you, this directed research is a novelist's boot camp. Never before have I felt so sure that I have have little-to no-idea what the heck I'm actually doing. Never before have I so seriously doubted my basic competency as a creative writer to tackle a project like this. Each meeting reveals to me just exactly how much I do NOT know about my craft. This may sound like I'm whining about a negative experience, but out of the nagging self-doubt comes the challenge to do the absolute best I can and to NEVER settle for less than 110% out of myself.
But perhaps, most significantly of all, I'm learning so much about how I have to BELIEVE in what I'm doing. If I don't, who will? I have to love this book enough to be willing to do whatever I can humanly do to make it good. To be willing to make sacrifices where I need to - and to figure out exactly what's truly important in my work. Nothing worth creating out of this is going to come quickly or easily.
It's been a stretching experience - one of extreme highs and lows - but, through it all, I think that it's been teaching me more about diligence and patience than I could have ever imagined it could. But through it all, I know that I'm only further discovering where the passions of my heart lie.
And, as a result, I know that I'll never be the same again.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Back to the land of the living!
After the blur of writing that was JulNoWriMo, it's good to have emerged out the other side. If I ever thought that trying to write 50k in a month would be a simple undertaking, I was certainly mistaken. Even greater kudos to those who went above and beyond the requirements! The WC amounts that some people made in July were astounding. And inspiring.
It was definitely an important experience for me, if not difficult - one that allowed me to add over 50,000 more words to my Plan C manuscript. At current estimation, it will take me about 25-30k more words to completely finish my zero draft, but, hey! It's definitely a start.
Current Plan C Word Count: 52,632+
Current Page Count: 236
Current Chapter Count: 20
Since getting back to California, things have certainly been busy. Busy, but good. On Wednesday, I met with my new academic advisor and the professor who's going to help me with my directed research. We talked about how the program will proceed - as it's directed research, and I'm the only student taking part - we could pretty much design our own course, with certain guidlines in place, natch.
Alas, one of the first things he asked for was my as-of-yet mostly unedited Plan C novel file. I cannot adequately describe the inner turmoil it caused me to willingly hand it over. One of the thoughts that had sustained me during my JulNo trek was the idea that no one would ever read my zero draft before I would have a chance to correct it. Well, so much for that!
And, as I sent him the file a few days ago, I know that he's already started reading it, too, for he asked me a few questions at the meeting, particularly about my characters Dyana Trigg, Dr Cornellius. Frayne, and Ridley Devon. One of the first he asked: "Tell me about Dyana." Awkward. (These characters have existed primarily in my own mind for so long that it's weird to discuss them with others. The feeling is kind of hard to describe.)
Already, I'm becoming painfully aware of the logical fallacies, plot gaps, general errors of the book as it stands - not because of anything that he has said, but more as a result of my own perfectionism. It's a disease, I swear. I suppose that this will be like ripping off a bandaid - dreadfully unpleasant, but hopefully quick. Although, the draft is currently pretty awful, so...
I'm taking this directed research for two semesters - the first is called "Novel Drafting," the second "Novel Finishing." What does that mean? It means that I'm going to have a complete working draft of Plan C by DECEMBER 11TH. The spring semester willl be spent fine-tuning the book and making the more minute edits that will be needed to making it generally readable (and, hopefully, on the way to becoming publishable).
I handed over the most recent revision of Plan C chapter one, which I'm thinking of tacking up here next. I've printed out chapter two and have begun making corrections on it. Halfway through the chapter, the JulNo content begins, so the quality's gonna take a dip. Ah, well. Time to stop whining. I have lots to be thankful for. I'll be able to graduate with my first finished novel. That will be pretty cool. And I'll learn a lot while I go. Right? Even thought it's gonna hurt.
Currently have 3.4k left to write to win my AugNo goal, and I tentatively set a 10k goal for SeptNo - the latter of which can still be raised if I need to. That will give me an extra 13.5k or so to the 52.5k that I already have... making at least a 65k manuscript. That's still kind of a low number, and I don't know that the storyline will be completely finished even by then. But at least I'm able to put a due date on the complete draft of this novel, which is pretty thrilling!
RANDOM THOUGHTS: My first critique group meeting is next Thursday in Spring Valley. Still deciding if I want to take chapter one or chapter two with me this time... might settle on the latter, as that one hasn't been touched by anyone yet. Toward the end of September is the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Conference. I'd really love to go to that, especially with everything that's happened this short year. Don't know that I currently have the fundage, but who knows.
Sorry, this is an extrordinarily geeky post (and LENGTHY), but... it's been a long few weeks, and I'm pretty excited with what's going down. :D
Till next time,
-R
It was definitely an important experience for me, if not difficult - one that allowed me to add over 50,000 more words to my Plan C manuscript. At current estimation, it will take me about 25-30k more words to completely finish my zero draft, but, hey! It's definitely a start.
Current Plan C Word Count: 52,632+
Current Page Count: 236
Current Chapter Count: 20
Since getting back to California, things have certainly been busy. Busy, but good. On Wednesday, I met with my new academic advisor and the professor who's going to help me with my directed research. We talked about how the program will proceed - as it's directed research, and I'm the only student taking part - we could pretty much design our own course, with certain guidlines in place, natch.
Alas, one of the first things he asked for was my as-of-yet mostly unedited Plan C novel file. I cannot adequately describe the inner turmoil it caused me to willingly hand it over. One of the thoughts that had sustained me during my JulNo trek was the idea that no one would ever read my zero draft before I would have a chance to correct it. Well, so much for that!
And, as I sent him the file a few days ago, I know that he's already started reading it, too, for he asked me a few questions at the meeting, particularly about my characters Dyana Trigg, Dr Cornellius. Frayne, and Ridley Devon. One of the first he asked: "Tell me about Dyana." Awkward. (These characters have existed primarily in my own mind for so long that it's weird to discuss them with others. The feeling is kind of hard to describe.)
Already, I'm becoming painfully aware of the logical fallacies, plot gaps, general errors of the book as it stands - not because of anything that he has said, but more as a result of my own perfectionism. It's a disease, I swear. I suppose that this will be like ripping off a bandaid - dreadfully unpleasant, but hopefully quick. Although, the draft is currently pretty awful, so...
I'm taking this directed research for two semesters - the first is called "Novel Drafting," the second "Novel Finishing." What does that mean? It means that I'm going to have a complete working draft of Plan C by DECEMBER 11TH. The spring semester willl be spent fine-tuning the book and making the more minute edits that will be needed to making it generally readable (and, hopefully, on the way to becoming publishable).
I handed over the most recent revision of Plan C chapter one, which I'm thinking of tacking up here next. I've printed out chapter two and have begun making corrections on it. Halfway through the chapter, the JulNo content begins, so the quality's gonna take a dip. Ah, well. Time to stop whining. I have lots to be thankful for. I'll be able to graduate with my first finished novel. That will be pretty cool. And I'll learn a lot while I go. Right? Even thought it's gonna hurt.
Currently have 3.4k left to write to win my AugNo goal, and I tentatively set a 10k goal for SeptNo - the latter of which can still be raised if I need to. That will give me an extra 13.5k or so to the 52.5k that I already have... making at least a 65k manuscript. That's still kind of a low number, and I don't know that the storyline will be completely finished even by then. But at least I'm able to put a due date on the complete draft of this novel, which is pretty thrilling!
RANDOM THOUGHTS: My first critique group meeting is next Thursday in Spring Valley. Still deciding if I want to take chapter one or chapter two with me this time... might settle on the latter, as that one hasn't been touched by anyone yet. Toward the end of September is the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Conference. I'd really love to go to that, especially with everything that's happened this short year. Don't know that I currently have the fundage, but who knows.
Sorry, this is an extrordinarily geeky post (and LENGTHY), but... it's been a long few weeks, and I'm pretty excited with what's going down. :D
Till next time,
-R
Saturday, June 27, 2009
T-Minus Three Days...
Well, as I had hoped would happen this spring, I'm finally just a few short days away from one of the biggest writing events of the year - JulNoWriMo!
I will be completing my first full rough draft of [i]Plan C[i] in 31 days in at least 50,000 additional words - a daunting overtaking, to be sure, but there's no time to finish it like the present.
I'm feeling a nervous apprehension. It is going to be a CRAZY experience, one unlike anything I've ever attempted thus far; however, I'm certain that it will grant me the needed momentum to bring this story to life.
To prepare, I've typed up a rough description of the events I plan to cover each day over the month of July. Each is very sparsely described (only about three lines to detail close to a full chapter), as I plan to leave myself the allowance to make alterations to the plot as needed - or, as NaNoWriMo's Chris Baty would put it, plenty of room for "Exuberant Imperfection."
I, of course, will do my best to keep running word count tallies (and chapters, if the numbers are available) when possible. Can't wait to see what happens next! Wish me luck!
Till next time,
-R
I will be completing my first full rough draft of [i]Plan C[i] in 31 days in at least 50,000 additional words - a daunting overtaking, to be sure, but there's no time to finish it like the present.
I'm feeling a nervous apprehension. It is going to be a CRAZY experience, one unlike anything I've ever attempted thus far; however, I'm certain that it will grant me the needed momentum to bring this story to life.
To prepare, I've typed up a rough description of the events I plan to cover each day over the month of July. Each is very sparsely described (only about three lines to detail close to a full chapter), as I plan to leave myself the allowance to make alterations to the plot as needed - or, as NaNoWriMo's Chris Baty would put it, plenty of room for "Exuberant Imperfection."
I, of course, will do my best to keep running word count tallies (and chapters, if the numbers are available) when possible. Can't wait to see what happens next! Wish me luck!
Till next time,
-R
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Huzzah!
So, update:
I took a hiatus from writing Plan C in the month of February. I know, boo. This was mainly because I was still undiagnosed with stress migraines as well as bombarded with the most insane midterms week thus far in my college career. But now, thankfully, the craziness has ended, and I can now get back to work over spring break next week.
Coincidently, I ended up being unable to attend last months critique group due to inclement weather and my poor sense of direction. (re: I got lost.) On the positive side of all of this, I still have five printed copies of my first chapter to submit on Thursday, and I didn't feel compelled to commit academic suicide to finish chapter two before now. Chapter two, however, is forthcoming and should be completed by the start of April!
And, finally - in other, more exciting news - I have learned about JulNoWriMo! (www.julnowrimo.com) Similiar to NaNoWriMo, this competition takes place in July! This is PERFECT because it will be smack dab in the middle of summer break, and I shouldn't have too much other than work to consume my time. Mark my words, I'm going to do this! Also, appropriately enough, this July will be exactly a year since I first began planning the novel. It's like KISMET!
Anyway, more intensive spurts of novel writing should take place within the next week. I've definitely missed working on it and can't wait to work with my characters again!
Till next time,
-R
I took a hiatus from writing Plan C in the month of February. I know, boo. This was mainly because I was still undiagnosed with stress migraines as well as bombarded with the most insane midterms week thus far in my college career. But now, thankfully, the craziness has ended, and I can now get back to work over spring break next week.
Coincidently, I ended up being unable to attend last months critique group due to inclement weather and my poor sense of direction. (re: I got lost.) On the positive side of all of this, I still have five printed copies of my first chapter to submit on Thursday, and I didn't feel compelled to commit academic suicide to finish chapter two before now. Chapter two, however, is forthcoming and should be completed by the start of April!
And, finally - in other, more exciting news - I have learned about JulNoWriMo! (www.julnowrimo.com) Similiar to NaNoWriMo, this competition takes place in July! This is PERFECT because it will be smack dab in the middle of summer break, and I shouldn't have too much other than work to consume my time. Mark my words, I'm going to do this! Also, appropriately enough, this July will be exactly a year since I first began planning the novel. It's like KISMET!
Anyway, more intensive spurts of novel writing should take place within the next week. I've definitely missed working on it and can't wait to work with my characters again!
Till next time,
-R
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Things are rolling along!
Well, I'm very pleased to announce that I was able to reach a certain level of productivity over Christmas break! I completed a preliminary draft of my first chapter while I was home, and since classes have been back in session, I've been able to work on part of the chapter two rough draft!
Word Count: 3,675 / 4,623
Page Count: 14 / 18
Current Chapter: 2
As you might have noticed, I've added a second set of digits to the tabulated word and page counts. This second amount includes any additional prose writings that go above and beyond the current, chronological chapter work. (These are excerpts that might be included in later chapters... somewhere.) So far, I have nearly a thousand extra words that I've been playing around with when the inspiration as struck me.
On Thursday night, I will be meeting with my critique group for the first time with a completed chapter. I'm excited to hear the feedback on my work - and a little nervous as well. I'll be sure to update as soon as I can on any further developments - and perhaps possibly put up a few small excerpts!
Until next time,
-R
Word Count: 3,675 / 4,623
Page Count: 14 / 18
Current Chapter: 2
As you might have noticed, I've added a second set of digits to the tabulated word and page counts. This second amount includes any additional prose writings that go above and beyond the current, chronological chapter work. (These are excerpts that might be included in later chapters... somewhere.) So far, I have nearly a thousand extra words that I've been playing around with when the inspiration as struck me.
On Thursday night, I will be meeting with my critique group for the first time with a completed chapter. I'm excited to hear the feedback on my work - and a little nervous as well. I'll be sure to update as soon as I can on any further developments - and perhaps possibly put up a few small excerpts!
Until next time,
-R
Monday, January 5, 2009
Happy 2009!
Well, another new year is finally upon me. It is my fervent hope to make this one the most productive yet! I've been trying to take advantage of winter break (particularly this past week) to make some major headway on the planning stage of my novel, as well as completely finish the initial draft of my very first chapter. It has been an exciting, if not unnerving, process!
I find my writer's block attempting to stymie me at every corner, but I have managed to fill in a few of the "big picture" holes, one of which that has completely changed the direction of the second half of the novel. However, I am pleased by this particular brainstorm - it is more plausible than what I had before, as well as a much larger obstacle for my protagonists to have to work through! (An ultimate solution, unfortunately, is, at this time, still pending. Of course.)
As a new system in this blog, I hope to keep a running tally of word, page, and chapter count. Hopefully, it will help to keep me more accountable so that I will write as often as I can. For now, it's a humble beginning, but it will soon grow.
Word Count: 1,127
Page Count: 4.5
Current Chapter: 1
My next critique group meeting is on February 5th, so my tentative goal is to have the first two chapters completed by then. Wish me luck!
-R
I find my writer's block attempting to stymie me at every corner, but I have managed to fill in a few of the "big picture" holes, one of which that has completely changed the direction of the second half of the novel. However, I am pleased by this particular brainstorm - it is more plausible than what I had before, as well as a much larger obstacle for my protagonists to have to work through! (An ultimate solution, unfortunately, is, at this time, still pending. Of course.)
As a new system in this blog, I hope to keep a running tally of word, page, and chapter count. Hopefully, it will help to keep me more accountable so that I will write as often as I can. For now, it's a humble beginning, but it will soon grow.
Word Count: 1,127
Page Count: 4.5
Current Chapter: 1
My next critique group meeting is on February 5th, so my tentative goal is to have the first two chapters completed by then. Wish me luck!
-R
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