Monday 29 November 2010

Word of Last Week #17

Stingy (adj)
Someone who holds on to their money, is ungenerous, not generous (and not only with money). E.g. "He never pays, he's too stingy."

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Thursday 25 November 2010

Aaaand it's Official!

Today is the first day to validate your NaNoWriMo 2010 novel! If you're not finished yet, don't despair. There's still five days (-ish) left to write. For those of you who have finished though, it is now official. You're NaNo '10 winners! Congratulations! I was met with the winner's page when I logged in today because I had already entered my 50,236 words ages ago to make sure that the word count wasn't messed up (you never know!). So, if you haven't already, go and collect your winner goodies! And then may I suggest you give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back (if you can reach - otherwise, ask someone else to do it). If you need to you can cry a little that NaNo is over too. I'm sure I will be very sad when we enter December next week. November is truly one of the best months of the year.

Sunday 21 November 2010

Word of the Week #16

Heartfelt (adj)
Something that is felt sincerely and deeply. E.g. "You truly have our heartfelt sympathies".

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Thursday 18 November 2010

Passed the Middle but How to Get to the End? or 12 Days Left of NaNoWriMo

Finally I have some time to write a blog post post-NaNo (well, for me anyway). I've barely had time to visit the NaNoWriMo webpage and forums these last couple of weeks, let alone enjoy any more writing after finishing my 50,000 words. I'm very jealous of all of you who still have writing left to do! Finishing in 5 days might sound good but I miss out on so much, being buried in school work the rest of the month.

Anyway, as I presented some of my statistics for NaNo in the last NaNo-flavoured post, I thought I would give some tips to anyone interested for finishing their NaNo novel (or any other novel for that matter) and ending up with statistics of their own. For, even though you can always come up with some fun statistics if you fail, it is always more rewarding to know that the numbers you put down helped you win.

Saturday 13 November 2010

Word of the Week #15

Droll (adj)
Something that is amusing or funny in a strange, eccentric kind of way. E.g. "How droll! Will you look at that!"

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Friday 12 November 2010

Videos on Writing #1 - Various Advice and Interesting Stuff

I'm sorry for my long absence on this blog but I seem to suffer from a post-NaNo coma where writing has become impossible. Also, I am drowning in school work and I've spent the last week trying to keep my head above the surface. That's why I've decided to post this - a post I wrote ages ago and saved for just a time like this when I didn't have time to write new one. I hope it can help and inspire you, no matter if you're doing NaNo or not. I'll try go be back next week with a more NaNo centred post, if I can find the time to write one.

I wanted to share some videos I found on YouTube on writing, the writing process and how to build a story. These videos are a diverse bunch, I haven't stayed to a single theme this time since I wanted to explore what was available out there without having to turn away a video simply because it didn't suit my purpose. I hope you find them instructing and helpful, if not at least interesting.

Monday 8 November 2010

Word of Last Week #14

High-handed (adj)
Someone who is overbearing and uses power without considering others' feelings.

Sources:

Friday 5 November 2010

I Did it!

Five days into NaNoWriMo I finished the 50,000 words! As you can imagine I've been writing like crazy all week, but it's been worth it. It will make the rest of November much easier, for I have a heavy courseload this month, and I'm working a bit too. Now I've participated in and won two NaNos. I'm a little sad at the moment though, because I won't be able to enjoy all of NaNo 2010. I won't have the time to check in on the forums every day, and I've already finished my writing. It turned into a NaNoWriWe for me instead. Oh, well. I'll just have to try to find time for the forums. Maybe I'll work on a short story as well. We'll see, we'll see. Now I'm going to eat the rest of my potato chips and just enjoy an evening of rest and no writing.

As a true NaNoer, here are some very specific statistics on my NaNo novel this year:

  • Words written: 50,236
  • Days to finish 50K: 5
  • Average amount of words per day: 10047
  • Approximate no. of hours written: 42
  • Words written on most productive day: 13,010
  • Dare points achieved: 47 (!)
  • No. of Pringles tubes emptied: 1 1/3
  • Bags of Maltesers eaten: 1
  • Rows of Marabou chocolate eaten: 2 (which makes 8 squares)
  • No. of metaphorical walls hit: 2
  • No. of 4th wall breaks: 0

I'll write more on this subject later. Right now I just want to get away from the computer.

Good luck to all of you still writing! I know you will get there too!