NaNoWriMo: Day 4

The adoptable threads on the NaNoWriMo forums are great. I use them quite often, and I'd like to give something back. Now, I could throw these on the forums over there, but it's NaNo month here, too. So, drawing ideas up for one of my favorite threads...


Adopt a character quirk?

1. Have a character who insists on being on first name basis with all of the workers at (fill in whatever place).
2. A side character always drops things.
3. A small child insists on wearing their alien/octopus costume... everywhere.
4. Two words: Annoying scarves. 
5. A character wears coffee filters as hats.
6. Have a character that nobody actually listens to when he/she says anything important.
7. A character always answers "I love you" with "mm-hmm".
8. A character always sings "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell.
9. Sometimes there exists a character that whines about the ugly sweaters a relative makes for them. Well, your character only wears those sweaters - whether they're nice or hideous is up to you - but your character likes them.
10. Fluffy slippers anyone?
11. Have a character who makes their own fashion - and it's always stellar - outshining everyone else.
12. A character talks to their pet fish, and the character believes it's their best confidant... even though the character has a best friend.
13. A character believes they are invisible. They aren't.
14. A character makes analogies... all the time... and the analogies always involve a boat.
15. One character dreams of having a giraffe.

Now, get off of Blogger and go write your novel!

PS: 200 words if you took one.
PPS: And 300 words if you read this post.

Ink Wednesday

 In the spirit of National Novel Writing Month, here are the writing tools I'm using this year!

• OpenOffice Writer: Writer is the equivalent to Microsoft Word in the OpenOffice suite. I've been using this program since about 2008, when I switched over from Microsoft. And Writer has become the main program I use for writing, so it's definitely in use during NaNo.
• OpenOffice Calc: Calc is the equivalent to Microsoft Excel in the OpenOffice suite. This is the program I use for most of my outlining while I'm writing. It also helps me keep track of my current word count during NaNoWriMo, since I don't write in the same document the entire time.
• Scrivener: This year, I've downloaded the Scrivener trial for Windows. I'm still learning how to use it, so it's not my only writing tool. However, thus far, I think it's a pretty cool program and if I win this year, I think I might look into purchasing it as a gift to myself for winning. The NaNoWriMo site has a thread under the 'Special Offers' forum that offers discounts on Scrivener to NaNo participants and winners, so you might want to check that out if you're interested and participating in NaNo.

What programs do you use to get you through NaNoWriMo?

Happy Halloween & We're Back In 3, 2, 1...

Greetings, everyone, and happy Halloween!

 

The pumpkin featured in the photo above is named Mabon.

 

He was my pumpkin last year. Sitting in the far left corner of my desk,

he kept me company while I wrote, read, and finished assignments. He

was a great friend and provided a home for a Long-legged Sac Spider.

I don't have a picture of this year's pumpkin, yet, but I'll probably post

a photo of her on Thanksgiving. She will be keeping me company 

throughout NaNoWriMo this year.

And that, my friends, brings us to our next order of business this evening.

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Today is October 31st, also known as Halloween where I'm from.

Also known as one of the busiest weekends of my year.

 

This I was dressed as a cat, I consumed more sugar than I probably should have, and I was cold. I gallivanted from one party to another... to yet another, and I have no pictures to show for it. I ran around out in the rain and fog, went traipsing about in the woods, and spent time drawing on my new digital sketch-pad. Tonight I went Trick-or-Treating - although, I didn't beg for candy because I'm a bit too old for that (Note: This too old bit is up for debate, since my friend insists that one can never be to old to Trick-or-Treat. My neighbors, however, think differently. No more candy for me. So, perhaps this means I need to trick them from now on...).  

 

The point is, I spent most of my weekend having fun and not accomplishing much in the vein of writing. However, as I've already mentioned, it's Halloween. And while Halloween is loads of fun, that also means we're only mere hours off from the start of the new month... 

 

and NaNoWriMo.

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For the last month and a half or so, I've been on hiatus. I know that disappointed some of you, but the hiatus actually came around at the perfect time. All of that time away from blogging on-line was supposed to be spent writing new blogs, however, that didn't really work out. I ended up tumbling through the worst bit of my depression thus far, instead. I was sick. Our friend - who had been living with us - left. I started reorganizing my life. I've been trying to finish a project for my family. My room needed to be cleaned (and it's done now). I've been trying to make a decision on which school to go to and what to major in next Fall. And I was having some computer problems, which I think I've fixed.

Basically, I was suddenly very busy. 

It's nearly November 1st now, though, and it's time to get this blog back up and running. Since I couldn't pre-write NaNoWriMo blogs anyway, we'll be seeing literally brand-new material this month. And, while I'm NaNo-ing, I'll also be writing the blogs that should have been completed on my hiatus. So, when NaNoWriMo is over, you'll still be seeing more carefully crafted blogs here. 

The short version? Ink Is Gold is back in action!

 

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One last note:

 

I'm excited!

We're about to cross over the line into NaNoLand here in Michigan.

There are a mere twenty minutes standing between us and the novel-ing madness of November.

 

In these last few minutes, I'd like to say: 

Good luck to all of you novelists out there! Let's make this the best ride, yet!

 

I've got my OpenOffice documents up and ready to begin writing the moment midnight strikes.

I've got my outlines open and ready to go.

I've got a cup of hot caramel coffee.

 (In theory) 

I'm ready to go on this novel writing adventure!

 

And to start myself off, I'm going to aim for 7,000 words tonight.

What are your starting goals? Have you hit them, yet?

PS (really cool): Has anyone noticed that the NaNoWriMo site isn't failing under the massive influx of users logging on this year? Thanks Office of Letters and Light for all of the wonderful work you've been doing to update the website and manage the server issues! We love you!

A Decision Made...

 

After a rather long debate, I've decided to go on hiatus. I'll be back in a few weeks with new material and an updated blog. I'll see you when I get back!

Music Recommendation: Une Americaine a Paris

I got to see Rupa & the April Fishes live in July and I absolutely adored them. Usually, I don't care for live music, but this band had an interesting stage presence and I enjoyed the show. This song, in particular, has stuck with me because it was the first song of theirs that I heard... and it's in French.

Une Americaine a Paris - Rupa & The April Fishes

Happy listening!

Oh The Possibilities

Writing isn't my entire life. That's kind of a strange thing to think about, given that this blog is about writing - for the most part - but it's true. And, lately, that's been even more true than usual. Lately, I haven't been writing much at all.

In fact, I've been really busy with the other parts of my life. And because of that, I haven't had a great deal to write about here or a great deal of time to write about anything.

This is not a for sure thing, but I have been toying with the idea of turning this blog into something... a bit different. Something a bit more.

What are your thoughts on this blog expanding to cover more topics than just writing?

It also has occurred to me recently that I don't tend to get very personal on here. This, however, is a blog. This is not a journal. And it is that difference in words that keeps me from writing about my personal life, or things that may be considered off topic.

Tell me, what would you think about seeing a change around here to include a few things that are more personal in nature but still related to writing or possible new topics?

Your input is greatly appreciated.


For right now, I'm going to leave things running. But, if I decide to start changing things around here, I may put the blogging on hiatus for a while.

Who knows?

This world is full of possibilities.

Ink Wednesday

• Q10 is a wonderful program available for download at the link. I used this program last year during NaNoWriMo. You can set word goals, timers, background color, text color, and other things. It's great for keeping procrastination to a minimum and encouraging focus because it makes opening other windows much more difficult. 
• Write or Die is also a great program for use during NaNoWriMo, but I've found that it also helps with writing school papers. In this program, you set a word goal and a time limit. Then you  begin to write. But when you stop writing for several seconds, the screen begins to turn red and then a most irritating sound is emitted until you begin to type again. What a great way to inspire someone to continue! Not that I need that kind of motivation to finish my homework, of course...
• Forvo. Not necessarily a writing tool, but by far one of the coolest websites around, in my opinion.

Writing Tips: Practice

Lately, I haven't been writing.

After last month's episode with depression amongst other things, I've pushed writing aside for a while. I don't feel like I've been writing anything worth while. In fact, I don't feel like I can. And that, when my dream since early on in high school has been to write, seems like a horrible thought to consider. However, that thought has driven me to do some deep thinking on why I feel that way.

The answer is simple. My writing isn't perfect. It takes a long time for me to create something anywhere near perfection, and I don't like to spend time. I like things to be as they ought to be right from the start. I don't believe in first drafts. I believe in final copies. And, for the longest time, I have allowed those sorts of thoughts to run my writing life. The funny thing is, I am wrong.

When I write something, I leave it sit for a while. Then I come back to read it again. And, you know what? I almost always find errors, there is always something that I want to change, and by the time I'm done reading over that piece, I don't feel like I'm cut out to be a writer. I feel awful. I feel like I've spent hours or even days working on something that is absolutely worthless because it isn't perfect and it isn't final draft material. And, usually, I end up having to battle the urge to throw it away.

Most of the time, I keep whatever it is that I wrote, so that I might use it as a reference for what not to do later. But, eventually, I wind up thinking back to this blog and to things I've already told you.

In Writing Tips: Top Of Your Game, I mentioned that believing you are at the top of your game is one of the biggest mistakes a writer can make. Perfection, after all, is absolutely unreachable - and until you're there, you're not at the top of your game.

So if I am reaching for perfection, why do I even try?

Honestly? I keep trying because there's something that's been tumbling around in my head for a while now.

There is an old phrase that I would like to draw your attention to. Practice makes perfect.

It's a phrase that has been around a long time. I've heard it more times than I can count, and I'm betting that some of you have heard it before, too. As far as I'm concerned, that phrase is false... but I do understand why it is worth repeating over and over again.

Many people have a habit of striving for perfection, but many also have a habit of giving up when something looks impossible or when it doesn't come out right the first time.

That phrase, that one short string of words, can make people do something quite amazing. It can make people try again. That phrase can make someone keep reaching higher and higher for something unattainable. And while I don't necessarily believe that phrase is fair (after all, it gets hopes up), even I can see what it does for people.

You will never be perfect. What you're writing - or, for that matter, anything you are working on - will never be perfect. But as long as you keep practicing, as long as you have something like that little phrase to drive you forward, you will get better.

So keep working on whatever it is that you're working on. Continue trying. Keep practicing.

I keep these sorts of thoughts in my head, and they very are important to me.

Perfection does not exist. Near perfection takes a great deal of time, and even that cannot be reached without practicing. So, even if it seems like a waste of time, set time aside to practice. Give yourself the space to work on improving and don't let that space make you feel incompetent.

You can be great, if only you have the courage to continue and the peace of mind to not fret over the hours spent doing 'worthless' things (like trying).

Blog Updates

August is over, which is really hard to believe. But with that thought in mind, it's time to discuss what's coming up next on Ink Is Gold and what sort of changes will be made in the new future (or have been made).

August:


First off, given that Camp NaNoWriMo is now officially over for the year, the background has switched back to normal and posts will no longer center around Camp related fun.

September:

During the month of September, posts on the blog will carry on as usual. Meaning that anything I feel like writing as a post may once again appear on here without regulation. I expect that you'll be seeing a book review or two, some writing related stuff, and a possible music recommendation or a few.

I also intend to fill in the 'About Me' page and to update the small 'About Me' section in the side bar. Cheers to getting stuff done.

October:

During October, I've decided to do something a bit different from usual. I'm going to do a theme month. Every post made during the month - apart from something I'm going to mention in a bit - will be centered around a particular topic. In other words, October is going to be my sort of research project. I'm going to find a great deal of information and I'm going to pass some of it on to you readers. 

The topic of October will be: Poetry

I know this probably won't interest all of you, but I hope that some of you can get some use out of it.

Anyway, moving on...


November:


November is still going to be NaNoWriMo month. The majority of the posts made will revolve around my NaNo novel and around various parts of NaNoWriMo. There will, of course, be a few posts that are off topic, though. And, for the record, I intend to be a lot more prepared for NaNoWriMo than I was for Camp this year. It's time to get some serious work done on a novel. No more procrastination

Delayed Changes:

You will, at some point in the future, see changes on the 'My Work' page. However, I've decided that I am only going to fill this page in once I've submersed myself in a major project. There's no use in handing out teasers for something that's going to end up in the trash. Know what I mean?


In other words, this page could be a while yet.


Last But Not Least:

I'm introducing a new feature to the blog!
Lately, I've been finding some really cool stuff that I would like to share with you all. However, often times these things aren't things I want to waste an entire Monday or Friday post on - and, on occasion, I really do feel like somebody else already tackled all of the points that I would like to cover. So, beginning this coming week, I'm introducing a new sort of blog post.

Keep your eye out for:

Ink Wednesdays


It won't happen every week - at least, I don't think it will - but it will occur whenever I find a bit of information that I would like to share with you, and it will happen when I'm introducing someone new to the Ink Is Gold 'Links' page.


Thanks for reading and I'll see you on Monday with something new.