Gothnowrimo 2012 Day 1

It's that time of year again where the ghouls and ghosties and vampires come out to suck and mangle.  Whoop! I've joined Gothnowrimo again this year.  I've set a 30k word count goal.  I think I am going to take an unfinished attempt and try to add more to it.  My original idea is to go with Dregs which I started in 2010. 

On anoher note.  I totally feel like I have wasted my life, brain power, and talent.  I get so frustrated with myself because I have novels and poems stacked up around my apartment.  What have I done with them?  Nothing!  I want(ed) to be a New York best selling author by now.  I haven't even finished a novel enough to send it off to a publisher.  So ridiuclous!  GRRR. Sometimes I want to look in the mirror and smack MYSELF with a knotted rope!  WTH?  I put up a YT vidoe about this which you can view here.

Anyway, October and November are my big writing months so lets see what I can turn out this time.  Who knows, maybe I'll actually get another novel FINISHED.

On another side note, I've been doing a lot of art work over the summer and to date.  I had a really good summer experimenting and taking on line mixed media art classes with Tam Laporte (she's awesome!  Life Book 2013 signs ups begin Oct. 9)!  A hoot!  Here are a few of my pieces related to the October, ghouly, spooky theme of it all

preBYB #6 _Culture

1) For each of your races, what is/are the religions associated with it?

A) How has this religion affected their culture?

B) What customs has this religion given to the culture?

C) What religious holidays do your races celebrate?

2) What customs does the culture have that aren’t to do with religion?

A) How did they come about?

B) Are they always followed by everyone in the culture?

C) What non-religious holidays do your races celebrate?

3) Write a holiday, be it religious or non-, that one of your MCs is celebrating. Describe in as much detail as you can where it came from, and try to integrate it into the prose in a way that doesn’t seem like info dumping.


ANSWERS:
1) Humans have the same religious backgrounds as current populations (this includes the disbelief in religion as well).
Demons have no religion. They value only conquest and the desire to fulfill every indulgence. They are ruled by greed, anger, etc. They abhor humans for their ability to believe as well as for their dejected, state (i.e. favor of God rests on humans not demons).
Fallens once served God They have however, been tainted by non-belief or other negativity/betrayal of purpose. Some wish to regain their status others revel in the fall.

Humans celebrate traditional holidays.
Demons and Fallens celebrate none. However, they use their knowledge of traditional holy days from a wide variety of human cultures to achieve their own goals. They do not worship but they do know various information about astronomy as windows and ways to powers (i.e like back doors to God's creations and rules).

2) Although the rituals are not "religious", both demons and Fallens observe rituals to achieve their ends. I.e. to open windows requires blood sacrifices, etc. These rituals go back to ancient times and cultures like Babylon, Egyptian.
Angels observe Heaven Holy Days- I haven't really established these yet. It will require a little more research into biblical ceremonies.

3) Quick Quip
The 12 surrounded the zodiac compass points. Each body was shaved, head tattooed with the zodiac sign and the ancient rite. The chosen knelt. Their long white cloaks covered their entire frames. The edges floating on the blood painted floor. The cloak tips soaked up the spilt life force. The fibers turned red and crept up the fabric like a slow crimson tide pool.
The twelve demons held the black leather thongs tethering the chosens' bound hands. Darmetheous encanted quietly. His purple flesh gleamed in the flames surrounding the rock alter. His deep voice resonated within his throat.
The heavy black marble clock with its skeletal bone hands ticked down the moments. As his eagerness rose, Darmetheous' chanting grew stronger, more insistent., The fevered pitch increased. The earnest increased. The yellow fire sparked from his eyes. His antlers rocked back and forth side to side in a frenzied rush. He raised his thickly muscled arms. Chanting.
The twelve chosen swayed drunkenly to Darmetheous' demonic fervor.
the clock struck the first tone of midnight. The first demon raised his weapon, sliced through the first chosen's throat. Gush of blood filled the circular crevice as he fell forward. stroke two- the same.
Stroke 12 the same. Their blood commingled filling the concentric circles and flowed slowly to the center alter where the 13th lay shackled with iron chains. Where Keres stood on the opposite side ready to open the Window that would free Darmetheous.

At the stroke of midnight he would be free.

Wriyear 2011 pre_BYB 4

1) How many years back do you want to have your history?

A) If it’s on Earth, what three key points do you want to have memorized?

B) If it’s dealing with recent history, does anything from the way-back past (think a story in high school where they talk about colonial America in school) factor in, in an important way?

C) If you’re making up your history, what are three key points from the past that is important?

(You’ll need more than this of course, but here’s a starter!)

2) Take each of your main characters and go through their backstory. We’ll have further character sheets later on, but for now, tell me a bit about what each one has been through, at least three things.

3) Combine both questions! Write a short passage about your character’s recent history in relation to their backstory. Does something happen that makes them remember a scene from the past? Maybe they saw an ex and it’s tearing their heart out? Anything that helps you intertwine backstory and history, because you’ll be doing it a lot!


ANSWERS:

1) Since I am going to try and create a series I am not sure how many years back it will go. The first story, Dregs is modern. The whole story takes place within 6 months of the climactic event.
The historical key point would be 200 hundred years ( I may make their exile longer) before the current event. This would mark the punishment of Darmetheous and Adhelmar.
The history of the Between would have to be based on the expulsion of Lucifer from Heaven, the first murder among humans, and the Great Flood.

Backstory
Darmetheous
1) turned against God.
passed over for promotion
trapped in the Between as punishment

Darmetheous often thinks of what he lost and that it is the fault of humans.
2) Adhelmar
tricked into killing a servant of God
banished to earth, stripped of most powers, left with near immortality, must earn back his place in Heaven.
got his first charge killed by demons

Adhelmar thinks often of revenge on Darmetheous. However, he also has a similar viewpoint about humans.

Keres
orphaned
placed in an abusive foster home

There are several other characters but the back story is done for most of them.

These are the questions for the first workshop in Wriyr BYB

I'm thinking of expanding my NANO 2010 novel so that I can write a series of novels within that world. I've never attempted a series of novels but I like the idea. Let's see if I can try something new for 2011!!

1) Is your time period one that has occurred on Earth, or is it based on one that occured on Earth? A) Are you going to use real people from that time as characters, whether it be based on them or not? B) Do you know enough of the time period of history to have a good feel for it? C) Find at least three sites/books that can help you during research (if you need it)

My time period overall is modern. It is United States during the 2000-2025.

I am not going to use real people. The characters will be based on types of personalities of our contemporary time period. Since it it basically a NOW story there is not much need to do extensive research. The major portion of research woul dbe with mythology, biblical timelines, and prophecies.

Sources: 1) Bible 2) http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/constellations/ophiuchus_serpent_bearer_constellation/319/index.html 3)

http://www.djmcadam.com/demons.htm

2) Is your setting going to be historical, contemporary or futuristic? A) Why is this time period best for your novel? B) Is there anything you need to invent in order to convey your setting correctly? C) List three things that will be time period specific for your setting. 3) Take the time to write a passage, page, or couple of pages of your setting. Throw a character in it, and have them explore the land. Write it as a page in a history book that a student would read. Make it a narrative full of pretty words and sparkling images. Is your time period easily determined within these few paragraphs?

The setting is contemporary with flashbacks to various eras in time which works best since there is an awakening of spirituality, yet there is also a tremendous anti-christian/ skeptical mindset. Since a lot of people do not believe it makes the secret working of demons etc. work. No inventions needed.

Cell phones, computers, satellites would be time specific

Short Clip

Dingy streets crowded with defeated humanity played tragic scenes before Adhelmar's window. Every Friday a man with a heavy grizzled beard stood on the corner. A brown tattered coat hung loosely from his immaciated shoulders. Baggy khaki pants patched repeatedly with old newspaper and left over bread loaf ties drowned the lower half of his frame.

At noon tragic bustled and horns honked anxiously. Red speed cars, a few slick silver luxury cars whizzed up the street, like they were escaping from some unseen horror. Other more beat up vehicles clunked along the streets. Rusted, busted, reflections of the battered people in the neighborhood, the cars struggled up the roads.

Red and brown brick buildings with broken windows looked sad. Dingy laundry flapped from the higher levels.

Adhelmar fumed inside, Unjust punishment among dregs.

Day 20 (early morning?)

I haven't written anything else since last weekend. This week was just hectic, stressful, and utterly annoying at work. I had no creativity to write much of anything.

This weekend I signed on for a 15,000 word challenge. I need to get my word count up before Thanksgiving. If I can get to 35K the last 15 is always a breeze in comparison.

I should have been writing since I got home from work. However, I got sucked into watching Tomb Raider. Then I played Plants vs Zombies! I beat the levels in the free version. I'm tempted to buy the full one, but I rather spend the $20 on a wii controller. i suppose I should get off of here and write something dag nab it!

Day 16

I didn't write Monday. Going back to work and having parent teacher conferences afterward drained me of anything creative.

I wrote a little bit today from my phone. I posted it here but then transferred it to Liquid Story Binder. I wrote 789 words which put me over 23,000. I am having a hard time getting back into the characters' minds. This year work such seems to interfere more so than it has in the past. Go figure.

23,000/50,000

Day 2 of 25,000 Word weekend challenge

25,000 words challenge!

I don;t think I am actually going to hit that 25K now. I should have written 12.5K yesterday, but did not have the energy to do so. , therefore I start Sunday with 7325 words down. I'm still pushing for 25k but that seems like a very very long shot. If I could write another 10K today I think that would not be too poor of a showing! Off to the races!!!!

The other thing that is so interesting about creating anything is the different directions the piece decides to take. I started with one idea and now it has blown up into so many others! I could actually turn this story into a 2 novel set. The bad part is that I would need to get them both done this month otherwise I know they'll sit in the pile of unfinished works! GRRRRR Maybe I can find a December NANO. Finishing month is somewhere and I would have Christmas vacation to work as well! We shall see. OK NOW off to the races! ;)

SUNDAY UPDATES:
I'm having a harder time than I did yesterday. Yet we shall push on.
12:52 PM 9102/25,000 words= 36.4% of goal
7:58 PM 11,208/25,000 = 44.8% of goal

Well, I think that about wraps up the marathon writing session this weekend. I don't have much left in me. Need to recharge. Not a bad total though. I might try for another 1500 words before. That way I will have hit 50% of my 25K word goal! However, it's already 8PM

the 25,000 word Weekend Journey NOV. 12-14

Last night I wrote a few more words. That took my total up to 11,064 words!

This morning I woke up before the sun was up and hashed out a few more points of interest along the way. I seriously need to get this 25K words typed in this weekend. It would just make me feel a lot better. I had planned to grade papers today and Sunday, but I think it will be a writing and cleaning house day. I also am working on a new ring tutorial for Christmas, just something cute. The ring and the cleaning will serve as my writing breaks. Off to see what I can get accomplished this go round. updates along the 25,000 word Weekend Journey

Saturday UPDATES:
10:41AM- 2462 words/25,000 =9.8%
1:16PM - a nap and more words 3551/25,000 = 14.2%
1:59PM - more! 4462/25,000 = 17.8%
2:57 PM 5118/50,000 = 20.47%
I'm taking an hour break from writing. I have the next two scenes working in my brain. Not bad! 5000+ words before 3PM!!!! I'm sure I can get at least another 5K before bed time! I might have to hand write some though- computer eyeballs get to be tired after a while. Next update later!
8:30PM 6292/25,000= 25.2%

9:30PM 7325/25,000 words = 29.3% of goal!!!!

I have a total of 18,389/50,000 words which is 36.78% of overall NANO word count minimum.

I think I am going to take an hour break and then write one more section afterward. Then sleepy time! I was going to try for 10K before going to sleep but I think I am going to be a couple K short! booo!

Nov. 11, 2010

This week work has worked my nerves!!!I feel like I'm drowning under mountains of gunk! My brain is fried and I have too many papers to grade! UGG

However I have boosted my word count to 9870 words. I want to make sure and get in 130 more just so I can get to 10K!!! I'm about 8k words behind where I should be according to the 1667 rule. Ok I should NOT have calculated that! B*(
I'm going to have to make this weekend a 20K weekend! I guess a lot of Dr. Wicked for me!!

I still haven't make a book cover :(

UPDATE: I go to bed having finally gotten passed 1oK

10,382/50,000 roughly %20

Nov 8

Um I just had an idea to work with another character. It is inspired by a prompt from another writing group. We shall see how many words it nets. I also came up with a few more bits of characterization.

If any one has any clues or experiences with autism that would be helpful. I've decided to make one of my characters OCD or autistic. Each character has something "wrong" with him/her that pulls her/him out of "normal" society. I could easily call my novel Castaways, but I like Dregs much better!

I need to do some cover art, too.

UPDATE:
1 round of Dr. Wicked -678 words 15 minutes

UPDATE: 11:02 PM
I di another round of Dr. Wicked. Then I ended up adding more to the piece when I copied it into Liquid Story binder (BTW I LOVE THAT PROGRAM!!!).
So, I've ended the night with a total count of 2716 words!!!

My progress to date 7176/50,000

Nov. 7

I had a jewelry show today. It was interesting to get my name out in a new venue, however, I did not make much cash. :(

On the writing front- I did not write anything the last 2 days. My energy seems gone. Maybe this is not going to be a banner NANO year. I didn't reach my GOTHNO word goal and so far NANO isn't shaping up much better. I think I just need to get into a groove. It's only day 7 so I am not THAT far down and out. I'm going to go and try to make a few words before bedtime. I'm just ZONKED! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

UPDATE 11:33PM
I wrote one scene of 2060 words. I love Dr. Wicked for the help boosting writing speed, but I hate the fact that I always loose words when copying to a word processing program. In Dr. Wicked it read 2225 - copy it into Liquid Story Binder - I got 2060! GRRR But!- I have another scene so in the long run YEAH!! :)

New scene kill the voice of God?

"so now you want us to kill her?" Andreous quietly groaned, the question hung in the air like stale thick doers from a land fill. No one moved. Little Anne took a deep slow breath. Her almond eyes closed tightly. Maria and Manuel clasped hands beneath the oak table, the weight of the room the emotions of the comrades nearly overwhelming their powers.
"we have no choice. If they...". Adhelmar's words came out slowly trailed off as he bent his close shaved head toward the fire place. Sparks from it reflected in his angel eyes, red orange mixing wildly with the golden honey. His features were chiseled and reshaped by the fire light nag shadow play. The seven could see a much stronger view if Adhelmar's true nature. Terrifiying. As a warrior angel in human form he looked not Mitch changed in this mood and atmosphere.
"I don't understand, if she us that powerful how can they defeat her anyway? You said so yourself that her power is stronger than all of ours combine. Darmetheous can't win against that kind of craft." he shrugged his shoulders. "maybe we don't have as much to worry about as you think.".
Adhelmar pounded his fist against the wooden mantel. It shocked mightily splitting down the center. In three steps adhelmar crossed the distance between the two of them. Lightening quick he grabbed him by the collar. Stomach dragging up against table edge, he yowled at the unexpected attack.
Adhelmar's eyes roared. His perfectly white teeth clenched. The muscle in his jaw flexed and throbbed violently. "Are you an idiot! Have you not been paying attention the last year, week!"
"Wait a minute!"
"Adhelmar stop!"
She smiled to herself. Her fingers moved minutely tracing small circles in the air.
Too easy. She thought. Too easy.
"Shut up! "
"look man, this ain't the way to handle this. Calm it down. Well get nowhere-" Andreous' deep voice Redon aged over the den.
Without releasing the other guy,Adhelmar ground out, "What do you know of it!? Two years you think you know! Darmetheous will destroy her! He'll toss her around like a rag doll, turn her then destroy her! We can't let that happen! I'll never-". His grip tightened around the other guy's throat. Adhelmar's knuckles went white as he shook him.
He skin started turning pale his eyes bulged like squeezed meatballs. A wide hole his mouth gaped like a guppy. Spittle formed at the corners. He tried to concentrate, work up his powers but his brain was shutting off.
"Let him go!" she scrambled from the far side of the table. Fists flying she battered Adhelmar's back. "let him go!"
A swift toss of his head, he sent him crashing into the opposite wall. Thud and pound he toppled down the stone facade onto the hardwood flooring. In the split second he ducked, wiped around, leg swiping her. She screamed. Sonic blast pelted his mocha skin. He resisted the push backward planting his hands and feet against the floboards a