Writing: A Conversation Without Interruptions

So . . . that problem I was having yesterday with ‘not feeling it’?

Gone. Well and truly gone.

I just finished an hour long sprint because I just couldn’t bear to stop. That sprint gave me a delish 4,188 words which takes today’s count to 5,194 in 75 mins of drafting time. ^_^

The problem I had with magic is still there, but the other problem with how to introduce my ‘climax’ is now gone. I’m well under way and racing towards the finish of the novel.

I’m find that there’s a lot of detail I’ll need to go back and include later so, while this draft may only be about 65k (I think?) the finished product is likely to be closer to 70k/75k by the time I’m done putting in all the additional scenes and what not.

I haven’t been this excited since I was in the middle of writing ‘Dead And Alive’ and now I’ve hit my stride again I’m confident that I’ll finish the draft within November. Since that is my goal for the month I’m quite chuffed at how things are going.

Now for a well deserved kip since it’s a bit later than I was planning to go to bed today. o.O

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Posted on November 16, 2015 by Ileandra Young | Leave a comment

IY: Mah Plans 16/11/15

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Ileandra Young

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Two week stretches to get things done feels a little weird. It’s still weirder to share what feels like my Monday with Raven. Meh. I’m getting on and work has been pretty productive despite several blips and hair pulling moments.

Let’s assess:

Actions Over The Past Fortnight

~Complete audio read of ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’
Done. It came as something of a surprise when I finished it too. The novel is now complete and needs no more tweaking or messing from me. It’s had as much editing/proofing as it’s going to get. Now, to format.

~Finalise ‘Episode Three’ cover design
Yep. I don’t know if you spotted it—I slipped it into one of my NaNo posts—but if you’ve not been following those, here is the final design of Target Beta. I’m quite pleased with it actually and feeling far more like I’m back in control of my original vision for these covers. I will be taking a much easier route for season two though, I’ll tell you that right now!

~Write and send Autumn newsletter
Sorted. They went out last night. Those of you who would like to get the quarterly update and all the treats associated with that, follow this link to get started.

~Have a Clash of the Animal Kings (Mach II) word count of 27,000 words
. . . ahem . . . yeah . . . I’m kinda at 51k and change at the time of writing. I’m sure by the time this post goes live I’ll be much further along. Teehee, who says working under pressure is bad for productivity? 😉

Activities For This Fortnight (complete by 30/11/15)

So . . . the second half of the month I devote to loose ends.

Complete draft of ‘Clash of the Animal Kinds (Mach II)
Complete formatting of ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’ for Kindle
Complete blurb for ‘Episode Three’ and list as pre-order

Thoughts…

So far, having two weeks to get stuff done doesn’t seem to be doing me any harm. I do need to keep checking back to remind myself what I said I would do, but I was doing that anyway!

I am finding that work is also a deal more relaxed. So far, the fact that Raven and I now share Mondays has meant that DSB gets a lot more time for herself. Something I know she’s grateful for. ^_^

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DSB: Interlude

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Da Shared Brain

I wrote something for the PWG weekly task. I don’t like it all that much, but, given that my head is rammed full of all the horrible events of last week, I still want to share it. I don’t expect you to say anything, but for some reason, I have a strong desire to make public this terrible attempt at poetry.

I’d say ‘enjoy’ but that doesn’t feel right. I’ll settle for ‘here you go’:

Last night before I crept to bed
I went online, discovered and read
that several Parisian people were dead.

Several attacks across the city.
‘Guns, terrorists, hate’ and gritty
words used by the media. Falsified pity.

And just before, did I hear wrong
The news about Jihadi John?
‘Another terrorist, bagged and gone.’

But

It’s not that simple.

Don’t you care
that each and every time you swear
to see the law’s justice done
you’ve widened the rift, put off repair?

Because death is not the answer.

Hate is note a cure.

We are one people, living in one world,
and each and every time you hurl
another taste of empty justice
hate’s maelstrom will continue to whirl.

No one escapes such hate unscathed.

We’re all affected and enslaved
And if we don’t all act together
we’ll find our future paved
with misery and fear.

Yeah. That.

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Posted in Da Shared Brain's Posts | Tagged a break from our usual programming, da shared brain, Ileandra Young, poetry, Raven Shadowhawk | Leave a comment

Well.

I knew there would be a day I didn’t get a green spot. A little disappointed, but it’s not the end of the world since I’ve hit the 50k.

I’m just not feeling it today. At all. The 900 words I did write was like pulling teeth and, I’m considering dumping it all.

I know that’s not the point of NaNo, but I also know that it has no place in the story I’ve been writing: the scene just doesn’t work.

Maybe I’ll feel different in the morning, who knows, but for now, I’m going to bed.

Peace folks. x

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Posted on November 15, 2015 by Ileandra Young | Leave a comment

I kinda feel there should have been more fanfare and whistles when I hit 50k.

. . . nope. I just bimbled passed it, forgot about it and didn’t even managed to make my daily post on time. *shrugs* Ho hum. This is how things stand right now.

Oh, and I haven’t written a word so far today. Not one. It’s been crazy busy with children and phone calls, text messages and even a few tears following Friday’s horrific events in Paris and Beirut. I’m still recovering, to be honest, and, am having trouble focusing on anything.

Hopefully putting the Sprogs in bed will allow my brain some space to decompress and get the hell on with it. Even if it’s just 100 words, I’d like to do something today. I won’t feel right if I don’t.

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