The Dealio with Writing

A couple of you expressed interest in reading about what's been up in the writing aspect of my life, so I thought I'd try to oblige!  First, though, lemme just say that I'm not really used to writing about writing, so . . . this may be a little sketch.  Heh. :-P


Writing has been on my radar a lot lately.  I've mainly been focused on one thing, the reinvention of the short story I wrote for the Indie e-Con contest this spring.  (You can read the original short story here, but I'm going to be changing a good bit of it, so don't get too attached to the plot. ;-p)

I've actually all but committed (mentally) to making this a full-on, legitimate NaNoWriMo project this year.  Last year, on my other blog, I posted about writing my Susan Pevensie story in my own take on NaNo; but this year, if I do decide to do it, I want the real McCoy.  (Someone who is Knowledgeable, why is that phrase a thing?  Who/what was McCoy?)  Like, standard word count and probably accountability partners (cabins??) and everything.  And, for a girl who struggles to keep stories going very long, that'll be challenging. *raises brows*

Like my e-Con short story, this will be focused around three protagonists: Rhiannon, Alejandro, and Ronan.  Rhiannon and Alejandro are two mercenaries who "join forces" with Ronan, the prince of their country.  Initially it's just to help him get safely home (he's in danger because of Reasons), but -- can you see where this is going? -- the three end up forming a really deep friendship that continues to develop after their arrival at Ronan's home.  I'm thinking that the royal household basically adopts them (not really, but in spirit) and the trio have tons of fun adventures together, until Stuff Happens and Conflict Ensues.  (Not conflict between the three of them, conflict resulting from Bad Blood with Ronan's older half-brother, Alastair.  Dunh, dunh, dunh.)

There's gonna be snark!  There's gonna be a Stoic Protagonist!  There's gonna be a Bouncing-off-the-Walls Protagonist!  There's gonna be A Protagonist Who's Neither!  There's gonna be fierce love that doesn't verbalize itself because there's no need to do so!  There's gonna be the ocean!  There's gonna be hills!  There's gonna be war!  There's gonna be family drama!  There's gonna be humor!  There's gonna be depth!  There's gonna be pain!  There's gonna be light!

Stoic Protagonist ✓
The ocean ✓

And if you're thinking that you've seen this before and that, as a character in Rango put it, "this plot is highly predictable," you are 3000% correct.  Fans of originality, away.  This is going to be a YA adventure set in a fantasy world with no magic, and about the only thing original about it will be the fact that I have no intention of incorporating a love triangle.   Ya been warned. :-P

So, there you have it!  That's what's been on the writing forefront of my mind lately.  (Well, that and this: blogging. ;))

If you're interested, you can see the inspiration board on which I spend more time than actually writing that I've created for this story here. :)

In addition to Pinterest, music is really helpful for the inspiration aspect right now.  I've discovered that Sarah Darling's Dream Country album is really good writing music, for me.  (Thanks to a special friend for first introducing me to Sarah Darling's music; you know who you are. ;))  Most of the songs on the album don't actually have much relevance to the story itself, but the feel of the music is very conducive to the process of writing.  For me, at least. ;)  And I have a whole other playlist I'm compiling of songs that actually have something to do with the characters/plot/feel of the story.  Maybe I'll share that some other time. :)

Do you guys have plans for NaNoWriMo?
What are you writing right now?

P.S. By the way, I think I've figured out that Google Drive is going to be the way to go for me, logistically speaking.  I can create a folder and have specific documents for whatever sectioning I need to do (outline, excerpts, plotting, the manuscript itself, etc.), I don't need to worry about Microsoft Word crashing or deleing all my work, AND the whole thing is free.  So.  Food for thought, my peeps.  I'm just saying.  ;-P

P.P.S.  Also the pictures in this post do come from my board but the characters are a good bit younger than the people in said pictures.  In case anyone -- like me -- tends to get inspiration images cemented in their brain and finds it difficult to shake those ideas when actually reading something. :-P

P.P.P.S.  GUYS.  I just -- as in, two seconds ago -- found out that the seventh season of Once Upon a Time just came to Netflix!!  Eeek!  I'm . . . honestly a little nervous.  As I told you guys, I'm Not Completely Pleased with the idea to "change" everything the way the seventh season apparently does, but at the same time, Once is Once, so some degree of excitement is in order, eh?  The anticipation to find out if I like it and what the finale of the entire show is like is making me a little hyped up!! *bites nails*  I wonder when I'll start it.  Probably not today.  I don't know if I'm ready . . .

Okay, I'm really done now, promise. ;D






Comments

  1. I'm planning to do NaNo this year and I'll be using Google Drive as well. But that's because I don't want to lose everything if my computer decides to crash.

    I think I'm going to write my space fantasy Robin Hood.

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    1. I saw that you won NaNo!! That's so cool! Did you end up going with the space fantasy Robin Hood project? (Which by the way WHAT HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!)

      How did Google Drive work for you? I'm still using it for now.

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  2. Do fan fictions count for NaNoWriMo

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    1. Yes!!! Really the only requirements are that you write at least 50,000 words within the 4 weeks of NaNoWriMo :-)

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    2. I can send in one of my stories!

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  3. How....HOW DO YOU DO IT??? *gapes over your blog design*

    *cries because it's just so beautiful*

    Okay. Okay. I shall be rational. (AHH did you see Christopher Robin, though? I just saw it this week and aghhhh feeellls.)

    Ahem. The rational side of me is coming, I promise. (Maybe.)

    YASSSS. I'm so excited to do NaNo with you!!!!!!!!! (Have you made an account yet? We can be writing buddies. :) Cabins are for camp NaNo in the spring/summer.)

    "There's gonna be the ocean!" xD xD xD That whole paragraph though. Can I steal that method? Honestly that's how I want to describe all my stories now.

    Eeeek! Isn't that album gorgeous though? (And oh!! That was me, wasn't it? I think it was. *crosses fingers*)

    I used to use Google Drive myself for all my writing (especially NaNo writing) and it worked pretty well. But then it started getting slow and hard to organize....and I discovered Scrivener so now I'm spoiled. :P But I definitely think it's great for being free!! :) I hope it works awesome for you.

    (Honestly my least favorite thing about using Google Drive was probably that I had to have an internet connection and that was Very Distracting when it comes to writing time. :P)

    Again your blog design is BEAUTIFUL and I miss you and everyone and this week has been crazy but I really want to get back into blogging. <3 <3 <3 Love ya, friend!

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    1. DBALDGKLHASGL AWWWWWW. *blushes and beams* You're so kind. ;) (And I'm . . . super duper late with these comments. *sigh* Ah well.)

      Yay!! I kind of stopped NaNo partway through, but THAT is another story that I shall probably tell you at some other time. ;)

      Haha! You definitely should. I would read those descriptions. ;D

      It IS and yes, it was you. ;)

      Ahh, gotcha. Yeah, I'm discovering some potential drawbacks, but I think the pros still outweigh the cons (for me) when compared with Microsoft Word. Maybe I'll try Scrivener someday! :)

      (Ah, yes. That's a good point, but I realized that basically the only time I write is when I'm at home--and therefore connected to the Internet--anyway, and as for the distraction potential . . . eesh, we'll see. :-P *my turn to cross fingers*)

      Awwww THANK YOU!!! <3 <3 Love you & miss you too & we'll have to talk SOON. :)

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  4. This story sounds so wonderfully intriguing!!! And just like the kind of story I have been wanting to write for some time! I'm so glad you shared this! I cannot wait to hopefully read more of it as you continue writing!!!

    I just love the Pinterest board too--it is so helpful for visualizing the story!

    And, um...perhaps I just missed this part, but is this story historical fiction or more of a fantasy? And if HF, what exact time period?

    I do really really hope to be able to do NaNoWriMo this year!!! The story idea that I have in mind at the moment is about a young woman of noble/royal birth (perhaps named Enid or Anya...) who falls in love with a commoner, a young man employed by her father among the household staff...the story would probably take place in England during the the 1920's...and yes, the plot is so very cliche & predictable! But oh well, I already love the characters that are starting to come to life in my head! :-P

    ~ Catie

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    1. Awww, thank you so much, Catie!!

      Squeeeep, thanks. I love storyboards. :D

      Eehhhhhhm . . . *struggles* . . . I thiiink it's going to be more of a fantasy--like set in a fantasy but medieval-esque world with little to no magic. That's the plan right now, at least?

      Ooh! (Those names are so cool, by the way.) Did you end up writing that story for NaNo this (or, I guess, last ;)) year? See, that's the thing. I'm realizing more and more that--if a story is done WELL and avoids clichés that are actually harmful (or just really boring or grating to my personal sensibilities)--I don't mind something being predictable?! I mean, I feel like basically all stories are predictable, because I do think most all stories have been written before in one form or another. You know? And eeek, yes, it's awesome when you start becoming attached to your characters! I've only started experiencing that recently. :D

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  5. You story sounds so good! I'm thinking about doing Camp Nano this November, but I'm not sure if I can pull off 50,000 words... we'll see. Great post!
    -Brooklyne

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    1. Thank you so much! Hehe, yeah . . . that's my struggle (I ended up stopping NaNo partway). Aww, thanks!

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  6. Ooohh, yay!! *happy dance*
    Also, before I even start on your story - that header! *points at it and jumps up and down* *can't even articulate because it's too perfect* It's so pretty!!! <3 <3

    You know, I believe "the real McCoy" must be an American thing because I have never heard of it. :P

    And oohhh, yes, I've been seeing all your pins for your story (sorry... I hope that doesn't sound too creepy :P) and thinking 'eeekk, I'm loving these vibes! She's thinking up one epic story!' :D Hooray! I love the sound of your story! (And no love triangles? Sounds great. ;)) (Not that I have anything against them, but y'know... something Different.)

    Oh, I love that last picture! *heart-eye emoji* Why can't we wear stuff like that now?! *pouts* Fashion is stupid. Let's all wear epic capes and dresses and be the avant guarde. XD (Turn it into the fashion! Where do we sign a petition to the fashion designers...)

    I've actually been able to dig into some of my stories, lately! Well, storY. I'm writing a (hopefully) novel on a modern day setting, written in journal form, about a young girl living in Australia... it'll include mostly things I've experienced myself (a lot about living in Australia, I guess!) such as fires, floods, community, bush dancing, and finding your roots, your convictions, and ultimately, your identity as an individual. I'm pretty excited to write it - I've missed writing my stories. And I've now got a word document with a handful of ideas that I'm super keen to start, so I better keep pushing. ;)

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    1. Awwww, THANK YOU, M'DEAR!! :D <3 <3 I'm so glad you liked that one. :)

      Haha, okie doke. Good to know. :-P

      *grins* It doesn't sound creepy AT ALL, it sounds extremely flattering and happy, to me. ;D Awwww, really?! That makes me happy, thank you. :) (Haha, exactly. Love triangles have their place, but perhaps it is time for them to step down for a while. xD)

      "Fashion is stupid" << you're not wrong! ;D The changeability is interesting to me, in terms of what's "in" and what's not. Haha! Avant-garde for the win. xD

      Ooh, yay! Eeeek, that sounds really cool!! Have you been writing much of that recently?

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  7. Eek yes, Olivia!!! I was so excited when I saw this post pop up. :)

    This sounds amazing. I'm so excited to see how it turns out. I just know it's going to be great. Thanks for the update. And the Pinterest board...;)

    I'm sorta completely lost by the whole NaNo thing, but it sounds like it could be great fun. I'm excited to hear updates about that as well. :)
    This is just going to be one epic story!! What more can I say? :)

    ~Vanessa :D

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    1. Awwwww, thank you, Vanessa!!! :D Your encouragement about this story has been really--well, encouraging ;D

      Thank YOU! Heehee. ;)

      I feel you there, girl. I was pretty confused myself for quite a while. (I ended up not finishing NaNo, but it was a good experience, I think. :))

      AWWW! *blushes* :D

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  8. Your story sounds SO GOOD!

    I thought that "the real McCoy" was in reference to the famous Hatfield-McCoy feud, but apparently there are multiple versions of it's history.

    Quite honestly, I don't think I'll be participating in NaNo, at least at this point. Some things have to be cleared up first...

    Awesome post, Olivia!

    Catherine
    catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you SO much, Catherine! I really appreciate it!!

      Ohhhhhhhh, that makes sense! Huh, interesting. Thanks for letting me know! I should look into it myself sometime.

      Yeah, I didn't finish NaNo. :-/

      Thank you, thanks for your comment! :D

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  9. Your story sounds exciting! :O I must be honest and say that I actually haven't got to reading that short story you wrote yet... D: I need to get to it soon, very soon.

    I don't know if I'll be doing NaNo or not right now. I should probably do some sort of thing like that to help motivate me to actually write and not just... heh, as you said... browse through Pinterest and make boards about the story instead of actually writing it... :P But anyway... speaking of Pinterest, the board for your story looks fabulous! :)

    (We really should get together and brainstorm writing thingys sometime; that would be so much fun. :D)

    Love ya, girl! Hope you've been doing well! <3

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    1. Eeep, thank you! Awwww, thanks! You definitely don't have to read it, though. ;)

      Haha! I feel you. I think I've come to the conclusion that NaNo is not for me--at least not right now--but it is cool to have that motivation/accountability. Heehee! Aww, thanks. :)

      (Ooh, that's a neat idea!)

      You too!! <3

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