Thursday, November 20, 2008

Busy, Busy, Busy



I'm busy writing a paraNano novel. I didn't register at the NaNoWriMo site, but I am playing along at home.
Two fellow writers are doing something similar and we check in with one another twice a week or so. We call it PoLeRo, based on our names, and it's good to have someone else to answer to.
It's been going well. Some days I totally wing it while others I have some clue, cobbled together from the night before, as to what I need to write about. Occasionally I pay attention to these notes.
I'm having a blast. I am lousy at dialogue and thought it would be a great exercise. I force myself to have conversations. I'm building characters with it. I have two characters that have no idea when to shut up. One rambles a bit. The other tends to prattle on.
I've several different sentient species to play with so I give them interesting appendages and coverings. Not everyone breathes air.
I needed to get my imagination fired up to make sure it still works. So far it's earning its keep.
As of last evening I had 34,145 words.
This excitement goes to the end of the month. It is likely that the blog will take a bit of a hit while I busy myself with the destruction of the ancient world due to a math error.
I smile for no reason. I'm having fun. ParaNaNo PoLeRo has created a monster.
**
My husband took this pic of me. We were trout fishing in a reclaimed gravel pit along the first range of hills out west of town. I'm smiling. I'm having fun. That's about how I look this month.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love reading about your other writing...your characters...how they are taking off.

Im riding yer writing wave to spark my motivation to get back to fiction.

(how is THAT for pressure :))

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, MizFit. My characters are taking shape in unexpected ways. I appreciate your support.
Get back to fiction? You dang well better!
You are welcome ride my wave.

Tom Rooney said...

The great part of reading this writing is the flow. I love when ideas make sense to me and it reads just like I'm sitting next to the person having that conversation. From what I see here, it looks like you have that part down. :)

the Bag Lady said...

dfLeah - I am so glad to hear you are having so much fun. Jealous, but glad.

Just how big is that wave, anyway? I might have to tag along!

Penny said...

Score on the writing progress! Sounds like November is shaping up to be quite excellent. Trade you a bunch of dialogue for some plot?? I'm 4,000 words off the end of my actual story, yet I have 10,000 words to write before I hit the 50k target. Argh!! Something else needs to happen...

TA x

Leah J. Utas said...

Tom, thank you. That's so good to hear. I'm glad someone else finds flow to my writing. It's difficult sometimes taking an objective view.
It's especially gratifying to read that my tone is conversational. I appreciate your feedback, Tom. Please feel free to speak your mind here good, bad, or indifferent. It's all necessary and it all helps.

dfBag Lady - jump on, hang on, and get after it!

Leah J. Utas said...

Tokaiangel - Thanks. Sounds like a great trade to me!
I could easily wrap my story up in a few thousand words instead of the 15k+ required under the rules of engagement.
Fight? Sex scene? Day trip filled with description? Disruptive phone call? I've no idea what's going on in your ms so I can't be much help other than throw out some ideas for stepping off points. But I do know you can do it.

Hilary said...

That's a wonderful photo. Your face is so reflective of the fun you're having. It's a great look! :)

Leah J. Utas said...

Oh, Hilary, thank you so much. I was having a blast that day and I feel something similar when writing.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I'm glad you're having fun! I'm having a great time with my WIP too, and I know what you mean about smiling or giggling to yourself for no apparent reason.

Everyone needs a creative outlet. Don't let worries about the final outcome derail you from enjoying the process. Today is all we've really got...until tomorrow.

Leah J. Utas said...

I'm glad you're having fun, too, Bunnygirl. It really is the process, you're right. I'll concern myself with the outcome when I get there.
Here's to enjoying today!

Missicat said...

Looks like fun! I did try fly fishing once years ago, but not much luck. Or is the point just to be outside and having fun?

Leah J. Utas said...

Missicat, it was fun. I haven't tried fly fishing yet. Much as I love the taste of fresh trout, the real fun is playing in the great outdoors.

Reb said...

Glad to hear everything is going so well. You look like you are having such fun in the photo. Good for you.

Leah J. Utas said...

I was, Reb. Beautfiul day along the Forestry Trunk Road. Hard to top that.

Terrie Farley Moran said...

df Leah,

You look fantastic! The happiest fisherwoman in the world. And it sounds like your writing is coming along at quite a clip of creativity.

Keep it up. I am in awe.

Terrie

Leah J. Utas said...

dfTerrie, thanks. I was having the time of my life out there.
And I'm having it again in here with the writing. At some point I may have to rope my creativity in, but I'll worry about that after the 30th. It's barely gotten out for a good airing.

Thomma Lyn said...

Leah, that's a great picture of you! And you sound like you're having a blast with your novel. "ParaNaNo PoLeRo" -- I love it! :)

Anonymous said...

You are a talented writer no doubt...good for you! :)

Penny said...

Update - I think somebody's going to trip over a rafter and impale themselves on a scythe. Woo-hoo! Thanks for the tips - Im definitely going to add in some descriptive atmosphere too! Glad somebody else has my problem with brevity :0)

TA x

Leah J. Utas said...

TL, thanks. I am having the most bestest time ever.

Thank you, Mark.

Tokaiangel, you're welcome. Glad I could help. The impalement sounds good.