Welcome to my second Nanowrimo journal of the year. As of this writing it’s 11 days into the month of writing insanity. On November 9 I finished the first book I had planned for the month, and it actually ended up being the longest 1st draft I’ve ever written at just short of 85,000 words. I repeat, in 8 days of writing I started and finished the longest 1st draft I’ve ever done. I also just passed the 100,000 word barrier today. That’s a double win in 11 days. I can hardly believe it myself.
How is my second story going so far, well … it’s been going better than I expected. I originally came up with this book more than a year ago. Last year’s Nanowrimo was going better than I expected, and less than half-way through the month I finished the only book I had planned. I had two options for a second book; the one I wrote, and this one. Back then I didn’t even have a first act. Now I do, but it still worried me. It seemed like it would be by far the most lighthearted book in the series, and the fewest themes behind the narrative. It also doesn’t help that the 4 protagonists start the book in 3 completely different parts of the world. Not only is it turning out better than I thought so far, but I’ve decided on several themes to add more significance to the story itself.
Also as I write this, I’m in the middle of a write-in. Write-ins double as writing sessions and local gatherings, where you hang out with others participating in Nanowrimo. It’s really what makes writing month so special; talking about our different writing methods or the spontaneous celebrations when we write “that scene” or “that moment” we were either dreading or excited for.
I have to say though; I really enjoyed writing my first book this month. I’ve been planning it since March and almost everything I planned for it worked out. The climax started running a little long (7,000 words and 2 chapters), so I didn’t kill off every character I planned to, but in some ways it turned out better as a result. Not only that, but I found room for several scenes that I found kind of hilarious. I posted one as an excerpt on my official Nanowrimo profile so I might as well post it here. I removed portions of the scene that you’d need context for just to make it simple and easy to understand.
Luke worked away on a large animal tranquilizer that Martin had acquired for him, breaking down its chemical structure. Sitting behind him was Ryan, who spent much of the morning reading comics and listening to his music. They both could use some quiet from the massive gathering outside. Luke even found listening to Ryan’s obnoxious metal music helped him ignore the outside world and focus on his studies.
He heard footsteps approaching, and when he turned toward his mystery guest, the smell grew familiar.
Not him again.
Boris stepped in, crossing his arms.
“What are you doing here?” Luke asked.
“Just checking on you, making sure you aren’t developing a superweapon to kill us all.”
“I’ve told you, as have the pure-bloods, that I’m a friend to you dhampirs. Now unless you’re here to offer yourself as a test subject for my ‘non-lethal’ solution, leave me be.”
The man stepped forward, stopping within inches of Luke’s lab table.
“Are you threatening me boy?”
Luke glared at him. “Not yet.”
They made direct eye contact, giving each other the death stare. Luke normally prided himself as a patient man, but his every instinct screamed at him to grab the testy dhampir by the throat and tear his head off.
Rebecca stood outside the leadership tent along with Martin and Nancy, discussing the night before.
A sudden scream snapped their focus toward Luke’s tent. They watched Boris flying out like an American football, spinning and sailing through the camp. He landed hundreds of feet away from Luke’s tent, sliding against the dirt and almost into a series of rocks.
Luke stepped out of his tent in his wolf form, brushing off his hands. His voice echoed through the entire camp “Anyone else want to challenge me? I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere. Come on, I dare you!”
I hope you enjoyed this post and my excerpt, and I’ll see you whenever my next journal is.
healed1337 