Crafting 101

I got the writing bug last week and in any spare moment I had, I was working on my novel! You know, the one I spent all of November 2008 writing? I didn’t finish it in November, but I wrote enough to be a NaNoWriMo winner (more than 50,000 words). Well, I wrote on it some more and thought that I came to an end (see this post from January), but after taking awhile off from it, I wasn’t satisfied with how I finished it. So I started writing and writing and rewriting. It also helped that I’ve been reading some AWESOME books by Debbie Macomber and I have figured out some tips to my writing that I had sort of forgotten from my classes in college.

So I think I actually finished last night. And I also think I have the beginnings of a book number two. It’s possible that this will lead to a series which would be great. I want to thank my friend Makita who is editing the first third of the book and I’ll send her the rest when she’s done with that. I have two other friends willing to read it to so I’m excited to have some other opinions.

Well, that’s today’s post about my writing. I haven’t done anything crafty the past couple of days. I cleaned out our shed Friday and it needed it! The weather was too good to be inside! I hope everyone enjoys their weekend! TTFN!

So I wasn’t home much today, but I wasn’t anywhere that I could actually work on any projects. I think I’m going to felt my bag Saturday, I need to throw a few pairs of jeans in with it and I’ll have some then. Anyways, I was just thinking about my book off and on and was just wondering if I’ve really got a novel? Yes, it’s over 50,000 words, it’s almost 80,000, but what more does it need? Also, this book only spans from roughly September to the end of November, is that long enough, does it need to go on? I’m really just talking aloud here!

Anyone out there written a novel? Anyone have any advice? I know that I need to print the whole thing out, read it with a few differnt colored pens so I can fix grammatical errors or spelling errors and another color working with what I learned in school was “be” verbs (you don’t want lots of was, were, be, being, been, etc.) and probably a color for general rewrites. I know it needs to be double spaced, whew, that’s going to go from 127 pages to eek! 258 pages! Gonna take a lot of ink to print that out! Guess I need to stock up on some printer cartridges! LOL!

Well, I just wanted to get some thoughts written out. I was reading how you need to have others read it and then some people say don’t let them read it, just give an overview and highlights, but I kind of what other people’s opinion so I’m conflicted. But I think I’ll just go with my gut, print it out and edit it and then rewrite some and before I show it to anyone, I’ll have a fresh copy that’s hopefully gotten some bugs out and then I can get people’s opinion. I have not only this nove, but one other that I’ve completed that needs to be worked on. So I think that’s my plan. Print it out, edit it, rewrite some and then get a copy to my friends to read it and tell me what they think. Whew! Thanks everyone! TTFN!

So I think I finished my novel. I’m just shy of 79,000 words, but I feel I could either stop right where I’m at or I could actually keep writing for probably another 20,000 words. I just can’t figure out what to do!

These are the last 237 words I’ve written:

“Yes, we are, but we aren’t suggesting you try and pack your bags and not come back. I was talking with your mom and I realized that you have ballet exams in two weeks and a recital in three and that we’ve had you under a lot of stress lately.”

“Annette, I want to apologize for everything I’ve done in the past and here lately. I’m not expecting you to forgive me and I know it won’t all go away, but I want you to know I’m trying.” Mom said with tears in her eyes.

“Mom, it’s okay.” I went over to Mom and gave her a hug.

“Now, that’s something I haven’t seen in almost twelve years.” Dad said. “George, I know that none of this makes any sense, but we aren’t a perfect family. Mistakes were made in the past that we regret, but we wouldn’t change them for the world. We’ve had our ups and downs, but that’s how life is.”

“Mr. Harper, I understand. You don’t have to explain anything to me. I will love your daughter for who she is and who her family is. That’s why I love her to begin with. Nothing can tear me away from Annette.” George said.

I got up and went back over to George and sat down. I hugged George as tight as I could. Life was fine now. I could go on. On forever.

Do you think that ends it? Should I go on and discuss what happens with the ballet exams? With the recital? I haven’t said anything about what ended up happening at school so I’m not sure if I should continue or stop. Eek! I need ideas, suggestions, anything to help me out. I know I want to write sequels, but the sequels were more for when she was older. Any thoughts would be great. I’m actually going to put it away for a few days and tackle some other projects over the next few days. I want to scrapbook Saturday so we’ll see what I get done.

Have a great rest of the week!

Well, as I type this, NaNoWriMo is just about over. I was trying to upload some more of my book to verify my word count total, but I can’t even get to their website! Overload! But on my Word document, I’m at a few words over 61,000. Yes, 61,000 words. Whew! I got onto a roll Saturday and Sunday and the words flew off my fingers! I was hoping to get a final word count in, but if I can’t, it won’t be the end of the world.

I had fun this November actually winning NaNoWriMo for the first time in four years. I’m still writing the book, I will probably get over 100,000 by the looks of it. My DH and I decided just to keep at it and get it done so that next November, I can write the next in the series. It was really nice to be able to spend the last week with my DH in the car and we actually discussed my book. He told me if my ideas sounded stupid or if they might actually happen. I loved being able to do that with him.

Well, this is the last post of November. I haven’t thought of a topic yet for December. I’m thinking December will be showing you all the things I’m making as Christmas gifts. Yes, I will be making most of the gifts. I started on one over this last week. If I can, I will be able to take it to ballet practice tomorrow and finish it since practice is long tomorrow night. But it’s that time of year to get those presents done!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! LMK how you did with the writing! I’ll let you know when the book is done! TTFN!

I did it!!! I’m so super duper excited! I got to 50,641 words officially this afternoon somewhere between Gulf Port, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama. As we pulled into a hotel to stay the night, I looked down and saw my word count. Then I went to NaNoWriMo’s website and put my novel in there for validation and to get my winner status!

I’m super excited since I’ve never written this much before in my life, I’m pretty sure. Well, I have another book I’ve written, but it’s not on this computer so I can’t see how many words that is, but anyways, 50,000 words is a lot!

Here’s a short exert from the book, I have until Sunday at midnight to put my final word count on the website so I’ll give an update then. Enjoy!

When we arrived home, I didn’t care if I got punished or not, I went straight to my room, put on my pajamas and crawled into bed. At this point, I really didn’t feel anything anymore. My entire body was numb. I turned my light out and just stared out the window. I’m not sure when Dad came into my bedroom. I felt someone there and turned over in the bed. Once I saw it was Dad, I sat up and started crying and held out my arms for him. He came closer and hugged me while I cried. I cried and I cried and I cried. It felt so good to get all that out.

“Are you okay? What happened?” Dad asked finally.

“Mom.” I said. Dad handed me some tissues and I blew my nose and wiped my eyes.

“She told me that the problem she had with me was that I was born. Why would a mom say that to their child?” I asked, the tears starting to well up again.

“Oh ballerina, she didn’t mean that.”

“Yes she did. Why doesn’t she love me? Did she not want to have me? Did I cause her too much pain? Why Daddy, why?” I started crying again and Dad held me close.

“Annette, it’s not that she didn’t want you, it’s, you were unexpected, that’s all. We thought we were done and then we had you.”

“So because you had me, she decided you needed to have all the rest? Is she mad because of that?”

“No, Annette, please come with me.” Dad got up and pulled me out of bed to follow him downstairs. We went down to the family room where Mom was with Analise and Andrew. Dad came behind me and led me to sit on the couch. He went and sat on his recliner.

“What’s wrong with Annette?” Mom asked.
Okay, that’s all I can give you. I hope that you have been able to make progress on your novel! LMK and I’d love to read it! TTFN!

Well, sorry for taking a few days off, but we’ve been traveling. But lucky for me, I have my laptop! So I brought it in the car with me. I typed while the husband drove! LOL! The good news is, I am up to over 47,000 words. Hip-hip-hooray! Only 3,000 more and I’m a winner!

The story is going well too. Lots of stuff going on in it so I’m hoping it sounds good. My main goal is to get over the 50,000 words and actually come to a conclusion to the entire thing then once I’m done, I’m going to edit it. I feel like I need to add some more to it in other places, but I’m not worried about that right now. Just have to hit the 50,000 mark.

I thought I’d post a photo I took of me writing the novel while traveling on I-20 Monday evening. I meant to post it then, but we were tired after driving like seventeen hours halfway across the country.

I’m hoping to type some tonight and if I’m lucky, I’ll get it finished! Hope everyone else is reaching their goal! TTFN!

I’ve been kind of bummed the last few days because I’ve hardly been able to write. I was at a little over 30,000 on the 18th and I looked today when I got a chance to write some and I haven’t even hit 31,000! So it’s been one of those weeks. But today, I’ve got the laptop downstairs on the kitchen table and in between cleaning up and doing other things, I am going to write.

I did hit a sudden patch where I was like, I’m not sure what to do on from here or what could happen. In fact, when I go back to edit, there’s a part around words 26,780 thru 28,000 where I’m probably going to rewrite it as right now, it’s okay and gives another angle to the story, but overall, I need to make it more exciting and bone-chilling a little bit. Just to give another punch to the storyline. But because of that occurrence, it leads to why Annette is afraid of talling her parents what happened.

I do plan on introducing in person her older siblings that are off in college. The timeline has the Thanksgiving holidays approaching so they will be visiting and I plan on making a lot of things come out in the open. If you were wondering how things would go with her academy dreams and what about George, those questions will be answered, all before Christmas break!

As I’ve been writing this, I’ve been thinking of possibly creating a series. Of course, I want to see how well this does and if it goes like I’d like it to (meaning, actually sell loads of copies) then I want to take on Janet’s life during this time or possibly go back in time to see how all this ended up happening with Annette and I also thought of what happens when she goes to the academy (well, if she gets to go, LOL!). Lots of ideas, but I guess I need to get this one done first!

I will be back tomorrow with another exert. I desperately need to hit 40,000 words by tomorrow at the latest. I know I’m behind! EEKK!!!

I did it and it’s exactly halfway through the month of November! I’m super excited to be this far with fifteen days to go. Here’s a little bit from the last few pages:

“A tutor? I don’t need a tutor.” Wally shouted out.

“Wally, that is enough.”

“I know that I’m not smart, not as smart as goody-two-shoes over there,” Wally said, pointing at me. I ducked my head and slouched in my chair. “I won’t have her as a tutor, you can’t make me.”

“No we can’t, Mr. Smith, but if your parents see your grades, they would rather you have a tutor than see you stuck in remedial math throughout the rest of high school. And I can guarantee you, Mr. Smith, colleges do not give basketball scholarships to incoming students who cannot pass geometry.” A few of the kids laughed at Wally.

“It isn’t funny class.” Mr. Masterson spoke up. “Colleges want you to know how to use all sorts of math. I’ve never had such a bunch of bright students who can’t seem to grasp the subject of geometry.”

“So, this is how it will be. After the exam and after Mr. Masterson gives me the results and your grades for your report card, we will determine where to go from here with all those involved. Now, good luck and good day.” Principal Stoner left the room. The class was silent for the first time in awhile.

I’m happy to be this far in such a short amount of time.  I thought I was stuck for awhile the other day, so I had to stop and actually think where could I go with this? Once I thought about it, I was able to keep streaming on and on with the words.

So how is everyone else doing? I need to check out the NaNoWriMo website to see if anyone has hit the 50,000 word mark yet. Oh, you can check out my profile here if you’d like to see it. I don’t know if I’ve posted it yet or not. My word count there is different than where I’m at, but I only update it like once a day. Anyways, hope that you have some comments for me! I’d love to hear from you!

That’s right! I think everyone is into facebook now! I found NaNoWriMo on facebook.com where I not only became a fan, you can install their application so it’ll post how many words you have written on you profile. I think it’s really cook! Check it out!

So right now, I’m at a little over 22,200 words. I had to take a break these past two days so I could get some PTA stuff done and I had to do some housework before my husband kicked me out! LOL! I am fixing to write some more and the next time I post, I want to at least be over 25,000 words and even better, 30,000! I’m telling you, this is the most I’ve written in the first two weeks of November than I’ve ever done before! It’s awesome!

So, like always, here’s a little bit from the novel. LMK what you think!

The normal crowd was at the bus stop, the bus arrived and I grabbed my normal seat next to Janet.

“Hey girl!” I said to Janet. I put my backpack on the floor by my feet.

“Hey, can I still come over tonight?” Janet asked. “Mom my said it was cool to stay over as long as your mom or dad said it was fine.”

“Well, I asked my dad and he said it was fine, but then Mom springs this baby-sitting thing me for the whole weekend.”

“What? Man, I really want to come over.”

“Go ahead and come over after school with me. You got your stuff?” Janet picked up an extra bag she brought with her. “Just come, they can’t get rid of you if you are already there.”

“Okay, sounds good. Who do you have to watch?”

“The twins, Adam and Amy. My parents are going to DC and they are taking the rest to my grandparents.”

“Why are they going to DC all the sudden?”

“Something to do with Dad’s work is what my mom said. Who knows and I don’t really care.”

We arrived at the school and exited the bus. Cally and Roger were waiting for us and I saw George getting off his bus and jogging over to us.

“Annette, good morning.” George said, coming up beside me.

“Good morning, George.”

“The two love birds!” Roger teased. Cally hit him with her purse.

“Shut up, Roger.” I said. I punched him gently in the arm.

“You are just jealous that you don’t have a girlfriend.” Janet said.

“Yeah, well, I’ve been thinking of asking someone to the dance at the end of the
month.” Roger said, defending himself.

“Oh yeah, who would want to go out with you?” I asked. We all laughed.

“I’m hurt,” Roger replied. “But it’s that gorgeous looking girl right over there.” Roger pointed to a girl sitting next to the water feature in the front yard of the school.

“Alexis? Your science project partner?” Cally gasped.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“Nothing, just, the two of you have been in class together since like sixth grade and you’ve never noticed her before you became partners.” Cally said.

“Well, love is blind.” Roger said.

The first bell rang letting us know it was time to head inside to class. 

I’m hoping that you all like it. I can’t wait to see how it finished! TTFN!

This is seriously the fastest I’ve written anything! Wow! This novel is flying! I’m glad though. I really hate getting stuck. I keep telling my husband, either I’m getting batter or I found a topic that I really like to write about! Who knows! 

So overall, the storyline is getting more intense. I’ve had to make a list of all the characters because I’ve added lots more to add to it. I have been thinking that I’m going to need to re-read it because I’ve been writing a lot of this at night! But I’m hoping it’ll turn out good, maybe good enough to get published. That’s my goal.

So I have put in a little bit that’s off of page twenty-seven in my Word document of the story. I’m not sure what page it would be in an actual book, but I’m up to thirty pages in my document and I’m figuring I’ll be at sixty pages plus before this book is over. I just wanted to give everyone an update and let you read somemore of it. Enjoy! I’d love any comments you have!

We walked into his room and I stopped over by their dresser while Dad closed the door. It had been a really long time since I have had to be punished, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

Dad sat down in their little sitting area and patted the ottoman in from to his chair. I went and sat down across from Dad.

“I’m just a little confused about what is going on. You are the most obedient, helpful child that we have. What’s going on?” Dad started. I shrugged my shoulders.

“Annette, you aren’t making this easy. I don’t expect this type of attitude from you. Adam maybe, but you?” I sat there, not really knowing what to say.

“Annette, are you listening to me?” Dad asked. I nodded my head. I couldn’t help, but start crying. Not a hard cry, but a silent cry. “Ballerina, what is the matter?” I couldn’t say anything. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. I felt Dad pull me towards him and I put my face into his shoulder. The tears started coming, but I just couldn’t talk about why. Dad held me while I cried and when I finally finished, I pulled back from him. I wiped the tears from my face and looked him straight in the eyes.

“Dad, I’m sorry for my behavior this afternoon towards Mom. I was upset that she forgot me and then I came home and no one had left me any dinner. Then I still had to do the dishes. I accept the fact that I was wrong and disrespectful and I’m ready for my punishment.” I sat there with my hands in my lap.

Dad looked flustered. He ran his hand through his hair.

“Well, I’m confused, I’ve never had one of my kids confess and then tell me they are ready for a spanking.”

“Dad, please, just go ahead. I will feel better if you just do it. Please.” I didn’t want a spanking, especially at my age, but it’d make him happy and I could then escape to my room.

“Okay, come here.” I stood up and laid myself across his lap. I felt him pull my pants down and lay his arm across my back. I cringed and started crying with each lash across my backside. The rule was, for how ever old you were, that’s how many lashes you got. I got my far share.

Dad finally stopped and he pulled my pants up. I sort of slid off his lap onto the floor into the fetal position. The tears came and came. I couldn’t help myself. I felt Dad pick me up like a little child and he put me in his lap. I was obviously too big, but it did feel good.

“Ballerina, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Dad gave me a kiss on the forehead.

“It’s okay, I deserved it. Can I go to my room now?”

“Sure, you do know that I love you, right? I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t.” Dad asked.

“Yes, I love you too.” I stood up and walked towards the door. Right before I got to the door, I turned around and ran to Dad who was standing by the bed now. I gave him a huge hug. “I love you, Dad, more than anyone in the whole world.” Dad hugged me back tight.

“I love you too Ballerina.”

So, what do you think? Please, LMK!!!!