Thanks! I'm having a lot of fun with the series. I have a couple more in the works that have been partially written (including one about a young witch who falls in love with the Green Man of legend, who in my world is a faerie) but those are coming a bit later. I need to sort out the story of Jenny and Holden (and Travis!) first.
Terrific description of the thinking process behind the writing. But the competition thing sounds brutal. You sure you want to do that again, Jackie? (LOL)
Well.... yes and no. I'm going to do it unofficially this year (I'm not paying to enter) because I don't think book 3 in a series would stand a chance in a contest. Plus I don't know if I want to put in THAT many hours. But I would like to have a shell of a story written if I can make it happen.
That's what I used to think. I'm still amazed at how I wrote so many words (and mostly, good words!) in such a short amount of time. I think once you get into the flow, it just happens.
I agree that contests can reap large dividends. External discipline can be a wonderful spur. I wrote three novels during NaNoWriMo, but the most important thing I learned was to get the draft down and edit it later. Most novels sag in the third act, so it's really important to pay attention to keeping the tension and arc nice and tight.
Yeah, I like the motivation I get from contests. I've done NaNoWriMo in November every year since 2013 and I always "win" in that I reach 50K, with varying results. Two of the attempts have made it to the finish line (one is nearly complete but on temporary hold, and I'm finishing up the other for publication here next month). The others aren't lost and at least one will be reworked a bit to fit into my current series (it was in the same world but it needs tweaking to fit into my storyline).
But what I really love are the NYC Midnight contests, especially the flash fiction and short story ones, as they have pushed me to write really great stories. I've published both of my flash pieces here (one just this week). There's something about a vague but challenging prompt to get my brain working! Plus the quick turnaround and buy-in BEFORE I start writing (rather than paying upon submission) means I'll get something done for sure.
Oh yeah. I do the NYC all the time. I've made it to the last round twice but never gone all the way. It's really hard because it's so subjective. This last one I drew science fiction and did well, but it didn't advance to the final round. I turned it into a comic instead.
Wow, you’ve gotten a lot further than I have! Though this time with flash, I got third place in the first round, so if I do well in the second, I should advance. We’ll see!
Love the plot concept and how the stories are connected.
Thanks! I'm having a lot of fun with the series. I have a couple more in the works that have been partially written (including one about a young witch who falls in love with the Green Man of legend, who in my world is a faerie) but those are coming a bit later. I need to sort out the story of Jenny and Holden (and Travis!) first.
Terrific description of the thinking process behind the writing. But the competition thing sounds brutal. You sure you want to do that again, Jackie? (LOL)
Well.... yes and no. I'm going to do it unofficially this year (I'm not paying to enter) because I don't think book 3 in a series would stand a chance in a contest. Plus I don't know if I want to put in THAT many hours. But I would like to have a shell of a story written if I can make it happen.
I couldn't write 7000 words in a day. My brain starts turning to mush at about 1500. 🤣 But good for you. Do it!
That's what I used to think. I'm still amazed at how I wrote so many words (and mostly, good words!) in such a short amount of time. I think once you get into the flow, it just happens.
Yeah, but my brain is old and tired. 🤣
I agree that contests can reap large dividends. External discipline can be a wonderful spur. I wrote three novels during NaNoWriMo, but the most important thing I learned was to get the draft down and edit it later. Most novels sag in the third act, so it's really important to pay attention to keeping the tension and arc nice and tight.
Yeah, I like the motivation I get from contests. I've done NaNoWriMo in November every year since 2013 and I always "win" in that I reach 50K, with varying results. Two of the attempts have made it to the finish line (one is nearly complete but on temporary hold, and I'm finishing up the other for publication here next month). The others aren't lost and at least one will be reworked a bit to fit into my current series (it was in the same world but it needs tweaking to fit into my storyline).
But what I really love are the NYC Midnight contests, especially the flash fiction and short story ones, as they have pushed me to write really great stories. I've published both of my flash pieces here (one just this week). There's something about a vague but challenging prompt to get my brain working! Plus the quick turnaround and buy-in BEFORE I start writing (rather than paying upon submission) means I'll get something done for sure.
Oh yeah. I do the NYC all the time. I've made it to the last round twice but never gone all the way. It's really hard because it's so subjective. This last one I drew science fiction and did well, but it didn't advance to the final round. I turned it into a comic instead.
Wow, you’ve gotten a lot further than I have! Though this time with flash, I got third place in the first round, so if I do well in the second, I should advance. We’ll see!